#this movie is underrated as heck and no one talks about it!!!

[melis-hellis]

folks will ask stuff like "what's the most underrated pixar movie" and the top reply will be like. a well-respected film that made 800 million dollars at the box office and won 30 annies and golden globes and oscars

[17-noodlebird]

World One = The Amazing Digital Circus Grounds

🎪🤡🤹🎡🎩🎢🎠🎈🪀

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Jewel: Crystal

Power: Energy

Color: Silver

Theme: The Circus & Childhood Wonder

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Objective:

Get to the first location of the road trip without experiencing too much road rage.

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Chapter I: The Amazing Digital Road Trip Begins!

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The first episode — or chapter — pays homage to the Unikitty episode “Roadtrip Ruckus”, Teen Titan Go’s “Road Trip”, and the basic comedic road trip tropes we see in movies.

The episode begins with the Amazing Digital Circus members, or as I'll be calling them from here on out, Team Circus, taking a 15-hour drive to their very first destination, after packing their belongings and installing the first jewel into the secret door, after a brief discussion of what they'll be doing during the trip. Just as they depart The Grounds, all eight members of Team Circus receive a notification for their first objective on their communicator bracelets. Poor Caine thought it'd be a piece of cake…

At first, it's about what you'd expect it to be; road trip games (Jax’s favorite being punch buggy, giving him the perfect opportunity to pick on Gangle), some funny stories to share, Kinger talking about how the Bee Movie is such an underrated classic of the 2000’s, Ragatha reading a book in the car (and ultimately getting carsick as a result), and of course, road trip songs. The diplomats from the other dimension are acting as the surrogate audience, helping them out along the way via their Velcro communicator bracelets that Team Circus is also wearing on their wrists.

Unfortunately, things start to get out of hand really quickly, as Caine soon begins to develop road rage as a result of the antics of the other six members, something that has never happened before. Eventually, the Magical Digital Van gets a flat tire, so they have to stop at a gas station for repairs. While at the gas station, Jax and Pomni bond for a bit as they laugh at off-brand snacks, Ragatha and Gangle try to have a heart-to-heart with one another, Kinger and Zooble fix the van while discovering the mechanic is a shady scammer, and Caine is just freaking out over his newfound emotions as Bubble tries to calm him down.

Afterwards, when the Van is seemingly fixed after Kinger, Zooble, and the mechanic make a compromise, Team Circus causes even more of a ruckus, much to Caine's annoyance and Bubble's concern, all before the Van breaks down in the middle of the road (as well as earning a second flat tire), and Caine is not happy about this, throwing in some colorful (albeit censored with old timey car noises) vocabulary all the while. As the other members try to figure out what the heck just happened, Zooble reveals that they and Kinger had a bit of a squabble with the mechanic, making them immediately come to the conclusion that they have both been tricked by the con artist of a mechanic, who removed some of the parts of the engine to sell on eBay. “Thanks a lot, you two.” were the words said by Jax, as the others watched the mechanic scammer drive off with the missing parts, hollering back, “Yeah, thanks a lot, you two! Hahahahahahaaaa!!!!”

Uh oh.

This was all within Caine's earshot, who now wants payback. A car chase ensues, all to the tune of Lynyrd Skynyrd's “Free Bird”, as Caine tries to catch the fake mechanic and retrieve back the stolen parts for the engine, Zooble and Kinger having looks of guilt all the while. After Team Circus catches up to the fake mechanic (the Van falling apart by the seams from exhaustion in the process), Caine demands that he give back the parts. Naturally, a heated argument ensues, until Pomni discovers that they weren't the only victims of stolen car parts. This is where she puts two and two together and informs the rest of Team Circus of her findings.

It turns out that when The Magical Digital Van got a flat tire as result of a rusty nail being placed in the middle of the road, conveniently a couple of yards from the mechanic shop and local gas station, something the fake mechanic did on purpose. And he had been doing this to the other vehicles too; apparently, this was all part of a conniving scheme to sell used car parts on the black market to unsuspecting customers in order to gain some money.

As the fake mechanic attempts to run away, knowing damn well he had been caught, Ragatha apprehends him and forces him to give them back the stolen car parts, as well as the ones stolen prior to the encounter. He complies, defeated.

Pomni is congratulated by the diplomats and Team Circus for her cleverness, while the fake mechanic fixes The Magical Digital Van for real as he replaces both flattened tires and puts back the stolen parts. Some NPC police officers arrest the fake mechanic shortly after, with Pomni having called the authorities in the meantime.

Of course, Zooble and Kinger aren't let off the hook completely; Caine scolds the both of them for not being street smart about the matter (tho Bubble asks him to go easy on them this time, as no one could have foreseen this outcome). So all's well that ends well, and after several more hours of casual hijinks, they finally reach their first destination. The episode ends here.

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Current Status:

0 Jewels have been collected

26 remain

🎪🤡🤹🎡🎩🎢🎠🎈🪀

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• OG Cast:

Lizzie Freeman as Pomni

Amanda Hufford as Ragatha

Michael Kovach as Jax

Sean Chiplock as Kinger

Marissa Lenti as Gangle

Ashley Nichols as Zooble

Gooseworx as Bubble

Alex Rochon as Caine

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• Audience Surrogate Cast/Diplomats

Hynden Walch as Valerie

Susan Egan as Pamela

Amy Winfrey as Garcia

Mandy Moore as Lulu

Nevaeh Hamilton (me) as Bethany

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• Background Diplomats

Andrea Libman as Winona

Cristina Vee as Patricia

E.G. Daily as Rionna

Stephanie Sheh as Olivia

Debi Derryberry as Yolanda

Cree Summer as Gemma

Ashleigh Ball as Cécelia

Erica Luttrell as Belle

Ashly Burch as Imera

Kimberly Brooks as Bailey

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• Episode’s Antagonists

Danny DeVito as Otto Partz the Fake Mechanic

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• Secondary Characters Introduced

Edward Bosco as Gene Virgo the Convenience Store Owner

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[noperopesaredope]

PBS Kids Shows I Have Nostalgia For

Sesame Street (don’t @ me, it was the only thing on at 7:00 am or whenever the heck I’d wake up for school)

Super Why! (didn’t mind it. The pea girl actually inspired one of my current EAH OCs)

The Magic School Bus (duh)

Bill Nye the Science Guy (duh again)

Arthur (not my fav, but a classic)

Clifford (I was OBSESSED with the movie as a kid)

Liberty’s Kids (my dad showed it to us via YouTube. It’s amazing)

Curious George (didn’t like it as much, but it was on all the damn time, so I still remember a lot about it. Now I feel a tad bit of nostalgia for it)

Word Girl (not my fav for SOME REASON. Love it upon rewatching it. Still loved the villains as a kid)

Word World (rarely watched it, but sometimes caught it, and it facinated me)

Martha Speaks (yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhh baby now we’re talking. Mainly my sib’s fav, but I grew to love it, and we named our dog Martha. I also have most of the theme song memorized)

Sid the Science Kid (hated it, but I had a short attention span, so I would watch it anyways. Might’ve had a crush on the teacher. I liked the repetative formula. I still remember the germs episode)

The Electric Company (2009) (underrated. Facinated by the lore. Love the opening. Cried when it was cancelled)

Dinosaur Train (same feelings as Curious George)

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That (I found it both annoying and fun)

Wild Kratts (FUCK YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >:DDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!! This show was my special interest for years. It goes hard. My dad still makes references to it. We memorized the theme song. I love this show so much. Martin was my biggest crush at the time. I would die for this show)

