sudakiwasy

[sudakiwasy]

It’s hard to shoo a thing that wants to cuddle while you try to relax from another crazy work week.

So I just keep picking them off.

#cats vs art

[sudakiwasy]

Well, it is Kunzite. 

~しようとした is used for something you were going to do but didn’t (often with the implication of some regret that it didn’t get done), or something that was thwarted in the attempt.  

(Gita suggests)

"i was going to ask Queen Beryl for your restoration, but I got distracted by shiny things"

“Forgive Me” vs. “I’m Sorry”

Thought of this today–hopefully it hasn’t already been discussed!

During Viz’s original subbed version of Sailor Moon, Kunzite says “forgive me” twice during Zoisite’s death scene.  I was thinking about the difference between “forgive me” and “I’m sorry.”  The words “forgive me” carry with them, albeit gentle, a command, an order.  This makes me wonder–even in this moment, is Kunzite unable to let go of his rank above Zoisite and is ordering him to forgive?   If Kunzite feels guilt for Zoisite’s passing (as moments before he attempted to accept blame for their most recent loss), why doesn’t he instead say “I’m sorry?”  Subconsciously, is he unable to own the fact that his vague comment last episode may very well be the reason they are saying their goodbyes now?  Is he saying “forgive me” because he knows time is running out and wants to ease his own conscious before Zoisite passes away?  Or does he use the words “forgive me” simply because those are the words he chose to use and sound more sophisticated?  

#gita #go to work

[sudakiwasy]

yes we do.  this has kind of been my obsession lately.

Although if you ask me, Nephrite had already made the choice by this point.  After he kills Yasha to protect Naru in the previous episode, he has a look of complete horror at himself, like he know’s he just crossed a line that cannot be uncrossed.  Yasha even calls him a traitor.  As far as we’re shown, Nephrite never reports to Beryl after this either – I think it’s possible that he’s already pretty sure he’s a dead man.  He makes a last-ditch attempt to save himself, of course, but I dunno; if he got the crystal, was he planning to use it to get back in Beryl’s good graces, or to keep it for himself?

Nephrite is a complete prick to Beryl from the start, and even flat out tells her he doesn’t give a crap and he’s just out for himself.  I don’t think he ever had that much regard for his “duty” the way, oh, some others did. 

Zoisite, too, is weirdly really naive about the whole thing.  While Nephrite has a soft spot for Naru, when Zoisite follows him to Naru’s house Nephrite is actually there to lie and manipulate her some more.  And Zoisite is sure he’s in love with the kid.  Is he perceptive for noticing that this is a weak spot, or is he dim for romanticizing it all?

Also did he ever think Nephrite would hand the crystal over, or did he just want to goad him into attacking another youma to get him in more crap?

Also why the hell does the kurozuishou light up at Naru? Nephrite, you are terrible at crystals.

#zoisite #nephrite #sailor moon classic

[sudakiwasy]

YOU’RE WELCOME.

I can’t help but take it literally either  –– which brings up all kinds of –– no no no no NO NO NO I’M NOT

“Forgive Me” vs. “I’m Sorry”

Thought of this today–hopefully it hasn’t already been discussed!

During Viz’s original subbed version of Sailor Moon, Kunzite says “forgive me” twice during Zoisite’s death scene.  I was thinking about the difference between “forgive me” and “I’m sorry.”  The words “forgive me” carry with them, albeit gentle, a command, an order.  This makes me wonder–even in this moment, is Kunzite unable to let go of his rank above Zoisite and is ordering him to forgive?   If Kunzite feels guilt for Zoisite’s passing (as moments before he attempted to accept blame for their most recent loss), why doesn’t he instead say “I’m sorry?”  Subconsciously, is he unable to own the fact that his vague comment last episode may very well be the reason they are saying their goodbyes now?  Is he saying “forgive me” because he knows time is running out and wants to ease his own conscious before Zoisite passes away?  Or does he use the words “forgive me” simply because those are the words he chose to use and sound more sophisticated?  

[sudakiwasy]


 “Suman” is a way of saying sorry, but the nuance is – hmmm.  It’s often translated as something like “I beg your pardon.”  But yeah basically.  At the beginning of the scene... Kunzite is apologizing because the audience with Beryl didn’t go the way he planned.  Something that’s not entirely his fault, but that he regrets.


「すまぬ、ゾイサイト。クイーンベリル様にお前の復活を頼もうとした」 (...also wtf, kunzite, "I was going to ask Queen Beryl for your restoration".... What do the official subs say he's saying there? Please tell me that's figurative and about Zoisite's job before my mind goes places...)

"Forgive me" is after Zoisite dies.  I guess my opinion is he's talking about something different than before.  You can be sorry about something that isn't your fault, and you can also beg forgiveness for something for which you aren't sorry – i.e., a conscious choice you made or are making that you would not change.

