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doorbloggr · 1 year

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Thursday 11/5/23 - Media Recommendations #47

Girlboss Genre Subversions

Content:

Romantic Killer

Nier Automata

It's been a little while since I've recommended any media, but I have still been consuming. In a lot of my recent recommendations, i've been doing well to group a lot of media under the same theme. But today, I have a less cohesive collection that I can't really justify as a theme. I guess these medias both feature cool girls and some shake up of their genres? Anyway, here's what I've been engaging in recently.

Romantic Killer

Wataru Momose / DOMERICA

The Romance genre of anime/manga is bogged down with boatloads of stereotypes and clichés. The objective of the story is often to throw as many suitors at the protagonist as they can, and put them in situations that will force the development of feelings faster than natural. But what happens when the protagonist knows they are in such a story, and don't want to give the higher powers the satisfaction of a successful infatuation?

The Pitch

Romantic Killer is a Romantic Comedy series, with 4 Manga Volumes, and one season of Anime. We are introduced to Anzu Hoshino, a highschooler who mostly refuses to interact with society at large. Her three favourite things are Chocolate, Videogames, and her pet cat Momohiki. One day, as she loads up what she thinks is a fantasy game, she is greeted by a Cheesy Dating Game, and out of the game emerges a small annoying creature, a Wizard "Love Cupid" calling themselves Riri. Riri explains that Japan's declining birth rates have forced Cupids to brute force youth into relationships.

Riri says that Anzu has been selected for the subject of a Romantic Thriller, and will be exposed to a series of situations typical of a Romance game, hopefully falling in love by the end. To better motivate her to actually participate, Riri removes Anzu's access to Chocolate, Videogames, and her cat Momohiki. What follows is a series of cliché happenstances where Anzu is exposed to prime romance material, but she staunchly refuses to participate in this nonsense .

Anzu is a strong personality, and would never take this hijiacking of her fate laying down. She declares herself the Romantic Killer, and even with her three favourite things on the line and a collection of very charming boys, she will be doing her hardest to not fall in love!

My Thoughts

I liked a lot about this anime, so I think I might actually start with the negatives. Despite the premise of the series being a subversion of the Romance genre, the series still leans hard into the tropes its making fun of. And that doesn't really make it a subversion does it? I feel in a lot of "romantic situations" that are very telegraphed as such, Anzu will acknowledge it is a bad cliché and then mellow out her usually brash personality to just let it happen. Still refusing to fall in love mind you, but I would have rathered more outright "No I'm not doing this" and walking out at some of the clichés she finds herself in. Minor gripe, but oh well.

The strength of this series is the characters. Anzu of course is the star of the show. Anzu is a relatable introvert, but not in a quiet, reserved way, but in a "do not invite me to things, fuck off and leave me alone way". She is funny, and brash, and makes for a welcome change to a romance protagonist. But this attitude changes subtley over the course of the first arc. Still loud and snarky, but more of a friendly person, fiercely loyal to her friends.

The supporting cast are surprisingly deep and complex characters for this genre, but that might be part of the point. We focus on a small group of friends; Anzu being a nerd doesn't have a huge friend group; but every character gets their own focus and exploration into their personal struggles. Each cookie-cutter love-interest character is initially very one-dimensional, but it is soon revealed that each has their own complexities and traumas that shape and are shaped by their romantic personas. I don't want to spoil anything, but some very real and traumatic topics are brought up and covered in a very sensitive manner. Those with triggers for abuse beware.

I have only experienced this series as one 12 episode season on Netflix, but there are several volumes of manga to look into as well. Romantic Killer is a fun, feel good rom-com that has a slight video-gamey feel to it, but also isn't afraid to touch on more human, personal topics. If this recommendation has appealed to you at all, then you 100% should experience it for yourself.

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Nier: Automata

Yoko Taro / Square Enix

What does it really mean to be human? Is it our relationships with others? Creativity and the ability to appreciate the creativity of others? Or is the inherent violence that will likely bring our kind to an end? To truly appreciate the uniqueness of humanity, perhaps we need to see it through the lens of beings who are not human. And if they aspire to be human... why?

