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ourflagmeansgayrights · 2 months

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so part of me wants to blame this entirely on wbd, right? bloys said he was cool with the show getting shopped around, so assuming he was telling the truth (not that im abt to start blindly trusting anything a CEO says lol), that means it’s not an hbo problem. and we already know wbd has an awful track record with refusing to sell their properties—altho unlike coyote v acme, s3 of ofmd isn’t a completed work and therefore there isn’t the same tax writeoff incentive to bury the thing. i just can’t see any reason to hold on to ofmd except for worrying about image, bc it would be embarrassing if they let this show go with such a devoted fanbase and recognizable celebrities and it went somewhere else and did really well (which it would undoubtedly do really well, we’ve long since proven that). it feels kinda tinfoil hat of me to making assumptions abt what’s going on in wbd behind the scenes, but i also feel like there are hints that i’m onto something w my suspicions: suddenly cracking down on fan merch on etsy doesn’t seem like something a studio looking to sell their property would bother with, and we know someone was paying to track the viewing stats on ofmd’s bbc airing, which isn’t finished yet, so i’d expect whoever is monitoring that to not make a decision abt buying ofmd until the s2 finale dropped.

but also i think part of me just wants there to be a clear villain in the situation. it’s kinda comforting to have a face to blame, a clear target to shake my fist at. but the truth is that the entire streaming industry is in the shitter. streaming is not pulling in the kind of profit that investors were promised, and we’re seeing the bubble that was propped up w investor money finally start to pop. studios aren’t leaving much room in their budgets for acquiring new properties, and they’re whittling down what they already have. especially w the strikes last year, they’re all penny pinching like hell. and that’s much a much harder thing to rage against than just one studio or one CEO being shitty. that’s disheartening in a way that’s much bigger and more frightening than if there was just one guy to blame.

my guess is that the truth of the situation is probably somewhere in the middle. wbd is following the same shitty pattern they’ve been following since the merger, and it’s just a hard time for anyone trying to get their story picked up by any studio. ofmd is just one of many shows that are unlucky enough to exist at this very unstable time for the tv/streaming industry.

when i think abt it that way, tho, i’m struck by how lucky we are that ofmd even got to exist at all. if the wbd merger had happened a year earlier, or if djenks and tw tried to pitch this show a year later, there’s no way this show would’ve been made. s1 was given the runtime and the creative freedom needed to tell the story the way the showrunners wanted to, and the final product benefited from it so much that it became a huge hit from sheer gay word of mouth. and for all the imperfections with s2—the shorter episode order, the hard 30 minute per episode limit, the last-minute script changes, the finale a butchered mess of the intended creative vision—the team behind ofmd managed to tell a beautiful story despite the uphill battle they undoubtedly were up against. they ended the season with the main characters in a happy place. ed and stede are together, and our last shot of ed isn’t of him sobbing uncontrollably (like i rlly can’t stress enough how much i would have never been able to acknowledge the existence of this show again if s1 was all we got)

like. y’all. we were this close to a world where ofmd never got to exist. for me, at least, the pain of an undue cancellation is worth getting to have this story at all. so rather than taking my comfort in the form of righteous anger at david zaslav or at wbd or at the entire streaming industry as a whole, i’m trying to focus on how lucky i am to get to have the show in the first place.

bc really, even as i’m reeling in grief to know this is the end of the road for ofmd, a part of me still can’t quite wrap my head around that this show is real. a queer romcom about middle-aged men, a rejection of washboard abs and facetuned beauty standards, a masterful deconstruction and criticism of toxic masculinity, well-written female characters who get to shine despite being in a show that is primarily about manhood and masculinity, diverse characters whose stories never center around oppression and bigotry, a casually nonbinary character, violent revenge fantasies against oppressors that are cathartic but at the same time are not what brings the characters healing and joy, a queer found family, a strong theme of anti colonialism throughout the entire show. a diverse writers room that got to use their perspectives and experiences to inform the story. the fact that above all else, this show is about the love story between ed and stede, which means the character arcs, the thoughts, the feelings, the motivations, the backstories, and everything else that make up the characters of ed and stede are given the most focus and the most care.

bc there rlly aren’t a lot of shows where a character like stede—a flamboyant and overtly gay middle-aged man who abandoned his family to live his life authentically—gets to be the main character of a romcom, gets to be the hero who the show is rooting for.

and god, there definitely aren’t a lot of shows where a character like ed—a queer indigenous man who is famous, successful, hyper-competent, who feels trapped by rigid standards of toxic hypermasculinity, who yearns for softness and gentleness and genuine interpersonal connection and vulnerability, whose mental health struggles and suicidal intentions are given such a huge degree of attention and delicate care in their depiction, who messes up and hurts people when he’s in pain but who the show is still endlessly sympathetic towards—gets to exist at all, much less as the romantic lead and the second protagonist of the show.

so fuck the studios, fuck capitalism, fuck everything that brought the show to an end before the story was told all the way through. because the forces that are keeping s3 from being made are the same forces that would’ve seen the entire show canceled before it even began. s3 is canceled, and s2 suffered from studio meddling, but we still won. we got to have this show. we got to have these characters. there’s been so much working against this show from the very beginning but here we are, two years later, lives changed bc despite all odds, ofmd exists. they can’t take that away from us. they can’t make us stop talking abt or stop caring abt this show. i’m gonna be a fan of this show til the day i die, and the studios hate that. they hate that we care about things that don’t fit into their business strategy, they hate that not everyone will blindly consume endless IP reboots and spin-offs and cheap reality tv.

anyway i dont rlly have a neat way to end this post. sorta just rambling abt my feelings. idk, i know this sucks but im not rlly feeling like wallowing in it. i think my gratitude for the show is outweighing my grief and anger, at least for right now. most important thing tho is im not going anywhere. and my love for this show is certainly not fucking going anywhere.

#ofmd #our flag means death #save ofmd #s3 renewal hell #txt #mine #og #studio crit #edward teach #stede bonnet #gentlebeard

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chaysreality222 · 3 months

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How To Get Your Shifting Motivation Back!

hey guys, it's c! it's been awhile since i posted. i've been so busy with my personal life that i've lost some of my motivation to shift. which is why i wanted to make a post about it, to tell you that it is completely normal. if you're feeling like how i do, let's gain back our motivation again together.

Something I want everyone to acknowledge is that it's okay to lose motivation about shifting. You're not going to be and feel motivated all the time and THAT'S NORMAL. It isn't because you're not interested in it anymore, you just really haven't made or had the time. If you're anything like me, you've just been genuinely busy and that's okay too.

Why I want you to acknowledge that is because (I'm not sure if this is a universal feeling but) you start to feel a sense of guilt. "If I made time to shift the past couple of nights, I would have finally made it to my dr", "I should've already finished my new dr script so I can shift", "everyone else has shifted except me because I'm not focused enough", "I'm taking so long to shift because I haven't made any time to". I'm sure all these thoughts and more have passed through our mind when we found ourselves in a unmotivated slump. The guilt + the lack of motivation just causes you to be more unmotivated.

I don't want you to feel guilty anymore, because you shouldn't be. Yes, you could've already shifted BUT you can also shift now. There's nothing that can stop you from doing that.

After coming down from the unmotivated spiral, you can finally move on. Now, here's the fun part to getting your motivation back! Here are some tips I think are helpful.

Tips to gain back shifting motivation:

Make a playlist. Gather all the songs that remind you of shifting, how it feels to finally shift to your desired reality, or how it will feel to finally meet the people in your dr.

Create a mood board. Find photos of people, places, and things that relate to your dr. This is a great way to help visualize. You can also add things that you want with you in your dr. (I personally use Pinterest).

Read. Find and read a book that is based on your desired reality. Get connected with your dr again. You can even read some of other people's shifting stories.

Watch a video, movie, or tv-show. Again, find something that is related to your desired reality. It's a great way to help you visualize your dr and everyone in it. You can also watch videos about other people's dr's or what they put in their script to gain more ideas.

Watch your favorite reality shifting content creators. Mine are generally Ati, Kort, Liz, Alexa, and Kay on tiktok. Watching their videos are inspiring and always motivate me to shift. They also have the greatest advice and stories as well!

Keep a healthy mindset about shifting. (This should've been the first tip). Anyways, your mindset is key. No beating yourself up about not shifting. No comparing your shifting experience to others. Definitely no telling yourself that you can't shift either!

That's genuinely what has helped me overcome many of my 'unmotivated to shift' phases. I'm really hoping that this helped some of you out- I know it helped me. Thanks for being here. As always, Happy Shifting!

xoxo, c.

#desired reality #prttygirlshifterclub #reality shifting #shifters #shiftblr #shifting motivation #shiftingblr #shifting #stars #star aesthetic #motivation

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1000sunnygo · 5 months

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The Three Captain's Interview (2021) : Hiroshi Kamiya as Law (Translated)

Awfully late to the party again. Here's a partial translation of the "Three Captains QnA" interview conducted in 2021 to celebrate the 100th volume of One Piece. I think most readers already accessed the translation via auto translator, or maybe someone translated already (in that case, ignore this)

I didn't find any available translation so I'm putting all of Hiroshi Kamiya's answers here. Just in case you don't know, Kamiya san in Law's voice actor. His answers were particularly long and informative, so I focused only on him.

Starts below the cut!

Q. How did you feel when you got the role?

- The casting of Namikawa san (Eustass Kidd) and I was triggered by the work "Ilya no Sora, UFO no Natsu", in which Namikawa san played the role of a timid boy in junior high school and I was a sharp-tongued senior. Hiroaki Shibata, who was the producer of that work, later became the producer of One Piece and then approached us.

I understood the flow of the process and was grateful for the offer, but both Namikawa san and I were good at giving higher pitched voices at that time. So, to be honest, we had absolutely no idea what he had in mind when he cast us. But since I was approached and I had no choice but to give it a go, I gave the character a rough, low-pitched sound that didn't go well with my personal theme but matched the character's appearance; and they gave me an OK...

But, adding a personal note, I voiced an unnamed role 'Pirate A' all the way back in the first episode. I had a few more roles afterwards, and eventually I was given the role 'Eddy' in the Sky Island Arc. After a short interval, I was very happy to be chosen for a major role with the name 'Law' and as a rookie with over a hundred million bounty like Luffy.

By nature, the sounds I make don't have a distinct quality, so I didn't have much of a chance to be cast in "ONE PIECE" filled with unique characters. But thinking about it, Law doesn't really have any outstanding feature either (laughs). Regardless, I am very grateful that I was selected out of all other choices.

(T/N: I made a separate post about Kamiya san's roles in one piece here.)

Q. Did you have any specific thoughts or feelings while playing in One Piece?

- I really wanted to play Law as a child. The past with Corazon is inseparable from the present Law, isn't it? Since Law at the moment is here because of that past, I really wanted to incorporate the childhood Law into my character.

Also, in the long history of One Piece, Luffy is the only male character who is played by the same actor for both his adult and child versions. There had never been a male voice actor who had the chance, so I had a personal ambition to set a precedent. The moment I found out that Law's past was going to be portrayed, I made a blunt confession that I absolutely wanted to play the (child Law) role. I later auditioned and was hired.

When the time came to record the episodes of Law's past and I was given a script with "Law, Hiroshi Kamiya" right next to Luffy, it meant a lot to me. Seeing the senior members of the One Piece cast team playing the main characters and monopolizing the studio microphones, I had always wanted to play as a main character in the same place someday. Unfortunately, I never had the chance, so, that time it felt like a dream come true.

I think this, too, was possible because it's a story created by Oda sensei. To begin with, it's rare for me to put up my hand to take an initiative by myself. The possibility of trying out a role and then people thinking "Totally off, this shouldn't be their voice at all" - is terrifying, isn't it? I'm a person lacking self-confidence, yet, Oda sensei created a work that moved my heart and made me feel like I wanted to express my tone, and thus I was able to have such a joyful experience. So, once again, I think One Piece is amazing.

(T/N: Kamiya san talking about voicing young Law in a different interview can be found here.)

Q. Impression of the character you're currently playing?

- I think he's a man with a deep sense of responsibility. After all, the alliance was originally formed to defeat Doflamingo by taking advantage of Luffy's desire to beat the 'Emperors', and now even after defeating him, they're still working together. That makes him an honest guy who keeps his words.

That said, he's the captain of the Heart pirates. I think he wants to reciprocate the feeling to the crew that follows him with a belief that he's the best in the world. That's why when he said "I hate breads!" and the Straw hats kept pulling him like "you're one of us too!" (laughs), he kept holding his stance, "I'm NOT gonna go that way!"

Q. Thoughts on Mayumi Tanaka as Luffy?

- I saw Mayumi san leading the anime like a boss from the moment Luffy came out of the barrel shouting "I SLEPT WELL!" in episode 1. The fact that it continues to go strong and become more popular with the viewers to this day - is truly amazing.

Q. Thoughts on Daisuke Namikawa as Kidd?

- I think Namikawa san is ridiculous! After all, back at that time he would only play characters with meek voices, I really thought he didn't have the voice range to be entrusted with such a dynamic role. I think he threw his own persona away to play Kidd.

Q. Do you think it's possible to win against Kaidou?

- It has to be. I think Luffy would be able to beat him with something beyond Law's strategy. To Law, Luffy is the one person that can create unexpected circumstances. I believe their actions would blossom meaningfully in future.

Source: @Eiichiro_staff (search up the hashtag #三船長QA on Twitter)

#one piece #kamiya hiroshi #hiroshi kamiya #trafalgar law #trafalgar d. water law #one piece anime #monkey d. luffy #one piece law #eustass captain kidd #eustass kid #namikawa daisuke #mayumi tanaka #stray translations #one piece captain trio #one piece translations #mine #my translation

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fencecollapsed · 5 months

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once again thinking about Hey Melissa because this story lives in my brain like a little worm that wants to slowly kill me. anyway I've thought of exactly what changes I think would've made the story work better in my opinion so uhh here's my Hey Melissa script doctor I guess djskfjdsk

cut Paul's dog story. I get what the intention was, it's meant to be a full-circle thing at the end, but I just don't think it works the way it was meant to. it muddies the story too much and makes Melissa's motivation more complicated than it needs to be. if in every timeline she's trying to kidnap Paul to keep him as a dog (and she hates and kills dogs), why is this framed as her breaking point? why does she like him at all? and why does him just meowing convince her? cut all that, simplify it. Paul's a cat from the start. give her little club a bit of a clearer and simpler base logic: men they hate are kept as dogs, men they like are kept as cats. Melissa's been wanting a cat for so long, and she's had her eyes on Paul, and she's finally got him where she wants him.