Odd Squad (Masterpiece. Can’t get enough of it. Didn’t watch every season, but still love it to death. Bought the movie and I still watch it sometimes. Mom loves it too. Me and my sib would never miss an episode. I still remember the premiere. We were eating breakfast in front of the tv, when a new show came on. “Huh, must be a new show,” my mom said. We decided to just sit through it and watch the first episode. And oh boy, by the time it ended, I decided that I was gonna watch this show every morning and Wild Kratts every afternoon. And that’s how it all began. Still need to finish the series)

~~~~~

So yeah, I was a huge PBS Kids kid growing up. Didn’t have cable, and I’m honestly glad, because then I wouldn’t have had all these growing up. And I’m so glad I had them.

[theevilthatismokke]

The myth of Sumire and Hakubo: JSHK chapter 94 and the reinterpretation of “Tales of Ise: Part 6 (Akutagawa)”

Hakubo and Sumire seem to be a point of controversy and confusion among the jshk fandom: from their introduction to the latest chapters, they are a misunderstood and underrated pair, a phenomenon that has only exploded as of chapter 94.

There are many factors, as I see it, that contribute to this... confusion. But in this post, I'll focus on an aspect that is so far, very overlooked, but in my opinion, very important in understanding Hakubo and Sumire: their relationship with the mythical and mundane.

For that, I'll also be comparing chapter 94 with part 6 of the Tales of Ise (Akutagawa).

But before we begin this analysis, I feel we must clear a few concepts.

1. Clearing concepts: Eating and Sex, Death and Marriage

It feels like I'm pointing out the obvious, but just to be safe, let's talk a bit about these metaphors, not only what they generally mean in literature, but how Aidairo apply those metaphors in JSHK.

a) Eating = sex

This… should be the most obvious one. It’s really not that uncommon to see this particular metaphor in… any sort of media whatsoever! Poems, songs, books, movies, series… Maybe you’ve heard instances in literature of wanting to devour someone equating to sexual desire. Or think of vampires, these monsters now synonymous in pop culture to sexual beings, their lust for blood often intertwined with sexual lust. Heck, even stories that come from oral tradition, such as Little Red Riding Hood, have many interpretations that equal the wolf’s eating of the girl to sex.

Still, even without this knowledge, Aidairo does establish plenty of times, both in their AUs and the manga proper, what eating- particularly someone else- can mean within their writing.

Let’s start with the AUs:

In Hanako-kun of Magic: Sweet Witch Banquet, the only way Nene and Aoi can bring back the people they turned into sweets back to normal is to eat them… with the side effect that, for a short amount of time, the people who were eaten will fall in love with those who ate them.

In the Ghost Hotel AU, it’s a little more subtle but it’s still there. There are two instances of monsters eating those they desire. First, there’s Kou, who’s a werewolf in this AU, and apparently can’t resist taking chunks out of Mitsuba the mummy to cook and eat.

Second, there’s Hanako, who’s a vampire in this AU, and who’s stated to have drunk too much blood out of Tsukasa, and later, is implied to bite Nene and do the same to her, trapping her with him in the hotel.

But AUs are not the only place Aidairo have written this metaphor. In the very first chapter, eating a mermaid’s scale together means you’re bound to each other, a bond equated in said chapter to a romantic relationship.

And if that example’s too much of a stretch for you, than look no further than chapter 39: Mokke of the Dead!

In that chapter we have two instances of eating equating to sex and romance. First, when kegare!Hanako going straight to Nene to eat her. The scene is…

…quite suggestive, Nene even misinterpreted it at first!

Later, we have Akane who, under the influence of kegare, seemingly translates his romantic feelings for Aoi into wanting to eat her.

It’s very clear here that Akane’s thinking of Aoi when trying to take a bite out of Nene. Hilariously, Nene herself worries that Akane trying to eat her would result into a love triangle between her, Aoi and Akane.

And last but not least…

THESE PANELS ARE CLEARLY BEING FRAMED AS A SEX SCENE!!

Seriously, how could anyone not see it?

So, yeah, JSHK clearly uses the cannibalism = romance and sex metaphor a lot. But what about death and marriage?

Let’s find out:

b) Death and Marriage

For this one we must turn back in time and go for stories based on oral tradition.

Death and the Maiden is a very famous, frequently used motif in stories. Most iterations of Beauty and Beast use both Death and the Maiden and Animal Bridegrooms in their narratives to make a point.

But basically, death and marriage have been equated in stories for a very long time, to symbolize the cyclical nature of a human’s life- in this case, it often has to do with the end of a woman’s childhood and the start of a new part of her life, as a wife and mother: adulthood, basically.

Think of Hades and Persephone, who are meant to symbolize the cyclical nature of life and death, the coming and going of the seasons and marriage as the end of childhood/maindenhood, but the beggining of something new.

In JSHK, this is also referenced with the Kannagis, usually young women of marriageable age, whose sacrifice is equated to marrying God and returning to his side.

Keep all of this in mind as I ask you: which of the mysteries oversees 'life and death'? Who, in the JSHK universe, is meant to be seen as the main representative of Death? And what character is mostly seen among flowers? What characters are heavily associated with the dual nature of Life and Death?

Hint: it's Hakubo and Sumire.

As No. 6, Hakubo has powers over life and death. Currently, he’s also referred to as a Shinigami, often translated as a “Grim Reaper” or “God of Death”. The term “shinigami” can also have, in literature, a link to suicides and shinjuu. Finally, he’s an Oni. In many stories, often written during/after wars, famines and natural disasters, Oni are featured eating people- in these, Oni are a metaphor for death itself.

So, if we consider Hakubo’s role as a Death deity in the JSHK mythos, we have to ask this question: what happens when Death falls in love?

2.) Chapter 94: The reinterpretation of Tales of Ise Part 6 (Akutagawa)

The 'Tales of Ise' is a uta monogatari (essentially, a collection of poems and other narratives) composed of more than 100 episodes, some of which date back all the way to the Heian period.

Among those poems, there is one in particular Aidairo chose to allude to and reinterpret in their manga: Episode 6 (Akutagawa). The story below (translated by Helen McCulough) shares certain beats with chapter 94:

A certain man had for years courted a most inaccesssible lady. One pitch-black night he finally spirited her out of her apartments and ran off with her. As they passed a stream called the Akutagawa, She caught a glimpse of a dewdrop on a blade of grass and asked him what it was. The journey ahead was long, the hour had grown late, and a torrential rain was pouring down, punctuated with frightful peals of thunder. The man put the lady inside a ruined storehouse and stationed himself in the doorway wiht his bow and quiver on his back, never dreaming that the place was haunted by demons. But while he was standing there longing for daybreak, a demon ate the lady up in one gulp. A thundercap muffled her scream of terror. When the sky finally began to lighten a bit, the man peered inside and saw that the lady was gone. Frantic with helpless grief, he recited, When my beloved asked, "Is it a clear gem Or what might it be?" Would that I replied, "A dewdrop!" and perished.

There are quite a few beats that match, no? A couple that isn’t allowed to be together is stranded by the rain, but it ends unexpectedly as the woman is eaten by an oni.

Now, before any of you look at this superficially, have a "gotcha!" kind of reaction and try to use it as proof that Hakubo didn't love Sumire or that Sumire was eaten against her will, let me reiterate that not only chapter 94 is a reinterpretation of this tale, but also that Aidairo has done this sort of thing before.

Aidairo loves to reference all kinds of stories in JSHK. The 'Little Mermaid' is thematically very important to Nene's character, part of the short story 'Takasebune' is narrated by Amane during the Picture Perfect arc, the myth of 'Orpheus and Eurydice' is alluded to twice, first with Akane and Aoi, then with little Tsukasa, Nene and Kou.

Most obviously, we also have the urban legend of 'Hanako-san' right in the first chapter.

What do all these instances have in common? The answer is simple: they all are reinterpretations of the original tales.

For example: both with Akane and Aoi, and the trio of Nene, Kou and little Tsukasa, we have an allusion to the famous scene of Orpheus looking back to see Eurydice, only to find her gone.

The differences in these interpretations lie on many factors, but most heavily on the characters taking the role of ‘Eurydice’. Although she was essentially kidnapped, Aoi still was passively suicidal, and later even lashed out at Akane and Nene, who were trying to rescue her. Likewise, Tsukasa actually knew the way to get back to his family, he only chose not to until Kou and Nene convinced him to do otherwise.

