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i finished marineford arc!!

this is the best arc in my opinion! i have loved the arcs before, but as heartbreaking as it is, i love to see characters push past obstacles and limits.

this arc made me cry several times. ace is one of the most beautiful characters ever written. he's incredibly tragic, but i love how he became such a fantastic person despite the odds against him. growing from his rage, becoming a kind person who loves so strongly, and someone that many people look up to - all of these things make ace so amazing. i know that ace will always be a favorite of mine.

what i felt this arc did so well with was how balanced everything was. the writing, when it came to ace, luffy giving his all to save ace, garp feeling stuck in the middle, and the humor with buggy were all done so well. there was never a dull moment while watching.

the childhood episodes were so beautiful yet bittersweet. watching luffy try so hard to be ace's friend made me so emotional. ace, sabo, and luffy becoming an unstoppable sibling trio was so adorable. i loved how they were the first people who showed ace that he WAS deserving of human connection. all three of them became better because of each other. after losing sabo, ace took his significant brother role seriously, and luffy decided he would become strong enough to never lose anyone again. it was such beautiful writing.

luffy losing ace broke my heart. ace dying defending his father figure and saving his brother is so in character for him. he's never backed down from a fight, always protecting the people around him no matter what. although i wish ace was able to escape, i know that he did what he believed was best for his family. it's incredibly tragic yet beautiful.

i was so sad that the straw hats never met up with luffy. i was hoping that they would be able to reunite at some point. although i wish they were reunited as a crew, i also loved that luffy was going through one of the hardest things without them. it makes the situation that more upsetting. luffy wasn't surrounded by the people he trusted most to try to save his big brother.

watching luffy mourn his brother destroyed me!!!!! i cried so hard watching ace die that i had a migraine; it broke my heart completely. luffy screaming and crashing into trees while trying to forget what happened at marineford was HORRIFYING. we've seen him be so happy in every arc, and now we see luffy at his lowest possible moment. but instead of letting his rage consume him, luffy is reminded of the people he still has in his life. he can't allow himself to give up because he has people he wants to see. luffy lost his brother, but he still has his crew. watching luffy realize how much he misses his friends made me cry so much. he truly loves and cares for them. if it weren't for the connection he has with his crew, luffy wouldn't be able to move forward.

overall, this arc was AMAZING. pretimeskip was incredible. so many fun arcs and incredible ones, like skypeia, water 7, enies lobby, and marineford. i'm excited to see the crew together again in post timeskip.

ace is such a beautiful character. growing up hearing the world hate his father & hearing how they would harm gol d. roger’s child yet never letting it tear him down makes ace so resilient. he grew up with so much rage & resentment but because of sabo and luffy, he understood what it felt like to have people love you no matter what. all his life, he was wanting to find out if he was worthy of being born. he wanted to become a pirate so he can become something and make a name for himself. despite his self hatred, ace found his way to the whitebeard pirates who made him feel welcomed.

even though ace felt hated by the world, his ability to love was so strong. it takes so much strength to be kind & to love so deeply when all you know is hatred. yet, ace was able to become a captain a few months after sailing the seas. he became a commander with loyal followers. everywhere ace went, there were people who cared about him. ace grew up to be an amazing person who can love & be loved in returned.

in his final moments, ace protects luffy. his little brother, the one who was there with him in his youth, the one person who truly knows ace. even in death, ace chooses to act with love. he was born into the world hated but he died surrounded by people who love him so much. ace was finally able to see his life was worth something. rather than being angry, ace chooses to thank luffy & his crew for loving him. it’s a huge testament to his growth to be full of gratitude in his last moments rather than rage like he once was as a child. it destroyed me watching ace die. he deserved so much more. he deserved to live, to find himself, to grow stronger, to love more.

his character is truly heartbreaking but so beautiful. i will always love ace & miss him so much. <3

yona of the dawn 269 thoughts!!

i loved this chapter. hak & yona’s love for each other is so beautiful and strong. not even the dragon gods can keep them away from each other. hak proposing to yona because he can’t stand to leave her alone to die. they have come so far from all the trouble in the first few chapters to now persistently sticking together no matter what.

soowon stabbing the body of the crimson dragon is such a bold & strategic move that no one OTHER than soowon could pull it off. by doing so, the dragons are out of the chalice giving hak & yona time to save the three remaining dragons. with zeno able to defend, soowon & zeno are undeniably an amazing team.

i love how hak & yona working together parallels to when it was the two of them against the world in the beginning of the series. just like it was the two of them looking for the dragons, the two of them will now save them alongside zeno & soowon.

i’m looking forward to the next chapter! i hope we’re able to see what yoon is up to and hopefully nothing too bad will happen to the characters (i’m sure something bad will happen anyway tho 💔)

robin’s backstory is incredibly heartbreaking but so well written. learning the reason WHY ohara was obliterated while also seeing why robin is the way she is. for 20 years she had been hunted by people and the government without anyone to lean on. she lost the library full of knowledge, the archeologists who supported her, and her mother who she had JUST reunited with. she was only 8 years old when she had the entire world chasing after her.

the scholars of ohara had the ability to read poneglyphs that could explain what happened during the blank history. simply wanting to learn more about history is what caused ohara’s destruction. now robin is the only one in the entire world who can learn about what happened during that time. all because one single person is ABLE to learn about what really happened, the world government put an enormous bounty on her so she could be caught one day.

i have always liked robin’s character because of the small moments where it was clear she wasn’t TRULY evil. all she wanted was to get closer to what her loved ones devoted their lives researching. her life has been far from easy, having to run around finding ways to live. hearing people call her a “devil”, saying she couldn’t be trusted when it was all a way for her to live without getting turned in.

the scene where she finally speaks from the heart, shouting “i want to live” is one of the most beautiful moments in media i have ever seen. although it hasn’t been long, but robin has learned what it means to find people who love her. she has a crew full of people who not only care for her, but who would willingly declare war on the world government just to have her back with them.

all those years of suffering, her childhood of loneliness, having to deal with her trauma, have all led to this one moment. now robin can be true to herself. she can say what she truly wants because she isn’t alone anymore. robin now has friends who are willing to protect her.

i just finished watching vinland saga s1 and all i can say is WOW. for starters, this season was so well done; i was hooked from the first episode. the overall theme of war and violence was so well written. as it was stated by askeladd, before it was the danes causing destruction, it was the saxons and others before them. violence is a vicious cycle that, unfortunately, causes its victims, thorfinn in this case, to become just as violent or even more so than their perpetrators.

askeladd's last words perfectly emphasize how lost in revenge thorfinn was. while all the characters in the story move forward to achieve their goals (canute, askeladd, and thorkell), thorfinn is always stuck in his revenge plan. he goes along with whatever askeladd says to have the chance to duel and kill him, but that's all there is. thorfinn has been fixated on revenge for 10 years. everything he has done has been for the sake of killing askeladd. compared to canute who was much like the 6 year old naive, innocent thorfinn, he didn't stay in one place emotionally. after ragnar died, it didn't take long for canute to grow from his loss and search for a purpose in his life. however, thorfinn can not seem to let go. so when canute kills askeladd, all thorfinn can do is scream, beg, cry, and yell. his entire life's purpose is dying in front of him, and there's nothing he can do about it.

the look of despair on his face makes my heart break. despite his hatred for askeladd, the two had a genuine fondness. after all, throughout these 10 years, thorfinn had decided to stick beside askeladd in hopes of completing his revenge. thorfinn's one reason for living, his reason for never going back home, was to kill the man that murdered his father. now he's lost his one true purpose. thorfinn never thought beyond his revenge, almost like he had planned to live that way to the end. who could blame him? he was a child when he started seeking vengeance, and he's still a child now. being able to kill people doesn't change that fact. everything thorfinn has known for the past decade is now gone in the blink of an eye. what else does thorfinn have to live for?

