#this is why that 'obsessed with your sibling' trope in anime is so weird to me

[harmonysanreads]

I have an older brother but we do not get along well whatsoever. He causes me so much stress and anger, it legit messess up my fricking period. In a way it's not his fault bc he's mentally ill but he's so ARROGANT EW

Sounds like a normal sibling dynamic to me lmao

Now that I think about, I have a cousin who's exactly like this and he's a total menace to his younger sister (and me) as well 💀

[lullabyes22-blog]

Omg wtf... 8’O

Literally a week after writing a Jinx and Silco fic exploring their weird enmeshed codependent parent-child relationship, we get an interview with one of the animators at Fortiche stating that they were supposed to canonically be a romantic relationship. Apparently, even though the idea was scrapped, it still came through in the body-language from the leftover scenes, so now people I know who called it a healthy dad-daughter dynamic are sorta facepalming.

Like - lmfao no shit it wasn’t healthy. I’ve worked for years with CPS, and their physical interactions are exactly the kind of shit that would set my alarm-bells ringing. What doting daddy and devoted adult daughter have special lap-time, nuzzly cuddles, lingering eye-contact, face to face time with their mouths inches apart, and then culminate with the daughter throwing a hissy fit and straight-up tying daddykins to a chair with a literal ball-gag in his mouth. 

I noticed the weirdness. My husband noticed. My friends noticed. YT reactors noticed. TV Tropes noticed. Screen Junkies noticed.

Hilariously and horrendously, in anime-land, this kinda dynamic would be par for the course. Older weaboomers are degenerates to our core. Blood+ aired yonks ago, and we still weren’t overtly shocked by Kai’s growing obsession for Saya, or Saya and Haji technically growing up together as siblings, or the whole Mother and Lover debacle of Diva and her Chevaliers. 

Diva and Amshel were creepy tho. Diva and Amshel will always be creepy.

For Western animation, I guess that stuff is still a bit too risque to let it fly under the radar. Especially given the series is rated 13 and up. 

I also perfectly understand why Riot nixed the idea. Jinx came to Silco as a minor, and a romantic relationship would imply he’d groomed her and taken advantage of her. He’s already despicable morality-wise; that would make him irredeemable. It also works as a neat subversion - we think he’s using her, and then he turns around and proves us wrong from the start. Plus it wouldn’t pack nearly as much punch in terms of narrative symmetry once he kicked the bucket. Arcane is at its crux a story of parents and children, and brothers and sisters, falling apart and trying desperately to knit themselves back together. That familial love is the pulse of the series.

I both understand and respect why they scrapped the relationship angle. Yet somehow, those leftover animated scenes just make the Jinx/Silco dynamic more fraught and disturbing. Vladimir Nabokov wrote Lolita in a style that was almost entirely subtextual, and yet it remains one of the most deftly-handled and horrific works of fiction to date.

It also makes me want to rewatch those scenes in Arcane so I can wonder - “Wtf was going on in their heads?” Seriously. It can’t have been anything wholesome - which would be disturbing but also realistic, in that trauma reforges one’s conceptions of normal vs abnormal behavior, and Jinx and Silco weren’t all that stable to begin with.

I’m reminded weirdly of another series I watched with a similar dynamic - The Borgias on Showtime. The series spends the first two seasons playing up the tender, codependent, yet deeply sweet relationship between Cesare and Lucrezia, who grow more and more perverse and manipulative in their daily lives, yet remain deeply loyal to each other. Then come season 3 the series pulls the rug from under the audience and has them fall into bed together, with disastrous effects not unlike a church organ falling on your head.

Kinda makes me wonder what direction Arcane would’ve gone with Jinx and Silco if the series was for adults, or non-Western animation. IRL this is the kind of dynamic that would make me get out my boxing gloves. But fiction remains a space to delve further into the darker aspects of life, especially things which society shuns victims and perpetrators alike for, and prefers to sweep under the rug. 

Anyway, off to go write more fanfic now. Because seriously: lmfao wtf.

[alfredosauce50]

would you be down to do 2p china hc’s? im very curious on how you characterize him!

I’m down! I’m guessing you figured I had my own interpretation of the guy after I answered an ask saying I’d write for him. I really like 2p! China as a character, but I have to say, I haven’t properly written for him before. Nevertheless, I’ll give you my thoughts on him as a person!

2p! China Headcanons

Zao’s appearance doesn’t give away much of his personality. He’s got a bit of a baby face, and he has a sociable and pleasant demeanor for the most part. So if you didn’t know him well enough to see past those traits, you would be surprised at how shady he can be.

Appearance

Like his 1p counterpart, his dark brown hair goes past his shoulders and is tied back in a low ponytail. It’s pretty thin too, so it stays flat against his back. But that’s what makes it look so good. He isn’t the tallest guy out there, as he stands around 170cm or 5′7″. Doesn’t mean you can easily take him out in a fight, though. He’s quite slender, but he’s muscular and knows a few martial arts to boot.

He has a lot of tattoos, and he doesn’t try to hide them. He has dragons curling down his arms, as well as Chinese characters etched into his back. Most of the time, he wears traditional clothing, such as a sleeveless Tang suit, so his arms are exposed. It’s almost as if the colors black and red were made for him. And he knows it. So unless he’s having a bad day where he’ll go for a simple T-shirt, he likes to dress to impress. Not that he even needs to try.

He’s devilishly attractive, and the way he talks gets girls flocking to him.

Personality

Zao is very easy-going and open-minded. He’ll talk about anything with anyone. Everything is fascinating in a way, and nothing seems to faze him either. So he’s the type to question the most trivial things in life--or list drugs as casually as you would your favorite candy bars. It’s also difficult to shock him, or anger him. When life deals him a bad hand, or springs up inconveniences, he’ll go with the flow because that’s life. So unless something involves the person he likes, he keeps himself pretty level-headed.

With his willingness to talk about anything, comes his brutal honesty and bluntness. So sometimes, he’ll find himself offending people even if he never meant to. If he does this to women, they’ll slap him before storming off, leaving him in confusion at what he did wrong. But if he does this to men, he’ll have to be quick on his feet to escape a potential fight. Unlike a few other 2ps, he has a good temperament so he avoids violence, but he’ll resort to it if he absolutely has to.

Despite the careers he’s depicted to have, like being a drug-dealer, something in adult entertainment, night-life, or anything illegal, he has strong fraternal instincts. If somebody embodied the “big brother” trope, it would be him. He cares a lot for his younger siblings, and they look up to him as a role model. But he’ll always tell them, “Do as I say, not as I do!” As comfortable as he is in his own skin, his own identity, he wouldn’t want them taking after him.

He’s very flirtatious, and a huge tease. How he shows he likes you is through making you blush, or embarrassed. He’ll call you pet names. Shower you with compliments. Refer to you as if you and him are already an item. If you bumped into him at a grocery store, he’ll help you shop, then say, “So, is that all we need? I can’t wait for dinner tonight.” Zao is also unapologetically dirty-minded. He’s all about dirty jokes, conversations, and gestures. The bigger reaction he gets, the more addicting they are.

He doesn’t have any qualifications, not even a high school diploma, but he’s street-smart to make up for it. That’s how he makes so many connections and hustles his way up to the top in shady businesses. If you need something, anything, legal or illegal, expensive or cheap, you can ask him, and 99% of the time, he’ll say, “I know a guy.” If he likes you, all he wants in return is something perverted. A kiss, maybe. Or maybe your underwear.

Interests

He loves anything cute, and he doesn’t hide it. Sanrio is a must--he keeps a collection of their plushies, most of them being Hello Kitty, but he also likes other characters such as Cinnamoroll and Pompompurin. Sometimes, he can get a bit obsessive over whatever sells fast. So if he has to, he’ll stay up and keep refreshing the page selling whatever he has his eyes on. If he’s infamous for his connections that let him get pretty much anything he wants, surely he can get his hands on the limited-edition Hello Kitty-themed towel, right!? He isn’t against having other kinds of merchandise either, like household items, but he keeps it lowkey for functionality.

In his house, you’ll find a lot of imports from East-Asian countries. Not only is he used to using them when he was back in China, they’re better than what you can find in America. Or at least, in his opinion. This includes cosmetics, snacks, alcohol, and decorations.

Although he doesn’t have a lot of time to, he enjoys watching anime. That’s why he makes sure to get through the most popular and mainstream ones first.

Zao likes to keep connected with his culture. He doesn’t care to assimilate, and being ‘different’ doesn’t bother him at all--he thinks it’s what gives him a unique personality and background. Since he doesn’t have a lot of friends to speak Mandarin with, he’ll look for his neighbors who can, and strike up a conversation every now and then. As well as that, he’ll give his siblings red pockets for Chinese New Year so they can spend it on food, videogames or whatever they want.

He can’t cook for shit. Even then, he has strong opinions on food, especially Chinese. While he enjoys westernised take out like Panda express, he wishes people would stop assuming Chinese cuisine is just dumplings, fried rice, noodles and yum cha. They’re B-tier at best. For a country with that rich and long a history, there’s so much more to indulge in. Too bad he can’t make anything if he tried.

Psychology + romance

Zao is used to being a second choice. His cheerfulness and bluntness make other people think he’s creepy or weird, so he can’t quite wrap his head around somebody liking him to that degree--or getting particularly close to him. At least, emotionally. There are a lot of girls who want him for one-night stands. But this doesn’t stop him from flirting with someone he genuinely likes, even if he doesn’t expect anything in return. It’s fun because they get flustered, after all. But when they start returning the same energy, get persistent, or even make him suspect that they like him back, he will get nervous. He’s used to being the chaser, not the other way around. So if the tables turn and things start getting real, he will back away.

As confident as he is with his image, it’s difficult for him to get intimate with somebody romantically. He’s open, but can’t be vulnerable. He’d rather keep things casual, so when he really falls for someone, he’ll be conflicted between keeping things the way they are, or pursuing them.

Eventually, these feelings will deepen to the point being just friends becomes suffocating. That’s when Zao loses his cool and gets frustrated. It could happen due to a build-up of his emotions, or an event that makes him explode from jealousy. He’ll get desperate after so long of not doing anything and make it very clear he wants you. “Just date me already!”

When he finally gets together with you, prepare to be coddled. He’ll want to help you with anything the best way he can, and go to extreme lengths to do so. Nothing seems extreme when it’s for somebody he cares so much about. While he never holds it against you--how much he does for you--he may or may not guilt trip you into giving him more affection. But only subtly. Instead of him kissing you, he'll loiter around your presence until you kiss him. And when you do, he’ll smile like an idiot.

He never makes it explicit when he wants to take you out on a date. Zao will just ask you if you’re free, and take you out for the night. He doesn’t see a point in labelling it as a ‘date’, because he doesn’t just see quality time with you through a romantic and sexual lens. He values the friendship aspect of it as well, and you really appreciate him for it.

Zao loves to cuddle. He doesn’t hug you much throughout the day, but when you’re at home and about to sleep, he will hug you, a lot. He won’t let go while he talks to you, and will only loosen his coils when you fall asleep.

Acknowledgements

I was mainly inspired by the 2p! China in the story, “Dragon District”, written by xYourHero. So props to them. The fandom’s perception of him has definitely deepened because of it, and it’s great seeing underrated 2ps finally getting the attention they deserve! I’m one of the people who’s had my characterization of Zao take after hers, so I’ll also be crediting her for my headcanons.

You can find the story on DeviantArt, Archive of our own and Wattpad. I adored that fic back in the day. Such good memories. I wasn’t even writing back when I was reading it. Any who, let’s get right into it. I’ve divided the headcanons into subcategories, appearance, personality, interests, and psychology + romance.

(Look at this fanart is by Amphany on DeviantArt. It was drawn for xYourHero. I’m gonna put it here for reference. https://www.deviantart.com/amphany/art/Dragon-smoke-548426383)

[shamelessllamapeanutthing]

Ships and Feels about them

HUGE self-indulgent post but my brain is frozen and I need to get the juices flowing so I can start studying, because if I don’t get into the college I want I just might have to kill myself and then y’all can say bye-bye to your fav fics by your majesty. 

YoruSoi- status: worSHIPPING (geddit? XD) them like the goddesses they are

I regularly play Wicked Ones by Dorothy and just imagine these two tag-teaming against their opponents, like the crazy, badass, ninja lesbians they are. It fucking gives me goosebumps and makes me blush like I am imagining them rawing each other instead. I am a big time SUCKER for powerful, cut-throat wlw. They make me feel powerful by extension, and my devotion for these two is completely unparalleled. 

VictUuri- status: will protect them with my life  

First of all, I love how layered and interesting they are. I can think about this show and this ship for hours and hours on end ( @feastingonvicturi will vouch for that). I naturally gravitate towards angsty ships and writing (because I am a weird sado-maso cross, what can I say) except for these two fluffy bastards. I had been putting off watching YOI because of the weird things I had read about ‘yaoi’ animes (IK YOI is not yaoi, now) till someone told me how pure and deep their love for each other was and welp, here we are. 

RenRuki- status: comfort ship I’ll defend till death

It was one of my first ships and even as I multi-shipper, I always had a preference for them. Childhood-friends-to-lovers trope tugs on my heartstrings like little else and Renji’s devotion towards Rukia warms my heart. I hear them in nearly every song, imagine them in every scenario I read or write about and even though I have multiple ships I adore involving Rukia and Renji both, the two together is everything to me. (Presently obsessed with the amazing hcs and art by @recurring-polynya you might wanna check them out)

KaiRay- status: heart is taking a break, but remains firmly attached

I got into Beyblade BECAUSE of this ship, because of the moments these two shared in V-Force that I caught glimpses of when my younger siblings were watching the show. I love Kai and Ray’s dynamic and I guess what attracts me the most to this ship is the fact that as a teenager I was exactly like Kai and had my own personal Ray who got me through the worst in life. I love the sense of sweet nostalgia this couple brings me and I believe they are perfect for each other. 

MariahEmily- status: coffee shop AU, anyone? 