The Pitch

Nier: Automata is an Action Role Playing Game (ARPG) made by Platinum Studios. The game is based in a post-apocalyptic Earth, several thousand years into the future. Humanity has been wiped from the surface of the planet, and their last refuge is on the moon. Alien Robots, called Machines, have taken over the planet, and Androids created by humans still cling on in secure parts of the world. A new squadron of combat Androids called YoRHa have recently been deployed onto the planet, and it is their mission to destroy the Machine threat once and for all.

The player takes control of YoRHa No.2 Type B (or 2B for short), a combat android who fights with two bladed weapons assisted by a Pod, an attack drone that follows her. She is accompanied by 9S, a scanner android who utilises hacking skills to help 2B overcome her enemies. Combat is not as complex and combo-driven as other Platinum action games, but what it lacks in complexity, it makes up for in customisation. Plug-In Chips can be collected from fallen enemies or purchased from NPCs, and can be used to increase 2B's skills in certain abilites ranging from Movement Speed, and Attack Power, to the the ability to Heal over time, or by killing enemies. But since there is only a certain amount of space for chips, the player will have pick and choose their abilities, and re-customise them for new situations.

The gameplay loop is that of an open-world with quests. Very early into the game, you can explore most of the available world, and as your character grows in power and completes more of the main story's objectives, you will be meet more characters with quests to complete. The ability to customise your weapon load-out, availability of plug-in chips, and even alternate Pod Turrets depend on the player's willingness to go out and explore the world.

The world is broken and ruined, but in a kind of beautiful way. The landscapes are vast and set-pieces are enormous, and the soundtrack only makes the journey all the more epic.

One of the most intriguing or intimidating aspects of the game, depending on your outlook, is the multiple endings and story arcs. The first time you see the credits is only partway through the greater narrative. There are 26 endings, each named for one letter of the alphabet. Most of these endings are making a mistake in certain plot moments, but endings A, B, C, and D are part of the main story. Endings B, C, and D come after you beat the A story, so if you use this recommendation as an excuse to play the game, I would implore you to play until you've reached at least these four endings.

My Thoughts

I am not usually an enjoyer of fast pace combo driven action games by Platinum studios. Games such as Bayonetta and Devil May Cry just seem more stress than fun, and that makes it surprising that I enjoyed Nier: Automata. This game is a bit slower paced in that combat, and given that enemies often attack in troves, the importance of long combos is forgoed for the need to clear a crowd. Enjoyers of Platinums usual style might feel let down by this, but I feel this made the game more approachable.

I played the game on the Normal Difficulty and although there were points that I struggled, there was never a place that I was totally walled by difficulty. For those who are a glutton for punishment, higher difficulties put restrictions on play such as 1 hit=death, so I'm sure there's enough fun for anyone.

However, the gameplay is not the highlight of the game, it is the world, the story. Nier: Automata is part of the larger Drakengard saga, a world with a deep history of magic and science. Nier: Replicant is the only other game in the core Nier series. However, I never felt that I needed the context of previous games to understand the world. As an open world game, parts of the lore are optional to find, so the the story is as deep as you want it to be.

The world is beautiful and vast. And the soundtrack is not what you'd expect from a game of robots in the far future. There are lots of acoustic instruments and rhythmic chanting that help build atmosphere for all types of environments; ruined cities, forests, deserts, and cute little settlements. You could listen to the songs of this game as ambient study/relaxation music for hours.

Playing Nier: Automata endeared me to the characters and world, and as someone who only got to the game on the recent Switch version, I feel like I definitely should've enjoyed the game sooner. I know I'm late to the party, but I'm super keen for a sequel.

If you like the type of post-apocalyptic settings where nature is at the forefront again, or enjoy the feeling of mowing down enemies and becoming powerful. If you are the type to enjoy the perfect blending of high fantasy and sci-fi. If you enjoy cute girl in French Maid outfit. You should play Nier: Automata.

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#blog #blogpost #media recommendations #anime recommendations #videogame recommendations #romantic killer #nier automata #Youtube

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ferie-anon · 3 years

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Can I get a astrology ship with Stray kids and monsta x? My signs are Aquarius sun and rising Taurus moon,Aquarius Mercury, Pisces Venus and Aries mars. Thank you so much! Please be safe and healthy!

