#also did i mention how self sacrificial this man is.. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

asachuu · 3 months

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Rising from my grave to inform you all that I legitimately do not understand this “Arthur is forcefully, obsessively in love with Paul” claim/trope I’ve seen a couple of times over the years and I quite frankly don’t know where exactly it originated, but it’s just…a bit confusing, at the very least.

I don’t dispute that Arthur may have very well been in love with Paul and quite deeply so, far from, but some people speak of him as if he were this yandere stereotype in canon (AUs are AUs and those I am not talking about here), and I’m not certain of the context behind it? I can only perhaps think of the line in Stormbringer in which he swears to bring Paul back home no matter what, but that’s a stand-alone line he says on a mission during which his most trusted partner betrays him, and all other implied interactions between the two lead me to believe that Arthur is really just this shy, lonely 15-19 year old— see Arthur’s whole memoir claiming he wasn’t allowed to have any personal relationships, his supposed canonical age at the time, Paul’s recollection in the epilogue of Arthur “shyly” handing him over his gift, and speaking of said gift; Arthur’s uncertainty of whether giving it was the right thing to do, plus his worry about it over a decade later in his final moments— not this forceful, deranged maniac so far blinded by love to a point of thinking himself to have some kind of ownership over his partner. I suppose you could point to Arthur’s second death being only for Paul’s sake and nothing else, a self-sacrificial act that doubtlessly paints him as someone who most definitely cares about his partner far more than he should, but get this— he himself claims he’s already dead, and Paul was the only person he’d been allowed to care for, to look after, to stay beside and so on, not to mention he doesn’t see himself as anything of importance anyway— claiming no one will remember him after his death and he’ll only get an unmarked tombstone doesn’t invoke anything else, really— so I don’t think he’d take it as something of the same exact magnitude that it must have had in Paul’s eyes, and besides, he’s never seen it as something for Paul to constantly remember him for after his death to haunt him, for instance; it was only an act of saving his life to make up for a birthday gift he didn’t like, or so Arthur himself claims.

I certainly don’t doubt Arthur’s adoration and evident self-deprecation being horribly unhealthy, it definitely is and I haven’t written an essay on it just to claim otherwise, but there’s nothing pointing to him being anyhow forceful, possessive, completely dismissive of personal boundaries, rather the opposite— the man quite literally, canonically worries whether giving Paul a gift was the right thing to do, considering he wasn’t anyhow appreciated for it, and in not a single sentence is it implied he thinks of himself as having some kind of ownership over Paul beyond having raised him and given him a life— which, might I also add, he says as Paul points a gun at him with the intention of killing him, something which he doesn’t even hold against him a single time. In very simple terms, if I am to summarize it, I’d say Arthur is more of an extreme doormat personality, someone who doubtlessly puts his partner on a pedestal while thinking of himself as nowhere near, and although that’s nowhere close to behavior which should be rooted for, he’s certainly not some lovesick madman who is entirely oblivious to how much he’s overstepping— while it is true that Paul doesn’t appreciate his care for him or his attempts at comforting him whatsoever, that’s just…not a display of obsessive love on Arthur’s part? I’m not entirely certain on how to explain it to get the point across, but there’s a huge difference between wanting to comfort the dearest person to you, even if they despise it like Paul did, and showering them with unwanted affection, being possessive over them and whatnot.

Besides, Arthur has not once expected a thing in return for his actions throughout both novels— he’s never claimed he wants Paul’s gratitude, appreciation, love, anything, or that he’d feel anyhow entitled to it, perhaps even that he’d wind up getting his way someday if he continued, or any other such thing that this trope very often comes with. All of Arthur’s actions have never been to gain anything from Paul, and that’s clear from his memoir alone— if there’s one thing he actually wanted, it was to have someone to care for, someone to matter to, but that wasn’t something he was forcing Paul to show in any way, that was what he’d already felt he achieved from the start, most likely because he couldn’t have had any other frame of reference. There was nothing he ever wanted to force Paul to do, and if anything, what he saw Paul as was a human being of his own, not something which ultimately belonged to him in any way, shape or form, or someone who was indebted to him for all Arthur had done for him.

All that to say, this is just a short post against blatant mischaracterization, not against AUs, as I said. I admit the AU concept itself is very much not my thing either, but my personal opinion is obviously not the opinion of everyone else, and if that’s what you enjoy creating content for, feel free to go for it— just please don’t claim it’s actually canon. That’s all.

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localplaguenurse · 1 year

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Yk that one tiktok trend where we meet the younger versions of ourselves and we say a few things

What would wifey say if they ever saw their younger self because of a leyline disruption or something.

Me @ the prompt and also the art

Man you got me when I'm trying to put my writing powers to something else and I'm torn between if I want to fully write this out or keep it short and sweet

I'm kinda going off of what I can find on both the genshin wiki and actual articles about ley lines for this but unless I'm reading it wrong, my understanding is they recreate/repeat memories, and I can't find anything really about how interactable these memories are so 1. fuck it, we ball, and 2. if literally anyone knowledgeable about ley lines sees this and I get something wrong, help me

It's a familiar sight at the monastery. The fan shaped leaves, still green, gently rustle as the wind flows through them. Small wildflowers pop up in the grass, adding more colour to the greenery.

Crumpled to their knees, sobbing into bandaged hands, sits a young bride. Their dress is striking silk red, tailored to fit them alone yet it has never felt right on their body. The fear, the anger, and the utter grief over losing all they have ever had radiates off of them like heat from a flame. They were a caretaker once, but after today, they are property, a sacrificial virgin offered up to a god for the protection of their loved ones. Their loved ones who so graciously tossed them at the feet of this god the first chance they saw.

The memory is painful enough as is, but to actually see your younger self in front of you is surreal, and the sight causes a deep visceral dread in your body.

When your youngest son had come to you, pale as a sheet, saying this nonsense about how he saw you crying in the orchard, you almost wanted to laugh. That's impossible, you've been in the courtyard all day catching up with some old friends. Still, that disturbed demeanor, that level of fear and worry in his eyes, is not an expression that can be made up on a whim. No one makes that sort of face unless they have genuinely seen something bad. Regardless of what he truly saw, your son saw something upsetting, and it is your job as his mother to help him.

You sent him away to go eat lunch with the rest of his siblings, promising you will fix it by the time they are done. You walked through the monastery until you had reached the orchard. You walked beneath the towering ginkgo trees, looking around for any sort of intruder. There shouldn't be any monsters about, so what did he see?

Near the very edge of the orchard, you spy the colour red. Your heart rate stutters, but you try to steady yourself as you cautiously approach. With each step, you can hear the faintest of sobbing, and the exact voice, each hiccup and sniffle and cry, it all becomes so familiar. Your mouth fills with saliva, your stomach twists, and your chest feels tighter.

And here you are.

Or is it there you are?

It has been... goodness, almost thirty years since you've been in that exact dress. You have hardly aged since your bond with Morax was put in place, with the only passing of time on your body being the growth of your hair, the fading of scars, and stretchmarks and bit of leftover weight gained from past pregnancies. Still, this young woman is so, so young. They've hardly even begun adulthood, only just having shed their teenage years. Their sobbing is childish, quite literally immature, for they are still practically a child.

The memory of you makes your heart ache for so many reasons. That day was a very upsetting day, and you don't understand what you're doing here. Why are you seeing this memory, this ghost of your past life, despite the fact you are still alive and breathing? Not to mention that this version of you is only a couple years younger than your oldest daughter, and with how your youngest three children all resemble you, it really does feel like you're watching one of your children crying on their wedding day.

What mother wouldn't console their daughter when they're this upset?