By giving Aoi and Tsukasa more agency than the character of ‘Eurydice’ had in some known versions, this allows for a more complex and nuanced narrative without taking the tragic elements out of it. That said, to outsiders, these situations might look like a version of ‘Orpheus and Eurydice’ played completely straight: a tragedy about a poor, helpless thing taken too soon against their will, not particularly nuanced nor too complex.

Chapter 94, similarly, transforms the chapter of Akutagawa into a more complex and nuanced story by giving both Hakubo and Sumire more agency, even if, to outsiders, it might look like it was just the tragic tale of a poor innocent girl being trapped and eaten by a monster.

And this where we can see the differences between the two stories.

The woman in the chapter ‘Akutagawa’ is a tragic figure… but her voice can barely be heard anywhere in the narrative. The only things we know about her are that: one, she was implied to be of a much higher status than the man, and two, that she was apparently so sheltered and isolated, she’d never seen a dewdrop before in her life. The man mourns not explaining to her what a dewdrop was.

Sumire was, indeed, from a family of much higher status than Hakubo, who was essentially a slave to the Minamoto clan and their village. Sumire was also, very sheltered and isolated throughout her entire life.

But Sumire’s status within the village was simultaneously very similar to Hakubo’s own: she was nothing but an object to be sacrificed, mostly referred as a Kannagi by her fellow humans. And although she was sheltered and isolated, Sumire hilariously began her relationship with Hakubo as the one with more basic living skills (cooking, laundry, cleaning).

Sumire, most importantly, knew Hakubo was an oni from the very beginning, and again and again proclaimed her love for him, knowing very well what, who and how he is.

While Sumire is meant to represent the woman in the tale, Hakubo is meant to be both the man eloping with the woman he loves and the oni who eats her.

Hakubo, like the man in ‘Akutagawa’, pines for a woman he cannot be with: not as kaii who loves a human, not as the one in charge of seeing her off as a Kannagi. Hakubo had wished to take Sumire’s hand and run away from their village, to ‘spirit her away’ much like the eloping couple did. And ultimately, so they would not be separated again, Hakubo eats Sumire, as the oni ate the woman.

It’s very poignant, I think, that Hakubo represents both the man and the oni from ‘Akutagawa’. The entire irony of his monologue in chapter 94 lies in the fact that he didn’t need to be a human man to do any of those things: he managed, in his own way, to do them all.

He laments not being able to cry for Sumire, while his face has been permanently marked, two thin tears streaks forever burned in his visage.

He wishes he could’ve grown with her, and yet, did he not grow? Learning with and from her, how to take care of himself and her, discovering and developing feelings and desires buried deep within him? Does he not seem older, comparing before and after he met Sumire, physically, mentally, emotionally?

He says he wished he could’ve laughed with her too, dismissing how, moments ago, he was actually smiling and playful, the happiest we’ve ever seen him be as he recalls precious memories with Sumire.

‘I would’ve clung to you and cried as you were sacrificed’ he says as his boundary itself weeps, trapping her in a cave with him, as if begging her not to leave him again.

…‘I would even have fallen in love with you like a human man would’ he confesses, as he devours her, usurping the River God of the village as her husband, after kissing her like a man starved, after confessing to be under her spell.

Hakubo represents both man and oni because he was both, because, in JSHK, kaii and human truly aren’t all that different.

…Hakubo is also the woman, ignorant of his own heart, as she was of the world outside.

Sumire is also the man and the oni, at once guiding and haunting Hakubo.

The reinterpretation of ‘Akutagawa’ in chapter 94 is not meant to lend a cynical view on Hakubo and Sumire’s relationship and feelings for each other.

Instead, it is meant not only to reinforce that they loved each other, but also finally get some agency, after a lifetime of abiding to their village’s will.

It is also important to note that chapter 94 is, in many ways, a do-over of chapter’s 89 ending for both Sumire and Hakubo.

Once again, they’re placed in a situation where a higher power dictates that Sumire must be sacrificed and that Hakubo shall oversee said sacrifice. Sumire even says:

Both Hakubo and Sumire had many regrets about that day. Feelings unspoken, the sin of inaction… the loop present in their boundary symbolizes how neither ever moved on from that night, from their regrets.

When faced with the same situation once again in chapter 94, Hakubo and Sumire decided to take their fates into their own hands, with the cards they were dealt. Unlike their past selves, and unlike the man and the woman in ‘Akutagawa’, Hakubo and Sumire at last gained some agency.

It isn’t a tragic ending, although I don’t see it as truly happy either. Like many things in their lives, it was bittersweet.

3.) Nature vs Nurture: the significance of the rumors and the “right way” to love someone

I've seen some people completely miss the point and think that Hakubo's nature as an Oni means he's incapable of loving someone. The same people also completely ignore the sort of environment he grew up in.

First, and as a quick note, I find this panel very interesting:

It has struck with me for quite some time now, Shuten Doji’s pose. It looks like he was reaching in Hakubo’s direction, almost as if to warn him or protect him. How odd if you think that Oni apparently aren’t capable of love.

But regardless of nature and what love might innately mean to an Oni, we should also take a look at Hakubo’s formative years:

A slave, a tool to be used, Hakubo not only equates the humans to the mountain Onis, he also grows up hearing again and again that he’s a monster incapable of understanding humans, that he’s different, he’s unfeeling.

How the hell was that not supposed to affect how Hakubo viewed himself?

(something, something, call someone monster enough times, and they'll actually become one)

The manga never really discards either nature and nurture when it comes to their characters, and with Hakubo, it is both his dense nature and his alienating non-upbringing that turns him into the mess he is.

By the way, we’re absolutely meant to compare the villagers talking about Hakubo to the students spreading rumors. The way they call him creepy, the panel where only the hands of the villagers are shown... it kinda reminds me of Shijima-san's flashback.

This last image also low-key reminds me of the scene where the villagers are celebrating Sumire's death. I think Akane's steadyfast belief that kaii don't value life and his implict belief that humans value it will be put in question by either or both Shijima and Hakubo. But that's a whole other thing.

And just in case you missed, here’s a little montage of humans and supernaturals being compared:

Kou is ‘kinda like’ Yako, Aoi and Hanako 'might be alike’, Nene and Tsukasa are the same.

Humans and supernaturals are compared so many times in this manga, and every single time we see that they’re not really that different. All of them have someone they love- all of them.

Considering this, I must ask: just what is “truly loving someone” in the world of JSHK? What is the “right” way to love someone in the manga, presented by the text?

And just which characters have managed to love someone the “right” way?

Is it Yako, who has tried to bring Misaki back in the shadiest way possible, by harming students and building a fake body?

Is it Tsuchigomori, who never put anything in line to help Amane?

Is it Shijima, who tried to kill Mei?

Is it Akane, who stalks Aoi, constantly changes himself for her and beats up her admirers? Is it Aoi, who has stabbed him, and simultaneously kept him at arms length and lead him on for years?

Is it Natsuhiko, who tried to drug Sakura and is okay with her destroying humanity as long as he gets a date? Is it Sakura, who is cold and violent towards Natsuhiko, while not letting him go?

Is it Kou, who calls Mitsuba a ‘fake’, tries to commit suicide to appease his guilt, and is a low-key bully to him? Is it Mitsuba, who kidnapped Kou and wants Kou to accept him just because he’s lonely?

Is it Teru, who tortured Akane on a daily basis and tries to control Kou’s life?

Is it Nene, who fell for the first boy who gave her attention, can be frivolous and shallow when it comes to romance and is always making excuses for Hanako?

Is it Tsukasa, who’s love-starved, obsessed and willing to destroy and manipulate everything and everyone to make Hanako happy?

Is it freaking Hanako, who killed Tsukasa, who tried to imprison Nene and who is creepily possessive of both?

…Is it Sumire, who wished to a submissive, obedient Oni to fall into hell for her and was blissfully happy when she found out he did just that?