Suree~ Let’s see your aquarius sun and taurus moon make you for someone who knows what they want and are clear about their opinions and answers. Self powered I think is the word many use to describe this. You are inventive at times or make clear of some points in topics and situations and your friends appreciate that quality of yours. Taurus moon do care about those close to them and their family, while being private. With aquarius mercury I imagine when you backup your reasoning you will use a unique standing point or execution that others might find convincing. I do think aquarius mercury could be good at satire. Your pisces venus may make you feel attracted to individuals with romantic and sweet qualities. You may be someone that sometimes dreams a bit, or harbors your sweet side that is not often seen by distant acquaintances or people at first. With your aries mars, you may be prone to get angry easily and shortly, with your airy placements your tempers may sometimes be unpredictable at times but you always seem to be far from exploding and probably settles down. Your aquarius rising prompt you to attract others through your unique style or individuality. Aquarius rising ppl have their own original style or impression that leaves other ppl to remember them or may feel drawn to them.

In straykids... your match is I.N aka Jeongin~

Jeongin is also an aquarius, with a leo moon, prompting him to be lovable and cheeky yet smart and aloof. You both are aquarius, so the similarity in personality and thinking may be prominent, and witty and fun banter can be found frequently. Your strong, cool demeanor with Jeongin’s youthful and charms balance each other well, as Jeongin respects and is in awe of your caretaking independent side, while you admire the happiness he brings to people simply from his conversations and being himself. For a first encounter, he might’ve thought you were distinctive in the crowd of people he was surrounded by, your mature and reliable demeanor from your astute thinking and senses, gave him the thought “Woah that Noona is cool...~” You also noticed the sunshine that made everyone smile cheerfully from just looking at him or chatting with him, and you thought he was interesting while finding yourself smile unknowingly as he laughs heartily at his friend’s joke.

First, I’ll elaborate on his leo moon, Jeongin is humorous and loves fun, also is expressive and friendly. Usually when Jeongin is happy, it’s very visible and displayed clearly on his face, and he often seeks the fun and interesting things with his hyungs and members. Leo moons are hilarious in the fact that their smart usage of words or just speaking in general can create a reaction. I.N’s comical imitations and words are usually the source of laughter during a game or event with his members. Your moon is in taurus, and despite being more reserved on the end of your emotions being displayed you offer a warm and trustful aura for others that I.N also finds comfort in. You are persistent and at times Jeongin finds himself admiring you as a mentor and close one as well. You both can be the source of closure and comfort for each other on a bad day or personal day, like cheering each other up in times naturally.

His mercury is in aquarius also~ Having the same placement for mercury, you both have similar forms of communication and initiation on explaining. There will be a lot of expansive theories and thoughts you two could toss at each other or the most random thoughts that come across your minds and make a whole convo or even laugh about it.Talking chill and hanging out would be a natural for you two, and you would probably have similar interests in the topics you tell each other, since aquarius mercuries are usually not limited to one thing. You guys can get serious and deeply invested in the things you talk about, when hanging out can result in unexpected fun activities planned or decided during the time, or range to watching movies and coming up with interesting theories or logicalize things in it.

Next up, his venus is in aries~ Venus in aries natives are quite the affectionate one to their close ones and partner, in Jeongin’s case he probably craves attention and affection. He may get jealous easily, on the basis that he wants your attention ya know 🥺. Expect cuddles, hugs/back hugs, or just some form of physical contact or cling :3 from him. Your venus in pisces may feel at first a lil reserved or shy, but eventually you both have each other charmed in different ways. Your sweet and endearing nature of caring when being affectionate can be heartwarming for Jeongin. A little downside could be the differing energy between you two, for maybe you may not be as bold or clear on your needs or affection as much as Jeongin may naturally have it visible or expressive on him and his actions. But with understanding it can be eased, and your interactions and affections with each other are sweet and sincerely loving. ☂️🍬✨☀️

Lastly his mars is in scorpio, to which can be present in his work ethics, passion, and drive force. With scorpio mars, Jeongin is quite set on improving and persistent in his goals/incentive. This can be seen in gods menu here the choreography is very complex and utilizes a lot of strength and precision, and I.N’s dancing is seen to show improvement during the comeback compared to their debut stages and before. This side is also partially contributes to I.N’s aspect of becoming serious or focused when necessary for something important or that he prioritizes and you appreciate this other side of his. Additionally, your aquarius mars also yields for you to be independent and smart on your ways of achieving set goals, prioritizing own options and decisions while being unrestricted and open to new activities and predictions/possibilities. You two would make for quite the intellectual duo working on a project, activity, or when helping each other. Aquarius and scorpio are both fixed signs, and they’re both adamant about their thoughts and perspective while being loyal and perseverant. Trust is formed easily and secured, and you both appreciate each others independent individual nature that carry their own charisma and uniqueness, and inner strength.

