(Warning: Major spoilers for Fire Emblem 4: Genealogy of the Holy War and Doki Doki Literature Club. I’m not dealin’ with ya weebaboos and ya hurt feelings.)
I can fondly remember when my homeboy (at the time) “spoiled” the fact that Hotaru was Sailor Saturn (Sailor Moon S) in grade school. I had just finished watching my first episode of Sailor Moon (episode 117: Higher, Stronger! Cheers by Usagi) the previous day and was hooked. I expressed my love for the Hotaru character and her awesomeness. Unlike Usagi and Chibi-Usa (who had to transform in order to gain their powers), Hotaru didn’t need to transform for her powers. My dude smiled and said “You know Hotaru is actually a Sailor Scout, right? She’s Sailor Saturn. That’s why she has powers. In fact, not only is she a Sailor Saturn, she’s being controlled by somebody else.”
“Ahh!” I replied. “No wonder she could do those things like blasting a monster across a track field.” The spoilers about Hotaru’s truth identify didn’t ruin her character for me. In fact, it made me more excited to watch more Sailor Moon S. I wanted to see Hotaru’s journey as a sickly, lonely girl to the Soldier of Destruction (who ironically, would save the world from destruction).
Same.
Spoilers don’t mean shit. Being spoiled about an event in the media we consume never ruin the emotional experience. In fact, it makes it better. Some may say “But spoiling something will make you disappointed or change your mind about a character.” Okay, so what? Your views of a character are going to change regardless of you got spoiled on their actions or not. Why try to avoid the inevitable when it’s going to hit you sooner or later?
Let me change your mind about spoilers. I know I can.
Spoilers: Don’t click the first search result for “Aeris Dies” at your job.
Spoilers neither ruins nor replace the emotional experience that you’d otherwise witness. Spoilers are just words. They don’t provide the gut hitting visuals of seeing your favorite character die. Spoilers don’t give you the sense of anger of seeing a “trustworthy” ally betraying his best friend on screen. “But Ben! What about twists and surprises!?” Oh well. Once you consumed media for nearly 25 years you tend to get bored with surprises and twists.
Recently, I’ve been playing the popular Western visual novel, Doki Doki Literature Club/DDLC (not to be confused with the obscure PC98 visual novel Doki Doki Vacation). Through my adventures (of playing the game), people were trying (failing) to convince me not to read spoilers. They told me that it’s better to experience the game blind so I could “truly appreciate” the game for what it is.
DDLC Girls(left-to-right): Knife-Chan the Pervert, Princess of Daddy Issues, Tears of a Clown, and Machiavelli.
First off, I had to laugh at those who believed I should play DDLC by their standards. Second, telling me to avoid spoilers won’t work – it’ll just make me read them. Through reading spoilers, I discovered that Monika was the true villain of DDLC. Monika was a manipulative, angry, jealous, and lonely girl who wanted someone to love her and grant her freedom (from her digital prison and self-awareness powers). Did those spoilers impacted and change my views on Monika? Of course, but in turn, it made more interested in her character (given that I enjoy manipulative/Machiavellian-type characters).
Here’s where I still felt the emotional impact of Monika’s cruel deeds despite being “spoiled”.
As Monika brags about killing Natsuki, Yuri, and Sayori, your character is forced to sit across from her in the Literature Club (now the Room of Eternity). The distorted music, dark orange tint filling the room, and Monika staring at your eye gave me a sense of unease. I felt anger as Monika casually – yet coldly – discussed how she murdered her friends. Now, do you see how spoilers don’t replace those emotions? Again, they don’t give you that visual treat.
Reading those spoilers didn’t provide me with those emotions – but playing the game did. The spoilers just enhanced my journey, which brings me to my next point.
Around 2005, I started playing Fire Emblem 4: Genealogy of the Holy War. I “foolishly” spoiled the game’s ultimate plow twist – Arvis murdering the main character, Sigurd. Furthermore, Arvis manipulated the nobles of Grandbell to wage war against a few nations: just so he could have the nobles kill each other. Arvis’s schemes prove successful.