You carefully approach, and you sit on the ground next to them. They are still crying when you do. With unease on your mind, you lift a hand up and touch their back. There's warmth in their body, and you can feel silk on your fingertips.

They stop crying when you put your arms around them. You pull them close, cradling their head against your shoulder. You hold them like that, waiting to see if something will happen, like the figure disappearing from your hold, or reality suddenly breaking.

"... You're going to be okay," you whisper, "we're going to be okay."

They're shaking a little as they try to hold in their - your - sobs.

"You have every right to be as angry and as scared as you are," you tell yourself, "it wasn't fair. He's truly wonderful, and loves you so much, but it wasn't fair to you." You run your fingers through your younger self's hair. "He will make it up to you, and you do not have to forgive her for giving you away. I still haven't, and I don't think I will, but what matters most right now is that you will be okay."

"... Thank you."

You let yourself go, and you're gone. You feel tears in your eyes, and you quickly wipe them away. It's... odd. You feel like there's a weight off of your shoulders, despite the fact that this experience should rattle you to your core.

You do not know if they understand who you are. You do not know if what you did will have any affect on them, if they'll remember it or if they'll have been completely reset if you ever see them again. You think you would do it again, though. You think you would tell them all of that over and over again, say the words you wished you had heard that dreadful day.

You take a deep breath, stand up, and head back to the monastery.

#ask #as gold as the ginkgo trees #my writing #genshin morax #genshin impact #idk if i should tag this as morax x reader #he's only mentioned by name once and it's not even really about him #second person pov

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mrowsaysthecat · 1 month

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This is all about a fictional character that I'm still emotional over. In the end, it's all fiction and I'm aware of that - but there's also a reflection in how certain characters are treated in comparison with real life outlooks and experiences of actual humans who aren't fictional...

I also believe that there's room for dark shit, messed up shit, evil characters and that these aspects of fiction don't always reflect the author's true self. We're story tellers. I like my dark, fucked up shit the same as many other people - but in the end, I don't like cruelty in real life. I don't like a lot of shit that I'd happily write about, because it causes a story to be told - and something to think about, or things to hold up to society and say 'hey, lookit'.... And sometimes, it just for shits and giggles, if we're being real about things. However, I will forever be pissed off over how certain shit played out where one fictional character is concerned, and here's just a small bit of why. It involves both fiction and reality, and the reality that sometimes, some characters are treated in ways that reflect how some people are seen in real, every day life...

They did Glenn Rhee wrong in TWD main series.

They took meaning from his character outside of being Mr. Maggie for a good portion of the show. They didn't allow much back story either; what do we actually know of Glenn from the show's history? Not the comics or games or anything but the show? Really, what do we know? When they were in the prison and he was very angry, that was probably one of the highlights of him not being a ray of sunshine somehow, or a positive aspect ready to overcome the darkness. Steven Yeun has spoken on how flat he felt the character was served when it came to emotional reactions beyond a certain point. Goodness isn't a bad characteristic at all, neither is optimism, but there is a sense of lacking within Glenn's stories that don't show the layers of personality and worries and struggles behind those aspects of self. The only real time we saw was the showdown with Nicholas in the woods, and even that felt rushed and hushed in a sense. They made a sacrificial lamb of a person, and writers even admitted to not knowing what to do with him. So what if his character died in the comics? Do you realize how much they changed for so many different characters before that point? For instance, Carol's survival and Sophia's demise. Not to mention Daryl's whole existence as a character. Why couldn't they do the same for Glenn, defy the 'logic' of 'it happened in the comics', and why couldn't they give him more back story while they were at it?

And now, all these people wanting to ship Maggie and Negan, like Glenn doesn't matter at all. It rips at his humanity in ways I don't even want to talk about, but I'm sure people aren't thinking of that when they want those two to kiss. Who cares, right? Glenn's just a dead Asian man that y'all never cared about while he was alive anyway... And it runs deeper than that for some of you, but we won't get into that because I don't have the energy right now. After all, people who are racist in that way won't change because they either don't have the ability to see themselves for their true shit (and try to think about why and how to change that outlook) or they just don't give a fuck about it because they're unapologetically and proudly against either a certain set of humans with certain features or whatever it is they're stupid over, or they don't like interracial couples and don't give a shit to realize that we're all fucking humans and we're all connected in some way or another.... :x

But yeah. I'll always be salty about this, and the fact that Glenn's character could have been so much more than they let him be in the end. Then again, I think he and Daryl should have hooked up instead, but that's just me? But you know, so much of the TWD fandom would have shit itself over that pairing....

#glenn rhee #steven yeun #I'm just ranting #and if you've got an opinion about my opinion you can keep it to yourself because I'm not going to argue with people about how I legit FEEL #like seriously if you don't like this don't interact with me about it at all #just keep on keeping on

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seasurfacefullofclouds1 · 6 months

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In regards to the whole chicken parm thing, larries are (again) really showing which one of them they actually like. I don't even understand how you can devote your life to being delusional about a ship when you hate one of them so much. Tags on here be like 'he's rude', 'grow up', insulting brianna and calling him a bad father (which, idk if he is or isnt but it definitely wasn't the discussion)

My favourite was someone saying louis 'exposed himself as a liar' because he said he cooked that damn chicken for eleanor, so his tweet now proves he lied and didn't cook it for her because... well. Um. Bluegreen, I guess. As if that man hasn't been hounded by these rumours for over a decade and as if there's no chance he knows one of the most popular 'proofs' about it.

During the tweet spree, Louis didn’t mention anyone in his life except Freddie, and even if he did, what good would it do?

Larries even recently fantasized that Two Of Us was a song about Harry. How can we take people who seriously turn every molecule of Louis’ existence into a shadow for Harry Styles? A literal shadow, hiding in balconies and backstage watching Harry’s performances during Louis’ own solo tour.

I saw this this morning:

“If he can’t behave”…

You would think Louis committed a crime!

Because they’ve spent money on him, Louis should act friendly toward those who demean him, who treat him like a rude but masochistic, self-sacrificial porn star in their fantasies.

He should just go along with people thinking every word he writes is about Harry Styles and every thought he has is for Harry Styles. Now only that, but Louis should know his career exists just because of Harry Styles and their shared fans, and never, ever hope for anything better.

I remember the tumblr post last year from the big Larrie who used to run the business-direction blog, who said Louis’ goal was to subsume his career to Harry’s so Harry could be a big MCU star. Unfortunately for these fantasies, no matter how much Louis throws himself under the bus, he can’t improve Harry’s acting skills.

Larries also make sure that any new fan of Louis’, be they a reactor on YouTube, or an opening act, or an indie musician, or a casual listener, knows that Louis’ fandom is filled with weird cultists.

When Louis behaves like a real person with feelings, an actual human being, somehow these fans (many of them very grown adults) feel insulted and say the vilest things about a person they “love.” They even come back to a fandom they’ve left just to gaslight followers some more.

Who are the rude ones here?

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lokiinmediasideblog · 2 months

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Biblical Influences in the Thor Movies

I was thinking of the Biblical influences that permeated Thor movies, loose and inaccurate adaptations of the Norse pantheon after reading to the Pre-production section of Thor (2011)'s wiki article and the constant mention of turning an "old testament god into a new testament one". And they often mention the parable of the Prodigal Son where Thor is THE PRODIGAL SON.

It is well-known that in Norse mythology, Loki was saddled with the comparisons to Lucifer due to biases from the Christians that transcribed the myths, and as the "antagonist".

The Thor movies are nothing like the Norse myths, but it's interesting to see how much more Biblical influence they have. Norse myth!Thor has no points of comparison to Lucifer or Jesus (while myth!Loki has been jokingly said to be the quivalent to "if Satan and Jesus were the same person"). But I've noticed that the MCU's version of Thor does.