Overall, the couple that surprises people with many of their differing traits and charm. Clever but in a well-rounded sense, like not only limited to academic or book aspects, in life and reflective ways. You both can be analytical or rational, but also naturally compassionate and contemplative. When together, deep lessons and philosophy can naturally be mused out during a random conversation one starry night, and then the next day there may be a pillow fight or infectious laughter that fills the atmosphere. An unpredictable sense of manner within you two, giving way for a new adventure or new types of feelings each time. Vibes -> 🌎🌙☀️🍧⛈💖✨😚⚡️🦊✨✌🏻

Next up.... for Monsta X, your match is I.M or his real name Chang-kyun~

Here is I.M, an aquarius as well! But it’s not just because his sun is also in aquarius as the similarities shared between his placements and yours complement for good synergy and balance. He has a moon aries that prompts for a passionate mindset and healthy competitive attitude, but overall is also a softie and a thoughtful person found in the way he expresses his thoughts and feelings about people and music. Despite some differences with your taurus moon, as you may be a lil less active constantly or more on the ‘going the extra mile if it’s necessary when you want to’ comfort zone, you both are subtley (in action and notion of manner) compassionate and considerate regarding close or cherished friends and acquaintances, partner, etc. No doubt at first meeting, there was a spark or glance encapsulated into a trance, as a longing of curiosity appear naturally within you two.

First off, lets elaborate on his aries moon. Changkyun is a very creative individual who seeks the fun and has a playful/friendly demeanor to others. His self-written raps and musicality can be evidential of his expanding creativity and artistic motives. Aries moon can be childish (in a positive term) in their actions at times, but can be deep and think a lot of their own opinions and mindset (doing reflecting). and get along with others or display care and thoughtfulness of empathizing. With your taurus moon, when together there may be a nurturing warm bond felt between you two and trust is given mutually. Your moon placement shows your clarity innerly, a resilience of knowing when and what you choose or want. Similarly, Changkyun’s aries moon is honest and clear about their resolves/goals, so both of you guys get along well mentally and may get into bickerings that don’t last long due to mutual compromise eventually. I think Taurus moon can sometimes be parental like nagging or looking after close ones and etc, and with Changkyun, you both feel open about personal or unsaid thoughts/emotions. You provide I.M as being the calm soothing supportive pillar, and with I.M’s warm and cheerful nature you find yourself leaning on him in times of personal and hard events happening. I.M will be there to give you a deep long hug or soothing pats on the back, as he listens to your day and problem while giving small nods and words of advice or thoughts.

His mercury is in capricorn, and his form of communication can involve pragmatism and a calm grounded way. Most of the time, aside from monsta x being chaotic, I.M can be seen mature for a maknae/youngest of the group. His opinions, ideals, and thinking is spoken in a self-certain way but calmly mannered way. Your mercury is in aquarius, similarly both these signs don’t waver their opinions usually for others, their opinions and perspectives are built and contructed through the analytical and multiple process of breaking down things to come to a conclusion of what they believe and agree in within their mind. You could say these two are individual thinkers, sometimes resulting in those “genius moments” or aha moment, but exclude the overexaggeration it comes with and there you go. You two would enjoy disecting and learning of each others thoughts, opinions and etc, you both would respect and listen to each others different approaches of views, but you both might butt heads when having certain different concepts sometimes. For a scenario, you guys could be working in a lab for class one time and the air is filled with focused, primitive silence around you both, as you each simultaneously carry inspection while working together with an intellectual peace when communicating. Ofc potentially, you guys will definitely get into “cute, sarcastic banter”. ✨