I was HUGE on MariahxRay but strong, stylish, kinda bitchy, dumb thot falling for the highly educated and fierce lady boss she doesn’t really know how to approach is another one of my favourite tropes, (see: PansMione, down under). I saw them interact and due to personal reasons my brain rejects petty rivalry between girls (because we’re all tired of that, children, be honest) and immediately tries to fix it in fanon. ( @trashyartz  and her beautiful drawings had a lot to do with fanning these flames.) 

ShunUki- status: want them to adopt me

Need I say more? No, but I wanna. I love the steady, secure vibes of this ship. This is the one ship I physically can’t write angsty shit about because of the level of understanding and sense of comfort these two share. They give me kind and strong dad vibes and I have emotionally been an orphan since I was in my early teens so. 

WolfStar- status: they’re canon, JKR can suck my toes

Fucking TERF 

Listen, listen, have you been listening? I mentioned I am a sucker for angst, right? Are you looking at the angst potential here, cause wow. What originally attracted me to this ship was the Chemistry between the two, cause it’s undeniable. You can NOT imagine Maurauders’ Era without imaging these two pining over each other. It’s impossible. 

PansMione- status: toxic and problematic, but oh so hot

I got on this ship because I was craving some quality wlw ships. You guys’ I can not explain to you how often female characters in shows and books do not pass the Bechdel test and I stumbled on some gorgeous PansMione art and just fell in love. IK this ship is hella problematic, but I am firm on my stance that the baby Slytherins deserve a redemption arc. 

Can you imagine these two after Pansy realises everything she did wrong and vows to be better? I imagine Hermione stumbling on a hurt and confused Pansy in year 8, who can’t stop her tears from flowing and is so ashamed of herself for that. She is feeling guilty and resisting the emotion with everything she possesses because the world she’d always known has crumbled down around her and everything she believed in has now been proven to be wrong. 

She lashes out at Hermione because how dare that smart, gorgeous, courageous girl also be everything Pansy once thought she was? How dare she, a muggleborn, unravel the complicated threads of the wizard world so quickly, so efficiently, and clearly see what Pansy never could? Pansy is hurt and guilty and angry and she hates the fact that fucking Granger of all people has now witnessed her crying. 

She feels lost and her anger only rages louder when Hermione doesn’t gloat or belittle her, she doesn’t say anything. 

(Why is this turning into a ficlet, WHAT) 

Anyways, Pansy gets over herself and she and Hermione get together and oh my god, imagine them then. Smart, powerful, righteous Hermione taking the fucking Wizarding World by a storm every single day with her sexy, vivacious, clever Pansy by her side. They’d be unstoppable and they’d love each other something fierce. It would show in the way they look at each other, with a sense of victory, not only over Voldemort but over the entire Wizarding society that had done everything it could to tear them apart, and ultimately failed. 

(BONUS: Imagine Ron and Harry being utter dorks when they go to Pride parades with Hermione and let the image cleanse your skin and soul. @feastingonvicturi @trashyartz one of you (or both?) needs to collab with me so I can write a fix it fic for these two, please. I will pledge my soul to the devil to be used and abused as per Trashy’s whims in exchange. Taura will do it cause she’s my best friend and loves me more than I deserve to be loved.)

(In conclusion, I adore every single one of these ships and am willing to slice a bitch’s throat to protect their honour. Except for YoruSoi, they are fictional characters IK but I am convinced they do not need anybody’s protection, least of all this dumb fuck’s and just might laugh at the very idea.) 

Also, feel free to reblog or comment with rants about your own ships even if they go directly against mine. More love to you if you expand on the ships I mentioned here myself. Tell me about your poison of choice, go ahead. 

But if any one of you dares to send hate to any of my ships, please know that I am something of a God in my own capacity and will smite you with my preferred weapon of choice i.e. blindness in the face of adorable puppies or kittens (in pictures, videos, art, real life or otherwise). Beware. Let people love what they love.

[recentanimenews]

FEATURE: How I Got Into Sakuga

Kaiba, Directed by Masaaki Yuasa

  If you’re an anime fan, you’re likely an animation fan in general. But how do you know when an animation is “good”? How do you learn to identify an animator by only what you see, or tell when their drawings are better than usual?

  English-speaking anime fans have adopted sakuga as a general catch-all term for exceptional animation. While the word sakuga itself means “animation,” in this context, sakuga has come to mean something very specific: Not just animation that looks cool, but the deliberate handiwork of specific animators with specific artistic aspirations. For example, a single-animator project might have a lot of “sakuga shots” because it has a personal, highly-refined style. Meanwhile, a television series might have an entire team of varying specialists for a larger narrative. Some of this might be attributed to specific key animators, while some might be credited to an entire studio — transformation sequences, explosive missiles, robots — that’s all fair game to be called sakuga. But how do you really know if what you’re looking at really is this so-called “sakuga?”

  Like most art, it’s almost entirely subjective. Here’s my story.

Project A-ko, a high-energy 1986 OVA series best remembered for its exceptional animation staff

(Image via Retrocrush)

  All’s Fair in Love and War Games

  When I was a kid, I got my hands on the English-dubbed Digimon: The Movie on VHS. This notorious release was a three-part recut of Mamoru Hosoda’s Digimon OVAs released from 1999 to 2000, heavily featuring his second film Digimon Adventure: Our War Game. Of course, I didn’t experience this package as a “Hosoda anime” at the time. Besides the inspired inclusion of Barenaked Ladies’ "One Week" to the soundtrack, I strongly associate these films with Hosoda’s signature interpretation of Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru’s original Digimon Adventure character designs. Compared to the Toei-produced television series, these renditions of the Digi-Destined are charmingly off-model and move with awkward intention, like actual kids up against terrifying monsters.

  In a sense, that’s what most people mean by sakuga — animation that makes us lean in and notice traits about the world and characters that can’t be communicated otherwise. Sakuga, in particular, places special emphasis on an individual animator’s keyframes, or the drawings used as a basis for in-between frames during movement. That’s what I mean by the phrase “Hosoda anime.” If you watch Summer Wars or The Girl Who Leapt Through Time enough times, anyone will notice a stylistic palette of idiosyncrasies.

    Digimon Adventure “Home Away From Home” directed by Mamoru Hosoda

(Image via Hulu)

  An Emerging Style

  When I got older and realized there was more anime than what was on cable, I kept returning to “flat” style animation with films like Tatsuo Satō’s 2001 Cat Soup and Shōji Kawamori’s 1996 Spring and Chaos. Around this time, contemporary artist Takashi Murakami also began developing his own “superflat” style (coined in his 2000 book Superflat and later in Little Boy: The Arts of Japan's Exploding Subculture) we’ll return to. Once I got a taste for the experimental, I never turned back.

  But back to Hosoda. Less focused on the details of models and more fixated on a “flat” or fluid style of movement, the key animation in Hosoda’s films makes body language a priority. This is perhaps the best thing about good sakuga — its potential to express deep emotion even under production constraints. My favorite example comes from the first Digimon short film Hosoda directed, the simply titled Digimon Adventure from 1999.

Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Directed by Masaaki Yuasa

  Originally conceived as a standalone for Bandai’s then-new Digital Monsters virtual pet toys, this version of Digimon is less loud, more atmospheric — and sincerely preoccupied with the question: “How would little kids actually handle a giant monster of their own?” The result is an unforgettable shot of Kairi, Tai’s little sister desperately blowing her whistle, stopping to catch her breath, then spitting and coughing in an attempt to calm down their newly evolved kaiju Greymon friend. 

  For the television series, Hosoda directed the episode “Home Away From,” depicting the two siblings clinging to each other as the other slowly drifts back to the Digital World. In both scenes, characters don’t constantly move, but only act when necessary via careful manipulation of the frames. This technique not only makes everything seem more “realistic,” but also acts as a visual cue for the anxiety Tai and Kairi feel. In other words, painstakingly controlled animation serves both form and function, especially when you’re selling an emotional climax of another kid-meets-monster plot.

Tomorrow’s Joe, 1980 film adaptation of the 1970 TV anime series directed by Osamu Dezaki

(Image via Retrocrush)

  A Little History Lesson

  After Digimon, Hosoda and Nakatsuru collaborated on films like Summer Wars and the Takashi Murakami-inspired pop art short Superflat Monogram. Hosoda is no doubt inescapable to sakuga fans today thanks to the ubiquity of his feature films. Still, Hosoda obviously wasn’t the first sakuga animator. Animators like Yasuo Ōtsuka, known for his cinematic work in a pre-Ghibli era of anime film with Toei, documented the growth ‘60s and ‘70s of Japan’s animation industry in his 2013 book Sakuga Asemamire. When the demand for films lowered in favor of anime television during that era, animators took risks. Classics of the era like Tiger Mask and Tomorrow's Joe literally held no punches, and Osamu Tezuka’s own Mushi Productions dove headfirst into experimental adult films. Animators, and especially keyframe animators, had creative control. In this perfect storm, the advent of sakuga was inevitable.

  Everyman Ken Kubo is taught the ways of eighties anime in Otaku no Video

(Image via Retrocrush)  

Why Bother With Sakuga?  

In 2013, animation aficionado Sean Bires and company hosted an informational panel titled “Sakuga: The Animation of Anime” at Anime Central Chicago. Uploaded to YouTube that same year, this panel informed my younger self’s understanding of not just the “how” of sakuga, but the “why” it even needed to exist in anyone’s vocabulary. Accessible, meticulously researched, and full of visual references, Sean’s two-hour panel-lecture does the heavy lifting of contextualizing anime not just through a historical lens, but within the broader project of expanding cinematic techniques. This primer might sound heady, but considering the popularity of Masaaki Yuasa’s series like Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, and references to animator Ichirō Itano’s “Itano circus” missiles in American cartoons like DuckTales, it’s hard to say sakuga isn't relevant. Nowadays, it's practically a trope to parody one of Dezaki's most iconic shots. Supplemented by a rich community of blogs and forums, it couldn’t be easier to learn about animators like Yasuo Ōtsuka or the early days of Toei if you want a bigger picture. Blogs like Ben Ettinger’s Anipages and the aptly named Sakuga Blog are a good place to start, not to mention dozens of dedicated galleries of anime production and art books published by studios themselves. Now couldn’t be a better time to vicariously live your art school dreams through anime masterworks.

  Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, a 1989 film featuring animation by Yasuo Ōtsuka best known for his work on the Lupin III franchise  

Sakuga Is For Everyone  

Fans have always been obsessed with the technicalities of animation, even if they weren't artists. As early as 2007, uncut dubbed collector box sets for Naruto came with annotated booklets of episode storyboards. More recently, critically-acclaimed series like Shirobako further explicated this love for animation as a team effort — people love attaching other people to art. In contrast, psychological horror series like Satoshi Kon’s Paranoia Agent features an episode about an anime studio’s production going terribly wrong. Not to mention the endlessly self-referential Otaku no Video Gainax OVA and its depiction of zealous sakuga otaku. Anime fans adore watching anime be born over and over. It’s that simple.     

Digimon Adventure “Home Away From Home” directed by Mamoru Hosoda

(Image via Hulu)

Today, I’d comfortably call some shots from Hosoda Digimon films great sakuga. But Koromon is still weird. Sorry.   The love for sakuga isn’t a contest to one-up fans on production trivia or terminology. It’s about taking the time to appreciate the fact that anime is ultimately a collaborative artistic endeavor. From tracing back the lineage of animators like Yoshinori Kanada to Kill la Kill, to appreciating the visual sugar rush of Project A-Ko alongside slow-paced Ghibli films, “getting into sakuga” isn't a passive effort, nor a waste of time. Besides, wouldn't it be fun understanding how your favorite animator achieved your favorite scene? The phrase "labor of love" is cliché, but maybe that’s a good synonym for what role sakuga inevitably plays for artists and fans alike — work that brings you joy, no matter how you cut it.   Who is your favorite animator? When did you get into sakuga? Let us know in the comments below!

      Blake P. is a weekly columnist for Crunchyroll Features. His twitter is @_dispossessed. His bylines include Fanbyte, VRV, Unwinnable, and more. He actually doesn't hate Koromon.

  Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

By: Blake Planty

[tsukishitstain]

i would like to request a matchup if that’s okay :)) i’m shido (she/her, aLmoST 18), i’m bisexual and i’m a HUGE intp (kenma and tsukki kinnie ouch), pisces sun aqua moon!! i enjoy being alone, napping, smelling good (idk why i’m weird), working out, and listening to music. i have five siblings so the being alone part doesn’t work out much lol. i’m a barista at a downtown coffee house, i love using sarcasm and reaction pics to EVERYTHING, huge dogs (i love all animals but irish wolfhounds are my fav), scary awesome storms, and cooking spicy food (i’m vegan.) i’m about 5’5, lean build with a little bit of muscle, hair dyed black green and purple, and blue-green eyes!!! my style is generally black or other dark colors. i go between wearing oversized mens clothes to wearing short skirts and knee socks, but either way its usually black. i laugh really easily and typically come off as intimidating and reserved, but when it comes to romantic partners i LOVE to care for them and show affection (verbal reassurance, playing with their hair, love letters, cuddling and back rubs, baking for them, spending $$$ on gifts or making them, planning dates and trips). my love language is a mix of physical touch and quality time. i tend to be attracted to people who like to learn, aren’t too emotional, (this is shallow sorry) have dark hair, and won’t be upset that i need alone time. (also men who are passionate and talented and PROUD OF THEMSELVES FOR THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITHOUT BEING COCKY are sexy-) big turn offs for me are being super clingy, ANY kind of manipulative behavior, conforming to the opinions of others, and (this sounds rude i’m sorry) not being intelligent. also if they try to tell me what to do i’ll slap them <3 my ideal first date would be at home, either watching a horror movie, building a fort to nap in, or making dinner!!! i am so so sorry if this was too much or if your matchups are closed, thank you for reading all this junk!!! take care of yourself :)

omg you sound so cool we would literally be besties irl lol i had so much fun writing this!! and thank you for including so much info!! (also that last part was so sweet of you omg!!! i am taking care of myself and i hope you are too!!!) ok let’s get into it, i talk too damn much lmao

i match you with

Ushijima Wakatoshi !!!