Paul still denies that he's as good of a person as Melissa thinks he is, but instead of telling the dog story, have him just. lose his temper and be kind of a dick to her. he wanted to let her down easy, but she just keeps pushing. goddammit Melissa, he'd like you more if you'd drop this. he's made it clear he's not interested. she's not his type, he doesn't like the things she does. they're not compatible. and he's dating Emma right now anyway. can she please just let this go and stop pestering him so they can at least stay friends? Melissa's clearly upset, barely holding back tears, but says she understands. Paul now feels guilty, asks if there's anything he can do. Melissa asks him to feed her dog. the dog is Ted, and Melissa knocks Paul out. Paul wakes in the cage, afraid he's going to be defingered like Ted, but Melissa assures him no, she would never declaw a cat. Ted's a dog, see, he's a nasty, filthy dog pretending to be a man, he needed to be taken off the streets to keep everyone else safe. but Paul? Paul's a sweet kitty who's just confused and thinks he's a man, thinks he knows what he wants, thinks he's happy. thinks he doesn't like her back. he broke her heart, but that's okay, he's just a feral cat who doesn't understand that he's safe with her. he bit and scratched her because he doesn't know what love really is. he just needs to be trained and socialized. in time he'll understand that all Melissa wants is to love him, and he'll come to love her, too.

add like. one scene or moment to ground the tone and force the viewer to sit in how horrific this would actually be. one mention of Ted's wounds being infected, or the guys being cold and malnourished. just like, a single line, or a brief exchange between Ted and Paul would be enough. keep it light and absurd the whole rest of the time, but one moment that takes the situation more seriously would add a lot, I think.

have Emma bitch Melissa out after their exchange. do not have her just walk away crying, let her get MAD. let her rip into this freak who's boasting about having stolen her guy. who does Melissa think she is?? someone who deserves a cup of milk to the face, Emma thinks. it's full of spit, by the way. fuck you. and fuck Paul. you assholes deserve each other. and Emma starts crying then, at the end if her rant, and realizes she's. a lot more hurt than mad, actually. more hurt than she'd expect to be about Paul. fuck, she'd thought there was something special about him. but he's just another asshole. and then she storms out crying.

foreshadow Paul's decision to stay with Melissa. one moment of him starting to kind of like being here. she's scratching his chin, or petting his hair or something, and he's enjoying it a little. has to snap himself out of it, like he forgot for a moment that this is a waking nightmare. would give the ending more of an ambiguous terror, that maybe it's not just the bump on his head, and there was something in him that was being won over, because we saw it.

at the end Paul apologizes to Melissa for breaking her heart, thanks her for being patient with him. he always wanted to be a good man, but he never believed he was. but Melissa believed he was a good cat, and now he is. she made him what he could never be on his own. and to make up for hurting her, he'll be hers until he dies.

#yes this is pointless yes the story's not even official canon but listen #i am having FUN #i am PLAYING #this is how i enjoy myself god bless #hatchetfield #starkid #hey melissa #paul matthews #melissa hatchetfield #ted spankoffski #emma perkins #abuse #dehumanization #ask to tag #cj says stuff

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mirai-e-jump · 9 months

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Hero Vision Vol.9 (2003/Winter) ft. Kamen Rider Ryuki Cast Members Pre-Final Episode Interviews (translations below)

Takamasa Suga (Shinji Kido) Interview (page 22,25)

"Recollections, within the calm after the war" Takamasa Suga

After a year of playing the star role of the protagonist in "Kamen Rider Ryuki," Suga-kun finally has time to get back to regular life…

Looking back, from season to season, what were the most emotional scenes that still remain in his mind? On an off day before recording the final episode, we asked him to look back on those passionate days.

...

"I always wanted to die. I wanted to fulfill my role within the show"

...

Suga: (niho~)

If the sound of Suga-kun's smile could be written out, it would look like that. It gives off a calm, quiet and tender feeling. At first glance, the main character of Ryuki, the annoying (?) Shinji Kido, doesn't seem to resemble him, but as the story progresses, we think they are very similar on the inside. It's impressive in the fact that he always tries his best to think about the challenges that appear before him while also moving forward, even when he "doesn't know what to do," he somehow manages to find integrity within the many possibilities, and puts them into action.

"You were so busy this past year, that you didn't even have much time to sleep. What memorable moments will stay with you forever?"

Suga: What made me happy was the movie "Episode Final." I'm very happy I was given the opportunity to play the lead role again, and that it was released nationwide. Since becoming an actor, it had been a dream of mine to do opening day stage greetings.

"However, in parallel to shooting the TV version, the movie was performed within a hellish schedule. It wasn't enough to just act happy or even be "enraged" about it, rather, it was physically demanding."

Suga: Man~ I couldn't understand the reason for anything that was happening at the time (laughs). Filming for the movie would start in the morning, then we would return to the hotel at midnight, sleep for about an hour, and then start filming on location again for the TV series.

"Every day, you had almost no private time. But even so, you said you never felt stressed because "doing the performance in and of itself was fun."

Suga: It's an unusual experience for an actor my age to be able to devote an entire year to a single role, isn't it? When playing a role, conveying the "joy" and "fun" of something was much greater than the "difficult."

"I see. It seems that Suga-kun's "pleasure" is being an actor itself. Then, on the other hand, were there any sad moments?"

Suga: Hmmm…The scene where Ren dies in the TV Special was really sad. While we were filming, I was thinking about everything that had happened up until that point…it felt like it was the final episode.

"There are multiple final episodes of Ryuki. There's the movie, the special, and the main show. As those who have seen the broadcast already know, there was an unprecedented development in the main story where the main character dies before the final episode."

Suga: I always wanted to die. If I could die in the show, then I could fulfill my role within in it…is the feeling I had. I didn't know I was actually going to die until I finally saw the episode's script. I read it for the first time on the travel bus, and cried straight throughout. As for the way in which he dies, it's entirely convincing.

Shinji, who had been in agony up untill that point, was finally able to let go of the burden he carried for so long and die. Shinji followed what he believed in, and in the end death awaited him…or rather, Shinji's Survive, wasn't it? (laughs).

Before, I would've been lost in all my choices, but now I was finally able to choose and follow through with what I believe in…like Shinji, I'm satisfied with it. Shinji had "nothing to point to," but in the end, I think he was able to show off "the strength that comes from having nothing"…is what I feel when filming (laughs). That's the point I hope to get across.

"You said you thought deeply about the theme of Ryuki for a while, and when producer Shirakura explained that among other things, the show was made based on the recent terrorist attacks in New York, you read articles on the subject."

Suga: It's becoming more difficult for people to understand what is "justice" and what is "evil" in the world. The same can be said about the world of Ryuki. I can't say for certain if what Shinji says is right. I can't really say if what Ren says is right either. Even now, I still don't have a clear answer as to what's right or wrong. But, I have a feeling like I'm starting to understand. For this, I think it's important for each and every one of us to ask ourselves, "What is justice?" I hope that through Ryuki, we've been able to convey these feelings to the audience.

"Many of the themes dealt with in ordinary televised dramas are that of love affairs. It's unique because usually, we only see such major themes taken seriously in longer running programs."

Suga: That's right. It can be hard for people to watch things that they don't understand. Even so, it's something that everyone should think about more!

The way Suga-kun makes his strong arguments seem to overlap with Shinji. His manager looked at him and laughed saying, "He seems to have grown a lot as a person over the past year." He was also praised on the set of another production, saying, "You're young, but you're good!" He feels that he has gotten alot out of Ryuki.

Suga: Even after the broadcast is over, I hope people will remember that this show existed and think, "This is what they were trying to say." As time passes and children become adults, I hope that they will still remember.

Satoshi Matsuda (Akiyama Ren) Interview (page 27,29)

"As human" Satoshi Matsuda

At a glance, Akiyama Ren of Kamen Rider Ryuki looks really cool. But, he is in fact, a very compassionate person. So what kind of person is Matsuda-kun, who played the role, really like? He says, "I don't like showing my true self," and we felt that there were no lies or bad faith in his words.

…

"In the past, I always looked at the people around me as rivals. It's much easier to think of them as enemies"

…

Matsuda: Good Morning.

The way he arrived made us feel as if an old acquaintance had come to visit. After hearing his voice, the nervous staff on set became oddly relaxed. He seems to be an unusual type an actor. When I told him that he was very natural, he laughed and said, "Yeah, my managers used to tell me that alot, they said I should become aware that I'm a celebrity.

Seeing him with relaxed shoulders, people say, he's a "nice guy," and "looks full of confidence." But what kind of person is the real Satoshi Matsuda?

"You write essays once a week on your blog "Matsuda Lab." Even when we read it, we can't see your true emotions."

Matsuda: Is that so? In the "lab" I intentionally write in such a way that the "image of Matsuda" is not particularly set. I thought it wouldn't be interesting to show my true character. If I did, I would lose the image of playing the role of "Akiyama Ren."

"Since the Fall, he's appeared in the Kansai regional TV program "Asa Cafe," which is an informational program, but he's also an actor, as he acts as the viewer's lover."

"Every 2 weeks he shoots 2 episodes while also filming Kamen Rider Ryuki. The opposite of Ren's character, he plays an upbeat and energetic character that speaks for 30 minutes straight. It's also understood that the script is as long as one episode of Ryuki."

Matsuda: At first I was under a lot of pressure, because all those lines were my lines. The crew comes from Osaka to Tokyo to shoot the program, and if they push back because the scene is NG (no good), they won't be able to make the last train home.

"Although he's busy filming every day, he's had his own TV show and has been featured in magazines and other media, over the past year, his popularity has increased rapidly."

Matsuda: I have to admit that the sudden boom worried me. I never thought I would be on an 8 a.m. Sunday morning show and not be able to walk the streets like a normal person…hmm.

"He had been aware of the recent tokusatsu boom from its start, which is why he took the audition. He had actually hoped this would boost his popularity. Still, he was baffled by the public frenzy."

Matsuda: One time, I was on site with a fever of 40C (104F). With the exception of the scenes I appeared in, I had to sit in a chair and cool my head with ice due to how bad it was. Then suddenly, while laying down, a random fan lifted my head with her hand and took a picture next to me. She and her friends then left saying, 'bye, until next time~." At the time, I got really angry. I was skeptical that such intense fans even existed…

"When something like that happens, I think, "What a weird world we're living in." On the flipside, he also has plenty of supportive fans that are loyal and kind."

Matsuda: I like to play games of catch when meeting with fans. I also write on the official fan site every day, so I'm close to them (laughs). I write at least 30 replies to fan letters every week.

"By the way, when you write for "Matsuda Lab," you don't reply to letters that end with "please reply."

Matsuda: I think that's what makes even the most favorable messages feel dull. I can't help but think they're thinking more about themselves than about me.

"He doesn't acknowledge those who call him "Knight," as he thinks, "they don't even know my name." Matsuda-kun is very sensitive to other people's feelings. Whenever someone offers true affection, he is almost like a cat, looking up at you as if asking, "Do you really mean it?"

Matsuda: I've always been sensitive to other people's feelings. Since I come from a single mother household, I felt as though I had to support my mother and sister. In the past, I always looked at the people around me as rivals. It was much easier to think of them as enemies. Especially when competing……

"Competing? Have you always competed with friends and the very world around you?"

Matsuda: I always thought so. However, when I came to Tokyo……on that day, I realized. I've noticed that "those guys I don't get along with," I ended up getting along with well later on. I thought to myself, "I've wasted time." Since then, I've never made assumptions about other people by our first meetings. I'm having a lot of fun meeting people, and opening one new door after another.

"And Ryuki, which brought you many good encounters, has also come to an end."

Matsuda: By the time this issue releases, the broadcast will be over. I wonder how everyone did…..There's always a discrepancy between the performance I imagine in my mind and the one that I actually do. This has been a difficult time for me, as I've been in a slump for over a month. The TV Special was the one were I made the least mistakes. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I was able to create exactly what I had imagined in my mind. Where do I go from here? I have to develop into the person I see in my mind.

We're still uncertain of the type of person he is really is, but we really sensed his sincerity.

Ryohei x Takashi Hagino Interviews (Page 31)

"Heinous Men" Ryohei x Takashi Hagino

Zolda (Kitaoka) and Ouja (Asakura), arrived as two dark "Kamen Riders." Evil men who fight not for justice, but for the sake of his own desire. Money, appearance and of course, power. They already have these things, but are still hungry for more. And yet……women, for some reason, find men like them attractive? …

"I was certain I was a rider who would die much earlier (laughs)" "Well, it's a good thing you didn't die so easily"

… Hagino: Have you seen the script yet?

Hagino-san called out to Ryohei-san as soon as he arrived at the studio. He appears to be very enthusiastic. It's no surprise, the script for the ending had been delivered just yesterday. From the start, I asked them a very important question.

"Did you ever think that Asakura (Takashi Hagino) and Kitaoka (Ryohei) would be among the last riders that made it to the end?"

Hagino: Ah, no, not really (laughs)

Ryohei: Honestly, until just recently, I was certain I was a rider who would die much earlier (laughs).

Hagino: Well, it's a good thing you didn't die so easily (laughs). Don't you think overall, it expanded the story and made it more interesting?

"Asakura and Kitaoka are very involved with each other, but what kind of relationship do these two really have?"

Ryohei: I think maybe Asakura is instinctive, while Kitaoka is rational? They always get involved with each other because they're complete opposites. That's the kind of relationship they have.

Hagino: "Asakura is the kind of guy who just wants to fight. He thinks fighting has meaning, and will go off like a tea kettle at a moment's notice. So, when he goes to Kitaoka he'll say, "Oi, let's fight."

Ryohei: Kitaoka didn't want to help Asakura with his sentence, so he's the kind of guy who'll fight just for that reason. On top of that, Kitaoka is always provoking me (laughs).

Hagino: Yeah, and no matter how many times I'm caught, I'll just keep breaking out (laughs). In the first scene when Kitaoka and Asakura meet, the contrast between the inside and outside world, with a sheet of glass separating them, was very interesting to see.

"Come to think of it, it was impressive to see Asakura wearing a seat belt while driving the hijacked vehicle as he was trying to escape from prison (laughs)."

Hagino: Yeah, Asakura likes to wear a seat belt or even straitjackets. Even when he sleeps, he needs to be tied to something in order to feel safe (laughs).

"Regarding Asakura's character, wouldn't he have had plenty of chances to kill Kitaoka when he was in person?"

Ryohei: Like when he was on his knees (laughs). But for Asakura, fighting as a rider is far more pleasurable for him than fighting untransformed. That's why he brings out his Card Deck.

Hagino: Asakura naturally chooses to fight for the superior pleasure of fighting. He isn't afraid of dying, much less surviving to the end as a rider.

Ryohei: That's the difference between Kitaoka's and Asakura's fighting style. Kitaoka, who is fixated on living, tries to win by fighting as little as possible.

"Leaving the roles of Asakura and Kitaoka aside, how do Hagino-san and Ryohei-san feel about each other?"

