#japan core themes icons

[measlyfurball13]

Seeing as your one of the only people I know who is into Transformers, would you mind info dumping about it?

I know very little of anything about it besides the old "Micheal Bay!" Joke, and that it was initially made to sell toys, but that doesn't really mean anything.

So tell me, is there "more than meets the eye" to this franchise?

HOOOOOOOOO BOY

The single most important thing to know about Transformers is that there is no singular canon. Rather, there's a TON of different continuities, or basically alternate versions of the same universe. Transformers is a franchise that basically tells the same story over and over again, altering each time while keeping some very basic core themes and characters.

Optimus Prime is the leader of the Autobots. Megatron is the leader of the Decepticons. The Autobots are the good guys, the Decepticons are the bad guys, and they have been fighting a war for millions of years. It is rare for continuities to change these core facts. They might be modified, but they will never be unrecognizable.

In one continuity, Optimus might be a younger, more inexperienced leader. In another, he may be old, wise, and powerful. In some continuities, Optimus and Megatron have personal beef with each other through their backstories, making them almost lost brothers of a sort. In others, Megatron is a stranger and Optimus is an impersonal victim of his cruelty. Each time this story, the story of Transformers, is told, little details like this change.

Generally, continuities try to keep a certain "feel" to them. While sometimes a continuity will completely reinvent a character, most of the time it will try to keep a character within a few (arbitrarily chosen) character traits and/or role.

So, if this story has been told over and over again, and there's certain established expectations for characters, what was this all based on? The answer is the original 1984 animated cartoon! This cartoon is referred to as "Generation 1", or just "G1" for short. This is the cartoon made to sell toys. The animation quality is poor, the dialogue and music are cheesy, and I absolutely love it to pieces. I would highly, highly recommend that you watch the first three episodes, which basically acts as the pilot for the whole show. It really writes the characters at their most iconic and introduces the setting.

Now that you understand that G1 is the base, you can go from there and explore other continuities! Remember, continuities don't connect across different mediums (with the very distinct exception of one specific continuity, which I'll get to right after this) so feel free to find one that interests you. In general, each cartoon (or close series of cartoons) is a continuity. Allow me to list some of the more popular ones:

Transformers Beast Wars. This is arguably the continuity that follows the established G1 pattern the least, since this is the cartoon that followed right after it. In this one, the transformers turn into animals and battle on a prehistoric earth. This one is well-renowned for its surprisingly deep character writing, but the antique 3D animation is the biggest hurdle to enjoyment. It's kinda the continuity that's the most forgotten.

Transformers Armada, Energon, and Cybertron. Also known as the Unicron Trilogy (no, not "unicorn"!), this one was made in Japan and then dubbed and exported. They introduce a lot of anime-inspired features into the lore such as powerups and the like. Armada is regarded very highly with good writing, the other two not so much. The continuity between them is fairly loose. You could absolutely get away with watching just that one. Here's a link to Armada.

The Michael Bay films. You already know this one. These live action films are in a continuity of their own. In all absolutely fairness, the first movie is pretty good, barring Bay's more childish flairs. If you don't mind the U.S. military being portrayed as the absolute good guys, I think you'll genuinely like it.

The Bumblebee movie. Special shoutout to this one! This live action movie is in its own continuity that's really fun. This is an excellent movie and I love it so much, please watch it at some point.

Transformers Animated. This is one of the most widely beloved continuities in the entire franchise. People really, really like this show. It takes the franchise in a refreshing new direction, with the first season feeling almost a bit more like a superhero cartoon than a "traditional" transformers cartoon. The Autobots are the absolute underdogs in this one and it's hard not to root for them. Here's a link. This one's a good one to start with.

Transformers Cyberverse. This one is a web series that was focused for a younger audience for the first season, gets decent in the second but then gets absolutely and insanely fucking unhinged in season 3. I. . . don't recommend this one for any beginners? It's a trip. That first season is pretty unbearable. The second season starts out feeling like you missed something, and then gradually gets kinda better. Season 3 is insane. Look, just tackle this one after you've tackled the others. Don't start here.

Transformers Earthspark. The newest of the bunch, this one is releasing on Paramount Plus. I've really enjoyed what I've seen of it! It's a much more down-to-earth approach to the story. It changes some characters but in interesting ways. The new characters are excellent as well. You can definitely start with this one.

And finally, without further ado:

Transformers Prime.

I fucking LOVE this one.

This one is my favorite and was what really got me into the Transformers fandom. This cartoon takes the good innovations from the Michael Bay movies and then actually tells an amazingly competent story with it. It's the Transformers cartoon with the darkest tone by a long shot, and it really sells that this story is about a war. Characters die! The serialization is suuuuuuuper tight- one of my favorite examples is that injured characters have to spend time onscreen healing back up.

This cartoon also gives a significant amount of focus and exploration of the Decepticons as a faction as well, which is rare for the franchise. Both the Autobot and Decepticon characters will charm their way into your heart.

This show is equivalent in quality to Avatar the Last Airbender to me. I know that's probably overhyping it. You may not like it as much. But I really really really love it.

Here is a link to the first season.

But wait! There's more. Welcome to the Aligned Continuity!

Transformers Prime is actually part of the franchise's first attempt to really connect a story across media platforms. The result was. . . mostly successful? Definitely a lot of plot holes/errors, and some of the continuity is trash, but I want to highlight two videogames specifically:

Transformers: War for Cybertron. This game is a third-person shooter by High Moon studios. They do an absolutely stellar job with this one. Taking place on Cybertron, the home planet of the transformers, this one acts as the first part of an indirect prequel to Transformers Prime.

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron. If the first game is good, then this game is amazing. The devs layer on more amazing mechanics to those introduced in the first game, with some of my absolute most favorite moments in all of gaming happening in this one. It acts as a second part of the prequel to Transformers Prime.

The writing in both of these games is so amazing, and the gameplay is so much fun. I know you love videogames, so that's why I'm recommending these two you. HOWEVER, the cost is that these games are stupid difficult to get ahold of. You'll most likely have to sail the high seas, yo-ho-ho, if you catch my drift. I play these on my Xbox 360. Best of luck to you!

Anyways, there are other entries into the Aligned Continuity. There's a set of three novels that I've heard are stellar. If you're looking for a show for young kids but that is also fun for you to watch, you could always check out Transformers: Rescue Bots. That one has a small but devoted fanbase of older fans.

But do NOT touch the cartoon in this continuity called Robots in Disguise. Do not. It's marketed as a sequel to Transformers Prime. It is not. Not really. It's like the Halo 5 of Transformers. Every day I am reminded that it exists I am in pain.