i usually match introverts with extroverts but y’all are so compatible WHERE DO I EVEN START

how you’d meet

i’m taking advantage of the fact that you work at a coffee house (i’m a sucker for the cliche barista x character trope what can i say)

anyways you two go to school together and you know of each other but y’all don’t really interact

until he goes to a coffee shop and recognizes you

he wasn’t big on coffee...until now

and it’s okay that you come off as intimidating because it’s impossible to intimidate this man

the first time y’all talk is kinda anti climatic for the both of you

y’all are just like “don’t we go to the same school? oh cool haha anyways what can i get for you today?”

but secretly after that first interaction butterflies are forming for both of y’all

he finds himself going to get coffee more often than usual and still you two don’t really interact that much, so he’s not really sure how to approach you again yet

y’all have probably talked a few times at the shop and it’s only ever small talk like

but when he’s out jogging after school to get some fresh air and clear his mind, he sees you jogging around the same corner

his heart is beating so fast!! this is his opportunity

he goes up to you and is like “what a fortunate coincidence to see you outside of work, maybe we can make it happen again? would you like to hang out sometime?”

relationship dynamics

ok so with two introverts in this relationship, things are steady but not boring!! don’t confuse the two

you’re the slightly chaotic one in the pairing and because he’s kind of dense sometimes, you find his reactions to be hilarious

you two respect each other so much like the respect he has for you and vice versa is incredible

you would literally never have to deal with him crossing any boundaries you have

he’d never be manipulative or controlling when it comes to you

also he’s dense but not dumb!!! you two could hold intellectual conversations often and every time you have one of these conversations, you’re reminded of just how smart he actually is

he also loves the deep convos y’all have because he’s always learning something new (and so are you)! he loves hearing you express your perspective on things

and since the both of you are introverts, y’all understand that you both need alone time occasionally

he’s not clingy at all and whenever you need alone time he’d probably just busy himself with work

possible relationship issues

ok so there are a few conflicts that could potentially arise

let’s start with something light hearted!!!

as we all know, he can be dense at times so your sarcasm might not always reach him

and while dense ≠ dumb, i feel like sometimes it might be a turn off for you when he’s dense to the point where he looks dumb (sorry that’s kinda mean to say about him lol)

another thing that i feel like could be an issue (albeit not a huge one) is your love language

you love to give gifts but i feel like there might be times you feel underappreciated because of his reactions :/

like say it’s his birthday; you spent months planning something and spent your entire paycheck to buy it, you’d expect him to have some type of positive reaction to it, right?

well when he receives the gift, he just says “thank you” with a blank expression while opening it and gives you a kiss on the forehead afterwards

like it’s not a big deal that his reactions are anti climatic at first, but after a while it might make you feel as though your energy and efforts aren’t being reciprocated

what he loves about you

he LOVES the fact that you like to work out

this is so cliche but idc yall would totally go on gym

dates and get brunch together afterwards (how cute is that omg!!!)

omg something cute that he absolutely adores about you is the way you smell

if you’re the type of person who loves to try out new lotion or perfume scents (even something as insignificant as hand sanitizer) he’s the first to notice

like if before you two are eating lunch and you offer him some of the hand sanitizer you carry around he’d be like “oh is that a new scent?”

or when y’all are cuddling and he can smell the lotion on your skin

he’s obsessed!! every time y’all cuddle you notice he’s always inhaling your scent

he loves that it’s so easy to make you laugh!!! sometimes he might not understand what he did to make you laugh or why it’s funny, but he’s just happy you're laughing

hearing your laughter literally makes his heart warm and if you’re quick enough, you can spot his face that’s adorned with eye crinkles and a soft smile

when you’re in a goofy mood you’d laugh at everything he does because he’s so funny without even realizing it

oh and good thing you like wearing oversized clothes because ushi loves seeing you in his stuff

doesn’t matter if it’s just you wearing his shirt to bed, he loves it

he would especially love coming home after practice to see you in the kitchen making dinner or just lounging on the couch in the living room with his clothes on

you would look so ridiculous(ly adorable) in his clothes, he can’t help but to laugh when he sees you sometimes

oh and another thing!!! back rubs!!!

sometimes he practices to the point where he overworks himself not only mentally but also physically so it’s not surprising that he always has sore muscles in one place or another

your back rubs would be on his mind as he pushes himself in the gym!!!

“one more rep then i get to come home to her back rubs” is what he tells himself (too cute my heart is bursting!!!)

new here? check out my masterlist

want to request a match up? check my match up guide to see what to include

a/n #2: haha i wrote so much but you gave me so much to work with so i had a lot to cover (which is a good thing btw) i know i already said this in the first a/n but i literally love that you included so much info!! usually people are hesitant to send a lot of info bc they feel like they’re rambling but those are the best requests tho because the more you ramble the more i know about you and the more i can write!!

[wigglingpandaboi]

Ooh, for that OC ask thing, 4 7 11 and 28 if that’s okay 😁

Lol sorry I just looked through your oc’s and I would die for all of them

*cries* thank you so much that's so valid i love you. Ahhhahahjdkdhwkwnwn 😭😭😭😭😭😭

4. Which OC are you least/Most like? Did this come as a surprise to you

Askdjfkdjdks considering my OC's are just based on some of my actual traits but personified yeah im like quite a few of them

Probably the main Trio is who im the most like, but Max def takes the cake. All of my characters are dumbass's but she's the mega dumbass of them all (She literally swallowed a pocket knife once so she could *store it for later* then it opened in her throat and gave everyone a stroke)

Im least like probably Alistar. I love my sweet Dad man, but he's way too smart for me. Though he too is also a dumbass at times, there's a reason why he has so many burn scars on his hands

7. Which OC wasn't supposed to exist but captured your heart immeidently

Omg literally all my Guardian God characters.

Originally the only one's who had a character in the RP were the trio's parents, Hadeus, Zeusira and Siden.

But then me and my friend decided to do something and i had to make all the rest of my 13 Guardians and at first I didn't put much thought onto them but then I feel in love and now they play a major part in the story!! I loved them so much I actually planned a full redemption arc for Sira. (He's kind of a bad Dad to Ellis, not horrible, but bad. He's kind of awkward)

11. What kind of tropes do you find yourself writing more often than others

FOUND FAMILY

Bruh found family is literally almost all I write for. I have like...a couple of characters in romantic relationships but only two of them are Important to the story (Crones and Rheana, the Guardian Gods creators/parents and the only two romantic people i will ever stan. Their still both ace and nb tho)

I also write a lot for just the normal family trope, the stupid bunch of siblings, soft Dad characters

There's also the *creature with no gender or sex trope* and that's literally all my characters. Yes their all nb, yes their all ace.

Im also obsessed with humanoid characters with sharp teeth, pointy ears and claws. And you bet I make it sure they all able to purr

Also big animals. Big puppies and Cats. That's all.

Oh and characters that are serious and edgy also being big soft cuddle bugs. I like making all my characters touched starved and make sure to give them cuddles

Also people who aren't dumb but are dumbasses. They know what their doing, they know the consequences, but they will do it anyway. Even better if their just extremely feral.

28. Say your MC's had a very specific hyperfixations that didn't serve the plot it was just something they nerd out on in their own time, what would it be?

OH OH yes i love this

Okay im just gonna do the trip cuz they are kinda the main main characters for everything

Max: She's def hyperfixiated on armor and knives, also she's got a weird obsession with human anatomy. (She's not human and has no organs or anything) she's fascinated with human organs and stuff and how they can all fit in their. She always ends up poking and prodding at the ninjas all the time cause they are *squishy*

Thomas: Seashells. Anything to do wirh seashells. He loves them as has a whole chest full of them (totally has nothing to do with the fact his Dad's the Guardian of the sea no not at all) Also he loooves colored pencils. He likes watching videos of people making them and want's to learn how to make his own one day

Ellis: BIRDS omg he loves birds. He has a whole book that's just about the different types of birds. Also crochet. He loves crochet and yarn. He loves the texture of yarn and it's a massive touch stim for him.

Ahhhhhhh that's it

Thank you so much for asking about my oc's it means to much to me :').

Im always opened for asks or questions about my babies so feel free. This inspired me to post more art so thank you 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[notasiren21]

Ohhh, @fallen-player, you dare ignore my texts but tag me?? Aight. I see u

Questions for me:

1. What’s something about yourself that you like?

My short height and ability to psychologically analyze characters and people in through my writing so people can understand what I see.

2. Do you like children? Why or why not?

Oof, this goes two ways. I adore children and love them, as long as they’re raised right and polite. If they’re bratty and entitled, I’ve already yeeted them into the sidewalk in my head. If they’re good kids, yeah I love them.

3. Has anything ever given you an existential crisis?

Lmao everything. Except for this pandemic ironically, if the need arises, I’m gonna dress for the apocalypse. But yeah, stuff like Astro releasing new songs and videos, getting stuck on a level or fight in a game, talking to strangers, thought provoking questions I will continuously wonder about like, “If your shirt is not tucked into your pants, then is your pants tucked into your shirt?”, my dad saying that Rocky from Astro is the bad boy of the group when he’s not.

My cat getting off my lap and taking his body heat with him.

4. Any fandom pet peeves? (tropes you dislike, trends you see in the fandoms, etc. feel free to go off lol)

MLB fandom bashing on Lukanette, Luka, Kagami, whatever publicly like it somehow insults them or the idea of it is toxic rather than just bashing on it within their own group of friends or forum that relates.

I dislike the trope of Kagami and Luka being used to help the lovesquare happen and leave them in the dust or randomly pair them together.

Chloé’s digression of her redemption arc.

Lila breathing.

People not stanning Astro.

5. What’s troubling you right now?

My knuckles won’t crack and I have too many fics going on rn but not enough.

I just had beef and broccoli with rice from my fav Chinese takeout place and I know I’ll regret eating more but like, what can you do?

My sister keeps enforcing the fact that I’m gulkiable and tricking me.

6. Do you play video games? If so, what’s your all time favorite?

I believe my all time favorite is Fallout 4, but that’s for the Xbox. If it’s for the switch, it’s Fire Emblem Three Houses.

7. How many siblings do you have? Do you like having siblings? If you’re a single child, do you like being one?

I have three. One sister and two half brothers (that just both happened to be the same exact age and left handed and had similar interests but each from a different parent.)

I guess so, it would be weird to be an only kid and I was, ahem, a “surprise” to my parents. My sister and oldest brother share very similar personalities and traits, but she’s more personable and chiller than him but causes a lot of shit for me and would most likely leave me to die if someone broke in.

My older brother cracks my back for me and I need that shit whenever he visits, plus he gets me shit I like from animes I watch or games I really like. (Fe3h, Demon Slayer statue and tshirt).

Idk I don’t talk much with my other brother who is considered a middle child like me, he’s more like a cousin to me but he’s really chill when it’s just us and I think it’s because I’m no longer some kid to him.

8. Are you in any “problematic fandoms”? (no judgment; people are problematic, not the content)

Bruh, Miraculous Ladybug is hella problematic no matter how much you love it.

Timeless because that top notch shit won’t come back no matter how good it was.

9. Hot chocolate, tea or coffee?

I only drink not chocolate if it’s a mint hot chocolate with whipped cream from Dunkin’ Donuts because I really dislike sweets and can taste just liquified chocolate with other companies and brands and I don’t like chocolate. So I’ll go with tea, I’m obsessed with mint green tea.

10. What’s something you’ve never told anyone else?

I made Astro hoodies on Animal Crossing and I’m the reason why we had to get a new lock for our house door. (I broke a Bobby pin after getting locked out of the house sophomore year and no one was home), I have a high key crush on fandom/fanart Craig Tucker from Southpark.

My Questions:

1) Your favorite quote that grounds you to being yourself?

2) Ultimate ship you’re fond of and love?

3)Favorite soulmate AU type? (I.e. name on wrist, heterocrhomia eyes of your other half’s, seeing color for the first time)

4) Favorite show of yours that you love that’s not in your first language?

5) Your white noise show? (Go to show you can rewatch countless times and tune in and out of)

6) Fictional character you wish was real to validate your unnecessary crush?

7) A weird phobia you have that you can’t explain?

8) Sweets or Sours?

9) Are you an artist, writer, musician, or part of the adoring audience who supports them?

10) Favorite band?

Tagged (I’m so sorry but I don’t think I am too?):

@macaknight @brickercupmasterx3 @emikogale @miramizar @neverland-darling @swiftieanimecat @lukanetteforever @marshymallowbuns @tinydreamerflapcreator

I’m aware that’s not ten but I don’t speak to a lot of people.

Create your own questions and tag ten back!

[whitherliliesbloom]

Illya’s Never-Ending Survey

Rules: Repost, do not reblog

Tagging: I’m sure most people have already done this so I’ll just tag those I know haven’t yet @ofthesilverlining​ , @windup-dragoon​ , @theadventuresofshuri​ and anyone else who hasn’t done this but wants to.

BASICS.

FULL NAME: Illya Skawi

NICKNAME: Magus of the white (by another OC of mine)

AGE: 19

BIRTHDAY: 31st Sun of the 6th Umbral Moon (31st December)

ETHNIC GROUP: Lalafell / Dunesfolk (Has a hint of hyur from her father)

NATIONALITY: Unknown. She comes from a rural countryside outside Eorzea

LANGUAGE/S: English

SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Bisexual

ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: Biromantic

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Taken by Alphinaud in the main canon, supposedly single in other AUs.

HOME TOWN / AREA: Black Shroud

CURRENT HOME: Lavender Beds.

PROFESSION: Glorified errand girl, Adventurer, Medic

PHYSICAL.

HAIR: Pure white, usually straight with bangs

EYES: Round and Violet

FACE: Soft, slightly rounded

LIPS: Pale, thin

COMPLEXION: Fair skinned, smooth

BLEMISHES: None

SCARS: Scars littering a good portion of her torso

TATTOOS: None

HEIGHT: 2′9′’

WEIGHT: 43 ponze

BUILD: Short, neither chubby nor very slender by lala standards, average

FEATURES: Glossy eyes, button nose, white hair that almost reflects the sun

ALLERGIES: None

USUAL HAIR STYLE: Usually loose with minimal styling, bangs just above her eyes and a white hair band

USUAL FACE LOOK: No make up

USUAL CLOTHING: Robes, Warm clothing, Armor suitable for whatever class she is, occasionally wears glasses. She’s not picky with her fashion at all.