...Is it Hakubo, who cannot express or understand himself clearly, and struggles with his feelings just like any other character in this manga?

If you’ve read any of those and tried to justify something, or if your gut reaction was “well, it’s more complicated than that…”, or if you thought that this doesn’t mean the feelings of love weren’t there, even if warped or twisted…

Then, congrats, you got it!

Pretty much no character has a truly healthy idea of love in the manga- all the romances… all the main relationships so far have been at least a little bit messed up.

But something JSHK has not done so far is put any of its couples in the “failed romance/not true love” box. It has played with concepts of selfishness vs. selflessness, yes, but it has never disregarded the feelings of those involved as not love.

The only time I remember that Aidairo explicitly told the audience that something wasn’t love was through Nene in the very first chapter… when she admitted she didn’t know anything about her old senpai or Teru, nor did she bother getting to know them.

This is a manga about people who are on the way to discovering themselves and who have no idea how to communicate nor express love in a healthy manner. Trying to divide characters and relationships into “true love” and “not-true love” is… terribly inane.

Furthermore, trying to say that any character is incapable of love in JSHK is, to me, going against one of the core themes and messages of the manga: that everyone loves and is loved.

And speaking of themes, let’s talk about Hakubo and Sumire’s role as the culmination of JSHK’s themes, thesis and messages.

4.) Hakubo and Sumire: JSHK’s blueprint

This one will be brief, but it should be said. If you’ve paid any attention to JSHK, you’ll notice that Aidairo love their parallels. They use it everywhere, to drive a few points and get their themes across better.

These parallels also serve to connect all the characters narratively and thematically. But, the king and queen of parallels in this manga are Hakubo and Sumire. Go ahead, compare them to any character or relationship in the manga, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Basically, Sumire and Hakubo serve as mirrors and foils to all the important characters and relationships we’ve seen so far… actually, even minor ones, since they also have parallels with Yorimitsu.

Hakubo’s and Sumire’s narratives and relationship are meant to illustrate all the themes of the manga in one duo. So, when I really think about it, the thought of Aidairo saying that Hakubo/Sumire are a “doomed/failed romance” or that Hakubo and Sumire didn’t love each other is… absurd! Why make the embodiment of your work’s message and themes into something cynical, when JSHK has such hopeful undertones, especially when it comes to love? Doesn’t make sense to me.

Instead, I propose the opposite: Hakubo and Sumire are meant to illustrate that relationships between kaii/human are possible, that they can understand one another and that everyone is capable of loving and being loved.

5.) Conclusion

JSHK chapter 94 is meant to be a reinterpretation of chapter 6 of ‘Tales of Ise’ (Akutagawa). This retelling is meant to give more agency to Hakubo and Sumire as they choose to end things on their own terms, while finally having some sort of closure regarding each other’s feelings: Hakubo and Sumire loved each other and were loved by one another.

This reinterpretation also reiterates Hakubo and Sumire’s role as both the culmination of JSHK’s themes/messages and as part of the folklore/mythos of the manga.

Finally, the themes of nature vs nurture and kaii vs humans are explored within Hakubo’s speech to Sumire, where we are meant to question whether it was necessary for him to be human in order to love Sumire or if he, as an Oni, managed to do it, regardless of what the world and Hakubo himself believe about oni/kaii.

While confusing sometimes, I believe Hakubo/Sumire are the key to understanding JSHK’s themes, messages and possible endings better, so it is vital that we look at them carefully.

Also, on a side note, I do not believe that chapter 94 will be the last we’ve seen of these two, and I’m not necessarily talking about flashbacks.

When it comes to a manga like JSHK, which deals so much with the afterlife, plays with our notions of “life and death” and has so much time traveling, not to mention time-loops… I’m always hesitant to say that a character is truly gone. After all, Mitsuba has ‘died’ how many times already in the manga proper?

And considering the other instances of characters fusing upon eating the other, and the fact that Hakubo not only oversees ‘Life and Death’, but also that his powers haven’t been properly used for the plot yet… there’s so much that’s gone unanswered about those two… and there’s this panel that shall haunt me forever:

(Me, after seeing how deeply connected to the number six both Sumire and Habuko are: What the hell does this mean, Aidairo?! Come back and give me my husband-wife team!!)

Only time will tell. Who knows, maybe that’s the end and Aidairo was just messing with me. But I digress.

The purpose of Hakubo and Sumire in this manga is clear to me: not to makes us fearful and cynical for a ‘bad end’, but hopeful for a good one.

Now, whatever that would be for our characters is a whole other story.

[regaliasonata]

Conner McKnight, Tommy Oliver

Character Ask: Conner McKnight

First Impression

-Alright tbh, he didn't stick out too much to me. On one hand the idea of being selfish in not wanting to be a ranger is very understandable but he kinda came off as a jerk(and the women stuff he talked about got old fast...)

How I Feel About The Character/Impression Now

-Like him now, he still has his moments but Conner really holds a piece that each of the rangers give to the table to make everything whole.

Favorite Moment

-the moments where he fights or hangs our with Trent, there's also "Lost In Translation" which is always a nice callback.

Idea For A Story

-Based a bit on "Lost In Translation", Conner traveling the many universes to find his twin Eric.

Relationships

OTPs

-Conner/Trent and Conner/Ethan are really underrated. Squeeze in Conner/Dustin and we got ourselves even more of a party.

BROTPs

-Conner/Kira, obviously these two are best friends. Conner/Past Red rangers but it's mainly one sided as they either try to let him off easy or are annoyed by the pestering.

Unpopular Opinion

-Not sure how I feel about him being a leader, the idea is alright but I would've like to have seen Ethan probably taking control. Heck even Kira, though it's better like this so that way Tommy doesn't fully get the veteran card in having free reign amongst the group.

One thing I wish would/had happened in the show

-Too.Much.Forms....dude got three power ups and yeah I get each ranger having a super mode balances it out bit when the shield drains everyone else's energy and on top of that getting a battlizer it seems like overkill. (Plus if they ever adapted the Abaranger movie then he'd have 4....GIVE EVERYONE ACCESS TO THE SHIELD TO BALANCE IT OUT COME ON)

Headcanons

-He secretly wishes to have one of the other zords as his main.

-Due to seeing Abaranger he tapped into the grid and found other dimensions that have sentai teams and watches them like shows.

-He's got a thing for guys but still is new to it, just trying to understand a few things about himself.

-There's a secret wallpaper he has of the red rangers from the past teams....definitely not a crush thing, jokes aside he really admires some of the red's and wouldn't mind getting training lessons.

-During college Kira became a base player for a Japanese band and after attending a concert Conner became a japanese rock fan(TK from Ling Tosite Sigure, any Tokyo Ghoul fans out there).

-He actually attended the Wind Academy before Reefside but was forced to transfer back because his parents like to keep control over one sibling(seeing Conner the problem child), of course he retained an element and uses wind.

-Hugs, dude loves hugging his team.

-Sometimes it's nice to take the raptors or motorcycles out at night and stroll around the city. Especially when it's raining and he's got the music blasting from his speakers.

-Due to the dino gems the rangers each have a permanent mark from using them. Conner has a barely noticeable scale pattern on his neck leading down to his upper back, a bit like a cool wing mark.

-Conner will never admit it but he really loves it when a date, no matter guy or girl, gives him a bouquet of flowers. He's got a high sense of smell and the aroma rocks him to the core, reminds him of a simpler time and he even keeps one in his apartment.

-He became Trent's fashion model for two years and only relied on getting clothes from him because they are so stylish.

-He loves decoding with Ethan and even carries the blue ranger to bed sometimes whenever he falls asleep in his personal lab.

-Despite his best efforts he's hasn't been able to keep in contact with Tommy over the years. When they do meet up it's usually some small interactions like going to other planets or seeing other rangers. Due to this Conner went searching for mysteries himself and almost found Solon's ship on accident, in another timeline Conner became a Dino Fury ranger before 2023.

-Kira pretty much is like a sister to him and the two bicker all the time with the other team mates betting on who will be the one to make up in the end.