“Forgive Me” vs. “I’m Sorry”

Thought of this today–hopefully it hasn’t already been discussed!

During Viz’s original subbed version of Sailor Moon, Kunzite says “forgive me” twice during Zoisite’s death scene.  I was thinking about the difference between “forgive me” and “I’m sorry.”  The words “forgive me” carry with them, albeit gentle, a command, an order.  This makes me wonder–even in this moment, is Kunzite unable to let go of his rank above Zoisite and is ordering him to forgive?   If Kunzite feels guilt for Zoisite’s passing (as moments before he attempted to accept blame for their most recent loss), why doesn’t he instead say “I’m sorry?”  Subconsciously, is he unable to own the fact that his vague comment last episode may very well be the reason they are saying their goodbyes now?  Is he saying “forgive me” because he knows time is running out and wants to ease his own conscious before Zoisite passes away?  Or does he use the words “forgive me” simply because those are the words he chose to use and sound more sophisticated?  

#kunzite

[sudakiwasy]

Noz fault noz probs.  You bring up some good perspectives, and I could cite some other examples in manga/anime... but at least these two, IMHO, came off pretty well.  In the end, their relationship is portrayed as the most positive and redeeming thing about either of them. 

And the stereo drama... also had Usagi telling a story about trying to drink Motoki’s bathwater, ....

I just love these two cards. Translation, anyone? Pleeeeease? ^^

[sudakiwasy]

I am worried now that my wording gave the wrong impression.

I don't think あやしい "suspicious" in this context here is supposed to be threatening, or imply some dark unspeakable horror.  My reading of it – and of Usagi's comment in the drama – was that it's a wink-and-nudge comment that "We can't actually say explicitly that they're a gay couple... so gee, did you notice this seems a little more than platonic?  Hmmmm..."  Because of course you noticed, everyone noticed, it’s a fact. :P

The inability to explicitly refer to them as a gay couple is its own hang-up, but really a very weird one to me since... they explicitly are.  I'm not as intimately  familiar with later seasons, but my impression was that Michiru and Haruka got the same treatment – they're obviously a couple, but not explicitly referred to as 'girlfriends' or 'dating'.  Please correct me if I’m wrong. 

Anyway, I just wanted to make sure the translation hadn’t cast a darker pall on this cute card.

I just love these two cards. Translation, anyone? Pleeeeease? ^^

#languages #kunzoi

[sudakiwasy]

Left: “The beautiful one will win.”

Right: Kunzite and Zoisite have a very close realationship.  Holding hands and everything... isn’t it rather suspicious~!?

(Q19.  What’s the word youma cry out when purified by Sailormoon’s power?

Answer to Q18: Crescent beam.)

suspicious hahahaha (the sailor senshi say the same thing when they meet them in the second stereo drama)

I just love these two cards. Translation, anyone? Pleeeeease? ^^

#suspicious #kunzoi

[sudakiwasy]

Mom mom look what I found, can I keep it!

I’m just going to leave this half-finished half-dressed Zoisite here for now.

[sudakiwasy]

So, if you go look back at Sailormoon episode 6, Naru-chan has a crush on Amade Yuusuke (the jazz pianist who gets caught up in Jadeite’s plan to make Beryl a mix tape).

Amade Yuusuke is played by Wakamoto Norio.

your chances don’t look good, nephrite.

(I’m so sorry)

#sailormoon classic #nephrite #amade yuusuke #ginga eiyuu densetsu #souheki #銀河英雄伝説 #声優ネタ

[sudakiwasy]

大変お似合いです。

これクンツァイト様好みに違いない。

ぞいちゃんはムチが似合うな…とおもいました（すみません）

#zoisite #ゾイサイト

[sudakiwasy]

I have not played with paint at all since college, and not really with watercolors since I was about twelve....

... Which was before I ran a menagerie, so I obviously wasn’t thinking about having to pick cat hairs off of wet painty paper.

#cats #art #cats vs art

[sudakiwasy]

And thereafter, he vowed to only ride the panda train.

In this episode of Centaur!Shitennou AU, Prince Endymion accepts a ride from Nephrite, who uses the time to regale His Majesty with off-colour tales of the centauresses he has known.

Endymion spends most of the time worrying about where to put his hands.

#pandatrain endymion

[sudakiwasy]

Mondays with no JUMP when it’s raining and I have to go to work, I need something like this to get me motivated. 

俺たち死ぬまで青春なんだね〜🎶

#slapstick #seiyuu #sogabe kazuyuki #furuya tooru #Mitsuya Yuuji #furukawa toshio #nojima akio

[sudakiwasy]

NEPHRITE actually says, after he’s rescued Naru, that he’s probably going to keep on lying to her from now on, too.  (And technically he does.) 