VOICE CLAIM: Japanese voice: Hanazawa Kana. Something similar to her voice for Nadeko, Kanade and Shiori. English voice: Not a fixed voice actor but her in-game voice is this, which I think is pretty accurate to how she’d sound in English.

PSYCHOLOGY.

FEAR/S: Failure, Being abandoned, Polar Bears

ASPIRATION/S: Acquisition of all the knowledge and skills she can, To finally be someone who is of use to others

POSITIVE TRAITS: Kind, open-minded, intelligent, curious, hard-working, loyal,  cooperative, empathetic, observant, patient

NEGATIVE TRAITS: Pessimistic, shy, anxious, cowardly, emotionally fragile, envious, weak, passive, dependent, insecure

TEMPERAMENT: Melancholic MBTI: INFJ / ISFJ (she kind of tip-toes between both)

SOUL TYPE/S: The Scholar / Server

ANIMALS: Dwarf rabbit 

VICE HABIT/S: Hiding her face when she gets emotional, Twiddling her fingers together, Avoiding eye contact

FAITH: None

GHOSTS?: Debatable. She wonders if they are that different from voidsents

AFTERLIFE?: Probably

REINCARNATION?: Possible, but unsure ALIENS?: No

POLITICAL ALIGNMENT: None

EDUCATION LEVEL:  Basic education

FAMILY.

FATHER : Lachlan Skawi, Midlander Adventurer, alive and active. A friendly, witty and adventurous man who can never stay in one place for too long. His sense of humor and persistence eventually causes a reclusive lalafellin farmer to open up her heart to him.

MOTHERS : Cocona Coruna, Half Dunesfolk Half Plainsfolk, alive and active. A stern, sharp-tongued but dedicated farmer who provides the strange adventurer shelter in her home after his journey by ship gets interrupted by a band of pirates wrecking the boat.

SIBLINGS : None

EXTENDED FAMILY:  None

NAME MEANING/S: None

HISTORICAL CONNECTION?: None

FAVORITES.

BOOK: I have no idea but she loves reading a lot

DEITY: Nophica

HOLIDAY: Little Ladies’ Day

MONTH:  Second Umbral Moon. Usually when spring starts

SEASON: Spring

PLACE: Anywhere with lots of flowers. She’s understandably starstruck when she first visit Il Mheg

WEATHER: Clear skies

SOUND / S: Leaves rustling, Gentle breeze, Insects chirping, windchimes

SCENT / S: Anything floral, Freshly baked bread, Herbs

TASTE / S: SPICY, Fruits

FEEL / S: Texture of cotton or wool, warm blankets

ANIMAL / S: No real preference but probably birds

NUMBER: None

COLORS: Blue, purple

EXTRA.

TALENTS: Magic, cooking and baking, gardening, domestic chores

BAD AT:  Physically strenuous labor, Speaking, awful fashion sense

TURN ONS: Courage, Kindness, Altruism, Confidence (because she lacks it herself hah), Loyalty, Independence

TURN OFFS: Manipulation, Bad tempers, Sadism, Selfishness, Too domineering, Perversion or openly lustful behavior, Unnecessary violence

HOBBIES: Cooking or baking, gardening or farming, reading, writing, crochet, sightseeing. magic

TROPES: See this post

QUOTES : “It’s impossible... I’m just... I’m just too weak.”

MUN QUESTIONS.

Q1: If you could write your character your way in their own movie, what would it be called, what style would it be filmed in, and what would it be about?       A1: She’s 100% not going to be the star of some action movie. I don’t know what title I’d give it, but probably a slow-paced melancholic movie focusing on character development driven narrative.

Q2: What would their soundtrack/score sound like?           A2: Pianos. Lots of piano tracks. Q3:  Why did you start writing this character?         A3: She just kind of happened. Getting into ffxiv, I wasn’t really expecting to come out of it with a new OC I’d be obsessing over. But as I grew more attached to the story and also came up with headcanons for the player character, Illya just sort of developed into her own character in my eyes.

Q4: What first attracted you to this character?         A4: Not sure if it counts but I was surprised just how much they made the player character so involved in the story, especially for an MMO. Her pro-activeness and continuously being willing to help and save others when I myself would have been too cynical to care made her endearing to me. 

Q5: Describe the biggest thing you dislike about your muse. A5: I’d like to think she’s a complex character, given how I spend more time thinking about her flaws than actual strengths.. but I do sometimes wonder if she’s too ideal or mary sue-ish. Her aesthetic of flowers, magic and purple has got to be the most overused and cliche combination of aesthetics imaginable. Also she stutters a lot, which makes writing dialogue in her POV slightly annoying. Q6: What do you have in common with your muse?           A6: We’re both introverted and have self-esteem issues. We’re also both rather pessimistic, though for her she’s pessimistic in her beliefs of whether she’ll be able to live up to the expectations of others, while I’m pessimistic about everyone in general. Other than that I think we’re actually rather different. 

Q7: How does your muse feel about you?         A7: Dunno. She’d probably be really scared of me, I think. Q8: What characters does your muse have interesting interactions with?       A8: If I had to go into detail about every interesting interaction she has I’d take another six hours to write but in a nutshell:  Meets her best friend and fellow WOL Laurelis near the start of ARR and grows more and more attached and comfortable around her as time goes on despite starting off rather wary and weirded out by her. Meets Alphinaud at the very beginning of ARR but doesn’t really bond personally with him until the very start of HW. They confess some time mid-Stormblood. She has interesting dynamics with other WOL OCs I have too, but they’re a topic for another day. Q9: What gives you inspiration to write your muse?     A9: Just my sheer love for her. I’ve grown to love her like I would any favourite character to the point she sometimes doesn’t feel like an OC anymore. Q10 : How long did this take you to complete?   A10 : Too long. Granted I tabbed in and out, doing different things all at once but I really shouldn’t have taken close to three hours to finish this.

[wanderlust-and-road-dust]

RULES: Repost, do not reblog. Tag 10 blogs! (Or as many as you’d like)

Tagged by: @lightofthecrystal​

Tagging: Anyone who is interested. BASICS.

FULL NAME: F’nor Azril

NICKNAME: None

AGE: Looks like a mature adult viera, about 87 years of age.

BIRTHDAY: Sometime in Autumn

ETHNIC GROUP: Rava Viera

NATIONALITY: Exile

LANGUAGE/S: Eorzean, Broken Hingan, Vieran.

SEXUAL ORIENTATION : Pansexual

ROMANTIC ORIENTATION : Polyamorous

RELATIONSHIP STATUS:  Single

HOME TOWN / AREA:  Golmore Jungle

CURRENT HOME:  Currently a small camp on the edge of the Sagolii desert

PROFESSION: Reluctant Healer, Cartographer, Newly Minted Gun for Hire.

PHYSICAL.

HAIR: Short, Coppery Red

EYES: Green

FACE: Spade shaped

LIPS: Expressively full

COMPLEXION: Ashen Grey

BLEMISHES: None, unless you’re one of those people who think freckles are blemishes. In which case prepare for a fight if you mention that.

SCARS: A fair few cover her body in various locations.

TATTOOS: None

HEIGHT: 6′3

BUILD: Lithe and limber

FEATURES: Tone, whipcord, seasoned by the elements

ALLERGIES: None

USUAL FACE LOOK : Absentminded woolgathering, intense look trying to figure something out, lit with exuberance while listening to a new tale.

USUAL CLOTHING: Obnoxiously flashy orange poncho, knee high or ankle high moccasins. 

PSYCHOLOGY.

FEAR/S: Large crowds, snakes

ASPIRATION/S: Learn everything, anything and all. 

POSITIVE TRAITS: Open mind, Non-judgmental, Honest to the point of being blunt, Curious 

NEGATIVE TRAITS: Antisocial, Obsessively Curious, Temperamental

TEMPERAMENT: Inquisitive and soft spoken, though prone to talking peoples ears off once she warms up to a person.

SOUL TYPE/S: Explorer

ANIMALS: Raven

VICE HABIT/S: Occasional use of pipe tobacco, nightly glass of whisk(e)y

FAITH: Reluctant acknowledgement 

GHOSTS?: Yes

AFTERLIFE?: Yes

REINCARNATION?: Yes

POLITICAL ALIGNMENT: Doesn’t care as long as it leaves her alone.

EDUCATION LEVEL: Self Educated

FAMILY.

FATHER : N/A

MOTHERS : N/A

SIBLINGS : N/A

EXTENDED FAMILY: N/A

NAME MEANING/S: F’nor liked the way the Miqo’te had their names spelled, not realizing the first letter denoted a clan. Upon realizing the connotations, she kept her name the way it was, especially after learning that the F tribe was in regards to bears.

HISTORICAL CONNECTION?: N/A

FAVORITES.

BOOK: History, folk tales

DEITY: N/A

HOLIDAY: Any that are currently going on, she’ll partake in. Belief in? A bit more sporadic as she’s figuring things out and experiencing different things.

MONTH: October

SEASON: Autumn

PLACE: Mountain forest or Desert washes

WEATHER: Fog

SOUND / S: Wind through leaves, particularly autumn leaves. Shishi-odoshi, rain, thunder.

SCENT / S: Loam, petrichor, sage

TASTE / S: Citrus

FEEL / S: Wool, parchment, ink on her fingers.

ANIMAL / S: Ravens and toads.

NUMBER: Eight

COLORS: Orange, earth tones, autumnal colors. Not Yellow.

EXTRA.

TALENTS: Healing, cartography, exploring off the beaten path without getting lost, navigating by the stars, writing, whittling, cooking, good at taking a beating. 

BAD AT: Socializing, people, depth perception, not taking a beating, bartering, responsibility, following a schedule, organization.

TURN ONS: People with boundless enthusiasm, crooked grins, book worms.

TURN OFFS: Willful Ignorance, Narrow Mindedness, Antagonistic

HOBBIES: Collecting mushrooms, writing an exhaustive chronicle of all flora and fauna she encounters, making bad life decisions.

TROPES: uuuuuuuh, Book Worm, Absentminded Woolgatherer.

QUOTES : “ I can resist everything except temptation.” -Oscar Wilde

MUN QUESTIONS.

Q1 : If you could write your character your way in their own movie, what would it be called, what style would it be filmed in, and what would it be about?

A1 :  Something eldritch and occult, pursuit of knowledge into ever darker avenues. Feverish pursuit, madness, secrets best left unexplored. Inability to back off from clearly psyche rending horror lurking on the fringes of understanding. Mental fortitude and the willingness to not use said information for ill gotten gains. Filmed like The Mummy (1999, the one with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz). Titled... oh I don’t know... Query Not. Maybe.

Q2 : What would their soundtrack/score sound like?

A2 : Probably a mix of songs by Vast, Beats Antique. Toss in some David Arkenstone and that’d probably be good.

Q3 : Why did you start writing this character?

A3 : F’nor’s an old hat of mine. Something comfortable and easy to play, no muss no fuss. Natural, like breathing.

Q4 : What first attracted you to this character?

A4 : Who doesn’t like an explorer? Who doesn’t want to find out what’s over the next hill? It’s basically just curiosity manifest and I love it.

Q5 : Describe the biggest thing you dislike about your muse.

A5 : F’nor’s a very solitary person. So reasons to socialize can sometimes feel a bit contrived.

Q6 : What do you have in common with your muse?

A6 : Overwhelming curiosity. Beyond that not a whole lot, playing a fantasy character is an escape from the mundane. Why have a lot of similarities?

Q7 :  How does your muse feel about you?

A7 :  F’nor’s a character more so than a muse. Might share residence in my head, like an old friend. But I’ve got strong table top roots. Played D&D since Advanced and really heavily 3.5. So the whole idea of them being a muse is weird. Since muses are supposed to inspire. As a DM it’s more like, here’s an adventure hook, go have fun in this sandbox. I don’t know, weird question to be honest.

Q8 : What characters does your muse have interesting interactions with ?

A8 : Literally no-one. Three years and almost no contact. Not for lack of trying, I’m just personally bad at making connections.

Q9 : What gives you inspiration to write your muse ?

A9: Going to sound like a broken record, but curiosity. It’s an incredibly easy thing to fall back to and is the main driving force behind F’nor. What’s this? Why does it do the thing it does? What’s over there? What’s this book? Why? What? How? When? They’re great seeds and it’s a gift that keeps on giving.

Q10: How long did this take you to complete ?

A10: I worked on it off and on throughout the day, sick and kind of in a fog of medicine so apologies if I waffle on.

[keepyourpantsongohan]

Ayesha Liveblogs Free! S1-S2

Good lord there are really only five English VAs huh 

I appreciate the level of existential dread it takes to sit in a bathtub in a bathing suit 

Apron designers I have some questions!!! Firstly: Whomst?

“Anything has magical properties if you believe hard enough” I love Nagisa

“What can I say, I’m a romantic” so what I’m gathering is that Haru and Rin were small and in love with each other

Update from one minute later: Angry with each other now, I guess? 