Hagino: This type of question, it's not really a conversation, saying such stuff in front of each other like, "Well, Ryohei-san is (…), isn't he?"

"…No, that is a conversation (laughs)."

Hagino: "Well, Ryohei-san is cheerful and is the complete opposite of me. His character is so loud, that I once told him to shut up (laughs). But, I can't remember what he said in response.

Ryohei: Hagino-san doesn't say much, but his personality is that of a big brother.

Hagino: "Eh?! That's just not true. I'm just lonely. But, Ryohei, he makes everyone feel at ease."

"Do the two of you ever discuss your roles together?"

Hagino: We don't, and it's because I don't want to. If we talk about what we want to do or how we want to do it, how we plan on performing may need to be constantly adjusted. I think it's interesting to see how the two of us have developed separately when we end up bumping into each other. If the action is going to be intense, we'll talk about it beforehand.

Ryohei: I have no prior experience as an actor, so I just have to rely on my intuition. I didn't really understand the process of creating a role. But, thanks to the influence of Hagino-san, I think I'm beginning to understand a little more now.

"Finally, What are both of your future prospects, as well as a message to your fans."

Ryohei: Specifically, I'm scheduled to perform on stage this coming March, and would like to try out the realism of a live performance. I have not yet decided how I will proceed as an actor, so I'd like to challenge various other projects and improve my career in order to decide where I'd like to go from here.

Hagino: Any message for the fans?

Ryohei: "Ah, I will do my best in the future, so please lend me your support.

Hagino: Hey now, answer more thoroughly (laughs). I'll be releasing a photobook, so you'll be able to see Takashi Hagino from various different angles. I would like to play different roles in the future, so please continue to support me! To all the fans of the Ouja, I will show you all the final special attack of Genocider! It's going to be a blood bath…… I haven't seen Black Hole myself because it's CG, so I'm looking forward to the airing, and I'd personally love to put all the fans in that hole! (laughs).

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emwheezie · 7 months

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A redraw with updated character designs! I was a senior in high school when I drew the first one.

I'm so happy with all the updates and changes we've been making on this comic. Hopefully I can spend the day working on more of the script.

Ultimately, my goal is to finish the comic script. I hope I can get to drawing it all, but if I can't I'd be happy enough with sharing the script. I just gotta get this story out there... we've been working so hard for years on this!

The past couple months we're been going ham on editing and rewriting cringe stuff we wrote in high school for this... And not to toot our own horns, but the storyline goes hard. It's gotten good... 16 year old me would puke at what the story has become. (puke in a good, OMG WE WROTE THIS? sort of way!)

Like??? Okay I'll let you in on a little secret, FOR SOME REASON, Oli, the blonde (previously black and red hair) character, was named BART for the first like 9 years of his existence??? He started off as a joke character and was from a trio of irrelevant characters named Bart, Snart and Tart (cause rhymes were so funny to us at 15) . Somehow his character shot up to being our problematic fav and we gave him a whole personality and stuff and got rid of his rhyming companions.

We just couldn't take him seriously anymore when we finally came back to work on this again... For so long we were hesitant to change any major details about the characters and storylines. We decided to try out new names and settled on Oli, and once we made that change, so many excellent changes and edits came about and the story became something we can actually be proud of now.

AaAAAAaahhh I'm just so passionate about this project right now. I'm so in love with the story and all the characters and I can't wait to share more soon.

If you read this far, BIG MCTHANKIES, you da best! (and I hope I'm making some sense cause I've been up all night working again and I did not proof read any of this!!!! :D)

#artists on tumblr #illustration #art #digital illustration #oc #original character #original comic #collage art

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harkeepitreal · 21 days

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I want to clear some stuff up. What is going with Tim and Lucy is NOT necessary this much angst does NOT need to happen. It doesn't take a lot to write stories like this. It takes talent to be able to write characters not having so many conflicts. This is not realistic. So yes this much AGNST is NOT necessary it is ridiculous. If they were a real couple and fighting this much I would question why are they still together. I get it couples have their ups and downs and they do fight. But if you have ever seen a happy, healthy relationship it is not like this. We had one episode of fighting then make up then back to fighting again. That is not real life and if it is then they really need to re-evaluate whether they belong together or not.

I studied film and television in college I hold two college degrees in film and television including an MFA. I have studied film and television my entire life. I have written, produced, directed, edited, starred in, created my own sound tracks and scores for both film and television. I have even built a show from the ground up. I know what I am talking about this much AGNST is not necessary at all or is not realistic.

When you take screenwriting classes (one of my best friends is a writer and holds an MHA and has also written scripts) says the same thing I do there are ways to write drama with out having people fight all the time. In screenwriting class they ask you 3 basic questions: 1) What is the story? 2) What are you trying to say? 3) How are you going to tell this story, is it with Humor, Drama, song and dance, Sci Fi, etc? I was taught by some of the best Indy filmmakers and screenwriters in the business.

I will never forget a time in college. For one of my screen writing classes I wrote a script that was about what happened to Cinderella after she married the prince. I did exactly what so many people unfortunately love I made it all angsty, fighting etc...and my professor almost failed me. He told me you don't need to write like this it is not necessary for it to be a great script. This was coming from an award winning Indy filmmaker. So I was lucky enough that he allowed me to rewrite the script and I did with a lot less AGNST and you know what I aced the project. Afterwards he said to me now this is how you write a script. It had humor, heart, and a tiny bit of conflict. After the rewrite he said it was one of the best scripts he had read from a student in a long time, because there was NOT so much drama and angst. I kept in touch with him over the years and we had many conversations about this until he passed away and he agreed this much AGNST is NOT necessary.

There are ways to get them to the point that they need to be at and keep them happy. For example: Let them actually have a conversation instead of fighting or accusations flying around. Let them go and talk to a therapist, etc... But that takes to much effort no it is much easier to write fighting.

Look at Monica and Chandler on Friends yes they had their fights on occasion but for a majority of the time they were happy and OMG they were together for 5 seasons. Same with Booth and Brennan, Castle and Beckett, Tom and B'elanna on STVOY they had the occasional fight but for the majority of the time they were happy. All those shows lasted for years after they got together. So it can be done. So don't BS me and tell me it can't be done.

The other issue we as Americans are so preconditioned to accept this on our tvs and films. If there is no drama filled happening people get bored. It makes me ask do people start drama in their relationships when things are going great because they get bored? I am sure some people do but not everyone that is unhealthy. The occasional conflict can happen even in a comedy but this is ridiculous. I know drama fills seats etc... but it doesn't have to if we say no we don't want this anymore. Happy relationships are not condosive of so much fighting, drama and AGNST. You want to see that crap go and watch all the garbage reality shows.

Rant done!!! Love to all ❤️❤️❤️❤️

#chenford #lucy chen #the rookie #tim bradford #hoping for a season 7 renewal #agnst #Drama does not need to happen like this

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mooncalfe-art · 2 months

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Hi! Ohmigosh, I can’t believe I’m asking THE Sophie Campbell something 😆 I’m a really big fan of your art 😍 I love how your art style has improved over the years (I do like both styles, though) I really like how in your new art style, you perfectly mix cute and dark. Leading on to my actual question, I am so happy that you were the one to draw Raph and Alopex’s first kiss!!! I was sad when they broke up because I loved them together :( Do you ever think that they will ever get back together? Would you have kept their relationship the same as it was? What made you want to do KoyaXLeo? Have an amazing day!!!

Thank you so much!! <3 My original plan was to never break up Raph and Alopex because I feel like too many serialized stories in monthly comics and TV shows always do that, they always FINALLY get the two characters together after however long of will-they-won't-they, and then quickly break them up because the writers don't know what to do with a nice, regular romantic relationship. I hate that!

But after the stuff with Saki being part of the team, I just couldn't reconcile it with Alopex as a character and what she'd gone through with him. Having that drive her away from the Turtles was the only thing that made sense to me. The stuff with Saki becoming "good" was actually an editorial direction thing, I didn't want to do it and I resisted it at first but tried my best to make it work. Alopex leaving the group was also sort of partly a metaphor for my own thoughts about it, a retaliation against the Turtles teaming up with the person who murdered them and abused Alopex. I kinda felt cornered by that storyline and I just couldn't write Alopex staying with Raph (and the Turtles group overall) after that, I felt like it would've been a disservice to the character to have her suck it up. She HAD to put her foot down.

The Leo/Koya thing actually started out as more of a joke on twitter until I realized there were fans who genuinely shipped them, haha. It's still kind of a running gag, I don't think I would ever show them in present day getting together or anything, but having them as a couple decades down the line in the future time period felt like a nice way to cap it off. In my original script Koya wasn't even in that scene, it was going to be a grown-up adult Rahzar, until I decided to add Koya/Leo in there for one particular superfan (hi Paty!!).

Thank you again!!! <3

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kittenwalker · 1 year

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Take a break (evan peters) x (fem!reader)

WARNINGS : mentions of dahmer the show

Evan recently took up the offer of being in a new Netflix production directed by Ryan Murphy. But it wasn’t a normal fictional character, it is a real-life monster. Jeffrey Dahmer, an evil creature that made people suffer for his benefit. You tried talking this out with Evan as he asked you what you thought of his new role, and to say the least, you weren’t happy about it. You already have seen what his previous American horror story role did to him, he immersed himself in the role too much and he's going to do it again. The previous character in Cult was a shitty person but he was fictional, his new role isn’t. It’s going to be 10 times harder as he did way worse things and he did exist. Evan was a method actor, meaning he would go to long lengths to embody his characters. He would watch documentaries, get into the mindset of the character, he becomes the character.

It was scary to see the process of him starting to sink. During the first few weeks of the new series, all you’d see him watch or do all involved Jeffery Dahmer. You could just see his smile slowly fade away, but thankfully the series was coming to an end. Giving him a chance to rest and take another much-needed break. Today was the last week of the filming, and you have decided to take care of Evan tonight.

You went and prepared all the ingredients to make his favourite dish, pasta. 9.33 pm, he’s not coming back in another hour; gives you time to cook it. You were thinking that maybe you could help him unwind for the night, watch a movie while eating something that would not take effort. While you were almost done cooking the pasta, you heard the front door opening and footsteps behind you. Looking back you saw a very exhausted Evan, making you frown. He still had some residue of makeup left and his hair was just a blob of mess.

“ Hey love, dinner is almost ready “

“ I don’t feel like eating, sorry “

Offing the stove fire and abandoning the food, you walked over to his side. Wrapping your arms around his neck, he fell into you and broke. You could hear his muffled sobs, as his beautiful face got covered by ugly tears. Patting his back to assure him he had someone.

“ Bad day? “ you whispered

Feeling him nod against your shoulder, getting the hint that he doesn't want to talk.

“ Hang in there, just a couple more days“ you leaned in, kissing him on his temple. As you leaned in to kiss him, you smelled his hair and its stank of gel and hair cosmetics.

“ Mhm you smell bad, you need a bath. Let’s go “ you chuckled softly

Pulling his arm, you dragged him into the bathroom. Closing the toilet lid, you made him sit on it while you got ready a bubble bath for him. The warm water came out from the faucet while you were pouring some soap in, making it bubble up. Once the bath was made, you wanted to keep the food in a container until you felt a tug.

“ Have a bath with me “ Evan whined

“ Alright big baby “

Stripping off all your clothes, Evan stepped in first. Cooing at the feeling of the warm water, you then stepped in next; sitting in between his legs. Closing your eyes as the feeling of a nice warm bath soothed both of you. You slightly moved to face Evan but were careful not to spill the bubbly water out. Breaking the silence you asked if he wanted to talk about his day, and he groaned in response.

“ I’ll take that as a no “

“ It’s just… hard, his mindset is just so unbelievably dark. Also whenever I read the script, I just think about all the real people who had to experience and suffer through it; the trauma that had affected them. Sometimes this role… keeps me up at night, not letting me sleep.“

You could tell this role is taking a big toll on Evan, and it’s way worse than his Kai character. He puts most of his time studying about him and trying to make himself into him. Even if you told him he needed a break, he would always reject that idea and said he just needed 5 more minutes. But that 5 minutes turned into the whole day. So right now you’re going to suggest something you know he won’t like.

“ Evan I think you need another break, this isn’t good for you “

“ I can’t “ a tear slipped out of his eye and grabbing his face, you cupped it and made him face you.

“ Oh Evan, Ryan isn’t forcing you to do any of these roles. You have a say in this as well, remember that you can always say no. I know you feel like you owe something to Ryan as he made you famous but you proved that you didn’t need him. You won multiple awards in movies that didn’t involve Ryan. He even respected you for taking a break previously, and I think that respect isn’t going to disappear. “

Lightly you placed a kiss on his lips, bringing him into a hug as you sat on his lap. Messing and massaging his blonde hair while he just laid his chin onto your shoulder.

“ I don’t want to tell you what to do love, but it just hurts to see you struggle like this. “ you said as you turned his head to face you, swiping a tear that had fallen out from his face.

“ I hope you know how grateful I am for you and how much I love you. I feel like I don’t tell you that enough, and I want you to know that without you I really don’t know what to do. As cheesy as that sounds, it’s true. “

“ Mhm I think I know a bit of how much you love me “ you joked

“ Hey, I’m serious y/n. I want you to know “

“ Action speaks louder than words, “ you said while pointing to your lips

Evan jokily rolled his eyes, giving a warm loving kiss. You sat there drawing circles on his back as Evan began to fall asleep on your shoulder due to his tiring day.

#evan peters #evan peter smut #evan peter fluff #evan peter x reader #evan #evan peters x you #evan peters imagine #evan peters one shot #evan peters drabble #american horror story #ahs #tate langdon #kit walker #james patrick march

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strangerstime · 7 months

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Perhaps this information will totally influence my future writings

This topic exhausted itself a long time ago. But is it always a bad thing to return to something that still weighs on you to this day? Yeah, I'm talking about Sun and Moon Show.

So why did I pull this topic out of the nailed coffin when I have already stated my opinion before? Well, there are reasons for that. My friend, @visionthefox, often makes little posts debating this, and I read them from time to time. And the post about Bloodmoon and Lunar has me quite interested. More specifically the fact that BM broke his arm. I was impressed: in a show made for kids, they showed that moment in a very violent and intimidating way. For that they have my respect. I hadn't heard my boys' voices in quite a while and was immensely happy to hear the two of them again (if you remember, it was after BM and Lunar died that I finally gave up on the show). But my happiness didn't last long.

I watched a few other episodes, including gameplay episodes (where I think the BM actor underplayed emotionally, since I saw him as Moon the whole time, but Ruin Eclipse behaved pretty similarly, but not about that), and was somewhat disappointed. Not only that they made two hysterical twins out of my fun and active twins (which is justifiable, since they've been betrayed many times and suffered mentally from it), but also how much the plot became… monotonous? I just didn't have the fervor to find out what happens next.

