#it was fascinating and helpful and piqued my interest in Japanese so much I started lessons on duolingo haha

[marimbles]

I got the ouran manga box set (exciting!)

It uses $ instead of ¥ (disappointing)

haruhi does not call tamaki senpai (devastating)

#I’m glad I read scanned fan translations first 😭 #i wish English translations stayed truer to the source instead of over westernizing/Americanizing things 🤧 #I really enjoyed the translation notes and cultural explanations the fan translators provided #it was fascinating and helpful and piqued my interest in Japanese so much I started lessons on duolingo haha #anyway #I’m glad in the anime at least they kept senpai and yen #and when I write fic I will continue to have haruhi call tamaki senpai possibly forever #bc I thought it was really cute in the manga that she still called him that after dating for so long #ohshc #mine

[hqshine]

Hello! Can I have a headcanon for the setters where their s/o is from China or Korea?

—when their s/o is from another country—

characters: Oikawa, Atsumu, Kenma

genre: fluff

type: headcanon

warnings: cursing in another language but not much

extras: hello @ivylilacs , this request was pretty special. i added in a singaporean s/o because i’m singaporean and yeah i thought it would be cool. Hope you don’t mind and i hope you like it ^^

When the teacher announced a new transfer student in the middle of the year

everyone was surprised and curious

especially when you were moving from Singapore

this piques Oikawa’s attention

On your first day, you shyly greeted your new class and introduced yourself and your native country

Oikawa straightens up from his seat as he found his new “target”

the way you spoke and looked were different and this definitely attracted him

Oikawa would volunteer to show you around and be your seatmate

the girls around you glared at you slightly but it you didn’t care

At first his bubbly personality made you comfortable in the new environment

But soon you were getting annoyed, he would greet you everyday without fail

drag you to his friends and even introduce you to his volleyball club

You didn’t mind it, but soon it became more nerve racking and scary

the more he followed you, the more attention his fangirls were on you

Rumours were spreading about you and you didn’t like it all.

One morning Oikawa went up to you

“Y/n-channn” exaggerating at the end

You hid your face in your locker

“How’s your sleep?”

“Did you eat breakfast”

the more he asked, the more his fangirls crept closer and you could feel everyone looking at you

You were getting more nervous and frustrated that he wouldn’t leave you alone that you just cracked

“Oh my god, wah lao. Can’t you just leave me alone, for once la. Am i really asking that much? Your fangirls are freaking sian you know? Bruh so suey” you partially shouted as you slammed your locker

(Singlish isn’t that much different from english. Except we use different dialect words and slangs. This is a rough translation)

Translation: “Oh my god, for god sakes. Can’t you just leave me alone for this one time. Am i really asking for that much? Your fangirls are super annoying you know. Bruh i’m so unlucky”

Your eyes widened as you stared at Oikawa’s and his fangirls shocked faces. That was when you realised your native slang slipped out

he understood some bits because they studied english as well

He didn’t understand why but the way you ranted, although with slangs he didn’t understand, made you really hot

At that time, Oikawa was more attracted to you than ever before

Afterwards, you sat down with him and apologised for being mean

he even made his fangirls apologise to you and clarified all the rumours

Oikawa never really changed, he continued following you and kept asking you weird questions

You were really fascinating to him and for once, he felt like he was falling deep in love for a girl

you spent so much time with him, you got used to it and even started enjoying the time you had with him

Even after getting closer to iwaizumi-kun. You noticed small things about Oikawa you never saw before

The way he bought you extra food during lunch breaks, took note of the drinks you liked more, helping you with Japanese homework

After confessing to each other and dating, he would ask you to teach him more about the country you were born in

The cultures, your native language, slangs

Gains new respect for your country

imagine his face when he first tried Durian

So proud whenever he gets to introduce you as his girlfriend from a different country

loves when you curse in your native language

A new transfer student wasn’t interesting to him so he didn’t pay much attention to you at first

It wasn’t until he saw you playing volleyball in the girls team for the first time

“One of the best teen players in China, moved here because of her family” one of his team players told him

He continued staring at you, your form.

It was, beautiful he had to say.

You were a setter like him and the way you set was—different

But very effective

He watched with interested eyes as his twin brother, Osamu stood beside him

He heard it was only your first month here and you’ve already adapted to all the styles of your other members

from then on, Atsumu would often watch you on breaks

sometimes it was unconsciously

but his eyes always wandered to you

he quickly developed feelings for you. The way you smiled, laughed with your teammates. You were always glowing he realised

He gets to know you from your teammates and him being in your class

in the beginning, Atsumu would tease you for having an accent because you were still familiarising yourself with the new language

he liked you, but had a very weird way of showing it

One day you got so annoyed you blew up. “你真的很烦人你知道吗？我好像在被你折磨一样.”

Translation: “You’re really annoying you know that? It’s like i’m being tortured by you”

it slipped out of you when he pestered you when you were in the middle of serving

Everyone stared at you as you blush in your spot

and Atsumu could only smirk at your adorable form

he didn’t understand what you said but he knew you were ranting

he chases you for a few weeks and you slowly fell for him as well

You become very close to him and his brother

even teaching Osamu how to cook some traditional chinese meals

Atsumu learns to tone down his teasing with you and also learns about your culture and traditions

because he wanted to feel closer to you and your way of life

sometimes his fangirls could be a problem, but he glares angrily at them if they ever crossed the line

but with you, he’s way way softer

loves it when you speak to him in chinese even though he doesn’t understand

but he quickly picks up a few phrases and uses them on his brother

“我是个笨蛋” he tells his brother to repeat after him

and secretly chuckles as he listens to his brother calling himself a dummy

will always be by your side

kenma

nothing really interests kenma so when he heard about you transferring from Korea it was no biggie

until you first introduced yourself and he realised how similar you looked to one of his favourite characters in his video game

that was the first time you caught his eye

the second time was when Kuroo nudged him and pointed at you

“Hey hey, new girl has a DS too” Kenma looked up for a while and stared at you before looking back down pretending not to care

but secretly hoping you would

the third time was during his break time on a match day

you climbed beside Kenma as he was playing on his DS

he hadn’t noticed you till you peeked over and watched him play

“Hey, you play this game too? i’ve been trying to find a friend who plays this as well” you spoke excitedly

Kenma’s heart started beating faster as you leaned closer to him

“oh, hi i’m Y/n, you’re Kenma-kun right?” he nodded slowly

he was getting abit nervous as you smiled brightly at him and took out your DS and asked him

“can i add you?”

Kuroo came back shortly to find the both of you playing in a match

but he and Kenma found out afterwards that you went to the game that day because you missed playing volleyball back in Korea

As you got closer to the two, especially Kenma, you’ve also developed feelings for the pudding boy

he was always willing to learn more about you and your cultural background

When the two of you start dating, he would try to find Korean restaurants to bring you to

knowing it would make you feel abit closer to home

would always be with you especially because the two of you were in the same class

Kenma would be very scary if anyone tried to criticise you because you were from a different country

would also invite you to all his volleyball matches or practice

you play with the team once in a while

and the team absolutely loves you too

Kenma gets jealous once in a while

quickly picks up korean phrases

when he tells you “Saranghae” softly for the first time, his face fully red

translation: “i love you”

dead imma tell you

#haikyuu #hq #hq x reader #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu fluff #haikyuu headcanon #Kenma x reader #Atsumu x reader #hq setters #Oikawa x reader #Kenma fluff #Kenma x reader fluff #Atsumu x reader fluff #Oikawa x reader fluff

[beneaththetangles]

The Curious Incident of the Christianity in the Fictional Setting

Relatively few fictional settings feature Christianity. There are a variety of reasons for this—some good and some…not. Even in the isekai stories of C. S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia and The Space Trilogy), where the God of the Bible is recognized in other worlds, the inhabitants of those other worlds don’t actually practice “Christianity” as we know it.

However, I’ve encountered a fascinating exception that I want to share.

Christianity—actual, literal Christianity—exists within the world of 86–Eighty-Six. The recent anime adaptation of this light novel series was good enough to pique my curiosity about its source material. I’ve now finished all seven of the volumes currently available in English, and along the way uncovered a striking amount of evidence suggesting that Christianity is present in the setting. Of course, anime and other works contain countless references to Christianity that are best inconclusive, so we’ll need to discuss those, too.

“Now let me be clear,” the story of 86–Eighty-Six doesn’t take place in our world. The technology, psychic powers, and ethnic groups with all sorts of fantastical hair and eye colors are enough to establish that. The story and setting are unmistakably inspired by real history, but it’s not our reality.

We all know that the works of fiction on which this blog focuses (Japanese anime, light novels, manga, and video games) liberally appropriate words and symbols from Christianity without intending at all to say anything about Christianity. Neon Genesis Evangelion is one famous (or is that infamous?) example, but it’s far from unique. Anime has given us more evil popes that than the most fervid of Protestant demagogues could possibly have imagined, and yet such stories are just using the word “pope” to denote a religious leader, and rarely if ever do they intend to say anything about the actual Roman Catholic Church. In these works of fiction, we must take care not to read too much into the mere use of words or symbols associated with Christianity. This is especially true when it comes to book, series, or chapter titles, which can get really meta and not have any bearing on the reality within the fictional setting.