That’s right Haru you wear that swimsuit all day!!! But wash it bc that’s not a breathable fabric trust me you’re asking for trouble 

“You only live once so do what you want” Dghdfjghjkhkjdf I can’t believe that Amakata’s contribution to this disciplinary lecture amounts to “yolo”

Makoto really knows how to get Haru to do things he doesn’t want to do all he’s gotta do is whisper “pool” and there he is

“What is wrong with you” I hope that Haru continues to strip to reveal his swimsuit no matter where they are throughout this anime. The doctor’s office. A dog park. The mall. Pls let this be a trope

What the shit is this Arabian nights outro this is a Japanese high school swim anime lmao

There’s a joke to be made about the visual metaphor of Haru needing to quench his thirst in the ending but I’ll refrain 

How do their teachers keep finding out about their trespassing who is telling on these boys

What is Ms. Amakata’s previous job what kind of swim job could possibly be inappropriate to talk about at school

Omg Kou is so thirsty for swim boys and while I can’t really relate I appreciate her enthusiasm 

HARU’S STRIPPING AT THE FISH STORE THEY REALLY COMMITTED TO THE “I’LL SWIM ANYWHERE” TROPE I LOVE IT

“I promised myself that I’d never wear a swimsuit again” omg she was a swimsuit model

So Haru quit swimming because Rin is a sore loser? Suspect and lame

“No, come back, you’ll die!” Makoto is truly the highlight of this show and the friend Haru needs

Haru pls I’m weeping

Amakata: They might approve your request [if you win a swimming competition] 

Haru, already taking off his clothes: LET’S GET TO WORK

“He’s just like us! He’s a guy, but he’s got a girly name!” What kind of dumbass logic for deciding who joins your swim team Nagisa lmao 

“You talk about Haru a lot” Hahaha it’s bad form to bring up other people you admire when you’re flirting Nagisa, Rei is Offended™

Ffdhkdshfkhfkj he hasn’t gotten in the water yet but I’m pretty sure Rei can’t fucking swim

“That would’ve meant admitting defeat, and I’m not adept at that” okay I love Rei too this ensemble cast is so funny

Rei’s so cute omg his small and betrayed “but why” when he can’t float

Is it truly an anime without a rivalry-friendship with blatant homoerotic overtones

Oh wow that’s a weird thing for Rin’s sister to have to watch lmao

“Let the water guide you” “Could you try to be less abstract about this” I’m giggling at Haru just throwing out platitudes and hoping one sticks

“I’ll have you know that I have the constitution of a samurai” Rei you are by far the best part of this show so far

Wait a hot minute what in the hell happened in the ocean why do you have to say it like that Haru

Really if any Haru’s relationships are going to err on the side of romantic it should probably be with Makoto because they’re like actually friends and support each other lmao

I don’t know what’s wilder about this scene Makoto using his trauma to convince Haru to swim relay or the Gaze™ that follows

“You’d be the newlywed couple that gets killed in the first five minutes” HMMMM newlywed couple huh

This episode is soooo cute I love the boys bonding together in starlight

Wow was Rin’s problem with Haru just latent daddy issues all along I completely misread this situation

WAIT WAS RIN’S DAD ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO DIED ON THE FISHERMAN’S BOAT

“It’s hard to explain, that’s just the way they are” “What’s that supposed to mean” people are gay, Rei

Why do the people on this show have such weird interpersonal relationships do you really need to hold Rin’s ankles for this conversation, Aiichiro

Regardless of her thirst Kou is really the best manager they could ask for

 “I will relish destroying you” okay calm down Swimsuit Sasuke

“This victory means I never have to swim with you again. Ever” were you not the one constantly harassing Haru for competitions???? What’s your problem Rin!!!

Haru looking at Mako like swimming has meaning again I don’t care if this is friendship or romance THAT’S LOVE BITCH

“It’s not that easy in real life huh” a weirdly realistic turn of events

Honestly Haru what a mood I never want anyone to contact me either

God could Mako and Haru’s relationship stop being the cutest in the world? This sleeping in the hallway for Haru to come home will not stand! Thanks

“Why is an amateur like that swimming with them?” BECAUSE THEY’RE NICE AND LIKE EACH OTHER, RIN

THEY WON!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I LOVE THEM

“That’s what you’re supposed to say if you arrive early for a date” IWATOBI SWIM TEAM DOUBLE DATE CONFIRMED (as if the outfits were not confirmation enough)

Gfgkfugkfg Rei is so put out Nagisa will not acknowledge his “exsquidsite” pun

This Rin/Haru/Mako dynamic could not be more like Ex-Boyfriend vs. New Boyfriend I’m wheezing 

“Hah, I’m a ninja” REI YOU’RE SO STUPID I LOVE YOU

“I hope he’s okay” Aiichiro is a better pal that Rin deserves this is such a one-sided friendship lmao

AW REI FEELS LEFT OUT OF THE MEMORIES POOR GUY

Is Rei gonna go pick a fight with Rin because I’d kind of be up for that

“I wanted to know what your feelings are towards Haru” Dad Mode Activated you will not hurt Rei’s buddies

“Don’t get in the way. If you do, I will never forgive you,” damn Rei!!! You’re not even his friend but those words packed a wallop

I like that each of these swim team boys has a friend whom they are closest to it’s nice and balanced

“Every single member of this team is irreplacable” LOVE AND SUPPORT!

I can’t tell if Rin invited Rei out to this ominous night meeting as overture of friendship or as a threat

Aiichiro get a new friend!!! You don’t deserve to be treated this way

AHHHHHHHHHHH REI YOU’RE SO GOOD “I feel the exact same way” you empathetic sweetheart <3 

WOW I do NOT approve of this Rin treats everyone like garbage for twelve straight episodes and then they reward this garbage behaviour by giving up Rei’s spot on the team just so Rin can enjoy swimming again??? Boooooo he doesn’t even go to your school

These fuckin flower petals FIND YOURSELF A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP HARU

“Come on Matsuoka!” AGAIN, way better friend than Rin deserves 

LET REI IN THE GROUP HUG HE’S THE BEST ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“Well I’m thoroughly confused” ME TOO AMAKATA!!!! HOW DID THIS SOLVE ANYTHING 

Ten seconds into this second series and Mako continues to prove he’s The Best by cuddling cats to keep them warm

“You look good” “Stop patronizing me, damn it!” Rei and Nagisa’s relationship is also really a highlight of this show

“Rin’s far from the obvious choice for Mikoshiba’s replacement” that’s valid Rei, Rin has had a lot of trouble with the concept of being a team player thus far in his Samezuka career

“Just when you thought it was safe to cosplay” it is never safe to cosplay. Just ask all those Sasukes who got arrested

LMAO AT THIS DUMBASS STRIP SHOW IN FRONT OF THEIR SCHOOL

“My triceps are guaranteed to drive you out of your mind” I’M SCREAMIN THESE YOUTHS ARE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO SOCIETY

“You really gotta stop calling me sir, just drop it okay” “Yes s-eugokay” Beautiful voice acting. Iconic

Oh god please don’t give Haru another rival one was really enough

I never thought I’d say this but that was the most wholesome kidnapping in the world

Rin saying “Life after graduation” in the same tone as one might say “Life after death” is honestly a mood

Sosuke’s only had about five seconds of screen time but I’m gonna guess he’s Rin’s Australian ex-boyfriend

Update: Just his homie from elementary school I guess that’s fair

“So this is what a nationally-ranked swimmer’s build looks like” Aiichiro pls could you check Sosuke out with a little more subtlety 

“He’s the type of rival you can become obsessed with” AHHHHH Rin has been #calledout I think I like Sosuke

Okay you’re allowed to just be friends I’m just saying that runs on the beach in the moonlight are not always the most platonic activity, Haru and Makoto 

Omg Mako’s siblings love Rei I love it!!!!!

FDdkfhkdjhf I was certain Mikoshiba’s little brother would also have the hots for Kou but it’s still funny 

You go Kou judging the muscle contest live your dream

“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay out of Rin’s way” Wow Sosuke that was a HARD 180 chill tf out

Omf I can’t believe it took me this long to realize that Aiichiro and Rin were roommates and it wasn’t just Aiichiro showing up in Rin’s room every night like “hey”

“Preferably ones with wonderful muscles and tight washboard abs!” “Yeah!!” Iwatobi Swim Club pls

Does this mean that the Makoto and Haru go on midnight runs bc Haru is slow as all hell on land lmao

YEAH REI’S TRACK EXPERTISE BECOMING RELEVANT AYYYYY

Omg Nagisa nudging Rei’s shoulder is fucking adorable ahhhhhh

Rei’s plans: Being sad about your personal inadequacies (what a mood)

“Do you really think I’d be dumb enough to fall prey to something so preposterously illogical as love” CALLING IT RIGHT NOW REI’S GONNA FALL IN LOVE

Lmao @ Momo checking out Rin’s cleavage this is truly the weird “all siblings have the same taste in crushes” universe

“I THINK HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN REI’S BOYFRIEND” Okay 1) This is stupid but the part of me that actually wants these shows to have a diverse spectrum of sexuality is lured in thanks I hate it, and 2) How dare you Rei’s boyfriend is Nagisa

[Makoto voice] This is a swimtervention 

AHHHHHHH EVERYBODY LOVES REI (AS THEY SHOULD)

I bet Rei’s going to train in his time off because he wants to catch to the boys <3 

Update: He’s getting Rin to teach him finally some helpful friendship times from Rin!!!! Good job

“Which do you think I’d look more swole in” omg who wrote this dialogue

Pls Sosuke don’t use this childhood joke debt as an excuse to be like “Don’t hang out with your old homies anymore”

“I need to sit on it for a little longer, that’s all”

Sosuke, internally, probably: Kiss me

“I want you to think of me as part of your team” FINALLY SOME OPEN AND HONEST COMMUNICATION ABOUT YOUR EMOTIONS

Woo woo positive character development for Rin prioritizing friendship over competition this is such a nice turn

Uh oh why is Nagisa lying about his motives for camping has he been kicked out of his house for stripping in public

I grow more and more concerned for Nagisa with every scene

“We said no and we meant it” I can’t believe that Makoto and Haru are Nagisa’s new parents wow 

Well we know who the good cop parent is, Makoto had a conversation with Nagisa and exactly one (1) second later was convinced they had to rescue him

Update from 30 seconds later: I spoke too soon he got Haru too “I’ve decided to let him stay with me” THESE NERDS

But why do you have to unbutton your shirt a little in order to negotiate Rei

“Studying became like some kind of torture” that’s depression honey

This soft glowing light while Rei tells Nagisa to follow his dreams is so sweet but also jdhkjfhkdjh what if his parents are just mean 

These boys are the definition of ride or die they’re in this empty ass pool area still trying to hide their friend behind their backs what absolute best boys are these

“Haru” “I’m sneaky” CUTE!!!! Also good call on not calling mum but on calling Trusted Adult instead

“You can’t quit. I won’t let you” AHHHH THAT’S LOVE!!! REI <3

The matching swimsuit pose god every moment of this show kills me

“We’re a team! If we can’t do it together what’s the point?” WOW I CAN’T BELIEVE MAKOTO AND HARU HAVE BEEN A TEAM LITERALLY SINCE THEY WERE BABIES! PICK UP THE PHONE AND SMELL THE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP

“Here, dolphin’s yours” Oh!!! Makoto has also been selfless since birth he just wants Haru to be happy but Haru just wants him to be happy too 😭😭😭😭😭😭

I also like this Matsuoka siblings bonding this is what I wanted from the beginning tbh

Aiichiro you superstitious little nerd

“I want to know what it feels like to kick your ass” what a hard swerve Makoto pls 

“Congratulations, between the two of us you’re still the best in the water, how awesome is that?” “Hah, you’re so weird” I’ve never seen someone so excited to lose Makoto is truly the best boy I love this relationship 

Aw is Makoto jealous of Haru’s relationship with Rin? I 100% buy it but baby!!! You are so good there’s no need to worry

I’m so proud of the Iwatobi boys for qualifying for regionals and also I bet this means that the Samezuka boys will win relay

Update from an ep later: I was correct

“Don’t limit yourself kid” are you not... the same age as him Sosuke???

Working theory is that Makoto wants Haru to care about being scouted so they can go to the same school together and swim there

“I wonder what Haru wants to do after graduation” be a mermaid 

Sosuke really needs to get in touch with his emotions good grief

“But I am sure about one thing, I love it and I don’t want to stop” in all seriousness do people intentionally write these relationships as romantically-charged or is that just something that happens? Like this 100% reads as an allegory for discovering your sexuality

Ahhhh Makoto helping the babies I know I’ve said this a million times in the past few episodes but he’s the best boy

“I haven’t thought about [Kisumi] in who knows how long” Wow does everyone in this show have an ex-boyfriend who suddenly pops up to stir up drama bc it sure seems like it

There’s probably some symbolism in Haru handing off of a boxed lunch 

“But isn’t it... scary?” “Only til it’s not” Oh my goooood I love this swim teaching arc I love Makoto I just!!! HE’S THE BEST

Ahhhh Haru bringing Makoto’s siblings to see him at work this is disgustingly domestic and I love it 

“If he’s competing at the regional level I’m guessing that means they fixed [Sosuke’s shoulder]!” Wow Kisumi was truly just here to inspire some drama omg

Ffgkdfjjkhg this elevator stand-off it’s the Battle of Rin’s Overly Intimate Swim Partners

Oh no Haru is having an anxiety attack yikes but I get it

HARU NO AHHH THIS SUCKS COMPETITIVE SPORTS ARE SO UPSETTING 

Man this was a real traumatizing episode what the fuck Free! You lulled me into a false sense of security how dare you

“We don’t do things for each other. That’s just how we are” Ddfksdjhfkjhfd even Baby Sosuke had a lot of true processing how a friendship should work wow

“I trust him implicitly, he’ll be here” idk homies Haru’s sort of in the middle of an Anxiety Episode those don’t usually go well

“I realize it’s over for me. But before I go, I want swim the best damn relay I can. With you. Today.” Wow Sosuke finally connects with his emotions and proves himself as Good Boyfriend Material in one swing

Is it really a swim meet if Rin doesn’t have a dramatic outdoor confession of feelings with a former rival 

Samezuka you’re adorable but also a health hazard where’s your adult

MY BOYS MADE IT TO NATIONALS I’M GONNA CRY

“Look at Sosuke, being a big cheese ball” CHARACTER GROWTH

“I think I finally found what I was looking for” “Took you long enough” okay this seriously reads like an allegory for coming to terms with your sexuality Sosuke I have so many thoughts

Amakata is such a good teacher she won’t let Haru be slandered

I’m glad the boys are getting some acknowledgement but poor Haru 

“You never hear someone talk about their last summer” TITLE REFERENCE

Wooooooow Sosuke’s really here to tell Haru to keep going just for Rin’s sake this is almost the opposite of their first confrontation but it’s still   about how much Sosuke cares about Rin what kind of single-minded boyfriend antics 

“Why the hell are you so hung up on Rin” LOVE, HARU, LOVE!!