---

And there lies the end of my introduction! If you actually did read all of this, congrats to you. Ironically, I'm not sure that you've really ended up more knowledgeable than you started. I didn't really go over anything specific about characters or plot or lore or anything. But I hope I've illustrated my point that to do so would be fruitless- this story exists in so many different iterations that you just have to go out and find the one that resonates the most with you, y'know?

My recommendation for getting acquainted with the franchise is to start with those first three G1 episodes, then move on to either Animated or Prime. You could also pick Beast Wars if you're looking for something with a more retro 90s charm, which I know you like from Marathon.

#transformers #transformers prime #tfp #long post

[oddygaul]

Godzilla Minus One

I’ve been going through something of a Godzilla crash course for the past year or so. When I was pretty little, I think I once rented a VHS of the original Godzilla from my local library. I don’t remember almost anything, but I think the themes and talking went over my head and I was mostly disappointed he wasn’t punching another monster. Then, I got a McDonald’s toy of the 1998 Godzilla, which was in my regular school backpack rotation for a while, and... that was about the extent of my experience with the guy.

Two of my best friends, though, are huge Godzilla stans who grew up watching just about every movie that’s ever released. After discovering my innocence, they’ve taken it upon themselves to educate me in his big scaly ways.

Most of these screenings were well before I started keeping this journal, so I don’t have deep thoughts on them. We started with Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla - wasn’t impressed by the robotic human characters, but Kiryu is sick as fuck, no getting around it. Next was Anno’s Shin Godzilla - as a lifelong Evangelion fan, I was really tickled by how much the entire movie felt like an extended, live-action Operation Yashima sequence, and the half dozen remixes of Decisive Battle were the icing on the cake. Final Wars, despite clearly being made by some folks who had just seen The Matrix and wanted in on that action, was exactly my kind of schlock and I honestly can’t wait to rewatch it. Tokyo SOS was kind of forgettable? …outside of the scene where the rival punches a fly out of the air one inch from someone’s face, which I now do weekly. And finally, All Monsters Attack was a wild fever dream of a movie; the plot is about a child vividly hallucinating Godzilla fighting giant crabs and shit in order to deal with his own growth and confidence issues, and that all works… exactly as well as it sounds like it would work. Overall, I’ve certainly enjoyed my time with the franchise, but it’s certainly in a more, I dunno, popcorny way.

So color me surprised having seen Minus One and being genuinely impressed on all fronts!

This is easily the most compelling human storytelling out of all the Zils I’ve watched. To be honest, during the long gap between Godzilla’s introduction and his reappearance in the plot, I got so fully invested in the characters and the story that was unfolding, it was a little jarring having a big monster show up. The emotional core of the story, based around a found family trying to find meaning in their lives in a devastated, post-war Japan, was genuinely engaging, well-acted, and absorbing. I guess Godzilla being there is what got my butt into the seat, but I honestly wouldn’t have minded a more grounded take on this scenario/era either.

I quite liked that Godzilla’s design in this movie felt focused around his aquatic habitat - he felt very lithe, crocodilian and deadly in the water.

Similarly, after spending so much time digging into the hopelessness felt at large by the citizens we see, and the widespread devastation of Tokyo after the firebombing, Godzilla coming in and attacking Ginza felt like a gut punch. Typically, in the Godzillas I’ve watched, at least, the moment where Godzilla finally shows up and wrecks shop is a moment for the audience to cheer. You recognize that the horror and destruction he’s wreaking is bad, of course, but for one reason or another the blow is usually softened tonally. In Shin Godzilla, for example, we watch plenty of montages of Japan’s well-oiled, calm evacuation plans being carried out, so we’re not worried as much about the human toll. In the more creature feature entries, like Tokyo SOS, these type of scenes are more WWE throwdown than human catastrophe - the city’s really just backdrop, and it’s time to get hype. Minus One even has some moments like this, in my opinion - the scene when Godzilla first engages the battleship and they cut off his iconic roar has strong “real done with your shit” vibes that make the film’s debut atomic breath a real crowd-pleaser.

But man, the Ginza scene? Absolutely devastating. Panicked, weary crowds, scores of people visibly trampled underfoot, the black rain calling back to Japan’s nuclear strikes… the entire scene is designed to be a nightmare, and I thought it was a powerful decision in a franchise movie to make the viewer squirm and wish the titular character hadn’t shown up at all.

“Godzilla, bro, look. My job? The job I’m working to feed this orphan who showed up on the doorstep of my dead parents' house? That job is shooting active mines out of the ravaged coasts of my country on a fishing boat at great personal risk to myself and my only friends. Did we really need this? Was this warranted? Could you just like, fuck off?”

Overall, I just can’t get over how strong the character work and theming was. There’s a lot of musing on the value of a life, survivor’s guilt, and people grappling with the aftermath of a lost war while figuring out how they can still make a difference in their community. In the opening scene, you can already tell from the conversation between the main character and the engineer that they both understand the war is over, and yet Shikishima carries guilt with him the entire movie about not committing the meaningless sacrifice his country asked of him. He’s absolutely wracked with guilt, feeling that he’ll be rejected by society for failing - and to a degree he is, especially in the first act. After that, though, time and time again, the movie shows a community coming together, refusing to let each other give in and succumb to guilt, and finding ways to rebuild their home and move forward on their own terms, rather than under the direction of a government that's abandoned them.

The standout scene for me was Shikishima’s trauma coming to a peak when he wakes up at night and questions if he’s been dead all along, wondering if his current life is just a hallucination. I feel like I’ve seen that exact scene or moment in other media before, but it always felt like empty words, unconvincing; here, the buildup and acting was just so stellar that I fully resonated with this broken man and bought every word.

#will's media thoughts / virtual brain repository #movies #godzilla #godzilla minus one

[1997thebracket]

Round 4

Note: This is a three-way poll to even our numbers going into the semi-finals! Only the winner will advance to the final four!

Pokémon TV Series: I want to be the very best, like no one ever was. The Pokémon TV series or Pokémon anime is the iconic all-ages animated show based on the immensely popular Pokémon trading card and video game franchise. Premiering in 1997, the series follows the irresponsibly-young adventures of a trainer named Ash Ketchum and his electrifying companion Pikachu as they travel through the many regions in the Pokémon world, capturing and training Pokémon, competing in battles, and aiming to become Pokémon Masters. Along the way, they encounter friends and rivals, foil the plans of the villainous Team Rocket, and of course document and capture lots of funny little guys (Pocket Monsters, as it were.) You gotta catch 'em all!