Another kind of inconclusive reference to Christianity comes through idioms. If a present-day English speaker wants to talk about a benevolent passerby who stops to help someone in need, there’s a good chance they will refer that individual as a “Good Samaritan.” The phrase comes from a parable of Jesus recorded in Luke 10, but it has evolved beyond its origins into a widely used idiom, one that any English speaker might use without implying anything about their religious beliefs. Similarly, the exclamation “jeez” was, historically, a euphemistic reference to Jesus, but I’d argue that it has lost that meaning and today is just a sound that signifies surprise or annoyance. Consequently, when we run across such idioms, we must ponder whether the translators intended to evoke the religious connections of such phrases, or were just using the best English expression available, which coincidentally had a religious origin.

With that said, let’s start with some of the weaker, more circumstantial pieces of evidence in 86–Eighty-Six. The story makes references to churches and priests, but those are dime a dozen in fiction. A chapter in one volume bears the title “Veni, Veni, Emmanuel,” the name of a venerable Christian hymn associated with Advent and Christmas. But as noted above, chapter titles can be super meta and don’t prove much. There is a book called the Bible within the setting, but that’s hardly unique. For example, the world in Ascendance of a Bookworm has a holy text about its pantheon called “the Bible” that bears no relation to the Christian scriptures. The idiom “to bear one’s cross” shows up, but see above about idioms. All of these are interesting, but not necessarily significant.

However, there are some surprisingly specific Old Testament allusions in 86–Eighty-Six. Someone references a story involving seven days found in “Genesis.” There exists the concept that humans are made in God’s image. There’s mention of the “mark of Cain.” People are aware of a story, found in something called “the Old Testament,” about how humans tried to build a great tower at Babylon, and God responded by causing them to speak different languages. Finally, a character says “Let us die with the Philistines,” thereby paraphrasing the Israelite judge Samson. Of course, since all these examples come from the Old Testament, technically they only imply the existence of the Hebrew scriptures, not necessarily the New Testament and Christianity.

But wait, there’s more! While many fictional settings have pseudo-Christmas events in early winter, 86-Eighty-Six goes a step further by informing us that the setting’s early winter holiday isn’t just a winter festival or solstice observance, but a “holy birthday.” Separate and apart, characters have heard of an individual called the “messiah” who lived thousands of years ago. This “messiah” reportedly said “Man shall not live by bread alone.” There’s also a story in which he encountered a demon that identified themself as “Legion.” While not explicitly stated to be the same person as the aforementioned “messiah,” someone called the “savior” died by crucifixion. And there is a “Revelation” that contains mention of seven seals, and of a dragon with seven heads.

Just one more thing: references to other fictional works. You might not think a work of fiction containing in-universe allusions to real works of fiction would indicate much about Christianity, but… A character thinks something they witness is “a scene cut straight out of Salomé,” referring to a play by Oscar Wilde. A play about the martyrdom of John the Baptist. It doesn’t make sense for such a story to exist without the New Testament. (Yes, technically, John the Baptist does show up in the writings of Josephus, but it’s a fairly cursory mention. And besides Josephus also mentions Jesus, so…) Similarly, there’s a direct quote from Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. Moreover, the source of the quote is cited by title. Dante’s epic poem is steeped in Christian thought; there’s no way such a work could possibly be known to anyone within the setting of 86–Eighty-Six unless Christianity also exists. Neither of these references to fictional works is technically a direct mention of Christianity, but the fictional works themselves are ones whose existence strongly implies the presence of Christianity and the New Testament.

Volume after volume, the in-universe references to Christianity keep piling up. The story isn’t casually borrowing vocabulary or symbolism inspired by Christianity. It’s not just using idioms that coincidentally originate from the Bible. These aren’t “meta” references that don’t necessarily imply anything about the setting. I find it unfathomable that details within this fictional world could “coincidentally” overlap with Christianity to this degree. Just as we have terms for groups of animals (e.g., a “flock” of birds, a “pride” of lions, etc.), I believe the correct term for a group of coincidences is a “pattern.” And the pattern here indicates that 86–Eighty-Six is a rare case of a fictional setting that contains Christianity.

#Anime #Light Novels #Christianity #86: Eighty Six #86 #Religion #Articles #Author: Jeskai Angel

[nohkabukihere]

Double Suicide - Bunraku on Film

I just want to start off by saying that I was super excited to see the movie open around Bunraku theatre. I’ll admit that sometimes I feel out of my depth since a lot of my classmates are majoring or minoring in something to do with Japan or Japanese, so they tend to know a lot more about history, culture, etc than me. It felt really awesome to see something that I have learned about and studied as a theatre major! I found the introduction really interesting, which seemed to be a director of a Bunraku talking about finding the right spot for the suicide. I loved seeing the puppets (Bunraku puppets are so technical and amazing to me), and then it switched to live actors, but kept so many elements of the original form. After watching the film I looked it up and learned that the film is an adaptation of a Bunraku play, which makes a lot of sense. 

The thing I found most fascinating about this films use of Bunraku elements was the Kuroko. Kuroko are dressed in all black (so not to distract from the performance), and are essentially a type of stage hand, they change scenery, set pieces, and sometime bring in and out props. It was so interesting to see this done in a film, where they are very clearly out of place, but don’t really feel like it. While it was a bit jarring to see them at first, I quickly accepted it. I loved when they interacted with the actors, going so far as to move them (mainly Jihei) entirely. I really liked the use of the traditional Bunraku instruments such as the shamisen and the hyoshigi, as well as occasionally using a chanter (tayu). These elements really helped pay homage to the original form this story takes place in. 

I also really liked how a lot of the indoor sets felt like they were on stage. I’m not entirely sure how to describe it, but they felt like they were built on a stage to be used in a theatre production, but instead they were used for film. It didn’t feel like real homes or buildings. I’m sure this also has to do with the cinematography just as much as the set. This feeling changed entirely during the outdoor scenes, and to me it almost felt like an entirely different film shot wise at these moments. 

With regard to the plot of the movie, I didn’t find it terribly interesting. That’s not to say it was bad or uninteresting, but I think the plot itself was a little boring. The elements of Bunraku infused with film really piqued my interest since it felt so experimental and new. I would love to find more films like this!

[dear-mrs-otome]

Johann Georg Faust - Story Event Summary

Please be aware I’m NO EXPERT HERE. TAKE THIS WITH A GRAIN OF SALT...I am but a newbie still learning Japanese <3 That said, I hope you enjoy, and see my rambling thoughts at the end because I found this event fascinating.

~~~~

At a cemetery, Leonardo and MC are visiting the grave of one of Leonardo's old friends and reminiscing a bit, when they overhear a priest offering words of comfort to a crying woman and a teenage boy nearby. MC realizes they must have lost a family member, and she makes eye contact with the priest, finding him a bit odd as they stare at each other before the priest returns to his ministrations.

As she and Leonardo begin to leave, the teenage boy approaches them and asks if they've seen his little brother around - the boy seems to have gotten lost. Leonardo and MC assure him they'll look for him so that the youth can go back to their distraught mother. He thanks them and tells them his name is Kevin, and his little brother is Paul.

They find the boy outside the cemetery sitting on a park bench reading, and he says he doesn't want to go back inside and deal with his father's death so they tell him they'll hang out with him for a bit. He asks them about a picture in his book which turns out to be a vampire and she and Leonardo try to explain to him what one is, but they barely start when they're interrupted.

"It's a monster that lives off the blood of people," a voice says. It's the priest from inside, who introduces himself as Father Faust, and he and Leonardo have a back and forth with the boy and each other over what a vampire is exactly - Leonardo saying it's not something to be envied, and that humanity has its merits, while Faust says that eternal life free from suffering and death wouldn't be such a bad thing after all.

They're at an impasse and Faust asks MC what her opinion is, but she can't choose. Both sides have good points, she thinks. Faust laughs off dragging her into a pointless argument and takes the child back inside, leaving Leonardo a bit uneasy in his wake.

~~

In a small church, the youth Kevin is asking for absolution from Faust for his sins, committed out of desperation to feed and support his sick mother and little brother. A cold, dispassionate Faust looks down on the emotional boy and grants it, to his surprise.

~~

After shopping in town, her arms full of apples, MC is walking past the same small church and bumps into someone leaving, spilling her apples everywhere. She and the person she ran into apologize and she recognizes them as Kevin, the youth from the cemetery, but he seems dejected. As she's about to go after him, Faust appears and helps her pick up the apples and takes her inside. She introduces herself properly this time, and asks if its his church, but he says he's just filling in for the sick priest who usually is there.

They have a chat about Kevin and she tries to praise his efforts as a priest, being a relief to so many people, but it only ends up unsettling her a bit with how icy and collected Faust seems, and how he seems to have a lack of compassion for those suffering. He admits that while he carries out the duties of a priest, he has never seen God himself, and she's stunned by his lack of faith but Faust seems to find her surprise amusing. He says that she is something unexpected and worth of studying.

He lifts her chin with his hand. "Would you like to be my guinea pig?" he asks, and she's frozen, her heart thundering...

But just then Leonardo comes in, scolding Faust and pulling her away, clearly unhappy. They go back and forth a bit, with Faust insisting he was only inviting her to church as she seemed interested (a blatant lie). As the two men stare each other down, Faust pushes his glasses up innocently and proclaims he seems to have upset her overprotective guardian.

~~

Outside Leonardo apologizes for overreacting and says maybe Faust was right, maybe he is too protective. Then he's approached by a random townsperson who asks for his help, and he agrees, heading off after them. Just as he's left though, she hears someone screaming about a thief and looks up to see Kevin barreling towards her, cursing and carrying a knife, pursued by a man. She can't get out of the way or stop him, and as Leonardo cries out her name, she braces for impact...and then feels strong arms around her, pulling her safely out of the way.

"As I thought, God saves no one," Faust says, as she's protected in his solid embrace. 

Kevin recognizes Father Faust, and Faust pushes her behind himself to shield her but then the youth is tackled by Leonardo and disarmed. Faust compliments Leonardo on the speed he took down his quarry with, and Leonardo takes Kevin off towards the police station.

MC is upset at the turn of events regarding Kevin, but she's interrupted by Faust demanding to see her arms - and only after he's forced her to take a seat on the side of the road does she realize she's been cut and is bleeding. She's about to start looking for a handkerchief when -

"It looks delicious," Faust says, and she doesn't have a chance to react before he's licking the blood off her arm, the feel of his lips and hot tongue and teeth grazing her skin causing her face to flame. He keeps at it until she can't help sighing, and she thinks how he seems just like a vampire when he stops and asks her to forgive him, saying that he didn't have any disinfectant to clean her with. He tears her ruined shirtsleeve and bandages her properly with it, just as Leonardo shows back up fretting over her.

She tries to thank Faust but before she can he's turned her back over to Leonardo with another quip about her guardian and walked away.

~~

After everything had settled, MC enters a beautiful cathedral on the outskirts of town, and inside is Faust. He seems startled to see her again, and she's pleased he remembers her name when he asks what she is doing there. 

She says she found out where he was and wanted to come by to thank him properly - offering him a basket of baked treats from Sebastian that he finally takes, albeit less than graciously - grumbling that she must have a lot of free time to come around on an errand like that.

She says she also came to tell him how things are going with Kevin, but notes that Faust seems indifferent as she relays the now-happier fate of the family. She pushes him on why he didn't do something to intervene, if he knew from Kevin's confession that they were struggling, and Faust says that helping one person would barely touch the misery that everyone suffers from. His attitude seems so jaded and accepting of harsh realities, as if he doesn't even believe in miracles anymore, she thinks.

Then Faust remarks on how, if a person were a vampire the way that little boy had wished, they'd be free of those sorts of concerns, and she blurts out that he seems to know a lot about vampires.

"And if I said they were real?" Strong arms pull her close and she falls against Faust's chest, and his hands on her clothes makes her think of the sensation of his tongue on her skin. 

"The taste of your blood...I haven't forgotten it," Faust says to her in a low, breathtaking voice. He asks if she has something special running through her veins - her blood smells so intriguing.

Stunned, she asks if he is a vampire, and he offers to study vampires - his fangs and her blood - then he laughs and says he was only joking and that vampires aren't real, angering her. She pushes him away, feeling gullible, and he warns her of the dangers of even human men...and warns her to be careful on her way home as she leaves in a huff, still hyper-aware of the way her skin burned where he'd touched.

~~

The evening of her visit, Vlad comes to the church and says he saw that Faust had a young lady visiting. "You let her go, didn't you?" Vlad asks. Faust scolds him for spying, as Charles is excited at the prospect of a girl coming around, and Vlad points out that she was very cute and even left Faust goodies.

Vlad seems surprised that Faust would let someone like her escape, but Faust only says that catching prey can be a hassle. Then says that he wants her to be a guinea pig anyways, to study carefully, and that she seems to have piqued his interest...

FINIS