Rather than being mad at myself (for “ruining” the plot), I became curious about Arvis’s “terrible” deeds and did research. I discovered the game development notes of Shouzou Kaga (creator of Fire Emblem); gaining information on Arvis (that changed my mind about him). Arvis was angry at the nobles of Grandbell who abused their power – subjecting their citizens to levels of extreme poverty (while the nobles spent their riches on themselves).
Arvis – in his head – thought himself as a liberating hero for the common man.
The spoilers didn’t ruin the plot for me. In reality, not only did it made me want to play the game, it made me respect Kaga’s complex writing of Arvis’s character. Kaga’s notes help me understood the tragic (anti) villain archetype of media. It was the kick that I needed to see the game all the way to the end – to see how the events unfold through Kaga’s craftsmanship.
See how spoilers can work in your favor?
Spoilers do not mean shit. This was a fact that I discovered back in my childhood with Hotaru/Sailor Saturn, one of my favorite characters of all time. Being spoilers on certain characters might change my views on them. That’s okay: it was going to change either way. Reading spoilers helped me understand why villains such as Arvis and Monika had to do the things they did – and I still got emotional when I reached their villain reveals in their respected games. The spoilers got me in the head of the creator and made me felt what they felt. To me, that’s the ultimate sign of respect for a creator: understanding their works.
Katawa Shoujo is an old game. Great game, but it’s old. As with most old games, people rarely speak about it as time passes (sans hardcore fans). The hardcore fans it alive through discussion groups on Facebook. Browsing through the Katawa Shoujo Fan Club Facebook group, I found a fanart/fake screenshot of Misha parodying some shit off Doki Doki Literature Club. The parody reference the infamous “Comfort Misha” scene with the whole ordeal of one of the Doki Doki girls catching you trying to play another girl’s route.
Reading the comments, people were reflecting on how they did not realize that comforting Misha meant that she was trying to sleep with Hisao. Such a choice they regretted (since it led them to Shizune’s bad ending). I’m not even gonna lie to y’all: I was laughing at how their ignorance and borderline stupidity.
Let’s be real: Misha came up to Hisao’s room late at night – knowing full well that he’s her best friend’s (Shizune) boyfriend. That’s already suspicious. Next, no woman is going to come up to a man’s house or dorm or whatever late at night just to “talk”. Why couldn’t Misha wait until the next morning to talk, but whatever. So, after Misha went up to Hisao’s room, she had the nerve lie up in his bed (while he was in it), get real close to him, kiss him and bury her head in his chest.
Yep. She just wanted to “talk”.
At this point, you’ll say some shit like “Yeah no, ‘comfort Misha’ means sleep with her”. I know I was. I was like “Yea, this bitch trying to get some dick from Hisao”. There’s no way you couldn’t figure that out. I can understand if English isn’t your second language and you don’t understand subtle clues in that language. But for those who can understand English with all of its subtle hints in the language, how did you miss all of this? Even if you were never been in a friendly relationship with a woman prior to Katawa Shoujo, Misha’s action should have set off some red flags.
You’re pretty clueless. I’m not sorry.
Now, with that said, if you chose “Comfort Misha” as your first choice knowing full well it meant having sex with her, you’re the type of person that cheat on their boyfriend or girlfriend with their best friend.
Just saying.
(Also don’t blame Hisao for stickin his dick in Misha. You were the one who selected that option.)
Otaku no Video (lit. “The Geeks’ Video”) is Gainax’s 1991 two episode OVA (original video animation) celebrating otaku culture. Set between 1982-1999, the anime follows main character Ken Kubo’s journey from an everyman college tennis player, to his transformation into a diehard otaku, aspiring entrepreneur, the CEO of his a multi-million dollar anime figurine/garage kit company, and finally, the president of a successful multi-billion dollar animation company. Otaku no Video is celebrated throughout the otaku community; due to its overarching theme of otaku pride and positivity. However, there’s one theme of the OVA that isn’t discussed within the community: the hustle of Ken and his journey as an entrepreneur.