Princess Mononoke: Cut off a wolf’s head, and it still has the power to bite. Princess Mononoke is a critically acclaimed animated film created by renowned director Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, released in 1997. The film tells a complex environmental story, set in a fantastical ancient forest based on late Muromachi period Japan; we join a young warrior, Ashitaka, who becomes embroiled in a conflict between the inhabitants of the forest and a mining town encroaching on their land. At the heart of the story is San, a human girl raised by wolves, and Lady Eboshi, the leader of the mining community. Princess Mononoke is admired by Ghibli and non-Ghibli fans alike for its beautiful hand-drawn animation and its exploration of the themes of nature, industrialization, and the delicate balance between the consistent push of humanity and the weariness of a long-surviving environment. It was the highest-grossing film in Japan for 1997, and also held Japan's box office record for domestic films until Miyazaki’s 2001 release Spirited Away.

End of Evangelion: It all returns to nothing. So says the haunting tune 'Komm, Süsser Tod' by Arianne, which soundtracks the fate of humanity in the End of Evangelion. The film serves as an alternate ending to the original anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, which bewitched viewers with the then-unconventional match of giant mecha and existential depression all wrapped up in religious iconography. The final episodes of the anime are incredibly cerebral and proved controversial for viewers at the time, which led to director Hideaki Anno further expressing himself in the 1997 film... which took the heady themes and conflicting stylistic choices of the show and put them in a high-octane blender, along with a tall glass of Human Tang. At its core, End of Evangelion asks if individualism is the one great folly of humanity and the source of our suffering, or if it is the very point of it; it shows the loss of barriers between people and subsequent extinction of loneliness as a sort of cosmic horror. Looking back at the scenes, imagery, and music most associated with the anime and its continued influence, much of the franchise's legacy stems from the End of Evangelion.

#pokemon anime #princess mononoke #studio ghibli #end of evangelion #neon genesis evangelion #1997

[littleeyesofpallas]

I realize in this* convoluted series of posts I was so focused on gym leaders and elite four as the sort of core of any games cast that I just casually neglected a bunch of side characters, so I figure it's a good time to go back and rectify some of that, starting with the now topical Kalos team...

*[Kanto] [Johto] [Hoenn] [Sinnoh] [Unova] [Kalos] [Alola] [Galar] [Hisui] [Champs] [Paldea] [Paldea2] [Paldea3] [Teams] [Misc.]

While they are in fact all named after plants, they are also themed around the ABCMX classification system for solar flares.

Aliana's name is actually AKEBI[アケビ] as in akebi[木通] the japanese name of the Akebia quinata, commonly called the chocolate vine, five-leaf chocolate vine or just five-leaf akebia.

Bryony's name in japanese is just BARA[バラ] as in bara[薔薇]: "rose." A bizarre choice for a character with a green motif, and odd for such a minor side character when Roses are so iconic and universally beloved. Kind of feels, like a waste.

Celosia's name was CORREA[コレア] after the genus of flower shrubs that includes things like the common correa(aka native fuchsia), the Salmon Correa i used in the picture above, and the Dusky Bell among others.

Mable is in fact named MOMIJI[モミジ], after momiji[紅葉]: Japanese Maple, which seemed confusing at first, as those are obviously famously red leaved, but it turns out there are some prizes cultivars that can turns range of purples and violets instead, and as an odd result of this there are notorious scams built around the faking of a mythic japanese blue maple mutation. (Although the other flowers aren't perfect matches to their girls' color schemes either so maybe that's a coincidence)

Xerosic's name was originally XEROSICY[クセロシキ] named after Xerosicyos, a genus of plant notable for their round flat leaves, perhaps most notably the Xerosicyos danguyi: the Silver-Dollar Plant.

oh but there's more...

But other than the obvious Flare association, it also ties back into the sun themes evoked by Lysandre being a descendent of AZ/his brother and as a kind of Kalos/France tied to the Parfum Palace/Palace of Versailles, is a parallel to King Louis XIV, le Roi Soleil:"The Sun King".

Also Lysandre's name in Japanese is just straight up Fleurdelis[フラダリ] which is of course extremely silly sounding. But the ⚜️ is itself designed after the Lily flower, and of course so is the Ultimate Weapon and AZ's special Floette.

In this vein I figured I could tackle a handful of other villain teams. A fun if obtuse one is that the extended Team Rocket cast in HGSS are in fact all named after rockets, both space ships and missiles.

Archer was originally APOLLO[アポロ] named after the Apollo Missions carried out by NASA throughout the 60s, utilizing the Saturn V model rockets that would eventually put the first manned crew on the moon with the Apollo 11.

Ariana is ATHENA[アテナ] was named after the Athena series rockets built and launched throughout the 1990s. I get the feeling they just picked it because it had a conveniently complementary name to Apollo.

Petrel is LAMBDA[ラムダ] is named after a family of rockets made in Japan and launched the first Japanese satellite, the Osumi, into space in 1970.

and finally Proton was just LANCE[ランス] and seemingly named after the MGM-52 Lance missiles developed by the US military in the `1970s.

Oddly while Maxie and Archie are named after flowers...

Maxie was MATSUBUSA[マツブサ] after the matsubasa[松房] tree, a type of star anise with a distinctive red starburst shaped flower.

Archie was AOGIRI[アオギリ] the Chinese-parasol tree, which is actually kind of underwhelming plant to have as a namesake, but the actual etymology of the name aogiri[青桐] is "Blue+Pauloniwa" and I assume the association with Blue is really the motivating factor re.

Courtney was KAGARI[カガリ] from kagari[篝] the Japanese word for a metal basket like structure that you put on a pedestal or tripod to put firewood in to burn as like a big torch. It can also refer to a bonfire.

Tabitha is HOMURA[ホムラ] from homura[炎] which is just the word for a flame or a blaze.

Matt is just USHIO[ウシオ] from ushio[潮]: "tide"

and Shelley is IZUMI[イズミ] from izumi[泉]: a "spring" or "fountain" of water.

Galaxy's are all obvious, although in English they renamed Pluto to Charon, Pluto's coorbital moon.

Oh and Cyrus himself being the only person not named after a planet, was named AKAGI[アカギ] after the Bishop Wood tree, akagi[赤木].

Okay so for one it's bonkers that N's real name is NATURAL HARMONIA[ナチュラル・ハルモニア] which, given some context I'm going to say is a reference to Natural Harmonics in music. But let me be real with you: I don't know shit about music theory so I cannot verify that claim, nor was I able to verify if the image I was googling to throw up here even accurately depicts "Natural Harmony" so take this one in particular with a hefty grain of salt...