~~~~~

OK SO MY THOUGHTS HERE, AKA: WHY THIS WAS SO COOL and how I now have only more questions than answers:

1. I think my main takeaway from this event was the sense that while Faust may be an atheist, or lack faith, it’s less of a true atheism and more the feeling of ‘I am pissed off at God’. The way he mentions that God saves no one, and his jaded sense that there’s no point to helping the suffering of others, it all just felt personal. I was left reading this and wondering...what the heck did God do to you, Faust? 

2. Also, this boy is has cajones that would make any prize steer proud. I can’t believe he made a lollipop of MC right out there, in the open on the side of the danged road ESPECIALLY RIGHT AFTER he’d just seen Leonardo come in and clearly stake his claim to her. He also has no qualms about calling Leonardo out for his over-protectiveness more than once, and basically says he’s made Daddy mad right to his face.

3. He’s going to be a dirty filthy boy and I love it. He pretty much made mouth-love to MC’s arm there, to the point where she was half-moaning, and made plenty of double entendre-style insinuations and passes at her, zero fucks given about her relationship status.

4. He doesn’t seem to be very subordinate to Vlad, despite Vlad clearly being their leader. He scolds his boss for spying and his body language is far from deferential, and the brief glimpse of the trio I got they seem very close-knit and almost more like peers.

5. Letting her go clearly surprised Vlad as being very out of character for Faust. It seems as if the trio have few qualms about feeding off humans, etc, and for Faust to show her any special consideration definitely seems to have caught Vlad’s interest as well.

#ikemen vampire #ikevamp #ikevamp faust #spoiler #spoilers #ikemen vampire spoilers #ikevamp spoilers #ikemen vampire story event #ikemen vampire summary #my translation #if anyone wants to discuss or dispute any of this #please do! #I'm really keen to hear other people's takes on this! #long post

[hellyeahheroes]

Preview Pages and Interview for SUPERMAN SMASHES THE KLAN

Superman Smashes the Klan launches Oct. 16, with the first of three 80-page perfect bound issues. The collected edition of the story will be released in 2020. DC’s official solicitation for the first issue is below, followed by artwork from the issue.

“The year is 1946, and the Lee family has moved from Metropolis’s Chinatown to the center of the bustling city. While Dr. Lee is greeted warmly in his new position at the Metropolis Health Department, his two kids, Roberta and Tommy, are more excited about being closer to their famous hero, Superman!

“While Tommy adjusts to the fast pace of the city, Roberta feels out of place, as she tries and fails to fit in with the neighborhood kids. As the Lees try to adjust to their new lives, an evil is stirring in Metropolis: the Ku Klux Klan. When the Lee family awakens one night to find a burning cross on their lawn, they consider leaving town. But the Daily Planet offers a reward for information on the KKK, and their top two reporters, Lois Lane and Clark Kent, dig into the story.

“When Tommy is kidnapped by the KKK, Superman leaps into action — with help from Roberta! But Superman is still new to his powers — he hasn’t even worked out how to fly yet, so he has to run across town. Will Superman and Roberta reach Tommy in time?

“Inspired by the 1940s Superman radio serial ‘Clan of the Fiery Cross,’ Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese, Boxers and Saints, The Terrifics, New Super-Man) brings us his personal retelling of the adventures of the Lee family as they team up with Superman to smash the Klan.”

I’m really curious: How did this get started? Obviously, there’s a history to the Klan of the Fiery Kross and the Superman radio show, but how did you get your in on this particular story?

I first heard about it through the book Freakonomics; they actually devote an entire chapter to the whole thing, how this one storyline in the Superman 1940s radio show dealt a huge public relations hit to the Ku Klux Klan.

I remember reading about it and learning that the incident that set the whole thing off in the original show was a Chinese American family moving into Metropolis. So, I’ve been a superhero fan since I was in the fifth grade — the very first comic I bought was a Superman comic — and I’ve been reading Superman comics since I was a little kid, and I can’t really remember any other Chinese, or Chinese American characters showing up in any of the comics that I’d read. So, it kind of piqued my interest.

Then, I started working for DC in early 2015; I did a 10-issue run on the monthly Superman comic, and after that I’ve been part of the DC comics family. I had the opportunity to have lunch with Marie Javins, who is one of the legendary editors at DC, and this came up as an idea of what to do.

I’m super excited to be working with the artists Gurihiru. I don’t know if you’re familiar with their work, but they’re so good; they’re a Japanese art studio, but it’s really just two women — one does all the pencils and the other does all the inks. Early on, the editor and I talked about going for an art style that’s just like the old Fleischer Superman cartoons but mixed with a manga influence, and I feel like they totally delivered on that. That’s exactly what they did.

The acting is so good. It looks so simple, but what they’re doing on the page is so clear.

The acting is what puts them over the top. It’s what makes them masters.

One of the things that I like about the first issue is that you show Superman as an inspirational figure not only to the "good guys," but also to Chuck, who’s the child who doesn’t necessarily understand what Superman stands for. The iconography of Superman is shown to be this nuanced thing.

One of the things about the Superman radio show, and the original version of this story, is that it actually comes relatively early in Superman’s career. He was first published in 1938, and the story was broadcast around 1946, so that’s just eight years, and he was already a worldwide phenomenon. And especially in America, he was wildly popular. But I do feel that the Superman that we all know and love today, he wasn’t quite formed yet [at that time].

There were still pieces of him that were being solidified. And as much as the radio show impacted the real world in terms of bigotry and racism, it also helped shape Superman’s character. It was at this point where Superman really did become a symbol of American tolerance, American justice and American hope.

The subject of Superman not being a fully formed character is something you play with in the text of this book, as well as the subtext; Clark is still learning who he is — his power set, his abilities and his cultural heritage. He’s literally a character in flux, just as he was at the time when the original radio show was broadcast.

The more I read about the radio show, the more fascinated I was. When Superman first appeared in 1938, he was essentially a glorified strongman, you know? He couldn’t fly. He was superfast, superstrong, he could jump high, but even then, there was a limit put on how high he could jump. It was specifically said that he could jump 20 stories.

A lot of his development actually happened in the radio show. He actually flew for the first time in the radio show; the radio show was where Kryptonite showed up for the first time. A lot of that comes from the fact that the radio show got so popular that it became a daily thing, whereas the comic was still monthly; they really needed to develop Superman — his mythology, his world — really quickly.

So, when I learned about that, I thought, this is a comic book adaptation of this old radio show — we should play with some of those elements. We should play with the fact that he doesn’t fly, or that Kryptonite is a brand-new thing.