Join me as I discuss this underappreciate theme of Otaku no Video and how it even relates to the real world of entrepreneurship.
From left-to-right: Misty May, Tanaka, Ken, and Fukuhara.
PART 1
THE HUSTLE
‘While we out here, say the Hustler’s Prayer
If the game shakes me or breaks me
I hope it makes me a better man, take a better stand’ -Biggie Smalls,Sky’s the Limit (1997 hip-hop single)
Towards the end of episode one, Ken (frustrated with his girlfriend dumping him, not being able to find a job, and dealing with the negative stereotypes of otakus) convinces his friend Tanaka to drop out of college and quit job hunting in order to start up an anime figurine manufacture company: Grand Prix (GP) . The ambitious friends worked and hustle non-stop; creating figurines out of their apartment and promoting the GP brand. Months later, they were able to buy a property – setting up shop at a storefront and hiring old college friends (to work for them).
Their business massively grew and they start to scale; buying up more property to open new shops. The public and media take notice of their brand; with Ken and Tanaka’s brand appearing on TV, newspapers, and magazines. Grand Prix grew into a power player within their industry – dominating the competition.
Finally, after a year of relentless growth, Grand Prix transformed from a small business to behemoth of a corporation.
In the real world, a company coming up from a small business to a major corporation within a year is a mere fantasy. However, the reality of business growth can be rooted in taking risks. Quitting a secured job and/or dropping out of college to one’s entrepreneur journey is risky. Successful entrepreneurs like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg know this well. They had to drop out of college in order to grow their business massively. Daymond John (founder of the urban clothing line FUBU and Shark Tank judge) quit his job at Red Lobster to focus on his brand (although he did wait until FUBU became a profitable business before quitting). The greatest of entrepreneurs had to surrender something in order to build their brand – just like what Ken and Tanaka did.
The otaku duo where met with overwhelming success in a span of a year. Yet, like with many entrepreneurs, failure was waiting nearby.
PART 2
FAILURE AND COMEBACK
‘Winners are not afraid of losing. But losers are. Failure is the part of the process of success.’ -Robert Kiyosaki
The impressive growth of the GP Company meant that Ken was able to expand the business overseas. In order to increase capital, Ken (now a multi-millionaire), set his sights on China (in order to build a warehouse for mass production). Taking out a loan with a bank, Ken travels to China and buys land for the warehouse; overseeing the production of it. Back in Japan, the figurine industry starts to crash – putting Grand Prix at risk of going under. With the company in financial trouble and the morale of his employees fading, Ken at is in danger of losing his title as president of GP.
The downfall of the Ken begins.
Fuck bankers.
After the success of the warehouse in China, Ken is called to an emergency meeting at Grand Prix. The meeting is a front to fire him as president – with the entire company in favor of it – including his best friend Tanaka. Ken is forced to work as a regular employee at one of Grand Prix’s underperforming location and he begins to lose hope in himself. Later, during an event at a Grand Prix store, Ken encounters Tanaka (who too was fired from the company on false embezzlement charges) and confronts him (about Ken’s firing). Tanaka begs for his forgiveness: explaining to Ken that he was manipulated by the bankers to vote against him.
Ken forgives Tanaka as he realized they were both screwed over (by the same people). Putting his anger aside, Ken asks Tanaka if he wants to start over again. Tanaka agrees and the two join forces once again to build a new brand – separate from Grand Prix. Together, Ken and Tanaka start up a Japanese Adult Video (JAV) business with cosplay porn as their specialty.
…Nah I’m just fucking around they open up their own animation studio.
