#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat)

[sasorikigai]

Can’t wait to watch this tbh…. Ugh you have no idea how glad I am to see Sanada in the front and center. He deserves it so much!!

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat) #hiroyuki sanada #(shogun) #(I just don’t have time but I’ll try to watch a few episodes this weekend) #(if I can download this somehow somewhere tho lol) #Youtube

[biiingchu]

Stab the heart for a randomized starter for Grandmaster Blueberry Ice (TM) or feral himbo Kuai Liang =D 

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat) #(starter call) #(will do these tomorrow)

[sasorikigai]

Read this article and you will exactly understand how I feel about Hiroyuki Sanada as the lead actor and how absolutely WASTED Hanzo Hasashi/Scorpion became in the Mortal Kombat reboot. After watching the first two episodes of Shōgun, I absolutely, 1000000% agree on this assessment.

The overwhelmingly positive reviews for FX's Shōgun highlight just how poorly star Hiroyuki Sanada was handled in Mortal Kombat, both as Hanzo Hasashi, and as the fearsome ninja Scorpion. Shōgun's high production values, proclivities for as much accuracy and authenticity courtesy of Sanada's role as one of the show's producers, and Sanada's undeniably memorable leading performance as Lord Yoshii Toranaga all contribute to the critical acclaim the new FX series is enjoying. While Sanada's work in Shōgun speaks volumes about his ability as a leading man, it also illuminates one of Mortal Kombat's biggest issues.

If you are not watching FX's Shōgun, you are definitely missing out. It is such a masterful, epic, authentic, and well-crafter series and I am so glad for Hiroyuki Sanada for finally taking the center stage where not only he can shine brightly and brilliantly as the main character, but also as one of the producers.

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat) #hiroyuki sanada #shogun #(I watched the first two episodes and I am absolutely blown away)

[sasorikigai]

The severe lack of Hanzo/Scorpion and just general ship kontent of him (pssst subscorp) is greatly bothering me as of late. This has been why I’ve been more active than usual because as much as I love Kuai Liang (I have a sideblog of him), I prefer him much to be Sub-Zero than Scorpion and he deserves much better than what he got in MK1.

Hanzo deserves to be in action, not sidelined and show up as a fucking kameo on other people’s ending.

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat) #(yeah still bitter about the whole MK1 thing) #(gimme my Hanzo back)

[sasorikigai]

‘John Wick 4’ Star Hiroyuki Sanada Teases His FX Series ‘Shogun,’ His First as a Lead: ‘I Feel Reborn’

Link to the article (x)

Japan’s Hiroyuki Sanada has become one of Hollywood’s most familiar Asian actors, with action roles in franchises like “Mortal Kombat,” “Avengers: Endgame” and now “John Wick 4,” as well as nuanced character turns in “Minamata” and “The Railway Man.”

“John Wick” star Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski created a role especially for Sanada so that he could join the action-packed universe. But it is the upcoming “Shogun” series for FX and Hulu that has given the Hollywood-based Sanada a new calling.

What do you like most about your part in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’?

There’s a scene between John Wick and my character Shimazu Koji, up on the roof top where the two old friends are drinking whiskey. Just talking. Talking, not fighting. That’s a very rare thing in this movie. It created atmosphere and established their chemistry.

As an action franchise, “John Wick” is pretty intense. Were you ready for that?

Before he created “John Wick” and at the end of “47 Ronin” [in which Reeves and Sanada co-starred] Keanu told me that his next project was a big action movie with Chad [Stahelski]. I said “good luck” and watched the whole series in the movie theater. Finally, Chad called me and said he’d created a role for me, as an old friend of John Wick. I was so excited, this time I said, “I’ll see you on set.” It was a quick decision. I’d been following all of Keanu’s jobs. And I was really happy to be reunited with Keanu and Chad, the stunt guys and the choreographer. It was like a dream come true.

As a Japanese actor in Hollywood, do you have to audition much?

These days, luckily, I mostly get offered roles. But, of course, for many years before that I had to audition. Lately, I read the script, talk with the director and if we see that we have the same goals, I’ll jump in.

I think I used to be a workaholic, especially when I was living in Japan. No official holidays in the year, working almost every day. I loved it. But when I moved to L.A. in 2005, it was harder for me to get roles. And I had more free time. It had never happened before. But I also realized that I needed that time, because working in the U.S. was much harder than working in Japanese in Japan. I started taking English lessons, then doing auditions and lots of meetings. I had to concentrate. I was tense. So, I needed the relaxing time in between and have now found a good work-life balance. I have an exciting job and a peaceful life. California is perfect for me. It has cities, great restaurants, the ocean and mountains. Plus, there is a big entertainment industry here.