Thor's parallels with Lucifer (admittedly they're all from the Thor (2011) movie):

He was his God/King/Father's favorite. The most beautiful angel.

Fell from grace after challenging his Father/God/King (banishment). His main sin was his arrogance and pride.

Loki's parallel's with Lucifer:

The horned depiction (I am well-aware that horned depictions of the Devil happened due to the villification of Pagan deities).

Loki's deceit has destructive consequences.

Loki also "fell from grace" (into the void). But Loki let go after being unable to process rejection and the traumatic revelations. And he came back worse.

Loki and Sylvie were responsible for unleashing free will.

Thor's parallels with Jesus:

Thor became a man, like Jesus. While Jesus did it willingly to save humanity, Thor was forced into it.

Thor sacrifices himself to protect a town from Loki's wrath.

After said sacrifice, Thor comes back as a God again. No longer just a man. After passing a test.

Loki's parallels with Jesus:

Has self-destructive self-sacrificial tendencies but they are usually geared towards protecting his loved ones.

Loki sacrifices his own free will and personhood to keep the rest of the timelines from dying and "save his friends". As much as I hated aspects of the series, a part of me is interested in the "Godhood as a form of dehumanization" aspect of his end. It's so fucked up.

Loki is the one dealing with an entity that's trying to make him give in to its commands that would doom the entire universe and eventually killed him.

Anyway feel free to add to this shit my formerly Catholic ass came up with.

#the thor franchise is fascinating from a comparative religion standpoint.#mcu!loki #mcu!thor #thor movies #meta #i have brainrot officially

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anishake · 1 year

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Bleach character’s and their planet placements

Yes, it’s what you're thinking - this is a post about what planet placements different characters might have, here we go (The sun signs are from offical databook):

Ichigo - Cancer Sun with

Moon in Scorpio: Mom related angst? Ichigo is a poster child of Moon in Scorpio placement, these people often come with a big emotional baggage when it comes to their moms and let’s not start with the complicated inner world he had

Mercury in Leo - Honestly, the reason I gave this placement to him is that Ichigo loves Shakespear, these people are fan of poetry and are more inclined to do well in humanitarian subjects. As it is revealed Ichigo became a translator, so I think the Leo Mercury makes perfect sense for him.

Venus in Cancer - he is a family man, need to say more?

Mars in Aries - Ichigo is very hotheaded, goes straight into action without thinking much and it’s always insticts driving him, rather then logic, also he has big and endless energy, just like Mars in Aries.

Rukia - Capricorn with

Moon in Aries: Rukia is a true definition of independent woman who knows how to give others motivation. She steadily rises to any challenges and is an honorable warrior. Besides she is very explosive and never shies away from anger - a true Moon in Aries Queen

Mercury in Aquarius - she is a very progressive and individualistic thinker and her weird chappy drawings are definitely the product of this placement.

Venus in Sagittarius - Rukia is in no way a romantic, but when she loves, she loves deeply and always places huge ideals on people she deems close.

Mars in Virgo - She is very practical, hard working and a bit self-sacrificial. Think this placement makes sense for her.

Orihime - Virgo with

Moon in Cancer - a perfect bundle of empathetic, caring and emotional. She even has that round face that many Cancer Moon gives.

Mercury in Libra - Orihime was the hopeless daydreamer and romantic. Never brisk or rude when it came to communication.

Venus in Libra - Again, we come to romance and love. She professed her undying love and wished that she had 5 lives but one love interest in all of them. Yeah this Venus natives are that romantic and pretty much in love with the idea of being in love.

Mars in Virgo - Orihime was always good with house chores and she is a healer, she might not be the best of warriors but never backs down from doing work.

Aizen - Gemini with

Moon in Leo - this man had a HUGE ego. Not to mention, Aizen did all the work just because he didn’t want to be under anyone else’s rule, this moon has the narcissist jumping out and the hair game is on point always, when it comes to Leo.

Mercury in Gemini - This placements are clever as hell, big multitaskers and sharp minds.

Venus in Taurus - Aizen was a man of Luxury, what can I say.

Mars in Scorpio - Scheming for years and making sure everything is under your control? Leave it to this placement to execute everything perfectly and without anyone knowing.

Byakuya - Aquarius with

Moon in Leo - one thing Byakuya is is a prideful man with a hint of ego lurking on the surface. Besides he was quite a hothead and is a secret one still to this day. No one better to do that with than good ol’ fire moon. Not to forget, he has a fabulous hair.

Mercury in Capricorn - A true conservative. He knows how to carry on the legacy and is a very reserved talker, unless provoked.

Venus in Aquarius - this placement is a rule-breaker and nonconventional when it comes to love affairs. We all know who he married and how he defied rules to have Hisana as his wife.

Mars in Capricorn - cold, disciplined and unapproachable, that’s our Byakuya so I went with this Mars placement.

Yoruichi - Capricorn with

Moon in Gemini - this placement is chill, playful and doesn’t tend to dwell on things much like Yoruichi. It’s all fun, flirting and games for this Moon

Mercury in Sagittarius - she is a free spirit, doesn’t care much about formalities and often says things as it is

Venus in Capricorn - I’m really not sure about this Venus placement for Yoruichi, but taking all the signs, this might be the perfect choice for her, considering her noble lineage. (Another option: Scorpio Venus, goes with her character as well)

Mars in Sagittarius - Legs and tighs! yup, no one has it better than this Mars sign just like Yoruichi.

Ulqiorra - Sagittarius with

Moon in Capricorn - to say it lightly, this Moon doesn’t do emotions well and one thing Ulquiorra struggled were his and other’s feelings, having problems with nihilism.

Mercury in Scorpio - he isn’t man of many words, but when he speaks he doesn’t play around goes straight to the point. Also he is very observing.

Venus in Scorpio - Ulquirra had the theme of Lust going on, what other Venus to give him than Scorpio, with his depth and obsessive nature.

Mars in Virgo - he was a dutiful and responsible man, always doing what he was given orders. This Mars knows how to do exactly that

#bleach #ichigo kurosaki #kuchiki rukia #orihime inoue #sousuke aizen #kuchiki byakuya #yoruichi shihouin #ulquiorra cifer #ichiruki #ichihime #byayoru #aizen #astrology #natal chart #mine #bleach: tybw

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artist-issues · 11 months

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Just saw Across the Spider-Verse! Quick thoughts, before I sleep on it and maybe see it again and come to a final conclusion:

Seeing the way Miguel moved and talked was cool.

The art in the movie was stunning. But...literally, stunning, as in, sometimes I was so absorbed in how cool something looked that I literally got sidetracked from the scene and dialogue. Also, eventually, it was sensory overload. No climax, visually, because EVERYTHING looked like a climax.

The sequence in Gwen's world is the tightest part of the film.

Chase and fight scenes dragged on too long without moving the story. But the cameos were so cool that I was never bored!

Music was not as perfectly-fitting to the story as the first film's soundtrack was.

The voice acting was better in this film than it even was in the first film!

Love Donald Glover's cameo.

The villain was all over the place--not just literally. Spot was funny and his constant yammering was entertaining, but that detracted from me believing that he was a bad enough or even WOUNDED enough guy to really follow through and hurt Miles.

The fact that it was a film that couldn't stand alone sort of hurt, after such a conclusive and right story structure in the first movie. But then again, it is a sequel, and the fact that it's a "To Be Continued..." sort of excuses how odd the climax felt and how mildly pointless the story felt on first experience.