It’s usually said he ‘turns good,’ but rewatching I noticed that even after he’s developed a real soft spot for Naru, he doesn’t seem to have changed his mind about killing Sailormoon or even using Naru to get at his enemies.  Heck, what he tells Sailormoon after she saves him at the end is “Looks like your identity might stay a secret [because I’m about to die],” not “these are our evil plans and how to defeat us, I’m so sorry I was working against you.”

DK Shitennou are deep, is what I’m saying. (Not you, Jadeite.)

But, like, Kunzite x Zoisite:

- just as the main established couple they have a picture of them together which is referred to more than once

- probably in the lead in terms of sheer quantity of manifest physical intimacy on that show, and there is so much variety as well (the comforting, casual cuddling, teasing, making the other jealous then promptly making up for it, simply shielding and protecting one another)

- give me two black-hearted villains cuddling like the good guys do any day, ‘cause God knows we need them

- unlike the other Shitennou who undermined one another there is no competition here whatsoever, only support and admiration

- Kunzite would take the fall for Zoisite so that Beryl would spare him, there is like zero hesitation there?

- Zoisite is not afraid to die ‘cause Kunzite is there with him *omg bury me*

- Kunzite immediately knows what beautiful death means to Zoisite ‘cause he knows him 

- as Kunzite leaves this world he calls out to Zoisite to guide him to the place where his soul resides, his last thought is of him 

Your faves could never

#nephrite #shitennou #sailor moon classic

[sudakiwasy]

“Oh, hi, Nephrite!  WHAT’S UP?”

Drew this mischievous-looking Zoisite and then spilled boiling water on my hand. Not saying it’s causally connected, but I still blame Zoisite.

[sudakiwasy]

HI, I’M TERRIBLE AT TUMBLR, BUT I’M ON VACATION AND DOING NOTHING BUT WATCHING SAILORMOON AND THIS IS GREAT

I'd also like to point out though that Kunzite seems flat-out contemptuous of Nephrite.  Zoisite worries about what if Nephrite does this or that, but Kunzite isn't concerned.  He's just like "whatever, we can take him."  

And oddly, as much as Nephrite is more a man of the world, I think he's almost more of a loner.  Nephrite is the only one of the four who seems to outright hate everyone.  He outright tells Beryl to fuck off, he antagonizes Zoisite when Zoisite didn't even need help, he suspects Kunzite of spying on him, and he calls Jadeite an idiot.  All his schemes are about using people – he's superficially charming enough to manipulate people for a few minutes, and that's all.  His charm is only skin-deep, and any longer exposure gets you a facefull of his arrogant dickface self.  And nobody who knows him likes him, either. Jadeite at least had a youma who liked him.  

And btw his makes Nephrite's change of heart all the more twenty pages later

My own impression is that Nephrite is the hotshot asshole and Kunzite is the old guard – formal, reserved, loyal, etc, and looks down his nose at this kind of unprofessional, bad-mannered nonsense, with your fancy cars and your stargazing and your pissing contests.  Kids these days. Get off my lawn!

(Not at all arguing that Nephrite isn't powerful.  Just that Kunzite is a grouchy old fan MAN.)

Hi! Asks Too Many Questions Anon here! I've got another one! You have a pretty clear idea of the Zoisite and Nephrite dynamics (and seem to occasionally touch the ZoiKun thing too ;)) but what about the other combinations? Kunzite and Nephrite? Anyone and Jadeite? What are your headcanons for them? And you said you don't see Nephrite/Jadeite, but what are your thoughts on Jadeite/Beryl? In the anime he purred love letters, targeted a composer for love songs and killed some nice roses for her ;)

Well hello again :) Thank you for your questions!

Nephrite and Kunzite… oh boy. Do you have an hour? Well, let’s start by looking at the facts. (And by facts I mean 90s-anime-canon with a light sprinkling of manga; the Crystal Shitennou are completely different characters inhabiting a completely different storyline, on which I will not comment save to purse my lips in a disapproving moue.) We never see Nephrite and Kunzite interacting in the anime, and I think this is deliberate. Each is wary and keeps his distance from the other; Kunzite speaks of Nephrite as an unknown and possibly dangerous substance that needs to be tested, measured, and then diffused (which he does, via Zoisite), while Nephrite seems convinced that Kunzite has malign intentions toward him and is spying on him (which he is, via Zoisite). It could be that we’re witnessing the real power struggle within the Shitennou; Zoisite and Nephrite have professional and personality differences that take an ugly turn, but I doubt they would have turned half as ugly had Kunzite not been giving Zoisite counsel. And one can definitely see why Kunzite would want Nephrite gone, and why Nephrite seems genuinely mistrustful of Kunzite’s intentions. Simply put, they’re too closely matched. Both are of high rank (Kunzite a sliver higher, but Nephrite likely not far below), both are very powerful and possessed of esoteric magical knowledge (Nephrite with his astromancy and divination, Kunzite with his multiple dimensions), and though Kunzite may be nominally in charge of the Four, Nephrite makes it clear that he will have no master. One of them has to go.