"be a true warrior…son of thors”

this line, in particular, made me so emotional. out of all the last words to have for thorfinn, he chose these ones in particular. it shows the amount of respect he has for thors as a warrior and how he believes in thorfinn's capabilities. under different circumstances, i'm positive that thorfinn could have looked up to askeladd and developed a proper bond.

there's so much room for thorfinn's character to grow. with no sense of direction or purpose, it leaves room for many opportunities to develop his character so much more. although i'm sure there will be many challenges for him, i'm very excited to see where he ends up at the end of next season.

just read chapter 40 of witch hat atelier and my initial reaction was, "what the hell just happened?" but after rereading it, i think i've come to better understand qifrey's motives.

before it happens, qifrey starts to talk about how happy he is teaching the girls magic. he's at peace in his atelier, living and taking care of the four girls alongside olruggio but he still hasn't let go of what happened in his youth. in fact, the peacefulness he feels every day has made his uneasiness worse. now it isn't only just him that could be hurt. it's his precious students and olruggio that he has to lose now. there's much more at stake than there was before.

so while he begins to confess the truth, he doesn't allow olruggio to keep his memories. qifrey's trauma still haunts him even at his happiest. for some people, they would leave the horrible things in the past to enjoy the good they have in the present. but for qifrey it's an impossible thing to do. it would be so much better to have at least ONE person to confide to and have support you, but qifrey doesn't allow it. it's completely irrational and bound to create problems in the future, but it shows how far qifrey is willing to go to achieve his goal. he CHOOSES to look for answers all on his own knowing the path will be difficult.

qifrey is someone the girls look up to; we see him as a cheerful guy who is someone we can count on. but this chapter showed us that he's still that child searching for answers. it doesn't matter how much time has passed or how much wiser or stronger he has become; he can never move on from his past until he stops the brimmed caps' plan.

i wish qifrey acted in some other way or allowed himself to lean on olruggio but it adds more to his character. he's complicated; he has his own agenda, yet his love for the people in his life is undeniable. he will stop at nothing to find answers but won't endanger his loved ones to get them. this chapter was so well done, and i'm excited to see where this takes the story!

yona of the dawn 268 thoughts!!

once again, we have yet another hakyona-centered chapter; only this time, it’s a true testament of their love. i have been waiting for a hakyona reunion for SO LONG, and i am feeling so bittersweet now that it happened.

yona is faced with the decision to go to the heavens or have hak die. this is the last trick the gods have for her, and it was the best decision they could make. yona's love for the dragons is powerful, but her love for hak is immeasurable.

hak was the one to save her from soowon, was the one who protected her throughout their many obstacles, loved her so much yet was fine never telling her for her own sake. time and time again, hak has proven to cherish and deeply love yona. all these memories from the manga come to light in this moment to emphasize the strong connection between the lovers.

“i could never let you die.” despite yona’s perseverance in the chalice, this is the one time she has given up. her connection to hak is more profound than anything. the dragons may all be connected to one another, but hak is the one person she has stuck beside since childhood. in the face of danger, how could she possibly allow hak to get hurt? the one person whom she has vowed to protect? she picked up weapons IN ORDER to protect him, so how could she give up the love of her life? the answer is she can’t. not by a long shot!

“i’m counting on you.”

another important component in this chapter is hak relying on soowon. from the moment soowon betrayed hak and yona, hak has not been one to let it go. unlike the others, he can’t easily move on from such painful memories. although it seemed he was calm and collected, everytime he faced soowon a part of him was slowly breaking. hak’s love for Yona is undeniable, but he has also come to love the dragons & yoon. his desire to protect the ones he loves knows no bounds. he’ll put himself on the line to save yona repeatedly. however, now since he can call soowon his ally, he’s more than willing to rely on him.

after all this time watching hakyona and soowon become more estranged, we have FINALLY reached the point where all three of them can work together. although so much pain and suffering has happened, the love for one another has never changed. soowon is the best possible chance of saving everyone, and i’m so glad hak can see that again.

this chapter ends with a bittersweet ending of hak proposing to yona. despite the circumstances, he has managed to somehow stay alive in the chalice and even SPEAK to yona. although yona was more than willing to return to the heavens for him, we all know hak isn’t one to back down when it comes to yona.

i believe hak has no intention of giving up on saving yona and the dragons. he has shown many times that he isn’t one to back down when it comes to his loved ones. all he can do in this instance is keep yona pushing forward with her goal to save the dragons. the only one who has stuck beside her since the beginning has been hak. he has seen her at her weakest and has seen her at her strongest. he knows yona has what it takes to stand up again. so, all hak can do is give her some encouragement, show her he loves her, and believe that yona can save them all.

this chapter was beautiful, and although i was waiting for a hakyona reunion, i wish it was under better circumstances. but i’m so happy to see their love stay strong even through this painful arc.

i finished castlevania.

this was the perfect ending for these three. i could not stop crying while watching this episode. after all the struggle, fighting, pain, and death, they can finally be together again.

s4 ep9 was PERFECT. the trio reunited again, having to face their biggest battle yet. i had been waiting for them to reunite, and their reunion was done so well. i loved seeing them fighting together again. their chemistry while fighting is incredible, protecting each other like they've been fighting for years.

trevor telling sypha he loved her right before he fought death was so moving. i could not stop crying after that scene. these two have become one of my favorite ships, and seeing their relationship grow throughout the season has been such a beautiful watch. although the episode leaves on a cliffhanger, the buildup to the season finale was incredible.

trevor finally has someone he truly loves, and because of that love, he can become the hunter his family would be proud of. while sypha is trevor's strength, trevor is also sypha's. she was able to go on the adventures she always dreamed of and discover her strength thanks to her meeting with trevor. they saved villages, helped people, and fell in love along the way. not only did they find each other, trevor and sypha also found alucard. their connection and friendship give them all a start to a new life. these characters meeting in gresit was a fateful encounter that changed their lives forever.

in the series finale, we finally have sypha tell trevor she loves him, too. at this point, i could not stop crying. the love between them is so genuine and perfectly written. their development was done so well that you fall not only for their relationship but also for them as characters. they have so much respect for one another, they see each other for who they are. the bad, the good, and the ugly. they've seen it all on their journey, yet their love is stronger than ever.

alucard's ending made me so happy. after being consumed by grief and guilt, he's now FINALLY content with his life. even though he's dracula's son, he decided to defend humanity to honor his mom. he lost his parents, his new friends left him, and then he was alone in that big house. later on, he was betrayed by people he thought he could trust. alucard's humanity and vampirism will always be apart of his life, a constant battle that will go on for the rest of his life. however, he still loves people. he still values connection, and it has much to do with trevor and sypha. alucard learned the value of friendship from them, giving him hope despite the dark time he went through after they left.

now, at the end of the series, he has people and a community who depend on him, and he finally sees how much he has to offer the world. alucard now has his two favorite people by his side, a village that depends on him and humans he can trust. although there will be moments where he will grieve and be in pain, at least now he has a place to belong with people he cares for. i'm so happy he's finally able to smile <3

the ending with dracula and lisa was also very beautiful. finally reunited, given a second chance at life, and happy to be together again. it's so beautiful to see the series start and end with them.

i'm so happy I finally watched Castlevania, and i can easily say that the trio will be a favorite of mine for a long time!

castlevania s2 thoughts!! *spoilers*

I have been looking forward to watching this series FOR SO LONG. I have always loved dark fantasy in medieval settings, so I knew this show would be fun to watch!

s1 was a short but perfect way to begin the rest of the show. You meet the main characters, get introduced to Dracula and his rampage on mankind, and towards the end of s1, we finally get our trio together.

S2 began the journey of fighting Dracula. What I loved the most was watching Sypha, Trevor, and Alucard warm up to one another as the season went by. The annoyance between Trevor and Alucard while Sypha was the mediator was so sweet to see! They were able to rely on each other despite barely meeting.