------

Character Ask: Tommy Oliver

First Impression

-Cool as heck, especially with seeing him as a kid in DT and finding out he had more appearances with the series prior, like legendary as heck

How I Feel About The Character/Impression Now

-still cool and stuff, love the depth I've learned about him over the years and he's definitely iconic in my mind. A bit of a reach whenever he's put on a full pedestal all the time because it does take away from everyone around him so it's nice to have some atmosphere when gives spotlight to others.

Favorite Moment

-Actually have yet to choose one but his first morph in DT is very iconic.

Idea For A Story

-Trying to piece his soul together with the lost fragments(2 reds, 1 white, 1 black and 1 green).

Relationships

OTPs

-Tommy/Jason, Tommy/Billy and Tommy/Adam because I love these three.

BROTPs

-Tommy/Kimberly, Tommy/Katherine, Green and pink always an iconic duo.

Unpopular Opinion

-Too much focus on Tommy, yeah he's THAT dude and we know it but let's not act like there isn't any other iconic rangers throughout the franchise to speak about.

One thing I wish would/had happened in the show

-Just a scene or two of him brushing his hair or even having Jason do it....like imagine how fun that could've been.

-Blowing the dragon flute out of his suit for laughs like the famous JDF meme.

-Seeing him and Zeltrax have a moment considering Zeltrax as Terrance Smith and the colleague of both Tommy and Anton. Plus it's darker when you find out Terrance had no family or connections before them so he kinda died in the end as Zeltrax without anyone remembering him. Like imagine Tommy finding out that he indirectly caused him to become a cyborg. In a perfect ending Zeltrax gets some peace in his demise and both Tommy and Anton set up a memorial for him.

Headcanons

-No matter who he's dating Tommy is a complete diva about his hair and needs specific products to keep it managed. Whenever someone compares the couple he loves his significant other but hair is HIS domain.

-He's a former Loreal model and has so much money saved up from those days. Katherine said one day that she'd shave it off just for fun and now he sleeps with his door locked.

-Tommy loves cooking and has a meal no matter what team he's on waiting after a mission.

-The main reason why he wanted to make Biozords was to possibly make them small and have pet zords to hold whenever a day gets stressful.

-In secret he wants to be a pink ranger just once, like to see the hype but considering his status it he might ruin it for other pink rangers because then the label about them will all be washed away under Tommy's legacy so he refrains.

-Before taking up martial arts he was into gymnastics and fencing for two years, hence why he's such a good sword fighter. Though compared to Casey, the Shiba siblings and the Rafkonian knights he's outclassed.

-He scammed the Reefside school district out of 20 million dollars.

-He still has a few of Jason's shirts to wear.

[thesightstoshowyou]

I love your work so much! Would you consider writing number 28 for the man from Hush? I was so excited to see you talking about him haha, it's such an underrated movie! xxx

Thank you so much!!! Heck yes I will write for him! I’m also working on week 4 of bloodfest and it features this asshole 😁

I have a few other The Man stories on my Masterlist if you haven’t read those! ❤️

~~

28. "This is not what I expected."

Warnings: Predator/prey, blood, wrist trauma, heavy gore. Dead dove do not eat.

Blood drips into your eye and you hiss, thick crimson stinging and clouding your vision. You close it on instinct, your vision now halved as you sprint through gloomy forest. You don’t think to wipe it away; flight is the only thing on your panicky animal brain.

A loud twang echoes around the darkness, followed almost immediately by a startling crack as the bolt collides with a tree trunk inches from your head. Wood splinters, chunks scraping your cheek and clinging to your hair.

You shriek and duck, staggering to your left, your burning leg muscles barely managing to make the turn. Grunting, huffing, panting like a dog, you will yourself to keep moving, keep running!

Gripping a nearby oak, you use it as leverage and push, hurtling yourself forward into the brush. Twigs crack underfoot, foliage rustles, lungs gasp, blood leaks. You don’t risk a look behind you, but you must be putting some distance between you and your pursuer, how could you not be—

Your foot, your god damned foot catches on a root protruding from the earth. A shocked cry catches in your throat as you crash to the ground. Palms and knees split open and bleed when you attempt to catch yourself, your wrist crunching horribly under your weight. You roll once, twice, three times before you skid to a stop in a flurry of dead leaves and pine needles.

You fell! How could you fall? You need to get up, get away, this man is trying to kill you! Anger at your own stupidity forces you off the ground. Nauseating pain shoots up your arm and you whimper, cradling your wrist to your chest, reaching for a branch with your working hand. Get up, get—

TWANG

THUNK

All the air is knocked from your lungs. You’re tossed sideways when the crossbow bolt hits you in the waist, tunnels through your guts, and explodes out the other side just below your rib cage. It comes to a stop in the trunk of an alder, your viscera pinned to the tree by the dripping projectile. The end wobbles a few times before falling still.

Shock.

You feel nothing at first. The bolt went through you at such great speed your body has yet to realize the trauma it has sustained. All you can do is stare, wide eyed, mouth hanging open, lungs frozen and refusing to draw in air.

You may not be able to feel just yet, but you can hear. Boots crunch on undergrowth as your assailant approaches, plain white mask the only thing visible in the darkness.

“Oh no, this is not what I expected.” His words drip with sarcasm, his hands exaggerating his mocking body language. “All you animals fucking trip. Every single one.”

Air returns to your lungs and with it comes agony. Stabbing, wretched pain envelops your torso, but all you can do is gurgle, wet iron bubbling in your throat. Your shaking hands clutch uselessly at your abdomen, entry and exit wounds gushing blood until the dirt beneath you turns to mud

Crouching next to your twitching form, the man studies your injuries, then traces the path of the bolt until his gaze falls on the tree.

“Damn, what a shot, huh?” he exclaims. He makes a whooshing noise and a swooping motion with his arm. “Just straight through!” Pointing to the alder, he adds, “I think that’s your liver.”

Your vision blurs, the woods around you getting darker by the second. You’re thankful for it as the man pulls his knife from its sheath. Though, instead of using it on you, he lays the crossbow across his knees and begins carving something into the foregrip.

He shrugs, “Might be a bit premature, but I’m pretty sure you’re not gonna last much longer. Agreed?”

[thealmightyemprex]

Voyage Through the Disney Canon :1937-1949 ranking

These are the first 11 Disney animated films ,ranked from my least favorite to most favorite

11.Fun and Fancy Free -Ah Fun and Fancy Free,the favorite Disney film of nobody ,at least from what I have seen .I have never seen any one talk about this one positively and yeah I'm not gonna praise it either,this film is rather messy .I really dont like the first segment about Bongo the Bear,I actually think it is dreadful (THough Dinah Shore does some good narration ),Jiminey Cricket is a bit grating here ,and I like Edgar Bergen in general but wow is the wraparound segment with him unsettling especially if you dont know who he is .The Mickey and the Beanstalk segment is good but not to noteworthy aside from Bill Gilbert delivering a enjoyable performance as the giant and there is a scene where Donald becomes murderously insane ,thats fun

10.Saludos Amigos -This movie isnt bad,its just....Barely a film .Its only a bit over 40 minutes ,it feels more like EDutainment talking about South America .It fine for what it is and hey it gave us Jose Carioca

9.Melody Time -Its fine .I like the Blame it on the Samba segment and the Johnny Appleseed segment is sweet and definately the best part of the film,gets me misty eyed ,but every other segment is just.....OK to me

8.Three Caballeros -The much better companion film to Saludos Amigos,this film is weird and energetic ansd just fun,with the titular song being a highlight .

7.Dumbo:So of the 5 Capital C Classics(The first 5 films Disney made which are Snow White,Pinocchio,Fantasia ,Dumbo and Bambi ),I didnt know which ones would rank where.....But knew of the 5 Dumbo would be the lowest,which I feel bad about cuase...I really like Dumbo ,its a very nostalgic childhood favorite :Pink Elephants is a great sequence,the Baby Mine song brings a tear to my eye .heck the songs in general are good,Dumbo is a lovable protagonist and I love the performance of Edward Brophy as Timothy the mouse ,I think he is an underrated sidekick.It has a MAJOR problem with it and yes it is the racism ,like wow,not just the crow scene but the song "Happy Hearted Roustabouts" which is just...Yikes .However theres another reason it is not higher becuase it does its job too well.It was made to be a short simple movie,and it suceeds in being that ,but as such the other films I find more interesting .However let it be known I have a soft spot for Dumbo

