#who may or may not be original neon souls characters…

[wanderingchocolateeclair]

Happy Songkran!!!!

A very happy Thai new year to all of you!! <3

[creators-lounge]

✏️ Creators' Content ✏️

This post is for anyone who is curious about our server members' content, and to share a lot of suggestions for people to check! 💕

Since Tumblr is a website that mostly depends on reblogs, everyone is welcomed to reblog to give these amazing creators a well deserved boost!

Remember to also encourage other content creators as well, you may make someone's day with a silly reblog or comment!

Note: This post might be edited depending on the members' information, comic updates, projects updates, etc, so check the original post instead of reblogs.

Note 2: This is a private server for plenty of reasons, we do not accept requests nor petitions to join, so we would be grateful if you do not put that pressure on our mods or on our members. Sorry in advance, and hope you still enjoy all of our artworks! You may check our QnA for a better explanation if you'd like, too.

v Members' Comics Section v

ALIVE by @tatatale

> First Chapter

A L I V E is not an AU as such, but a buch of characters from different AUs and timelines who decided that they'll form an AU. So it's technically an AU, but no. Enjoy.

Bovid-20 by @hansama

> First Chapter

Bovid-20 is a (very short) suspense mystery comic that tells the story of a home invasion in the middle of a lock-down. You are the main character of the story.

Bitty Problems by @theskeletongames

> First Chapter

A comic featuring bitties with Sanses, primarily focusing on Underfell Sans and his bitty

Delivery! by @anovainspace

> Comics

Three out!codes from collapsing alternative universes came together to one void, all just wanting to obtain access to the multiverse for their end goal; therefore, they created an alibi to not create suspicion for wandering around different places. Setting up a pen paling system for others to contact each other through mail and delivering said mail. 

Don't Forget by @zirkkun

> First Chapter

“Don’t forget us. We’re with you in the dark.” After years of abandonment, the Undertale multiverse has been mysteriously shrouded in darkness. there only remains one survivor by the name of Ink… but despite a faint hope from everyone who died that everything can return to normal, he’s forgotten all the pieces to restore the multiverse back to what it once was.

Flicker of a Neon Soul by @harmonytre

> First Chapter

Since the beginning of time, monsters have had colored souls. Only the royal family's soul could change color. That is, until two young skeletons find their colors.

How to greet a new pal by @theskeletongames

> First Chapter

A crossover comic with Sans falling into Underfell.

Idoltale by @nekojaf

> First Chapter

Idol and her friends go on a big multiverse adventure after a new and strange Force threatens their universes.

Impostortale by @s3-izures

> Masterpost

Armed with an obsession for masks and semi-immortality, a shapeshifter roams the multiverse in search of roles to fill, missions to complete, and shenanigans to commit.

Non-Lethal AU by @s3-izures

> Masterlist

A certain Destroyer has been found... except this one doesn't seem to be destroying anything so far. In fact, he seems like a bit of a wimp, doesn't he?

Paper Crane by @little-noko

> First Chapter

Where timelines and lives ends, in the void are countless shattered souls struggling to remain alive and come back to the living world they came from. A being without a name gather them to form a single entity, with nowhere to go, they found themselves traveling endlessly to make sense of who they are and why they are here.

Prismtale by @harmonytre

> First Chapter

Havana, Sans, Scarf Mouse, Bob, Monster Kid, Fuku Fire, and Ficus Licker are thrust into an adventure they'll never forget. Will they find a way home? How will they deal with their new powers? Who on earth is PC?

Spitetale by @nosebleed-inglishera

> First Chapter

After several genocidal routes, everyone in the Underground started to remember, causing monstersto fearing for the next time they get killed again. Will Frisk take the choice to finally save everyone and fix their mistakes?

Timetale by @allesiathehedge

> Prologue

Seven hundred years after they were sealed underground, monsterkind still hopes that they would one day return to the surface. Not only does Sans have to worry about finding a solution to destroy the barrier on behalf of the King, but he also has to face a ghost of a past that he sorely wanted to keep buried. Will Sans be able to make peace with himself, his duties, and his failed love? Only time will tell...

Underlust Reimagine by @zirkkun

> First Chapter

An Underlust AU that takes a spin on the original concept to present a thematically similar story, but with some slightly different aspects that have led some of the characters to take different roles.

Under/Source by @slylock-syl

> First Chapter

After a virus wielding hacker threatens to cause chaos throughout other universes, Necros takes it upon himself to track them down and protect anyone he can along the way.

Underwizard by @susartwork

> Prologue

Humans began hunting monsters to gain great magical powers from their souls. After a huge massacre, seven human wizards decide to seal the monsters underground with a magic spell. Hundreds of years later a human child appears, determined to free all the monsters and save them from a new threat.

Unitale by @toky502

> First Chapter

Unitale (An alternate tale) is a comic of an alternative and altered version of many other stories from other undertale au's together, is just an alternate tale more.

Various comics by @wr-n

> Masterpost

> Eldritch AU

> Dust comics

Dust Comic is a comic following the Bad Sanses as they look for a way to cure Dust of his lethal dose of Determination and LV.

Members Projects and WIPs

Blocking Sans by @samess-moon (Twitter)

Damaged tale by @6nimus9

Damaged tale is an Alternate Timeline of Undertale that takes place in a frozen post-genocide timeline where only o̸n̵e̷ ̵c̸h̷a̷r̷a̶c̵t̷e̸r̸ remains, basing its concept in how consequences can strike back.

Encantale by @codeyspace

The Human vs Monster war ended a millenium ago. Monsters trapped in the underground with hope and magic. What should've led to their extinction was instead replaced by something... enchanting.

Escort Mission by Yoki-Doki (DeviantArt)

Way before the events of Undertale, even before the war between humans and monsters, a little girl lost her way in the monster kingdom. This is the quest to help her return home.

Flowerfield AU / Ask Sunflower by @asksunflower / @tatatale

This is an ask blog about a silly guy who acts like a cat and a goat king, but is actually a skeleton. He likes flowers and tea, and sometimes things happen.

Herb by @omero-megane (Twitter)

LAU by @nixensibrat

Lonertale by @blvdcharms

Lonertale is an AU revolving around a medieval, single-most pacifist timeline where war between humans and monster is post-poned up until the main cast of characters are young adults. Follow Asriel and his friends as they go on to protect monsterkind.

Storyteller by @cursedmuii (Twitter)

“I exist based on the will of stories. I have no place to return, no name, or age, but I am called Storyteller... Come here with me, I can take you everywhere with the stories I tell… only you listen to them.”

Strays AU by @stoukadraws

“Give me your hopes and dreams, and I shall grant you true salvation.” An unknown human falls into Mt. Ebott, and begins their journey through the Underground...But something is off. Will they discover what’s truly going on behind the scenes?

Undereats by @sui-imi (Twitter)

A food delivery service that works with restaurants across the multiverse. It's run by a Gaster called Exec. They work together with - and are located in - Commercetale, an AU where trades and sales empower monster magic.

Underforgotten by @nezu-tan

Undergut by @theartist-june (Tw. Gore)

Undergut is an AU where hunger makes for desperate times. It’s not that there is no food… it’s that food could barely sustain, could barely satisfy. Magic is not enough. We need more… more…! Will you be able to survive the hunger?

UnderREM by @socksandbuttons (And @/ohlookanothercartoontofallinto)

Dreamtale with dreams and the cast of Undertale.

Underrewind by @wishingstarinajar

A comic and fanfiction/short stories are currently in the works to tell the story about Rewind, the main protagonist of this AU.

Undervalue by @6nimus9

Monsters, instead of getting trapped down by a magic barrier, are trapped directly by humans, who after winning the war started by greed have decided to take advantage of the monsters’ ability to create precious stones and gems of different values.

Wickedtale by @alch3mic (AO3) (Read Tw's.)

WICKEDTALE is a reader insert fairytale inspired Undertale AU set in the twisted Ebott City. As one of its many unfortunate inhabitants, do you have what it takes to survive in such a wretched town surrounded by secrets and misery? Well, luckily for you there seems to be a certain skeleton in your life who will go to any lengths to assure your happy ending together.

Great artist you should check anyway!!

@bloowe-blu - @lazzlady - @minaruzi- @normalayasstuff - @sanssupremacy - @shenzcorner

Other fandoms content!

@galaxii-star (Multifandom) - RazzyPossum (FNAF) - @jadenskyfare

[develation]

Eldritch/Cosmic Horror AU: Ink Inkwell

"The most merciful thing in the world, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far." - H.P. Lovecraft

Inkwell, originally Ink, was taken from his modern home by an eldritch beast known as ABERRATION, who turned the shy skeleton into a creature of rot and decay so he could have the strength to save its lost twin, ARCHANGEL. Although its intentions were of goodwill, the following downward spiral shows how much a simple dose of the wrong type of power can ruin a person.

"The Fragments of Reality" is a story of redemption first and foremost, the overall theme is one of atonement and finding oneself beneath a dark smog of gruesome actions.

(Outline is 98% complete, fic continuation soon)

Eldritch Creatures

ABERRATION: Eldritch "Nightmare"

ARCHANGEL: Eldritch "Dream" (deceased)

THE NEON GOD: World parasite

TAZOULOTH: Watcher

CAINSUBYTHAL: Soul Hound

THE KING IN YELLOW: Bearer of madness and damnation, the possessor of the eight eldritch terrors

ALDARNOTH: Tunneler between worlds

TYTO: The night

YOG ELARBASTOTH: Bearer of death and finality

YOG RYNORATH: Bearer of primordial existence and apparition

CARNHOLT: Alchemist

DAGON: Lark of decay and rot

CARCOSA: Harbinger of fatality

(Place your bets on who cursed Inkwell)

Inkwell

"I know always that I am an outsider; a stranger in this century and amount those who are still men." - H.P. Lovecraft

Inkwell himself goes through multiple character evolutions throughout his story. The references shown here are at the peak of his arc, showcasing his uncontrollable rot, creature companions, and the full effects of the curse.

Though being a multiverse hopper, he becomes unable to use all he's seen as warning for others, and instead a telling of the future. When common inhabitants approach him, all Inkwell can see is the dead and rotting face of what awaits the unfortunate soul.

There is no light at the end of his mission, no joy at the obtainment of ABERRATION's goal, only the nothingness of the infinite dark, and the creatures that lie beyond and between.

-

"I spent too long hearkening to the whispers that brushed against my skull, carving their call of purpose and fulfillment. Becking with black tendrils and seafoam eyes. I heed the call like some desperate dog with its leash loose and its tail broken.

Even now I still chase those whispers and phantoms, as useless as it may be. I have chased for so long that I have become one of them, a ghost, a creature of foreign realm, a bad omen to not be spoken of.

Do not be the dog Cross, do not chase the murmurs against your skull, do not heed to the blackened tendrils and ceaseless eye. Turn around. Before death and decay follow your every step." - Inkwell

-

(Ask and fanart are welcome)

(Inspired by SCP and H.P. Lovecraft)

(In collab with @sunlit-witch 's 50/50 au (Equiverse). Huge thanks to them, @phinix53 , and @pastelaspirations for letting me brainstorm and hash out ideas.)

[thissys-editz]

REQUESTS ;; OPEN [0]

IN-PROGRESS ;; 1

Hello! We're the Theatrix System, but you can call us Theo. Please refer to us using it/thon pronouns.

We will, as far as we know, be the only admins of this blog. This blog is meant to be fun for us, and while we do take requests, they may not be the sole focus of the blog.

What We Do

Icons

Stimboards

Playlists (rarely)

Headcanons

Edits to fit appearances (i.e. a fictive's innerworld appearance; how someone remembers themself as their kin; etc, etc)

Art (rarely here, only for us [unless a trade/etc])

Writing (selective)

Comfort letters

Userboxes

Moodboards

Shufflemancy readings

Want to request something else not listed? Check the list of what we won't make first, then ask if you're not sure!

What We Don't Do

Anything NSFW. Minor jokes and references are okay, but nothing more than that.

Replycons / Reply icons

Anything with lots of gore. Some blood and disfigured characters are okay, but we don't want to do anything heavy. If you're not sure, just ask!