Once the trio found their way to the Belmont house, I knew I would love these characters for a long time! Watching Trevor remember his family's relics was so bittersweet. Knowing that he was forced to flee his ancestral home because of the church was heartbreaking, but as he walked through the halls, you could see the inner child in him heal little by little. Sypha running around excited about the books was so cute; she's such an intelligent woman who's not afraid to put herself in danger for what's right. While she's studying and Trevor is looking, Alucard is roaming around looking at all the deceased vampire remains. Although Alucard is on the side of humans, he is part vampire at the end of the day. It added more to Alucard's character. You could see the individual character's personalities shine brighter as they take in the belmont library and i love that!

The Dracula plotline is very interesting because he always seems indifferent to his scheme to end the human race. While the vampires who worked under him are desperate to wreak havoc, Dracula sits in his room quietly. Obviously, he wasn't as involved in his plan as he once was. He was a shell of the man he once was, which became more evident in the season finale. Watching him tear up at the thought of killing his son DESTROYED ME!! As stated many times in the series, Dracula is a brilliant man, yet it is clear to Alucard and himself that he is no longer the person he used to be.

Carmilla was an interesting character who constantly worked to make her plan succeed. She manipulates Hector, uses the vampire's anger to hatch her plan, and persuades Dracula to move the castle, all steps toward her potential success.

However, all it took was a hunter, a witch, and a half-vampire to take down the most feared creature in the land. As the trio storms the castle, they quickly take control and fight off all their enemies. The teamwork was insane to watch. It was like these three had known each other their whole lives. The chemistry between them is what I love the most about this series. It's obvious they were all destined to meet and save the world together.

The season finale was so bittersweet. For starters, Sypha and Trevor's decision to travel together and continue their mission was so beautiful!!! They have so much respect for each other; you can see how much stronger they are together. Trevor was able to find a meaning for himself, while Sypha was able to realize how much she had to offer the world. These two together will be unstoppable!! I'm so excited to see their continued character growth and how their romance grows!!

On the other hand, the ending scene with the Alucard broke my heart. To save the world, he had to kill his father in his childhood home. Alucard understood his father was grieving; he was too, yet he knew he had to protect the human race in honor of his mother. Watching him cry alone brought tears to my eyes. He's such a lonely soul. Although Trevor and Sypha gave him a new purpose, his grief and sadness are still too much for him. I'm hoping we'll be able to see him heal in the next season.

overall, castlevania s2 is easily 10/10!!! It is such an amazing season, and I can't wait for more!!

my thoughts on erased!!

i have heard about this series for a long time, but for some reason, i didn't see it until recently. although the big plot twist was spoiled for me (i'm sure everyone knows what i'm talking about), i still wanted to try the series!

the first episode was one of the best pilots i have ever seen for a series. it managed to hook you in in a short amount of time, full of drama and suspense every minute. i knew from that first ep i was going to be full of so much tension watching!

i loved watching satoru do his best to give kayo a chance to live. she was such a sweet girl that i became attached to her immediately. it takes a village to save someone's life, and it was beautiful to see the group of friends kayo made throughout the series.

although it was stressful, it was such a great decision to have satoru's chance at fixing the past fail the first time. given with how much was at stake, i figured that merely changing the date of her death wouldn't be enough to keep her alive, which ended up being true.

i also really liked how yashiro was written. although i already knew he was the killer, I could see some instances that hinted he was the one to blame, but his charismatic nature made it easy for no one to suspect him. he had information on all the students, and given how trustworthy he was, it was no wonder he could succeed the first two times.

in my opinion, the ending of the series was very well done. i know some people disliked how kayo didn't "wait" for satoru, but i feel that their romance was irrelevant. kayo needed someone to save her, and satoru was the one who was determined to do it. i loved seeing kayo get her happy ending with a family that loves her unconditionally.

i also loved how satoru was at peace knowing for those 15 years he was in a coma, that those friends he saved were able to live their lives peacefully. although it came at a cost, satoru had already lived a lifetime without those friends full of burden. this time, he was able to save his friends and begin a new life.

overall, i could see why this series remains as popular as it is! it was an incredible watch full of emotion and suspense!! i'm glad i finally gave it a watch, and i hope more people get to see it!

yona of the dawn 265 thoughts

this chapter was not only stressful but also very beautiful. it really highlights how terrible the situation is for the characters while also showing us how much they care for one another.

zeno’s face in this panel absolutely broke me. although he plans to end his life, he never wants to hurt yona or the dragons in order to get his wish. yet at this moment, he’s been told that yona is somewhere out of reach. calling her “miss” after turning his back on her shows that his feelings for his new family were never a lie.

zeno has had this one goal taken away from him. everything he had hoped, now out of reach. his brothers get the chance to be human, which is the one thing zeno has always wanted yet can never have. i can not imagine the pain he is feeling. although he says it’s okay as long as yona is returned to earth, as readers, we know how important it was for zeno to be human. after all that pain and suffering, the gods won’t grant zeno’s wish. it makes me so mad. this makes me think that zeno will be one of the few that won't ever get his happy ending.

how beautiful is it that the intense feelings that kija, shinah, and jaeha have for one another be the reason they wake up. seeing how zeno was being treated made them fight. they would do anything to protect their family, and i find it so beautiful that even when zeno turned his back on them, his dragon brothers stayed by his side.

things looked like they would change, but the dragon gods showed no mercy. causing shinah to go blind and ripping off kija’s arm hurt my soul. the dragon gods we thought were these amazing spiritual beings have no issue inflicting pain on their descendants. it’s disgusting to me. the dragons we all grew to love and know don’t matter in the grand scheme. they are simply reincarnations of the dragon gods.

but what i find so amazing about the dragons is how they would stop at nothing to protect their own. whether it’s an entire country out to destroy them or dragon gods, the four dragons will do anything to save yona. it’s so beautiful and moving to see them all together again despite the horrible circumstances. they love one another so deeply. watching zeno tear up while he watches their backs makes me so emotional. zeno has suffered more than any other character, both physically and mentally, and even caused his loved ones to suffer, too. but that doesn’t matter. zeno was and will always be loved. 

my thoughts on mob psycho 100

mob psycho is an anime i have seen the first season for but never got around to finishing the series. so, i finally decided to watch all 3 seasons and i am so glad i did!

it's a fun story with unforgettable characters, insane animation, and incredible writing. i've seen season 1 a few times so i already knew i was going to enjoy the series but seasons 2 & 3 made me fall in love even more with the story.

mob is an AMAZING protagonist who wishes to better himself without the help of his powers. he's so kind throughout the series. even when faced with a terrifying situation, he pushes through without changing who he is. he quickly became a favorite character of mine, and watching his development is the best thing ever. what makes me love mob so much is how his goals are so simple and realistic, but because of how well done the character writing is, it makes you attached to mob.

reigen is another one of my favorite characters!! at first, he's this funny guy who basically lies for a living, but he has a heart of gold that mob takes notice of. reigen's arc in s2 was so well done! the man who lies to everyone was face to face with the consequences of those lies, yet mob came in to save the day during the press conference. what i love most about reigen is when he realizes he's hurt someone, he always recognizes his wrongdoings and tries to fix the problem.

this series is a quirky, beautiful story full of incredible characters, and the finale was fantastic!! mob has finally accepted all parts of himself. it was such a fantastic journey of self-love and acceptance. ending the series with reigen telling the truth was just perfect!

i was smiling throughout the last moment in the final episode. mob has created an amazing life where his effort is seen, and he's surrounded by love. reigen's surprise birthday party made me so happy. it was so nice to see reigen no longer alone on his birthday, with all the people he's impacted happily celebrating him. a perfect end to a perfect series!!