You may say to me, "Well, it's a show for kids! Why pick on it?" Well, I came to this show when I was a kid. And I thought it was pretty strong script-wise. So what happened? When did those subtle plot lines weaving together turn into constant "here-this-twists!"? All in all, it's pretty sad. I don't deny that there are some positive aspects to the show: I like that the BMs are shown to be much more serious and more realistic, with their complexes and fears; that they brought up Lunar and BM's "brotherhood" (After a year- KHEM) and other minor pluses, but there's nothing here that can bring my attention back. The saddest thing is when watching something leaves no emotion at all…. Just emptiness...

I am in no way judging you if you like this Show! This is my subjective opinion, which I just decided to express for one simple reason: I feel guilty.

Guilty of falling for it, of following the creators' leash, of deciding to base my universe on it and thereby creating so many problems for myself that I won't be able to solve anytime soon, because all the problems start from the first comics… I've only been doing this for a year, and I realize I'm as far from perfect as the Earth is from the Moon. I realize that I should have thought of the consequences earlier, but I was going with my emotions and hopes, which ultimately didn't come to fruition. I accept the fact that people unfamiliar with SAMS will not get on board, they will be confused and end up drowning in trying to understand what is going on here. Which leads me to ask just one question:

"What should I do now?"

Is it worth restarting the whole thing? Flush a whole year of my efforts down the toilet to convey the true essence of my complicated plot? Or should I give up and just pretend like this is how it's supposed to be, finally finishing at least one part of this story….

Many people won't get to this point, but the few that do, hear me: never repeat my mistakes. Don't put your fate in the hands of other people.

End of communication.

#the sun and moon show #my opinion #my thoughts #i feel like I'm hating this but i'm not #my mistakes #enjoy your life #black white stranger

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blindtaleteller · 7 months

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MCU Asgard Canon Observation Research [Part 1]

Firstly and before I even start in on the subject, keep in mind that this is what it says: a collection of research into actual Canon Lore from the Marvel Cinematic Universe: not the comics, or the Nordic lore twice removed from it.

Secondly and alongside that, also keep in mind that even back at the start of the MCU as a long term project, while the MCU is based on the Marvel comics universe: the creators made a point of making it a completely different universe: for many varying reasons, including the spaces lacking continuity in the comics over the years that the MCU as a project wanted to pursue from it's first conception.

This is a large part of why there are phases and why they were numbered from it's creation. (And yes also why my tags recently mentioning counting phases are what they are elsewhere, but that's a whole other post.. or set of them.)

These are important to remember because, I would like to avoid previous iterations of people wasting their time trying to insert comics-universe lore and more excessively into or onto this requested post purely for the sake of, well; being argumentative or just trolling:as much as possible. I do try to take some time to respond to comments and reblogs as much as possible, but I can and will ignore or yes, at times point out people unable to manage these things.. and respond as necessary.

I normally wouldn't bother to mention this except yes, that has happened before so: consider this your disclaimer.. I ain't dealin' with you if you're gonna be a trolly shit disrespectful enough of the time effort and willingness to share what research and observations I have, by shitting on it or me in your pursuit of whatever flimsy excuses might be given for any inhuman reactions posted passive aggressive or worse.

More frankly: be respectful on my posts or get lost. I don't tolerate harassment on my blog whether it's aimed at me or others. Passive aggressive or otherwise. I'll discuss stuff, am happy to have any valid references I might miss added to and pointed out. Just don't be an asshat about it, and you'll get the same from me. That's how basic-bitch Karma, and I; both work: you'll get what you give along those lines, while in my space.

The necessary now out of the way... Next!

More as a side note with that mentioned; while I may mention some meta/theory in the form of the most probable (as that's how my meta in particular is formed) it is again: based on the facts of the canon lore and contexts confirmed presented in it; visually, in dialogue, and out of the mouths of the very people who made all that themselves, at the time that lore was given to us on screen: and will be mentioned as the theory and supposition that is 'meta' rather than 'canon'. I have gone out of my way as a fan of world, universe, and character building as a part of the creative process in particular: to watch, rewatch, rewatch again and again, and hunt down all this stuff (often lol purely out of my own curiosity.) All in all Meta is theory, Canon is story/film-established fact; and I do try to keep a clear line between the two of them. The early world and character building in the MCU has always been interesting enough to me alone, to do all that with my free time.

And that's especially true with Asgard in particular, as a main story driving force in one form or another as far back as 2010 when both Thor and CA: tFA's scripts were being filmed and their sets/settings picked out and created.

Final few bits before we get into it..? As Asgard lore (and even a lack of it's presence at times) is directly and appropriately attached and or in relation to the lore of several races, species, and massive events in the entirety of the MCU's first three phases.. I will be touching some of those cultures and places too, where important. Probably not in this particular part, but yeah. It's gonna happen.

As with the research post into Loki and his year of absence prior to Avengers 2012: (yes that's a link to an ask that contains a good chunk of info and years of interviews on that particular subject) this might not be an entirely complete compilation: for the same reasons. As I said, i didn't just watch, I rewatched repeatedly from differing personal mental angles: not just three or four times, but and as I wrote my own fanfiction.. I would also re-watch once or twice just prior to fleshing out an outlined story of my own to refresh my memory, seek out interviews official and otherwise from the creators and actors who made that lore and put it on screen for us to enjoy as part of the stories we enjoyed (or not, depending lol) and well.. the resulting organization of the whole outside of this post is less than comprehensive for anyone else. You can see the explanation for how that happens in the foreword of that thread if you're curious.

As a result, I may or may not exclude the actual interviews if this gets too long. Much of the visual in this first part especially are pretty self explanatory, as I did find some of my dissection pics too.

All said (I think? Gods I hope so that was a lot wasn't it? XD) and as suggested/requested recently in discord?

This one is gonna be expansive.. and hellaciously so: so grab your drinks and your snacks and still be prepared for this series of posts to be going for while (not kidding, may be compiling this properly between jobs for weeks) so yeah..

Here we go again!

The major forgotten fact of Asgard's depiction in the MCU is this:

We the audience are only shown a very tiny fragment of Asgard as another separate planet in space, and: they do show us we're missing as much, from the very first film.

That gif directly from the movie I used at the top? I'm using it again, because...

..look at that.

With topography, perspective and size in mind.

That tiny golden triangle in the middle is the Palace at the center. The little golden bar along that tiny portion to either side? Is the city attached to it proper, with the Bifrost, and as far as we've seen the 'Heroes Road' (as soem are calling it) and city walls cupping the Bifrost Bay directly facing the camera.

This is a space shot (of course,) and that tiny itty bitty moving spec that is still shrinking as it gets further from our perspective and closer to Asgard at the bottom, is the Bifrost in use.

And, they do give us a few views of that as early as five to six minutes into the first movie in 2011, as seen in the first clip below. I've set it to share at the first view of Asgard itself.

Hopefully that works. If not, the timestamp you're looking for is 2:04.

I recommend shutting off the audio, as it's a bit distracting. Trust me, we will get back to the very interesting audio from a world builder's perspective, when we get to the History and Relations section of Asgard's break down.. there are several tons, of that and in that opener alone, to examine later.

youtube

IMPORTANT!! When looking at any of these images or videos, keep in mind and look at the scale. Not just in the scene on screen at that moment, but also in reference to previous shots. Distance is a thing. The size of trees and people are a thing. This place in the MCU is much more massive than where it's very cloistered story parts take place.

This is not a city-planet like and for comparison: Coruscant, from Star Wars... though I am very aware that some people will throw out Asgard's concept art to try and 'debunk' that (yes its' been done and proven pointless in other threads).. that does also bring us to another couple of facts that slip by in their context.

In fact, you know what? I'll throw it in here right now myself:

This concept art: does still apply, if slightly adjusted with the topography and likely under ground portions taken into account.. because Asgard is the name of both the planet AND the city as separate entities of the same locale.

In other words, the concept art is VERY valid as a map of the city itself: but not the outlying locations outside of Asgard as a Capital City Proper, of Asgard as a disk planet.

And again.. they do show us this, and not just in the first film: although that first shot going into the city says as much too, being that..

A. Asgard is established as a society greatly more advanced than Earth and most others, and;

B. there are whole swaths of land (and especially mountain they like to build into) without structure between the edge panned through and the City itself. (see still image below: not the best quality but it's also in the video.)

Which.. we'll touch again a little more in a bit (and probably the biggest lol) part of this breakdown set; digging at History, Culture, and Relations.. as the fact they do prefer to build INTO their environment much more than on top of it is also shown in the shot of the canyons and canals on which not only that city is built, but even what buildings are shown outside of it on that panning-in shot.

We can see in the one above though: that while they did redirect some of the water through canals in the lower shot; they also kept and built into the natural(?*) lay of the river canyons below.

This theme is kept even before we get into the city though with the first part of the shot above the water.

Want a more visual view of the breakdowns as I do them?

Here you go, here's one example from out of my crazy folders and docs, that I made in paint back in 2013 (LOL yes I know. XD) while once again re-watching that same scene.

I would highly suggest clicking on it, as tumblr does downsize images making text on them hard to read otherwise. Crappy in-motion quality screen cap but, it was made more for breaking down the visual elements on screen for what it told us about the land, and more; on it.

----[?*] As a set of side/foot notes to that last bit and the image..

A. the top left corner yes: does reference some of where I use certain observations of canon in my own fics; and how they would have grown or evolved depending on that story. In this case, and at the time: the pink text is making note to utilize those observations in outlining Hvedrungr (Loki from Uni 0) and Flykra's (Loki from Vesti1 Uni 14) universes in particular: both of which return to Asgard at VERY different times and in different situations: while the history and culture I've been able to glean and expand on in some cases is still part of their and the location's background. As I don't have the patience to remove the text from an old paint shop cut.. I thought I would at least explain it's presence left there. These things are, ultimately connected by the culture that originated on and created them on that planet after all.. and why there's an entire section dedicated to the varied aspects of Asgard's presented Cultural, Relations, and History lore. B. The '?' at the 'natural' mention in parenthesis above, also takes into account that Asgard is much older than Earth's culture and has to be: if only because as only three generations have come and gone over the passage of what to us is five thousand years! (see the next installment Thor the Dark World: Bor and Darkalfheim, or just watch the movie with info gathering in mind.) In other words, between Bor's War, and Odin's Asgardian Great Wars: we cannot be certain whether or not 1. those canyons are actually natural or the now aged result of one of many previous interplanetary wars, or 2. whether Asgard at this stage of it's showing timed at 2011 more than a millennia later, has even always been this size, given their advancement in technology and study of magic as presented OR left in question, either. For my part, as there's no conclusive dialogue from that era to state otherwise in the MCU or it's interviews that I know of, and knowing the context of Malekith and Darkalfheim's familiarity with Asgard itself during their raid to reclaim the infinity stone: I tend to veer towards a mixture of the two. While it's very likely at least some of the canyons are indeed natural; the great age of the culture and planet both, along with the nature of Bor and Odin's rules alone as we've seen them: leaves a HUGE and LONG period of time and opportunities for some of those nasty fights to come directly to them... or even their predecessors. Which would also explain why they had that shield for the palace too. You don't build and more importantly upkeep something like that without a very good set of reasons or examples experienced, to do so after all. Much of that is meta though, however based on canon fact it may be: and as many of the creators were not asked publicly during that era, and have been dismissed or moved on to other projects since.. it's hard to know if we'll ever see a *genuine* answer from the people who actually made it all starting sixteen years ago.

Anyway, let's look at a few more shots of Asgard with that breakdown going. Some of these are all old, from as far back as about ten years ago when I first started writing outlines for the varied universes in my Lokiverse Project: but they do still hold up. theer are some from TDW in this bunch too. I heavily dissected these scenes knowing I was going to do whole chapters in multiple differing universes, and wanted to have the presented layout and feel laid out in my head, before I started adding in locations on the planet not yet shown on film. And given my first Book was already going to be DREAMS.. where Asgard has been blown to bits post Endgame? I really wanted to get it right so I could deconstruct it as many times as I and the muses wanted to. Laufeyson (Universe 10 Loki) was pretty insistent too with the opening chapters on his end focusing partially on that chase with Abell through Asgard's blown apart ruin

Sorry for the ramble of an explanation, but that's how it is and how it works over here...? XD

..uhmmmm. Yeah lol! When I said I watch and re-watch from differing mental perspectives..? That's what I mean. I don't usually share those at all... only the unedited pics. Genrally I will take caps or take existing raw caps and pick out piece that catch my eye. I've been told they do help put your brain in the right mode for those who have difficulty processing them in that way, like I do when in that mode. Also yes, trees and fish ...bruh. lol!

It's there, has been for years in some cases; and I'm not messing with it now.

That basic bit out of the way (doesn't sound so basic does it.) Let's backtrack a bit, specifically to Asgard's shape and the placement of it's location and the locations on it.

As I first write this, I don't have the talks I had with a few wild meteorologists and geologists back then directly on hand (as this is a part I still don't focus on too much; but:) shaped as it is, those I did talk to theorized that between the shape and placement of planets as well as the nebula they're partially inside, that Asgard may be shaped and in rotation as it is because of its' placement in it's system: or because of late interference by Asgard's inhabitants to keep it stable.

^ That one scene in particular from Thor 2011 really made my eyes pop. Not because of what's going on in it so much as trying to answer the whys and hows and what the actual fricks man: because..

Can you imagine, the conversation: trying to pitch that spinning death ball to the King there OR anywhere else on the planet before Bor or even his great grandfather?

Or, trying to talk the royalty down from the idea of putting it anywhere NEAR the palace, or other people's homes?

How about testing that house sized death-by-velocity-alone gilded mess? (Yes I still laugh thinking about that. Some poor scholar/engineer type trying to dissuade Bor's grand-daddy from building what would definitely become a giant pinball of death in the canyons and canals, if that thing ever came off it's anchors even once in the city. Good gods! lol!) Who knows; maybe that was when people started moving to Vanaheim... XD! Just (mostly) kidding.

Cray-cray thoughts of high velocity gilded pinball hell that was probably somewhere way back in the Bifrost's likely development and evolution as tech/normie science boosted by magic, and or vice versa, aside:

You probably notice I've mentioned the nebulae and the planets in their rotation more than once. And with good reason.

Backing up a bit; Asgard is interesting well before you hit her shores.

Not only is she a top-shaped disk-planet: but with the way the sky is shown: Asgard has a very interesting rotation if she has any left at all. There's very little we know, but what we do know is she is not alone in her systematic rotation either way.

(Asgard's sky from Thor's personal Hall in Thor: the Dark World)

In fact and as seen in the screen caps above: Asgard has an incredibly close relation to at least three planets in her nebulous solar system. At least one of which is absolutely massive: massive enough that it's close proximity is theorized as being pretty likely to be the only way Asgard experiences night cycles as seen in Thor: the Dark World... mainly through eclipsing the nebulous sun by passing between it and Asgard as a planet.