DNI banners

Tbh anything political or dealing with similar stuff. (I.e. "[name] supports [political figure]" or "[name] is a [smth political]") Silly/Joke stuff is okay, though! Just ask if you're unsure

Kinfessions

Vents/Rants

Canon/Source calls

Callouts

Sources We'll Create For

Dreamswap

OMORI & AUs

Chonny's Charming Chaos Compendium

FNaF & Selective AUs

Undertale & AUs

(Very selective) Ultrakill

Vocaloid

Yandere Sim (no, we don't support yandev. that's.. eugh.)

Our original content

Kirby

Minecraft

My Happy Marriage

Magica Madoka

Smile Precure (unfortunately we only know of the two that Netflix stole... May do more?)

Slime Rancher

DSaF / Dayshift at Freddy's

Kindergarten 1 + 2

Way of The Househusband

Dead End: Paranormal Park

Bee and Puppycat

Sources We Might Create For

Genshin Impact... rlly picky about this

Anime we don't know about

Pokémon (we just don't know a whole lot abt it!! love the lil guys tho <3)

Selective FNF mods + original game

Death Note (we know hardly anything abt it 😭)

Dialtown, again just.. lack of info lol

DDLC, depends on mood

BATIM, same as DDLC

Sources We Won't Create For

Bungo Stray Dogs

BNHA/MHA // Boku No Hero Academia / My Hero Academia

Cuphead & Mugman

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Most medias that are in real life if that makes sense? just ask if you don't get it

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>[♤♡◇♧]<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

all of these are subject to change at our discretion, at any time, with or without warning.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>[♤♡◇♧]<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Misc...

Notable Anons: [if you have a certain phrase/emoji you use to designate yourself as an anon, we'll add you here if you're frequent enough! Let us know if you dont want to be mentioned here]

--

Notable Users: [if you request frequently off anon, we'll mention you here, unless you don't want to be mentioned.]

--

“QUOTE” ;; TAG — WHEN USED

“you seem to forget you answer to me” ;; answering — answering questions

“screams with no sense for why” ;; chitchat — just talking / general info

“and they give it all they've got till they're down” ;; update — updates/announcements

“scattering sparks of thought energy” ;; request accepted — accepted a request

“i will abdicate these deviants sat inside” ;; request denied — denied a request

“one more day and one more night” ;; pending — paused a request / taking time to decide

“call me the soul or call me my name” ;; fanmail — compliments/kind words

“you must be so arrogant to think...” ;; hatemail — people who were so idiotic that, rarely, we feel the need to share their hate because it's just funny

that's all for now!! we may make a rentry later or smth, idk... decor + icon creds under the cut 👇

Post Header (Chonny Jash lyrics added by us)

Red/black dividers

Grey drip divider

Don't know where the scrollbar divider came from, seen it a lot of places :(

Icon

[shadowaj]

Heya! Welcome to our creepy studio filled with oddities!

Hi and good mourning, it’s me Aj! I’m also referred to as ShadowAj, Shady and RealShadyGhost. I’m a spooky yet silly ghost who draws and such. Here, you’ll mainly see me post fan art of my favorite series, commissions, and OC content (scroll down for more info on this!), as well as memes probably. Most of the drawings I post here will be 2D digital art, but occasionally I may post 2D traditional. I hope you enjoy your visit here!

(Small content warning, although I won’t post anything NSFW, I may post drawings with blood and/or light gore, body horror, and disturbing imagery, so beware.)

Things I Enjoy!

Ok so here I’ll just list off some of my interests so you can get to know me better. Ghosts have interests too!

- General Interests -

Spooky things, which includes horror movies and games, the occult, Halloween, urban legends, things like that.

Mysteries (I love murder mysteries, detective stories, strange and bizarre internet mysteries, and stuff like that)

Coffee (I’m a big fan)

Video Games (I’m bad at them but I still enjoy them…)

Movies (I enjoy going to theaters and watching movies, especially animated films.)

Listening to music (I am a fan of Metal/Rock (Metallica, Pantera, Ghost, etc.) music, as well as Synth. I do also listen to OSTs of my favorite series. A band I recommend checking out is ‘Dance with the Dead’, they are an indie band and mainly do horror synth and synthmetal. (Well, then again, I like any music that sounds nice or is spooky so)

Anime (Which ones? I’ll list them later give me a sec!)

Drawing (This should be obvious I mean I post drawings here but ima include it anyway)

Character Design (this is kinda an extension of drawing but I do enjoy looking at different designs and taking notes on what I can do differently with my own designs.)

Writing (Mainly my OC lore and such)

Collecting Plushies (I have an addiction help)

Theme Parks and Roller Coasters (I love roller coasters)

Cooking (I’m well known for my evil pancakes)

For aesthetics, I am a fan of spooky aesthetics (Wow!), steampunk, gothic (i love gothic architecture…), vaporwave, neon, and others.

-Anime and Games that I really enjoy-

Soul Eater

Danganronpa

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE

Zero Escape

AI The Somnium Files

Ace Attorney

Mob Psycho 100

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

Gurren Lagann

Persona (I’m a fake fan I’ve only played the P5 games and I still haven’t finished P4G)

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

Kaguya-sama: Love is War

Nichijou

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Pokémon

Sonic

Chainsaw Man (Again, fake fan, I haven’t been keeping up)

And others that I didn’t list here whoopsie

Original Content!

As I said before, I’ll be posting drawings of OCs, mainly from the webcomic series I’m working on titled ‘Shadow Realm’. I do have other original series and ideas as well, so here’s a little info…

Shadow Realm

Shadow Realm is a 4-part action horror urban fantasy series starring Sophia Alvarado, a Cuban teenage girl who lives in Miami who one day ends up in a different and strange world from our own, and ends up encountering ghosts and gaining powers of electricity. With her occult and coffee-obsessed friend Violet Bellerose and a friendly ghost she meets on the other side dubbed Shady, they encounter different ghosts and supernatural occurrences all across Miami. There’s a lot more to it, but that’s the basic gist of it for now. (It gets very complicated from part 2 onward…)

Kendall Convenience

A small game project that has the player take the role of one Katrina Diaz, a convenience store worker in Miami who works the graveyard shift. This takes place in the same universe as Shadow Realm.

Mystères de Lenoir

Mysteres de Lenoir is a series that follows the protagonist, Stella Auclair, a fresh detective who takes place in steampunk and gothic France during the Belle Époque era. Stella works with André Dupin, at the Dupin Detective Agency, and they solve a series of mysteries, most of which are murder cases.

I have two other series, but those are a secret for now… I will say though that one of them is a western, and the other is a single volume (One-Shot) comic.

Closing thoughts

If you read through all that wow good job you’re super cool and spooky methinks perchance.

Oh yeah, you can find me on other platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Pixiv, and Twitch

Even if you don’t have an account there you should still check them out!!!!

ask me anything you have questions about or if you're bored and want to talk!

another thing, i speak English and i can understand Spanish (I'm hispanic and i still can't speak this language it's embarrassing i know )

(also i may reupload this post in the future to add custom graphics, update interests, etc.)

[adultswim2021]

Neon Knome: “Pilot” | February 22, 2010 (online) | Pilot

I have to admit: I don’t think I’ve ever watched this. I remember liking it, though. I think I just saw a clip and then forgot I never saw this whole thing and just assumed I must’ve liked it. Well: guess what? I liked it. 

I decided that I liked this so much (despite never having seen it) that I also, at one point, blind-purchased a Paper Rad (the art collective behind this and other things similar to this) DVD called Trash Talking about ten years ago, used at Amoeba records. Inside of it was a cardboard sleeve containing another DVD labeled Problem Solverz, the name of the TV show that Neon Knome sorta mutated into. That Problem Solverz is 23 minutes long, and doesn’t seem to have anything to do with this other than being in the same style. 

For those who don't know: this show was actually picked up, but not by Adult Swim; it aired on Cartoon Network and it's title was changed to Problem Solverz. I didn't watch it, either. The Cartoon Network show was reviled, currently sitting on IMDB with a 2 out of 10 user rating. WOW! I am assuming it's because it was too good.

A segment on the DVD for Trash Talking is a short called “Gone Cabin Carzy” (sic). It’s an actual precursor to this pilot, with the same guys in it and stuff. Also the kick-off segment of the DVD includes the narrator character from Neon Knome, but not voiced by famous gay internet user George Takai like he is here. 

The thing about this pilot is that is that the plot is sorta inessential. There IS a plot: three roommates find a large car-sized roller-blade in their yard. Fearing their landlord might get mad at them for storing something in their yard, they take it upon themselves to dispose of it. They camp out in the woods after getting lost, and it turns out that it belonged to their landlord, voiced by Amy Sedaris. That was the plot, which earlier, if you remember, I said was "sorta inessential". A better way to capture the show's essence is to focus more on the art style and the absurdist dialogue. The art looks amateure but elaborate, as if Windows added an animation suite to MS Paint. The humor is sorta Xavier-esque with it’s non-sequiturs, but not as coarse or vulgar. It’s mostly just weird stuff. 

It’s also HIGH ART and I respect it. It takes a special kind of brain to get me to laugh at three guys unrolling a huge sleeping bag. It’s not even a joke. Almost nothing in here is jokes. But it manages to be more amusing than most of these pilots. I’m glad it became a show, but I don’t think I agree with the decision to let something this weird be on Cartoon Network proper instead of Adult Swim. This is the kind of stuff Adult Swim needs more of. They dang-ass fumbled with this one. I'm guessing they found it too "PG" for the block. Weird to think Baby Blues was on Adult Swim but not this.

The entire thing is on youtube and archive. It shows a date from 2007 on the opening slate, but as far as I know made it's public debut here. I would like to bet it may have played at an animation or film festival or something like that.

NOTE: My ranking conventions originally dictated that I would wait until all installments of each pilot have aired (Soul Quest Overdrive and Yappy Broads still have additional episodes yet to premiere) but that’s a dumb, pointless rule and only demonstrates my pedantry. So: 

Neon Knome > Snake ‘n’ Bacon > Duckworth > Southies > Yappy Broads > Cheyenne Cinnamon > Soul Quest Overdrive

[tsuki-sennin]

It's the final episode of the Desire Grand Prix. ...at least, until it's time for crossovers. On which side does the Armed Hammer of justice fall? Will we stick the landing? Either way, 2000+ years of reality TV ends here.

Saa... koko kara highlight ga.

Spoilers, I guess...

-Staring down the barrel. Unflinching.

-"Do it."

-Tanuki soba tiiiiime~!

-Sara-neesan!

-Gotta love the copyright free Spotify Neon uses.

-God, it astonishes me how someone can dance in pumps.

-Oh, hey there Ziin.

-That fucking coin again.

-Oohhhhhh...

-A going from Rome to Japan reminds me a lot of Greco-Buddhist syncretism.

-Hi there, Tsumuri.

-What was that about, eh?

-How could you ever forget a man like Ace?

-Michinaga :)

-You shot a man stone dead, Tsumuri-neechan.

-Hello, Kromer.

-Oh shush, you're barely even a character.

-"There is no such thing as Geats anymore."

-Holy shit, he killed his entire fanbase.

-Ace is dead.

-As he would've wanted however, nobody stops on his account.

-"Thank you, neesan <3"

-Off he goes to heaven.

-OH HE'S GOT FUCKIN' CLOCK UP OKAY

-Valiant effort Michinaga, but your new form's in a V-Cine, so...

-Oh and we're reduced to absolutely nothing.

-Really love all the quiet whiplash of these shrine scenes.

-Man...

-This is the good shit right here...

-A simple wish.

-Boost! And! Magnum~!

-Ohhhhhhh

-Somebody's got their last episode original form power-up.

-"Oh by the way, I'm actually God now."

-I remember that bit in the Bible when Jesus rode in on a motorcycle and shot Herod in the face.

-"My disciples. Dream a dream so big it becomes a miracle!"

-Ohhhh, their forms! It's them!

-Sorry Suel, it looks like you've already lost.

-This is exactly how I wanted this finale's big fight to go.

-Literal God-modding.

-This is so bullshit, I love it.

-Oh

-God has become.

-And now the Dawn Game has commenced.

-Now everybody has a chance~!

-"Hmm. This kinda sucks."

-Thanks, Papa Giroli.

-Sorry about that, Samas. You're out of a job now.

-Ironic. Keiwa railed so hard against the gods before, and yet...

-That Ace... jerkin' us around up till the very end

-Humanity's very own navigator, Tsumuri-neechan!

-Ohhhhhhh... that's the song from Movie Battle Royale

-Win :)

-Oh, Daichi... it seems Archimedel's got something living on inside you.

-He's a true buffalo up to the end, huh?