Oh, and Peter Parker? With Mayday? Exactly as annoying as I thought it would be. I'm sure it's a cool cameo to see Mayday Parker, and it makes sense to have her mentioned after having a kid was so important to Peter in the first film. But she, herself, was annoying because she was the only thing Peter Parker was there to talk about. When what I really wanted was to see more of just--him. Spider-Man. Original Spider-Man. Classic Spider-Man. But no, instead I got spineless, soft, conflict-avoiding, comedic, bad friend, bad mentor Spider-Dad with no protective, heroic, self-sacrificial Spider-Dad. That's my biggest complaint. They did Spider-Man dirty.

That is all so far! And not my final answer.

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dragon-business · 7 months

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Parallels between Majima-Makoto and Kiryu-Tachibana

TW: SA mention + brief discussion of the Hole in the 3 paragraphs that are in brackets right under the cut.

So, for Majima Makoto was (amongst other things) a complicated metaphor of getting away from the bad past and being saved and healing and of having a chance to get your freedom and life back.

I can't, my heart tears itself apart thinking about them… it's all in the 👌 facing your pain through recognition in the other 👌the projection 👌 the empathy and mutual understanding 👌

(Speaking of them understanding each other, I do think some form of SA happened in the Hole, but like all SA it wasn't about sex, it was about control. It was part of the torture. I maybe even approve of how it was approached with some respect in the story, while still being a clear read.)

(And just like that I do not think Shimano or Sagawa were sexually abusing Majima after the Hole. They had different, no less terrifying ways to do that.)

(The deepest way Majima bonded with Makoto? The careful way they both talked around the past? And it breaks my heart how even with all this Majima went "well, it's nothing compared to what you went through.")

Facing Makoto as a mirror of himself Majima finds out he can't not try and be his best self. He finds out that for her he'd do anything no one ever did for him. Finds out he can never be like people that did terrible shit to him, even after many years of his self sacrificial crusade of revenge.

These stories fit together like pieces of the puzzle, the parallels are killing me. For Majima, helping Makoto is like holding on to a plank of wood in the middle of a storm, it's desperate and painful, like re-breaking a badly healed bone.

I don't even ship them. Partially because I read Majima as a gay man, partially because there is a lot of importance and value and reverence in this relationship even without the romance. My heart can barely handle how important they are to each other.

Ok, many words I can write on them aside, they are each others' symbols/final push for standing up for themselves, of taking their life back. And for Majima Makoto is also the symbol of the future and all the good things that can be possible. In the world and for Majima specifically.

And the terrible, scary question is – was Tachibana a symbol of a different, safer and more gentle life for Kiryu, too?

Because parallels.

Because despite trying so hard to get into yakuza world, Kiryu still fell so neatly into the civilian job. Because with all the fucked up stuff going on in the family at the time, it was Tachibana who was always pulling Kiryu out to safety, to normal life.

Because amongst the fucking despicable assholes killing and ruining lives in the blood and dirt over a tiny piece of land, Tachibana was there to find and save his family.

He did go into all the criminal stuff very young, like Kiryu - for his family. But unlike Kiryu, who was naive and didn't want to be left out, Tachibana did it to survive and to protect his family. And is now dealing with it all again, just to get his close ones back (Kiryu also became one of those close ones to get out of this mess along the way). He was all stoic face mute rock type, up until he learned that he can do it. And then he turned all his life around, put his everything into working for freedom from this bad shit.

And here comes Kiryu, repeating the same steps, getting into the mafia, going down the dark path for his own family. The moment of self recognition hit Tachibana like a top tier sports car, I bet. He's smart, he can piece together a lot of background info going around, considering he knows Kazama as well.

And Kiryu turned out to be not just a shivering big eyed puppy Tachibana picked up from a box in the rain. But a shivering big eyed puppy with themes and narratives. That is not only loyal, but also kind and stubbornly honest.

After a lifetime of treading half submerged in all the dirt of this world, this probably felt like a breath of fresh air (dang, Kiryu gets everyone with this).

*Gestures between Oda and Kiryu* Tachibana really got hit with the difference, didn't he.

Tachibana and Kiryu are 25 and 20! Majima and Makoto are 24 and 20! Insane, I'm going feral.

It's all coming together.

Projections, parallels.

Because along the course of 0 Kiryu came full circle to Tachibanas' position both factually and personally. Because Tachibana and his quest of saving his family was the embodiment of all Kiryu wanted to be and to believe in in the world.

It's through helping him Kiryu finally faces the real world and who he wants to be in it. And turns out it wasn't the yakuza world. Him being connected to yakuza made this worse and harder, actually. Thank g-d he wasn't a yakuza anymore, right, hahah, sorry, dad.

Setting Kiryu up with Tachibana was probably the nicest thing Kazama did for Kiryu. Amongst all the manipulation and overt powerplays, only Tachibana was direct and honest with him (oh Tachibana, and his kokoro doking with Kiryu, man knows the value of honesty, and Kiryu has it in buckets).

- The parallels are very clear, and beautiful. Letting go of the past seemed imminent, freedom was within grasp.

But then Tachibana fucking dies in Kiryu's arms, and Majima doesn't let himself reconnect with Makoto, and both of them go "Yeah, I'm back in the family, it's all good, this is a nice logical choice I'm making here".

Majima lost Makoto on the last stretch of her journey, because his fucking past caught up to him (oh, the parallels), and so his metaphor was robbed of its conclusion. It was switched into another form of "you can't run away". It all would've been so different if they stayed together through it all.

Still, he didn't fully see, acknowledge his own trauma, until it looked at him with Makoto's eyes. Makes "you can't run away" more painful, tho.

And look at Majima afterwards – coming back to work under Shimano. But it's all alright now, he's free now, look, he's so crazy and wacky, crazy enough that no one can really control him anymore. Well except Shimano, who can still silence Majima with just his presence. But they don't meet much, so it's okay. It's fine.

And look at Kiryu, look at his past catching up to him, and taking Tachibana away from him. Look at Kiryu trying to help, but inadvertently causing death (hello, Jingu massacre, we didn't know about you yet, but Kiryu’s guilt from you looms over the Millennium Tower, too). Look at Kiryu's metaphor for the happier life wither away, while Tachibana is dying in his arms.

(And Kiryu didn't even cry. We didn't see his face once. He let Makoto grieve her brother, because, what, he felt she had more rights for it?)

Look at Kiryu coming back into the family to "take his responsibilities". Because there's no responsibilities or future left for him outside of it.

Do you see what I mean? Do you understand?..

I want Kiryu and Majima to talk about Tachibana and Makoto. Because something something, they are the only ones who can understand all of this, understand what it means to the other. Something something, the shadows of Tachibana and Makoto meeting in Majima and Kiryu, like they couldn't meet in real life, and everything suddenly makes sense.

Something something, no one being a stand-in for anyone in this exchange, and this bit of the past now connecting Majima and Kiryu to someone, instead of separating them from the world.

But, I'm pretty sure, Majima will be able to have this conversation only after getting closure with Makoto, in his pre k2 substory. And I'm not saying I wrote it all out already… well, no, I am saying it. I did it. We all need more hope and heart wrenching kazumaji moments.

So I guess you can look forward to the day I'll get to translating them (I'm going through all the notes in order, trying to not jump around too much)

- before / navigation / next

#yakuza #yakuza 0 #kazumaji #majimako #tachikiryu #goro majima #kiryu kazuma #tetsu tachibana #makoto makimura #this is canon now #tw: sa #tw: sa mention #to avoid start reading from 'Facing Makoto as a mirror of himself' under the cut

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luxsombra · 1 year

Text

all these little things

Relationship: TodoBaku

Tags: Established relationship, Character Study, Fluff, Characters are Pro Heroes

“Ugh. Bakugou is such an ass.” Tokage said, collapsing down on the couch in the agency common area. She didn’t work at Endeavor Agency, but she was currently part of a joint mission, leading her to spending a fair deal of time in the office anyway. “Honestly, Todoroki-kun. I don’t know how you like him.”