mob psycho 100 is easily a 10/10 series for me!! a comforting watch that excites you and inspires you to be kinder. i highly recommend that everyone watch this at some point in their lives!! I LOVE MOB PSYCHO!!

my current favorite ships at the moment!

kagehina

this ship is my number one favorite ship of ALL TIME. their relationship is so beautifully written. from shoyo and tobio not having a team to creating a lifelong rivalry that will last forever. i talk about them so often, and i don't see that stopping anytime soon. the love i have for them knows no bounds; i genuinely believe they are soulmates. the bond they share, their growth, and the overall relationship between them is perfection. i really don't think there's another ship like them for me!

shimamitsu

they have grown on me SO MUCH this year. not only is skip and loafer one of my favorite pieces of media ever, shima & mitsumi's relationship is one of the best things ever to me. whether they are together romantically or platonically, there's no denying that these two characters mean so much to one another. they impact each other, they make each other so happy, and in turn, it makes ME happy!! i am just so in love with this ship. whenever i see them together, i just start to smile so big!!

hakyona

they are so nostalgic for me & finally reading akayona and seeing them become even more special to each other was just amazing. my favorite shoujo couple ever. they just love each other so profoundly & would do anything to protect their other half. i can’t get enough of them! hakyona is so beautifully written, and i could not imagine a more perfect example of peak shoujo slow burn.

killugon

i recently watched hunter x hunter this year, and i have been infected with the killugon virus. they grew on me so much in such a short amount of time. watching gon and killua become so close and special to each other was so amazing to see. there's no denying that killugon means the world to each other. they are written so beautifully. discovering killugon was the highlight of this year for me. THEY ARE JUST SO SWEET AND MAKE ME SO HAPPY.

cheolmiae

recently read aslfua this year & when i say im OBSESSED!!!!! this is such a perfect slowburn & if you know me, you know i LOVEEEE a slowburn. such a cute ship, first love type of thing. friends to lovers. awkward & silly. they are so comforting to me. such a well done manhwa full of love and friendship. just perfect.

edwin

SLOWBURN EXCELLENCE!!!!! CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS!!!! she was there for him in his worst times. HE VOWED TO NEVER MAKE HER CRY AGAIN. THEY GREW TOGETHER. THEY DID EVERYTHING TO HELP EACH OTHER. they are so perfect!!!!! i just can't explain to you how much they mean to me!!!

bakudeku

i will be honest, bakudeku was not a fav of mine when i first got into mha but after i finally read the manga for the first time, i can now say i am on the bakudeku train. katsuki and izuku are both favorite characters of mine, and they were written so well as individuals and as a ship. they mean so much to each other. they serve as fuel to accomplish their goals, as a friend they can count on, and as a duo that can take on the world. bakudeku is very special to me!!!

kyoru

i find them so warm and gentle. tohru was finally able to be vulnerable with kyo and kyo finally knows what it's like to be loved. they went through so much as kids, and i just love knowing that they will always have each other no matter what. they are my favorite part of fruits basket!!! just such a beautiful couple!!

koutaba

ao haru ride is SO special to me. it was one of the first shoujos i ever watched, and i recently have been obsessed with them. kou is such an amazingly written character, and i love how futaba was the one who "saved" him. they were middle school sweethearts who found their way back to each other. they have so much love for one another, and i'm so happy they got their ending.

my thoughts on hxh: chimera ant arc

There is a LOT of spoilers in this post. Also, a warning: this is a long post...I got very into my hxh watch. I had just finished watching Chimera Ant Arc, and my thoughts were too many to keep to myself. so much has happened, the writing, the character development, the suffering, all of it was just so well done.

I know people say this arc is much "slower" at first, and I understand why that's said. But I didn't once think any part of this arc was boring. It felt like each episode was perfectly crafted for the climax of the arc to take effect. Not one moment was wasted. Every episode had its purpose, which was to push the plot along.

Several episodes got me thinking and super involved in the story, so I wanted to highlight some of them. Also, I apologize in advance for my VERY BAD screenshots!

killua

In this arc, we saw a different version of the "cool" character we were introduced with. Compared to the first few arcs, Killua was known for his calm demeanor; he wasn't afraid and was pretty confident in himself. However, with his arc, he had to come face to face with his insecurities. For once in his life, Killua was SCARED to go into a fight. Unlike Gon, it isn't about WILL he fight but whether or not Killua CAN win. It's an entirely different type of thinking. I knew that issue would have occurred later in the arc, but I didn't expect how it would be handled. 

Ep 85 was so beautiful. It shows how much Killua loves Gon and how he resents himself for running away from Pitou. While Killua thinks of how unqualified and weak he is, there’s Gon being a positive light. And Killua doesn’t believe he deserves it. Killua felt guilty about what he did even though it was in their best interest, and Kite wanted them to go. Kite knew he would die, and he didn’t want them to get hurt. Killua beats himself up over his decision, and Gon responds with kindness. 

The one to make Killua come face to face with his flight instinct was Bisky. She tells him, “You’re too quick to give up” and “You always assume the worst-case scenario,” which is true. What I love most about this scene is that the only way for Killua to stay with Gon is to overcome this fear. It’s so well written. Out of all the times to have this inner conflict come into play, it was such a good move to have it happen during this arc. Throughout this arc, Killua's battle is more internal rather than external. He’s constantly battling his instincts in a fight, knowing that to quit his habits, he needs to stay and fight, but he also wants to run away because of Illumi’s needle increasing his fear. 

Ep 94 was the height of Killua's problem. He pushes through his fight with the chimera ant, thinking about Gon, wanting to protect him, having all their moments flash through his mind. Gon has impacted Killua's life, and despite his fears, he PUSHED THROUGH AND FOUGHT and even ripped out the implant in the process.

This entire arc was so good for Killua's development. Not only did he face his fears, but he also became a friend to someone. In episode 113, we see Killua forget about the plan he made and rush forward to save his friend. At first, I was confused about why he was acting this way, only to realize that Killua has always been about following the plan. Not to lose track, to do what he needs to do, and to keep moving forward. But he knew his friend was in trouble, and his body ACTED ON ITS OWN. This is what friendship is. To save those you care about without any thought behind it. Killua has come such a long way, and this scene makes me feel so emotional.

Ep 124 broke my heart. After burying all his emotions, watching his best friend change into someone unrecognizable, and having to fight Palm, Killua finally reaches his breaking point and cries. Although it was initially thought to be a strategic move, he couldn’t keep it together anymore. He wants to help Gon but realizes he can’t do anything whatsoever. Gon is fighting all by himself with no room for help, and all Killua can do is watch from the sidelines. 

Although Killua went through so much emotional turmoil, this arc made him a stronger and better person. He’s no longer the same Killua as he once was. He’s more sure of himself, and he’s opened himself up to others. He isn’t afraid to do all he can to save his loved ones. Even if he’s hurt over what happened with Gon, he won’t give up on him. 

gon

Compared to Killua, Gon has always been stubborn when it comes to a fight. He won’t ever give up, even with the odds stacked against him. he doesn’t know when to quit. Time and time again, he allows himself to get beat up because he can’t allow himself to lose. Despite this stubbornness, Gon has been a light in everyone’s lives. His overwhelming positivity has brought so much joy to many characters, especially Killua. 

In this arc, we see a completely different side of Gon. Kite's character was one that I grew really attached to, and watching him take Gon and Killua under his wing was so nice. Kite was a strong and great person who valued the lives of animals and people. I thought Kite would be like Bisky in this arc and help Gon become stronger. However, everything changes when Kite forces Gon and Killua to run from Pitou. 

Just like Killua, Gon has to come face to face with his weakness. Although he has grown from the hunter exam arc, it isn’t enough to defeat any ants. Despite this issue, Gon is the one who believes Kite can be saved. Gon is very naive and innocent. It’s evident to the audience Kite is dead; even Killua has doubts about him being alive, but Gon's stubbornness won’t allow him to accept this thought. 