-What a

-Sara-neesan's got reasonable goals.

-Oh! Kyuun!

-Guess you're havin' a good time.

-Ah damn. Well, if that's what you want Neon.

-World peace!

-Man, I'd love to know what all those wishes say...

-Hey, God? Can you look out for that Gotchard kid? He's clearly gonna need it!

-Oh! He's already starting, huh?

-Man...

-Whatever issues I may have with Geats, even more will inevitably pop up in hindsight, goddamn this ending heals the soul.

-Big ups to absolutely everybody who worked on this show.

-Be sure to join me again in a few weeks when we watch Kamen Rider Gotchard~! See you around, everybody~!

[starmanleo]

Stranger of Paradise: A Character Exploration Part 2: Flames Driving Away The Dark.

Once more we are gifted with the sight of Stranger of Paradise DLC. The overall consensus can be best described with

“fucking bitch game, why is everything one shotting me, why the FUCK do I need to be level 500?. WHY THE FUCK CAN”T I FIND THE DL- WHAT DO YOU MEAN I NEED TO FINISH BAHAMAUT MODE? AND WHY DOES EXTRA MODE SUCK SHIT FOR GRINDING?”

Which again, fair. 

But we are not here to discuss the collect cries of a slept on base game buried under the sins of developers who make the DLC like they were commanded by the filthiest Dark Souls build try hards (shout outs to the people on the subreddit though, I respect all of you.) Today comes another vain attempt to get people to engage with the lore of this series through impossible means. Lore dumping.

Once more, I will try to lay out the straightest facts I can recollect and then save my head cannons for later affairs.  

As the flames of war stir hot off the release of Gilgamesh, it is time to discuss one of the character's most familiar to the flame.

                                                           Neon

Neon is the first of Jack’s added party members after their initial run at the Chaos Shrine and more importantly, one of the only Cornelian born Strangers. From the Fools Missives, Neon initally gave her soul to Chaos for the purpose of giving the people something to fight for. Chaos within the land of Cornelia was a fantasy made to explain the reason for the randomness of the World’s events and how terrible life was and how simple it could be solved. By becoming Chaos, Neon could become that figure that the world could rally against and give hope to the people of the World. As her explanation may ring familar to people experienced with the concept of Light and Dark, people already know how Jack himself felt about that.  While Neon herself started the Journey skeptical about the existence of Chaos as more than just a fairy tale, by the end of the trials put upon them she is wholeheartedly dedicated to the cause of removing Cornelia from the scourge of Lufenian meddling, to the end a wholehearted Cornelian.

Except for the fact that she’s not from Corenlia.

To give a quick run down of what the Lufenians do, it is a large number of experiments regarding other dimensions and taking their successes and turning it into their own.  Dimensions from all the numbered Final Fantasies barring 16 are under their purview and guess which one they chose for Neon.

Final Fantasy 7. The Soldier Project.

Neon is a Lufenian Bio Experiment made in the Womb to create their very own Warriors of Light, modeled after the Soldier Project, Fucking Sephiroth Angeal Type Shit!

                                       Neon(Headcannon /Assumption.)

So to put words to it.  I have the weird view that Neon represents the youth and hope of this world, someone with attachment to her home and fighting to save it. Alot of her voicelines put alot more youthful slang (which makes sense since she’s 18(thousand.))  Honestly, I’m curious about her last band of adventurers that was mentioned. It could be a version of a Stranger Party that didn’t make it. Also with how Marilith comes into play, it just makes it interesting. Everything to do with Neon’s birth (and apparently the rest of the party’s origins) is jsut so fascinating yet kept so vauge and locked up in weird circumstances that its hard to capitalize. Christ this series is interesting.

[amandawatchesmovies]

Robert Pattinson as emo-millennial Bruce Wayne is everything we never thought we needed from another Batman movie.

Matt Reeves’s The Batman was exactly what Batman adaptations should have always been. A grim noir take on Gotham’s favorite detective, inspired by the comics, this film was a spectacle of neon and rain and gothic architecture with a realism modern day audiences desire from their superhero films. 

This movie had everything you’d want from the noir drama: a voice-overed diary-entry account of the crime-stained streets of Gotham City, silhouettes and shadows around each rain-soaked corner, riddled clues that implicate the jaded lead detective, a pretty girl with a sordid past, crime syndicates, fist fights and car chases. This film had it all. 

All of that seems jam-packed, a bit hard to follow, but this film carried on with a 3 hour run-time. Which, in all honesty, felt a bit long in the theater, but in hindsight, I wouldn’t have wished for a moment less. Even the B-roll of Gotham streets, of Vengeance on his motorcycle zipping down dark alleys, was worth it for the art of the movie. Every shot played its own role in telling the story, in setting the mood, in soaking you into Gotham’s grimy atmosphere and keeping you un-eased by murder and mayhem. 

The Batman begins by putting you in the skin of the murderer, a voyeur on rooftops spying in on a loving family the night of Halloween. The kid is excited about his haul, the father excited for him, all dialogue muffled by the intense inhale-exhale of our man suit, of our voyeur, of our murderer. We’re quickly put into the house, watching the Mayor watch news coverage on his race to reelection. When BAM from the shadows, our murderer strikes. 

Instantly, the tone is set. 

We’re taken through the streets of Gotham, a city all-to-familiar to audiences by now. We’ve been there a dozen or more times in the last century. We know to never trust corners, and absolutely never trust the water supply, and yet this Gotham feels new, darker, petty criminals even avoid dark corners, fearing the Bat signal they find in the clouds. This isn’t an origin story. The Batman has already begun his patrol, already befriended Gordon, already scared the do-wrongers on the city streets.

It’s apparent from the beginning that Reeves wanted a new take on the classic, but not just new. He wanted to prove to us who Batman was, really. He made the caped crusader true to its character, relatable to its audience. 

When they’d first announced Robert Pattinson in the role of Bruce Wayne, I have to admit I was skeptical. Sure, he had the brood down. His early career consisted of a lovesick vampire and a cocky wizard, and we all knew Bruce Wayne to be broody and cocky all-in-one. But could he do the role justice? Could he fit into that slot we’ve seen a dozen and one times? 

With the rise of remakes and adaptations comes easy comparison. Who played which role better? “Tobey Maguire may have been the better Peter Parker, and Andrew Garfield the better Spider-Man, but Tom Holland is the perfect representation of both.” So on and so forth ad nauseam. So comparing Pattinson to the likes of Michael Keaton or Christian Bale seemed a natural, yet impossible task.

Until you watch the Brit embody the young, tortured soul of an emo-kid with millions on his hands and a gothic-style mansion. Pattinson was perfect. He was made for the role. A genuinely awkward hero in real life, Pattinson unraveled the discomfort of being an outcast in an impoverished city. He’s moody. He’s obstinate. He won’t stand for injustices thrust upon him and other innocent lives. He embodies a new, youthful Wayne. One with more insecurities than girls on his arms. Less of a playboy, more of an orphan, a kid weathered by corruption at far too young an age. 

There’s a beautiful scene late in the film wherein Bruce realizes he’s had a father all along in Alfred, played by Andy Serkis, and you feel that connection from both actors. Before, the Alfred-Bruce connection has felt more like accomplices. Alfred has always been there to cheer Bruce on, to help him with his crime fighting, a butler and sidekick wrapped into one. But Serkis’s Alfred feels like a father figure, a young man himself, having to take on the role of fatherhood as unexpectedly as Wayne lost his childhood. 

Pattinson’s Batman soars above the rest as well. A foolhardy detective, great at solving riddles and better at kicking ass, “Vengeance” (the only name given in the film) is a caped crusader who is just starting out, making mistakes in the form of squirrel suits and falling for dangerous women, and it’s a phenomenally flawed portrayal of the Bat that makes him unlike any other. You feel for him. You sympathize with him. His losses make you root for his wins even louder.

Alongside Pattinson, the star-studded supporting cast of this film give some of their best performances to-date. Zoe Kravitz is captivating as a down-on-her-luck waitress/cat burglar, Selina Kyle. Her sole motive is saving her closest friend, and revenge when that plot goes sour. Plus, her chemistry with Pattinson is electrifying. 

An unrecognizable Colin Farrell plays the greedy Penguin with nerve-agitating mannerisms and there’s something familiar and lovable about the seedy character. You find yourself rooting for him, especially during the all-out cinematic car chase. 

John Turturro’s Falcone is the comforting father figure and evil mastermind rolled into one. Jeffrey Wright’s Gordon is just and loyal. Peter Sarsgaard’s Colson is the horrifying proof of how low the justice system is willing to stoop. 

Paul Dano’s Riddler, as revealed at the end of the Second Act, gives a rousing and terrifying monologue about the injustices of the world around him. He’s the perfect psychopath. He’s the perfect genius. You’re almost sucked into his rational, large bi-focaled eyes gleaming from beneath guarded glass at Arkham Asylum. His final act provides the most terrifying and realistic story of them all, the rise of terrorism in our own home towns, on our own streets, by our own people. 

The writing was impeccable, genre-specific, tearing apart the ideals of a Superhero Film from the insides. The direction was beautiful, atmospheric, dark. The sound editing and design pulled you in, accelerated the heart rate, made for a one-of-a-kind viewing experience.

The Batman excited me for the future of superhero cinema. It’s broadening horizons and expanding the field of view. Not only can I not wait to see what other stories Reeves can bring to the table, but I’m excited to see where this pushes the boundaries of action thrillers moving forward. 

[homesteadchronicles]

Original Writing Excerpt: “To Me”

Hello, my homies! I have an unexpected piece of writing to share with you all today, one not related to my known WIPs. Instead, this comes from the world I detailed here, one I’ve now been given permission to flesh out into a full-fledged story.

You don’t need to know the world in order to read, but I’ve provided the necessary context below in order to dive on in!

CHARACTERS:

Ero “Del’Gris” Idess: An intergalactic music idol in service to her agent, Kiladian Wellthane, who enlists her help in exposing his enemies’ corruption. Yoselle of the Starsea (”Ghost”): Ero’s bodyguard and long-time employee of Kiladian Wellthane whose unspoken feelings for Ero grieve him.

CONTEXT:

Ero and Yoselle have been dispatched by Kiladian to the Polaris Nightclub in order to secure information on the corrupt CEO of a pharmaceutical empire. When Ero botches her mission, she seeks comfort from a source both she and her target know can only lead to complications.

THE EXCERPT:

You are a specter: ethereal, immaterial, insignificant. She is a spotlight: illuminating, enticing, unyielding. These two halves cannot hold one another. These pieces fit different puzzles. But she needs something to elucidate and you did not hallucinate her invitation to centerstage. Still you skirt around the sidelines, flirting with shadows, fearful of exposure. She stands, a beacon in the clubhouse, awaiting your answer.

You refuse to reply.

Polaris, you convince yourself, requires better surveillance than the shoddy bodyguards provide it. Expensive liquor, lavish decor, and a distinct lack of security – the omen of emergencies. It was everything you loathed and Ero loved.

She didn’t seem to mind now, not that she ever had before. Why would she? She has you. Needs you. Wants you, a part of you thinks, hopes, refutes. Ero plays her role without shame. Flattery reserved a permanent space in her mouth and her lips make use of their eternal inhabitant to elicit information even when her hips were in motion.

Your place lies elsewhere. Astride. Afar. Procurer and protector both had their parts to play. Separately.

Then why does she keep staring at me?

It is your fifth circuit around the dance floor when you notice her attraction attention. Her gaze ought to be on your target, on Gentarou Hongou, on the mastermind of a corrupt pharmaceutical company. Her hand would bat his chest as her lashes bat her cheeks and he would indulge her as everyone always did. Their mission depended on his entanglement. Did she expect to seduce him with a half-given gaze?

Either Ero or Gentarou comes to the same conclusion, as she discreetly excuses herself to evacuate the floor and he does not even bother watching as she goes. You give chase, coming to a heel behind her as she reaches the dancing’s edge. Stress tugs her brows together. She has disappointed her target. Disappointed herself. Worse, you realize, she has disappointed Kiladian.

“You’re off your game,” you note. A comment and a question intermingle therein, indiscernible.

Ero maneuvers through the crowd with angered grace. Each foot falls just shy of stepping on another’s toes, the click of her heels on the metal beneath like a tongue snapping against bared teeth. “Hongou’s harder than I thought,” she mumbles, “and not in the way I need him to be.”