Haru methinks Makoto was about to make an important declaration quit evading your friend/future (she said, hypocritically)

[Makoto voice] Swimtervention: The Sequel

YES MAKOTO GO HELP HARU YOU KNOW HIM BEST

“Why don’t you understand that we love you” AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MAKOTO #1 BOY MOST IN TOUCH WITH HIS EMOTIONS BEST FRIEND GOOD BOYFRIEND MATERIAL BUT ALSO JUST A WONDERFUL BOY WHO WANTS HARU HAPPY

Okay okay I’m not trying to project romance onto this narrative (that’s a lie I’ve been sold on romance for a while) but like.... fireworks!!! Fireworks going off in the background while they stand in front of each other in silhouette PICK UP THE PHONE ANIMATORS

“You and Makoto had a falling out, huh?” Omg not only does Rin pinpoint Haru’s problem right away he’s also making a direct parallel to him and Sosuke’s relationship my kinda amicable exes 

“It was our first fight” I’M WHEEZING THIS IS LIKE THAT EPISODE OF FRIENDS WHERE CHANDLER EXPERIENCES FIGHTING IN A RELATIONSHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME AND HE’S LIKE ‘GUESS WE’RE BROKEN UP’ AND MONICA’S LIKE ‘???? NO?’

Am I supposed to read little Rin telling his host family that Haru had eyes that look like the ocean in a platonic way because.... buddy

God I love Rin’s Australian family they’re so sweet and understanding

Ddfalsfjdskljf EXPLAIN THIS!!!

Russell: So mate, got a girlfriend back home?

Rin: Eummm, long story, or not actually [awkward laughter]

BED SHARING TROPES OH MY GOD!! THEY ARE LEANING INTO THIS PSEUDO-ROMCOM ANGLE EXCEPT THEY’VE BOTH GOT OTHER DUDES IN THEIR LIVES LMAO WHAT WOULD MAKOTO AND SOSUKE THINK

Rin and Haru don’t even wear the same style of swimsuit so lol @ Rin bringing a different suit across the world specifically to make Haru swim in it 

OMG HARU JUST DISCOVERED HIS DREAM I LOVE IT

Aw are Haru and Makoto going to end up separated bc of their different dreams because I’m gonna be very upset

I’m so touched by Makoto’s dream of helping children even if Makoto can’t fully be in the next season because it’s a Haru-centric show I still love him so much 4ever

Hahaha at them recapping the whole show I guess they didn’t know that there would be a third season

“C’mon you two, no more tears” what sweet sobbing boys you’re pulling at my heartstrings 

“We’ll always be a team” HECK YEAH YOU WILL

Yay for Rei getting his own swim hallucination!!!! That’s my boy

Maybe the real swimtervention was inside Haru’s heart all along  😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

THEY WON AND HARU’S CRYING HE’S FINALLY LEARNING TO EXPRESS FEELINGS 1000/10 WOULD RECOMMEND 

I knew Nitori would be captain but I’m still so happy for him!!! Baby!!!

“When you decide not to be done, I’ll be waiting” Rin has seen the most character growth of anyone on this show good for him!!

“Why you gotta say my name like that, it sounds weird” I keep telling you that is the sound of love, Harukaaaa <3

I LOVE EVERY PART OF THIS MONTAGE THE FLOWER PETALS THE “I’M IN COLLEGE NOW” GLASSES ON MAKOTO THE DREAMS COMING TRUE

WAIT ARE HARU AND MAKOTO GOING TO COLLEGE TOGETHER I LOVE IT 

I SAID IT BEFORE BUT YOU WIN THIS TIME, SPORTS ANIME. YOU GOT ME. YOU GOT ME REAL GOOD.

[immcrtuos-a]

G I A N T . C H A R A C T E R . S U R V E Y

[ tagged by ]: @eloquated [ tagging ]: @eyerevived @dcmonblooded @remembcr and everyone else who wants to

G E N E R A L

[ name ]: Raphael Ortiz Santiago [ nicknames ]: Rafa (only by certain people he’s close to) [ birthday ]: June 19 [ birthplace ]: Zacatecas, Mexico [ age ]: 84 (looks like 19) [ eye color ]: Dark brown, almost black [ height ]: 1.75m / 5′7 feet [ weight ]: Fairly muscled [ nationality ]: Mexican [ astrological sign ]: Gemini [ location ]: Hotel Dumort [ siblings ]: four brothers and one sister, all deceased [ pets ]: None [ in the morning i’m ]: Sleeping [ all i need is ]: the Clan [ love is ]: Apparently, a good thing [ i’m afraid of ]: Loved ones dying [ i dream about ]: Not much, unless nightmares are counted too

H A V E . Y O U . E V E R ?

[ pictured your crush naked? ]: No? [ used someone? ]: Yes [ been used? ]: Yes [ been cheated on? ]: No [ considered cheating? ]: No [ been kissed? ]: Yes [ done something you regret? ]: Of course

F A V O R I T E

[ food? ]: Can’t eat anything anymore, so does it matter? [ fruit? ]: It used to be cherries [ candy? ]: I don’t have one [ color? ]: Red  [ number? ]: 3 [ animal? ]: Cats [ drink? ]: Blood, obviously [ soda? ]: I preferred coca cola [ book? ]: Macbeth or Julius Caesar [ room? ]: Bedroom [ movie? ]: I don’t have a favorite

D O . Y O U ?

[ have a boyfriend/girlfriend? ]: No [ like cleaning? ]: No [ have a tattoo? ]: No, though I admit they can be nice [ have any piercings? ]: No [ cheat on tests/homework? ]: I don’t remember, probably not [ drink/smoke? ]: Sometimes, with Magnus or Lily [ swear a lot? ]: Probably more than I should [ like watching sunrises or sunset? ]: I wish I could [ pray? ]: Of course  [ go to church? ]: Not anymore, although I used to go every week [ have secrets? ]: Naturally [ have a best friend? ]: Lily and Eliot (and Jack @eyerevived ) [ like your own handwriting? ]: Sure

A R E . Y O U ?

[ obsessive? ]: About certain subjects, I suppose [ excited? ]: Not particularly [ bored? ]: At the moment, yes [ happy? ]: Not really [ missing someone? ]: Yes [ confused? ]: No [ tired? ]: No [ mad? ]: At certain people, yes [ sleepy? ]: No

D O . Y O U . E V E R ?

[ wait around just to talk to someone? ]: Sure [ write about those ‘special’ moments? ]: No, I don’t need a diary to remember [ wish you were a member of the opposite sex? ]: No

W H O . W A S . T H E . L A S T . P E R S O N . W H O ?

[ you talked to? ]: Lily and Eliot [ you hugged? ]: Magnus [ you kissed? ]: That’s unimportant [ sent you a letter? ]: The Los Angeles clan leader [ you sent a letter to? ]: The Los Angeles clan leader, in return [ you laughed with? ]: Eliot [ slept in your bed? ]: Myself [ you shared a drink with? ]: Lily or Eliot   [ you went to the movies with? ]: A group of the Clan, a few years ago [ yelled at you? ]: Camille [ you called? ]: Magnus [ you kicked? ]: A Shadowhunter [ you saw? ]: Lily

W H O . I S ?

[ the most handsome person you know? ]: Objectively, probably Magnus? Although, Isabelle Lightwood is also beautiful. [ the weirdest person you know? ]: Simon Lewis, without a doubt the most confusing person I currently know [ the funniest person you know? ]: Eliot [ the loudest person you know? ]: Loud in volume is Lily, loud in character is Magnus   [ the quietest person you know? ]: Aurélie, a clan member [ the sweetest person you know? ]: Johannes, another clan member [ the most serious person you know? ]: Every person from the Clave  [ your best friend? ]: Well, that used to be Ragnor [ the person you hate the most? ]: Valentine Morgenstern [ the person you see most? ]: Lily and Eliot [ your soul-mate? ]: Soul-mates don’t exist.  

W H A T . I S ?

[ the first thing you thought of when you woke up? ]: Everything that needed to be done tonight [ the song that best describes you? ]: I don’t know [ your best feature? ]: Physical or in general? [ your most treasured memory? ]: Any of the ones with my hermanos

I N . T H E . F U T U R E

[ what is the age you hope to get married? ]: I’m not going to be married [ number and names of kids? ]: I won’t have any  [ where do you see yourself at age twenty? ]: I’ve surpassed twenty by a few decennia now  [ describe your dream wedding? ]: I already said I won’t have one, so it doesn’t matter [ when and how do you want to die? ]: Preferably a long time from now and quickly [ what are your career plans? ]: Keep leading the clan [ some place you’d like to visit? ]: I would like to go back to Zacatecas.

L A S T . T I M E

[ last time you went out of state? ]: Clan business a few months ago [ last time you were outside? ]: Yesterday night [ last time you had a snowball fight? ]: Years ago [ last time you were listening to music? ]: A while ago

O T H E R

[ how many people would you say are good friends of yours? ]: Three [ what hurts the most, physical or emotional pain? ]: Emotional. [ have you felt this recently? ]: Yes [ what do you wear to bed? ]: Sweatpants and a t-shirt [ when’s the last time you slept with a stuffed animal? ]: As a child [ have you ever used a ouija board? ]: No [ how many rings before you pick up the phone? ]: As soon as I can find it

[chom-raaa]

Rules:

1. Post the rules

2. Answer the questions given to you by the tagger

3. Write 11 questions of your own

4. And tag 11 people

I’ve been tagged by 3 people so in the order that I’m tagged...

@star-tear thanks for the tag *squishes you aggressively*

1. if you were offered a perfectly written fan fic for any pairing of your choice, what au/trope would u choose?

SKK is still my obsession right now, and I’d love a wuxia au (although most people have no idea what that is........)

2. opinion on pineapples on pizza 

Sure why not

3. stickers on laptops or nah

No, just because I’ve never owned any and I don’t really see the point?

4. sweet or savory 

Savory :3

5. opinion on melon soda 

I’ve never had any. I heard it doesn’t taste like melon, but then what does it taste like?

6. are u the type to have 10 different types of pens and just use one

I have a bunch of pens from the university fair (just now realizing how long ago that was), but I only use 1

7. would u rather be known as proud or ignorant 

Ignorant, I guess? Because what do I have to be proud of qvq

8. thoughts on cliche shoujo tropes 

There’s a reason why I avoid shoujo u.u

9. what time is it

9:15 AM

10. do the trees change color for autumn where you are

yep

11. what team? 

Team.......I need a nap

  @kurapls *tackles you* thanks for tagging me C:

1. Do you prefer hot summers or cold winters? 

I like blankets but—realistically, hot summers because I can hole myself up at home and blast the AC. I hate dragging myself through 2 hours of public transit + walking in the snow every day...and slipping on ice. That’s so embarrassing > <

2. Name one otp, one notp, and a rarepair (any fandom)

Otp: skk, (but I just can’t name one I’m also thirsty for eruri)

Notp: alimor (magi)

Rarepair: kagaaka (knb)

3. Are you watching any anime right now? 

Nah, I’m a mess rn

4. Would you rather have infinite food or never have the need to eat again? 

No eating, I don’t particularly like the feeling of eating and I can save time

5. Fic tropes that make you the saddest.

Terminal illness. I’m a terribly unromantic person so any plot in the name of lurrrve doesn’t have the same kind of effect as the slow (or fast) decaying of the body and a forced goodbye.  

6. Grab an object to your right. What did you grab?

A trash bag. To put myself in qvq

7. Pick 1 character you want to punch and 1 character you want to adopt

Punch Dazai (does anyone not want to punch Dazai?? Even though they like him??). Adopt Akutagawa.

8. Could you take care of a plant or does everything you touch die?

Hmmm, well, my plants are made of paper aka dead trees. Can’t kill something that’s already dead ;P

9. What was the last dream/nightmare you have? 

I died and it wasn’t even a bad dream

10. 1 thing on your wishlist

Social skills (I’m dead serious)

But if you’re looking for something concrete, then a xiao (a flute)

11. Night showers or morning showers?

Night showers~

 @miwagashi thanks for the tag!! *brings you snacks*

1. Do you collect anything?

Wind instruments, I guess? I have 3 flutes and 2 ocarinas, although I can’t play out of my 3 flutes qq

2. Sour gummies or normal gummies?

Sourrr, until it rips my tongue off

3. Can you do anything weird/quirky with your body?

Not that I know of?

4. What’s a show or book you associate with childhood?

TEEN TITANS!!

5. Do you personalize your belongings? 

Only sometimes, but not so much anymore

6. Mouse or touchpad?

Touchpad

7. Is there any sport/skill you wish you learned as a kid but didn’t?

I wanted to learn some kind of sport as a kid and now as an “adult” it wold have probably given me more incentive to exercise lol

Practicality aside though I wish I took music lessons

8. Do you use pretty and unique supplies or are you the type to hoard them until the perfect occasion comes up?

I hoard and....never use them

9. If you could visit anywhere during your season and time of choice, where would you go and why?

I have no idea, I’ve never really thought about going anywhere

10. Would you rather love your job but have your entire life revolve around it or hate it but have a really meaningful life outside of work?

Ideally, the first one because we work most of our lives so I don’t want to hate that much of my life, but I’m still taking that kind of route because I’m a fking hypocrite.

11. Mind with a body or body with a mind? Ovo

CONSCIOUSNESS IS AN EPIPHENOMENON--*gets slapped* Ok. Idk. I’m a trash bag in a trash can

For my 11 questions

1. Heroes gone bad or villains becoming good?

2. Did you ever get in trouble in school? When was the last time and what was it about?

3. Hot drinks or cold drinks?

4. Any siblings? Older/younger? Would you have it any other way?

5. You most prized possession?

6. What’s a fandom trope that makes you uncomfortable?

7. What do find attractive in a fictional character?

8. If could bring a character back to life but sacrifice another character in return (major-ish characters for those fandoms with a big cast), who would you choose?