Which is both cool -and- scary when you take things like degrading orbits, space debris and projectiles like comets and other space science into account.. but also very, very interesting.

It also begs the question either way: why didn't Asgard at their earlier establishment of a greater technological level, colonize or move to those planets sooner? Of course.. the first obvious answer is.. they probably couldn't, at first. And even more probably were past trying by the time the Bifrost was built, prior to Bor's time (I say prior because we have seen Bor use it in Thor the Dark World: and on a massive scale moving whole armies, the same as his son Odin. See some of the scenes from Bor's seizure of the Aether below.)

But yeah, Asgard is a pretty unique place even before you get to the water fall's edge: or questioning what kind of condensed mass it has to retain gravity at it's very small size.

Or, whether that gravity and the shape is in fact generated in some form or another after millennia upon millennia of just the Wars we do know about in their history.

(At current we know about Darkalfheim and the series of Wars including Jotunheim and Muspelheim that they call the Great Wars. While they are definitely aware of the extensive millennia of intergalactic war between the Xandarian based Nova Corps and the Kree Empire put front and center in GotG.. there hasn't been any actual confirmation as to whether Asgardians fought in that war on either side: only that they are at that stage at least loosely allied with Asgard.. if not a more separated protectorate being considered among the nine realms in the MCU.)

Why do I keep pointing out trees, and perspective; or teh size of the city in that first little gif again?

Because.. that is our repeated visual evidence of just how much of Asgard as a planet; the story did not take place in.. huge parts of the place we haven't seen. And that makes sense.

Power plants or generators, smithys, and even schools can be easily placed in the city proper, at this stage.

But what about BEFORE, they got to this stage.. because that is a thing in the MCU in regards to Asgard: and a major plot point for three movies of script running, from 2010 all the way to 2015 when Taika Waititi was hired (unfortunately, for those of us who know the root of what happened there.)

What about food, for thousands of 5000 year lifespans and their kids. And their grandkids. And.. the food for the livestock, or the wild game

Or the bilgesnipes and dragons--well we can guess what happened to the dragons of Asgard in particular actually. If they were anything like Muspelheim's; and on a planet that size..? It doesn't take much to figure out Odin, Bor and their predecessors probably couldn't excuse not hunting a predator big enough to swallow people to extinction: not for much longer than they absolutely had to anyway.

What about fibers and leather for clothes.

How about waste management, for both the city and suburban areas? Sewers? Water filtration? Factories or slaughterhouses to process it all, and the means to support those things. Everything man made, is grown, processed or made somewhere.

We know they have these things, because we know they have and make their own alcohol (fermentation of grains, fruits, and more); as well as other things to eat: displayed in both T1 and TDW.

(The top image is from Thor's table flip scene in Thor 2011; while the one below it is from the tavern scene in the beginning of Thor: the Dark World.)

Meat, vegetables, fruit, grain, herbs, and seasonings are all represented on the tables above. While some might be imported (I really do wonder about the platters of golden apples myself:) it's not very likely all of them are. And it wouldn't make sense for them to have been imported from off world throughout their species development either. After all and again: they would have had to have survived and developed enough to GET TO, that stage in the first place.

You're also looking at Varnish in the shine of that table; smithing and metal working and ceramics in their table ware. Weaving either plant or animal fibers in their clothes, as well as the likely production of tannin (or it's equivalent) and leather working in every leather piece on screen. Candles can be made from varied sources, whether that's actual wax of some form, or condensed animal fat.

Oh, and if you find the enlarged version of those images: you'll also notice things like fine engraving and metal sculpture to the goblets and platters on the Thor 2011 table in particular.

Either way, the images above show us directly that unsurprisingly, they have come to understand whole other sub-levels of production: before you even get to the high-tech and magic ends of any of that to be able to reproduce it in that modern era.

As another side note related to that: the booze alone is pretty telling as to how far off the "Loki" series is on this mark, as well. Creators of current content 'conveniently forgot' that this is supposed to be a space faring, technologically advanced society (even if they're the social equivalent of medieval imperialist thugs .. lol sorry not sorry! That's literally how they're depicted... and honestly that really weird twist IS some of Asgard's most interesting and strange development) whose friends, allies and other examples of places visited DO and HAVE included Earth, Xandar, and six other 'realms' as their etymology names them: for literal millennia. Even taking the other, long established cultural influences and visitations aside? For a society who 5000 years ago was still porting whole armies to other planets to kick peoples asses? The idea they never discovered honey; or sugar especially even on the inside of a fermentation barrel for wine; OR how to process it into something like candy? Is more than just a -little- dumb in the stretch. Sugar often naturally starts to separate and crystallize during the fermentation process. Ask a vintner, or look it up if you don't believe me. Just sayin'.. just on Earth alone, we know sweets were discovered more than 8000 years ago. Eight thousand. And the only reason we haven't been able to confirm people older than that finding things like bee's hives?? Is because well.. that kind of thing rarely survives even that length of time at all, to be found in archeology in order to tell us more. I'll touch that and how it's pretty damned near impossible that 'Loki doesn't know wtf candy is' being 1k+ years himself, and a guy raised as an Asgardian prince & spymaster to boot later into the culture section I think, but mmm.. that whole bit still reeks of stupid, to me And more so after their own DB Cooper scene. Gonna say candy wasn't a snack in that era either? Cause if so; I got big shocking news, for those who think so... XD

In closing.. for this part?

As far as the world of Asgard goes, we have only been allowed to see a very small part of it: and even then? It is still undoubtedly massively larger than even what's implied: and definitely capable of supporting it's comparatively small base population of less than 10k people.

(Odin's subterranean vault reference: exterior)

The only reason we don't see even more of it; is the fact that films have a limited time to give you everything, and the story focuses on the royal family from the get go. And they live, in the heart of Asgard's capital city... so we largely don't see as much of that as weirdo world building fans like me would absolutely love to see in the process... and frankly; they gave plenty enough to start us off with.

The films would have suffered for having too much more of that, rather than the stories they were trying to tell.

The same.. I would love to know more: and I do wish the current teams paid the previous ones more respect by using what was already there and expanding on it: instead of making mismatched new things up, as they went.

The early creative teams really knew what they were doing back then.

(Asgard's defensive cannons defending against the Darkalfheim air raid in Thor the Dark World.)

And no, this isn't all they showed us, in the show and tell they did manage to give us over the course of years of work... far from it.

Hope you enjoyed part one! Maybe you learned or saw something you missed.. or have been inspired to watch the older films again..?

I know I often am.

#MCU #Asgard #MCU Asgard #Lore drops #research #scene dissection #location and culture dissection #world building #universe building #Lokiverse references #writing references #writing research #Youtube #MCU Lore #part one:#about the land more than the people on it #don't worry: we'll get to that #:3

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astroprompts · 5 months

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✧ —𝐁𝐎𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐒 [𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝟑]

“Darling, you're doing marvelously, I am so proud of you.”

“Just write a script for me, so I don't have to think for myself.”

“You better not have gotten your failure stink all over my important movie star clothes.”

“That is going to lead to some wackiness. You mark my words.”

“Hey, champ, I have a very important job for you.”

“Why does everything I love fall apart as soon as I touch it?”

“What legacy of ruin am I left with? What rewards have I reaped for the damage done?”

“You look different. Older. A lot older.”

“I'm not interested in being rebirthed. I'm still recovering from being birthed the first time.”

“I want to do things that connect with people, things that last.”

“If I'm going to sacrifice my journalistic integrity, it's because I'm having sex with a movie star.”

“How do you make something right when you've made it so wrong you can never go back?”

“Thanks a lot. Once again, you've been no help whatsoever.”

“What, you're just gonna stay at home and get drunk all day?”

“Let's get wrecked and get Shreked.”

“You're bright and you're funny and you're handsome and you're talented. But if you can't see that, then you're the biggest, dumbest piece of shit in the world.”

“If you get scared, look for me in the audience. I'll be there the whole time, laughing and cheering louder than anyone.”

“Thirty years I threw into this job, and it destroyed me from the inside out.”

“A lot of guys in your position wouldn't take gigs like this. They'd be afraid people would make fun of them.”

“If you care about what other people think, you're never gonna do anything.”

“Put the corpse on ice, I'm on my way.”

“I'm not avoiding you. I'm just making an effort to not be in a room alone with you because I am... Avoiding you.”

“You know, I think we're alike in a lot of ways. Sometimes that's great, but it also means we can bring out the worst in each other.”

“I just think maybe it's better, for both of us, if we keep things a little more professional.”

“It smells like a skunk skunked another skunk in here, then they smoked a joint. What happened?”

“Sometimes you need to take responsibility for your own happiness.”

“It takes a long time to realize how truly miserable you are, even longer to see it doesn't have to be that way.”

“I haven't seen you since high school. You look great!”

“My dumb best friend's getting married, so I'm here for the rehearsal dinner.”

“Boring regular people love it when movie stars show up and drink their alcohol.”

“This is not the time for one of your weird stories that go nowhere.”

“If you're lucky enough to find someone you can halfway tolerate, sink your nails in and don't let go, no matter what.”

“One day, you're gonna look around and you're going to realize that everybody loves you, but nobody likes you. And that is the loneliest feeling in the world.”

“I would seriously like to know what crawled up your butt, made a home for itself in your butt, started a family, lived a fruitful life, and then died up your butt.”

“When you do bad things, you have something you can point to when people eventually leave you. It's not you, you tell yourself, it's that bad thing you did.”

“Listen, I've been with guys like you before, and I know this thing works better if we keep a little distance.”

“It's so sad that when you see someone as they really are, it ruins them.”

“You're sweet. You shouldn't waste that on people who don't deserve it.”

“Are you sure this whole thing isn't just a semi-lucid fever dream from mixing the wrong pills?”

“It's so cruel to let people love you. All you're doing is promising you'll one day break their hearts.”

“We don't really have the kind of relationship where we talk about things.”

“Just because you have a shitty relationship with your family doesn't mean every other family has to have drama too.”

“Ugh! Why did I get my hopes up? Why do I keep letting you get my hopes up?”

“Do a girl a favor, don't break her heart by inches. Do it all at once. It'll save everyone some time.”

“Should we get dinner, or are you just thinking drinks?”

“Good luck finding another charming first-generation Italian immigrant with this kind of darling accent, who makes equally delightful malapropisms!”

“Is there a single woman you've worked with who you haven't tried to groggily thrust yourself into?”

“You're such a self-pitying masochist, I could say ten nice things and one mean thing, you would only hear the one mean thing.”

“Did you ever love me? At all?”

“You know that I don't do the whole love thing. Either you end up hurting someone or they hurt you. So, what's the point?”

“I do love you, by the way. I mean, as much as I'm capable of loving anyone.”

“I assure you the animated GIFs with which I describe this encounter shall be scathing!”

“You can't keep doing shitty things, and then feel bad about yourself like that makes it okay!”

“You are all the things that are wrong with you. It's not the alcohol, or the drugs, or any of the shitty things that happened to you in your career, or when you were a kid. It's you.”

“Your skin is so soft, it's like you murdered a baby and stole its skin. Your skin is murdered-baby soft.”

“Let's get higher than a stilt walker's dick!”

“If you have to listen to losers talk about their shitty sober lives, it's a lot more fun to be buzzed.”

“You're going to want to rush in there and do whatever you can to save them, but you have to stop yourself, because there are some people you can't save. 'Cause those people will thrash and struggle and try to take you down with them.”

“I always forget that there are more than just the six stars you can see in the Los Angeles sky.”

“In the great grand scheme of things, we're just tiny specks that will one day be forgotten.”

“The only thing that matters is right now, this moment. This one spectacular moment we are sharing together.”

“I'm poison. I come from poison. I have poison inside me, and I destroy everything I touch.”

“I have nothing to show for the life that I've lived, and I have nobody in my life who's better off for having known me.”

“What's your deal? I feel like you like me, but you don't like me, but you like me, and I don't know what that is.”

“Are you gay? You can tell me if you're gay, it's fine. This isn't the 1600s, or some places in the present.”

“I'm not gay. I mean, I don't think I am, but... I don't think I'm straight, either.”

#rp meme #ask meme #dialogue prompt #sentence starters #bojack horseman

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jujumin-translates · 8 months

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Tsuzuru Minagi | [SSR] Dazzling Memory | A Flower Crown for You - Part 3

*Flashback*

Tsuzuru: …Done!

Mizuno: A dandelion flower crown…?

Mizuno: Is it another present for your brother?

Tsuzuru: No. It’s for you, Mizuno. …Here.

Mizuno: Wah… F-For me…!?

Tsuzuru: It’s a thank you for helping me make dandelion bouquets!

Mizuno: Tsuzuru-kun… Thanks. I’ll cherish it forever and ever.

*Flashback end*

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Tsuzuru: …I remember making flower crowns like that.

Mizuno: I can still remember it so clearly.

Mizuno: I didn’t think it was for me, so I was really happy to get it.

Mizuno: I only regret that I didn’t know how to preserve fresh flower crowns back then.

Tsuzuru: There’s only so much you can preserve, y’know.

Mizuno: That’s not true. I would definitely have made dried flowers if it happened now…

Tsuzuru: You don’t have to do that, I can just make you a flower crown…

Tsuzuru: …Got it. Mizuno, are you free after this?

Mizuno: Yes. I've done what I’ve needed to get done today…

Tsuzuru: …Then do you want to go make one now? A flower crown, that is.

Mizuno: Eh…

Tsuzuru: Well, I guess it’s kinda childish, huh.

Mizuno: No, not at all! I’d love to join you!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Tsuzuru: This place is the same as it’s always been.

Mizuno: Yeah.

Tsuzuru: Alright, time to get started on this flower crown.

Mizuno: I’ll help pick the dandelions!

Tsuzuru: With this many blooming, we could make as many as we want.

Mizuno: There were dandelions all over the place like this back then too.

Tsuzuru: Yeah. It’s kinda nostalgic.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Tsuzuru: …Alright, we’ve gathered a decent amount of them. Should be enough to make a flower crown.

Tsuzuru: ‘Kay, time to get started.

Tsuzuru: I think I remember twisting the stems like this… Even though it’s been so long, I still somehow remember.

Mizuno: You used to make them just as skillfully.

Tsuzuru: It’s not that I was skillful, I just made a lot of things for my brothers…

Mizuno: You really are both a good big brother and a good little brother, Tsuzuru-kun.

Tsuzuru: It’s kinda weird when you put it like that…

Tsuzuru: Right. I had everyone in Spring Troupe watch the video you sent the other day. They all said it was really interesting.

Tsuzuru: It was all thanks to you working on the script with me, Mizuno.

Mizuno: That’s… Incredible!

Mizuno: It was really like a dream come true for us to come up with a story together, and I had a lot of fun too.