All of this we can glean by reading the subtitles. But there’s a lot more that we can read between the lines. I don’t have any Nephrite v. Kunzite headcanons as fleshed-out as I do for Zoisite and Kunzite, but I’ve been having a lot of really wonderful conversations with whereyoursoulresides lately, and her understanding of the nuances of Japanese has offered some fabulous insight onto the Shitennou as characters, which in turn might tell us a few things about why they behave the way they do. For example, did you know that Nephrite and Kunzite talk differently? That Kunzite’s speech patterns, use of pronouns, etc, is a couple of decades behind Nephrite’s? Now that’s an odd thing, don’t you think? Is it a generational rift: the result of an age difference between them? Or does it say something about each character’s origins and identity, and how each imagines himself?

Nephrite is very much a modern man: his idioms are current (or at least 90s-current), his wardrobe epitomizes the height of fashion (dig that collarless shirt), and his playboy persona suggests that he fancies himself not merely an elite soldier but also a member of elite society. An aristocrat, in other words: born to do as he pleases, both above ground and below. Now contrast this with Kunzite. Here you have a man who puts on no airs and cultivates no social charm. He has no civilian disguises, no contemporary alter egos. He appears in the modern, surface world only when he needs to, usually with the aim of plunging it into pre-electric darkness. His speech is uncultured and brimming with antiquated machismo. The pronouns he uses to refer to himself and to Zoisite are out-of-date (even by 90s standards) as well as a trifle lowbrow; unlike suave, worldly Nephrite, Kunzite’s a relic of the tough, stoic “ore”-male stereotype common in early anime and manga. Behind the times and sorely lacking in sophistication– essentially, he’s a troglodyte. (A very smart and eccentric troglodyte, which is why I love him. But I digress.)

… All of this is to say that I wonder if there’s not a bit of class tension at the heart of Nephrite’s and Kunzite’s cold war. It’s going out on a limb, to be sure, but the difference between these two characters’ comportment suggests that the two are very different kinds of men: one a goldfingered metrosexual who believes the best way to triumph over modern society is to beat it at its own game, the other an old-fashioned soldier, likely of low-to-middling origins, who has little patience for airs and graces and probably isn’t aware that it’s no longer cool to openly comment on the quality of a woman’s “gams.” Imagine how mistrustful each must be of the other; highfalutin’ Nephrite would resent someone like Kunzite – basically a thug, and a queer thug to boot – outranking him, while Kunzite would be wary of Nephrite’s seemingly effortless ability to infiltrate the modern world and bend it to his will. Each embodies a different vision of how the Dark Kingdom ought to operate, so it’s no wonder each wants the other out of the picture.

So much for Nephrite and Kunzite. Nephrite and Jadeite? Zero readings there, I’m afraid; I can’t even imagine what they would talk about in the mess hall, if they’d talk at all. Anime and manga canon conflict on the matter of Jadeite and Zoisite; the former would suggest Zoisite has nothing but contempt for Jadeite, while the latter offers the tantalizing notion that the two were close enough friends for Zoisite to take personal revenge for Jadeite’s death. I love this idea, but it doesn’t square very well with the version of the Shitennou that I know best. So I hedge my bets and imagine them as fellow misfits, one queer as a clockwork orange and the other an introvert whose awkwardness gets misread as arrogance, each unconsciously sympathizing with the other but not shedding any tears when the other takes a fall.

Though in a pinch I will speak up on Jadeite’s behalf, particularly regarding his relationship with women. I know it’s fashionable to decry 90s-anime-Jadeite as a woman-hater, but in all honesty what most people read as misogyny comes across to me either as garden-variety, old-fashioned male chauvinism (likely quite common in the time and place Jadeite hails from) – or, if we want to take the Jadeite-loves-Queen-Beryl route, contempt for any woman who is not his queen. The aspersions Jadeite casts on the female sex have to do with weakness, helplessness, and clinging. However, this may be less a comment on the frailties of womankind as a whole than a reproach he levels at particular women for exhibiting behaviour he deems unworthy or below them. Which stands to reason, if the woman he idolizes wields absolute power and answers to no one. So Jadeite loves Beryl? Sure, why not. Is the love requited? I highly doubt it.

Phew! I hope that answers your questions and you don’t regret asking them!

#sailormoon classic #nephrite #kunzite #grouchyoldfan