The bar comes quickly into focus as you follow her. It’s going to be a long night.

Ero glides into the shaky comfort of a barstool. Before you can intercept, she has the bartender concocting something with a name you won’t remember for a price you cannot fathom. Ero’s erratic when inebriated and adamant when infuriated – not a winning combo for their cause.

She beckons you over with a caress of the empty seat beside her and you stiffen. Your place is beneath behind her. But, for a moment, weariness cracks her mask and the lonely soul inside creeps out. “Ghost,” she drawls. Her fingers walk up your chestplate, eyes unblinking in unspoken expectation, and you will indulge her as you always have. “To me.”

The seat is filled before you can stop yourself.

Two drinks slide along the countertop and stop in front of them, one a glittering gray encrusted with crystal and the other a dusty yellow clouded by rising mist. Ero cradles the latter before acknowledging the former. “Oops. Looks like I ordered one too many.” Her tone holds no remorse, only mischief. She nudges the glass towards you. “Guess someone ought to keep me sober.”

You can’t deny that. Deny her. You drink.

Each sip is a burning kiss to your lips, searing all the way down until the sweetness kicks in thereafter. It’s easier to forget the sting when the aftertaste settles in. You swallow again. Again. Again, until you learn to love the flames, too.

Ero only toys with her order. It’s not her usual selection, not her Nightfire. The glass in front of her holds Del’Gris’ favorite - all flash and fruitiness - but no bite. Which means she believes the show must go on. Which means Del’Gris gets an encore.

You need to navigate this delicately. “Hongou gave you the slip?”

“He may as well have. Kiladian’s information was off – Hongou’s not involved.”

“You’re sure?”

Ero dips her head as if to nod before it droops in defeat. “Honestly? I don’t know. Making heads or tails of the man is more complicated than making eyes at him.” She retrieves the cherry inside her drink and rips it clean off the stem. “I’m not myself tonight.”

“That’s not true.” The words slip out before you can subdue them. An unfortunate error, but Ero appraises you with wide-eyed surprise and you wonder whether it was a blessing in disguise. “You were not Del’Gris tonight, true. Del’Gris holds every man captive in her grasp. But you were Ero tonight – and any glimpse behind the curtain is enough to fluster a lesser man like Hongou.”

Ero twists your words around in her mind like the stem she knots in her mouth. When she pulls the stem free, her answer spills out too. “You know me too well.”

Not as much as I’d like, you think. Still not enough to keep you safe. It is an unbidden - but honest - admission. Not one Ero would adhere to half-plastered and wholly penitent. You settle for “well enough to know when you’re not well.”

She scoffs into her cup, a bitter laugh against sweet liquor. “Can’t get any worse”. Ero raises her hand and requests another round of liquid courage: Nighfire on the rocks. It’s a slow burn, she told you once, reeking of booze and other bodies, just the way I like it.

You hadn’t liked it. Hadn’t liked the way her hair ensnared your shoulders, encircling you in her scent as you scraped her offstage. Hadn’t liked the lingering kindling of body heat. Hadn’t liked how much you dreamt of her touch afterwards.

The bartender brings her his poison and she tips it back in one go. Tipsy, but standing, Ero advances towards the dance floor. “Well, if our mission’s botched, must as well bust a move.” Half-lidded eyes hone in on you. “Don’t make me do it alone.”

There’s a plea beneath that tease, but the implications complicate your reaction. To stay would be wise. To go would be wine, a gradual inebriation, a delight today and a mistake tomorrow. A slow burn.

Noticing your hesitance, knowing your heart’s a mess, she approaches. “I’m not the only one unwell,” Ero whispers. Her tender denouncement strangles your judgment. “But we both have to choose health.”

She steps away. The crowd begins to swallow her, enclosing on all sides. Ero extends her hand to you. “Ghost,” she calls out. Her fingers curl inwards, a gambler clutching their stake. “To me.”

Your hand finds hers before you can stop yourself.

Polaris’ patrons shove you deeper into the throng of hedonism. Writhing bodies surround you on all sides, ushering you and Ero closer, closer, closer along to the beat of a song. You can’t make it out – not over the beat of your heart. 

But Ero can. She leans into you, giggles sending shockwaves against your skin, and it’s then you realize: the woman on the soundtrack is Del’Gris, but the one in your arms is Ero.

In my arms. The thought locks into place before you can register that your arms are, in fact, around her. Mechanically? Yes. Uncomfortably? Undoubtedly. Neither of you seem to mind, if the way she slides her hands around your neck and nuzzles into its crook is any evidence. 

Then again, you always were the problem. After all, what right have you to hold her after haunting her for so long?

“You’re overthinking it,” Ero says. You’re not the only one who knows the other too well. “Maybe I ought to take the lead.”

You both laugh at that, at yourselves, at everything that your twisted lives have led to because if you don’t laugh, you might both break. Then again, at least you’d crumble into one another.

Ero only leans back and leads on. Your hands keep her feet aloft, her back aligned. This imperfect rhythm, this imbalancing act, leaves you both in synchronized breathlessness.

Neon lights illuminate your mingling skin in a patchwork of discordant colors. They rise to wreath Ero in a heathen’s halo: green envy, violet ire, scarlet lust. The crowd around exalts her alias - “Del’Gris! Del’Gris! Del’Gris” - but Ero has only ever worshipped you.

Always the star, you muse, and I am but the planet trapped in orbit.

“They’re calling for their queen,” you tease.

“They’re calling for Del’Gris,” she clarifies, “but I believe someone requested Ero.”

“You must have heard a ghost.”

Whatever impish inclinations Ero might otherwise maintain were exorcised in an instant. Seriousness seats itself in place of playfulness, mouth thin and eyes taut. Her hand rises to graze his cheek. “Ghost you may be to everyone else, but you’re always Yoselle to me.”

You have been brutalized by mobsters, held for ransom by hitmen, and crushed by an atmospheric crucible more times than you can count, but nothing has ever taken hold of your heart half as hard as that. “I never mind playing the specter if it means shadowing you.” And it’s true. You would spend the rest of your days in obscurity if it meant skirting around her radiance.

But Ero has never been one to settle for second best.

“Oh, is that so?” That ruinous mischief reclaims her lilting smile as she presses herself inward, upward. “In that case,” she whispers and her breath is a phantom promise against your lips. “Ghost, to me.”

Your mouth finds hers before you can stop yourself.

[angstmongertina]

The Vision of Lachesis

Spoilers for Artem’s Entwined Fates SSR card story! Also, warning for angst and implied/mentioned character death, because I can only write so much fluff before things get angsty.

I had this idea almost as soon as I played the Entwined Fates card story because I am a sucker for outside POV fics, though the idea for the last scene came later lol. Incidentally, if you want to skip the angst, just stop before the little warning I put in there. Everything before it should be perfectly fluffy.

Cross-posted to AO3.

In his years living at Cloudbreak Temple, Master Lu has already seen many visitors pass through its gate, all with various different hopes and dreams and stories filling their souls. He has seen everyone, from new babies to old grandmothers, from shy young couples to blissful newlyweds and bickering old spouses. And still, the pair he spies entering the temple catch his attention.

He is, as is always the case during the busy festival days, pulled in all directions at once, guiding petitioners through the rituals of prayer and interpreting fortune, but even so, he cannot help but keep an eye on them. A man in front, tall and middle-aged, wearing a solemn expression that does not quite suit the laugh lines on his face, and a boy, not yet fully grown and quiet, shying away slightly from the noise and bustle around him but watching the proceedings with a bright, piercing gaze. The man says something, a gentle hand clapping the boy’s shoulder in a warm, fatherly gesture that brings a faint smile to the small face, before they dive into the crowd, and he turns his attention back to the couple before him.

Thankfully, they do not comment on his preoccupation and he puts the others out of mind as he helps them determine their fortunes.

The next time he sees the pair, they are with old Master Wang, which comes as no great surprise to him. Although Cloudbreak Temple may be most well-known for petitions to the star of wisdom, they accommodate many types of prayers, and while the boy may be of the age where success in learning and exams is important, one glance at the youthful face is enough to tell him that the boy has both intelligence and diligence to spare, and furthermore, a concrete attitude that would likely dismiss the thought of appealing to prayers for school out of hand. No, there is no need for prayers for success. But for safety, on the other hand…

He moves a little closer, still not yet so close as to be truly spying, but near enough to get a better look at the pair. The man is dressed casually, long brown hair pulled out of his face, and stands almost at a slouch, but the eyes that observe the world around him through thin-rimmed glasses are far from relaxed. Instead, their grey depths are cautious, sharp, clearly accustomed to seeking out the truth behind every person, every choice and interaction. It is only when they fall on the young man beside him do they soften with affection and concern. A man of action, of justice and strong morals, though perhaps of some impetuousness and with a fragility under it all.

A man, in short, who likely puts himself into the path of danger for the good of the people around him, but who also might shatter should he be pushed to the brink, should the lives of those he cares about be on the line.

And the boy…

Master Lu frowns, brushing a thoughtful hand over his chin and the faint beginnings of a thick beard as the man ruffles the boy’s hair and he looks up at his companion with a small but adoring smile.

The boy still has a whole entire life in store for him, of that he is certain. And one that will no doubt intersect with the temple again.

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When the couple steps through the gates of the temple, the man sheltering the girl beside him from the crowds, he notices them immediately. Though many years have passed, he has learned to trust his instincts, even beyond what his mind may tell him, and his gut recognizes the man long before his eyes do. The boy has grown, of course, in the ensuing two decades, but the bright intelligence, the thoughtfulness and care, all harken back to the shy child of so long ago.

But rather than his old friend and mentor, this time, the man brings with him a companion of his own. At first glance, she is just as bright-eyed and curious as he once was, though perhaps with more anxiety than he had, focusing immensely on the tasks before her. And the way he watches her…

Before he knows it, he is approaching the pair, standing at a table for the star of wisdom, and offers his assistance. He sees her attention flit away as her partner leaves for his own prayer, following him through the crowd with her eyes and her mind; though she appears to be unaware of it herself, her partner knows, and he knows, that even apart, their hearts, their very lives themselves, are irrevocably entwined, two souls pulled together by an inescapable gravity that he had not seen in decades, if ever.

He cannot help his curiosity about them, about this pair that seems to confirm the very existence of fate itself. These two lawyers, partners, these two halves of a single whole, that the universe has brought together, in an act of perfect balance.

Their marriage fortunes, an offer he makes that is part personal interest, part guiding hand, come as a surprise, though perhaps it should not have been wholly unexpected. He has never been wrong before, not about the couples who have captured his attention, but this…

This is less of a gentle nudge from fate and more of a flashing neon sign.

She reacts to her fortune tag first and he cannot help but smile at the curiosity, at the innocence, in her eyes. “I cannot keep my heart, as it longs to be with you…” A straightforward fortune, as befitting the girl who watches her partner with subconscious adoration, who still does not see his unconditional tenderness, who still does not understand her own constant preoccupation, for what they are. In time, she will realize.

But her partner…

He knows from the moment he sees the man’s face that the meaning of his own fortune is not lost on him. “It is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all.” And it is fitting for him, for the way he turns away from this, his hesitant heart, cautiously hopeful for a sign that the undying flame he carries will not be snuffed out, bruised from this heavy blow from fate, determined to carry its burden alone, to push his feelings aside and pretend that all is well, as he has always done.

It is a cautionary tale, this particular fortune, and he can say nothing, can only look on in weighty silence, as its recipient takes his companion and continues down his ill-fated and forewarned path.

Or, at least, attempts to, but for the efforts of the girl by his side. He does not listen to the conversation not meant for his ears but he does not need to, not when her thoughts are written clear across her face, not when she tugs her partner back to hear his explanation.

Not when she, despite being still oblivious to the depth of their connection, to the direction of her heart, immediately moves to petition, to help, to find some way of reversing the luck, propelled by outward concern and hidden affection.

He gives them directions both to the wishing tree and for the method to improve one’s luck and watches as she leaps at each opportunity, apparently unaware of the implications, in her quest to lessen her companion’s misfortune. But the man, now wearing a near constant smile of stunned helplessness, knows, even if he cannot, or perhaps more likely, will not, let himself, discern the cause of her concern.

Not even when it involves her suggesting that they bind their fortunes together on the wishing tree.