His venus is also in pisces! Having the same venus placement, you both have similar initiation and take on affection and romance. Aw, this is cute you two might be a bit mellow at first with physical affection or contact but once comfortable it’s like you two are like puppies cuddling, fuzzy and soft. You both provide the affection and things each desire, sincerity and attentiveness. I think dates would be sorta planned or done where some romantic things done on cue like hand holding, sitting in a cafe or having dinner in a romantic setting. Both of you guys can be selfless for friends and loved one, putting their needs into consideration as priority first sometimes. For a scenario, it might include Changkyun blushing when you back-hug him after meeting up together personally and you notice his pink-tinted cheeks from the reaction, your face: ☺️

His mars is also in aquarius! Having the same placement here allows for similar thinking and easier understanding of how each other acts on their motives and priorities. Work ethic/similar thoughts on initiation shows the unity you guys can be in when working together or responding towards each other. Mars in aquarius, you both value your personal space/freedom and being independent on your occassions, so you both would give each other space out of understanding and this allows for a healthy growth in the relationship that will only pull you two closer. Working together, there is mutual agreement and communication that makes you two have good chemistry here as well.

(Ps. Ran out of room for gifs ;-; even tho I wanted to put a gif to end it)

Overall, it’s like having both coffee and cafe latte, you both are cute and have a fuzzy heart, and yet can be the most intellectual/skilled boss of yourself in your serious mode and field of work. Logicality and hidden sass with vulnerability/soft on the inside hidden, you two are quite the duality couple or having dual charms :3 Your vibes together -> ⛅️⭐️🌗✨🍪🍿🌱💖✨🍎 ❤️

#ask #astrology kpop ships #kpop ships #straykids #I.N #jeongin #monsta x #I.M #changkyun

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undeific · 4 years

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combattrelamour replied to your post “my third eye is open. ask me about izaya’s interpersonal relationships”

@chaosholds TWINS

“i just don’t like those two,” izaya says to namie, and then not-so-subtley proudly monologues about them for another 10 minutes

canonically we all know he loves them. canonically they know he loves them. canonically celty fucking knows he loves them. he thinks he’s slick, but he’s not. he’s somehow convinced himself that he doesn’t care for these two girls after spending his entire childhood nurturing them, playing father and mother and brother all at once. but he’s still izaya about it, he still gave them a whole-ass complex for the laugh, he still neglects and torments them the way he would anyone else, so he thinks he’s in the clear, thinks that there’s nothing different about them, even though there is, because of course there is, because he isn’t the godlike machine he thinks he is

in the tv show the borgias, there’s this quote, “only a borgia, it seems, can truly love a borgia.” only oriharas can truly love oriharas. they understand each other. it’s unhealthy and it’s strange and it’s borderline horrific at times but these three siblings understand the way things are between them, they all know how they feel about one another, but saying it means sacrificing something very important that makes them oriharas, so they live in this quiet place of both denial and acceptance of this loyalty and unyielding tenderness that somehow coexists with everything else, and they don’t talk about it, and they never will, and in years to come they will always say they don’t love each other, because that is the most loving thing they could do

anyway here’s a quote from julia ducournau “brotherhood or sisterhood is always depicted as very gory relationships; they’re always incredibly violent --- like there is too much love, there’s this fusion that both parties want to aim at again but it is impossible because they are two different beings, so one of them must disappear”

#combattrelamour #✚ OUT OF INFORMATION.

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iamala · 5 years

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Netflix's Sex Education was a show I thought I was going to hate watching the first couple of episodes but I turned out watching it all to love it.

And I've seen a few comments about how people were disapointed in Adam's storyline so- spoilers below- I wanted to expand on why I actually really loved it.

So the main criticism I've seen is that Adam plays into the homophobic bully is actually gay trope. Which, I fully understand as a reading. But, I actually disagree. Most of the characters and relationships in this show are set up as tropes and then play against them (Aimee as the dumb shallow promiscuous type who is actually taken advantage of and grows through having to explore herself is the quickest example I could think of bc i could write essays on them all).