It isn’t until episode 116 that Gon's rage begins to hit his breaking point. It’s so odd to watch Gon be so stubborn in such an aggressive way. He’s so angry, and all that rage is bubbling over, spilling all over the place with nowhere to go. Gon even goes as far as threatening to kill Komugi, AN INNOCENT CIVILIAN, if it means Pitou will heal Kite. It’s so unsettling to see how different Gon changed because of his anger. 

Episodes 130 & 131 were not only perfectly executed but also heartbreaking. I felt like my heart was ripped out. Gon believed Kite could be saved this whole time. He had a plan, thought it out, and stuck with it, and Kite is still dead. His inner dialogue was heart-wrenching. Going from “it’s my fault” to “NO! IT’S PITOU” back and forth was so well done. He finally reached his breaking point. He had been latching on to the certainty that Kite could be saved, only to find out that was never happening. All of Gon's rage coming out at this moment, using up his life to kill Pitou. It was so violent, so unlike him. How much he’s changed mentally and physically was shown so well here. Killua runs to save Gon, only to see he’s too far gone. I can’t begin to explain how well done episode 131 was. I was shocked, hurt, scared, and so sad. All of Gon's anger has come down to this moment. And I don’t know if Gon and Killua could move on from this. 

The end of the Chimera Ant arc was so emotional for me. With Gon's life at risk, Killua is upset that Gon did everything on his own again, and the uncertainty of how these two boys will heal from this arc makes me so stressed. Overall, Gon's story in this arc was so well executed. Although it was so heartbreaking to watch Gon turn into someone unrecognizable, I will never get over how beautifully written it all was. The subtle changes, his inner conflict, his rage, all of these new parts of Gon were done with such care. 

meruem and komugi

I did not like Meruem at first. I spent the beginning of the arc anxious about the birth of the King, so when he finally was born, I was so stressed. He was violent from the moment he killed his mother, killing innocent people like it was nothing, and had the power to take over a whole country. He was terrifying to me because I knew there was no way he could be defeated. 

However, when Komugi was introduced, I knew everything would change. Meruem was simply passing the time, wanting to defeat every game master, but when Komugi came into the picture, it was clear things would change for Meruem. Komugi was the one person Meruem could not beat, and he had every intention of playing with her for as long as he could. 

He even goes as far as ripping his arm off because he realizes how seriously Komugi takes this game. She believes it’s her only reason for living, and if she can no longer win, she will end her life. It was so fascinating watching Meurem listen so intently to A HUMAN. Meruem doesn’t understand basic human concepts like empathy, yet he takes the time to listen to her talk about herself. 

Ep 108 was such a good episode. Meruem was battling his instinct to kill while also being affected by Komugi's humanity. Wanting to know her name, more about her, getting upset that she’s hurt, and doing nothing to protect herself. He has to remind himself that he’s the strongest creature on earth, yet when he sees her hurt, he crumbles down worried. This was such an amazingly written episode that highlighted Meruem's subtle personality changes. 

Ep 112 was such a tense episode, especially because of how angry Meruem was. His aura had even Netero frozen in his spot. Not one person moved during that moment; everyone was subconsciously afraid to move a muscle. It was so eery and made me nervous for everyone in that room. I honestly thought he was going to kill everyone in his sight, but he calmly told Pitou to heal her and walked out like Netero and Zeno didn’t matter. 

Ep 122 highlighted Meruem's development so well that he now wants to use his strength to protect the weak. Most of those changes are thanks to Komugi. He wavers between ant and human without even realizing it. Also, choosing to have a discussion with Netero instead of fighting was so surprising. He’s such a complex character that has quickly become a favorite of mine. 

The way he was written was done with so much care. His change was so gradual that it felt so realistic. Ep 135 was such a heartbreaking but beautiful ending. Meruem remembers Komugi and does everything he can to spend his last moments with her. I can not think of a better way to end Meruem's story. 

chimera ant arc 10/10

Chimera Ant Arc was such a painful but fantastic experience. This arc was so perfectly done that I am still in shock, even after watching it weeks ago. I’m glad I finally started this series, and I can happily say it made it into my top 3 anime ever.

yona of the dawn 264 thoughts

as always, this chapter was insanely well written. chapter 263 was already "creepy" enough with the dragon gods pretending to be the dragon warriors, but this chapter made things so much scarier.

the dragon gods making a hak clone just to make yona stay was so infuriating. all of her loved ones being used as puppets to keep her stuck in the chalice while yona fights for her way out was so heartbreaking to read.

yona is incredibly resilient, and even when facing the gods themselves, she doesn't back down. she loves the dragons more than anything and has already decided she won't leave them behind no matter what. it's what king hiryuu wanted, and yona will carry his dream out.

hearing the dragon gods say yona is going to the heavens brought me to tears. although she's willing to sacrifice herself to save her loved ones, it's another thing entirely to come face to face with the idea she will never see them again. her terrified face as she falls through the flowers is a beautifully haunting scene. the art and scenery are gorgeous, but the reality of the situation is awful. she has so much to live for and do, and yet it seems like there's no chance for her happiness at the moment. she was given a chance to save them but at the cost of her own life? i don't think she ever thought a moment like this could happen. after all, she always envisioned her reuniting with the dragons and live together again.

finally, seeing the dragons again made me so happy to know that they ARE, in fact, alive, but the scene after made me so anxious. becoming humans at the expense of yona's life isn't something nobody wants. even if zeno is willing to do anything to die, he says he needs to bring yona back to the real world. doesn't matter if zeno no longer sees himself as a part of yona's dragon family; at the end of the day, he will protect her.

zeno's face in this panel tells me he knows what happened to yona. this is one of the most anxiety-inducing cliffhangers we had in a while. i believe the series will end with everyone together, but i have no idea how yona will make it out of this. i'm assuming that zeno might put himself in a life or death situation to bring yona back. or perhaps it's yona herself that has to come back to earth.

this chapter was so insane but so amazing. i'm so excited and very scared for what comes next.

i watched look back (spoilers)

got back from the theaters not long ago and immediately felt like i had to unload all my feelings about this movie. the manga itself was so beautiful but somehow, the movie just made each and every moment so much more beautiful.

from the silly moments that made me laugh to the heartwrenching ones that made me cry, this movie was full of so much detail and care. you could feel the effort from each scene. i can't believe this movie even exists; it's just that good.

the story of two young girls with a passion for art coming together to create manga. it's a simple concept, but fujimoto's story is one to remember. fujino is used to the "talented artist" role in 4th grade, only for all of that to crumble when she realizes she isn't as talented as she was made out to be. but going to drop off kyomoto's diploma begins an unlikely friendship.

the scene of fujino dancing in the rain and the montage of the two girls drawing together made me feel so happy. these two girls became so close, bonding over their love of drawing manga. not only did they have someone to share their love of art with, but the manga they created led them to success. when kyomoto thanked fujino for getting her out of that house, i could not stop crying at that point of the movie. It captured the youthful essence so perfectly. i felt so much joy watching these two draw their way through the years. it almost made me forget what was coming up next.

the friendship is captured so well, and so is the grief that fujino feels after losing kyomoto. this scene is already heartbreaking, but the voice acting takes it to another level. i was trying to hold it together, but when fujino blamed herself for what happended, i was a wreck. in her eyes, she would have been safe if kyomoto never stepped out that day. watching these moments on screen was so much more painful than reading them. i could not believe how well it was done.

but before i could cry anymore, it cuts to young kyomoto and her life in the alternate world where she meets fujino again. these moments were so comforting. in another world, they were both alive and well and could even come together to draw. i like to imagine that in every possible timeline where these two meet, they will create a friendship founded on their love of art and draw for the rest of their lives.