But despite that, he remains Superman as we know him. There’s this essential Superman-ness that comes through on every page. You talked about reading Superman when you were a kid; is this something that you just inherently “get”?

My parents were born overseas, and growing up, I went through this period of time when I had a hard time vacillating between two identities. I had a Chinese identity at home, I had an American identity at school, I had two different names! When I was a kid, I did gravitate toward Superman, but when I got into my teenage years, I started getting into characters I thought were more “cool” — cool in quotes! [laughs] — but one of the things that drew me back to Superman was realizing that he was an immigrant from Krypton.

Like, all of those things: vacillating between two different identities, having two different names, having two different sets of cultural expectations. All of the realities of my childhood, all of it was encoded in Superman.

I actually have a theory about this — the reason why Superman presents himself as “perfect” is because he’s an immigrant. I saw it with my own parents; they came here and people perceived them as “foreign,” [and] they were always cognizant of this. The way they dealt with that was by trying to be perfect citizens. I think Superman does the same thing; the reason he tries to be a perfect citizen is because he knows he’s an alien. As I built a connection with the character, that’s what it became. He really became an icon for me after I saw all of this — [Jerry] Siegel and [Joe] Shuster knew all of this, they were children of immigrants. They put all of this in the character.

I think a lot of time, when we see him on cereal boxes, or whatever, we miss that, but it’s the core of the character. The core of Superman is that he’s an immigrant from Krypton.

That ties in with something else I enjoyed about the first issue — that there is so much about Superman being confused about his cultural identity. It plays against what’s going on with Tommy and Roberta’s family — it’s a connection that you’re not hitting people over the head with. You’re showing that Superman is an immigrant even as he passes as, as you said, this “perfect citizen.”

I hope so. All of that was in the character from the very beginning. His immigrant status has been there since the very beginning and is, I think, closely tied to his being an American icon. Those two things go hand-in-hand. The immigrant story and the American story are pretty much the same thing.

How much of that is present in the original story? Was the original radio serial as interested in Superman as an immigrant explicitly? Did Tommy and Roberta play such important roles, even though they were Chinese American characters?

For the radio show, I would say that the lead character was definitely Superman, and after that, the focus was on Chuck, then Tommy. Roberta, Tommy’s sister, didn’t even exist in the radio show. For me, I wanted to center the story on this Chinese American family. I really do think of this book as an Asian American book — maybe not just that, an immigrant book. By putting this Chinese American family center stage, it really highlighted the specific immigrant side of Superman.

Spinning off that, there’s the fact that this story is being published today. We’re at a point in history now where even the discussion of immigration in America is this impossibly charged topic. It feels important at this moment to have a story — specifically, to have a Superman comic — that pushes back so clearly against bigotry and racism, that does make the appeal for tolerance.

It’s not just America. You read the news about Europe, India, or the Philippines. I started this project because I thought it was something that I needed to understand. There’s a Chinese tradition that you use the events of the past as a way of talking about the present; I did come onto this project thinking about that, thinking, if I can understand the historical context that there was something about the present that I’d understand a little bit better.

One of the things that came out of this — we’re at the tail end of the third and final book right now, as we speak; I’m just about done with the revisions — and one of the things that I’ve learned is that the world learned something about tolerance after World War II. Not just America; all of us learned something about tolerance. World War II was the worst nationalistic instincts of the world come to a head — the worst instincts of our species had manifested themselves pretty much everywhere in the world. And then, this Superman story, which arrived a year after the war ended, was primed to convey the lessons the world had learned to a younger generation.

I just think that, maybe we’re so far removed from that period that we’re beginning to forget those lessons. That was the impression that I got.

Did you go into it with the idea that this was a lesson that needs to be retaught? This is, after all, a project aimed at younger readers? Were you thinking in terms of, lessons needing to be relearned in today’s culture?

To be honest, I was more going into it thinking that there were things that I personally wanted to understand better. The original storyline was very didactic, but I don’t think it was just about the lesson that was explicitly said in the story. It was also about the historical context in which that story came out. I wanted to go in to try and understand that a little bit better. I’m hoping that me wrestling with those issues comes across in the story.

You said that Chuck was one of the lead characters in the original version of the story, and one of the things that’s compelling about the first issue is Chuck’s story. He’s a character who’s leaning toward bigotry and hatred, and is pretty explicitly being taught that by his family, but you don’t write him off; there’s the implication that he can go another way, he can learn to be better.

Chuck’s a character in the original radio show, and in the comic adaptation, we kept all the big pieces of who he is. He begins as kind of a bigot, but he has an arc. To fill out that arc, I did read a book called Rising Out of Hatred, it’s written by a guy named Eli Saslow. It’s the biography of Derek Black, who is David Duke’s godson; he went from being the heir apparent of the American White Supremacy movement, and he’s the exact opposite now. When he’s not in hiding — he had to go into hiding — he’s speaking out against the views he was raised with. I read that book wanting to understand how someone could make that transition; I wanted to embed some of that in the character of Chuck.

Changing gears somewhat; you’re a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, and comics specifically. When you’re working on a project like this, especially on a character as iconic as Superman, is this something that you can see as a tool for new readers to use to get into, not just Superman, not just comics, but stories about things that are happening in the real world? Stories that matter.

I actually feel really lucky to be working in comics today. I think over the last, maybe 10 to 20 years, we’ve seen this shift in the public perception of comics. More and more, people are open to the idea of comics dealing with serious topics, and I hope this project fits in with that. I do think that there is a growing wave of comics that want to tackle the very heart of what it means to — do you know the book Bitter Root? It’s an Image Comics title that’s coming out right now.

Yeah, Sanford Greene and David Walker’s book.

I think that book is one of the best examples of using genre to talk about very important and serious topics. I’m trying to do something similar with this Superman book.

- Admin

#Superman Smashes the Klan #Roberta Lee #Tommy Lee #DC

[izumisays]

dear yuletide author

Thank you so much for reading this and taking part in this wonderful annual conspiracy!


First of all, I hope you have a lovely time! If any of the fandoms below pique your interest, I’m delighted already, and ready to hear all the stories you want to tell.

Fandoms:  Chihayafuru, Nirvana in Fire, Thunderbolt Fantasy

As for reading preferences, I’m happy with a wide variety of tones and genres, of any rating, ranging anywhere from lighthearted antics to dramatic casefics. But the core of all the stories I love has always been character interaction and interplay of their competences.

How the characters play off each other and bring out their best/worst, how they’d react to a divergence of events, how true they’d stay to themselves in a different setting – I love fanfiction for allowing us to reconnect with our favourite stories time and again by asking these questions. And there are so many ways to do it! To name a few favourites, I’m always game for POV hijinks, a missing scene, a casefic, canon expansion, backstories and what-ifs.

You may notice that quite a few of my requests lean towards shipfic – those, too, are welcome in a variety of tones – but I also tried to include openings for gen ideas if that’s your jam. Additionally, while it is not usually my top interest, I don’t have anything against AUs if there is something that you are itching to explore: I tend to enjoy them for a new aesthetic that fleshes out the favoured character dynamics in a new light, or a fusion that redefines the playing ground to allow the characters to exhibit their core competences in new and exciting ways.

I would be very grateful if you could avoid a/b/o and similar kinktropes, played-straight soulmate fic, and character interpretation that runs contrary to their core values. If in doubt, please reach out to me on anon - the askbox is open!

CHIHAYAFURU: Mashima Taichi, Wataya Arata, Suou Hisashi

You don’t have to include all three characters, but I’d love to see a fic that explores the connections between them better. I’m up to date with all manga scanlations.

Wataya Arata/ Mashima Taichi

In the immortal words of Henjin Meijin, Arata is that person for Taichi whose opinion makes or breaks him. (His wording may have been different, but if I go rummaging into the chapter archive to find the exact quote, I’ll end up binge-rereading year three into the night again, and then where would my Yule sign-up be?) (On that note, what kind of a MASSIVE LOSER waxes poetics about Taichi’s boyfriend problems to Taichi’s MOTHER, whom he JUST met? Suou Hisashi, that’s who.) Needless to say, that paramount opinion was not always great, and neither was Taichi’s general wellbeing.

Good news is, Arata is confident in his manliness, and he has no problem acknowledging Taichi’s ridiculously pretty and not too bad at karuta these days, and he’s also moving to Tokyo. Taichi’s definitely pretty and has an apartment in Tokyo, where a country bumpkin of paramount importance may possibly stay over until things are sorted out… eventually. Hint hint.

Jokes aside, I pine for the dynamics between the two of them. I nearly lost it, reading the Meijin semifinals — and if you can show me a person who saw them bawl as they crawled into each other’s laps on Japanese national television and didn’t bawl in response, well, that person is sure not me.

I’d like to see a story that lets them build and explore that connect. I do not object to eventual OT3, but I think Chihaya is on a quest to find her own footing and pursue other goals at the moment, and I’d really like it if she was allowed to do this (join forces with Shinobu to drag karuta into a professional league, girl!). I’d like to think that in that space, different bonds and relationships can develop and strengthen, starting with Arata and Taichi.

Taichi the overanalyzer, the hardworker and the looker, the golden boy who at some point surely hit that red button, meme-style: you will be perfect at everything, you will have everything, except the one thing that you want above all. Arata appears to be his perfect foil: steady and serene where Taichi’s scrambling and flawed, adorably awkward and disarmingly sincere where Taichi’s groomed, smooth and miserable about his own deceptions. But they don’t see it like that! And they keep tripping each other up so beautifully!