Todoroki thought about that for a moment. It’s true, Bakugou was harsh, abrasive. Loud. Rude. Aggressive. All seemingly negative traits. But somehow the blonde made them strengths. Todoroki himself wasn’t the sweetest or friendliest out there, people just tended to overlook it because he was quiet about it. Bakugou’s brand of jackassery was harder to ignore.

But even the supposed jackassery was a result of improper observation. Bakugou was ten times the man Todoroki could ever be. Bakugou was a million times nicer, and more observant. More sacrificial and more caring. He just went about it in ways that were hard to understand.

Bakugou was the type to hear you mention your favorite flavor of Boba tea once and order it for you every time without you needing to ask. In the same situation, Todoroki would have been oblivious to the knowledge and forgotten all about your preferences. There were a few exceptions to this, Bakugou being one of them. Shouto knew exactly what the blonde wanted from the Ramen shop next door, how he preferred his coffee (double shot, one cream, no sugar), and what flavor of ice cream he wanted if he was allowing himself to indulge (strawberry). Midoriya and Momo were probably the only other people Todoroki could remember the preferences of if asked.

Bakugou was a unique brand of self-sacrificial, where he’d put his neck out for anyone, hero-related or not, because he knew he was stronger than the opponent and could take anything thrown at him. Most heroes were self-sacrificing in a martyr way. A “better me than them” way. Bakugou was self-sacrificial in a “you won’t be getting either of us” way. It was something that inspired Todoroki to act in multiple scenarios, aiming to be the same despite continuing falling short on the self confidence front.

Todoroki also knew Bakugou’s harsh words were hard to understand unless you damn near had a doctorate in Bakugou-nese. The blonde might say “get out of my way, extras.” But what he usually meant was “you can count on me. I’ve got this.” People always misunderstood his harsh words. This one Todoroki could understand though, because for a while he didn’t get it either. In fact, the only reason he ever figured it out was thanks to Midoriya, who had long since become fluent in the language and seemed to get some sort of entertainment out of poking the bear to further provoke him in his own native tongue. Todoroki had spent hours of his life watching the two of them egg each other on and it never got less entertaining. He may have even picked up a few tricks from Midoriya to poke the bear himself.

Bakugou appeared to be rash and impatient, running head first into fights without thinking first. But that wasn’t true at all. Honestly, that was more a testament to just how fast the blonde was. While most people were a few steps behind still formulating plans, Bakugou already had several strategies in mind and a back up plan or two to boot. He rushes in confident in his ability to win and his opponents don’t stand a chance without time to plan a counterattack.

But these were all things anyone could see if they looked a little closer. What they didn’t see was the nights Bakugou would stay up for hours, crying or panicked about a less ideal outcome or being outmatched in a fight. They didn’t see the way his confidence did a complete 180 outside of battle, as the blonde compared himself to anyone and everyone else. Especially Todoroki. Todoroki knew he was pretty damn good, but as mentioned before, he also acknowledged his own shortcomings. Todoroki was selfish and rash, rude and often underestimated opponents and teammates alike. He was working on all that, of course, but if anyone were to ask him, right now he’d say Bakugou was a far better hero and definitely en route to reach number one before him. Bakugou didn’t agree. Bakugou would see only Todoroki’s successes and deem himself a failure. Well, in a way. He also saw Todoroki’s failures and offered assistance to improve on future attempts, but for some reason the blonde forgot about those instances when feeling particularly inferior to his partner. Todoroki sure as hell wasn’t giving up, nor was he content to simply accept losing to the blonde, but he couldn’t delude himself into thinking they were on the same level. Todoroki had some serious improving to do if he wanted to win.

Bakugou was kind. Caring. Affectionate. Not so much in the physical sense, naturally. But Todoroki saw it in the way he’d walk slower if guiding the young or elderly somewhere. He saw it in the way he intently listened to the discussions of their peers while pretending not to be involved in the conversation. He saw it in the way Bakugou would chuck a water bottle at his friends’ faces after an intense fight. He witnessed it when their schedules conflicted, and Bakugou would be as quiet as possible to avoid waking Todoroki, oblivious to the fact that Todoroki’s own trauma made it impossible to sleep if he so much as felt the sheets shift. (That, at least, had gotten a little better since he’d started seeing the explosive blonde. He got a comfort out of knowing anyone who dared to fuck with them in their bed would be dying in a very painful manner). Bakugou could be in the midst of an intense battle, focused on his opponent and protecting civilians at the same time and still manage to shoot off an explosion to stop larger debris from hitting Todoroki off guard. And the blonde’s sixth sense for diet seemed to always just know if Todoroki had opted for junk food instead of a proper meal.

So, yeah. Maybe Bakugou was an ass if you only looked from 15 feet away. But one of the shortcomings Todoroki failed to address earlier was his unwillingness to share. Quite frankly, he didn’t care how misconstrued the others’ perception of Bakugou was. It meant Todoroki got to keep all the more intimate knowledge to himself.

“I don’t like him,” he finally responded, not looking up from the book he was reading. “I love him.”

#todobaku #tdbk #tdbk fic #bktd #bktd fic #todobaku fic #bakutodo #bakutodo fic #my fics

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h-worksrambles · 1 year

Note

Murdoch for your Character Opinion Bingo 🥺🦊

Murdoch...my beloved...my poor precious boi...

Murdoch is, at least in my opinion, the best character in The Smoke Room. And it's funny because I don't think I expected to like him as much as I did. I did Cliff's route first and he's really charming and likable there, sure. But then I did his route and oh my god. On a surace level his design is on point. Look at this man. LOOK AT HIM. He is absolutely adorable yet also endearingly suave. This man makes the Dreamworks smirk look actually charming. How is this concieavable? Also love his little mop of hair. He's also easily the funniest character. Most of his snarky little quips are hysterical. It's also very hard to write flirtatious characters who are actualy charming rather than creepy. But Murdoch nails it. What I think sticks with me the most though is how genuinely kind and compassionate Murdoch is. For as much as plays up being a witty and sarcastic flirt, he's incredibly empathetic. The genuine care he extends to Cliff, his desire to better understand Sam, the trust he has for Ralph. I've mentioned it before, but the fact that Murdoch knows the truth that there is something supernatural and evil in the heart of Echo but instead of wanting to run, he chooses to do everything he can to uncover the truth so he can make things better for the people still living there really moved me. Yes he's funny, yes he's witty and aloof, but there's such a gentle soul underneath that. I always think back to his theme, this quiet melacholy piano piece, that tells you, right from the start, that there's a sadness beneath that smile. And yet he still has so much baggage. Murdoch is kind, but that kindness is born from years of self loathing from his family who constantly treat him like trash. He's greiving for his brother Seamus, but also lives in fear that his family would rather Seamus lived to grow up instead of him. He's desperate for any scrap of affection, anyone who can make him feel loved, because he doesn't love himself. When I played through his route, saw how his mother and father treat him, it honestly really hurt, but it also made his actions in other routes make a worrying amount of sense. He's self sacrificial to the point of martyrdom. I'll never forget the moment he tells Sam the truth about what's going on between him and Jim, how much he's willing to put himself through for the sake of a family who don't love or appreciate him, how much he wants to believe that their treatment of him is purely down to the town's influence because he can't bring himself to admit that he's being abused, that they don't love him as much as he loves them. Ow, my heart.

"I want to be told I'm doing a good job." Yes, honey, you are.

