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Prob why diluc quit drinking

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caught the genshin impact illness unfortunately

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Kurenai Shu and being the "Nice Guy"

I know everybody and i mean everybody--being the dudebros and etc. love to see a one-dimensional character be a sigma just for the hell of it and disregard any qualities that make them fleshed-out and human but the anime's decision and direction of making Shu a nice character is so good. Manga Shu gave no fucks, he's often cruel sometimes and downright uncaring from the first glance, at best, it looks like he's just tolerating Valt just because they have this "ah, i knew you since you were in diapers" type of relationship, that's why they're close but anime Shu? You can see he has heart, in hindsight, he's actually one of the kindest characters in the series, he can be soft and gentle and even playful which is such an enjoyable aspect of Shu because he rarely allows himself to act and be a kid.

His relationship with Valt in the anime blurs and toes a lot on the line of romantic or platonic or a secret third thing that's far too deep and profound to put a name into it. He means well in both iterations but for a kid's show, directed at a kid audience, it's much easier to sell and downright be on the nose of how Shu is a great and kind person and he cares about Valt.

But, that's not the thing that makes the decision of Shu being a nicer and tamer character in the anime, it's not the decision to make him more palatable to the audience is why I think, is such a great decision.

To reiterate, Anime Shu is kind, gentle, calm, and composed. He is subtle or he is nothing at all, subtle is his own form of being expressive, he is noticeably restrained. We all know he has that burning flame within him that is trapped until Season 2, again, he's like one of the most kindest and most compassionate character and he's seen as so purely untouchable--downright perfection, not a single flaw.

Until come Season 2, he's this unrecognizable being, he's cruel, he's distant, he's uncaring and downright sinister and very, very much like a forest flame. He's nothing like perfect, kind, gentle, and confident yet humble Shu that we all were introduced and came to know--he's different.

Sidebar but, the many themes of God or as localized is called Evolution because they're taking us to a different perspective, a different atmosphere and different lenses to perceive the characters and the story. They want to make us known that change is there and it's a drastic one.

Shu's character progression is subtle in Season 1, the Shu-centric episodes in season 1 are geared towards more on his relationship with Valt, how he plans to remain on top as a means to not only uphold his promise to Valt but also to get over his loss to Lui. He has a short monologue when he thinks about being glad that he joined the Beyclub or when he does get something longer and he isn't with Valt and everyone, his inner monologue is about improving himself and getting stronger which is what everyone is thinking most of the time. Even in the episode where they interview each of the Beyclub, only Shu's interview is not shown.

Then in Season 2, his character who is largely absent for majority of the season, who we are only shown little snippets of, is the one who changes the most. Not to mention, like; what? The character aside from Valt whose presence was just as huge and vital to the story is absent? He's tossed away from the plot?

No, it's one huge build-up and that build up on finally introducing Shu's character is via him losing to Lui and breaking his mask and finally revealing himself beneath it.

So, I digress, Shu is different. He's changed. For the worse because he's pushing Valt away, he's talking about destroying beys, he does not have a single scene where he is even remotely nice or the way he was in Season 1. It's jarring, it's mind-blowing, and it's a bit disturbing that how can someone as nice and kind as Shu--would turn out to be like that?

For once, too, we finally have an episode to himself, going over what he went through, what he feels, and how he deals with all of that.

I would also like to point out that Shu being barely concealed as Red Eye isn't a bad thing. Even though it's like so obvious to point out that no, that's definitely Shu Kurenai, doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that, doesn't take that much critical thinking or just thinking in general to know that--who are they fooling?

But a plot twist isn't meant to surprise and gain the upper hand from the audience--it's meant to enrich the plot and even more to enrich and give depth to Shu's character because the surprise is just as big if we were left to guess for ourselves who was Red Eye, because the question we should be asking that okay, that might be Shu--but come on, why would Shu do that? Why would Shu turn to that kind of life? Why would he be hiding under that mask? He's already strong. Why should he want to become even more stronger through unethical and cruel means?

Would Kurenai Shu? Kind, gentle, strong yet humble and perfect Kurenai Shu be willing and be hiding under that mask? Causing destruction and misery to all those that meet him?

What I'm trying to say here is aside from catering the most well, popular and well-liked character, a character who people would instantly get attached to is very different from his manga counterpart. We should also consider how tragic and far more devastating that someone like Shu could be so different and change for the worse and be something that he's not. Him being nice and kind to cruel and distant pipeline is definitely very jarring for the audience because again, why? Why Shu? How?

And also, that someone like Shu who is constantly seen and propped up to be perfect can break that composure of his and break people's perception of him and downright get him off the pedestal they put him in. Like the song, Let it Happen by Tame Impala which inspired me to make this post, says in their lyrics; you were not thinking that I will not do it, why would I do it? Anyone'd think that?

Even the nice and perfect guy isn't always going to stay that way and it's so much worse for them not to which makes the narrative and the characters themselves more appealing--in the sense that, they're not tossing out key features and characterization to get the audience to like and get attached to the story. They're adding layers and tragedy and something dynamic to elicit reactions, feelings, and such when we ourselves watch Shu's progression from Season 1 to Season 2.

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1h30 sketchy ZeoToby

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Dumbasses²

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cant believe they got vip smhf

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leave the front line to the cavalry

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Happy bday ❤️🍇

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I LOVE HIM SO FUCKING MUCH GRAAAHHHHH

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2 Am doodle of Kel angst because I’m cringe lol

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You were unable to look DAD in the eye.

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Oyasumi.

Click the pictures for better quality.

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small rad

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autism family

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miko

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forever impressed by people who when they're hyperfixating on a media or character come up with complex headcanons and analysis and make up scenarios with them. all my brain does is this for days on end