6.Make Mine Music -This ia an underrated gem.I personally dont dig the more abstract segments but theres a lot of fun music and animation and I think the final segment the Whale That Wanted To Sing at the Met is a masterpiece with for me,the saddest moment in the Walt era

5.Fantasia -FAntasia is a movie I admire more then I like .Most of what I love is in the second half,I adore the Dance of the Hours and the Pastorial Sympathy and of course Night on Bald Mountain is MAGNIFICENT ,butwith the exception of the delightful Sorcerers Apprentice,the first half drags for me .I do like the movie ,finding it very artistically pleasing but I cant say its one of my personal favorite Disney films but can totally see why it is a favorite for many

4.Bambi -This is a contender for the best looking film of the Walt era,gorgeous backgrounds ,great character animation and its more of a vibe then a story .Its not for everyone....But Bambi is awesome to me,its kind of neat just watching this deer live his life .ITs really cute (Especially the stuff with Thumper the rabbit ),its gorgeous and has some solid emotional moments .I dont like the soundtrack but the rest of the film I really enjoy .

3.The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr Toad -This is my favorite of the wartime/post war animated films cause its one I watched a bunch as a kid .No9w truthfully the first segment covering Wind In the Willows is just good.I like the performances of Eric Blore as Mr Toad and J PAt O Malley as Cyril ,theres some funny moments,Basil Rathbone is a good narrator ,but I prefer other takes on Wind in the Willows and I dont like how minimized Ratty and Mole are .....The second segment is a masterpiece,with great character animation,comedy,wonderful narration by Bing Crosby who also sings the banger that is the Headless Horseman song and yeah the Headless Horseman himself is a wonderfully scary villain with the chase scene between him and Ichabod Crane being one hell of a climax.

2.Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs -This film the more I see it the more I love it .Its funny cause I used to not like this movie but now I have fallen for its simplistic charm.It feels like no other Disney film ,like it is so unpolished cause they are trying to figure out how to make a feature and I finsd it endearing .Snow White is a character I do care about,the Queen is a simple yet imposing villain and By god when she becomes the Witch she is reallly creepy and rightfully has been nightmare fuel for many a child over the generations (Props to the voice work of Lucille LaVerne ).The scene stealers really are the Dwarfs ,especially Grumpy and Dopey who are played an animated well.Bit of a comfort movie for me ,so had to place it a bit high

1.Pinocchio-This is one of my favorite animated films of all time .It is sweet ,it is dramtic , and it can be really intense .The songs are all great (No Strings On Me might be my favorite ) .The character animation is great (I particularly love Bill Tytlas animation of Stromboli ) ,the climax is just a marvel of animation (Monstro the Whale is one hell of a feat of animation ),Pinocchio is a likeable protagonist,Honest John is a hilarious comedic villain who stands in contrast to the more terrifying villainay of Stromboli and the Coachman ,and Jiminy Cricket ,Geppetto,and Figaro are just lovable.I love lovve love love love love love this movie .

@ariel-seagull-wings @makingboneboy @amalthea9 @the-blue-fairie @theancientvaleofsoulmaking @themousefromfantasyland @filmcityworld1 @princesssarisa

[amaya-writes]

Dating A Yoshida: My Little Monster x Reader

Day Three of The Underrated And The Unwritten

Notes: I swear I'm going to read the manga one day lol but for now, this is solely based on the anime

Warnings:

Characters involved: Haru Yoshida, Yuzan Yoshida, Misawa Mitsuyoshi

Gender-neutral reader

Haru Yoshida

Haru can be a pretty fun person to date, mainly because he's always planning new things and finding ways to hang out with you.

It's not that he's trying to be overwhelming or constantly around you, but just that Haru is the type of person who is always doing something in life, whether it be adopting new pets or going on fun little missions with his friends.

He just wants you to be in on it, wants you to never feel like you're missing out.

Haru is the type of person who doesn't let insecurities hold him back, which is why he isn't really the shy type. It's not like he actively does PDA or anything but just that he's comfortable with being affectionate with you.

For example, he doesn't really get that kissing in public is something that people would normally be flustered by because he isn't the type to mind it.

If you are the type of person who doesn't like PDA he'll definitely steer away from that, but you should probably get used to him always holding your hand and being constantly surprised with back hugs.

He's the type to take you on a date at 5am to see the sunrise or get ice cream in the middle of the night because he read somewhere that it's romantic.

Haru would also find an abandoned animal and name it after you, even talking about how it's your child.

Yuzan Yoshida

Yuzan is the type of partner who loves being a nuisance.

Unlike Haru, he does it on purpose. Choosing to constantly embarrass you and annoy the heck out of you every chance he gets.

Whether this be by sudden PDA or being loud and dragging you all around the place buying one sweet after the other.

Yuzan can either be serious and sort of mean or playful and childlike, there isn't really an in between. While he reserves the latter for you, there are also moments where he gets hotheaded like his brother.

But unlike Haru his relationships have a sense of balance.

He likes planning out his dates and having a schedule, taking you to a ton of different places to try out sweets and just chill together.

It's not like he's against spontaneous dates but Yuzan does love knowing what the two of you are going to do.

Plus, his dates are wild enough as it is. He can make things like shopping or walks in the park go unexpectedly because of his troublemaker ways.

Yuzan also loves teasing you by making you flustered in public, which is why your dates can often end with him laughing his head off while you rethink why exactly you fell for this endearing idiot.

Misawa Mitsuyoshi

Mitsuyoshi can be quite the gentleman when it comes to relationships.

You wouldn't really associate that with someone with his vibe, but once you get to know him a bit you can easily tell that he's just a sweetheart who cares deeply for those close to him.

He probably can't make as much time for you as the others, and often finds himself opting for dates at home with you in his arms and a movie on, but Misuyoshi tries his best to always be there for you.

Is your number one supporter! Seriously, he loves hearing you talk about your classes, work, any projects you're doing, and will just silently smoke a cigarette and watch with a small smile as you ramble on.

Loves spending time with you at the arcade! He even taught you how to bat properly and was amused to see you slowly start using batting as a way to relieve stress.

He loves just chilling with you after a long day and often finds that it's easier to fall asleep on the couch with you on his lap and a cigarette between his lips.

Mitsuyoshi likes unwinding with you after a long day, he also likes texting you between work or giving you updates about anything eventful.

Has probably introduced you to the other Yoshidas and even talks to you about drama within their family.

[legendarywolf2022]

The Letter to Pierre Perifel

(To @tbgmoviecoverage from my friend)

🧡💛🧡💛🧡

Dear Mr Perifel,

First, I want to say I'm your biggest fan of your latest movie The Bad Guys. Also, I am really happy to know that you also worked as an animator on other projects such as the Kung Fu Panda franchise, Rise of Guardians and even Monsters vs. Alien (honestly I think those last are underrated gems).

Anyway I want to apologize for bothering you like this, but since the tumblr "tbgmoviecoverage" canceled "submit and post" section I had no choice, but to ask you directly. Like I said before I really love your movie The Bad Guys. It has everything, charming anthropomorphic characters, heists, action, heartfull moments, really funny jokes and animation style like from manga comic. It's really amazing. But I couldn't help but notice some similarities with another concept I am familiar with. I am not talking about Zootopia, or Robin Hood, heck even not about Lupin the Third or Ocean 11 or any Tarantino's movies. No. The truth is that those similarities don't come from movies. They actually come from the more or less well-known video game franchise Sly Cooper.