Many of the roles you’ve taken — “Minamata,” “The Railway Man,” “Bullet Train” — speak about Japanese culture — but are not necessarily made by Japanese filmmakers. Do you worry that they are inaccurate or they’re Western-skewed interpretations of Japanese society?

Some themes are considered too sensitive or delicate that Japanese filmmakers will not touch them. In that case, if it is an important theme, having a Western filmmaker do it is welcome. I say, “Thank you for making this movie and bringing the story to the world.” I always take this stance. But if they are getting things culturally incorrect, then I have to say something. I have to fix it. I’ve found directors and producers have always listened respectfully to my suggestions and that has never been awkward on set. In “Minamata” [where the subject is an industrial-scale poisoning] the director [Andrew Levitas] asked me to consult on the set design and the costumes of the extras. I was on set every day, often before the director, checking things. I didn’t have any official title, but they listened to me. Since then, I’ve been doing that for every movie. And, last year, finally, I got the title of the producer of a show.

You are referring to “Shogun” — a series based on another Western-written book about Japan — in which you play feudal Lord Toranaga

Yes. I discussed these things a lot with Justin Marks [co-writer and executive producer] about how to make it work for today’s audiences and still be authentic. But, for the first time I had the right, officially, to say something. We hired Japanese cast and crew, who have a long career in samurai movies. Costumers, wig specialists and set designers. On “Shogun,” I had a team. Before that, I was always just one person struggling with this responsibility on my shoulders. That said, I really enjoyed it. Making better movies is my dream. Now finally, after 20 years [in the U.S.], I’ve got the title and the team. It is a big step for me. First time as a producer, first time as a leading man in a Hollywood show. I feel reborn. And I hope that there will be more occasions when I can be actor or producer, or both.

How is the production of “Shogun” going?

It went well. It was so dramatic and meaningful. Everyone understood that we were taking on a big, big challenge. But it was worth working hard to create the future. It was a great feeling: East meets West without any walls between us.

Although they operate on different scales, are there things that Hollywood can learn from the Japanese film industry?

The styles are a little different. And it is true that Japanese movies have almost no budget. So, we have to calculate and schedule everything very tightly. I don’t know if that is a good thing or not. Having a highly skilled crew certainly is. I’d like to see more mix between East and West. Bigger budgets, protected by unions, but also working to a schedule.

What are your plans going forward?

After finishing the post-production of “Shogun”, I will join my next project in June or July. A movie, but I cannot disclose the title just yet. I won’t be producer on that, but I plan to produce again in the future.

I mean, this is what Sanada truly deserves; being a leading man in Hollywood. he has more than enough experience, gravitas, and talent to do so, and I am stoked and extremely exhilarated (to an almost unparalleled extent) to see how Shogun unfolds. I finished reading the book while ago, and it is an excellent piece of literature, and Lord Toranaga is such a complex, intricate, multifaceted protagonist. 

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat) #hiroyuki sanada #shogun #john wick 4 #(despite my excitement towards JW4 I can't deny the fact that I was immensely disappointed also) #(of how quickly his character died on screen) #(I expected more - more like what Donnie Yen's character ended up as. a pivotal part of the movie) #(although as the Manager of Osaka Continental he was such a regal and graceful figure)

[sasorikigai]

Okay so I have finally downloaded the first two episodes of Shōgun, but I won’t have time to watch them until this weekend and it makes me hella sad 😞

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat) #(the struggle) #(why am I so busy lol) #(shogun)

[sasorikigai]

I am so fucking livid at this recontextualization of Hanzo Hasashi's canon (starting with Kuai Liang being the new Scorpion). While I see the connection between Scorpion's MK11 ending (which I absolutely hated too), I am not vibing with this alternate version of Hanzo scouring the multitudes of timeline in search of reality where his wife Harumi does not get brutally butchered.

The reason why I absolutely fell in love with Hanzo/Scorpion's character is his utterly bleak and tragic backstory; the entire Hasashi family were killed in the Shirai Ryu massacre committed by Lin Kuei, and being reborn as a Revenant full of vitriol vengeance. As if Hanzo's canonical story wasn't absolutely heartbreaking and depressing enough that he became an undead spectre, he has once again, descended into an explosive spell of rage and vowing to burn MK1's timeline to the charred rubble.

This is literally where Lin Kuei has stolen everything from him, desecrated everything that was his worth and character. It took him decades to amend with Kuai Liang (in MKX), and finally come to a realization that he has been a very selfish man who nearly caused Earthrealm to be extinct because of his impulsive, vindictive actions. And I would most definitely like to believe that Hanzo/Scorpion has acted this way not solely because he himself was killed in the massacre, but because of Harumi and Satoshi. His love for Harumi Hasashi goes beyond the realms (literally, enough to become deathly obsessive of searching for a reality where she lives, finally), and his transformative character in MK11 as Grandmaster Hasashi proves that every action he effectuates is due to his eternal love for her and Earthrealm, even for Lin Kuei.