9. Long fics or short fics? In terms of both reading and writing?

10. Are you content with who you are?

11. What is holding you back from getting what you want?

Tagging y’all back @star-tear, @kurapls, @miwagashi!! Also tagging @leio13, @fraink5, @daughterofsinsloth, @chuuyay, @bandaged-chessmaster and I know a lot of people have already been tagged so I won’t annoy you. Will tag anyone who likes this post~

[emperorsfoot]

I have mixed feelings about Omniverse. There were some things I liked about the series and some things I really, really did not like. Overall, I have to say that my opinion of the series is split 30/70 with the 70% being negative. So, for the most part, I didn't like it. But first let me discuss the things I DID like.

We got a stable Plumbers Headquarters in Bellwood and more regular Plumbers characters.

The Plumbers always stuck me sort of as the Green Lantern Corps., and just like with the Lanterns, the Corps. Comics are way better than the Green Lantern comics. Why? Because its about the whole Corps. The whole organization, not just a circle jerk for Hal Jordan (or whoever the Lantern for sector 2814 happens to be at the time). And that was what was nice about expanding the cast of Plumbers. We got to see a whole Corps of Plumbers, not just third-tier 'Plumbers Helpers' or single-episode cameos to remind us that other Plumbers existed. We had regular characters with names and backstories -many of whom weren't even from Earth. It was a good attempt at world building, and in a show that is constantly claiming to be about “experiencing what its like to be another species” or “learning how differences make us strong”, that's something that's very important. Because, as we all know (should know) UNLIKE Green Lantern Corps. (Blackest Night story arc) the Earth isn't actually the center of the universe. (Neither is Ben for that matter, although you wouldn't know it from watching the series.)

Gwen goes to collage and she and Kevin get away from Ben for a while.

For pretty much all their lives, both Gwen and Kevin's lives have revolved around Ben Mother-Fucking Tennyson. Gwen because they were raised more like siblings than cousins, she was pulled into all his absurd alien adventures -literally- from the moment they started, Ben is incapable of doing anything without her and when she does get out, he pulls her back in again -remember, it was Ben that went to Gwen at the beginning of Alien Force. If he hand't asked her for help, she might not have been a main character in the second series. And Kevin became obsessed with Ben when he was only eleven years old. When he was still in his formative years. Over the course of Alien Force and Ultimate Alien that obsession and thirst for revenge morphed and shifted into an uncomfortably dependent friendship. Seriously. Ben is Kevin's ONLY male friend Kevin has that's an actual friend, not a 'business partner' or 'tech-buddy'. Its good that Gwen went to collage and Kevin followed her, so that they could both get some time away from Ben to grow as individuals. Sure, we the audience didn't get to see any of that individual growth and development because the series was too busy being a circle-jerk for Ben. But then, I've come to expect that from this franchise.

Prince Looma and Tetramand marital practices (“Many Happy Returns”)

Same as with the additional Plumbers characters, this was a good way to add some easy world building. They took an existing alien species that the viewers are very familiar with and gave us a glimpse of their culture. It was mostly played for laughs, but I think it was one of the better episodes (and not just because it was also a mostly Kevin-centric episode). In one episode alone, we learn how Tetramand ask for/arrange their matches, engagement ceremony, length and traditions, how engagements are broken off, and even a little bit about the marriage ceremony itself. To someone who knows how to pay attention it was like a cascade of culture building, world building, and general information that expanded the world of Ben 10.

Rook -Kevin and Gwen in one person.

When they took Gwen and Kevin away, they had to replace them somehow, because -as the franchise has consistently proven- while the whole thing might be one giant Ben-wank, Ben Tennyson is also utterly and completely incapable of doing anything on his own. He needs a sidekick -usually one who's smarter and more skilled (read: more useful) than Ben himself, and doesn't mind playing second fiddle to the spotlight hogging, ego-driven, narcissist Hero of the Universe. Rook does that wonderfully while also making sarcastic quips that go over Ben's (and his fans in fandom's heads). Also, adding another species -and more importantly, showing us his home planet, family, and how his people live- was more great world building.

Basically, what I liked about Omniverse was all the wold building they tried to do.

Now, the things I didn't like...

I'll start small and shallow:

The dramatic change in artwork.

Where do I begin? First and foremost its inconsistent with the rest of the franchise up to that point. Ben 10 TOS, Alien Force, and Ultimate Alien were all drawn/animated in the same style. Something similar to the Young Justice cartoon style, proportionate bodies with realistic facial features (realistic for a cartoon). That style worked for an adventure series. It was good. But then Omniverse rolls around and suddenly everyone's got giant eyes that take up half their faces, but they're not cute anime eyes, they're weird cat-like eyes. Their body proportions are all weird so that some characters are 60% legs, or their arms are so long their hands are at their knees. Max doesn't have facial expressions anymore, Ben looks like he's ten years old again, Kevin's chin is so long they have to give him a giraffe neck to compensate... All of the familiar characters look mutated and gross. I almost wanna say Omniverse was the worst artwork decision they could have made for the franchise, but then, I've seen the new reboot and that one's even worse.

The whole series is just one big Ben circle-jerk.

Remember all those new Plumbers characters I was so happy about? We can't have a single episode about them that doesn't involve Ben. Either Ben having to rescue then while Grandpa Max vomits a small novella of exposition, or Ben trying to investigate their past for X, Y, Z reason, or them driving around Bellwood while Ben has seemingly endless battles around them that inevitably block their path, or Ben tagging along while they visit their home planet. There is no way to develop a single new character in the show without Ben having to be involved in some way. Look. I get it. The franchise is called “Ben 10”, so obviously its about Ben. But ya know what? Avatar is also called “Avatar” and they manage to have multiple episodes about other characters that don't even involve the Avatar at all. Believe it or not, it is possible to make Wester cartoons with a wide cast of characters, AND develop said characters without the title character having to stick his nose in every time someone farts.

They somehow made Ben 10 a harem anime.

Now, I like a good harem as much as the next sexually repressed and asocial nerd. Goodness knows Martian Successor Nadeshico has a permanent spot on my list of Top Ten Anime I Recommend to Everyone. But is just seemed kinda weird... Ultimate Alien ended with Ben and Julie seeming really solid. Then at the beginning of Omniverse, they're not even together anymore. Now, Word of God is that Kenny's mother is Kai, so obviously Ben and Julie couldn't be together forever. At some point they had to break up and Ben had to get with Kai. But Omniverse did not handle the inevitable facts of canon well. There was no real mention of reasons why Ben and Julie were no longer together when they seemed so solid at the send of the previous series, then, all of a sudden, Ben had a million and one women wanting to bone him. Looma, Ester, Lucy, (even his cousin Sonny in one episode and that was creepy), and yes, still Julie and Kai. And, like most protagonists in harem anime, Ben does absolutely nothing to deserve all this adulation from the distaff gender. Its very frustrating.

Kai Green -I like the IDEA of Kai, but I actually hate the CHARACTER Kai.

I really like the idea of Kai. I really do. I like a strong, independent, female, well educated, Native American character. To often in fiction Native characters are portrayed as “magical” in some way. Either as sages or spiritual guides, shapeshifters, mediums, or healers. Its very rare to find a Native American characters who's just a normal, down-to-Earth person with hopes and dreams, anxieties and fears, plans and aspirations, etc. Kai is none of the cliché tropes that Native characters are pigeon-holed  into. This is best illustrated by an exchange of dialogue between her and Ben when he comments on her hand-to-hand combat skills and asks if its some “ancient Navajo” fighting technique, and she scoffs at him and says she took after school classes at the mall -like any normal teenager would! Kai is a real person, she's not just a conglomeration of stereotypes and tropes. I really like the idea of Kai. I really do. That being said... THE WRITERS SEEMED TO HAVE DONE EVERYTHING IN THIER POWER TO MAKE KAI UTTERLY AND COMPLETELY UNLIKABLE! (Yes, I did have to shout that in all caps.) I like the idea of Kai, but Kai herself is condescending, and an intellectual snob. I don't like Ben, but there's one episode where he's at a museum (seeing an exhibit that Kai put on) and he makes a comment along the lines of “I didn't know aliens had old stuff!” and Kai responds to him like he's the dumbest piece of shit to ever crawl out of the public school system -and she does this in front of a crowd of his peers and strangers. Lets step out of the cartoon for a moment and look at it with some perspective. How would you feel if you've part of a tour group and someone in the group (you may or may not know) asks a silly question. What would you think if the tour guide responded with something like “How far up your ass did you have to stick your head to find that question, dumbass?” You'd think they were a terrible tour guide and should be fired, right? That's what Kai did to Ben. And that wasn't even the first time she showed a clear disrespect for Ben either. In the original series, she says she only like Ben when he was Benwolf (later renamed Blitzwolfer in Omniverse) because she wanted a “pet dog” that she could “train”. That's kinda understandable and excusable because she was ten at the time and kids are amoral assholes who don't know any better. But Omniverse is six years later, Kai is sixteen and she hasn't improved with age, she's become more of a bitch. I really don't understand why the show insisted on shoving them together and insisting that they both love each other and are happy together in the future. When we see her in the future, she's always with Ben 10,000 but she's still making disparaging comments about him or his arch enemies and Ben just smiles and cuddles and kisses her.

Kevin. Everything Omniverse did to, and took away from Kevin.

This should be a post unto itself. Anyone who reads my fan fictions will know that Kevin is my favorite character. So, of course the thing I'm gonna feel most strongly about is going to have something to do with Kevin Ethan Levin. So, sit down prepare yourself for a wall-o-text.

Osmosian. Look, I get that in the original series the PLAN was for Kevin to be a mutant and NOT an alien. But then Alien Force and Ultimate Alien changed that. They established that Osmosians were aliens. They established this so solidly that Omnivers' attempts to ret-con Kevin back to being a mutant makes no sense. Take a moment to seriously think about just how large that conspiracy has to be in order for “Osmosian” the alien species to really be a mutated Earthling. Max, Kevin's, and Kevin's mother's memories were altered, Aggregor is an experiment to replicate Kevin's powers, Ragnarok was really a Rooters agent, the Osmos System is an uninhabited system that Servantis altered the records of in order to supply a “home planet” for his fake species. And all of this was done without the Magistrata or any other high-level Plumbers stumbling across the conspiracy or finding out. Its just so far fetched. Its to much of a stretch for it to be a legitimate explanation -and yet, its canon. What it is, is absurd. This is not good story telling.

It makes the world smaller. Remember way up at the top of this post when I was listing the things I liked about Omniverse and most of it was me just gushing over the world building? Well, the Rooters story arc and subsequent ret-cons are the exact opposite of that. Its not 'wolf building' its 'world shrinking'. By making Kevin a mutant Earthling instead of an alien-human hybrid, they robbed the Ben 10 universe of a planet, a species, and possibly a culture to explore. If they really wanted to make Kevin a villain again so much, they could have had a story arc ret-conning Devin instead. Make Devin an Osmosian double agent who was supposed to infiltrate the Plumbers because Osmosians could be aggressive and warlike aliens (seeing how Kevin's so naturally obsessed with revenge, and Aggregor was determined to attain the power of a god, I think that's a plausible assumption). But, Devin accidentally fell in love with an Earthling -Kevin's mother- and quit his mission. The story arch could have been Devin's old war-buddies coming to enlist Kevin to finish the mission his father couldn't. Kevin might go along with them as a way to get to know what kind of man his father really was. They could play it the same way they did in the Rooters story arc and have him just pretending to join the baddies in order infiltrate them and help Ben defeat them and save Earth. Or they could make him OD on energy and go crazy and become a legit villain again. Either way, keep Osmosians as aliens would have been a better story than making them mutant Earthlings AND it would have been another great opportunity for more world building.

Ret-conning Kevin's backstory was cruel. Kevin has almost no positive male role-models. Thing about it. Think about his life. When Kevin was young, his male role-model was his step-father, an average human with nothing special or noteworthy about him EXCEPT THAT HE WAS TERRFIED OF HIS STEP-SON. Think about that. Kevin's first male role-model was afraid of him. How positive an influence could Harvey have been if he was scared shitless of an eleven-year-old child? Then Kevin was trapped in the Null Void and sent to prison where he met Kwarrel. Now, Kwarrel was shown to be a fairly decent guy. But lets also keep in mind that he is in an maximum security prison within the Null Void, so he must have done something pretty bad to be sentenced there. Also, keep in mind that we only got to see a few short flashbacks of Kwarrel and they were all through Kevin's point of view -usually of Kwarrel mentoring him. But we also know that Kwarrel was “top dog” in the prison. The only way to stay that was in jail is to rule through strength and intimidation. We saw Kwarrel being all nobel and empathetic, but that doesn't mean he wasn't also sometimes aggressive, violent, or even cruel to the other inmates. Omniverse gave Kevin NOTHER super-shitty role-model in Proctor Servantis. Amoral, self-serving, uses children as experiments and puppets, fucks with people's minds, and devotes his entire life to destroying one single human boy. The only truly positive male role-models Kevin has in his life are Max Tennyson and the memory of Devin Levin -except Omniverse made it so that Devin never actually existed. That was just downright cruel.

So, that's what I think about Omniverse.

[daniellethamasa]

Hey all, Dani here.

Well things are about to get real interesting around me. The county I live in in Ohio just got its first confirmed case of COVID-19, but as of right now, my workplace is still open. We’ll see if that changes by the end of the weekend. Is it wrong that I’m hoping things stay open long enough for my book order from yesterday to reach my house? Like that package should reach me by Tuesday or maybe Wednesday. Just let me have those 8 books and then everything can go on lockdown. I know that sounds ridiculous, and I do want people to be safe, so I understand if my shipment is put on hold. I just, the books will be so lonely locked up in a warehouse for a couple weeks.

Okay, so I saw this post over on Sahi’s blog, My World of Books, and it sounded like a fun book tag. And I haven’t done a tag in a while, so this seems like a good time to do one. Anyway, please go check out Sahi’s blog because there is a lot of great content over there, and Sahi is awesome.

Rules:

Thank the person who nominated you

Answer all the questions down below

Pingback to the creator: Ellyn @ Allonsythornraxx

Nominate 5+ bloggers to do this tag

*Feel free to not take the term ‘book’ too literally, please recommend graphic novels, comics and other works too!