Plus, while I think he's more than compelling enough to stand on his own, he has great relationships with other characters. Murdoch and Cliff are my favourite ship in the game. Two very likable yet also lonely characters struggling with the weight of familial expectations. One is outgoing and earnest, keen to finally show the real him by reinventing himself far from home. The other is affable and welcoming but also guarded, hiding behind masks and scared to show his real emotions. They have so much to teach each other, so much room to grow together. And it makes their connection across multiple routes even better. His dynamic with Sam is also great. Of all the love interests, his route is so far the least overtly romantic but no less sincere for it. Because it's watching two very guarded, very wounded people slowly learning to be honest with each other and it's fascinating. The implication that William (himself a very reserved, guarded character) might factor into this dynamic too has me very curious.

He's also wonderful in the modern AU. This to me is Murdoch living as his best self. Free from his family, free to be true to himself, surrounded by people who love him. Also, again, he and Cliff continue to be utterly adorable, but his interactions with the entire polycule bring me such joy.

I kind of knew I was going to like Cliff, Will and Nik, but Murdoch was an unexpected delight who rocketed up to being my absolute favourite. I can't wait for more of his route.

Thank you so much for the ask. I really want to talk more about Smoke Room here in the future because I am utterly hooked.

#murdoch byrnes #the smoke room #the smoke room vn #tsrvn #the smoke room spoilers #echo project #ask game #character bingo #cw abuse

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circlejourney · 1 year

Text

The one basking in infinite glory is you; the one fallen from grace is also you

Hi I’m having thoughts/feelings about TGCF again and need to get this down in words (major spoilers, be warned)...

When I started reading the TGCF novels, I was baffled that Xie Lian had ascended to godhood at 17. We were introduced to his present self first: the one who hadn’t even enough worshippers to build him a shrine, and had to build his own from scavenged scraps. And his ascension was detailed only in brief, broad strokes, always mentioned alongside the fact that he was banished to the mortal realm just years later--twice.

The Xie Lian of the present was such a staggeringly far cry from that martial god upon whom heaven smiled, that all I could really think was: what distinguishes him from the commoner? What sort of glorious past and personage has he shed, to have become like this now?

But as the story gradually unveiled his past, it became clear that this was the story of the man who had ascended to godhood as a teen--though not in the way I had expected, in the least. Because he wasn’t glorious, proud or all-conquering: he was simply...giving.

He was headstrong, yes, but not like the martial gods who waged wars and slaughtered cities and won devotees in the name of bloodshed. He had a special combination of naivety, stubbornness and selflessness that perhaps came from youth, that he truly believed he could singlehandedly change the fate of his country--fight a war, end a drought and curb an epidemic all at the same time, while forgetting his own existence in the process.

He flew, day in and day out for years, with a hat full of lake water, just to pour rain upon a drought-stricken Yong’an--even though that could not change the political drivers that made the crisis so dire, even though the solution could only last as long as he had it in him to enact it. He said he would be the common people’s salvation, so he chose to be that salvation, mind and body.

He held up the collapsing temple for days with his own might, knowing it would kill thousands if it fell. In such fashion, he made his very body the lone bulwark against the collapse of everything around him, and there was no one else he could turn to. He shouldered the entire weight of the temple on himself, and when it collapsed, so did his kingdom.

So it gradually dawned on me, as I read about his past, just how he could be the same person. Who else could become a god at 17? Even without the powers of godhood, it takes a singular kind of person to look at a grand and hopeless crisis and take such pity on his people that he would try to halt it by sheer force of will.

And the truth is, once I knew that story, I saw it in his present self, too. Even as a banished god, he offers himself as the bridal sacrifice to lure Xuan Ji out, rather than endangering yet another innocent. He makes himself the guinea pig in a treacherous dice game to rescue his colleague. Even broken down a hundred different ways, he is stubbornly self-effacing and self-sacrificial.

And though Bai Wuxiang, who was alike in his stubbornness but failed to take the “higher road” when tempted, tries to drive Xie Lian to take the same broken path he did--by starting an epidemic during the war, making him the sacrificial lamb whose fatal injuries would cure his people, and tempting him to destroy his usurping enemies with that same disease--he resoundingly fails.

Because even in the trenches of despair, he would rather he himself be hurt than someone else. Because there’s always the one kind person worth enduring the pain for, in a world as profoundly rotten as this. And one person is enough.

The story really does ring true to Hua Cheng’s words: "The one basking in infinite glory is you; the one fallen from grace is also you. What matters is 'you' and not the state of you." The bait-and-switch, of introducing Xie Lian the trash-collector as a farce next to the God-Pleasing Crown Prince he once was, and then revealing that--no--it truly is the same person, the one who ascended, the one who fought to save his country, the one who lost everything, the one who is now building his own shrine from scraps--profoundly illustrates those words.

And I can truly understand how Hua Cheng--who witnessed every key point in this man’s life, through the heights and the depths (from the moment he “fell” from the terrace and the Crown Prince "ascended” to save him, losing his false mask to show his true face)--died restless with the agony of knowing Xie Lian had been so wronged by the world.

P.S. I also really enjoy the possible readings of Xie Lian’s name, 谢怜. 谢 - a common surname, but also gratitude, thanks; 怜 - mercy, but also pity, pitifulness. He is the one who shows mercy, and he is the one who is pitied; the two are inseparably him. Literally, “thank you for your mercy”--a beggar pleading for donations, or an exultation to a god who has delivered one from suffering?

#thinks #tgcf #heaven official's blessing #天官赐福 #I am having Feelings

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naveensarohasblog · 2 years

Text

#Wayofliving_Part191

Complete Creation of Nature

Part-K

To god Vishnu, the department of nurturing these living beings

(according to their actions), and maintaining the state by developing

love and affection.

To god Shiv Shankar (Mahadev), the department of destruction

because their father Niranjan has to daily consume one-lakh human

beings.

Here, a question will arise in mind that how creation, preserva-

tion and destruction occur by Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar. These

three live in their own loks.

Like, these days to run the communication system, satellites

are launched above in the sky, and they run the communication sys-

tem on the Earth. Similarly, wherever these three gods live, the subtle

(sukshm) waves of the gunas (qualities) radiating from their bodies

automatically maintain an effect on every living being in the three

loks.

The above-mentioned description is of Brahm's (Kaal) creation

in one Brahmand. There are twenty-one such brahmands of Kshar

Purush (Kaal).

But Kshar Purush (Brahm/Kaal) himself never appears before

anyone in his visible, that is, actual bodily form. The three gods

(Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiv) did not see Brahm (Kaal) despite doing

worship to achieve him (Kaal) to the best of their ability based on

the methods mentioned in the Vedas. Later, Rishis (sages) read the

Vedas. In it, it is written that "AgneH Tanur Asi" (Holy Yajurved

Chapter 1 Mantra 15) - 'The Supreme God has a body.' And in Holy

Yajurved Chapter 5 Mantra 1, it is written that "AgneH Tanur Asi

Vishnve Tva Somasya Tanur Asi". In this mantra, Ved is stating twice that the Omnipresent and Preserver-of-all, SatPurush (Eternal God), has a

body.