He chuckles, running his fingers over his beard as he watches them, their gentle discussion and animated features, both conveying so much to the world that they are too close, too farsighted, to see. But in this moment, it is not his place to say anything, to interfere any further, and so he doesn’t. Fate has already shown her own interest in their future, one that they have accepted and furthered, without, apparently, even realizing it.

Ah, to be young and in love.

Waving off their thanks, he watches as they leave before shaking his head and letting out the full-bellied laugh that he has been holding back since he first met them. In all of his years working at the temple, he has never been wrong before, and he is certain that he will not be wrong this time.

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The first day of the festival dawns early and bright, with that telltale warmth that foretells another hot August day. Even before the temple is open for visitors, anticipation hums through the air, the faint buzz as everyone prepares for the inevitable rush of petitioners.

Standing before the steps to the main temple, Master Lu looks out over the entire grounds with a smile. While the outside world has changed drastically in the past decades, within the temple, it is like being transported back in time; the same old tables from years past have already been set up, and the decorations, while not entirely the exact same as those used in centuries past, have all been remade in the original style.

In the fast-paced and ever-changing world, it is almost a sanctuary from time itself, where the tags of decades of visitors remain for an eternity and the history and traditions of the ancestors are preserved for future generations.

Well, at least in some ways more than others, if the influx of technology, and not just from forgetful visitors, is any indication.

He shakes his head, chuckling at his own preoccupation as he dodges young Master Zhao, juggling his attention between the pile of fortunes carried in his arms and the phone jammed under his ear. Clearly, he has begun to get overly sentimental in his old age.

Alas, yet another reminder of the inevitability of the passage of time.

The entry of visitors, a veritable tsunami of petitioners all looking to arrive early, interrupts his thoughts and he turns his attention to them, casting an experienced eye over the crowd. As usual, the vast majority make a beeline straight for the table for the star of wisdom, drawn as ever to the promise of good scores and success. Young couples make their way to the table for marriage fortunes, fresh-eyed and smitten with each other. And others still filter towards the other tables, for peace and wealth and…

And safety.

He spots the small family almost as soon as they pass through the gates, though they are admittedly hard to miss. The man and woman walk arm in arm, slow and cautious against the crush of the people around them, his form shifting to act as a barrier to shield her against the worst of the crowd. The height of the man alone would have been enough to catch his attention, but it is accentuated by the tiny pigtailed girl riding on his shoulders, adding another head to their overall height. From her perch, she looks around with bright, curious eyes, a small hand pointing towards the main temple, and him.

Even across the distance, he can see the surprise and recognition flicker in the bright blue eyes that meet his, and he would not have been able to hide his grin even if he had tried. As it is, though, he does not try, instead stepping forward to meet them with a greeting.

“I don’t know if you remember us, but…”

He shakes his head, waving off the woman’s comment with a laugh. “I do.”

And of course he does. How could he not? They have matured, naturally, settling into one combined force rather than two beings still tumbling in each other’s orbits; her hair is longer now, pulled into a neat bun, and his more disheveled than he’s ever seen under the ministrations of toddler hands; but the same spirit, the same keen eyes and entwined fates, shine out from the pair, unique amongst the crowd of other visitors.

He grins. “Of course I do. After all, it’s not every day I draw two fortunes quite so complementary, and even more rare to have them be hung up together on the wishing tree like that.”

At that, she laughs as well, her cheeks reddening slightly, and pauses to shake her bangs out of her face. “Yes, well, you were right, and it all worked out in the end.” She turns to her husband with a playful look, elbowing him gently in the ribs. “Even if it did take the better part of another year.”

“That is on you just as much as it is on me. After all, it took you just as long to realize,” the man retorts, though, to his amusement, his ears flush a faint red, which only deepens when their daughter points them out in a chipper voice, one loud enough that several visitors nearby turn to glance at them.

From the mouth of babes…

“What brings you back? Not just to check on your old tags, no?”

Shooting him a grateful look for the subject change, the man shakes his head, a faint smile curling the edges of his mouth. “No, though it is an added bonus. We’ve come for a new prayer for safety.”

His wife nudges him again, though gentler this time, and with less vigor. “Two, remember?”

He laughs openly, an expression that makes him look years younger, as he drops a hand to the gentle swell of her abdomen. “It may be a little early for that, still. I think he at least needs to have an official name first.”

She wrinkles her nose at him before laughing in turn. “Fine, fine. We will just have to come back again in a year or two.”

“Of course. Anything for you.”

“Daddy!”

A comically dramatic wince flashes across the man’s face when his daughter leans over, her voice projecting with unerring precision directly into his ear, and his wife is left hiding her amusement with some difficulty.

“Too loud, baobei.”

The bright blue eyes widen in distress. “Sorry, Daddy!”

He chuckles, reaching up to clasp her small fist in his hand. “It’s okay, baobei. What is it?”

Squirming from her perch on his shoulders, she points towards the back of the temple, where a few decorated branches of the wishing tree can be seen hanging over the roof. “Big tree! ‘S pretty! Go see?”

He shakes his head. “Later, maybe. First we have to—”

“No! Go see!” She leans over until she is hanging directly in front of his eyes. “Daddy, please?”

The man glances at his wife, who shrugs, mouthing the word “softie” while still wearing that same huge grin, and he finds that he has to struggle to choke back his laugh before anyone notices.

Given the soft snort that reaches his ears, he only partly succeeds.

“All right, then. Let’s go. We can come back for a prayer of safety”—the man glances back down at his wife, a faint but wondering smile dancing on his lips—“or even two, later.” With a solemn expression, the man offers him a deep, respectful nod, one that he is not quick enough to wave away. “Thank you, Master.”

“Bye-bye!”

Laughing, he waves at the trio, watching as they slowly weave their way through the crowd towards the back of the temple. Even across that distance, he can feel the affection and respect they hold for each other, can see the connection they share, which have managed to catch his attention time and time again.

When they finally move out of sight, he turns back to the temple and the flood of other guests, making a mental note to keep an eye out for the little family in future years. Maybe he can take a small break from drawing marriage fortunes in favor of overseeing prayers for safety for a few years…

STOP NOW IF YOU DON’T WANT ANGST.

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The sky is still dark with storm clouds when they first dare venture back outside to examine the state of the temple. In some ways, it is almost a miracle; despite the weeks of heavy storms, accompanied by shrieking gales and large hail, Cloudbreak Temple and its inhabitants have been mostly unharmed, save for superficial damages, just in time for the summer festival. Still, the mood is quiet, solemn, as everyone sets to work, clearing away the fallen branches, discarding the broken shingles, and making room for the stations as best they can in the limited time they have.

Wandering over the grounds, Master Lu shakes his head. Summer storms are not uncommon in the mountains, but even in the many decades that he has spent at Cloudbreak Temple, he has never seen a storm like that one, lightning seeming to rent the sky in two and thunder shaking the foundations of the temple itself, where there was naught to do but to stay indoors and safe. They were truly fortunate that nobody was injured and that most of the damages can be repaired.

Unfortunately, not all of the temple has remained quite so intact.

Stopping at the edge of the courtyard, he sighs, casting his gaze over the mess. It does not come as a complete surprise, given the lashing of the rain or the howling of the wind, but that does not change the sorrow he feels at the destruction that greets his eyes. Where there was once a majestic, venerable camphor tree is now a tired, wizened old thing, bowing under its own weight in the weak hints of daylight. Fortune tags lay strewn amongst the branches that had once held them aloft, once vivid symbols of the future now simply dark red and brown patches against muddy green, that he has to pick his way around as he wanders further in, taking in all of the damage.

But there is no time to clean up the mess, not in his old age and with everything else that will be happening for the day, and the visitors will understand, have to understand. He shakes his head, feeling all of his many years pressing down on his shoulders, almost as though he is fighting the weight of all the fallen wishes themselves.

“Master Lu?”

He looks up at the familiar voice and smiles. Master Chen, arms full of red cords, stands in the entryway of the courtyard, his bright eyes filled with concern, and he suddenly finds himself wondering when they all got so young.

“What is it? Do you need my help with anything?”

The boy shakes his head. “No, we are almost finished. There are enough of us to finish and handle the visitors, since there likely will not be many so soon after the storm. If you want, I could help clean this area…”

He shakes his head again, this time with a more genuine smile. “No, you go on. They’ll be needing you in the main temple, I’m sure. I can work here.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

Chen nods, putting the new cords on the nearby table before giving him a small, formal bow. “Thank you. Then I leave this to you.”

He waves the kid away, chuckling slightly as he watches him turn and walk back to the main temple before turning his attention back to the courtyard and the scattered fortunes, the remembrances of years, or decades even, of hopes and dreams.

With another heavy sigh, he squats down, tossing some fallen branches aside before picking up the wooden fortune at his feet. It is old, the carved text worn down by the elements, and he runs his fingers over the inscription, a brief statement on the virtues of hard work. A student had hung it there, once upon a time, and he closes his eyes for a moment, hoping that they achieved their goals, before tucking it into his robes and continuing forward.

In some ways, it is almost a walk down memory lane. Prayers to the star of wisdom from students that have long since graduated, who may even be teachers and professors now. Prayers for safety for people who have moved beyond that point, who may have even already passed. Marriage fortunes, ones that he helped distribute and interpret, for young couples that are now parents or even grandparents of their own…

He stumbles to a stop, staring down at the ground by his feet. Lying in the grass, so hidden by mud that he almost missed them, are two wooden cards. Their surfaces are almost entirely obscured by the dirt, but he still recognizes them instantly, the pair of fortunes so opposite to each other, so perfectly complementary. Held to the branch and each other by a red cord that has split and frayed under the years, no doubt hastened by the tempest.

Heaving another sigh, he leans over and…

“Master?”

Caught off-guard he snaps upright, turning around with a polite refusal on the tip of his tongue, but his instincts, ever reliable, stay his reply as the appearance of the visitor sinks in.

Dressed in dark, muted colors, he is easy to overlook, blending into his surroundings, into any crowd, with little effort. His face is drawn, haggard, lines of exhaustion etched into his skin, making him look years older, while his dark hair is disheveled, streaked with gray. Altogether, the man in the entryway, tired and worn, is almost unrecognizable from the young, joyous father of his memory. In just the few years since he last visited, he has aged a decade, his strong, confident form now frail, once bright azure eyes now dimmed, haunted.

And the man approaches, moving forward with slow, hesitant steps, eyes fixed on the tags he holds in his hand.

“That… Is that…?”

The voice nearly breaks around those few words, hoarse and almost inaudible, but he doesn’t need to hear the rest of the question, doesn’t need an explanation to know what the man wants, to know what must have happened.

Closing his eyes, he bows his head. “Yes. It is. They must have fallen during the storm.”

He hears a labored, shuddering breath, one that makes his own chest tighten in sympathy. “I… May I?”

“Of course.” He steps forward, gently placing the tags into his outstretched hands, watching as trembling fingers brush over the faded markings, the broken cord, as the pale face twists with fresh pain. “I…” He clears his throat. “I’m sorry.”

“Me too.”

“Daddy?”

They both turn at the same time, where a small girl stands in the entryway of the courtyard, holding the hand of an older woman as she cradles a bundle in her other arm. Pulling free of the restraining grasp, she runs forward to join them, grabbing her father’s free hand. “Daddy?”

Something resembling a smile tugs at the corners of the man’s lips as he squats to his daughter’s eye level. “What is it, baobei?”

“Are you sad?”

The sound that leaves the man’s throat is more of a rasp than a chuckle, but neither of them seem to notice. “Yes.” He wraps an arm around the girl, lifting her into the air as he stands back up. “Yes, I am.”

To his surprise, the girl only nods solemnly before looking at the tags in his hand. “What is that?”

The man sighs, holding it up so she can examine it more closely, running her small fingers over the wood as he wipes away the mud. “Mama and I came here years ago and hung it up when we were here. Before you were even born.”

“Oh. It’s pretty.” A slight frown on her face, she studies the fortunes and the cord linking them before raising her gaze. “Do you miss Mama?”

He has to shift his gaze away as the smile on the man’s face crumbles, turning his attention back to the mess of branches and fortune tags, but even so, he cannot escape hearing the slight hitch in the quiet voice. “Every day.”

She sniffles, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face against his shoulder. “Me too.”

“Anthea!” The older woman reaches them, her face a mix of concern and frustration, and he can’t help but turn his attention back to the family. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think she would be so quick.”

The man shakes his head as she reaches for the girl, instead shifting her position in his arms. “It’s fine, Ma. Besides, you have enough on your hands. And you’ve done more than enough for us now.”