And with that disclaimer in mind, Ghetsis's name is actually G-Cis HARMONIA[ゲーチス・ハルモニア], G-Cis as in "G-C♯" which is a tritone, and tritone's have the curious nickname of "The Devil's Interval" or diabolus in musica:"The Devil in Music" because of the extreme dissonance the gap in tone makes.

then there's N's foster sisters, Anthea, whose real name is VERBENA[バーベナ], after the flower Verbena, which has a variety of divine and mystical associations in western culture.

and Concordia's name is actually HELENA[ヘレナ] named after the St.Helena Olive, which I take from her epithet as "Goddess of Peace" is meant to reference an olive branch as a symbolic peace offering.

Then there's also Colress, named Achroma[アクロマ] as in "Achromatic", as in Without Color, hence the English name being "Colorless."

And then there's the other sages:

ROOD[ロット] Dutch for "Red"

Bronius was originally SUMRA[スムラ] from the arabic word samra[*] for "brown/tawny/deep yellow." (*I tried to copy paste the arabic text here but for some reason it and the brackets together were really screwing up the formatting...)

GIALLO[ジャロ] like Rood was unchanged, and is just Italian for "Yellow."

Ryoku was shortened from RYOKUSHI[リョクシ] as in ryokushi[緑色]: "green."

Gorm was AZULA[アスラ] From the Spanish Azul:"Blue"  

and Zinzolin was named ヴィオ[ヴィオ] from Violet. Technically a few languages all spell it the same, but of note, the "English" name Zinzolin is French for a reddish-violet color

Bafflingly the Seven Sages includes Ghetsis, who of course is not named after a color, so between him and Bronius/Sumra being brown, they do not make a seven color rainbow spectrum. Why no Indigo or Orange? And why a green sage when Ghetsis and N have such strong green color coding? Why don't the sprites for the sages match their color namesakes???

Also the Seven Sages could have been a harmonic scale reference, yet aren't?? despite N and Ghetsis' thing.

It's interesting that Zinzolin is the one sage who comes back with NeoPlasma in BW2, and he is the one named in French... I wonder if he'll make an appearance in Z-A.

Team Skull we did in the Alola captains batch oh wait wtf no I didn't.. Weird, I coudl have sworn iI included Plumeria and Guzma since they were clearly positioned as sort of pseudo captains for Poison and Bug types.

Guzma's name was in fact just GUZMA[グズマ] in Japanese, from the Guamania genus of Tufted Airplant

and Plumeria's name was PLUMERI[プルメリ] from the plumeria flower, aka frangipani.

But there's still the Aether Foundation, the "surprise" real evil team of the game. Lusimine, Lillie, Gladion, Faba and Wicke.

Lillie's name is basically the same in English and Japanese, LILIE[リーリエ] the German name for the lily, and of course her overall disposition and design are clearly based on a pure white lily.

Gladion's name is GLADIO[グラジオ] it could easily refer directly to the Gladiolus flower, the "sword flower", but I'm assuming it's from Gladiole specifically, as that's the German name for the flower, and the whole of not just Lusamine's family but the Aether staff as well are all named in German.

Lusamine's name is basically the same in Japanese, although it was probably meant to be romanized as LSAMINE[ルザミーネ] because it comes from Balsamine, German name of the Balsam plant,

Faba's name was Saubuoh[ザオボー] from Saubohne, German name for the Fava bean, which accounts for his coloration.

Wicke is just WICKE[ビッケ] again the German name for the Vetch plant.

oh and Mohn's name is MOHN[モーン] and it's German for Poppy. Unlike the Poppy in Paldea, whose look is based on the flower in bloom, I'm pretty certain from his build and his hair/hat that Mohn is supposed to look like a Poppy seed, the type you'd harvest milk of the poppy, or poppy's tears from... to make opium...

Also the Ultra Recon Squad, who have a fun theme were, to play into the way they come from a lightless alien world, they're all named after underwater plants or algae. I especially like the algae ones because despite how some alga, like kelp and seaweeds tend to look, they are not in fact plants, and this familiar yet different relationship feels like it fits the themes of the Ultra Beasts.

Dulse is in fact just DULSE[ダルス] a type of algae found in the waters around Ireland and Sctoland

Zossie's name is AMAMO[アマモ] from amamo[甘藻] the Japanese name for Eelgrass(Zostera marina)

Soliera's name is MIRIN[ミリン] which is the Japanese name for the genus Solieria

Phyco's name is SHIONIRA[シオニラ] is from the Japanese name for the Alismatales order of plants comprising a wide range of species, some of which grow near bodies of water, some grow in or above the water, and others still grow entirely underwater.

So obviously Rose is ROSE[ローズ], who I guess msut have seemed too obvious because I totally skipped him before... His brother Peony is a play on the fact that the Rose and Peony are sort of undisputed romantic icons in the west and east respectively, although some of the rose's reputation has bled into the east as well. (also i forgot to put it in the image but the Tudor rose and Galar being England feels obvious even if it didn't really play into the plot or themes of SwSh's story)

Speaking of Peony... His daughter Peonia's name is actually SHAKUYA[シャクヤ] from shakuya[芍薬] the Japanese name for the Chinese peony (Paeonia lactiflora)​.

Oleana's name was actually just OLIVE[オリーヴ].

Oddly there's not really anyone of note that's actually a member of Team Yell, they don't have a real leader or admins, just Marnie as the object of their support.

I did everyone in Team Star in my first Paldea post, but worth noting is the alias Cassiopeia refers to the constellation, hence team Star, but moreover the individual star squads are each named after a major star within the constellation: Segin, Ruchbah, Tsih, Schedar, and Caph. (Tsih and Navi are two names for the star γ(gamma) Cassiopeiae, just labeled "γ" above.)

And with that we're all brought up to speed with evil teams, until Z-A drops some new ones on us...

#pokemon #pokemeta i guess #oof i didn't stop to think about how loooong a post this was gonna make

[thedepartmentofdiscoveries]

Fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion can now slice into Angels while reliving moments from the series' modern movie trilogy.

The Evangelion Progressive Knife PKN-01C replica recreates a key weapon from the series, allowing fans to relive a scene from Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone. Based on a weapon used by the EVA Unit-01, the prop may be a mere toy, but it's still a tantalizing piece for collectors looking to put on their shelves. Most importantly, the Progressive Knife even plays voice clips and a song sound bite from the series as well -- and perhaps best of all, fans around the world, not only in Japan, are able to purchase it.