Tsuzuru: I see, then I’m glad.

Tsuzuru: You know, if you ever need any help again, you can count on me, y’know? …Because we’re friends.

Mizuno: …Ah, …Right.

Tsuzuru: …Here, your flower crown is done.

Mizuno: Thank you so much! It’ll be another heirloom!

Tsuzuru: That’s a bit of an overreaction.

[ ⇠ Previous Part ]

#a3!#a3! translation #tsuzuru minagi #kaya mizuno

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fanfic-inator795 · 9 months

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WoY: A Decade Later (A personal retrospection)

Wander Over Yonder… for a time, it was - in my opinion - the best cartoon ever. It was my number one, and I wasn't sure that anything else could top it. While I don't necessarily feel the same way these days, it's still a cartoon that very much lives in my heart and I don't think I'll ever truly leave it behind.

From a personal perspective, it was probably the biggest and most active Fandom I had been in at that time. It wasn't my first fandom/hyperfixation - prior to WoY, there had been Cartoon Network's Chowder and Regular Show, as well as Disney's Phineas and Ferb. But Chowder was short-lived and RS and PnF were both shows I had lost interest in due to them beginning to dip in quality.

WoY, however, was new, fresh, exciting and growing rapidly. It inspired me to write probably at least a hundred fanfics. It was a blast live-reacting to new episodes with everyone and seeing all the art that would come afterwards. It brought me into the RP scene and, if not for that, I might have never met my best friend of 10 years (and counting! Love you, Tessa).

Looking back on it 10 years after the fact, I can't fully say that WoY is still my favorite cartoon (shows like Kid Cosmic, The Ghost and Molly McGee, Big City Greens and Craig of the Creek have all outshined it in one way or another), nor can I claim that it is/was a perfect show. But man… It sure was a hell of a ride.

(Keep reading for all my admittedly VERY LONG personal thoughts or opinions regarding this one of a kind show)

Humble Beginnings

Pretty sure I've mentioned this before, but I actually didn't care for WoY at first. It was the summer right before college, and I remember watching the sneak peek - The Picnic - early one morning after not being able to go back to sleep. I remember not really laughing much or even seeing the appeal… and yet the episode stuck in my mind, to the point that I ended up watching it again during a free moment I had from Freshman Orientation Week. I had a similar reaction to the show's proper pilot, The Greatest - not loving it, but not hating it either.

The fact that people/friends from my RS and PnF days were also posting about it helped keep the show in my mind (shoutout to Taylor, Erin and Darkwing). But it wasn't until two specific episodes - The Fugitives and The Good Deed - that I managed to finally start to connect with the characters myself.

I started to see the appeal in this little furry orange spoon who just wanted to do good and make others happy, even when it was a struggle. I really liked the show's core theme of not just optimism and positivity, but also just being kind. I also started to really enjoy the show's sci-fi and space aesthetic and grew to adore its animation and gorgeous backgrounds, as well as laugh at its wacky sense of humor (I still laugh at The Fugitives/Good Deed quite a bit, even though I probably have their entire scripts memorized at this point).

So, it was official. I was hooked. Whenever there were new eps, I'd either try to watch them on the basement TV in my college dorm or wait for a livestream or FreeCartoonsOnline upload. If we're being honest, the first half of season 1, while being much more low-key than the wackiness that the show would end up eventually shifting to, was probably when it was at its most consistent. Other eps later on would reach higher highs, but getting stuff like The Bad Guy, the Prisoner, the Troll, the Pet, the Box and The Little Guy back-to-back just made my love for the show grow more and more.

The Little Guy specifically is one that is just incredibly well-crafted in its dialogue, story-telling and pacing, being both enjoyable and heartfelt. (Also the last time I watched it the ending made me bawl so, there's that, lol). Shortly afterwards, The Hero was another ep that I distinctly remember sticking in my head for whatever reason (Dracor and Demurra are still adorable, ngl). Then we had another favorite of mine, The Nice Guy.

I know I may be in the minority on this one - I remember my parents being annoyed and frustrated when they watched it with me, haha - but I absolutely love this episode. I find the jokes funny enough - the cashier is one of my favorite minor characters tbh - and the space gas station appeals to my aesthetic. But what really sells this episode for me is how it handles and portrays its moral of "being nice isn't always easy, but it's still right and still worth doing". Its ending never fails to get an "awwww" out of me, and honestly I could probably go on for an hour about all the little details and things I like/appreciate. I've also grown to really like its sister episode, the Time Bomb.

But no show is perfect, and right around here is where the show, in my opinion, started having some misses. It was mostly just "meh" affairs like The Night, The Toddler and The Big Job (weird, since I usually like heist eps… though I haven't rewatched this one in a while so *shrugs*). Other eps like The Tourist and ESPECIALLY The Helper (which I consider to be the show's worst outing, the vibes are just SO WEIRD on this one) I just didn't care for at all.

Nothing terrible (save for the Helper), just cases of the jokes not landing or the stories being boring. This was also when the show really started leaning into the wackiness - which wasn't BAD persay, since it led to some really funny jokes and memorable moments when it was used well - it's just that looking back, I sorta miss the simplicity of early s1.

Thankfully, the season put out some real bangers by its end, with my personal faves being The Epic Quest (that ending will never not make me cackle. Again, it's a case of the wackiness actually working incredibly well), the Halloween/Christmas special, and the Rider, which is a great adventure to cap off the season and also the Horse from Horsin’ Around guest stars in it! (and does a pretty good job too. Will Arnett is def one of my favorite celeb VAs at this point, ngl)

So yeah, between the two seasons, s1 is easily my favorite. Call it nostalgia or personal taste, but for me it's all about that consistency. Adding in the fact that s2 has some pretty notable flaws and is thus a lot harder to look back on without noticing those flaws, and it's really no contest for me.

New season, New problems

I certainly remember the excitement - as well as the fandom's stir craziness - in the lead-up to s2. There were crackships that were invented, silly RP blogs were rampant, Craig McCracken and crew (back when they were still on Tumblr) kept us fed with cool behind the scenes info as well as sneak peeks of the new season, and while I can't recall when it specifically happened, I also vividly remember the 'Bad End to Episodes' phase that the fandom was in at one point. Ah, the joys of still being in your angst phase.

Come that year's Comic Con, and a new round of hype came from the reveal that our new villain of the season was going to be a girl! …yeahhh, it sorta sucks recalling how hyped we all were about Dominator now that we know that she didn't quite work out the way we were all hoping for…

But regardless, s2 had a very strong start. Outside of the premiere, my favorites of this first batch would easily be The Boy Wander and The It for both just being incredibly funny. Although, if you had asked me at the time though, I probably would have said the Skeleton Dance fueled eps that were The Big Day and the Fremergency Fronfract - and like, yeah those eps can still be funny and enjoyable, but I've definitely cooled on the Skeleton Dance ship since these eps first premiered. (Still love a lot of the cute fanon stuff though)

Skipping past the next tent-pole episode for right now, this season had two of my favorite episodes of the ENTIRE SERIES - these being The Cartoon and The Black Cube. The former is just hilarious while the latter has a unique visual presentation and feels like an early s1 ep, and I mean that in the best possible way. I also really enjoy the Eye on the Skullship as well as the Hole… 'Lotta Nuthin' (this one especially, as it's another instance where, for as good as the ep is as a whole, it's the heartwarming lesson and hilarious ending that makes it such a winner in my book).

But for as much as the show was still putting out hits, I'll admit that there were also quite a few meh or just okay eps, especially as the season goes on. Some eps I found funny when I first watched them, but that humor doesn't hit as well when I watch them now. I also feel like there were points where it tried to be TOO silly to the point where it inhibited the actual humor and made the characters flatter and a bit flanderized compared to how they were in s1 (Hater especially got hit bad with this, where it’s less about him ‘softening up’ to show that he has the potential to be a good guy, and more just him constantly leaning into him being a bratty teenager instead of having that mix of dumb/bratty teen boy and legit evil conqueror).

Other times, it was just another case of a story not being as good as it could have been - and by this point in the season, while there are still enjoyable eps with fun concepts/jokes in the latter half of the series, the only one to get near the peak of the show's typical high quality is the musical ep, and if we're being real, it's Andy Bean's impeccable songwriting that saves this ep and makes it so good to rewatch despite its connection to the season's flawed overall story.

And I think it's about time we talk about that…

Not Quite Ready for Serialization

Being a show that was made right after Gravity Falls but before stuff like Star VS, Amphibia, and Owl House, s2 of WoY felt like a show with one foot stuck in episodic stuff and one foot trying to step into serialization. Because of this, the season’s overarching plot feels incredibly underbaked.

Now… Am I saying that I’d want the show to be like ATLA where every episode had to relate back to either the overarching story or one of the side-arcs? No, absolutely not. We’d be missing out on some of my favorite one-shot episodes if they did that, and if I had to choose between the season we have now and the season we could have gotten had the WoY crew gotten more freedom and were allowed more serialization, I’m going with the former each and every time.

HOWEVER, I still have to acknowledge just how poorly done the structure of this season was when it came to the overarching story. Basically we got four tentpole episodes acting as the season’s beginning, arc shifts and ending. During the season’s second and third arcs, there would be certain episodes afterwards reacting to the change in the show’s status quo.

Now, I get what they were TRYING to do but in my opinion it just really didn’t work as well as it could have. I’ll talk more about this in a bit but the season’s second arc (the “romance” arc) definitely got tiring after a while, meanwhile the third “Stop Dominator” arc felt like it was sort of killing time given that it was mostly just the main 4 trying to find some sort of weapon/figure out some sort of plan that ultimately resulted in some ‘funny’ failures and some quick lessons, with the occasional character piece thrown in here or there.

Now, I didn’t hate these episodes. By this point, it should be evident that one of my favorite elements of WoY are its morals and lessons, so even if the episodes themselves didn’t amount to much in the grand scheme of things and were essentially filler, I can at least appreciate a message like “being sad doesn’t mean you’ve given up hope” or “allowing yourself to laugh even in the dark times can help a ton”. So yeah, not completely pointless.

Unfortunately, even with a few bright spots here and there, the overarching plot of s2 still feels underbaked somewhat - and that’s ultimately because of the new character its focused around.

Dominator’s Dilemma

Okay, fess up. Whose idea was it to completely exclude Dominator from the first six episodes of the season (after the s2 premiere)? Because WOW does this decision backfire a lot. I don’t even like Dom that much and I can still acknowledge that she needed much more screen time and focus than she got.

I don’t know if this was to build up the ‘mystery’ surrounding her or because they wanted to get back in the groove of writing the main 4, but this was the crew’s first crucial mistake. Hell, in the first two episodes she plays an active role in, she’s nearly silent in both of them, only having her little fangirl rant in The Greater Hater and a small handful of lines in The Battle Royals. (Which, if I’m being honest, is still a really fun episode for 90% of it, having both great action and absolutely hilarious jokes that still make me laugh, but I get the ending of it making people sour on the episode as a whole.)

Again, it felt like trying to build up this artificial mystery surrounding her when it really wasn’t necessary. Dominator was meant to be a MAIN MEMBER of the cast! Yet I’m pretty sure Emperor Awesome got more significant screen time than her in the end!

Things got a teeny bit better as the show went on, with Dom at the very least getting more lines and more moments to be both badass and totally villainous, but she still felt more like a goal/obstacle than an actual character. I’m not sure if the writers MEANT to do this persay, or if it was just an accident.

Ultimately, it wasn’t until The Night Out when Dom finally got a spotlight episode… which was a little over 3/4ths of the way through the season. You could argue that she also got a bit of characterization in the musical episode, but it was really more emphasizing what we already knew or could infer about her.

The Night Out, meanwhile, gives us something new - that she’s lonely - and we get a teeny hint of this again in The Robomechabotatron before being told outright in the series finale. Ultimately, it truly does feel like too little too late - especially when her secretly desiring friends just sorta feels like it’s aping off Hater’s secret motivations of wanting to be liked/admired and to have friends/people who love him for who he is.

So yeah, the crew completely dropped the ball on Dom’s characterization, using her as just a goal/threat/obstacle/etc. for nearly all of her appearances. Not only does it make Dom feel like a shallow character, but it also just feels unfair in general. Practically everything we know about Dom is for the sake of other characters.

She’s a test for Wander, an enemy/temporary love interest for Hater, an obstacle for our main four to overcome, and a threat to the characters we already love. Again, there’s nothing wrong with having a character that’s only meant to serve a purpose in the narrative, nor is there anything wrong with a character being shallowly evil… it’s just that the WoY crew hyped her up so much and claimed that she was a fifth main character (implying that she would get about as much development as the main four), so it just felt all the more disappointing when we didn’t get that. Add in her character design - a mix of goth/punk girl energy with Hartman Hips - and it does feel just a tad misogynistic.

There were things I liked about Dom - her cool lava powers and gadgets, her excitable personality, her villain spotlight moments, and her fun vocal performance provided by Noel Wells were all excellent. But unfortunately, these were all surface-level elements, and the crew just didn’t put in enough time to give her much else, essentially saving all her deeper character stuff for the never-made season 3…

A love-hate relationship (leaning towards hate)

Of course you can’t talk about Dom without discussing the season’s second arc, which many see as both a tumor on the plot and the absolute low point of the season. Admittedly when I was watching the season for the first time, I didn’t mind the romance arc all that much. I didn’t care if Dom was getting short-changed, I was too busy laughing at Hater falling all over himself like a dork and thought all the ‘critics’ of the arc were just focusing on the wrong thing and didn’t know how to have fun with a silly cartoon.

Obviously, this was the wrong perspective to have about this sort of thing (I was in the mindset of “I don’t want to accidentally make myself hate this thing I love so I’m going to ignore all criticism of it”. Definitely not the right approach), one that I still apologize for because the critics were totally in the right. From both an objective and a storytelling standpoint, this arc was just the worst - and for several reasons.

Leaning into the overall problem with Dom herself as mentioned previously, this arc was focused solely on Hater and Wander (and to an extent Syl and Peeps as they tried to talk some sense into their respective friends). Whenever Dom was brought in, she either used Hater’s crush to mess with him or just ignored it entirely, being obviously annoyed - and that was the extent of focus that her feelings got.

Outside of those moments, however, Dom’s feelings are relegated to the background, deemed as ‘unimportant’. Sure, in the climax of the arc, she gets this big whole musical number about how she’s “not the damsel” and isn’t interested in Hater’s affections - but again, it’s at the VERY END of the arc and the moment is less about Dom standing up for herself and more about emphasizing just how cruel she can be, as instead of simply rejecting Hater’s advances, she laughs in his face, continuing to mess with him to try and make the rejection as painful as possible before ultimately trying to kill Hater.