Adam is a bully. He is set up from the off as the threatening kid, the one who acts out. And then with the viagra and flashing this it's played for comedy and like, dumb boy has feelings, still and idot. But then he gets dumped and the more complex part of his character comes out. Because he gets dumped and he can't let go of trying to find out why. This loss of an extremey emotionally shallow relatipnship really hits him, but not in the- wait I lost the Popular Pretty Girl who is the conquest I should own ego trope way a lot of his character types get. And this isn't a major noticable moment until you find out more about his family.

Adam's hoouse is shot like the 1950s, repression obviously. But if you notice, Adam kicks out looking for a response from his parents, his mother looks the other way and his father just pours increasing levels of dislike and disapointment on him. Note- at no point is this about homophobia or anything. Adam's dad is awkward like when trying to talk about sanitary pads, but at no point is he played as homophobic. He wants a trophy, not a son. This is brought to the front in the parallel with how he treats star student headboy and is later called out on by him ('It's not about my future it's about your sports funding' 'well, yes). So Adam tries to give him a trophy- the essay competition.

And notice throughout how the threat held over Adam is basically- give me a reason not to get rid of you bc I am being bery gracious in continuing to allow you to be my son. So, Adam gets thetrophy. And yes he cheated etc etc and it was never going to work but it backfires massively (however note how his dad still displays the trophy in a prominant position in his office-not for love of the son but almost as a-he could ar least give me this false trophy to show for his life).

Now, Adam and Eric's relationship is subtley complex and problematic, which it is meant to be. I don't think Adam is 'secretly gay' or repressing being queer. He was quite happy with Aimee, their issues where made a point of being based around his self esteem and confidence. But from ep 1 Adam has a fascination (not possitive) with Eric.

At the start Eric is the easy target. He is open, free, very much himself and unapologetic for it. Eric likes being able to have power over someone so comfortable with themselves. The basic feel powerless take power through violence thing.

However, as the show develops the moments the camera focusses on Adam's reaction to Eric are when Eric is being the most out and proud, so to speak. In Adam's eyes, the most provacative- and I mean that in Eric is crossing social boundaries and not being cowed by it, way. This is something Adam has been trying to do from the beginning. He's late, he's disrespectful. He's provocatively violent with the carving a table. Refusing to do work. Adam is provacatove and seeks a reaction and gets only ever derision and further disapointment. And throughout he sees Eric be provacative in a different way but still if Adam was doing it would be read as acting out by his father, and in response he recieves friendship, parental love.

Eric is something Adam is fascinated by less bc he desires him and more bc he desperately wants the freedom Eric seems to have to act however and find love in response. Now I'm not saying that is actually how Eric's life goes bc it isn't. But from Adam's point of view, and the moments the show draws attention to him seeing, it is.

And the turning point for Adam is the ball. Eric turns up the most provative he has looked yet, and his father follows. And instead of derision or disaointment Adam sees them communicate, understand each other, and respect each other and come closer in love. This is like watching an astrophysics lecture in a foreign language for Adam. He so desperately wants that and yet has no idea how it could even come to be. This boy has no emotional intimacy at all. Even his mother is simply emotionally absent if not actively abusive.

And he does what he does. He kicks out but you can see his heart isn't in it. And Eric does not give him a reaction- this moment is a very different moment from Eric's perspective btw. I'm focussing on Adam only bc I want to address how he complicates the apparent trope.

Adam has lost the only 'power' he had and he lashes out. He lashes out at Aimee's boyfriend and ultimately the confrontation with his dad is where their relationship finally breaks. It's over. I'd have to double check but I don't think we ever actually see them in a scene together again. Adam has finally abandoned ever getting that emotion from his dad.

Then comes that detention scene.

Now, this scene deliberately plays into the trope of the bully wanting the victim etc., but my personal reading is that it does so to play against it (the show is full of those moments, the aesthetic being a major one-borrowing an american visual film style and using that to play against later).

Adam sets up back as the bully. He makes Eric do the work etc. Then Eric calls him out on his relationship with his dad but also sympathises in a small but key moment with 'I couldn't imagine being scared of my own dad'. It's after this that Adam actually tries to reach out. Only Adam has 0 emotional skills so him reaching out is trying to take the music stand- i.e. offering to help- but it turning into a fight bc his act still reads as violence to Eric.

They scuffle and fight and end up on the floor. Now, if we were to follow this trope set up fully, the rolling around would be sexually based. That is usually the moment the bully gets the physical contact he's been craving, is over come by the sexual tension, and usually somewhat aggressive kissing breaks out as an explosion of this sexual tension.