TL:DR; this is such a disservice to Hanzo's character, and this will never bring Scorpion's gratification (further destruction and annihilation never does anything good). This relinquishment from all of Hanzo/Scorpion's character evolvement absolutely SUCKS.

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat) #✗ the ineffable testimony of spawned hellfire (scorpion) #(mortal kombat 1) #(rant over)

[sasorikigai]

I really miss having my icons.... and I still can't fucking believe I can't access to any of them on my PC (which suddenly decided to die) and my laptop's literally on the verge of passing, I've had this Macbook Pro since 2015 lol, and had to wipe everything clean in order to get this to work.

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat) #(HUGE SIGH)

[sasorikigai]

PEOPLE I'D LIKE TO GET TO KNOW BETTER !

alias / name: Kathy

birthday: May 2nd

zodiac sign: Taurus

height: 5’6”

hobbies: running (from 5K to marathons. I do not discriminate), working out (at Orangetheory, I'm a certified PT), reading, writing, painting, drawing, etc.

favorite color: burgundy and merlot (that specific shade of red)

favorite book: 1Q84 and What I Talk about When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

last song: Now You See It (Benny Benassi Remix) · Honorebel · Pitbull · Jump Smokers

last film / show: Dune: Part Two & Shōgun (episodes 1 & 2),

recent reads: Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall (current)

inspiration: Mortal Kombat games (predomnantly MK9 - MK11. We do not talk about MK1 here in regards to Hanzo Hasashi), animated series (Scorpion's Revenge is unparalleled), comics, and recent reboot 2021 movie (because Sanada is simply legendary).

story behind url: a combination of sasori (Scorpion in Japanese, his well-known codename), and ikigai (“iki” meaning “alive” and “gai” meaning “worth.” These phrases together refer to what gives your life value, meaning, or purpose). It's extremely fitting for Hanzo/Scorpion in a literal/figurative sense.

fun fact about me: My bucket list as of now is to complete all six World Major marathons (Chicago, New York, Boston, Tokyo, Berlin, and London). So far I have done Chicago last year and will be doing Berlin this year (my second star). Next one in my radar is New York (entered the lottery) and Tokyo (might attempt to do it next year).

Tagged by: @hexsreality

Tagging: YOU

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat) #(I can probably talk about running and Hanzo all day every day tbh) #(I don't consider myself 'insanely fit' but my friends think I am lol) #(tagged things)

[sasorikigai]

rp tier list.

Tagged by: no one

Tagging: @sonxflight, @hexsreality, @indulgentia, @somniaxperdita and YOU

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat) #(I just did this in Hanzo's POV tbh) #(which tropes fit him and his history the best)

[sasorikigai]

ROLEPLAY HISTORY !

The rules are simple! Post characters you’d like to roleplay as, have roleplayed as, and might bring back. Then tag ten people to do the same (if you can’t think of ten, just write down however many you can and tag that number of people). Please repost, don’t reblog!

CURRENT MUSE/S :

Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion - Mortal Kombat franchise (games, movies, comics, animated series) Kuai Liang / Sub-Zero - Mortal Kombat franchise (games, comics, animated series, exclusively as a cryomancer) - inactive Jin Sakai / Ghost - Ghost of Tsushima - inactive

WANT TO WRITE :

None at the moment. I simply lack time and energy to even keep up with the three blogs I have.

HAVE WRITTEN :

Nigel - Charlie Countryman Hannibal Lecter - NBC Hannibal Galen Erso - Star Wars: Rogue One Duncan Vizla / the Black Kaiser - Polar (movie, comic) Personification of Death OC (FC. Mads Mikkelsen) Satoshi Hasashi - Mortal Kombat Fujin - Mortal Kombat (predominantly MK11) Raiden - Mortal Kombat (predominantly MK11)

WOULD WRITE AGAIN :

Fujin & Raiden

Tagged by: @hexsreality

Tagging: @sonxflight, @indulgentia, @somniaxperdita, @sunsctfcde & YOU

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat) #(tagged things) #(you can definitely see my fixation with Mads Mikkelsen) #(I've moved on and settled with Hanzo for 5 years now) #(the longest I've ever written a muse)

[sasorikigai]

My activities will be sporadic until the New Years as I have been spending more time with my family and friends, but I'd like to take the time to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the bottom of my heart. Here's to one more successful year of writing as Hanzo and further developing him, and I continue to look forward to where his portrayal and characterization will lead. Without the beloved mutuals and those that continue to support my writing journey, I would have stopped writing him altogether, despite my unending love towards the best poster boy Mortal Kombat has ever produced.