At approximately 340mm (or 13.4 inches) long, the Evangelion Progressive Knife PKN-01C almost looks like it could do some real damage. Along with folding the fake weapon, collectors can also use the included cracked orb as a knife holder. This orb pedestal is based on the life cores of the gigantic Angels in the series. It's a rather violent way to showcase such a collectible, but the feature is one that Evangelion fans will appreciate.

The knife also plays over 25 voice clips from the series by voice actors Megumi Ogata and Kotono Mitsuishi. These two played Shinji Ikari and Misato Katsuragi, respectively and the clips further replicate the series' recent movie and the original anime TV show. Even the iconic "Decisive Battle" theme can be played through the knife, along with white LED lights to go along with the epic and familiar sounds. The Evangelion Progressive Knife PKN-01C is available for pre-order through the Japanese Evangelion store for 13,200 yen (approximately US$89), with a Buyee widget allowing fans from across the world to buy it.

#neon genesis evangelion #bandai #anime #manga #anime and manga #The Evangelion Progressive Knife PKN-01C replica #knives #knife #knife collectors #cyberpunk #shinji ikari #misato katsuragi #angels #nge angels #nge

[amazing-spiderling]

Since you wanted some Distraction Asks: Last impulse purchase that wasn't food. Last song you listened to. Last song you had stuck in your head that wasn't the one you listened to. Favorite coord (that's the word, right?)? Favorite accessories? Favorite memory of the last year? Favorite perfume or cologne?

Last impulse purchase: I have made... a lot of impulse purchases lately oops. >.> But most of them were Christmas gifts! Well, IDK if it's an impulse purchase if you let it sit for more than 24 hours... but I'm going to say the 4 LP record set of the Samurai Champloo soundtrack I picked up on Yahoo Japan. I really liked that series back when it was airing, and the music slapped. I have a small record collection but it's like 90% anime and game soundtracks lol.

Lat song I listened to: 黄昏のBay City as part of a "Future Funk" playlist on youtube.

Last song stuck in my head: "My Brothe: An Email Funk Opera" by Jazz Emu. It's... I don't know. Is catchy the right word? I just keep yowling out the spam email quality english. "AND I LIKE GIVE IT ALL TO YOUUUUU"

Favorite Coord: HARD TO PICK. Gosh, okay so when I was FINALLY able to go to a Takashi Murakami exhibit I made a coord inspired by "Mr. DOB" a character of his and that was a really silly, verging on costumey thing but it was something I'd wanted to do for years and I finally DID IT. Also, I have this Daredevil coord waiting for the right opportunity to wear it >.>

Favorite Accessories: My husband gave me a really sweet Chocobo silhouette necklace one year and it's very elegantly nerdy. On the less elegant side of things, I have a fanny pack that is like... reflective metallic blue plastic that appeals to the vaporwave fan at the core of me. I also have this... steel(?) ring. I don't know where it came from, but it appears to be made of one very long nail or screw with a hexagonal head. The body of the nail is then stretched out and smoothly curls around the head before bending back. The effect means that the hard edges of the head are surrounded by the soft curl of the hammered body and I thought that was a pleasing contrast- and I sort of adopted it as a symbol of how you can be soft on the outside, but still strong on the inside.

Favorite memory of the last year: It's been a heck of a year, hasn't it? Gosh, and time seems so fake, the days blur together. I spent a lot of time planning a Japanese fashion mixer for a small convention in my town. I wasn't able to spend much time there because of I'm high risk for Covid complications, but THANKFULLY the con chair made masks and vaccines a requirement so I was able to show up for some portions. I got to meet up with an art icon MINORI and purchse some of her artwork, which was wonderful. While I wasn't able to attend most of the mixer (since people were unmasked and eating) I skipped out to go eat some (awesome) Venezuelan food on a patio and dipped back in as things were winding down. People seemed to be having an amazing time and enjoyed the theme and decor I put together, which was really satisfying after putting so much hard work into it.

Favorite perfume or cologne: I don't usually wear the stuff? I have some bottles of like... fruity smelling bath and body works nonsense, but this is just never a thing I got into. I just smell things and go "yep, that's a smell. It smells like x!" but I don't really have opinions about them. Anyways, my go to body sprays are the like, mango or raspberry nonsense because i want to smell like a snow cone or cake, I guess.

#thank you for the asks #it was nice to take a moment to think about the past year

[seandanconia]

CAPTAIN HARLOCK ART (+ STRANGER THINGS + KITARO)

Sean Danconia presents his UltraMod eye on the world of Captain Harlock, GeGeGe no Kitaro, Stranger Things and Ready Player One, culminating in a wild pop-art collage of candescent cyberpunk. “Ready Stranger One” (Mixed-Media, w/ Acrylic on Canvas) was originally released at Los Angeles’ contemporary art destination—Mouche Gallery (February 2022). Current edition offerings are available at the Danconia Gallery. Several distinct releases include: 1) the Mixed-Media original with unique graphic and painted details (30 x 45 in), 2) hand-embellished and standard Limited Editions at 24 x 36 in (with arcade + VHS-influenced side art), 3) Print and Color Proofs at 17 x 22 in (luster paper, archival ink) and 4) Omakase Editions at 8.5 x 11 in (luster paper, archival ink).  https://vimeo.com/749796485 GeGeGe no Kitarō (ゲゲゲの鬼太郎), originally known as Hakaba Kitarō (墓場鬼太郎, “Kitarō of the Graveyard”), is a Japanese manga series created in 1960 by Shigeru Mizuki, who recently passed away. It’s best known for its popularization of the folklore creatures known as yōkai, a class of spirit-monster which all of the main characters belong to. This story was an early 20th-century Japanese folk tale performed on kamishibai. It has been adapted for the screen several times, as anime, live action, and video games. (Source: Wiki)

Captain Harlock close-up | Ready Stranger One | Stranger Things-themed Artwork by Sean Danconia Ready Stranger One: B-Movie Storyline Kazuki Sato is a gamer in HorrorScope—a banned quantum metaverse (powered by our dreams / nightmares), based on classic anime and 80’s cult cinema. Sato, famous for his unbeatable avatar—Shigeru Mizuki’s Kitaro and his mastery of Japan’s mythic underworld (Yomi-no-kuni), has his game turned on its head by a player named Kozika (a demonic Frank Kozik-inspired Hello Kitty) who triggers an apocalyptic scenario by importing and opening a self-replicating Lament Configuration puzzle box, made famous in Clive Barker’s Hellraiser.  An invasion of the game at a sub-atomic level takes place, and the Mazone—hellish villains of Captain Harlock fame, begin to destroy everything in their path—both virtually and physically—by infecting the game with a (Go Nagai) Devilman virus. Kitaro must summon the game’s original (now dead) creator—”The Stranger” (striking resemblance to Harlock), who assists him in assembling a team of anime rebels to fight the impossible threat, while the Devilman infection spreads, threatening to turn them all into servants of the evil Mazone Queen—Rafflesia—or whatever force is behind her…