But while the arc ends in a showy (and admittedly still kinda fun, thank you Andy Bean and your musical talents) way, the way it starts sorta proves why this idea was so rotten to the core. The ONLY reason why Wander tries to get Hater and Dom together is ONLY because he knows Hater wants a GF and believes that a ‘positive’ thing like love could only ever result in the two villains finding happiness and no longer being evil. Nevermind the fact that Wander is shown only really caring about Hater’s perspective, not once considering Dom’s feelings or even asking if she wants a BF or romantic partner in general.

We get Syl calling him out on this a couple of times, but it’s in that ‘oh that Wander, always with the crazy ideas’ way. You’d think Sylvia, the icon that she is, would be just a bit more blunt and maybe even a bit harsh about how Wander’s treating Dominator - it’s not just a matter of it being a dumb and dangerous plan, but it’s essentially objectifying Dom, treating her like Hater’s missing piece. But hey, it’s fiiiiine, because Wander learns his lesson in the end, right? Except, no not really.

Because even when Wander FINALLY realizes this and feels guilty about causing so much trouble, Syl is more concerned with comforting Wander about it, because he TRIED to do what he thought was right and that “acknowledging you messed up is the first step towards making things right”. Like… yeah I guess but you could have let Wander actually acknowledge what he did was wrong and super messed up, focusing more on the personal aspect of how his whole romance scheme affected Dom AS WELL AS Hater (not JUST Hater) instead of how his scheme broke Hater’s heart and inadvertently made Dom more powerful.

(Also we see Wander shipping and actively pairing up the little Pikmin things in “The Sky Guy” soooooo no I don’t think he fully learned his lesson)

I also have to bring up how there are fans who view Dominator and her whole anti-love thing as aphobic. As someone who only recently figured out she was almost definitely aromantic, I’m certainly not the authority on this, but I can certainly understand the critiques.

What I THINK the WoY Crew was trying to go for was a ‘strong female villain who don’t need no man’, but between Dom constantly being described as ‘heartless’ and Peeps saying that he “doesn’t think she likes anybody” and her cruelty being turned up to 11 whenever someone expressed romantic feelings towards her, it does sorta imply “She can’t love and THAT’S why she’s a villainous monster” rather than simply “she’s a villainous monster”. And because we don’t get any real development or strong characterization with Dom, it’s hard to say where exactly her cruelty comes from, so it’s hard to really argue against these implications without simply inserting headcanons like “Dom is a lesbian”.

Now to be fair, I have seen some aromantics see Dom as good representation - I recall a month or so back when I saw people praising her after she was included in one of those Tumblr polls, with this one being focused on aromantic characters, saying that they liked how she didn’t sugarcoat her rejections and seeing her as this strong, cool, badass villainous who didn’t need romance. So yeah, obviously not every person who shares an identity is going to agree on representation and whether or not it's good, but considering all of Dom’s baggage and the inability to determine whether or not her heartlessness is the cause of her evil or simply a by-product of it, I personally feel like she’s just too messy of an example of a potential aro character.

(Honestly, Syl feels like a better example of an aromantic character to me, given that she and Ryder seemed just as platonic as she and Wander are, as well as her multiple rejections of Awesome and general disinterest/discomfort with romance. Buuut given that those latter examples are specifically with villains and thus it makes sense why she’d reject them regardless of her orientation, it’s still just a vibe/headcanon).

Before I close off this section, I do wanna acknowledge that beyond the potentially aphobic nature of Dominator, WoY’s LGBTQ+ rep isn’t nearly as great as I thought it was once upon a time as a young shipper. Some parts are still pretty okay, like Wander being coded as genderfluid/agender, but overall it still feels more like an old Looney Tunes cartoon than an episode of “The Owl House”, if you get what I’m saying.

In Craig’s defense, the man has never been all too interested in romance in his shows nor has he claimed otherwise - he either uses it as a joke while portraying it as a negative (see Ms.KeenexProf.Utonium, BlooxBerry or, obviously, DomxHater) or it’s a wholesome relationship that ultimately still stays in the background because it’s not all that important (see DracorxDemurra or Ramona and Carlos Flores from “Kid Cosmic”).

BUT given that there were LGBTQ+ crew members working on the show in s2, such as N.D. Stevenson, as well as LGBTQ+ allies, it is a shame that no proper representation came of that. We got a whole episode where the joke was “oh, Wander and Hater are planning Wander’s execution like it’s a wedding”, an episode where Peeps and Hater essentially break up when Hater fires him, and an “I just can’t quit you” sort of moment from Peeps in the s2 finale when he goes all heart-eyed over Hater deciding to continue being a villain. That’s it, all jokes but nothing substantial. Even the show’s number one lesbian/wlw pairing of SylxDom got a quick Girls Night montage and one sweet moment between them, nothing else.

Again, it’s fine if you’re just looking for jokes, and yeah the WoY Crew never outright promised any romances… buuuut given how much they chose to lean into the Skeleton Dance and DeathGlare stuff while at the same time never outright confirming any of these characters as LGBTQ+ (they didn’t even have to make any ships canon, they just had to say whether or not Wander/Hater/Peeps were gay/bi/pan/etc), I’m not gonna invalidate people who feel just a bit queerbaited about the whole thing.

Bittersweet Goodbyes

As I said before, I was starting college when WoY first premiered. It’s the show that led me to my best friend and it’s the show that helped me through those first two years of college (easily the roughest part of college). It was a show that made me laugh and got me excited, even during the times where I was stressed out or worried. For all its flaws, it was one of the brightest lights in my life at that time.

So, needless to say, when I heard the show was canceled, I was devastated. I remember crying about it that night and even the day after, and I remember joining in as many online strategies as possible to try and get the show back, from letter writing to petition signing. Of course none of that worked, but as a bright side, going through this helped emotionally prepare me for the next time one of my favorite shows was suddenly canceled (looking at you Nickelodeon. Though considering how the RotTMNT movie turned out maaaaybe it was for the best…)

Honestly, for as much as I can look at the show through a critical lens nowadays and point out all the ways it could have been better, I think there will always be a small part of me that wishes we could have gotten some sort of continuation, whether it be through a special, a TV movie or a comic - or hell, I’d even take the plans for s3 leaking at this point. Now, given that the end of WoY brought about the creation of “Kid Cosmic”, I feel like this part has faded a bit, but I’m always gonna want closure on things like Hater’s arc as well as his origins given how much they were teased.

But that in itself is another critique I could give the show. Whether it be Wander facing a different type of threat that wasn’t just another villain, Hater’s transition into becoming a good guy, Peepers getting fed up with his boss and striking out on his own, or Dom’s true characterization that the crew kept insisting was there - the show simply saved a lot of it’s most interesting ideas for a potential Season 3. It was a gamble, and it was one they ultimately lost. It sucks, but it is what it is.

There’s a few more things I could critique about the show, such as its take on the idea of character redemption and Wander becoming a bit of a karma houdini that the show pretty much stopped calling out, and while these critiques are valid I feel like there are other fans who could do a better job talking about those points. But in the end, while season 2 was both a let down in some parts and a bit of a mess in others, I still feel like there were ultimately more good things to be found within the show than bad things.

It’s not a perfect show, far from it. Frankly, I don’t look down on anyone who fell out of love with this show or enjoyed s1 but hated s2. But for what it’s worth, the memories I got from the show are still ones I treasure, and episodes like “The Good Deed”, “The Little Guy”, “The Nice Guy”, “The Epic Quest”, “The Rider”, “The Boy Wander”, “The Black Cube”, “The Hole… Lotta’ Nuthin’” and “The Cartoon” are ones I still love to bits and will probably always love as I watch them over and over.

Disney Channel itself may not care all that much about this show these days save for an occasional rerun or a quick cameo in their Chibi-Verse shorts, but I’m always gonna remember it - for better and for worse. So here’s to 10 years, WoY. I may not always like you, but I still love you.

#wander over yonder #woy #long post #personal thoughts #personal opinions #fair warning this is VERY long hence the read more #wasn't tempted not to post it because of the length #but this show was such an important part of my life #and I wanted to get all my current thoughts out about it

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koizumicchi · 11 months

Text

LIP×LIP FILM×LIVE Special Radio English Translation

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T/N: Keep in mind that Japanese and English aren’t my first language. I never claim my translation (attempts) to be error-free. As always, if you’re going to use or reference my translations, please do not claim it as your own and credit me.

This track is an enclosed benefit in the Deluxe version of the Blu-Ray/DVD. The length is around 18min. When I first listened to it in 2021, I immediately love it! It seems serious at first but it’s quite hilarious XD I wanted to translate it back then actually, but it’s so long!! Songs are easier to tl because they’re like bite-sized. But drama tracks...I’m not good at translating by ear...lol. Though I did my best for this one, so I hope it’s close enough!! ( ´ ▽ ` )

But I really had a lot of fun translating this, haha. I was supposed to post it for LIPxLIP’s birthday this year, but well, I couldn’t fit it into my sched that time. And I’ve been busy afterwards, so I was only able to work on it again a few days ago. Anyways, YAY, FINALLY, I finished translating! I’m really proud of myself for doing so! (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ

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Both: LIPxLIP FILMxLIVE Special Radio!

Aizou: Hello! This is LIPxLIP’s Aizou and-

Yuujirou: Yuujirou. Please take care of us.

Aizou: We’re in your care.

Yuujirou: It’s finally on sale.

Aizou: Finally! The Blu-ray and DVD containing the secret story behind the formation of our unit LIP×LIP!

Yuujirou: With that being said, it was released in the theaters nationwide in the year 2020 - LIP×LIP FILM×LIVE.

Aizou: This time, to commemorate the release of the Blu-Ray and DVD, the two of us will deliver a certain program. Applause, please.

*clapping sfx*

Yuujirou: Listening to this program means you’ve already watched the main story, right?

Aizou: There might be inside stories about the movie and the LIVE, so for the people who have not seen it yet, please head over there and check it out.

Yuujirou: Nevertheless, yabai ne.

Aizou: What is?

Yuujirou: Because if you have this Blu-Ray, you can watch the movie and the LIVE for as many times as you like!

Aizou: Yes, yes! You can watch the scene where Yuujirou cuts his bangs for as much as you like!

Yuujirou: “I…can’t do the LIVE….” Aizou’s disheartened murmuring as well.

Aizou: Don’t say that!

Yuujirou: By the way, there have been a lot of reactions since the film was released, any reaction on your side?

Aizou: Speaking of which, a while after the movie came out, our classmates came close to me with smiles on their faces, and all of a sudden, they showed me their bags. When I thought, what about it…my can badge was pinned on it.

Yuujirou: The film’s benefits?

Aizou: Yes, yes. Of course, it made me happy…but I felt slightly embarrassed. But well…Yuujirou’s can badge is a different matter - it annoys me.

Yuujirou: Why? My can badge is great~

Yuujirou: But I’m grateful to have people close to us watch it.

Aizou: Yeah. I’m really thankful. And you, Yuujirou? Did something happen?

Yuujirou: Ah, just now- it’s about yesterday though. We had lessons until late yesterday, right? So, when I came back home, I could hear a woman’s sniffles coming from the living room- and while thinking ‘It’s scary. Scary.’, I opened the door and-

Aizou: You opened the door and...?

Yuujirou: With a bath towel in one hand, Mom was crying, watching our movie.

Yuujirou: Look, we received the Blu-Ray before the others, right.

Aizou: Yeah, well- I have a feeling it’s probably Yuujirou’s mother, but a bath towel-

Yuujirou: Though she also came to the theaters. It seems the more she watches it, the more she starts to cry from the get-go. Even now, she cries at the opening LIVE.

Aizou: Ah, she was crying at that part…?

Yuujirou: Wait, anyway- It’s not good to continue to stay in this corner.

Yuujirou: Aizou, hey, like this.

Aizou: Don’t order me.

Yuujirou: It’s because, here, Aizou will be in-charge of the script.

Aizou: Okay, fine! I just have to do it, right?

02:36

Aizou: And so, the first corner is “Because it is now that I can speak of it - the FILM×LIVE Inside Stories”.

*clapping sfx*

Aizou: Here in this corner, about half a year after the film was released, we can talk about LIP×LIP FILM×LIVE. Because it is now that we can speak of it. Things such as this and that happened.

Yuujirou: Inside stories, huh.

Yuujirou: We did a lot of things for the release of our film, right.

Aizou: Yes, yes. We also used the live streaming software to broadcast it and everyone had a look.

Yuujirou: The secret footage of the dressing room will be seen by our Julietta.

Aizou: Don’t say secret footage! Manager knows it and she properly gave permission.

Yuujirou: “Eh? Don’t tell me- Aizou’s like this!?” You might see that side of him.

Aizou: If you say that, it applies to you too!

Aizou: As to the story of the film, though you will know the reason why our unit name is LIP×LIP, this radio’s program was crazy at first.

Yuujirou: Yes, yes. President decided on that, right.

Aizou: That name ended up as, ‘Delivering to Julietta: Ai ♡ Yuu’

Yuujirou: The President says hackneyed is good, but as expected, it’s that.

Aizou: Don’t say that. Though I’ll do everything in my power to stop it.

Aizou: Or rather- there’s one thing I want to tell you!

Yuujirou: What is it?

Aizou: When there is a delivery, can we stop using rock-paper-scissors in choosing who will go first?

Yuuijrou: But why?

Yuujirou: It’s fair and square.

Aizou: Because I can’t win in janken (rock-paper-scissors)!

Aizou: Today as well, the sweets I wanted were taken by you.

Yuujirou: Aizou’s really weak at janken ne.

Aizou: Didn’t we fight over the tuna mayo onigiri in the movie?

Yuujirou: Ah, the ones that Uchida-san bought for us after our dance lessons?

Aizou: Yes, yes. I lost at janken that time. You ate the tuna mayo then.

Yuujirou: But since then, the tuna mayo rice balls we’ve been eating have become two.

Aizou: It did. It did. Ah but, there are times where it appears as a different bento in other studios. Like meat and fish.

Yuujirou: There were.

Aizou: At such times, why is it that every time I want to eat something it’s similar to you, I can’t win at janken, and I feel like I’m the only one losing money.

Yuujirou: About that- Well- Ganbatte.

Aizou: The way you say it pisses me off!

Yuujirou: But, there is no quicker way to resolve it other than janken.

Aizou: For that- Today is the day I choose first. The next time is the day Yuujirou will choose first.

Yuujirou: Ehhh, then- if Aizou wins at janken, then we will go with your suggestion.

Aizou: I told you- Didn’t we just talk about that I can’t win in that.

Yuujirou: You won’t know if you don’t try. Who knows, you might win by some possibility. For the time being, let’s do it once.

Aizou: He really said ‘by some possibility’.

Yuujirou: Enough of that, look, let’s do it.

Both: Starting with rock, jankenpon!

Aizou: Why did I go with scissors-

Yuujirou: I’m rock, so it’s my win! And so- Aizou’s suggestion is rejected!