Believe it or not there are so many similarities you could even imagine. There are heists, some car chases, foxy love interest on the side of the law (who is pretty much combination of Diane Foxington (be a fox, sassy, flirty with protagonist, sometimes quick to judge but understanding) and Police Chief Misty (temper and similar police status as inspector of Interpol), hero's narrating to us, side character who pretends to be good guy help protagonists until the reveal of him(or her) be the main antagonist who betrays them and put them in jail, villain who pretends to be a samaritan, villain who tries to prove be the greatest thief (there are many villains with different goals so that's why I mentioning it thrice). Some cutscenes have really great comic style, except Thieves in Times, that one is more cartoon style, but it's still cool.

The only difference I think they have (aside from location) are instead of 5 typical stereotypes of villain animals like snake, tarantula, shark, wolf it's actually 3 animals like turtle, hippo and of course a raccoon (who is actually a stereotype for a masked thief). And they only steal from others, because and I quote: "There's no honor, no challenge, no fun in stealing from ordinary people."

Fun fact: 6 years ago there was supposed to be a movie adaptation, but due to Ratchet and Clank movie failure, it never happened. Then there was a tv series idea, but it also ended up forgotten and as for the next game, nothing since Thieves in Times came and that was 9 years ago and it's only a speculation now considering the 20th anniversary is coming this year. But after the success of Sonic The Hedgehog 2 and of course The Bad Guys, being the two of the top movies at the box office in weeks, maybe there is still a chance.

So I am asking you only two questions:

1. Was Sly Cooper one of your inspirations for your movie The Bad Guys? (If you know about this game of course)

2. If there would be a chance of making a movie or tv series adaptation of Sly Cooper, would you take a chance working on it as a director? (Because honestly, there is no other who I would trust with this but you. Like I said, your movie is a great example of how to make a great animated heist movie.)

You don't have to answer that second question if you don't want to. But I still want to know the answer to the first one. Again I apologize for bothering like that, but I assure you this will be the only e-mail you get from me. I just only want to know this. And the rest of my knowledge of Bad Guys production I will learn from a blog on tumblr I just mentioned.

So for final words: Congratulations to your successful movie The Bad Guys and wishing you good luck for future projects like sequel or tv series. You, Aaron Blabey, Damon Ross, Rebecca Huntley, Etan Cohen, all actors, editors, musicians, choreographers, animators, everyone who worked on that movie, you all deserved it.

Sincerely, one of your fans.

P.S. So Long Suckers!🐺😎

🧡💛🧡💛🧡

Please share this to everyone who will get this letter to Mr Perifel himself to see it!

[ghosts-and-blue-sweaters]

I recently rewatched the Star Wars movies, and I have thoughts

Anakin is. genuinely. extremely creepy in Attack Of The Clones. What was Padme thinking. Girl get the heck away

Revenge Of The Sith is way better than I remembered! Not that I ever thought it was bad, but rewatching it made me realize how well-done it was! The story, the emotions, the tragedy… just a very good story that was pulled off pretty darn well

SOLO IS HEKKIN GOOD AND VERY UNDERRATED!!!

Qi’ra is one of the most interesting Star Wars characters ever, in my humble opinion. So much mystery, so much intrigue, so much Good Character. I’m probably gonna read the book about her soon

The Sabacc scenes were chefs kiss 👌 Super fun!

Rogue One is one of the few pieces of media that contains: very good acting, very real + fleshed out characters, along with a very unique AND well-done story! I think it’s probably the most well-done Star Wars movie, even though it’s not a personal favorite of mine

I’M GONNA SAY IT. I’M JUST GONNA SAY IT. REY DOES NOT DESERVE THE HATE

THERE I SAID IT

But seriously… why?? I do think she’s overpowered + her being able to use the Force with no training made me :/ BUT!!! She’s such a good character!!! She’s so sweet!!! She’s good!!! She’s hopeful!!! She likes rain!!! She helps people!!! She holds onto hope for the bad guys!!! She smiles a lot!!! She loves her friends so so much!!! Rey!!!

BB-8 is better than R2-D2. There I said it

Han and Rey are the <3 duo ever. He’s a grumpy old father-figure and she’s the bright-eyed Young Person who’s new to the whole “seeing the galaxy” thing and it’s really quite wholesome

Maz Kanata is one of my favorite Star Wars characters ever and I will forever be upset with how she was treated in the Rise Of Skywalker

The Last Jedi? It’s a good movie! It’s so unique and different and bold!!

Rey and Ben deserved to be besties instead of lovers I think

The kiss… is such a weird scene. Makes no dang sense

THEY SHOULD’VE BEEN BESTIES DO YOU SEE MY VISION!!! THEY SHOULD MAKE FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS!!! THEY SHOULD BAKE COOKIES!!! THEY SHOULD DO EACH OTHERS HAIR!!! REY SHOULD PAINT HIS NAILS BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE FUN!!! THEY SHOULD HAVE SLEEPOVERS AND STAY UP ALL NIGHT TALKING!!! THEY SHOULD GO OFF AND CAUSE CHAOS TOGETHER!!! REY SHOULD SHOW HIM HOW TO BE GENTLE!!! BEN SHOULD SHOW HER ALL THE INS AND OUTS OF THE FALCON!!! DO YOU SEE MY VISION

The Rise Of Skywalker felt very… disconnected, I think was the main thing. In the first 20 minutes of the movie, you’re blasted with an entirely new (and frankly random) storyline that doesn’t connect at all to the previous movies

Please don’t let Reylo be real I don’t like it :( Seriously it rubs me in such a blatantly wrong way

WHERE WAS THE ROMANCE IN THE OTHER TWO MOVIES??? THERE WASN’T ANY??? I DIDN’T SEE ANY??? WHAT???

My fondness for the Rise Of Skywalker has sadly disappeared, I think. I used to be able to watch and enjoy the movie while simultaneously seeing it as a Not Good end for the Skywalker Saga, but this time… :/ I just didn’t enjoy it. Sad :(

In the same breath, I do enjoy the other two movies in this trilogy!! Especially the characters :D

All in all, watching these movies again has Rekindled my love for Star Wars. Very special franchise, this is <3

[kaluwa-del-conte]

Most underrated cartoon youve seen that no one talks about?

The Oblongs.

Then for the heck of it~ Freakazoid, Ahhhh real monsters, space ghost coast to coast, Courage the cowardly dog (Dunno if it is but I'll put it in just in case), pirates of dark water, and Home Movies.

Thank you Anon for the question! 😊

Edit: MTVs Aeon flux!! 💜

[persephoneflowerpetals]

Considering that it's never established that Nereus is Amphitrite's Father in the Disney Universe, do you think that somewhere based on some poems (including Apollodorus') that Amphitrite is Oceanus and Tethys' Daughter in the Hercules universe or do you believe that she is still Nereus and Doris' Daughter?

NGL, I feel like you are indeed right about Poseidon being an underrated God, not to mention in some Modern Adaptations of the Persephone Myth, he feels like an overlooked character that is just always there for his Brothers.

Also, I'm curious to know, have you ever seen the Famous Nickelodeon franchise, "SpongeBob SquarePants"? And have you seen on that Franchise's takes on the Greco-Roman Sea Gods (Neptune/Poseidon, Amphitrite, and Triton)?

If not, I'd highly recommend you check them out (especially either in the Show or the Movies like Neptune and his Family first appeared in the Show while Poseidon appeared in the Third SB Movie).

Oh man, honestly I have no clue lol. I mean it could be either or lol. Tbh I never really thought about the parents of Amphitrite before now lol. Personally, I really like Nereus and Doris being her parents! 😁

But yeah Poseidon totally is an overlooked character tbh and I wish he had been mentioned or shown more in the movie instead of just making random appearances here and there. Because from what we saw in the movie with Hades having both Zeus AND Poseidon on his little chess board, he has a grudge against both of his older brothers and is trying to overthrow both of them, so you’d think he’d be part of the plot too instead of just one of the background characters.

Oh, have I seen SpongeBob SquarePants?? HECK YEAH I HAVE LMAO!! You’re talking to a HUGE SpongeBob fan over here lol! Me and my parents LOVE Spogebob and since the show came out in 1999 and I was also born in 1999 I’ve been watching the show since I was a baby lol! I grew up with that silly yellow sponge lol!

But yeah, I have seen a little bit of the Greek/Roman mythology in the show with Neptune and Triton and all that. I know there was also a movie that came out a few years ago that serves as opening movie sorta thing for the Camp Koral spin off where Posideon was actually the king instead of Neptune like it usually was in the show, but I know other myths have been mentioned before that. Like I think in a season 1 episode Neptune mentioned Larry looking like Atlas, so I’m sure SpongeBob has their own set of gods for their universe lol

[illicien]

🫐🍉🍐

🫐 What’s your favorite underrated thing in your fandom? (A ship that only you seem to write for, a character there’s almost no fics about, a trope that criminally hasn’t been written yet, etc.)

Oooo, this one is a bit tough because I've recently jumped ship and haven't done nearly enough reading to feel like I can say anything in particular where WinterBaron is concerned.

Heck, I'm not even sure IronStrangeFrost is technically underrated anymore; it just exists.