1. Recommend a book from one of your favorite genres

My favorite genre is fantasy. I read a whole bunch of it, so that’s going to make this a little bit difficult. Let’s see what I can come up with.

It wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be. I haven’t talked about this book in a little while, and the sequel is out in July.

Here’s the unfortunate part about this duology…a deadly plague is sort of a bit plot point. Apparently it’s bigger in the sequel/conclusion than it is in the first book, but it’s still a fairly big point in the first one. So, if that’s going to affect your current anxiety or mental state then perhaps stay away from this recommendation.

Is it weird that I sort of want to re-read this book soon because of the global situation? Am I just a very weird individual? Yeah, that’s probably true.

2. Recommend a short book

For a short book…how about a series of short reads? The Vox Machina Origins comic series is about to complete its second arc. The first arc was 6 issues of like 24 pages each, or collected into one volume, and the arc has 5 of the 6 issues out, again like 24 pages for each issue. There is action and magic and camaraderie and shenanigans. It’s a pretty good read.

And if you can’t leave your house then you can totally get the digital version through places like Dark Horse Comics or Comixology.

3. Recommend a book-to-screen adaptation

Okay, this one is easy for me. But you know what, I’m just going to go ahead and give you two recommendations. First up is Black Clover, and I definitely recommend both the manga and the anime (Just take my advice and watch it dubbed, not subbed–main character Asta has a habit of annoyingly yelling everything in the subbed; it’s not fun. Dubbed has it mellowed out a little bit). It is a fantastic adaptation.

And honestly, I’ve read both story collections from the Witcher series so far, and those books are what were used to adapt the first season of the Netflix show, and I have to say that they did a pretty darn good job adapting the world, the monsters, the magic, and the story. I’m definitely impressed.

4. Recommend a book out of your comfort zone

I’m still not the biggest reader of science-fiction. I love to watch it but I don’t read it that much. This book was one that took me a while to read because it was out of my comfort zone, but it is one that I’m glad I read and I actually need to read it again. Oh, and there’s also a fantastic TV series based on this 9-book epic sci-fi series, so feel free to check out “The Expanse” as well, either before or after reading the books.

5. Recommend a book series

Hmm…what series shall I recommend for you all today? Okay, you know what, I’m going to recommend a comic series for you guys. Actually, as I tried to find the appropriate image from my WordPress media collection, I realized that I actually have a few different completed graphic novel/comic series that I haven’t talked about in a while, so I might have to do a graphic novel recommendation post soon.

I love Sandman. It’s a great series, with so many different tropes and genres mashed together into a truly wonderfully epic story. Follow Dream, his sister Death, and all of his other siblings, plus a huge host of other characters through this 10 volume set. Seriously, you won’t regret it.

  6. Recommend a standalone

You do know that I mostly read fantasy series right? This is not cool, to make me try and find a standalone book to recommend. Oh boy. Let’s see what I can come up with.

Okay, okay, I found one, and it’s one where I’m immensely sad about the fact that it is a standalone. I was really hoping for this to be like a trilogy, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Anyway, this is a pretty fantastic fantasy read. It’s Pokemon meets Avatar: the Last Airbender, which I thought was a very intriguing concept.

7. Recommend a book you don’t talk about enough

Oh man, this one is hard, I talk about a lot of books quite frequently. Hmm…let’s look through my WordPress media and see if I can find something for this one.

Okay fine, so this is technically more than one book, but you know, I haven’t talked about them in a while, and now seems like a good time to recommend some completed series that people can totally binge-read right now if they so choose.

I was way more into the spin-off series Bloodlines than I was the original Vampire Academy, though both are great series. I just liked Sydney and Adrian more than I did Rose and Dmitri. No hate, please. They are both good couples.

Actually, hmm, I probably am overdue for a re-read of these slightly angsty YA vampire romance books.

8. Recommend your ‘staple’ book

My staple book, my go-to recommendation for the past like 5 years continues to be Colorworld by Rachel E Kelly. I am obsessed with this series and think it is just an absolutely fantastic read. I could gush about these books over and over again, and for a rather long time as well. Actually I do have reviews up for the whole series, so you can check those out: Colorworld, Teleworld, Lumaworld, Shadoworld, Dreamworld, Waterworld: Ezra, Waterworld: Charlotte, and Waterworld: Xavier.

9. Recommend the book/s that got you into reading

Umm…Dr. Seuss???? I have literally been a reader my whole life, so I was too young to recall what book really got me into reading. If you want to go with what book(s) I first majorly fangirled over, that’s a different story.

Why yes, I do have the complete Animorphs series on my bookshelves. I pretty much ordered every single one of these from the Scholastic bookfair/booksale thing they did back in elementary school. And no matter how many book unhauls I do, I just can’t bear to part with any of these books. There are a couple I want to get nicer copies for, because childhood me was not always as good about taking care of books–so #9 and #13 definitely need replaced. I think everything else is fine.

I actually need to re-read these sometime. Oh, I actually did see online that for right now you can read the whole 54 book main series for free, so if you’re at all interested, you can check that out.

10. Recommend 3+ bloggers who recommend great books

Flavia @ Flavia the Bibliophile

Kathy @ Books and Munches

Sofii @ A Book. A Thought

Okay, well I guess this is where I’m supposed to tag people. This is always my least favorite part of doing tags, honestly. So I’m going to slightly cheat, and tag the three bloggers I recommended above and then two more so I hit that 5 blogger mark in the rules.

Flavia @ Flavia the Bibliophile

Kathy @ Books and Munches

Sofii @ A Book. A Thought

Danielle @ Life of a Literary Nerd

Becky @ Becky’s Book Blog

YOU! (if you want to, dear reader)

The Ultimate Recommendations Book Tag Hey all, Dani here. Well things are about to get real interesting around me. The county I live in in Ohio just got its first confirmed case of COVID-19, but as of right now, my workplace is still open.

[keepyourpantsongohan]

Ayesha Liveblogs Your Lie in April

This episode has been going on for 4 minutes and there’s already a young boy lying in a pool of blood what a strange beginning to this peppy shoujo anime

“What if you cut one of your fingers open?” said Tsubaki, after trying to leave him in a pool of his own blood

“Just get married already!” I like Watari 

Quit being dramatic Kousei your eyes aren’t that dark they’re blue 

Oh no they’re fourteen I’m not prepared for 14 year old romance

I relate a lot to Kousei in that I also lurk around to school listening to Japanese theme songs 

“Take away the piano and there’s nothing” damn Kousei your life got tragic real quick there’s like four levels of tragedy in that one hobby

Back where I’m from leaving a pair of shoes at a height is a sign of a drug deal spot lmao 

Poor Kousei he keeps being referred to as “Friend A”

I really don’t know enough about violin to understand what these reactions are for everything sounds the same to me

“She’s dragged Beethoven into a back alley brawl” I love Kaori 

Kousei is so dramatic his vision keeps zooming in on Kaori in slow motion and he takes like three years for one compliment

“Hearing you talk I get why the girls throw themselves at you” that’s gay Kousei 

What a good friend covering for Watari’s slutty ass lmao 

“Is photography a hobby of yours?” “No, I’m just a fan of dessert” me too Kaori

Is Kousei declaring that he has situational deafness because that’s somewhere between awful and hilarious 

“This feeling I have, I think it’s what some people call yearning” this dramatic ass fourteen year old dealing with his first crush good lord 

This music-score-spamming is the kind of peer pressure I approve of

“Is that okay? Forcing him to help?” Kaori has mid-scheme regrets 

Tsubaki is the friend we all need tbh looking out for her depressed homie

Uh-oh seems like Kaori might also have a tragic backstory isn’t Kousei’s life sad enough 

“I was put on this earth to play music, and so were you” Kaori <3

These four are so ride or die that they’ve literally ditched school and stolen bikes to ride across town together it’s great

“It’s not like she plays like a crazy person” what a gal lmao 

Kousei’s situational deafness has escalated to situational blindness what kind of whole ass trauma 

I guess Kousei’s mom wasn’t always beating him while he played?

“It’s like I’m watching a fist fight” I love these violent musical metaphors 

I’m feeling like Kaori is definitely going to pull A Walk to Remember and have a secret disease

Watari is such a trash boy calling Keiko immediately after visiting Kaori at the hospital who’s he tryna date exactly

“Why isn’t my heart doing backflips?” bc ur already in love with a neurotic mess

Should a girl who just left the hospital really be jumping off of bridges 

It’s sort of inconsiderate for Kousei to play music so loudly at night 

I’m loving all these sharing clothes tropes that are happening with Kousei and Kaori it’s cute

“You wanna be boyfriend and girlfriend?” I feel like that’s a bad choice Tsubaki 

“I’ll lead us to our Watarirific destiny” Watari is an embarrassment to society and I adore him 

Lmao @ Tsubaki going out on a date just to talk about Kousei 

I love that Kousei tracked down his idiot friend with a bag of ice in his hands

“You’re everything a team captain should be” that’s gay Kousei

These kids are having a rough time of it with their lost tournaments and psychotic breaks 

How often does Kousei go to the nurse’s office exactly 

I don’t think I’ve actually watched a show where someone has been abused by their family (unless you count Itachi but that’s a whole different conversation) and I don’t like it 

They’re so cute holding hands in the park

“It means that you’re gonna shine like a star up there” she loves him

What angry loyal friends my beautiful sports-music mashup squad

“You were great out there” Takeshi is so easily swayed by compliments 

“What a cutie” “Yeah? Let me see” that’s gay Kaori 

Everyone wants to be Kousei’s rival and also to marry him probably 

Update from five minutes later: I was more correct than I thought 

This show has used my favourite trope twice in a row:

Person 1: YOU’RE MY RIVAL

Person 2: What? 

“We women can be such combative creatures. Do forgive me, boy” I love Ochiai

Damn Emi went so hard she changed the colour scheme of this anime 

Takeshi thrives on drama he really wanted to hear Emi to confess her love

I knew Kaori would be sick goddamn this heavy-handed foreshadowing

“You’re like the clumsiest kid I know” Kousei’s childhood was depressing as fuck 

“I’m gonna play so well while my mom is watching that she’s going to feel all the way better” fuck this is messed up poor Kousei

I really am not a fan of this episode at all how long are we gonna watch him suffer 

The whole audience is getting a front row seat to Kousei’s crush lol

“That’s a tough life for a kid” well I guess that was before Kousei’s mom was an abusive sack of shit 

“What I’m feeling is gratitude” he said, after privately declaring his love to Kaori for like ten solid minutes 

Takeshi’s feelings for Kousei are almost as powerful as his hair

“She looks so dellicate. Like she’d crumble to dust if I touched her” why do all teenage boys describe girls as if they’re souffles 

Hiroko is the mom that Kousei needs also where the fuck was she when her friend was beating the crap out of her kid

Does Kousei ever go to class because I don’t think I’ve ever seen him go

“Do you think she’ll forgive me for that?” YOU DO NOT NEED HER TO FORGIVE YOU KOUSEI! SHE! BEAT! YOU!

I take it back Kaori’s parents are the parents that Kousei needs 

Is the sandy-haired broody girl supposed to be Tsubaki’s friend because I’ve already forgotten her if so

Why is your mouth open underwater Kousei you dramatic fuck that cannot be safe 

I’m guessing Kaori is somewhere dying I don’t need this man 

Kousei’s rendition of Idiot Husband may have been the cutest thing I’ve seen in recent history

The captions say “that son of ours” so what I’m gathering is that Saki and Hiroko were lesbian lovers and that’s why Kousei’s dad is never around

“Will you ever be able to find happiness?” well you certainly didn’t help Saki

I’m just imagining that all the other performers are watching this uncomfortable sobbing mess in silence 

Poor Kousei, Kaori is gonna fuck him right up with her lying illness

“Milk-favoured like always?” I can personally attest that ice milk is disgusting

I aspire to Tsubaki’s level of running away from my feelings tbh 

“When you’re with me, you always seem like you’d rather be somewhere else” Saito is the only man on earth to ever realize that he’s made a woman uncomfortable

“If you don’t care if I’m with you or not, then I’ll just say” Kousei <3

I hate watching these scenes even though props to them for realistic chronic illness scenes 

“It should’ve be Watari here not me” you could not be more ignorant to Kaori’s feelings Kousei

Lmao @ at this cycle of one-sided obsession with your piano rivals 

“A worthy sacrifice for one who truly deserves it” what a weird sibling relationship 

“Wanna kill yourself with me?” calm down Kaori jesus christ 

Tsubaki u should not be making ur academic decisions based on a boy

“You’re being a dick” that’s the first time I’ve ever heard someone call someone else a dick in an anime and I loved it 

Are all pianists this dramatic or just the ones in Kousei’s immediate circle?

I love what a good friend Watari is it’s adorable 

“You’re a walking hard-on” is what the captions described Tsubaki calling Watari and I’m hella disappointed that didn’t make it into the dub

Nagi and Kousei are surprisingly close in age I thought it’d be a two year gap at least

I wonder how Takeshi will feel about his little sister performing with his rival and crush 

“Thanks to him I’m way more experienced than I used to be” fkjghkfdjhgfkdj I’m dying at these stupid innuendos 

“I can’t believe you have his phone number!” I can’t believe Miike has a little gay crush on Kousei truly everyone on this show is in love with him 

Kousei yelling at his rivals about how great egg sandwiches are is adorable 

“I only reached the top of the hill because of you” Takeshi is so gay 

Tsubaki is hardcore relatable I too wish to accompany my romantic confessions by kicking people in the shin

Fuck Kousei’s having a rough day he finally acknowledged his feelings out loud and had to watch Kaori have a seizure and then see an animal die

At this point I just want Kaori to get to eat her canelés

Damn how many times will Kousei have a breakdown on stage lmao 

Oh no Kousei is mourning Kaori he can feel her dying 

Oh my god Kaori was in love with Kousei this whole time what the fuck

“After all that lie brought us together” what an involved lie Kaori yikes u fucked Watari up also good thing he’s so well-adjusted

That was adorable and heart-breaking and I’m mad what kind of fucking ending was that