In Holy Yajurved Chapter 40 Mantra 8, it is said that - (Kavir

Manishi) the God for whom every living being is yearning, He is

Kavir i.e. Kabir. (Asanaaviram) His body is without blood vessels

and (Shukram Akaayam) is devoid of a physical body made up of

the five elements formed from seminal fluid. That Master of all is

seated in the topmost Satlok. That Supreme God has a (Swarjyoti)

self-illuminated body made of masses of lights, which is in word-

form, that is, is eternal. He is the same KavirDev (Supreme God

Kabir) (Vyaddhata) who is the creator of all the brahmands,

(SwayambhuH) who appears Himself, that is, is self-existent (Yatha

tathya arthan) in reality (Shashvat´) is eternal (this is also evident

in Gita Chapter 15 Verse 17). It means that the name of the body of

(Purna Brahm) Complete God is Kabir (Kavir Dev). The body of

that Supreme God is made of the element of light. The body of God

is very subtle and becomes visible to only that worshipper whose

divine vision has opened. Similarly, the living being also has a subtle

body which is covered by a layer, that is, body made up of the five

elements which is formed from the seminal fluid (shukram) by the

union of mother-father. Even after leaving the body, the subtle body

remains with a living being. That body is only visible to a worshipper

whose divine vision has opened. Understand the state of the Supreme God and a living being in this way.

In Vedas, there is a evidence of chanting (Sumiran) 'Om' man-

tra, which is only worship of Brahm. Considering the 'Om' mantra to

be that of (Purna Brahm) Complete God, the sages tried to attain

God by meditating (hath yog) for thousands of years, but they did

not see God, just gained supernatural powers (siddhis). By playing

with those siddhis-like toys, the sages remained in the cycle of life

and death and wrote God as 'formless' in the books based on their

own experiences.

Brahm (Kaal) has pledged that - I will never appear before anyone in my real form. I will be considered 'invisible' ('invisible' means

that somebody is in form but does not manifest personally in physical form. Like, in the daytime the sun disappears as the sky be-comes cloudy. It is not visible, but in reality, it is present as it is

behind the clouds; this state is called 'invisible'/unmanifested). [For

evidence see Gita Chapter 7 Verses 24-25; Chapter 11Verses 48

and (Yagya means Sacrificial ceremony; Jap means Repetition of mantra; Tap

means Austerity/meditation)].

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

For getting spiritual information, do listen to the auspicious spiritual discourses of Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj on Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj YOUTUBE channel from 7:30-8:30 pm daily. Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj is the only Complete Guru in this world. It is our humble request to all of you that please take name initiation from Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj free of cost without wasting a single second, and make your human life successful.

https://online.jagatgururampalji.org/naam-diksha-inquiry

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toririvas · 1 year

Note

Okay the important questions: what did you think about the Vince’s Father reveal? Likewise, what about Titan? How are you liking Alice in Subtlety? And how about that ending?

In order: Fun twist but kind of expected (super powerful kid with a weird past and an already mentioned dead Big Guy), already knew about Titan just from previous convos with my dad (but that whole thing made me like Roy like, even more? again im championing chadroy now idgaf angela leave him ALONE), Alice is a fucking queen amongst the student body(brilliant play to steal notes I was like YES WIN!), and good lord the ending. Man. I wonder how much Nick actually found out in order to nuke his own brain in panic. He's good under stress. It must have been more than just Alice's mom being alive. I wonder if she's hanging with the current baddies crew (involuntarily?), was that implied somewhere because again very fast chunk reading, I miss things. Also, glad to see Vince really rubbing off on Nick with that self sacrificial moment. Looking forward to Nick being their "man in the chair" since obviously he can't come *back* to the HCP. Unless he's just gonna doink around at Lander but I strongly doubt it. Interested in seeing what happens with Vince in captivity. Why didn't you just go home with the Daniels, kid? Like I get you need answers but have you considered... Not? Being captured?

More thoughts as I think of them, Team One-wise I like Alex just in general but I hope Camille gets less... I'm sorry she's kinda one dimensional! A little bit weird vibes there! I don't trust "kind hearted dumbass" paired with "limerence queen" over here. I was told she gets more of a personality. I'd like to see it. On the matter of love interests, I thought Sasha was interesting this time around. Reconciling her bigotry by saying essentially "it's okay Vince is one of the good ones" (aka NOT ACTUALLY STOPPING HER BIGOTRY) is a neat skew and I think she suffers from The Super Ego enough to make her unable to see why that's wrong.

Uhhhh hope this helps <3

#melodys mumblings

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goetzjpvis · 10 days

Text

4/12/24 "Eden of the East" JPT3702

A silly watch! But it otherwise felt like an avante garde work in the sense that it displays a societal critique through the lens of semi-serious wacky anime shenanigans, much like "Penguindrum" and "Your Name".

I started Eden of the East with zero context to the show and the concepts of the societal issue in Japanese society that were discussed in class, but what I felt so strongly was the idea of "NEETS" and the lens through which the average Japanese citizens values a human life: how much they can contribute to society. Through silly shenanigans, our main character loses his memories and is subsequently told he rounded up thousands of NEETs to be killed at ground zero of a massive detonation in order to 'save society'. This begs the question of whether it was 1) within Akira's right to make such a heavy ethics-based decision in terms of valuing the life of a NEET, and 2) representative of Japanese society because NEETs are portrayed as the "innocent" sacrificial lamb who doesn't provide other use for society other than their deaths. Basically, if you don't contribute to society: You might as well die!

Now, what WAS up with that bomb stuff? Why was Akira tasked with saving the world? To be honest, I don't really know why he in specific was chosen. But what I did notice is that in the very beginning of episode 1, Saki directly quotes Akira as her "prince" who doesn't really "have the choice of becoming a prince". I also noticed that later in the show, there were a couple of TV snippets of government officials effectively neglecting their job regarding the detonation live. I feel like this is a comment on the greater 21st century, about how people rely on those who are 'in charge' to solve problems and issues that are ongoing in society, however it is always those who are involuntarily burdened with the task of fixing said problem serve as an underdog who must 'save the world'.

Now, where are we supposed to apply this message? In episode one, Saki comes to America because she wants to visit the center of the world and is disappointed by her trip. She is quoted saying "Don't you think Japan isn't able to do anything itself?" which to me sounds like the series is arguing for a better future on behalf of Japan, created by Japan, NOT it's government or anybody appointed to fix things. A victim mentality is not ok, effectively.

My main criticism of this show is the male power fantasy displayed by the relationship between Akira and Saki. I know I know, i'm that guy, but hear me out. The main character is a male who is unapologetically himself: he looks like an average Japanese man, but is able to walk outside completely naked and fluster his chosen girl. He is a secret agent and doesn't even know it, owns an expensive high-quality apartment with several motorbikes. He saves the girl he likes from a perilous situation (having a shitty job interview and a date with another male) by 1) whisking her away on his expensive motorbike (previously mentioned) and 2) kissing her on the lips when she's crying about her life problems instead of adequality addressing her, to which she smiles (?). I think that Saki is definitely treated as a complex character, and she's not a child either (bare minimum lol), so that's nice! However, for her issues and worries to go away after she is whisked away on an expensive motorbike by her doomed-to-be self-insert prince feels so .... chad sigma male wanna-be that I had a hard time enjoying their character dynamic and romance.

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sugarcubetikki · 3 years

Text

After Truth and Lies, the meanings behind Luka and Kagami’s names are starting to make much more sense.

Luka means light.

I know that light is the universal symbol for goodness. But that’s not what we’re looking for here...

Light represents visibility. Without light, you wouldn’t be able to see. Light uncovers the darkness, it makes things visible.

From this idea, light also symbolically represents truth. As both light and truth share the essence of clear perception and awareness.

We spent an entire episode that focused on the aspect of how important the truth is for Luka: like the truth about his father and the truth that Marinette was hiding from him.

Linking this back to Luka’s personality, he’s very intuitive and is capable of reading his surroundings quite easily. He can see things others can’t see and he’s much more mature than most teenagers.

The idea here is that Luka likes to be able to see and understand things. He wants to know the big picture. He wants to be able to see it. But he can’t understand it if it’s kept in the darkness. Coming back to the idea of truth...