I’d love to read your take on them growing closer and hopefully smooshing their faces together. Roommates in Tokyo? Long-distance friends? Figuring out how to tell your flatmate you’ve been in love with him since you were 12? Established relationship while hijinks happen? AWKWARD THIRDWHEELING WITH SUOU?!

On that note:

Suou Hisashi & (or / - wejustdon’tknow.gif) Mashima Taichi

I cannot believe that ridiculous man. Did you see a grown ass adult swoon because his unrequited disciple I mean not-friend I mean Taichi just up and went to meet his relatives??? To  help reconnect them?? One can do things like this?? What next, being able to make phonecalls like an adult??

Does not compute.

I was there, Gandalf. I was there when the story first indicated that we might be getting an unlikely team-up of the world’s weirdest Meijin and Tokyo’s most miserable overachiever. But even in my wildest dreams I did not dare hope to see them sprawled on the carpet on a humid summer afternoon, Taichi comfortable in his own skin and Suou, erm, probably not very comfortable with his fascination :D He did not sign up for this. He, a grown ass man in what must be his early twenties, is too old for this youthful seishun sakura bullshit. And yet it is he who mournfully accosts Taichi’s mom to talk about how this other boy is paramount in Taichi’s universe. He who gets offended because Taichi knowing how to adult and work the social ropes is too sexy and competent. He who finds something compelling in the painful struggle of genius and skill.

Arata - Taichi - Suou

For maximum indulgence of yours truly, bring those into one place. Arata coming to Tokyo and finding Suou a fixture in Taichi’s life how?! Suou being infinitely pissy at the Fukuyi upstart and yet dragging himself to socialize with the boys regardless like a totally-not-pathetic adult with a social life of his own? Arata being mildly puzzled about the antagonism, but in there for the sweet snacks?

You tell me! I delight in my anticipation.

NIRVANA IN FIRE: Mei Changsu, Xiao Jingyan

Is this a complex, narratively inevitable historic tapestry strangling people with its treads, full of delicious politicking and identity porn? Yes, it is.

Is my burning – nay, primal – desire so simple as to smoosh two faces together and watch them kiss? Yes, it is :’)

I mean, I will obviously not say no if the kissing is giftwrapped in the said tapestry of beautiful, politicky plot, but the fever I can’t get out of my system is this: LET THEM KISS, GODDAMMIT. LET THEM BE HAPPY. I welcome canon divergences, alternative endings, fix-its, insert eps and codas where it looks like they would have kissed (erm, or at least confronted each other in a way that would inevitably end with them making out) if only Mei Changsu wasn’t so caught up in self-loathing and fluffy foxfur coats, and Jingyan didn’t talk too loudly about his so dead, so very dead beautiful ex to hear Mei Changsu weep stoically into his beautiful white furs.

I adore Prince Jing. He is 90% cheekbones and 20% heartbroken pouting over his so very dead friends, and all of it noble and awkward and stubborn and deserving of happiness. Mei Changsu is ridiculous, and capable, and twisted into pretzels of his own creation: not above gloating over his enemies while daintily dipping cookies into his tea, he gets too caught up in weaving the tapestry to notice he is a part of it.  Pull him off his high horse, Jing! Render him helpless by being yourself! Do something about being hopelessly charmed with each other, through resentment, loss, bitter pining, and narrative inevitability! JUSTKISSALREADY.gif!!

THUNDERBOLT FANTASY: Rin Setsua; Sho Fukan

I LOVE THIS SELF INDULGENT WUXIA NONSENSE AND I CANNOT LIE!

Sanfan is a mixture UTTER GLEE and deep fondness for the genre staples, self-aware and masterful playthrough of all the wuxia tropes in the book, and one goddamn well-constructed story. It plays the tropes straight, calls them out with a knowing wink, walks the tightrope between the two with panache, and just as you are relaxed and enjoying this trapeze show, it grins cheekily at you, sets the discoball on fire and pulls a bunny out of a hat.  It’s DELIGHTFUL and fun and lovingly crafted, just like a good passion project should be.

I want anything that capitalizes on the absolutely hilarious dynamics between Rin Setsua and Sho Fukan (and while personally I end up using the Japanese versions of their names more often, please feel free to go with the Chinese names if you prefer). Sho Fukan does not want any of those heroic quests, he’s the human equivalent of been there, done that mood, and he just wants to REST and hopefully dump a bunch of magical murderswords someplace safe. Rin Setsua is a Totally Respectable and Non-Villainous Member of Society, of which he will inform you firsthand in the most high spoken and verbose way possible, and maybe even produce paperwork that has definitely not been tampered with. He harbours no ulterior motives, ever, and does not trail behind Sho Fukan for any reason beyond the pleasure of his company, and his mission to personally victimize and cockblock every morally derelict villain in two countries, by no-one’s request.

Whether you go shipfic (yiss!) or canon levels teamup circus (also yiss!), don’t hold back your horses. Everything about this is Extra, and should continue to be so <3

I am okay with both expanding the canon and playing with AUs/crossovers/fusions for this one, provided they retain the character dynamics. I love the extended cast as well: any characters including the Seiyou gang (and on that note, if you want to write the Seiyou backstory for Shou’s gang that has no Rin in it, you’re welcome as well), reappearance of the familiar faces from Touri (read: Rin’s victim list, past, future and present), original characters lined up and waiting to be screwed over (guaranteed) and rescued (the administration does not bear any responsibility etc etc).

Thank you for taking the time to read the letter, and I’m greatly looking forward to reading your story — and hopefully, getting to chat about these ridiculous and wonderful characters post-reveals :)

#dear creator letter #yuletide #yuletide 2020

[spyder-m]

Love Games

ao3 / ff.net 

Summary:  On a particularly grueling trip through Mementos, the Phantom Thieves play a few rounds of "Never Have I Ever" to fend off boredom. In doing so, they learn more about their leader and advisor than they had anticipated. Shumako.

.

Ann's eyes carefully scanned the bleak expanse that was Mementos, low-level shadows scurrying away from the blare of headlights.

Blue irises strained as they adjusted to the darkness of the subway, not wanting the target to disappear from her sight.

"I spy with my little eye… something that's brown and grey-"

"Railroad tracks," Futaba answered, not even bothering to look up from her laptop.

"Wow, Oracle. You got it on the first try! How did you know?"

"Are you for real?!" Ryuji exclaimed; the outburst startling a quietly sketching Yusuke beside him. "There's only like three things down here you coulda possibly been lookin' at. Urgh! This game sucks!

Delving this far into the depths made for a long and arduous trip.

Though Morgana's bus form was fairly spacious, with the seven of them packed in together; and a lack of proper air-conditioning; it was becoming a little stifling.

Some of the more fiery members of the group were beginning to get on each other's nerves.

Beyond the occasional pit-stop to stretch their legs, fighting off shadows and scouring out the different nooks of Mementos for treasures or potential targets, served as their only reprieve.

Even Makoto couldn't find too much of a distraction in the drive. Each level was beginning to look eerily similar, and Futaba's persona could usually map out a clear path through to the next exit. Save for swerving to avoid the odd shadow, it didn't require much concentration. Her muscles were already settling unconsciously into a rhythm.

Still, she had been able to find comfort in the silent form of Joker beside her. It was remarkable how well he could read her and ease the tension she felt with a gentle smile or supporting touch of his hand. The calm washing over her like a healing spell.

He was measured in the affectionate gestures, not wanting to attract the attention of their passengers; currently seeking out other ways to pass the time.

"Alright, fine. Let's hear you suggest something then, Skull." Ann huffed, her eyes narrowing as she folded her arms.

Blinking, the blond scratched his head in thought; not having expected her to turn to him for a suggestion.

"Well, uh... there's that game Westerners always play in movies." He offered. "Y'know, the one where they hold up their fingers and say something they've never done before."

"Isn't that a drinking game?" Makoto's glare lifted, catching the others in the rear-view mirror. "I'll remind you we're all underage and in a car."

"It don't have to be." Ryuji waved his arms, not wanting to incur the wrath of the team's advisor. "Come on! It'll be fun!"

Despite some initial skepticism, the crew supposed that Ryuji's suggestion might not actually be such a bad idea.

The founding members of the Phantom Thieves had been together for several months now and felt pretty tightly knit. The exposure to one another's pasts, their most guarded secrets and inner selves only helped to shift their relationship towards something much more intimate.

Still, between time in the Metaverse, strategy meetings, studying for exams, and part-time jobs, they didn't get many opportunities to spend time together as friends.

They were still a lot of things they didn't know about each other as people.

Haru was their newest member and didn't seem to have many friends outside of their immediate circle. Futaba was still coming out of her shell and sharing secrets among friends could help to continue building her social skills. Yusuke… Well, Yusuke was an enigma. For as long as they'd known him, there was still a lot they hadn't quite figured out.

Even Makoto; though having acclimated well with the team and into her advisory role; was still striving to more learn about her peers.

These were the kind of games kids their age would normally play at parties; a luxury their unique extra-curricular activities as the Phantom Thieves often deprived them of.

It could be a great opportunity for them to get to know each other better.

"Ooo, I'll start!" Futaba called, her hand shooting up. "Never have I ever… gone on a trip to Hawaii!"

"Wha- Oracle! That's not fair!"

"Mwehehehe…" The youngest member cackled. "Well, I had to get one up on you guys. Never underestimate the original Medjed."

"Well, alright. That's one finger down for... Everyone except Oracle. Alright, Noir. It's your turn."

"Oh. Well, let me see." Haru pondered. "Never have I ever... Tried the 6,000 yen Dark Ivory coffee at the Wilton Hotel."