“Still…”

“Ma.” The man closes his eyes, gently shaking his head, before meeting her gaze with a determination that even he can feel, that makes him tear his gaze away once more, feeling vaguely like he is eavesdropping. “It’s okay. I’m okay. I…” A sigh that hangs in the air between them. “I need to do this. For her. But thank you for… for everything. And…”

A hand suddenly appears in his vision and he looks up to find the man before him, standing up straighter with a mix of sorrow and resolve dancing on his features. “I don’t know if you remember me, but…”

He shakes his head. “I do. Still.”

“Of course.” A small but genuine smile cracks his mouth as the man draws a deep breath. “I… I remember you said once that fortunes should be returned to the temple once they’ve come true and…” He swallows once, hard. “Can you put these back for me?”

“Yes, certainly.” He reaches for them, hand closing back around the fortunes that the man holds out.

Two little wooden tags have never felt so heavy in his palm before.

For a moment, the man stares at them, as though in his hands, in these fragile pieces of wood, he carries all the weight of the world, before tearing his gaze away to meet his. “Thank you.”

Oddly enough, when he opens his mouth, he finds a sudden lump in his throat and instead of trying to speak, he only inclines his head, but it is enough. The man smiles again, a soft, ephemeral expression, before turning and walking away, still carrying his daughter while his mother paces alongside him with his son in her arms.

As he watches them leave, he brushes his thumb over the worn fortunes he cradles, gently tracing the text that he still remembers like it had been drawn yesterday.

It is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all.

Leaving the courtyard, he silently enters the main temple, ignoring the questioning looks from his fellow masters and visitors alike as he sets the tag, still tied to its partner with muddy red cord, down amongst the various other fortunes of years past, and sits back on his heels, reading it over one last time.

And so it is.

[satoshi-mochida]

Publisher Square Enix and developer Team Ninja have released new information and screenshots for Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin introducing new characters Neon and Princess Sarah, battle actions, difficulty settings, multiplayer, and locations.

■ What is Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin?

With the memory of their struggle buried deep in their hearts…

In this hardcore action RPG, Jack must hazard numerous gauntlets to bring the light of the crystals back to a kingdom conquered by darkness.

Fight your way through excruciating battles with a variety of means to pulverize your enemies. With multiple difficulty options and a wide selection of jobs and weapons available to customize your party, you can choose exactly how you want to play.

Will restoring the crystals’ light usher in peace or a new form of darkness?

…or perhaps something else entirely?

■ Characters

Jack (voiced by Mocean Melvin in English, Kenjiro Tsuda in Japanese)

“All I care about is seeing Chaos dead. I need to. It’s not a hope or a dream. It’s like a hunger. A thirst.”

Feels a strong sense of duty to defeat Chaos. With no hesitation to kill monsters that stand in his way, he pulverizes them with no mercy.

Ash (voiced by Mark Neely in English, Atsushi Miyauchi in Japanese)

“Better than good. Only Jack can fight like that.”

The rock of the team, supporting the members with his calm and collected nature. He recognizes Jack’s high combat abilities and puts his trust in him.

Jed (voiced by Alejandro Saab in English, Yusuke Suda in Japanese)

“It’s a mercy to forget. Those were your words, Jack.”

Has a kind and happy-go-lucky personality but is just as capable as Ash. Looks up to Jack and admires his powers.

Neon (voiced by Alejandra Reynoso in English, Kana Okazaki in Japanese)

“And I count four of us.”

Though the youngest, she has the same level of ability as her comrades to fight through severe battles. Insisting that Chaos doesn’t exist, there are times when she and Jack clash.

Princess Sarah (voiced by Cherami Leigh in English, Yume Miyamoto in Japanese)

“May the crystal’s blessing be with you always.”

The crown princess of Cornelia. An amicable figure who is popular among the citizens of Cornelia, she also interacts with them incognito, such as when playing her lute.

■ Event Scenes

A girl named Neon joins Jack’s party. Are these four the warriors of light who will save Cornelia as the prophecy foretold..?

Neon’s crystal resonates with the ones Jack and the team hold. However, the crystals they possess are of a black color.

Princess Sarah asks for Jack’s last name, to which he introduces himself as Jack Garland.

Almost like a thirst, they only think about defeating Chaos as they continue to slay one monster after another.

■ Battle Scenes

Experience the Final Fantasy Series’ Most Challenging and Strategic Battles

A story painted by layers of challenging action gameplay. Use various abilities to crush your enemies!

Each boss has its own unique movements. Identifying the enemy’s swift moves and effectively utilizing soul shield and various abilities will carry you through deadly battles.

Various weapons such as greatswords, daggers, and spears determine a character’s job when equipped. Acquire new abilities and jobs through a character enhancement system called the Job Tree.

Choose among a variety of jobs to select two which you can switch between during battle. Using magic spells is also another effective strategy.

Prepare for battle by acquiring and equipping more powerful gear. Collect various weapons from treasure chests or by defeating enemies.

■ General Control

Normal Attacks

Lock on to an enemy and deliver a normal attack. A Break gauge is displayed above the enemy, which will decrease as damage is inflicted.

Action Abilities

Lock on to an enemy and deliver a normal attack. A Break gauge is displayed above the enemy, which will decrease as damage is inflicted.

Soul Burst

Once the enemy’s Break gauge reaches zero, the enemy enters a “Break” state. Approach the enemy in the Break state and activate a soul burst to deliver a finishing blow. By defeating enemies using soul bursts, your maximum MP increases, and MP is restored.

Guard

Guard against your enemies’ attacks with your weapon.

Dodge

Use the dodge command while guarding to evade attacks.

Soul Shield

Consume Break to set up a soul shield. When you take an attack while your soul shield is up, your maximum MP increases, and MP is restored. Activating a normal attack right when taking an enemy attack delivers a deep-dive counter.

Lightbringer

When your max MP is two bars or more, consume two bars’ worth of MP and max MP to activate Lightbringer. Activating Lightbringer makes it easier to finish off enemies with a soul burst and also serves as an effective method to fight back when surrounded by enemies.

■ Game Systems

Difficulty Options

Players can choose a difficulty mode that matches their playstyle.

Hard – A difficulty for players who are skilled at action games, providing thrilling battles.

Action – A difficulty for players who are accustomed to action games, providing moderately challenging battles.

Story – A difficulty for players who don’t usually play action games, allowing them to enjoy battles and the story. Make it even easier to play by turning on Casual mode.

Multiplayer Mode

Play in a group with a maximum of three players through online multiplayer mode! Play through the main story and side missions with your friends. In this mode, equipment and other items will drop for each player to loot individually.

■ Locations

In this game, players will explore various locales that exist in the world surrounding Cornelia. However, all of these locations seem foreign, with strange scenery and cultural atmospheres that don’t seem to fit into this world.

Chaos Shrine‘

It is said that a shrine did not originally exist at this location. Perhaps, at a certain point in time, in a distant future in which no one could intervene, an incident happened which triggered the creation of this shrine…

Refrin Wetlands

It is said that in this land exists a material which can cause distortion in the world. By artificially controlling the weather and adding distortion that originally didn’t exist through natural causes, it is said that darkness is created.

■ Product Overview

Standard Physical Edition

Includes:

Stanger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin game (disc version)

Standard Digital Edition

Includes:

Stanger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin game (digital download)

Digital version in-game bonuses

Digital Deluxe Edition

Includes:

-Stanger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin game (digital download)

-Season Pass: Additional Missions

“Trials of the Dragon King”

“Wanderer of the Rift”

“Different Future”

-Digital art book

-Digital mini soundtrack

-Digital version in-game bonuses

Bonuses for All Digital Versions

-Pre-Order Bonuses

Early Access (72 hours) – Game accessible from midnight on March 15, 2022 local time.

“Braveheart” weapon and “Lustrous Shield”

Original PlayStation 4 theme (for customers who pre-order on PlayStation Store)

-Early Purchase Bonus

“Rebellion” Weapon – Available to users who purchase the game before 11:59 pm on April 18, 2022 local time.

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is due out for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Epic Games Store on March 18, 2022.

View the screenshots at the gallery.

[mechagrrl]

Kaworu 13th Angel Theory

[SPOILERS FOR EVANGELION 3.33]

I spent a good amount of time trying to understand the reason and meaning behind Kaworu being cast down from being the 1st Angel to the 13th Angel, for the purpose of project of mine. However, from what I understand the meaning behind this and the events surrounding it seem to be something the fandom does not have a lot of understanding of? There wasn’t a lot of information online so I went back to watch Evangelion 3.33 and re-watching that scene, I feel like it all kind of clicked for me and so I would like to share my theory regarding Kaworu, the Thirteenth Angel, and Fourth Impact.

For context, after Evangelion Unit-13 picks up the the Lances of Longinus, the Twelfth Angel is reduced to a core, which Unit 13 promptly eats, triggering the Unit’s awakening and beginning Fourth Impact. After this has happened, Kaworu explains that he, the First Angel, was cast down to the role of the Thirteenth Angel (which we are told at least twice by other characters shouldn’t exist), and that because of this he is the trigger for Fourth Impact. The DSS Choker does not recognize him as an angel until after Unit-13 has awakened and Fourth Impact has begun.

From what I understand, Unit-13 is referred to as one of the surviving Adams (or, in the dub, a ‘straggler Adam’), so it would be reasonable to infer that Unit-13 was built at-least partially from the physical body of one of the Adams; possibly similarly to how Mark.06 was created from an Adam/Lilith-like figure on the Moon by SEELE. (Should be noted that both Mark.06 and Unit-13 are the only Evangelions to have different Entry Plug sound-effects.)

Throughout the battle Kaworu is fixated on the fact that there are two Lances of Longinus instead of one Lance of Longinus and one Spear of Cassius. He pieces together that this new development was deliberately planned by Gendo, and it is through this realization that he understands his fate. So, what is so important about the type of spears being wielded that it seals Kaworu’s fate? From what I understand, there are multiple Lances of Longinus (we see them in the flashback to Second Impact in 2.22) but only one Spear of Cassius. Based on what we know about Neon Genesis Evangelion, where both Adam and Lilith have a Lance of Longinus (albeit only one is seen) we could infer that these weapons belong to the Four Adams and Lilith. Therefore, I would say it would be reasonable to conclude that the multiple Lances of Longinus belong to the Four Adams and the Spear of Cassius belongs to Lilith.

With this understood, this makes it clear that Kaworu’s issue with the spears is that by wielding them, Unit-13 would be performing an Adam-Adam-based Fourth Impact with Kaworu as the trigger (will elaborate on that in a moment), instead of an Adam-Lilith-based Fourth Impact, which I hypothesize would have turned out more like the Impact we see in the End of Evangelion; an Adam-Lilith-based Impact with the capability to restore the world (something Kaworu told Shinji they could do together if they wielded the Lance of Longinus and Spear of Cassius).

At this point, the Adam-based Unit-13 is wielding two Adam-based weapons when the Twelfth Angel turns itself into a bite-sized core that Unit-13 promptly consumes. It is only after this that Unit-13 begins to truly awaken and that the DSS Choker recognizes Kaworu as the Thirteenth Angel. Based on information from Neon Genesis Evangelion, we know that Kaworu has Adam’s soul, and in the original series he was in a sense, literally Adam. Knowing this, it makes sense that he could be considered the First Angel; he carries Adam’s soul and there is no sign that there are other Adams that are not dormant or not within an Evangelion. Therefore, it is my theory that by wielding two Adam-based weapons and obtaining the Fruit of Life from the Twelfth Angel, Unit-13 has reclaimed its role as a fully-awakened Adam, and takes on the role of the First Angel, progenitor of all Angels who came after.

I also believe that through the reclamation of that role, Unit-13 takes the Soul of Adam still residing within Kaworu and demotes him to the role of a regular angel-- thus forcing Kaworu into the role of the Thirteenth Angel (a physical change occurs, as the DSS Choker does not recognize him as an Angel until this development); one not supposed to exist, as this was an event deliberately planned out by Gendo (confirmed by Gendo saying after the fact that Kaworu dying was not SEELE’s plan) against the plans of SEELE (who we know to be following the Dead Sea Scrolls).