then why do you draw, fujino?

i genuinely have no words to describe how i felt at this moment. the moments of kyomoto happily reading their manga, the two drawing and laughing together. the reason for going back to drawing manga was because fujino met kyomoto. if it were not for that one day after their 6th grade graduation, fujino would not be where she is now. it doesn't matter in what timeline or universe these two are in; if fujino were to meet kyomoto, they would come together and draw.

this movie brought fujimoto's story to life in the most incredible and heartfelt way, and it was such an experience to watch on screen. even as i write this, i'm tearing up. this story is just so impactful. it's not a happy ending, nor is it a sad one. it's a part of life to love so much, to lose some, and to keep on going. look back is just such a moving piece of work, and i have said it so many times, but this movie truly outdid itself.

i wish i could see this in theaters again. if you love the manga, i highly recommend watching it. it's so beautiful.

watching hunter x hunter: greed island arc

i last wrote an update when i was midway through yorknew city arc. that arc as a whole was my favorite one! it was so much fun, and i loved how focused it was on kurapika's story.

i talked a lot about yorknew city arc in my last post, so i want to get into my thoughts on greed island! for starters, ever since it was mentioned in your new city, i was very excited to see how it would turn out

finding out that the game was actually a place you could travel to and experience the world was so interesting! it reminded me of jumanji and excited me to see how the story would unravel.

i know some people don't care for this arc because it isn't as "action-packed" as the previous one, but i have a soft spot for any type of training arc, and i feel that greed island could be put in that category!

killua and gon are already known to be quite strong. especially killua, with his intense assassin techniques. to be honest, i had been waiting for a moment when the two could finally put their limits to the test and become better acquainted with nen.

many new characters were introduced this time but bisky quickly became my favorite! her design was so cute, but i also loved how she WANTED killua and gon to improve their strength. the scenes with the greed island trio were so much fun to watch. killua and gon doing their best because they wanted to change and grow stronger while bisky was watching over them like a mother; it was just so moving!

the killugon moments in this arc were so heartwarming. from gon saying he was glad to meet killua, killua being the only one to hold the ball during the dodgeball game, to gon proudly saying killua was his best friend. they just became so attached in such a short time, and it's so beautiful to see. they just really grew on me this arc, and i'm so excited to see how their friendship grows stronger.

watching hunter x hunter: yorknew city arc

I finally started watching hxh last week, which is so good. I have been wanting to watch something that would completely immerse me into the world, and I haven't had that since FMAB, but now I confidently say he has taken me in!

Currently in, towards the end of yorknew city arc, and it is 10/10. The music, the storyline, the worldbuilding, and just so much fun. My favorite characters are Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Chrollo.

Gon was a favorite since the first episode; his overwhelming positivity and curiosity are just too infectious. killua, however, became my second favorite in the Zoldyck family arc after learning more about his life. When they reunited and went to Whale Island, it brought me so much joy. There's something so heartwarming about the two wanting to be friends and protect one another no matter the cost. The two of them have grown on me and i love watching killugon develop every few episodes!

Kurapika in the current arc I'm on is, in my opinion, the show's star! His net ability is so cool. I love episode 47 because we see him at his full potential. He's a great character striving to take back what his clan has lost. He's mentally and physically strong, and I hope he gets the justice he deserves.

In my opinion, Chrollo is a fantastic villain because he isn't outwardly sinister or violent. Unlike the others in the troupe, he keeps to himself, silently reading in a dark corner. However, this makes him much more intimidating. He doesn't need to be out and loud about his strength because he knows what he's capable of.

As of now, hxh is definitely exceeding my expectations, and I can't wait to see what else is in store!

skip and loafer episode 12

Skip and Loafer is one of my favorite mangas. It's a beautiful story about high schoolers growing up and their relationships with one another. I had been wanting to reread the manga for a while, but I realized I had never actually watched the anime! So, I finally decided to watch it, and I was blown away.

Episode 12 was a perfect season finale, and the entire season blew me away. From the beginning, we watched as Mitsumi adjusted to life in the city by making new friends and joining the student council.

One of her best friendships is with Shima Sousuke, a popular, handsome boy. What I love about episode 12 is that we see Shima's character arc hit its climax. Throughout the show, he is a laid-back guy. However, his internal conflict has to do with his constant need to perform for validation.

While Mitsumi is sure of her future, Shima doesn't have a clue what he wants to do because he has always done what others have asked of him. Of all the people in his life, Mitsumi is one of the few who knows about Shima's child-acting phase. She's pretty perceptive when it comes to Shima. Even when many others can't tell Shima is having a difficult time, she can see through his facade.

This scene may look silly initially, but it's Mitsumi's attempt at protecting Shima.

Ririka, Shima's childhood actress friend, went through a rough patch that she blames on Shima. Since Shima believes he is at fault, he is always at her beck and call despite feeling uncomfortable. At this point in the episode, Mitsumi realizes Ririka purposefully sent Shima's mom away. Despite Mitsumi having some moments where she can't read a room, in this instance, Mitsumi knows that ririka means trouble.

The only way Mitsumi can think of warding off Ririka is to strike a pose similar to that of an anteater. It's silly, but it's a testament to Mitsumi's character. She isn't afraid to look weird if it means she can help someone. Throughout the season, Mitsumi was always making little messes, such as throwing up during the assembly and getting called the "big boss" of the school. Despite these awkward moments, Mitsumi doesn't let this get her down; she gets back up and keeps moving forward.

Shima is aware of Mitsumi's resilience. Unlike himself, Mitsumi isn't afraid of messing up. Shima finds himself drawn to her. Out of all the people he's met, Mitsumi is the one that he finds himself reaching out to.

During the season finale, Shima has a monologue that is one of my favorite moments in the entire manga. It's a testament to his character and the foundation of his future development.

Shima's constant need to perform has forced him to believe his OWN ideas and feelings don't matter

Since childhood, he has thought acting would be a way to make his mother happy. Although he hasn't worked since childhood, he has held onto that mentality his whole life. If he gives people what they want, they'll be happy, even if it costs Shima happiness.

Shima is tough on himself despite his "laidback" appearance. He believes his words and actions have no meaning and that he has no purpose if he isn't "performing" for someone else. He even calls Mitsumi and Kanechika "dazzling" and says that they're so far away from him. He doesn't see himself as someone who can fearlessly do what they want.

Although Shima clearly admires Mitsumi, it isn't until his big performance that he realizes what many of his feelings boil down to.

"I know this feeling. It's envy."

During his performance, he engages in an inner dialogue that circles around the idea that Shima doesn't know himself. Did he want his mom there to watch him perform? Does he want to keep acting? Was he glad she didn't stay? Is his lack of confidence the reason he is uncomfortable around girls? "Does it mean I can act if it's for myself?"

At the end of the day, Shima does not know who he is or what he wants. Unlike Mitsumi and Kanechika, who go 100% into everything they do and are genuinely happy about their choices, Shima has no clue what he finds joy in.

"You'll never be one of them."

It's a simple quote, but this is what leads Shima to understand his jealousy. He has separated himself from those he finds resilient, and despite believing he has to put on an act to make others happy, Shima is envious of those who can live freely.

Yes, this way of living may have been "easy" for Shima and may have even made many people happy, but it doesn't work anymore. After meeting someone like Mitsumi, he sees someone who isn't afraid to "get her hands dirty." Even Kanechika, who has succeeded with his plays, wouldn't have been able to get to this point without doing a few awful projects.

To find success, you need to be willing to make a mess and fall a few times. Although finding success is significant and unique, the most important thing is finding what you love and doing all you can to achieve your dream. This is why Mitsumi and Kanechika are so resilient. They understand there will be troubles along the way, but no problem is too big if it means they can accomplish their goals.

Shima takes a step forward to a new way of living by being vulnerable with Ririka.