Elements inspired by Megazone 23, Gatchaman, Wicked City, etc. While the art features a full metaverse of icons, iconography and memorabilia, here’s a lengthy list of some of the most notable elements: - GeGeGe no Kitaro, along with Nezumi Otoko (Rat Man), Medama-Oyaji (Kitaro’s eyeball-like Dad), Kasa-Bake (holding a Franken-Kitty), Ittan Momen, Neko-Musume along with several Hello Kitty x Kitaro Gotochi-inspired characters, along with Mizuki’s Ukiyo-E style Japanese wave art - Leiji Matsumoto’s Captain Harlock, the Mazone Queen Rafflesia (with Wicked City nails) and core elements inspired by Kitaro including the Cosmo Dragoon gun - Speaking of guns, Kitaro holds a “Space Adventure Cobra” gun borrowed from a Figma release, modified slightly (it shoots bullets filled with a substance made famous in Phantasm but turned green in recent years) - Go Nagai’s Devilman (which Kitaro is morphing into along with Speed Racer, who rides on Akira’s motorcycle in the background on a Tron-like loop-de-loop) - Kawaii-style Kinnikuman (キン肉マン) cradles a bowl of Medama-Oyaji (naturally) - Harlock is being poked by the iconic Gashadokuro (Utagawa Kuniyoshi, “Souma no furudairi (相馬の古内裏)” also known as “Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre“.) - Wicked City’s Makie’s eyes can be seen in the background with a close up on her (and lovely manicure) on the right side. - a Kozik-inspired Hellraiser Kitty-Chan (Kozika) holds a Lament Configuration (designed from actual schematics, with added Golden Dawn symbol for fun) - Mobile Suit Gundam Crossbone(機動戦士クロスボーン・ガンダム) - Mazinger Z’s Koji Kabuto hybrid mash-up with Grendizer x Mazinkaiser (マジンカイザー). - Mach 5 with Back to the Future’s DeLorean license plate. - Koji Kabuto rides a Garland from Megazone 23 - Ken Washio from Science Ninja Team Gatchaman and his plane - Ninja Hattori-Kun as Daruma(with his own mask from 20th Century Boys) - Casshan’s robot dog, Friender - Packaged in an 80’s Horror x Stranger Things x Ready Player One x Cyberpunk x Miami Vice x Blade Runner (VHS) colorations + iconography / vibe - Nod to January Wayne of Jacqueline Susann’s “Once is Not Enough”

Captain Harlock (Ref. The Cockpit)

Gundam Crossbone

Gashadokuro

Hell-O-Raiser Kitty “Ready Stranger One” was created by Sean Danconia as a commission for a Kitaro + classic anime / manga fan. The collage itself (and final mixed-media painted original) utilizes a range of techniques including but not limited to: acrylic paint, acrylic gel, pigment markers, archival ink, spray paint, hand drawing (digital and traditional), photography, 3D / CGI effects, iconographic collage, silver bullet cuttings, typographic art and lettering, etc.  Feel free to get in touch with us for any commission concept and quote. We have various price points available depending on size, complexity, medium and time frame. Make your art dreams come true today!

Color Proof (Luster Giclee, Archival Ink) of "Ready Stranger One" (The Danconia Gallery, Dallas TX) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWAtSxvoe4g Read the full article

#Animeart #Art #CaptainHarlock #captainharlockart #clivebarker #cobra #CyberpunkArt #devilman #gashadokuro #gegegenokitaro #GoNagai #goldorak #Grendizer #gundamcrossbone #HelloKitty #hellraiser #japaneseghosts #kaijuyūrei #kinnikuman #kitaro #kitaroart #LeijiMatsumoto #MatsumotoArt #MazingerZ #mazone #megazone23 #movieposter #neko-musume #nezumiotoko #ninjahattori-kun

[caitlinmia]

Takashi Murakami

Who is Takashi Murakami? He is a famous Japanese contemporary artist and the founder of the Superflat Movement. But is also most known for his bright and colourful art. Born on the 1st February 1962 in Itabashi City, Tokyo, Japan, and from an early age he was heavily influenced by manga, anime, and Japanese art. With his love for art he pursued his career by studying at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and this is where he studied traditional Japanese art. Murakami was able to adapt and develop Japanese art to suit the aesthetics of todays world.

Takashi Murakami created the iconic Superflat Movement, the term Superflat refers to how in Japanese art in history has appeared to be flat and has continued to do so in modern time manga and anime by staying as 2D. Manga and Anime are a huge part of Japanese culture and has gone world wide and become a big part of the world entertainment. Japan has a large pop culture surrounding anime and manga and this brings in a lot of tourist attraction especially to the city of Tokyo. The Superflat characteristics are ‘bold cartoony outlines’ as well as bold cheerful colours and don’t show any depth or gradient. Superflat is similar to the pop art movement by Andy Warhol and Takashi Murakami even has a creative workshop called ‘Andy Warhol’s Factory’. Some common themes with the Superflat movement is to highlight Japanese entertainment culture of anime and manga but it also points out the disturbing side of this culture such a ‘Lolicon’ which can be described as childlike characters being sexualised. But on the other note the movement also highlights a massive part of Japanese cuteness culture of art work being kawaii.

His most recognisable character is Mr. Dob and he appears throughout Takashi Murakami’s art work, he can be noticed with his big round ears, wide circle eyes with eyelashes, and a big smile with sharp teeth. The character is playful and his name derives from the Japanese word “dobojite” which translates to “why?” It also refers to the markets of mascots like Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, and Pikachu to name some examples which with these mascots keeps markets and trends alive. Mr Dob first featured in a three panelled acrylic artwork titled 727, in the art work Mr Dob appears to be riding on a traditional Japanese portrayal of a wave, this is where Takashi Murakami begins to mix traditional art with modern art.

Another famous character concept that he has created was KaiKai and KiKi in the 2000s. These characters typically refer to the Kawaii concept in Japanese culture, as they are small cute little child like characters. The names KaiKai and KiKi actually refer to a 16th century term “kaikaikiki” which was used to describe significant paintings as “powerful and sensitive”. This shows how Takashi Murakami really brought in the traditional Japanese art form to bring about a new style and era.