The engine rumbled amidst the dip in conversation, the teens looking between one another with blank expressions.

"Uh, Noir?" Ann eventually broke the silence. "Clearly none of us have done that before. Now you have to lower a finger. You're supposed try to try and get us out."

"Oh, I could never do that. You're all my friends."

"But that's the point of the game!" Ryuji's voice rose again. "You're gonna lose at this rate!"

"Moving on." Ren interrupted, his lips sliding into a smirk. "Never have I ever eaten so much fatty tuna that I made myself sick."

"What?!" The Mona-bus vibrated as an indignant mewl reverberated throughout. "Why are you singling me out, Joker? I'm not playing. I don't even have fingers!"

"We can keep track. That's one down for Mona."

"Hmph. Fine, but I'm going next."

"Whatever. Do your worst."

"Never have I ever… called a Maid Service before."

"You damn cat!" Ryuji exclaimed, thumping the side of the car. "I thought we agreed to keep quiet about that."

"You called a Maid Service?" Ann side-eyed Ryuji, a shudder crawling up the base of his spine.

"Well, uh…" Anxious, Ryuji glance darted around the inside of the car, desperate for a lifeline. "Hey! I- I'm not the only one who's guilty here. Right, leader?"

Swallowing, Ren begrudgingly lowered a finger.

"What?!"

"A maid's services? Hmm, how fascinating. I wonder if they would be willing to serve as the model for my next piece?"

"Dude, it's 5,000 yen a visit. Like you'd be able to afford that."

"Also, I thought you agreed; no more nude paintings!"

"Anyway! Uh… Panther; you're up next."

"Oh, me? Hm, well... Never have I ever… dated before."

To the surprise of no one in the group, Ryuji, Yusuke, and Futaba each kept the fingers up, while Haru lowered a finger. However, given the circumstances surrounding her and her fiancé, the Thieves were happy not to ask for any more details. What piqued their curiosity more so, was when Makoto and Ren both each lowered a finger.

"Wait… What?!"

"Dude! You mean you were out scorin' hotties and didn't think to tell me?!"

"Well, Joker has had an entire life outside of Tokyo that we are not privy to…"

"Plus, his charm stats are like… maxed out."

"Right. Still, I really wasn't expecting that from you, Queen."

"W- well, there is someone… That I'm seeing."

The car jolted, almost swerving off of the tracks and into the station's wall, as Ann pulled herself over the front seat.

"What?!"

"Panther, please! Stay in your seat."

"Oops. Sorry!" Ann flushed, returning to her spot in the middle row. "I just can't believe you'd keep something like that from me."

"W- well, we both agreed to keep things... discreet."

"Perhaps we should move on from this topic for the time being," Yusuke suggested. "It seems to be getting Panther rather excited."

"Right." Joker nodded. "Well, Queen; it's your turn."

Makoto paused, one hand slipping from the steering wheel to touch her chin.

There was much she had not experienced before finding the Phantom Thieves, things that many would see as a normal part of life for a typical, Japanese teenager. If she were being tactical, there were likely several answers she could give that would get most of the others out.

Still, recently she had been fortunate to gain friends who brought more of simple pleasures into her life. In particular, it was thanks to the young man seated across from her that she had been able to broaden her horizons.

Though, thinking on it; as she caught Joker in her peripheral vision; Makoto realised, with a flush, there were still things she wished to learn.

"Never have I ever... kissed someone before."

"Woah, woah, wait a minute." Ryuji interjected. "You're with a guy but you haven't even swapped spit yet?"

"Skull." Ann sighed, her nose wrinkling at the boy's crude description.

"N- no, it's fine, really." Makoto countered, lifting her hands from the wheel briefly. "It's all still very new to me. I think he's just been holding back on my account. I just wish there was a way I could let him know that I want it as much as I think he does."

"Aw, don't worry, Queen!" Futaba encouraged. "I'm sure he'll come to his senses."

"Yeah! Any guy would be lucky to be with you."

"Anyway, looks like Joker and Noir are the only ones who lowered their fingers. No surprises there."

"Actually," Joker cleared his throat, and raised his hand, showing that his total was still at seven.

"Okay, now I'm confused."

"What else is new?"

A pained meow rang from the car as Ryuji's bat struck the inside wall.

Makoto flushed as she felt Joker's gaze cover her; the stark white of his mask accentuating his eyes, drawing her to them. She bit her lip, readjusting her grip on the steering wheel.

"I suppose you could say I was... holding back."

"I- is that, so?" Makoto answered, trying to keep her eyes focused ahead, away from Ren's longing stare.

She had hoped that in keeping her answers curt and concentrating on the road ahead the conversation would shift, the rest of the Thieves carrying on with their game. Yet, their interest had seemingly turned towards their leader, as he watched her with a fond smile.

"Queen, pull over here." Joker instructed abruptly; his tone sharp.

Makoto slowed the vehicle to stop, suspecting that Joker had spotted a target.

She immediately ripped off her seatbelt and moved to open the door, more than willing to steer the focus away from their conversation.

However, at the flash of red covering her own gloved hand and ceasing her movement, she turned, catching Joker's mask with a puzzled expression.

Having readied herself for battle, Makoto's normally sharp reflexes had been prepared to react the moment something grasped at her. Though, her guard slipped as Joker's fingers caught her the jaw.

Their masks clinked together as he pulled her face towards his own; the breath that ripped involuntarily from her throat was caught by the soft pressure of his lips.

Her first kiss.

The scent of coffee still lingered on his breath, likely remnants from his breakfast at Leblanc. The bitter taste warmed her chest, striking and familiar.

Now unimpeded by her seatbelt, Makoto fell deeper into Ren's embrace, her hands lifting to catch in the thick clumps of his hair.

It was surprisingly soft.

Spurred on by the sensation of Makoto kissing back, Ren trailed his hands down to the swell of her hips, appreciating how her suit clung to them. Makoto's eyes bulged in surprise as she was pulled into Joker's lap, though she didn't break from his lips, her arms surrounding him.

With that daring gesture, it struck her that she was sharing her first kiss not with Ren, but Joker; an experience distinct from what she had anticipated. It hadn't been a shy, chaste caress that had caught her; a moment their relationship had steadily being building towards; but something bolder, more extravagant.

The gesture, in a sense, reflected how they had entered each other's lives, how they had awoken to their true selves in the Metaverse; abruptly and explosively. How everything strange and otherworldly suddenly began to make sense, as if it had been there, waiting, all along.

There was something captivating about the suave, cocky persona Ren assumed in the Metaverse. Seeing those soft, shy smiles of his break into confident grins; his dark, mysterious eyes, shining and proud. The way he remained strong and collected for the rest of his team, even during their most tense battles.

That he was forward enough to make the first move; where in the real world he may have hesitated; closing the distance between them like this, his lips flickering into a familiar smirk as they caressed against her own.

It was... sexy.

The magic dissipated as Makoto became conscious of the eyes boring into her, sliding up her spine like cold digits as she recalled, abruptly, that they weren't alone. Gasping, Makoto slipped from Joker's arms, glancing mortified, towards their friends.

Ann's hands had lifted to cover her mouth, barely containing the bright smile lighting her features. There was a sheen in her wide, starry eyes. Haru had moved up beside her, hands similarly cradled together.

"Oh, how romantic."

With a smirk, Futaba had, reflexively, pulled out her smartphone; a pout settling across her features when she remembered the camera function was useless in the Metaverse.

Beside her, Yusuke was rifling through the back of the car, eventually producing a canvas and a selection of brushes, frantically setting them up.

"You two, hold your positions! I must capture this!"

"Inari!? When did you bring that with you? And also, why?"

Ryuji watched on in curious silence, his brow furrowed as he scratched the back of his head.

"Huh? Skull? What's up?"

"So, like... Do they have to drop a finger now, or what?"

#persona 5 #p5 #shumako #fanfiction #ren amamiya #akira kurusu #makoto niijima #ann takamaki #futaba sakura #ryuji sakamoto #yusuke kitagawa #haru okumura

[hello2nobody]

A Tale of Time Being by Ruth Ozeki Book Review

Warning: very brief mention of suicide (I don’t go into depth)

I’ll start now that I’ve never written a book review since grade 11 (so about 4 years ago), and I have no idea how to properly write one. So this might be an unorganized mess.

I bought the book from my hometown during December last year. The beautiful cover caught my eye and I recall someone, I think my creative writing professor, recommend the novel. Also, as superficial as it is, award-winning books pique my interest more than “New York Bestsellers” because it’s a more promising guarantee the book will be good.

The book is about Ruth, (modelled off the author from the town of residence, husband, and interests) who finds a washed-up bag various items including a Hello Kitty lunchbox with a diary inside. Here, the novel journies back and forth between Naoko’s diary entries about her difficult life in Japan and her wish to tell the story of her monk great-grandmother Jiko before Naoko commits suicide. Ruth intently tries to learn more about Naoko (Nao) as she can’t help but feel connected to her through this lost diary in some way.