Shima feels guilty about what happened with Ririka from the beginning, but we see him gather the courage to finally form a boundary. He isn't completely cutting himself off because he genuinely cares about her, but he tells her he can't keep following her down this destructive path.

I can not stress enough how important this moment is. He had spent so long doing what people expected of him because he believed it was the right choice. He was a people pleaser to a fault, but now he wants more for himself.

"I enjoy this school."

This is one of the rare moments when Shima is honest about his feelings, especially when he loves something. He loves his school, he loves acting, and he loves his friends, and he isn’t going to keep being the same person who was once passive about everything.

This scene is just so impactful. Following his inner monologue, where he talks about doing what others want and being jealous, now he can unapologetically say what he feels. This entire sequence is just so perfect.

I may be incredibly biased since Shima is one of my favorite characters, but this episode was one of the best-written episodes I have seen. It was a perfect way to end the season, with Shima finally stepping forward to become his own person.

Of course, he'll have moments when he's clumsy, but the important thing is that Shima is ensuring that he has a chance to find himself.

Towards the end of the episode, we get a cute moment between Shima and Mitsumi, which leaves her thinking, "But today, he seems almost like...a kid?"

I just love these last few moments of the episode. The little interaction between Shima and Mitsumi was too cute and such a nice touch to the season finale.

What I love the most about this scene is that Mitsumi notices that Shima has a more childlike air. It's almost like all that weight that was piling up throughout the season is finally gone, leaving Shima with the chance to spend his high school days comfortably.

All in all, this episode was the perfect season finale! The writing, the voice acting, the animation—everything was just so well done. It truly brought the story to life.

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There aren't enough words to describe how much I loved this episode, but I hope this post at least gave insight into why I love this series so much. Shima's growth is one of the best parts of this series, and this episode begins a new chapter in his life.

I love Shima and Mitsumi so much. Skip and Loafer is one of the best pieces of media I have ever read, and it will always have a strong impact on my life.

oikawa tooru: facing a world of geniuses  

i always wanted to write my thoughts about oikawa and i thought it would be perfect to do it in time for his 30th birthday!!!! he's one of my favorite characters ever and is exceptionally well-written. the main idea behind this post is that despite oikawa being skilled, he had to face the realization that there are players who are leagues above him. however, even when oikawa felt lost, he never gave up on his dreams. oikawa tooru was a player in a world full of geniuses and made it to the top of the world despite the challenges.

of course, we have to start with oikawa's ICONIC introduction! "the Great King". before we get into his story, we know he's an incredible player and kageyama's senpai. from the beginning, oikawa is a threat. he is introduced with his fangirls screaming, seeming "superficial," and very confident in himself. compared to the other characters we've seen in haikyuu, at this point, there was no one like him. it was obvious he was a fantastic player. however, we don't see his skills until the game between karasuno and aoba johsai.

it's such a simple phrase, but before every game, without fail, oikawa tells his team that he has faith in them, and in return, his team believes in him. unlike the setters we've met, oikawa is truly one of his own. he is known for his amazing skill and leadership and has been respected and praised; it's apparent that oikawa is leagues above many others. he is also able to bring out the best in his players. with oikawa as your setter, you have someone who will understand your strengths and weaknesses and give you the tosses you need to succeed. however, skill alone isn't enough for oikawa.

"it becomes clear that oikawa, while skilled, is not a natural"

despite being an amazing setter who has the ability to bring out 100% in every teammate, knows the ins and outs of his team, and is incredibly skilled, oikawa is not a genius. compared to ushijima and kageyama, oikawa is not a natural-born prodigy. this is when we are introduced to oikawa's inner conflict. no matter how great he is, the amount of time he spends dedicating himself to his craft, the long nights practicing by himself won't be able to make up for what a "genius" has to offer.

in middle school, oikawa's frustration hit an all-time high. after seeing the difference in skill between himself and ushijima, he is now on the same team as a young kageyama. he sees the difference in skill at every practice, watching kageyama learn a new skill in one day that took oikawa ages. it's clear that oikawa, who was praised for being incredibly skilled, is now face to face with a whole new world far from his reach.

oikawa finally snaps in this scene with young kageyama. all the thoughts and insecurities he has had to deal with, the unbearable fact that there may always be a gap between him and a select few, has been weighing on him for so long.

imagine you are praised for being so skilled, and here comes someone new who is not only catching up to you but has the potential to exceed you?

i think what makes oikawa so interesting is how relatable he can be to many people, including myself. there were times when i was praised for being talented, for getting great grades, and for doing something good, and then someone new came along who did everything I could do but even better. every person faces the frustration of seeing someone grow at a faster rate than you are. it doesn't necessarily come from a malicious place, but the thought of someone taking your spot and performing better than you ever could is painful to accept.

however, iwaizumi reminds oikawa that it isn't just him on the team. there are always six players on that court. oikawa uses this lesson to push forward, deciding that no matter what it takes, he will take his team to the finals.

although oikawa has moments where his insecurities run wild, he is one of the best players in haikyuu. from his killer serves, his incredible fast-paced thinking, his technique, and his ability to bring the best out of every single player. he can do it all.

however, all of this isn't enough against the second game between karasuno.

this conversation oikawa has with his idol, jose blanco, is not only fundamental to oikawa as a character but also a real-life lesson for many of us.

the reason why this conversation is shown at this moment is because kageyama makes a toss that causes karasuno to have their set and game point. while the members of aoba johsai wish they had some of kageyama's skill or some of his "guts," oikawa goes back to what jose blanco tells him.

you can wish you had someone's skill, talent, and smarts, but that idea will only be detrimental to your growth. while oikawa has always made it clear he detests geniuses, not once has he stopped and given up. he continues down this challenging path with his goal in sight with no intentions of ever walking away from volleyball.

accepting that there is more for you to do and that you haven't done everything you can to grow may be difficult for many, but once you make peace with that fact, there is a world of opportunity.

after this flashback, oikawa comes to the conclusion that everyone could have their talent bloom whether it be tomorrow, the day after, or when you're 30, but it won't ever happen if you don't believe in yourself. if you let yourself stay stuck in the idea that "so and so is better than me, i can't do it," you will never fully unlock your potential.

“talent is something you make bloom, instinct is something you polish” 

there are many interpretations of this line, but i believe it means that talent will only show if you're willing to allow yourself to grow. the instincts that make you a better player will only happen through your sheer will and dedication.

oikawa has given so much of his time, energy, blood, sweat, and tears to volleyball in hopes of someday going to nationals. unfortunately, his goal never did come true, but this would only be the start of his amazing journey.

"nothing is over yet. not my volleyball career...or my "petty pride." never forget that."

it's one of the most memorable lines of the manga and one of my favorites. ushijima believes oikawa would have succeeded if he never went to aoba johsai, that because of his pride, oikawa never set foot at nationals.

however, none of that is true. oikawa made all the decisions because he believed they were best. he stayed at aoba johsai because he believed in his team. of course, there were many opportunities someone as skilled as oikawa could have taken, but he didn't, and he's more than okay with that

he isn't going to let anyone tell him that the choices he made were wrong. he won't let the realization of never making it to nationals tear him down. not only is oikawa a remarkable player physically, but his mental strength is something else entirely.

although pride is sometimes seen as something negative, oikawa's pride in himself drives him forward. his belief in his team, his dreams, and his own future or what makes him who he is. he isn't someone who will let others' thoughts and feelings sway him. oikawa will do what he believes is best for himself, and if that path is not the one to nationals, he can accept that.

oikawa will never give up on his dream no matter how many obstacles stand in his way. It doesn't matter if it's a team full of geniuses, a difficult teammate to work with, or his own insecurities; oikawa will never give up until he makes his mark on the world.

oikawa tooru in brazil has to be one of my favorite moments in the entire manga.