Aizou: Seems like I can’t win anymore in my lifetime.

Aizou: Ah, so- do you have none to share, Yuujirou? Some inside stories?

Yuuijrou: Oh right, it’s a story about our lessons. We receive vocal lessons too, right?

Aizou: The snippets of that and our dance lessons were cut in the movie, right.

Yuujirou: I want to show those to Julietta.

Aizou: Why?

Yuujirou: Because- Aizou couldn’t even read the sheet music. Though IV-san, who came to our lessons, had a smile on his face, he must have been absolutely fed up with you.

Aizou: Even though I couldn’t read it, I could sing it just by listening to it.

Yuujirou: I heard it during our LIVE too, but you can properly read it now, right?

Aizou: Yes- Well- Perfectly.

Yuujirou: How suspicious. Though you couldn’t read the sheet music, you could sing the chorus well.

Aizou: That’s because- if I sing this part by how it feels, it will generally sound and feel good, right?

Yuujirou: It….will…? Anyway, forget it. In the next vocal lesson, I’ll check whether Aizou has learned to read sheet music or not, and I’ll wait for the opportunity to report the details in some way.

Aizou: No- you don’t have to do it!

Yuujirou: But, in terms of our lessons, we are greatly indebted to everyone from Full Throttle4.

Aizou: Truly. They are already busy on their own and they took the trouble to take care of us newcomers.

Yuujirou: After our lessons, they would occasionally come to the agency and see how we are.

Aizou: Oh, about that! I was invited by YUI-san to eat ramen.

Yuujirou: Eh!? I wasn’t invited!

Aizou: You went back first that day because you had something to do at your house.

Yuujirou: Take me along next time, then.

Aizou: You can just go with me.

Yuujirou: No, Aizou is out of the options.

Aizou: Why!?

06:43

Yuujirou: Ah, about the inside stories! I remembered one!

Aizou: What is it, what is it?

Yuujirou: There’s a secret place you told me about.

Aizou: Ah, that place where we practiced secretly after our lessons at the agency.

Yuujirou: Yes, there.

Yuujirou: We’ve practiced there many times but there was once a time that we were not able to practice at all.

Aizou: There was?

Yuujirou: There was! When we were practicing, a stray cat came out of nowhere, and Aizou was all, ‘You’re adorable! Where did you come from?’ and became so madly in love with the cat.

Aizou: Don’t exaggerate the story!

Aizou: I did think of the cat as adorable but ‘dechuu ne’- there’s no way I’d say that!

[T/N: dechuu ne - a cute form of desu ne]

Yuujirou: Well, you didn’t say it but-

Aizou: See, I knew it!

Yuujirou: But, the ‘we were not able to practice’ was true.

Aizou: That’s because...when a cat rubs against one’s legs, most people will pat their heads, right?

Yuujirou: They don’t rub against me…

Aizou: What, were you envious?

Yuujirou: I am not envious! I am a dog person.

Aizou: Yes, yes~ if you say so.

07:33

Aizou: Ah, do you have any inside story about the LIVE part this time?

Yuujirou: Oh yeah… The LIVE this time around..from the set-list to the small details of the performance, we put forward a lot of our suggestions, right?

Aizou: Hmm yeah, the staff had numerous meetings as well.

Yuujirou: Yes, that’s why, we were aware of how the performance will go in general. But even so, Aizou, when he saw the sparks in the performance he was all, ‘Amazing!! Wow!! That’s awesome!!’ like a primary schooler would.

Aizou: Are you exaggerating again?

Yuujirou: This one just now was not.

Aizou: Ah- no, but-! That can’t be helped! Wait, Yuujirou was excited, too!

Yuujirou: Not as much as Aizou though.

Yuujirou: But really, it was more amazing than we imagined.

Aizou: It was incredible. And later, the light from the penlights as seen from the stage was stunning.

Yuujirou: Aizou can’t say anything other than yabai.

Aizou: Shut up! It was truly stunning! Everyone’s waving their blue and yellow penlights-

Yuujirou: There was a lot of blue. It was beautiful.

Aizou: Haa? There was more yellow!

Yuujirou: Blue!

Aizou: Yellow!

08:33

Aizou: Ah, but- LOVE&KISS made its debut this time and it was exceptionally well-received.

Yuujirou: Yes, that’s right. Everyone was enthusiastic during the solo dance part in the interlude before the last chorus.

Aizou: Just as I thought, it was correct to add dynamic dance steps to it!

Yuujirou: Yes, by the way, does Aizou have any favorite lyrics in LOVE&KISS?

Aizou: Ah, there’s a lot, but I think it’s the chorus.

Aizou: Zettai yume wa, zettai kimi no, LOVE&KISS~

Aizou: Zettai muri wa, zekkouchou de kowashichae~

Aizou: That part.

Yuujirou: Other than that?

Aizou: Ah, right. Before the chorus.

Aizou: Kugidzuke ni shite yaru~

Aizou: I also like that one.

Yuujirou: Ah, that was close!

Aizou: Eh? What do you mean by ‘close’?

Yuujirou: There are similar lyrics at the end of the last chorus, right? Not the ‘kugidzuke ni shite yaru’.

Aizou: Yakitsuke sasete ageru yo…?

Yuujirou: With that being said, the next is this-!!

Yuujirou: Like a kiss, we want to convey these words to you. A corner in which we set fire to the hearts of Julietta!

*clapping sfx*

09:37

Yuujirou: In this corner, with a given situation, we will speak lines that can set fire to Julietta’s heart using dialogues!

Aizou: Hey, don’t continue like nothing happened!

Yuujirou: Eh, what?

Aizou: You made me say it needlessly! Like the ‘yakitsuke sasate ageru yo’!

Yuujirou: But we can’t go to the next corner if you don’t do it.

Aizou: No. Do it normally.

Yuujirou: Alright, first, an example!

Yuujirou: Oh no! When you open your eyes, somehow, you’ve turned into a frog! Not to mention, there is a big snake in front of you. You have to find a way to convince the snake in order for you to overcome this crisis.

Aizou: No, no, wait a minute-

Yuujirou: What is it?

Aizou: I want to question a lot of things- but- this will not set fire to Julietta’s heart but the snake’s instead!

Yuujirou: As far as the result is concerned, is it not enough if it can make an impression in the hearts of Julietta?

Aizou: Don’t be so calm about it.

Aizou: Anyway, there will be some topics that require you to get through the crisis splendidly?

Yuujirou: Looks like it.

Yuujirou: And so, first up- Aizou’s assigned theme is this.

10:33

Yuujirou: You are a popular idol. Today is the important final day of your LIVE performance. But, oh no! You have to go to the toilet mid-concert. How would you say a cool excuse so you can go to the restroom?

Yuujirou: No, this might actually happen. I think practicing in advance will not hurt.

Aizou: It might not hurt but that’s something we shouldn’t do!

Aizou: Even so, a cool excuse...

Yuujirou: Have you thought of something?

Aizou: Ah, well…I'll give it a try for the time being.

Yuujirou: Well then, Aizou’s lines that will set fire to Julietta’s heart are in 3, 2, 1…if you please.

Aizou: Everyone. I'm really grateful you came to our LIVE today. Today is the finale so I am deeply touched. Wait, that won’t do. The light of your penlights blurs so much and I can’t see clearly at all. I want to properly see everyone’s faces, so please wait a bit, I’ll go get a towel!

Yuujirou: No, that’s too long!

Aizou: Why!? I did my very best!

Yuujirou: Indeed, it is a more of an enthusiastic speech than I imagined, but-

Aizou: Then you try it, Yuujirou! So you'll know how difficult it was for me!

Yuujirou: Uwah, Don't wanna~

Aizou: Don't say you don't want to!

Aizou: And so, Yuujirou’s assigned theme is this.

11:43

Aizou: You made it into the toilet just in time. But, oh no, there's no toilet paper, but just as you thought of that, there is a person in the cubicle next to you. Lucky. So you won't be found out that you are an idol, coolly take the paper.

Yuujirou: But somehow, it’s connected to Aizou’s theme.

Aizou: Seems like it.

Aizou: But this scenario is more likely than the previous one.

Yuujirou: I mean, us and the one in the scenarios are idols, but the situations are all toilet-themed..what’s going on.

Aizou: *nervous laughter* It's alright, I guess…?

Aizou: Are you going to do it soon?

Yuujirou: Uhmm, one way or another...?

Aizou: Okay. Then, Yuujirou’s lines that will set fire to Julietta’s heart are in 3, 2, 1…if you please.

Yuujirou: I- Hanako-san- Will you become my friend? No? Then, in exchange, can you give me the toilet paper?

Aizou: No- Wai- Wait! Wait!

Yuujirou: *laughing* What?

Aizou: Why Hanako-san!? Isn't that the male's restroom!?

Yuujirou: It wasn't mentioned whether the characters are males or not.

Aizou: But even so...in exchange for not being your friend, to give the toilet paper...

Yuujirou: It's fine as long as it’s not found out I'm an idol, right.

Aizou: Well yes, but- exactly where in those lines are supposed to be the ‘cool’ factor....

Yuujirou: Okay~ Here comes the next one!

12:53

Yuujirou: After using the restroom, you are about to go back to the LIVE; but unexpectedly, there is an alien invasion. Please persuade the extraterrestrial beings who want to take you away, in an exceptional manner.

Aizou: The themes are enigmatic stories…and even *SF has appeared.

[T/N: SF = Science Fiction]

Yuujirou: Sure enough, if you want to aim for greater heights as an idol, you cannot take one or two extraterrestrial beings as captives, okay?

Yuujirou: Aizou, do your best~

Aizou: Stop talking nonsense!

Aizou: Well.. But fine, I’ll see what I can do.

Yuujirou: Then, Aizou’s lines that will set fire to Julietta’s heart in 3, 2, 1…if you please.

13:34

Aizou: Of course, your feelings towards me make me happy. I am glad, but there are people waiting for me. Julietta is waiting for me. That’s why, I’m sorry. I can’t reciprocate your feelings. Ah, but if you’d like, you can come see our LIVE. We will show you that we can definitely capture you.

Yuujirou: Like I said, it’s too long!

Aizou: It’s fine even if it’s long!

Yuujirou: But wait, can cosmic beings communicate with us?

Aizou: If you destabilize such a premise, I’ll be helpless!

Yuujirou: Like you know, communicate with a unique dance.

Aizou: Then, I can’t convey it through the radio!

Aizou: Okay, next! The next is the last one!

Aizou: Just as you thought that the aliens returned back somehow, everything that happened before now was actually a dream. You, who are late for school, make a cool excuse to your teacher.

Yuujirou: The unexpected ‘it was all a dream’ ending!

Aizou: Haha, but an excuse for being tardy is your specialty. You can do it, right?

Yuujirou: It’s not like it’s my specialty. And I’m not late! I make sure I am right on time!

Aizou: Oh speaking of, at the beginning of our LIVE of our movie, you were almost late! Honestly, stop hiding somewhere to sleep after our rehearsals! Searching for you is troublesome.

Yuujirou: You don’t have to look for me. But more than that, can I answer now?

Aizou: Make sure to say an impressive line this time.

Aizou: Then, Yuujirou’s lines that will set fire to Julietta’s heart in 3, 2, 1…if you please.

14:50

Yuujirou: I’m sorry! There was a girl who was lost and crying, so I walked with her to the toilet. Although she goes by the name Hanako-san.

Aizou: It’s the unexpected Hanako-san ending!

Yuujirou: This time is seriously impressive, right?

Aizou: Rather than being impressive, it’s half-hearted! Your excuse will definitely be seen through as a lie in no time!

Yuujirou: It might not be a lie, you know!

Aizou: No, is this corner alright? Did it properly set fire to the hearts of Julietta?

Yuujirou: As long as they had fun, isn’t it fine?

15:20

Yuujirou: And so, that was the “Like a kiss, we want to convey these words to you. A corner in which we set fire to the hearts of Julietta!”

Aizou: This program is ending soon, but once again, how did you feel about the film?

Yuujirou: That’s right. How should I put it, it’s been a long time since the film was announced. So somehow, I feel like, “We’ve finally come this far”.

Aizou: True. Before we knew it.

Aizou: Forming a unit, debuting, and being able to stand in a great stage called FILMxLIVE.

Yuujirou: It’s not something you usually experience, right? Once again, I am glad I took the first step when I saw the audition.

Aizou: Right? This is also for every Julietta who is listening. The things you want or would like to do...you may have a lot of dreams you want to realize. If you are lost, for the time being, I want you to take the first step forward. That’s what I think.

Yuujirou: He’s right. And to think that I rarely agree with Aizou.

Aizou: Don’t say rarely.

Yuujirou: But it is true. That time, I took the step forward because I also wanted to change. And now, the things I want to do keep increasing. I’m really happy with who I am presently, and I really feel that I am blessed.

Aizou: Certainly. But isn’t it difficult to continue doing your best? At times like those, it would be great if we could become an existence that can give strength to Julietta.

Yuujirou: You’re right. Aizou already said it in the interview, but when you are exhausted, please give our songs a listen.

Aizou: Hey, when I sang Kono Sekai no Tanoshimikata, I felt a sort of tightness in my chest. I have a feeling that we were singing it more to ourselves instead. So, I hope it encourages everyone who will listen to the song.

Yuujirou: I get that feeling! The song is perfect for this movie, right?

Aizou: Really, as expected of Haniwa-san.

Aizou: Please take care of LIPxLIP from now on and in the future.

Yuujirou: Please treat us well.

17:06

Aizou: We may be like this, but lastly, do you have anything like ‘I want to do something like this!’ in the future?

Yuujirou: Ah, yeah. Through this movie, I really felt that there are actually many people who support us. We also received a lot of power from everyone’s responses, didn’t we? That is why, with that kind of meaning of repaying gratitude, I want to do more things that will make Julietta happy in the future.

Aizou: And in order to do that, we have to ‘power up’! You and I. But first of all, shall we go together for a run tomorrow?

Yuujirou: I don’t want to! When I run with you, I will be smacked on the back and you will definitely provoke me!

Yuujirou: Furthermore, you don’t go easy on me! Show some mercy; that hurts, you know! Do you understand me?

Aizou: What’s with you. It shows I’m cheering for you! Like, “Hey, do you best!”

Yuujirou: Your help is uncalled for. I have my own pace and I will run by myself!

Aizou: Uwah, you’re not cute at all.

Yuujirou: I don’t want Aizou to think of me as cute.

Yuujirou: More than that, lastly, let’s end this with a message to Julietta.

Aizou: Got it.

Aizou: Thank you for listening until now. Watch the film over and over again, okay? I love you, Julietta!

Yuujirou: I look forward to the day that we can meet you again. I love you, Julietta!

Aizou: And that ends it! This is LIPxLIP’s Aizou and-

Yuujirou: Yuujirou!

Both: Bye, bye!!

~END

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