A very core part of pop culture around the world is Takashi Murakami’s Flowers. Now everyone has seen these flowers and knows of these flowers, they are an iconic part of pop culture and are used to represent hyper child like pop. This character has appeared in a lot of places like Kanye West album covers and music, Billie Eilish’s You should see me in a crown music video, fashion such as Ben Baller Jewellery, Tourbillion Watches, Louis Vuitton, Vans, and supreme. This is just to name a few. The bright bold flowers is an iconic art work and will forever be remembered and used in pop culture.

I very much like Takashi Murakami’s work this is contemporary art that I can greatly enjoy and appreciate. The bright bold colours are very striking and appealing to the eye and draws your attention. The cartoony design and style creates a good sense of child like behaviour and inflicts a happy response. The mix with traditional Japanese art is a great way to pull history and the modern time together. As someone who already likes manga and anime, it was interesting to learn about the Superflat movement and how this extraordinary artist helped build pop culture and shape our entertainment industry today. Even though sometimes Murakami can repeat the same characters it actually is nice to see the characters being repeated as they are iconic figures of pop culture, they are the mascots.

[christinaklassenjpt3391]

2/14 Blog

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Godzilla. Initially, I had low expectations and was anticipating a more comical experience given the challenge of portraying a giant monster without the sophisticated CGI and visual effects we’re accustomed to today. However, the film proved to be far more engaging and immersive than I had imagined. At its core, Godzilla is a cautionary tale, a reflection of Japan's collective trauma in the aftermath of World War II and the horrors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Through the towering figure of Godzilla, a prehistoric creature awakened and mutated by nuclear radiation, Honda channels the fears and anxieties of a nation still reeling from the devastation wrought by nuclear warfare. The monster's destructive rampage through Tokyo serves as a reminder of the destructive power of science gone awry, a strong allegory for the consequences of unchecked technological advancement. Yet, along with the chaos and destruction, Honda infuses his story with a sense of empathy and compassion. Despite being a force of untold destruction, Godzilla is portrayed not as a mindless villain but as a tragic figure, a creature displaced and disoriented by the intrusion of human civilization. In his portrayal of the monster, Honda invites us to confront our own pride and the consequences of our actions and urges us to consider the ethical implications of our pursuit of progress and advancement at any cost. What struck me the most about the movie was how Honda took the time to delve into emotional impact of characters and deeper themes. He takes the time to show the characters devastation at their house being destroyed and the scientist perspective on the ecological implications of killing Godzilla. This added depth and meaning to the story, distinguishing it from many newer Godzilla films where the focus tends to be solely on the spectacle of giant monsters battling, with little attention given to character development or thematic exploration. Furthermore, the film’s cinematography and visual effects were stunning for the time that it was released. Despite the limitations of the era, the film's groundbreaking use of miniatures and practical effects still captivates audiences to this day. From the iconic scenes of Godzilla's towering silhouette against the backdrop of Tokyo's skyline to the breathtaking destruction wrought upon the city, Honda's direction elevates the film beyond mere spectacle, transforming it into an unforgettable experience. Beyond its cultural significance and technical achievements, Godzilla endures as a timeless piece of work due to its universal themes and enduring relevance. As our world grapples with the existential threats posed by climate change, nuclear proliferation, and other global crises, Honda's message resonates now more than ever. In Godzilla, we find a reminder of the fragility of human civilization and the urgent need for humility, compassion, and cooperation.

The image below is a Japanese movie poster for Godzilla in 1954.

[animehunch]

Highlighting The Best Aspects of Sword Fighting Anime

Sword-fighting anime has captured the hearts of many fans worldwide, and it’s no surprise why. The most recent example that comes to mind is Demon Slayer, which has become a trend across the globe.

The anime offers a unique and captivating experience that keeps enthusiasts coming back for more. However, this is not an aspect that is unique to just Demon Slayer, in fact, it defines the sword fighting anime genre in general.

Let’s delve into what makes sword fighting anime so irresistible.

1. Thrilling Swordsmanship

At the core of sword fighting anime lies the art of swordsmanship. Viewers are treated to intricate and skillfully choreographed battles where characters masterfully wield their swords. Remember the amazing fight Tanjiro and Uzui had against Gyuutaro, or maybe one of Ichigo’s iconic fights?

The fluidity and precision of these combat sequences are a visual delight. Whether it’s the clash of blades, the dazzling acrobatics, or the intense showdowns between rivals, sword fighting anime showcases the art of combat in a way that’s both thrilling and mesmerizing.

2. Epic and Diverse Characters

Sword fighting anime introduces us to a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique backgrounds, motivations, and fighting styles.

Protagonists often face formidable foes, and their character development is a central element of the narrative. From honorable samurai and knights to roguish anti-heroes, viewers can find a character to resonate with, making the journey through the story all the more engaging.

3. Intriguing Storytelling

Beyond the battles, sword fighting anime weaves intricate and often epic narratives. These stories can be set in feudal Japan (Demon Slayer), medieval Europe (Arslan Senki), or even fantastical realms (Bleach and Utena).

The quest for justice, revenge, or personal growth is often at the forefront, creating emotional depth and resonating with the audience. The intricate world-building and plot twists keep viewers eagerly awaiting each new episode.

4. Swordplay Styles and Techniques

Sword-fighting anime often delves into the nuances of various swordplay styles and techniques. Enthusiasts of the genre appreciate the attention to detail in how characters wield their weapons.

Different styles, like the precise Iaido, the elegant fencing, or the raw power of two-handed greatswords, provide a fascinating exploration of the art of sword combat. A special mention to Katanagatari is due here.

5. Memorable Rivalries and Friendships

One of the most enduring aspects of sword fighting anime is the development of intense rivalries and deep friendships. The heated clashes between rivals like Kenshin and Saito in Rurouni Kenshin or Inuyasha and Sesshomaru in Inuyasha leave a lasting impact.

These conflicts often evolve into friendships or alliances, showcasing the dynamic and evolving relationships that underpin the genre.

6. Artistic Animation

The animation in sword-fighting anime is often top-notch. The combination of dynamic fight choreography and the attention to visual detail enhances the viewing experience.

The animation can make even the simplest duel a visually stunning spectacle, and the use of special effects adds an extra layer of excitement.

7. Emotional Depth

While sword fighting is a central theme, sword fighting anime doesn’t shy away from exploring deep and complex emotions. Characters grapple with personal demons, loss, and ethical dilemmas. These emotional arcs make the characters more relatable and the stories more profound.