But for Adam it is not sexual tension that is the issue, it's emotional. Eric spits at him and looks terrified. He expects aggressino in response. However, what is really interesting here is,the way Adam is holding Eric is not wholley aggressive. Not muscles strainging trying to contain physical violence. And his response is to spit back. Horrid and agressive in one way, but also the point he makes, asking how he likes it, is actually a moment that draws attention to the emotional harm of being spat at. It's a subtle writing clue but one that reakly struck me.

I, like probably everyone else watching that scene, was expecting the kiss. However, it being proceeded by that emotional emphasis, and also, the fact that Eric initiates got me. Usually in these scenes it is the bully's sexual frustration that comes to the fore and the trope is the victim expects violence and gets kissed instead, or they come together in an explosion of sort of violent physical frustration. But here it was Eric who lifted his head to initiate- though obviously still wary, and Adam responds tenderly.

In fact the tenderness Adam shows is overwhelming. This is the first bit of physical affection based on connection we've seen him have. And his response is to cradle Eric's face, to kiss his cheek and neck and down his body worshipfully. It is also one of the few sex scenes we don't see, we only see Eric's pleasure, bc in that scene, that is what Adam is focussed on.

Now I'm going to talk about possibly my favourite scene from a film perspective in the whole series new but I wanted to precede it by saying- I am not actually sure if Adam actually fancies Eric. I think he is fixated with him, but I think he craves being Eric more than Eric himself at this point. He wishes he could have that life- and I don't mean this in being out and proud, but in being able to explore and grow and be himself and be made stronger with love.

So, the biology lesson. Adam walks in, late, same bravado. They're made to sit next to each other and both do the overcompensating we're not friends nervous thing. And Eric hands Adam a pen. This is a caring move to Adam, and it's this moment when Adam seems to be just aching with want to reach out and be close to someone.

He inches his leg closer. He presses their arms nearer. And Eric doesn't resist but it's definitely Adam doing the reaching out. And then, he moves his little finger, and he moves it so slowly and the focus is making you feel how badly he wants to just touch, to hold hands, to connect. His want is communicated so well in the scene, and yet, their fingers never actually touch. The image feels such a perfect summary in a shot for Adam-bending and reaching towards connection he craves but still unable to touch it. The world hasn't changed.

Adam and Eric do not share another scene until the end. Adam's father sends someone to take him away and Eric sees it. Or rather, Adam looks at Eric and sees in him all he wants, and yet the world still being the same, it is made impossible for him to reach as he is detached forcibly from it.

Eric's storyline is about owning himself and being himself despite the fact he knows the world will hurt him for it- 'it'll be hard for me anyway is it not better to be myself'. Adam's storyline is about how he so badly wants to be able to grow and become more than he is, but how he is uncapable bc of his lack of emotional strength.

Note, Adam starts as a bully with a rubbish family, being threatened with being cut off entirely. Adam ends- still not really reformed, with a rubbish family, being cut off entirely. Adam doesn't develop, he's can't. His trajectory remains the same as at the eginning of the story.

I don't think Adam plays into the repressive bully trope simply bc his relationship with Eric is not about his sexuality. Once Aimee is taken from him Eric is pretty much the only person Adam interracts with outside his family. It's not a good relationship. It's not a- oh kiss and all solved. It is problematic and meant to be so.

In the usual trope, Adam would be redeemed by admitting his sexuality and that would be what endeared him to the audience and made it possible for him to find a happy ending, either with the victim or elsewhere. In this story, Adam being cool kissing a guy isn't his millstone. Kissing Eric changes nothing for him, it only illustrates to us how desperately he wants connection just before he gets formally severed from any possibility of it by being taken away.

I fully get why some people have issue with Adam and especially his relationship with Eric. But if you look at it all the sex in the later episodes of the series are about emotional develpment. Aimee learns how to make sex pleasurable and finds the confidence to ditch her toxic friends. Alien girl whose name I have forgotten, discovered actually sex isn't what she wants right now. Sex goes from something done for the sake of itself in the early episodes to something that informs the character. Adam's first sex scene was him being unable to physically connect bc of his father. Adam's last sex scene was him wanting to emotionally connect, and ultimately being prevented from that by his father.

