#it feels extra good cuz no joke I genuinely was thinking some pretty low thoughts today but they made me so happy

[otakween]

07 Ghost Children

So I originally thought this was some kind of sequel to 07 Ghost (kind of like how the Fruits Basket sequel manga focuses on everyone’s kids) but apparently it’s a side story collection that was released before the final volume of 07 Ghost even came out. I think I actually prefer this. Stories about kids are usually pretty disappointing lol. I really dislike how Frau’s nose is drawn on this cover...

Speedster

-First of all, I really appreciate that this manga has furigana. I don’t really understand how they determine which manga gets furigana and which doesn’t. Isn’t this considered a josei series?

-Yaaay more of baby Frau. Is that why this is called “Children”? Cuz it’s focused on childhood? I love character-centric storytelling so any kind of backstory development is a win in my book.

-I guess child labor laws don’t exist in this fantasy world (well, slavery is legal so...) 

-The name Gido makes me uncomfortable because it sounds like the Italian slur “guido.” Also I think Gido looks a liiitle too similar to Frau for them not to be related 

-Magdalene is HOT! Also, I like the name Magdalene. I guess you couldn’t name your kid that because of the biblical implications though...

-I always find it weird when they have a child character mourn one parent but don’t mention the other at all. Like we get a sense that Frau lost his father fairly recently but he apparently either never knew or didn’t care about his mom. I want the full scoop! 

Summer Memories

-To summarize this chapter: all of the bishops are perverts except pure-boy Labrador 

Platonic Cafe

-I feel like I’ve heard the word “Platonic” thrown around randomly in anime a bunch. I guess Japanese people think it sounds cool (or did they title it that to be all “no homo”?) 

-This story was adorable. Didn’t expect to get a Kuroyuri backstory. I feel like they low-key suggested they’re a girl because they were wearing a dress in the flashback? But at the same time they said something about not wanting Haruse to think they were a girl so -shrug-

Begleiter

-I seriously misread “begleiter” every time it shows up. I read it like “Beg-uh-leh-tear” for some reason 

-This chapter seems as though it was done by a different artist. Ayanami’s hair is looking flat af :/ 

-I think it’s just the fluffy coats, but Suzu and Yuki always remind me of these twins from Dogs Bullets and Carnage:

-The Japanese in this is too tricky for me so I switched to this translated version midway: https://07-ghost-children.tumblr.com/

-Honestly, although Japan loves these “jerk with a heart of gold” character types I don’t like the implication that Ayanami is a good boss deep down. Working for him seems stressful ad and no one should have to put up with that 

-Okay, I also don’t like the implication that in order to earn Ayanami’s respect you have to be willing to die for him. This is a toxic work environment >:( 

-I kinda felt like Hyuuga was a little ooc in this chapter, especially when he flipped out over the prisoner escaping. I feel like it would normally take more than that for him to crack...

Always Together

-Another lil omake section. I guess snow makes Teito sad so they try to cheer him up by celebrating all the happy things about snow lol 

Aspiration

-Yaaay some Konatsu backstory. I’ve always liked him. I just find him the most relatable I guess lol 

-I never really noticed Konatsu wasn’t a warsfeil...was that ever brought up? XD;

-Man, if I had a nickel for every anime character that said “Your sword is an extension of you!”...

-It’s kinda funny how Hyuuga’s popping up in all these backstories as a cheerleader of all the younger characters. I feel like he’s pretty versatile. I can see why he’s the subject of a lot of fanfic lol (I’ve never liked his design tho)

Dream Pot

-Wait...where have I seen this bubble wrap joke before? Did they make the same joke in the main series? -deja vu- (It’s either that or I saw it in fanart somewhere lol)

-Bwahaha “my children are dying.” It took me way too long to get that joke (Konatsu spilled hot coffee on Hyuuga’s lap) 

-Apparently money in the 07 universe is called “yuus.” According to the 07 Ghost wiki 1 yuu = 2 yen

One Day I Saw the Sky

-Damn, Mikage is so ride or die. I’m glad we get to see more backstory to justify Teito angsting over him the entire series lol

-Kinda weird to think they have movies in this universe. Then again, I guess the race Mikage and Frau participated in was televised. It just feels weird in a fantasy setting

-Teito totally should have died with all those boulders on top of him. Reminded me of Obito from Naruto 

-I didn’t really realize Teito was doing his slave duties while in school? I thought that all ended before he enrolled?

-Teito’s emo slave child backstory seemed a little over-the-top grimdark. Hard for me to take seriously 

Godfather 

-Awww, I like these little brief looks at quieter moments between the characters. The bonding in this chapter between Teito and Frau felt really genuine (I wish I could hear the Raggs language...)

Aw, that was overall a nice little side volume :’) I wish more mangaka took the time to explore these smaller moments without always worrying about moving the plot forward. Anything that gives an extra bit of character development is also great in my book. I kinda wish I read it mid-series instead of at the end (because the series actually references it) but oh well. Onto the doujinshi!

#07 ghost #07 ghost children

[unproduciblesmackdown]