YOU KNOW WHAT? I know. I keep reading fun fics that have shenanigans ensuing that result in Winter Soldier Bucky being around and Bucky having no idea what to do with him - I wanna see more of people bringing the Winter Soldier to Doctor Strange and being like "hello, time shenanigans have occurred, or reality shenanigans, I dunno, but the Wakandans have been pissed with me since I broke Zemo outta jail and I could still use help dealing with this asshole."

Does that answer this one? I don't even know. Maybe that's just something I'll have to write for myself. This is what happens when I recently jumped ship and am still more familiar with writing Stephen Strange than anyone else.

🍉 Do you prefer to write short fics or long fics? Multichaptered works or single ones? Why?

I actually genuinely prefer to write multichaptered / long fics. I really love world-building, and the build-up to a relationship and all the stepping stones that made it work? One of my favourite things. I love a good slow burn, whether that's a couple taking six+ years to get together, or having to find one another again in an entirely different life. My brain just doesn't function well when I feel like I have to skip those building blocks. People who can do that are just. Great. Wonderful. Amazing.

🍐 Is there anything in canon that you absolutely hate and love to fix in fics? A wrong choice made, a fuck-up in characterization, a misunderstanding never cleared up, a conversation never shown onscreen, etc...

I feel like all I need to say is "I've been in the MCU fandom for a very long time" to answer this. When is the last time I genuinely agreed with how canon handled something? I have no idea. But I will forever stand by my annoyance with the fact that GOTG 1 blatantly pointed out that there was the ability to share the power when using the fucking stones, and it just never came up again. And that's not even to speak of the number of characters they just...

Plenty of you have seen the "he's a ghost!!" post about Bucky and just how fucking not subtle in the slightest he was as the Winter Soldier, so yeah, I reject that portrayal and prefer to stick with 'they told us he was a ghost, he's a fucking ghost' method of things.

I'm not even going to begin to touch on the way that MoM left me rolling my eyes at the fact that they were just retreading the same character growth story as the first movie with Stephen.

I don't even know how to start talking about the fact that Tony "I Am Iron Man/The Suit and I Are One" Stark somehow wound up dating a woman who was distinctly trying to separate him from his suits.

SO ANYWAYS. YEAH. Look, there's no one specific thing. Canon is a grab bag that I will casually disregard at a moment's notice if it feels like it just doesn't make sense. (See, this is why I should stick to writing AUs.)

[the-plot-blog-thing]

(originally published on 12/6/20 by @thewisesaltine)

DTVA/DTS TAGTEAM TWEET-ATHON MOVIE #67: CINDERELLA III: A TWIST IN TIME (2007) 

A lotta people talk about how underrated this movie is, and I agree. But there’s a lot more here than just the defenestration scene.

There’s some solid songs in here. Nothing groundbreaking, but I might find myself humming a few. They’re really scattered though. I guess that’s a byproduct of the short runtime.

The plot and character is really where the movie shines. The concept of the Step-Mother stealing the wand of the Fairy Godmother may sound dumb. 

...and it is. But that’s why it’s so darn good.

The characters are all fun and have actual personalities. Even the king has depth to him. Heck, Cinderella has *gasp* agency. Made even better when there are barely any mice.

Anastasia continues to be the character the writers keep trying to redeem for some reason. It’s better here, but I still don’t buy it. Though, I like how she doesn’t correct the timeline at the end and  effectively de-canonizes the first movie.

My main complaint is the movie doesn’t really know who the main character is supposed to be. It spends a lot of time with Anastasia at the beginning, but then ignores her for Cinderella, but then it ignores HER for the Prince.

There’s no real parallel connecting them, and it just feels like a relay race for the plot.

Overall, one of, if not, the best Disney sequel. 

8/10

[sundove88]

Quest For Canterlot (Quest For Camelot Parody) Cast

In this animated tale, Twilight Sparkle dreams of being one of the Knights of the Round Table; she gets her chance when the fabled sword of Excalibur is lost. Without its power to protect him, Howl falls victim to Voldemort, an evil wizard bent on destroying Canterlot. Howl’s only hope is that Twilight will find the sword. She gets some invaluable assistance from Avatar Roku’s trusty parrot, a dragon with a split personality, and a sweet Pegasus named Flash Sentry.

Twilight Sparkle as Kayley (MLP)

Flash Sentry as Garrett (MLP)

Voldemort as Ruber (Harry Potter)

Catra as Sir Lionel (She Ra)

Adora as Juliana (She Ra)

Howl as King Arthur (Howl’s Moving Castle)

Avatar Roku as Merlin (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Blu as Ayden (Rio)

Gilda as Ruber’s Gryphon (MLP)

Heihei as Bladebeak (Moana)

Zak and Weezie as Devon and Cornwall (Dragon Tales)

Nappa as The Ogre (Dragon Ball Z)

[i-want-my-iwtv]

So I noticed there's some discussion about there being fanon that Armand's birthday is November 11, and no one being quite sure where it came from. I couldn’t say for sure, but the IWtV movie came out on November 11, 1994, so I think it's very possible a fan chose to headcanon that as his bd as a nod to that, and other fans saw it and confused it with canon.

Hey Luanna! Good question. I remember there being fanon about that being Armand’s birthdate. I’m 99.999% sure it wasn’t in canon it might have been in these most recent books and I missed it... bc I continue to struggle to absorb them as canon.

I googled around for you, too, to try to see if there was an official answer, and didn't find one. I also checked Anne Rice's Facebook, used the Search feature, and didn't find anything there, either. You might try searching or asking her on the official fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/officialvampirechronicles/

I DO remember fandom talking about this for a hot minute. You're correct that there's fanon that Armand’s birthday is Nov. 11. Here's a post about it from 2017, in which vagabonddaniel wrote:

//I wonder if comes from the official calendar? Which was released god only remembers when but it listed a lot of their birthdays (I don’t think Daniel was included). A lot people were like “UGH NO DISAGREE” but it exists somewhere, so maybe this is where people are getting that date?

I don't know of an official calendar other than the one in the official Vampire Companion, maybe @nodominion knows of another calendar. The OVC entry for Armand doesn’t mention his birthday (or I may have missed it!) and the timeline in it only lists years, it doesn’t have Louis or Lestat’s birthdates, either. Kind of interesting that Armand and Magnus are turned in the same year, I don’t think it was in canon when the OVC came out... I thought Magnus was older! Yes those are my nails in the pic, yellow is such an underrated nail color.

BUT this is interesting, there’s a page in the VC Companion that mentions a Trivia book, maybe it’s in there? I JUST BOUGHT IT WHAT THE HECK. Published 1/1/1994, interestingly... I’ll share any gems I find in it. Apparently it has more than VC trivia. I don’t remember any groupie traveling with Lestat’s band, MAYBE this is like, outside of canon lore? IDK.

~*~*~*~

All that said, just in terms of fanon November 11 as Armand’s birthdate, personally, I like that it would be that close to Lestat’s on the calendar, another source of contention between them, that they’d share the same zodiac sign >;}

[^fanart by @garama]

Armand WOULD HATE following Lestat on the calendar, like, c’mon, Lestat would throw a HUGE BALL for himself (you KNOW he would), and then like 4 days later, Armand wants to have a big party… and everyone is like… ~Meh we just HAD one~… (They all went home already)(poor Armsy ;A;)

So Louis suggests to Lestat that he share! And have a bday party for both of them in between, on like 11/9. And Lestat is all pouty like “WHY SHOULD I SHARE WHEN MINES FIRST?? 11/9 WILL BE TOO LATE FOR MINE”

^it’s a source of contention.

ANYWAY.

I like your theory of it being the IWTV release date, but since that movie wasn't focused on Armand, I'd say that wasn't the reason. Plus, other birthdates we know about were based on Anne's family members, maybe she has someone in mind with a Nov. 11 bday? 

Lestat’s birthday is November 7, the birthday of Anne Rice’s late husband Stan (whom she partially/mostly modeled Lestat after).

Louis’ birthday is October 4, which is Anne’s birthday.

Claudia’s birthday IS identified in canon as September 21, it’s also Anne’s daughter Michele’s birthday, so L/L’s bdays being her parents’ do match with that.

Antonio Banderas' bday is Aug. 10, so it's not based on him (PPL OFF THE PAGE, DO NOT EVEN START WITH ME ABOUT HOW HE'S NOT CANON-COMPLIANT ARMAND just go to my #defending Antonio tag, it's such luke-warm flavorless tea at this point).

Christopher Rice’s bday is March 11. 

Anyone is welcome to add their thoughts, tho!