Nao’s chapters are first-person and mostly past-tense (for Ruth specifically, it is all in the past) as she narrates. Nao’s writing is so charming, witty, compelling, and heart-rending that it doesn’t always sound like a teenager’s diary entries, but this can be excused for the compelling narrative. Nao’s diary isn’t just about Nao, it’s about her great-grandmother Jiko, and about Nao’s suicidal father. It’s almost like a Frankenstein narration in that sense: we read Nao and her great-grandmother, father, or her great-uncle’s story told by Nao, read by Ruth, who also reads it to her husband Oliver. This makes for a very interesting reading experience, which I’m sure Ozeki intended. After all, the book is about someone reading someone else’s story. Nao’s chapters are definitely the most interesting in the novel due to how multi-layered it is while still focused on the same themes of time and suicide. There are times I got confused whether she is writing past or present events since she switches back and forth between what she had experienced in the past as well as what is going on with her in the present, at the time she’s writing. There are no timestamps in Nao’s diary, which brilliantly plays into the mysterious, delicate, and complex nature of time in the novel, but I have felt lost figuring out the order of events in Nao’s narrative.

I really love Ruth’s footnotes in the pages of Nao’s. It really feels like you are reading along with her. You’re both immersed in Nao’s story together and you really get into Ruth’s headspace through this. The footnotes are mostly technical, like Japanese to English translations; I would have liked to see more opinionated and thoughtful footnotes to really cement Ruth’s presence in reading Nao’s diary. It’s also a little confusing when foot-notes are found in Ruth’s chapters.

Ruth’s chapters are about her digging deeper into finding out more about this suicidal girl. We read Ruth in present tense researching, contemplating, and connecting with others to find more about Nao. Ruth doesn’t even know whether this girl is still alive. At the same time, we learn more about Ruth- the desolate town she lives in and all the peculiar townspeople, her husband, her late mother, and her fear of developing Alzheimer's (though this is not really explored all the way through by the end of the novel). At first, I was sceptical of the main character being a self-insert of the novelist herself. Normally, self-insert characters are poorly written however, Ozeki does not shy away from writing herself as a humanly flawed character. Though, it’s not hard to tell how much Ozeki is a sucker for Buddhism and certain ways of thinking (based on all the hippie characters in the novel). Ruth is a very interesting and perfect subject to Nao’s diary with her overflowing empathy towards the girl and keenness to know more. I like how despite the fact Ruth’s main objection throughout the book is to uncover as much as possible about Nao, we still learn much about Ruth herself through her interactions with her husband and the townspeople, and even though her obsession and connection with Nao.

I like how Ruth’s chapters are third-person unlike Nao’s. I don’t think any type of perspective in narration is superior, but it is easier for readers to empathize through a first-person narrator since the author quite literally places you in the character’s headspace. The footnotes which relay Ruth’s presence in Nao’s chapters is the closest readers get to being in Ruth’s headspace. When it comes to Ruth’s third-person narration, readers understand more how out of place she is in her small town and this looming Alzheimers which haunts her. More importantly, if you pay attention- readers will notice how secretive Ruth is. Maybe “secretive” is not the right word, but in comparison to Nao who shares in raw, her full tangled emotions through her diary, Ruth keeps to herself. Unlike Nao, she does not have a diary to pour her emotions and thoughts into, not even to her husband. She struggles to open up any issues she goes through as we mainly learn her personal turmoils through the omniscient narrator. Nao is upfront yet ignorant in youth, while Ruth who is older is incredibly stubborn and would rather focus on Nao than anything in her own life.

Part Three of the novel is what I am most critical about. I can’t share much because of spoilers, though I will say it is the ending of the novel. There has always been hints of supernatural elements regarding time in the novel. I don’t hate the supernatural element, but I’m not 100% satisfied with it either. I love the rawness of Nao’s diary and how unsure we as readers feel alongside with Ruth, how the diary will end. The supernatural element in it, for me, removed that raw and compelling element of the novel into something very wishful and it made me feel unsure about how I feel about the ending overall. It’s still a good ending but personally, the last part of the novel just did not feel as engaging as the first two. Still, I don’t hate the ending.

Overall, I highly recommend the book! The story is incredibly engaging and the way it is told is very masterful with it’s changing POVs between Nao and Ruth. Though the ending is not the most spectacular, the story-telling and its subjects of time and suicide altogether create one of the most fascinating readings I’ve had in a while. 

4/5

#writeblr #writing #Long Reads #reading #books #novel

[shock777archive]

I got this question on deviantart, and I felt like reposting my answer here, in case anyone is interested :P 

THIS IS GONNA BE A LONG REPLY BUT BEAR WITH ME LOL When I first started drawing/am I self taught : I've been drawing since kindergarten. Anime specifically, since I was about 8 years old. so that's been uh...18 years since I've started drawing in the anime-esque style? I am self taught on these areas. I picked up a digital artist tablet at the age of 13 or so, (it was a wacom Graphire 4 4x5 in) so it's been 13 years of digital art practice i've gotten in. I have picked up several how to draw books over the years until i surpassed some of them. But even now i'm constantly referencing tutorials and poses, looking for ideas and color palettes, etc. I have taken some schooling in college for art. I took beginner's drawing and color theory and maybe a little of art history but that's about it before i quit lmao What inspired me to draw in the first place/what I first drew: The thing that inspired me to draw in the first place was my favorite cartoons. from a very young age i knew that cartoons weren't real, but it fascinated me that actual people could create almost living people. I related to cartoons, and even though they were fake characters, I just loved the idea of creating a whole world of my own. So I took up drawing in kindergarten. First things I drew were flowers, rainbows, trees, etc. But My first biggest undertaking was powerpuffgirls. lol This was the series that started it all. Began drawing tons of powerpuffgirls stories and oc's. For the next few years I would watch different things like all the standard cartoon network shows. But I watched yugioh and dbz and other anime things too. What also got me into anime art style was the online game neopets lol Their faeries designs ( http://images.neopets.com/games/pages/icons/screenshots/586/4.jpg ) kind of had an anime resemblance, so I started drawing those for a while. When I was 8 or 9 years old my father bought me my first how to draw manga book (this one in particular: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Drawing-Manga-Ben-Krefta/dp/1841931713  ) looking back on it, this book is terrible and the anime in it is so ugly looking lol. However, i used that thing religiously and began making my own characters like a blue elf girl and a human friend of hers. ( in fact, here's the post. i tried redrawing them recently lol: https://shock777.tumblr.com/post/145898896143/finding-old-art-is-the-best-cause-you-can-redraw ) ...Then the real transformation began once I started watching Teen Titans when it aired in 2003. I was 10 at the time. That show started my love for japan. The language interested me and I began researching Japanese songs and trying to sing along to them. I didn't know what the words meant, but the artistic style and meshing of western cartoons and anime of the show really piqued my interest. My earliest drawings of them suckedddd XD; As Teen Titans drew to a close near 2006-2007 ish, I picked up Naruto and then it was all over since then lol my anime style and weeb days really came into full force lol I thank naruto though. I learned how to draw more realistic anatomy as opposed to cartoony anatomy. It was a very wild ride, but it's all documented here on my deviantart page as I got this exact account around the same time! I started posting my work in 2008, so you can go back far enough into my gallery and see the progress XD; I keep the old cringe up because it just motivates me and hopefully others, to keep drawing and keep going farther! :) PHEW lol long history there XD I do have some of my old art!!! If you wanna see some, I've posted a little here: https://shock777.tumblr.com/tagged/old-art plus I already said there's a few still on my dA gallery haha Tips I can give to you: 1. And I think this is most important, JUST KEEP GOING. It's soooo tempting to quit drawing when things aren't going right and when you're not happy with how your art looks. Trust me, every artist I've ever known including myself have gone through this. It's so easy to compare your work to someone else's. The thing is, we're all in this together. No one expects a newborn to be able to file taxes or drive a car lol. We all have to evolve and change, and that change comes from consistent work. Art isn't an inherent talent, it is hard work that is honed over several years of blood, sweat and tears lmao JUST KEEP GOING. as I've mentioned, my old cringe art is still on my dA page. Back then when I was younger I was less concerned with things being perfect and I spam posted almost every doodle. And I began a "fanbase" i guess because of those days and my consistent posting. I've had this freaking deviantart page for 11 freakin years. If I had stopped drawing whenever I felt my art was imperfect or not good enough, I would have stopped posting around 2009. so...just keep going. And I'd even dare you to post your "shitty doodles" that you think aren't that great. Because you never know what someone else will see in it that you don't. Be confident, and never give up! 2. Soak up any tutorial and really focus on studying your favorite artist's styles. If there's something you want to replicate in your art that someone else is drawing, try to see how they do it. sometimes artists have tutorials posted and sometimes they don't. I have a few posted on my youtube channel ( https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRB9xQBsGpfetNJbmXWZ1fL9d5IlqQs1w ) and some in my gallery. Don't exactly copy some things stroke for stroke, but try to add your little spin to something. Like sometimes I will see art senpai drawing a specific eye style I wanna replicate, but I don't like one part of the process. So sometimes I'll just add my own little addition, or just omit that process completely. Usually though, if the art style isn't necessarily super unique, you can copy a lot of mainstream styles without anyone really griping saying "oh you're just copying so and so's art style". It's important to look up to art senpais i think. They make me want to try harder lol 3. Take an art class if you're able. Color theory really helped me grasp things that I never had before. LIKE REFLECTIVE LIGHT FOR INSTANCE. I never drew that shit but now I do because DUH it's so freaking obvious lol It also helps to learn what colors neutralize others, complementary colors, analogous ones, etc. It's nice to have an eye for what matches together and to know the principles of art. I still have a lot of work to do when it comes to perspective, which we did cover a little in class lol but work on your own pace. If your college near you offers a class for beginners, take it if you're able. it will help you view things differently. 4. Copy realistically. Like, I'm talking look at a freaking object in your room and try to draw it. Once you can draw it semi realistically, you can then add your own little stylistic choices to it. Like so many artists who draw chibis or cartoony things, they more than likely know the proper proportions of people and anatomy. But they draw the proportions all whacky and it creates their own style. However it does help to know how they work in reality lol 5. TRACE OVER POSES. Sometimes I do this. I'm not saying to trace someone's art, but if you see some kind of pose on say a google image, or a stock photo, try sketching over it to get a feel for where the joints connect if you're working on anatomy. It reaaaallly helps you memorize where the arm would end, or where the torso connects to the hips. 6. Take advice and criticism well. If someone sees something you don't about your art, they may be on to something. It's not wrong if someone gives you a heads up that a proportion seems lacking or something seems too big or out of place. It will actually help you to see what others see. Sometimes we get in the habit of drawing something a certain way and it's hard to break that habit especially if you've drawn the same thing several hundred times. It will help you in the long run to just accept that you're always going to be improving. You'll never be perfect at drawing, so what do you have to lose? Just keep walking forward and learn what you can. 7. Flip the canvas. This is more or less a digital art tip, but please flip the canvas to make sure the proportions are not off. lol A lot of professionals have to flip the canvas until they get a feel for where things are placed. Another good tip is to use a stabilizer of some kind to draw straight lines. Paint tool sai has one at the very top of the window. It helps tremendously. 8. Draw what you like and don't feel bad for not drawing everything everyone else likes. Don't sacrifice your morals or your personal desires for something everyone else likes. If you're paid to draw something you don't like, thats another thing. but don't let people pressure you to draw stuff that you don't want to. You'll be much happier, and build an audience that is much like-minded to you. Be considerate of what your audience likes, sure, but remember at the end of the day, art is something to express one's self. Art is not and should not be a job. Even if you get paid money to draw or design things, it's important to take a break and draw something for yourself every once in a while. Be self indulgent, and treat yo self from time to time :) And uhhh...that's all I can think of for the time being. :') let me know if you have any further questions or if I need to clarify anything :) Thanks again!