after not seeing him for so long, we finally see oikawa thriving in brazil with his teammates. now, he is playing for the argentina league as their setter, and all of his efforts to become a pro proved to be worth it.

seeing oikawa in the timeskip full of confidence and succeeding in his career made me so emotional. I relate to him in many ways, and to see someone succeed in such a remarkable way despite the challenges is extremely motivating.

oikawa moved across the world, leaving his friends and family behind in hopes of making his dreams come true. it was more than difficult, having to power through every obstacle with sheer willpower and skill. even though oikawa went through so many hardships, he loved the sport.

volleyball is something oikawa has loved since he was young. spending hours watching his idols play, learning how to play himself, and falling in love with being a setter. volleyball is everything to oikawa.

i think what makes oikawa's journey so impactful is that we see someone who presents himself to be full of confidence have his own insecurities and struggles, but he never let any of that stop him from giving up on volleyball.

seeing him in brazil, happy and thriving makes me so happy. the flashback to him as a kid, smiling and full of amazement, and then cutting back to him as an adult makes me so emotional.

oikawa's last words to hinata in brazil are a testament to his character.

what i love about this panel is that oikawa is telling us that he will beat everyone. he reminds us that we haven't seen the last of him yet.

oikawa tooru has been working for so long with the desire to beat every and anyone. he could have let himself stay with the same ideology he had in middle school, where he would never be able to be equal to a genius, and let that thought destroy him. but oikawa never gave up. he worked hard every day, honing his skills and growing as an individual to have this moment.

it is unbelievable that Oikawa, who was always full of immense talent and determination, is now at an entirely different level.

oikawa tooru may not be a genius, but he made his way to the olympics despite that.

this is the perfect ending for a character like oikawa. someone who, from the beginning, had a strong desire to defeat everyone and now steps onto the court where the world can see him at his best.

although it's never specifically stated who wins, i will always believe that oikawa tooru, took the world by storm and won the olympic gold. the man who wasn't a genius made it to the top of the game.

it makes me so happy to see him work so hard and have it all payoff. not only is the journey to becoming a professional player difficult, but as someone who had a hard time accepting his limitations, oikawa made his way to the world stage.

UPDATE:

there are colored versions of the manga going around, so I just HAD to add this iconic oikawa scene to this post.

I'm so proud of him.

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reading and watching his journey is such a beautiful experience. oikawa is such a fantastic character who's so authentic and entertaining. he'll always be a character i can relate to and see as motivation.

i hope this was a fun/interesting read!! i always wanted to write something about oikawa so this was very fun for me to do. he's a character i will always love, and i hope this post showed how great of a character he is!

kita shinsuke: the modern-day philosopher

one of my favorite things about haikyuu is how realistic the story is and how the messages can be applied to everyone. kita was one of the characters i felt impacted by. of course, many of the characters before kita's introduction impacted me, but kita's philosophy deeply affected me.

kita is a character who played the sport diligently but wasn't in it for the glory. although he was raised by his grandma's words, "someone's always watching," he isn't concerned about being praised by others. being able to do stuff the right way is enough for him. before kita, we've been introduced to many characters who are willing to do anything to win and continue playing volleyball in the future. kita isn't concerned about any of that. playing to the best of his abilities and doing it correctly is more than enough.

the importance of daily maintenance is something i will always think of when i see kita. he takes care of his body, cleans up, respects his traditions, and practices volleyball daily. it's a routine he follows every day without fail. to many, this seems tedious. doing the same thing everyday without a break? without fail? without anything to gain from it? most people wouldn't bother to use as much time and effort as kita does for no desired result. i'm one of the many that find it hard to keep up a routine, especially if it requires so much consistency and effort. but kita does it without complaint, without fail, and finds genuine joy in it.

but even though kita didn't care about people's approval, the moment he was offered the captain's jersey brought him to tears. whether he cared or not, his efforts to improve himself did not go unnoticed. all that time he spent cleaning, taking care of his body, honoring tradition, and practicing volleyball led to this moment. but kita never had a goal in mind. being chosen as captain is a high achievement, but kita didn't join the team to eventually have this honor. he did what he believed was the best thing to do, and being chosen as captain was simply the result of his effort.

this panel changed everything for me. i even used this as my college graduation quote because i have such a heavy attachment to this scene.

kita didn't do all his daily practices to gain anything. he did them because it felt right, doing his best no matter what was more important to him.

i have a habit of always determining my worth based on the results. if i don't get a good enough grade, i see my effort as useless; if i'm not praised for something, then i feel i'm not doing my best; if all my efforts don't give me the results i want, i see my time spent as wasted but reading this scene changed everything for me.

the time you spend bettering yourself is more valuable than a result. after all, the only reason you get a good result in the first place is because of your time and dedication to your work. even though kita was emotional about his hard work being seen and rewarded, his goal wasn't to become captain. at the end of the day, he spent all this time doing things for himself.

the little things I do every day might not be valuable in the grand scheme of things; the time I spend dedicating myself to anything makes me who I am. the small, everyday things make us who we are. we care for our bodies, study or work, unwind, and prepare meals for ourselves. It doesn't lead to anything extraordinary, but it does matter. it matters because it's who we are. every little thing we do is a part of us, and the good or bad things that come with it are simply the results of what we decide to do.

kita's philosophy of doing things right because it's the right thing to do is simple, yet it's one of the lessons of haikyuu that has stuck with me the longest. we, as people, believe we need to produce results that have meaning to us, but devoting ourselves to daily tasks is essential to who we are as people and how we live our lives. we do the things we do because they are necessary, and the outcomes that follow are just byproducts.

kita is such an important character to me, and I wish this rant could do him some justice. all in all, kita shinsuke, you are the greatest philosopher of our time.

demon slayer s4 ep8

this episode was absolutely incredible i just had to come and write about it. the entire season, in my opinion, has been so well done. hashira training arc has always been a favorite of mine and seeing it brought to life has been amazing!

episode 8 was the icing on the cake to an amazing season. one of my favorite things about kny is how it discusses humanity and mortality. this final ep did such a great job at showing the power of human emotions.

kagaya stands amongst the many demon slayer corp members who have passed while he speaks to muzan about the concept of eternity. as we all know, humans don't live forever and this is very prominent in demon slayer. however, kagaya understands how powerful feelings can be. although many people will die, their dreams and hopes will continue. kagaya does not fear death because he understands his goal will live through the hashira.

this LINE is one of my favorites ever. for as long as muzan has existed, not one person has forgiven him for what he has done. the anger and grief that people have felt live forever. muzan believes humans are disgusting, inferior creatures but at this moment, kagaya shows that humans are something to be feared. muzan can never understand the lifelong anger humans are capable of. not one person will ever forget what muzan has done, they will never forgive him, they will never show him kindness. humans have used their anger & hatred to dedicate themselves to ending muzan. muzan will never understand this concept. all of these lanterns represent the lives muzan has ruined, falling down all around him while he stands unbothered. there are HUNDREDS of lanterns that float around muzan, so many lives that he has ruined, yet he does not care. but that doesn't matter, because the power of feelings are greater than muzan's indifference. THE POWER OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT IS GREATER THAN MUZAN.

the art in this scene was insane. the tiger and the dragon morphing into the hashira was done so well. for so long, kagaya has waited for this moment to take down muzan and we see in this scene how the goals and feelings of the hashira have formed into a beast of its own. despite muzan living for so long, he can never comprehend the power of human emotions. as i said before, human emotions have the ability to transcend time. humans affect one another; they understand their lives are short, yet live to pursue their own goals no matter what. this is what muzan does not understand.

this scene was so well done i can't get enough of it. this was such a great episode and is definitely my favorite one so far! the manga was already amazing and then ufotable was able to animate it into this insane piece of media i can't get over it!!

overall 10/10 scene. 10/10 episode. i love demon slayer.