Ah! But we aren’t finished yet! We know that part of Gendo’s plan was to kill Kaworu, and that demoting Kaworu to the Thirteenth Angel was part of that plan. With all of the previous information laid out, I feel like this gives an easy explanation for why Kaworu is the trigger for Fourth Impact. By making Kaworu the Thirteenth Angel and positioning him within Unit-13, who is now the new Adam, I believe this would meet the necessary conditions for an Impact to occur-- because as we all know when an Angel ‘makes contact’ with an Adam, that is enough to trigger an Impact. This would explain why Kaworu is able to be used as the trigger for Fourth Impact, as in that moment he is an Angel literally physically within what we understand to be the new Adam.

So, all in all, we end up with the theory that Adam-based Unit-13 wielding Adam-based Lances of Longinus becomes a new Adam and initiates Fourth Impact using Kaworu as an Angel making contact with Adam. To a lesser extent, this may be why such an impact seems to change the nature of the world itself (anyone notice the canyon made of teeth and the giant eye?), much like the Angel-Adam-based Impacts are described to be like. What do you guys think of this theory? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

[maxwell-grant]

In your Lupin/World post you said: " I’ve nursed a pet theory of mine for a while now that, perhaps, one way the pulp heroes could once again thrive and find new audiences could be by making the same jump to anime that Lupin did ". So, do you still want to share it ?

Well I guess there's no reason to put it off any longer. So, let's get into.

First thing we gotta establish is that, despite being much more distant from that medium than they are from comic books and film, the idea of pulp heroes crossing over to anime is not as impossible as it may seem. And I don't mean it just because of aesthetic or thematic similarities shared between (there's an argument to be made that John Carter was the first isekai), I mean in terms of literal pulp adaptations. For a start, we have Captain Future as easily the most direct example. He was a 1940s pulp hero who eventually got an anime adaptation in the 1970s that used the plot of the pulp stories word per word, making it arguably the most faithful adaptation of a 1930s-40s American pulp ever made.

There is a long, long, loooong history of cultural exchange between anime and western properties, you can trace it all the way back to Osamu Tezuka openly being inspired by Carl Barks's Duck comics and setting forth many traits that would become identifiable as hallmarks of manga itself. Japanese creators have mined a lot of material from Western properties and in the process did a lot of work in reviving interest for said properties.

It's not a stretch at all to argue that the main reason Arsene Lupin is a worldwide cultural icon today has much less to do with the original stories, and instead a lot more with the sheer devotion Japanese creators have to the character and the immense cultural legacy of Lupin the Third. The Cobra manga was one of the greatest selling series of all time, and he was the space cowboy long before space cowboy before a pop culture archetype. Nadia: Secret of Blue Water, a series openly based on 20.000 Leagues, directly led to the creation of Neon Genesis Evangelion, as EVA was originally planned as a sequel for it.

In fact, you could very well argue that, pound for pound, many, if not outright most, of today's most popular and critically acclaimed properties, across all mediums, are those that participate in this decades-long artistic back and forth. Metroid, Castlevania, Dark Souls, Avatar, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Fist of the North Star, Berserk, Metal Gear, Hollow Knight, Cowboy Bepop, Earthbound, Vampire Hunter D, Hellsing, Samurai Jack, The Boondocks, Powerpuff Girls, Kill Bill, Pacific Rim, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jet Set Radio, Into The Spiderverse, Batman Beyond, Teen Titans, One Punch Man, fucking My Hero Academia and UNDERTALE. Hell, look at Star Wars! It's not even just a stylistic or thematic choice or a rich well-spring of influences, it's a sound, downright obvious, decision to anyone who wants to try and ensure success towards their property.

And the very clear message that a lot of people seem to think nowadays is that everything needs to have an adaptation, everything's gotta try being a movie or tv show. A lot of people approach comic books as just a place to try out soon-to-be movie pitches, and it's hard to blame them. The Marvel characters became blockbuster juggernauts thanks to the MCU and achieved the impossible of turning characters like Rocket Raccoon into household names. Invincible used to be a popular comic that became a super popular cartoon and suddenly it's like, what, the most popular superhero property right now not from The Big Two or from MHA? Movies, cartoons and videogames are the big mediums these days to try out for, and they are properties that the pulp heroes have only just barely dipped their toes in.

Currently, the big reason why characters like The Shadow or The Phantom sustain popularity is because of the 90s films that ensured more people learned about them than they ever would if they had just stuck to the comics. Characters much bigger than them have achieved stardom and died before and after them. Pulps are one of the least acessible mediums nowadays, and comic books keep lagging behind the popularity of their respective characters. The message is now as it's always been: Adapt or perish. So, why not adapt?

Why not give The Shadow a stylized anime of his own where we get to see in full who inspired the fashion of the likes of Vampire Hunter D and Alucard? Why not let Shinichiro Watanabe take a crack at the Green Hornet? What medium could possibly depict The Spider more accurately than a gory batshit slaughterhouse in the style of Wicked City? Why not put the likes of Conan or Elric or Imaro in a videogame where you get to live out the sword-and-sorcery fantasy in full?

Why not divorce these characters from their superhero forerunners and the medium they rule, from the time trappings and outdated cultural aspects that many people insist are the key reason these characters can't or shouldn't be revived, and instead pluck them into an entirely new medium, where they are more free than ever to run rampant and shine again?

I definitely think it's the best way you're ever going to see them thrive again in modern times. These characters have had to adapt so much as is, why not give them a clean slate and a new medium and see what happens?

[dossi-io]

An introduction to DeVita

Do you want to learn all about the AOMG artist DeVita? This article will cover everything you need to know about the third female member to join the labels roster.

The content of this article is also available in video format, embedded at the bottom of this article.

Prelude

In early April of 2020, the Korean hip-hop label AOMG ambiguously announced that a new artist was signing onto the label. This label was grounded by the Korean-American triple-threat; Jay Park, who’s also one of its executives. This is a label with a very organic feel and artist-oriented nature, which stands out compared to many other music labels.

On April 3rd, the label’s official Instagram account posted a video. It was titled, “Who’s The Next AOMG?” where fellow AOMG members talked about this upcoming recruit. They sprinkled small hints and details by sharing their thoughts on the artist without mentioning who.

Around the world, fans immediately began speculating on who this could be. The major consensus was that it had to be the solo artist Lee Hi, due to reporting like this: “AOMG responds ‘nothing is confirmed’ to reports of Lee Hi signing on with the label”

A few other names got thrown in fan speculations like Hanbin (B.I), previous member of IKON, Jvcki Wai, and MOON (문) aka Moon Sujin. This despite a few of these already being signed to other labels.

On April 6th, three days later, the account was updated with a part two. This time dropping more hints, which would exclude many names from fan speculations.

On the 7th of April, the label’s official Instagram account posted a short teaser. The video sported an 80’s retrofuturistic setting, with a woman turned from the camera, dressed in all black, rocking braids, and some glistening high-heels. As it seemed to be a female, some were now certain that it had to be Lee Hi. A small few actually guessed correctly that the one who would be joining AOMG would be Ms DeVita.

Finally on April 9th, it was official! She debuted with the music video, from which the teaser clips was taken from, EVITA!, which accompanied the release of her EP, CRÈME.

What does the name DeVita mean?

The name DeVita, draws inspiration and meaning from two things. Firstly, Eva Perón – also known as Evita – who was Argentina’s former First Lady. When Chloe was learning about Eva’s life, it inspired her to combine “Devil” and “Evita”, thus creating “DeVita”. The name signifies the duality of how both Eva Perón and DeVita could be perceived. Either being a devil, or an angel depending on the eye of the beholder. Secondly, Salvatore Di Vita, a character from Cinema Paradiso, was also a source of inspiration.

An introduction to DeVita

Chloe Cho – now known under the artist name DeVita – was born and raised in South Korea, until the age of eleven. In 2009, she moved to Chicago, where she would learn English.

In 2013, she went back to Korea and participated in the third season of the show; K-pop Star. A talent show, where the “big three” (the three largest music labels in Korea) hosts auditions to find the next big k-pop star. However she didn’t win, therefore neither got signed.

Later on, she returned to Chicago and graduated high school. After reflecting on what she wanted to do next, she decided to make music. In 2014, her pursuit to become an artist brought her to the talent show Kollaboration. On this show, she performed covers and actually ended up being a finalist. Despite her talents, she did not triumph as the winner of the show.

Not letting these losses stop her, she started releasing music on Soundcloud. The earliest release I could find, Halfway Love (Ruff), was from 2016. Her catalogue consisted of both covers and original music.

One day, Kirin, an artist and CEO of the music label 8balltown Records, was introduced to DeVita’s music. He liked what he heard and the two linked up. In May of 2018, WEKEYZ, one of 8balltown’s producer duos released a track titled Sugar. This track featured both DeVita, and the AOMG rapper Ugly Duck. This was the beginning of many collaborations to come.

On August 28th of 2018, just a few months later, AOMG released Sugar (Puff Daehee Mix).

This was a remix done by Puff Daehee, the alter ego of Kirin. Along with this track, it was accompanied by a music video starring Kirin, DeVita, and Ugly Duck. For most people, this was their first time seeing DeVita.

DeVita continued doing features on many songs by Korean artists while creating a little buzz for herself. There’s one notable feature, which could be seen as an important milestone in her career. That is her feature on the track Noise, from AOMG artist Woo Won Jae’s project, titled af.

In a tweet a few days after the release of CRÈME, she shared the significance of this moment.

“I was still making minimum wage working at a restaurant back when Noise dropped- I wrote my part during my shift on the back of this receipt paper. This was about a year and a half ago. A little bit after that I got a call from Pumpkin at 3am Chicago time. He said Jay wanted to meet in Philly in 4 hours. They put me on a plane and the rest is history.”

The phone call she mentioned in her tweet, about Jay wanting to meet, must have been made around September 2018. Jay was performing in Philadelphia at the time. The moment they met in Philadelphia was actually captured through a photo of the two. However, this picture ended up getting removed later on.

Fast forward a few months and Jay had just released his Ask About Me EP. The project focused on a western audience, so he went to the States on a promo run. During his visit, he also met up with DeVita once again, as can be seen here.

Finally, on April 9th, her being signed to AOMG was officially announced and she debuted with her EP titled CRÈME. Her joining AOMG, looked like something that happened pretty naturally. The vast majority of artists she had collaborated on tracks with happened to be AOMG members. Getting comfortable with the AOMG family, likely made the decision to join crystal clear.

Artistically

Just a quick look at her body of work thus far, a majority of it is in English. However, she has no issues singing in Korean, as proven by her feature on Code Kunst’s; Let u in. The tone in her voice has this sort of mixture of many singers, a melting pot of sorts. It reminds me of Audrey Nuna, SAAY, H.E.R, some vocal riffs from Dinah Jane, and at times, just a tiny bit of Ariana Grande.

As an artist, she’s still in the early stages of carving out her own unique sound and style. There’s incredible potential here, but her distinct identity is not completely there yet. I see before me a caterpillar that within a couple years, will transform into a butterfly, with its own identifiable pattern to spread its wings out on.

From what she’s shown so far, I would say she seems most comfortable doing R&B and soul music. However, beyond a quick description I prefer to refrain from categorizing her. Mostly because artists generally feel limited when categorized. More importantly, because we have no idea what she has in store for the future.

Debut EP: CRÈME

CRÈME is DeVita’s “crème de la crème”. She constantly modified the tracklist to present her debut project in a way that held her personal standard; essentially presenting us her best tracks. The result is CRÈME, which consists of five tracks, with a runtime of fourteen minutes altogether.

This EP showcases the fact that she is a competent songwriter, able to write some soulful, emotional ballads. It is completely in English and all the tracks are written by her, telling both life stories of her own and that of others. A majority of the production was handled by her “musical soulmate”; TE RIM, but other notable names, like Code Kunst show up as well.

Tracks:

Movies, introduces the project in a very gentle manner. In the track, DeVita paints a picture of a criminal couple, getting a rush, by committing crimes together. The lyrics feel inspired by movies like Bonnie and Clyde. My initial thoughts were that, for some ears, it could possibly be “too” calm as an opener. It doesn’t demand attention the way EVITA! does. Simply put, it’s not a bad track. I would just have put this track later on in the EP.