For Eric, his sex scene is much more- when you stop trying to be what people like an be yourself, you can find pleasure.

All the storylines in this show are problematic and this one pays against a problematic trope in queer media, however, in my opinion, it subverts it too. And I just wanted to ramble that all out just to put an differing opinion on Adam's ch out there.

#netflix sex education #spoilers #adam and eric #long

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aboutmikasa · 6 years

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I've always loved Mikasasha. It was something that seemed so subtley there, if you looked for it. I never thought that Isayama would give us such a big and touching Mikasasha moment as this. But he did in the way he gives life to relationships the best: in death. I am so torn by it all.

First and most important platonic Mikasasha IS canon.

Can we just share a moment of heartbreaking happiness here?

I know people love controversy, hate-love kind of relationships the most, but Mikasa and Sasha have so much to offer and you can’t be so blind to their relationship to ignore how much Sasha has given to her, how much more she could have given to her. Mikasasha is a healthy and pure relationship and no one, not even Isayama, can take that away from us.

Since their training days, when Mikasa stayed in that table and Ymir, Sasha and Historia left, we knew. That tiny moment showed us something Mikasa yearned for. Then, she got Hannah…

…and lost Hannan.

She has a complex relationship with Eren, whether you ship them or bro-ship them or shiganshina-trio-ship them, Mikasa and Eren are way too complicated. Armin is an old free soul; he loves her but his desires move him in another direction. The 3 of them are an amazing representation of real friendship, yet, Mikasa wants more. Wants something different. She just doesn’t say it out loud, but for Sina’s sake! look at her. Just look at her.

Mikasa is a mess. The most beautiful mess; too strong to be fragile, too fragile to be strong.

Her quiet life requires friends and family, and someone who wants to sit in front of a bonfire and makes her laugh with stupid jokes. I bet you, Mikasa thought Sasha was going to be there with her when Armin and Eren are gone. Now, she looks even more broken. She lost another member of her family and once again she couldn’t do anything. It doesn’t mean Mikasa cares or loves Armin and Eren less, same goes for Sasha, Connie and Jean. That’s not how love works.

Mikasa’s characterization defies “subtle”, what is subtle in any other context is not when it comes to her and SnK.

It’s Sasha and Mikasa getting closer and closer over the years; from I blame your farts for the noise and I left with my friends while you stay to real friends.

It’s Mikasa and Sasha sharing their room.

It’s Mikasa teasing Sasha with food.

It’s Sasha thanking her for saving her life.

It’s Sasha sitting next to Mikasa during their meals.

It’s Sasha quoting Mikasa (quoting Eren).

It’s Sasha reprimanding Mikasa because she got distracted when Jean screams about her arrows landing too close to the red-scarfed-soldier.

It’s Sasha punching Mikasa. Only a close friend would have the guts to do that.

It’s Mikasa asking Connie to choke Sasha out.

It’s Mikasa noticing Sasha hasn’t eaten yet.

It’s Mikasa holding Sasha while jumping in joy.

It’s Mikasa pulling Sasha’s hair and telling her to stay awake.

It’s Mikasa running because her friend is dying.

It’s Mikasa crying while holding Sasha’s body.

It’s Mikasa sitting on a grave and talking to Sasha even if she’s not there anymore.

It’s you and me, trying to keep our shit together because of this burning ache.

Now fill the gaps with your imagination and cry and laugh because our ship is gorgeous and real. Oh sweet, Sina! It’s painfully real.

As a reader I don’t want the easy way out, I wouldn’t read SnK for a happy ending. That’s not my thing. I’m sad because I love Sasha but it’s a good kind of sadness. A poetic sadness. I like the main idea behind SnK; dude knows what he wants to tell and I respect that. I want more and that’s the problem, I want a novel and not a manga.

#mikasasha #mikasa ackerman #sasha braus #all those facts are canon #just saying #snk 105 #snk 106 #spoilers #there's a reasons i'm not active again #snk broke me once again #you can dislike mikasa but don't you dare to tell me only cares about eren #unless you send me a letter from your parent agreeing with me that you're stupid #i have too many opinions #anon #c/t

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