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat)

[sasorikigai]

While there is a speculation that Hanzo Hasashi’s whereabouts (or absence, as we all know by now “Scorpion” in MK1 trailer is Kuai Liang) will be revealed in the story mode, I’m not even slightly intrigued or even excited. I’m just going to assume, at this point in time, that either he’s living peacefully with his family or just nonexistent in this rebooted timeline (perhaps just permanently stuck in Netherrealm after Bi-Han/Quan Chi kills him, or simply, remains dead), because he’s NOT in the main roster so far, and this perplexes me he’s been in every single fucking game except one.

As you can insinuate, I’m not a happy camper at all (there is a reason why after all these years of juggling with a handful of muses, I stuck with Hanzo for good and ditched the others). In the worst case of scenario, I can just make my own shit up and give Hanzo/Scorpion what he deserves.

All I hope for is 1) please don’t fuck up his lore - I don’t care how creatively you change it around (his tragic story and subsequent trauma is the defining and pivotal facet of his character which I will never relinquish) and 2) he’s one of the OG characters who is a freakin poster boy of the franchise, so please include him in the roster. His story “reveal” better be good. Do not disappoint me like you did with Hanzo’s death in MK11.

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat)

[sasorikigai]

The link for the Koji Interview

Japanese-British actor/martial artist Andrew Koji plays the role of Kimura, a low-level Tokyo criminal who has hit rock bottom. An alcoholic in a perpetual haze, he boards the train ready to exact his revenge on the unknown culprit who attacked his son and ultimately redeem himself and restore honor to his family name.

For Koji, the complexity of the character and the film’s relatable themes of luck and family resonated. “I’ve never seen a character like Kimura before, let alone in a big Hollywood film like Bullet Train.  From the moment you first see him, you know he’s a man in crisis, made worse by the disapproval of his father. He’s a decisive moment that incites the whole film and his storyline.”

“This film is about luck, and like Ladybug, I think Kimura’s always felt unlucky his whole life,” Koji continues. “When you have a victim mentality, you attract that kind of energy. But he’ll have a moment when his luck turns around.”

“Andrew’s character is the heartbeat of the movie,” says Leitch. “It’s definitely Ladybug’s story, but the emotional center – and the most complex relationship in the movie – is the relationship between Kimura and The Elder.”

As Kimura’s stoic, unyielding father, known as the Elder, Hiroyuki Sanada takes on the multi-layered character of the modest florist who is fiercely protective of his family. Even as Kimura loses himself in a bottle and feels the enormous shame he’s brought to his family, the Elder knows his son is a survivor. “Getting the role was a dream, but then I find out that Hiroyuki Sanada is playing my dad,” says Koji. “This whole experience has been a bit surreal. I never saw my path ever crossing with Hiroyuki Sanada.”

When the Elder, worried about Kimura, boards the train, he shares some sage wisdom with Ladybug. “He explains the lore of Tentou-mushi – Japanese for ladybug,” says screenwriter Zak Olkewicz. “The explanation is that there is a spot on its back for each of the seven sorrows of the world of mankind. Tentou-mushi isn’t lucky – it holds all the bad luck, so others may live in peace with good luck. That, to me, is such a beautiful moment – a discussion of acceptance of your place in the world.”

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat) #andrew koji #hiroyuki sanada #(bullet train) #(MY FAVS IN THE SAME MOVIE) #(HERE I COME TOMORROW) #(I'm hyped solely for the chemistry between those two) #(and considering they play father/son I'm fucking ecstatic)

[sasorikigai]

Sorry for the radio silence on my end; still busy with work and training (as always), as I've been hitting 35-40 miles as my weekly mileage (and plus having ran some races with friends!). I will still be hella slow with the threads, so bear with me - asks are much easier to answer as of now.

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat) #(still on semi-hiatus)

[sasorikigai]

⭐️ - Put this star in the inbox of your favorite blogs. It’s time to spread positivity! / please don’t feel pressured to do so!

Random Inbox Shenanigans || @hexsreality || always accepting!

Much appreciated Itzel! The feeling is definitely reciprocated. And instead of sending this message to all the inboxes, I'd also like to thank all my mutuals for interacting with me and my own portrayal of Hanzo/Scorpion. It means A WORLD to me, and I'm grateful and privileged to have developed him so much thanks to them. Without such interactions, relationships, and chemistries I have built with them over the months and even years, I would have not enjoyed writing as much as I do now!!

#✗ breathing iron and rust (outofkombat) #(answered) #(I won't bother tagging them cause you know who you are!) #hexsreality