#me #my art #art tips #long post

[recentanimenews]

Crunchyroll News Turned 10 Yesterday!

  When Crunchyroll News started, STEINS;GATE was airing, Makoto Shinkai's Children Who Chase Lost Voices was about to hit theaters in Japan, there was only one Souls game, and the only people who got JoJo's references were scanlation readers and people who still had their Dreamcast hooked up. 

  On April 27, 2011, we rolled out our very first posts along with the official launch of Crunchyroll News. That's right, somehow it's been exactly 10 years since our news page made its way online, and we're extremely excited and humbled to be here to celebrate with you all. Along with Mikikazu Komatsu and Humberto Saabedra, I'm proud to have been on the team since day one, and I couldn't be happier to work here every day with the best news team around.

  To kick off the celebration—which will last exactly until we tire of celebrating, like Greek deities being fed comically large bunches of grapes by the heaping handful—I thought we could take a quick tour of the past decade. As much as I'd love to highlight every single major piece of news that's been reported over the years, we could keep that list going until our 20th. For now, here's an overview of the #1 story for every year since 2011.

      2011

How Much Does One Episode of Anime Cost To Make?

  2012

VIDEO: "Niji-Iro Hotaru ~Eien no Natsu Yasumi~" Anime Film Trailer

  2013

Chinese Manga Fan Creates Striking Perspective Art Where He's The Star

  2014

Fanart Meme Traps Anime Characters Behind Smartphone Glass

  2015

"The Last -Naruto The Movie-" Becomes the Top-Grossing Film in the Franchise

    2016

New "Zoids" Project Teased on Takara Tomy's Website

  2017

"Naruto Shippuden" Prepares For Release Of "Last" End Theme

  2018

QUIZ: What would YOUR My Hero Academia Quirk be?

    2019

Crunchyroll Editorial's Top 100 Anime of the Decade: 25-1

  2020

Here's a List of All the Anime Impacted by COVID-19

  A lot has changed over the years, both in the industry and behind the scenes. But one of the key ingredients that's stayed the same the entire time is how passionate we are about all this stuff. I've been waking up every day to write about anime, manga, video games, and whatever else I can find out there that might pique our readers' interest, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'd like to give a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who has been reading and supporting us along the way, as well as to those who have put up with working with me for a whole dang decade. From original EIC Patrick Macias—who got this crazy machine up and running and to whom I quite literally owe the existence of my career—to everyone I work and chat with at all hours of the day and the readers who both keep us in check and cheer us on in the comments. You all are amazing! 

  I asked Humberto and Komatsu-san to share some words, as well.

  Humberto Saabedra

You're probably wondering how I ended up here. It was a conversation on Twitter about speakers and audio equipment that led me to write for Crunchyroll out of the blue, and it's been the best decade since then. I've seen writers come and go, helped break some of the biggest stories, and work with some of the best people in this industry. What more could I ask for? Here's to 10 more years with my fellow staff and contributors, who are all the best.

  Mikikazu Komatsu

I am so happy that Crunchyroll News is now celebrating its tenth anniversary. It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to continue to work as one of the original members of its news team. Over the past decade, there have been many changes in the Japanese anime and manga industry. Fascinating new works continue to be created, and new artists with great talent never stop coming. But the one thing that has remained unchanged is the passion of the fans who love anime and manga. It is my wish to continue to support you from Japan. Without fans, there would be no works to create. I hope you will continue to love Japanese anime and manga.

    On behalf of this original trio, everyone who has been a part of the site since, and our current amazing team of Daryl Harding, Paul Chapman, Kara Dennison—not to mention our Editor-in-Chief Cayla Coats, Managing Editor Kyle Cardine, Features Editor Carolyn Burke and her whole Features squad, and Grand Overseer David-Christopher Harris—we'd like to thank ALL OF YOU for reading and keeping up with us along the way!

  Oh, and we're not the only ones growing. We also have an ever-expanding stable of awesome international news teams, so please keep an eye on the work David-Christopher Harris, Editorial Manager Kristine Don, and their respective news leads are doing while overseeing those pages. It's so cool to see how Crunchyroll News has grown, so to piggyback off Humberto, here's to another 10 and then some! 

  ✌️

    -------

Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. You can read his comics at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox.

By: Joseph Luster

#Anime #News #Latest in Anime News by Crunchyroll!

[svartikotturinn]

Why I’m Interested in Deaf Culture & Sign Languages

I’ve been very interested in Deaf culture and sign languages for quite a while now: I really ‘discovered’ them around mid-2015, when I started using ASLU (I wanted to learn a sign language, and ASL was the only one I could find extensive free resources for), but my interest was first piqued when my language acquisition lecturer, Dr. Irena Botwinik, mentioned evidence of a claim she made about the acquisition of phonotactics based on Argentinian Sign Language, pointing out the analogous syllable structure.

Since then I’ve studied some ASL on that website and through others, e.g. ASL interpretation of songs (mostly through Amber Galloway Gallego’s work), and also some Israeli SL through courses arranged by Accessibility Israel. I also picked up some Japanese SL, mostly through YouTube. It is absolutely fascinating, from an academic point of view, to see the structural similarities the physical channel allows for, and the differences that emerge still, as well as the cultural variety, e.g. when it comes to name signs. Moreover, while sitting in class and listening to the lecturer elaborate on some issue in linguistics we have trouble settling or have limited ability to look into, or talking about apparent universals, I have often found myself almost screaming internally, ‘Look into sign languages! You need perspective from language systems that rely on spacial use and not oral constraints!…’

Especially since I read Safá baMerkháv: Ashnáv liSfàt haSimaním haYisra’elít (‘Language in Space: A Window into Israeli Sign Language’) by Wendy Sandler & Irit Me’ír, which demonstrated some of the amazing potential research into that field can yield. That book was somewhat lacking, on account of being based on still-lacking research (which the two authors helped immensely with advancing), but it was still an amazing read, and it definitely explained why just about anyone who knew anything would tell you to start with reading that book if you wanted to study Israeli SL.

But more than that, since I’ve gotten to know a bit about the Deaf community, I began so see similarities between the Deaf community and the high-functioning autistic one (of which I am a member). Matt Daigle’s webcomic That Deaf Guy illustrates a few familiar aspects wonderfully: the tendency to be blissfully unaware of impositions on others (but perfectly willing to stop when made aware), the richly detailed narratives, and the well-known directness, are all very relatable to us. (And, sadly, the tendency to be left out, because we lack a certain sense to understand what’s being communicated.) And, amusingly enough, we complete each other, in a sense: we tend to have finer-tuned hearing, they notice every minor detail of people’s facial expressions. Much like between gender and sexual minorities, I definitely feel a sense of a shared fate here.

Also, because of my autism, I very much appreciate how quiet sign language is by its very nature. No need for that sensory overload. I also like how I don’t have to use my voice for it: I do not like the sound of my own voice at all. (Although the persistent eye contact might be a bit much.) I also have much better reading comprehension than listening comprehension, and I think if I were fluent in a sign language (if I ever manage the kind of coordination it requires…) I’d communicate in it better than in voiced languages. (In fact, I often think I’d much rather sign than speak, given the choice and the ability.)

And that’s why I want to get my master’s degree in sign language linguistics further down the road.

#י #שפת סימנים ישראלית #japanese sign language #jsl #日本手話 #linguistics #tel-aviv university #tau #אוניברסיטת תל־אביב #personal #me #autism #asd #hfa #sign language #deaf culture #matt daigle #that deaf guy #asl #american sign language #israeli sign language #wendy sandler #irit me’ir #שפה במרחב: אשנב לשפת הסימנים הישראלית #עירית מאיר #ונדי סנדלר #שסא #אונ׳ ת״א