Since his character is largely intuitive and focused on understanding his surroundings, he needs to be able to see the truth to understand it. But when he can’t see the truth, when other people are keeping it in the darkness from him...that affects his need for clear perception...

Mostly why he was super hurt by Marinette telling him that she couldn’t share the truth. He can’t see the big picture here. He can’t understand her position or problem here. He’s not able to clearly percieve it. And since he’s so used to using the big picture to help/support the people around him, the problem his that he can’t do anything if a large chunk of the picture is being hidden from him.

Luka’s ability to consider the big picture and his need for clear perception is what makes him inclined to seek the absolute truth in a situation.

That’s why “light ” associates with Luka’s personality quite well. It’s linked with visibility and his own need for clear perception and seeking the truth.

In fact, he literally uses light to seek the truth:

Totally intentional.

Moving onto Kagami...

Kagami means mirror in Japanese.

The writers’ did an amazing job with this one. I’ve done a crazy amount of research on different mirror symbolism today and it’s spot-on.

In literature, mirrors are carriers of truth and reflect what one’s truth is. Psychology describes mirrors to be a barrier between the conscious and unconscious and thus, by looking deep into a mirror, we’re looking deep inside ourselves in a conscious manner.

We can link this back to Kagami’s interest in art. One of the first things she tells Adrien is:

“Art never lies, the poses people do always reflects their personalities.”

The fact that this is the first thing Kagami says about her hobby is important. It clearly suggests that she likes it that art doesn’t lie. She likes seeing the “real” versions of people. Not the masks they wear. But for their rawest self inside.

Her own life has been filled with so many lies and facades that she doesn’t want to wear them anymore. Like a mirror, she’s aware of the cloud of pretense and ambiguity that surrounds her. What she wants to do is pierce through that and see the true reflections of her surroundings.

That’s why she’s eager to see the real side to Adrien. She wants him to let her in. But he won’t. She’s trying to pierce through to his real reflection, but he keeps wearing numerous masks of lies that clouds her own vision.

Kagami wants to act as Adrien’s mirror. She wants him to be the rawest version of himself around her. But he doesn’t want to look deeper into the mirror. More like he doesn’t know how to look in deeper.

---

Creating a little sub-section here to mention something about Adrien’s characterization, it’s interesting to note that mirrors are used a lot in women’s literature.

“In women’s literature, the mirror has often served the sole purpose of reflecting a man. As the woman discovers in the mirror the reflection of the man she is supposed to love and serve, she leaves her identity on the side and accepts a subconscious idea of masculinity’s needs.“

What has Adrien’s characterization have to do with the interpretation of mirrors in women’s literature?

An aspect towards Adrien’s character is that he’s very feminine-coded.

The traditional image of a woman is the idea that she acts as nurturing support to a masculine figure. Her own identity is usually abandoned for familial and household needs. It’s a societal expectation here.

I’m going to say that Adrien has a very weak sense of his own identity. Even as Chat Noir. His supposedly “true” self.

Chat Noir devotes most of his time into loving and serving Ladybug, acting as her nurturing support. Is he leaving his identity and accepting his own idea of her needs? Yes. He is.

Whilst he enjoys being CN very much, most of the pleasure behind it comes from the fact that he’s alongside Ladybug. May I remind you we spent a good couple of minutes in Lies exploring how being Chat Noir without LB wasn’t any fun for him? The entire time, he craved an excuse to see her.

His sacrificial tendencies, his flirtations, and his over-the-top humor have become a large part of his personality as Chat Noir. Everything. Everything he does to appease and protect her. This mask he wears is the one that he wants her to see him in.

I’m not saying his humour or his personality as Chat Noir is fake. But it’s not the deepest possible version of himself either. It doesn’t build up his entire identity. It’s the image of what he wants Ladybug to see him in.

---

Coming back on track, when Kagami realises that Adrien isn’t letting her see his deepest self. She’s hurt. She’s hurt that he has to lie to her when she’s made it clear that she’d accept him for who he is.

She can’t see the real reflection of him when he wears too many masks.

So she literally transforms into a mirror...

Look^

She’s all transparent and see-through. What do transparent things have to hide? Nothing.

Jokes aside.

Kagami and Luka’s core desires clashing with Marinette and Adrien’s own problem is the real reason why Lukanette and Adrigami broke up.

Luka wants to see things clearly. He’s seeking the truth. Marinette has to conceal the truth, hide it in the darkness, and he can’t see it.

Kagami wants to see the real reflections of her surroundings. Pierce through all the masks and lies. Adrien keeps wearing different shades of masks and burying his deepest self with lies. She can’t reach it.

#sugar analyses #miraculous ladybug #miraculous #ml spoilers #ml truth #ml lies #ml season 4 #kagami tsurugi #luka couffaine #adrien agreste #marinette dupain cheng #lukanette #adrigami #ml analysis #ml symbolism #ml meta

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k-dokja · 3 years

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I saw this on Lookism Reddit so I wanted to make one. My top five Lookism characters, based on favouritism, as Jonggun says it.

Dishonourable Mention: Samuel Seo, would've liked him much better if he stuck with the business suit. Instead, we have to see the threads of his buttons straining to be the strongest material in the universe.

A compelling character, otherwise. He is an extreme example of someone with the "means to an end" mindset. Honestly, I like the set-up for his character and extremely curious about where he will go.

5, Eli Jang, I can't say I care much for his backstory because the execution really fell off in the latter section of the arc, however, I think he got a change in personality which makes him very attractive to someone who writes romantic-themed stories.

I will say PTJ wanted to make a DILF and he made a DILF, you have to give respect to that. His entire wilderness level-up makes zero sense but it makes him hot so I will close both of my eyes and pretend sense doesn't exist.

Look, he even has the dedication to bleach his brows, can you get a man with the same level of devotion anywhere else?

4, Johan Seong, he's a brat but he's trying his best. His entire backstory sets him up for a tragic upbringing but it will be nothing in comparison to his downfall.

He's too driven by his revenge and his worries for his mother that he could no longer see what's right and wrong. At this point, the story is making sure that he will go down hard so his friends can pick him back up again.

I think it's depressing it must turn out that way for Johan to recollect himself. Can only hope that he won't go permanently blind because of this turn of events.

3, Jake Kim, he really went in and said I will destroy your biases, one by one. I didn't think much of him in his first appearance, I was really surprised by what he did during the fight and his connection to Jonggun, however.

I felt that he'd get more important later on when he reappeared during the juvenile centre arc and I'm glad I was right. Honestly, as a character, he's great fun, he's charming, caring for his people, and most importantly, he's sacrificial.

I think he's not conscious of how much more he's becoming Sinu, and that's extremely sad to me because he might not realize his self-sacrificial trait will become his downfall.

2, Park Jonggun, he was dethroned by Joongoo out of nowhere but both of them are here to stay. Once again, not a character I cared for when he showed up, if anything, I thought he was tacky.

However, with his recurring appearance and gradual improvement in his fashion sense, my interest in him increased.

A fascinating antagonist, I like that he's very proactive in cultivating manpower for his plans but also he is very straightforward about exactly how cutthroat he is.

He managed to balance both sides of cruel and cold while also being obsessive and passionate. I think he has similarities with Samuel more than he expected.

1, Kim Joongoo, my current favourite, look at how attractive he becomes when he is serious. I didn't think much of Joongoo in his first appearance, but I noted that he had an interesting approach in the place of an antagonistic character.

After he appeared more in the story, one could see that while he put on the easygoing front, he's actually someone equally calculative and brutal as Jonggun.

It makes him all the more appealing because you could see that he has his own ambitions and he was working towards it in his own means.

#lookism #top 5 only cos i can't think of a top 10

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