EVITA!, is something different compared to what I hear from others in the K-R&B lane. I love the 80’s aesthetic in both the track and music video. Sonically, the nostalgic saxophone riffs, warm lush synth pads, thumping bass line, results in a trip back to the 80s. With this recipe, topped with DeVita’s “current” contemporary soul and R&B voice makes for an interesting combination. The music video had that futuristic 80’s look with the neon colors, and I loved how the guns she played around with looked a lot like the “Needlers” from the Halo franchise.  The title is once again just like DeVita’s name, an ode to the controversial Eva Perón. The instrumental was originally used by TE RIM, the producer of the track in 2017. His version has the same title as DeVita’s version and I recommend giving that one a listen as well, as it has a different feel to it. This track was definitely one of the highlights of the EP.

All About You, is a simple yet beautiful piano love ballad. Originating from her own tales of love, her vocals effortlessly capture what she felt during these moments.

1974 Live, is yet another ballad, but this time, with a calm guitar backing, playing a poppier R&B chord progression. DeVita’s voice is given a lot of space to be in the center of the track. As soon as I heard this track I became curious. What was the significance of this year, which would have her title the track as such? My questions were left unanswered… until the EP had marinated a while, when she tweeted: “1974 Live is about Christine Chubbuck”. In case you’re unfamiliar, Christine Chubbuck was a television news reporter, who made history in 1974. She was the first person to commit suicide live on air. According to her mother Christine’s suicide would on paper be due to an unfullfilling personal life. All throughout her life, she had experienced unreciprocated love. With this information tying back to the track, it becomes a lot less ambiguous and reveals a more cohesive narrative.

Show Me, is the final track of the EP, featuring immaculate production from the talented CODE KUNST. The sound is very moody, which fits her voice like a glove. This is my favorite performance on the entire EP, both lyrically and vocally. The lyrics present someone who’s fed up dealing with men, who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. Now she’s looking for love with someone who’s honest and “real”.

With the project being a year old now, it has already gotten her nominated for both Rookie of the Year along with EVITA being nominated for Best R&B & Soul Track in the 18th iteration of the Korean Music Awards.

A majority of listeners seemed to enjoy the project. Many seem to be in love with her voice judging by the endless amounts of praise she has received, often described as painfully addicting, soothing, smooth, and so on.

I also asked a friend who’s a huge fan of Korean music, especially the hiphop and r&b scene to share her thoughts on the project. Here’s what she said:

"This whole project is empowering, in particular the tracks Show Me and EVITA! DeVita being a new artist, managed to impress me and many more listeners through this EP. As mentioned earlier, empowering lyrics with unique melodies and beats. Especially with the track EVITA! The fact that 1974 Live and EVITA! was referring to, two historically important women, is something that I love. This is one of my favorite EP:s of 2020 and DeVita is now included in my list of favorite artists." @Haonsmom

From what I’ve seen, only a few have been vocal about not really being too fond of the project. Some were left a bit disappointed, as they were expecting more hip-hop and R&B from an AOMG artist. The lack of “danceable” tracks was also a concern to some. Despite these criticisms, one thing was always mentioned; the girl has a beautiful voice and is obviously talented.

After listening to this EP, I hear a lot of potential. Being an EP with just five tracks, it definitely avoids overstaying its welcome. It’s brief enough to allow a listen through the entire project, no matter what you’re doing. My favorite tracks would have to be Show Me and EVITA!, but I found the whole project to be enjoyable. This EP is sprinkled with lovely vocal performances and simple but captivating production. I do still stand by my opinion that Movies would have fit better later in the tracklist if you’re chasing that mainstream ear.

I think the way EVITA! kicks you in the face, demanding attention, would’ve been a better fit as the opening track. In contrast to the other tracks, the energy level is unique, making the placement feel odd as the rest of the tracks have a chill vibe. All in all, this project gave me a taste of the “crème” but left me with a curious yearning for what this chef will whip up for dessert.

Bright future ahead

The addition of more female artists to the AOMG roster was much needed. Hoody was the first and only female member for about four years. This was the case up until late 2019, where she was then joined by sogumm, who had just won AOMG’s audition program called SignHere. Now funnily enough after DeVita, Lee Hi actually did end up officially signing with AOMG on July 22, last year.

Based on what I’ve heard during Devita’s Kollaboration days, she has improved immensely. This topped with her leaving the impression of someone passionate about their craft, bodes well for what's to come. She seems to be someone who'll constantly evolve.

Following an artist, at the early stages of their career, is something that I always find exciting. With such a lovely debut, I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for DeVita.

To view the content of this article in video format simply play the video embedded below.

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Credits:

The first image in article: Original photo, pre-edit from @jinveun

Gif from the Sugar Puff Daehee MV: @moxiepoints

[jokerfan99]

My Top 10 Favorite Anime Heroines by DarkChild316

Being a hero isn’t easy, but someone’s gotta do it! And these ladies have shown to be just as capable as their male counterparts. Now I’ve already done a list showing everyone “My Top 10 Anime Villainesses”, but I figured: “Hey the good girls deserve some love too,” so I decided to give you guys my list of my Favorite Anime Heroines as well. So, with that in mind, here’s my list:

#10. Saeko Busujima (Highschool of the Dead): This is an anime that will give you plenty of two things in abundance…boobs and zombies! While it may seem like your run-of-the-mill apocalyptic fanservice anime, among the well-proportioned ladies is this kendo warrior who’s more than capable of holding her own against any foe and would fit right in with even the most old-school samurai-themed anime. When the dead start to walking most of the cast usually reach for a form of firearms, not this lady who prefers to slice apart the undead with the greatest of discipline and precision, whether it be with her signature bokken or her deadly Murata-tou sword. There’s no denying that Saeko’s the ideal companion we’d want on our side for a zombie apocalypse.

#9. Touka Kirishima (Tokyo Ghoul): Living as a ghoul isn’t easy, especially when you’re trying your damnest to retain what little remains of your humanity. Starting off as a cold, yet collected individual, Touka found shelter in both the horrors of her dark past and her constant hunger for flesh in her day job at a café as a waitress which serves other ghouls and as a hangout stop for ghouls. While she grew warmer as her relationship with one Ken Kaneki grew, she’s not without her bestial side, possessing an abject hatred for the CCG after they killed her parents. In a series where everyone seems to be on the edge of insanity and turning into a rampaging, bloodthirsty monster, Touka is one of the few characters genuinely fighting for a chance at a peaceful life.

#8. Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist): Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye is undoubtedly one of the best female anime characters of all time and for good reason, she is truly the perfect soldier. As both an Amestrian State Military’s officer as well as Colonel Roy Mustang’s bodyguard, Riza Hawkeye is a dangerous sharpshooter and firearms specialist. From the outside she can seem strict and even a little cold, but those close to her know that there’s much more to her than her strict no-nonsense attitude, including a courteous nature in the presence of her allies and a desire to protect those she holds dear. Beneath the strict persona is a kind soul who understands the difficulty of carrying a heavy burden and let’s not forget…she’s a true badass in every sense o the word!

#7. Erza Scarlett (Fairy Tail): She went from child slave to arguably one of the strongest mages in all of Fiore. All while battling against S-Class mages, terrifying demons, and even her own psychotic mother, now that’s dedication folks! Forced by her possessed childhood friend to build the Tower of Heaven, she manages to escape her captivity and make her way to Fairy Tail, where she would soon rise to become one of Fairy Tail’s youngest S-Class mages and one of the most truly badass fighters in Fairy Tail’s ranks. With her magical ability known as Re-Quip, she has an unlimited number of weapons and armors at her disposal, each possessing their own devastating abilities. She’s a stoic warrior with a soft heat and a dark past, and you can bet your ass that she’ll fight to defend her Nakama to the bitter end.

#6. Ryuko Matoi (Kill la Kill): Her choice of armor may be a bit on the revealing side but going against this rebel isn’t the smartest idea if you value your life. You’re not likely to find a more stubborn soul in this absolutely whacky series and trust me…NONE of these characters are on the subtle side of things. In search of her father’s killer, Ryuko takes up the sentient life-fiber uniform Senketsu, and openly battles the dictatorship that is the Student Council. Stubborn as hell, Ryuko will always stand up to anyone who gets in her way, no matter how badly the odds are stacked against her. How can you not love someone with that kind of drive!

#5. Saber (Fate/stay night): Before she became a hero in the endless Holy Grail Wars, Saber was actually Artoria Pendragon, known throughout history as King Arthur, the mythical King who united Britain. As the Saber-class servant, Artoria generally tries to hide her identity in battle by using an invisible sword. When pushed, she can brandish Excalibur instead though, a sword she wields with unmatched skill and can do long-range attacks as easily as close-range. With her holy sword, and her “Mana Burst” ability, she is one of the most powerful Servants. Saber is loved by fans worldwide for good reason: she is kind, valiant, and fierce, all traits that make for one divine heroine. None would mind putting the fate of the world in this blonde beauty's hands.

#4. Mikasa Ackerman (Attack on Titan): Attack on Titan's Mikasa is one of those reserved, stoic characters who doesn't speak very often and seems to be stuck in her own head. After all the trauma she’s experienced living under the looming terror of Titans and the carnage she witnessed while part of the Survey Corps, not to mention the brutal murder of her biological parents by criminals, it would be difficult to come out unscathed. Perhaps it’s endurance that is one of Mikasa’s most relatable traits. Despite her often-cynical comments about the world around her, she manages to retain her humanity. Mikasa herself said, “This world is cruel. And yet... so beautiful.” The stereotypical boy-saves-girl gender roles that play out in media are also very much reversed when it comes to her relationship with Eren, which is a refreshing and welcome change of pace to see, though her protectiveness of him seems a little unhealthy at times. On top of everything mentioned, she’s also totally ripped.

#3. Asuka Langley Soryu (Neon Genesis Evangelion): I just couldn’t leave out Neon Genesis Evangelion’s Asuka Langey Soryu from this list of awesome female protagonists. Asuka is a classic anime heroine and remains beloved by fans of the show to this day. Asuka is an American teenage girl who serves as an Eva pilot for the Evangelion Project and pilots the Evangelion Unit-02. Asuka was raised in Germany and often swears in German. She was a child prodigy with a college degree at only fourteen years old, but definitely has her human flaws. She has a temper and is obsessed with being the best at everything she does. Despite these flaws, Asuka is hilarious in her own way and has the kind of confidence and pride you rarely see in a young girl. She knows she can do her job well and isn't afraid to tell you about it. Asuka is relatable in that she is stubborn and often has a hard time properly expressing her feelings and vulnerability to others. Her eventual nervous breakdown shines a light on her humanity-- she is not a perfect person and she is still a child forced to do a job that no child should be forced to do.

#2. Motoko Kusanagi (Ghost in the Shell): Major Motoko Kusanagi is one of the primary protagonists of the popular Ghost in the Shell franchise of manga, films, and animated series. Motoko is a cyborg who works as a field commander for Public Security Section 9 on the Japanese National Public Safety Commission. Motoko is a very physically strong and incredibly intellectual who that is quick-witted and an excellent hacker. But put a firearm in her hand, and she’s especially deadly. As a child, Motoko was comatose following an airplane accident. After her health began to steadily decline, her consciousness was put into a  "full-body prosthesis,” an augmented-cybernetic human body. Motoko causes us to question exactly what makes us human. She is an emotional, stoic, strong woman who fights for the citizens she protects, yet she lives inside an artificial body. But her greatest use is as a platform to speak on the nature of humanity in a technological age. She's a human mind that has been stuck in an artificial body since childhood, and her life and trials bring up the age-old question, "What does it mean to be human?"

#1. Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon): You really can’t have a list of awesome female protagonists without including everyone’s favorite schoolgirl superhero: Usagi Tsukino from Sailor Moon. Usagi is the embodiment of an empowering female in anime in her fearless display of conventional femininity without any implied weakness. Usagi is your typical teenage girl who is all about her friends, food, and cute things, while simultaneously being a badass heroine who cleanses the streets of evil. In the original manga and anime, Usagi was portrayed as reluctant to be a superhero and would often run away from fights and be a crybaby. However, through her careful character development, Usagi becomes a brave, reliable, and confident person who cares deeply for her friends. She becomes a better version of herself without stereotypically “shedding” her girliness. Instead, her femininity becomes a defining feature of hers, deconstructing the idea that being girly makes you weak. On the contrary, Usagi’s girliness makes her funny, relatable, and a good role model for young girls. Usagi set the template for a generation of female heroines for generations to come, and it’s for that reason why she’s well-deserving of my #1 ranking on my list.

So that's my updated list, what did you guys think about it? Love it, hated it? Go on and tell me what you think and let me know who your favorite anime heroines are. See you soon!

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