8. Iconic Weapons and Armor

Sword fighting anime introduces audiences to an array of iconic weapons and armor. From legendary blades like the Zanpakuto in Bleach to unique armaments with mystical powers, these items become central to the plot and provide a sense of wonder and excitement.

In conclusion, sword fighting anime combines thrilling action, intricate character development, and engaging storytelling to create an experience that fans find irresistible.

The genre’s ability to showcase the art of swordsmanship, diverse characters, and emotional depth keeps viewers eagerly awaiting the next epic battle or dramatic plot twist.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or just beginning to explore the genre, sword fighting anime offers something truly special for all.

If you are someone who loves sword-fighting anime, check out the best sword fighting anime for you to watch here!!

#anime #sword fighting anime #anime and manga

[kacch1n]

🌏🌼 ¡! 게 지쳐 : 𝗡𝟯𝗪 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝟰𝗧𝟯 ☆ _ 그녀는 너무 ?︿︿︿︿ ☆ ★ // ▒▒ 나는 보스 다 💭🎀 & ♡ !!

#anime #icons pack #soft icons #layouts anime #messy icons #anime messy #layouts #moodboard #anime moodboard #anime girl #haikyuu!! #haikyuu icons #haikyuu moodboard #japan core themes icons #japan core icon #anime boy #anime / manga #sports anime #messy packs #messycore #messy moodboard #edgy moodboard #alternative icons #messy #aesthetic icons #lq icons #viral #tumblr

[th-twinkly]

New moodboard<3

Like or reblog!!

♡

#icons #kpop #icon #moodboard #aestheitcs #anime moodboard #japan core #catluan #kpop moodboard #jungkook moodboard #new theme moodboard #death note icons #anime icon #wallpaper #rock indie moodboard #rock

[666-buzz]

Eternally! It still seems small ☆' and small find 🗑🤘 me please, please. ~~

#grunge moodboard #indie moodboard #kpop #alternative moodboard #death note #anime core #cottage core #random moodboard #tumblr gifs #kpop moodboard #edgy moodboard #messy icons #paralel #dark moodboard #kpop dark #gothic #japancore theme #japan moodboard #lim jaebeom #jayb moodboard #jb moodboard #def moodboard #jaebum moodboard #jaebum icons #got7 #got7 moodboard #messy layouts #grunge icons #archive moodboard #ryuk moodboard

[lannizcf]

G1RLS LAY0UTS !! ★

like or reblog if u use.

#girls layouts #japanese theme #japanese layouts #pink layouts #long locs #anime icons #japan core #icons kpop #kpop #messy layouts #kpop layouts #kpop packs #kpop girls #black layouts #japanese girls #japanese girls core #japanese moodboard #visual archive #twitter layouts #icons #messy icons #messy headers #ulzzang #ulzzang icons #ulzzang layouts

[freckles-web]

⌗ ⩇ 𝗆𝗈𝗈𝖽𝖻𝗈𝖺𝗋𝖽. 行こう 💭 — 倒 ﹌ marry me? 強 ﾉ ♡

⠀𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐓 ִֶָ 𓂃 金⠀:⠀⠀𓄧 ᥣᥱttᥱrs ៸៸ soft icons ‘ wonyoung 𓆇⠀ 🗒️

#japan aesthetic #moodboard aesthetic #soft core #moodboard soft #wonyoung soft icons #jungkook icons psd #taehyung bios #namjoon bios #kpop themes psd #loona bios #wonyoung icons #gg packs #gg lq #girlfriend #girls are amazing

[pleuvoire]

ok so.. where do i start with kamen rider

the real answer is you can start pretty much anywhere! as someone once said, you can just look at a list of summaries of series and see which one appeals to you (i have such a list in my pinned) because each one is standalone and has its own story and lore and stuff. like yugioh spinoffs basically. however here are my recs!

best series to start with, imo:

w (2009) - styled after detective dramas, stars a mysterious boy and a wannabe noir detective who turn into a single body-sharing superhero and solve crimes (of the “who is the true identity of the monster of the week” variety). widely beloved for its lovable characters, emotional themes, and memorable episodic plots. mostly monster-of-the-week, overarching plot is almost nonexistent. a “taking it easy” kind of show compared to some oter seasons

ooo (2010) - monsters that feed off human desire are attacking! one of them has become severely weakened, and teams up with our protagonist, a free-spirited vagabond, to try and get his body back, while giving him the power to fight the other monsters. tons of gay subtext. monster-of-the-week structure that gradually gives way to a bigger plot. much more emotional drama than w and will make you cry. one of my top 5 series

those are the two i started with and really the irreplaceable starter series in my mind! however here’s a few more good ones:

den-o (2007) - a time-traveling train fights monsters that feed off people’s unfulfilled wishes (yeah, same writer as ooo). starring a deeply unlucky young man who gets regularly possessed by a posse of colorful demons who have become some of the most iconic characters in kamen rider to date. has probably the least plot of any kr series, with a huge focus on episodic arcs. also one of the more kind and lighthearted series. you see this guy? that’s den-o

fourze (2011) - a fun high school romp with space motifs, also one of the more lighthearted series. starring a punk who has made it his mission to befriend everyone in his school - this is really, truly, the “friendship solves everything” season. widely beloved and often recommended as a starter, although i feel like its tone and especially its setting make it something of an odd one out among kr as a whole. this scene that went around on tumblr a lot (i can't find the tumblr post) is from fourze

build (2017) - in an alternate history japan divided by space magic into three different countries on the brink of war… yeah that’s basically the plot tbh. focuses a lot on the kamen rider core themes of Love And Peace, being anti-war, the burden of heroism, evil organizations doing experiments on humans, and of course gay subtext. a really strong and widely hyped up series, good summary of what kamen rider is about in general. only caveat is the plot moves at BREAKNECK speed compared to other kr series. still a good time, good solid show. dudes rock

ryuki (2002) - now on the one hand i feel like this one is really best enjoyed when you’ve already seen at least one other kr series, given how much of a subversion of the franchise formula it is (and yet, at the same time, how many ensuing kamen rider tropes it codified). however, i also think everyone in the world should watch ryuki, and also several of my friends started with it and they were fine, so. this one is about going into the mirror dimension to fight monsters, but also mostly a battle royale. one of my favorite shows of all time ever, and also one of the darker kr seasons (though tbf they were all like this in the early 2000s)

ok i hope that was helpful enjoy your motorcycle bugmen adventures

#✉️ #deaths