Tanaka and Ken begin work on creating their new company: “Giant X”. Tanaka suggests that they create homemade anime marketed towards otaku to sell through mail orders (as well as selling merchandise at events for extra income). Tanaka recruits Fukuhara: a former employee of Grand Prix as an animator. Together, the three start production on an original anime: Misty May. Misty May is a hit with the otaku market; putting Ken and Tanaka back in the national spotlight. Giant X – like Grand Prix before – dominated its market and industry without resistance. Ken, with the success of his new company, buys back Grand Prix and becomes a juggernaut of a businessman. Later on, Ken opens the world’s first otaku driven amusement park: An amusement park for otakus by otakus.
Finally, at the end of the OVA, Ken is the richest man in Japan and one of the world’s wealthiest CEOs.
‘Last night took an L, but tonight I bounce back.’
‘If you’re a real winner you know how to bounce back!’ -Big Sean, Bounce Back(2016 hip-hop single)
Ken was able to bounce back from failure – like many entrepreneurs have done. In business and in hustling, you’ll have your fair share of failures, mishaps, disappointments, what have you. It’s all a part of the entrepreneur’s journey. In order to become a successful entrepreneur, you must bounce back from failure and never give up. Richard Brandon, the founder of Virgin, has seven well-known failures. But he still works as an entrepreneur to this day. Walt Disney, one of the world’s most influential animator and businessman, was fired from his first cartoonist job. His boss told him that he’ll never find success because he lacked imagination and his ideas were terrible. Today, the Disney Company is worth over 92 billion dollars.
Failure doesn’t always mean the end.
Otaku no Video is a wonderful OVA on otaku pride. It has inspired many fans around the world to love their nerdiness. Gainax shows the world that otaku can break the stereotype that nerds are hopeless losers that won’t amount to anything in life. However, what should be celebrated about this OVA is Ken’s grind from a young college kid to a rookie entrepreneur, to a successful businessman who failed but bounces back against all odds. Although Ken ’s wild story and the man himself is fictional, we can learn from and relate to him.
We dealt with failures, setbacks, doubters, and disappointment, only to come back from all of them and shine brightly. Our vision may seem wild and outlandish to some, but to us, they can come true – but only if we work our ass off for it.
We should be like Ken Kubo; staying focused on our goals regardless of what failure may come and embrace the hope of an unseen world far away.
‘I won’t let anyone block me!
I’ll go my own way!’
‘My goal is the world!’
‘I’ll be the greatest man’! -Lyrics from Fight! Otaking! (Otaku no Video’s OP theme)
(Warning: Terrible grammar and spelling. I was drunk off three shots of Jim Beam and drank like two 32 oz. cans of cheap Miller beer. You’ve been warned. Originally written on March 2nd, 2018.)
Assuming that there won’t be a final ED for Super’s finale, ONEPIXCEL’s Lagrima as the final ED is a poor choice. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad song for what it is (and the women performing the song are pretty cute). I find myself bobbing my head in sync with the beat of the song even. Still, it’s doesn’t carry the emotional weight of 70cm Square Window. Why do I think it carries more weight than Lagrima? Well, hear me out.
Once we get past Adult Goku riding on the Flying Nimbus (or the Kinto’un for you fucking Japanese sub purist weeaboos), there’s a shot of Kid Goku alone starting far into the distance. Following that, the ending animation transition to Kid Goku’s running animation cycle featuring the OG Dragon Ball characters in the background (Bulma, Pura, Oolong, Yamcha, Krillin, Tien, Muten Roshi, and Goku’s late beloved grandpa, Gohan). Next, Goku grows into his current self, riding back on the Flying Nimbus while images of the Team Universe 7 crew scroll along. Finally, that shit ends with Goku running next to images of Beerus, the Zeno Kings, Grand Preist, Hit, and Jiren – the important characters of DB Super.
The animation of 70cm Square Window shows Goku’s growth from classic Dragon Ball, Z, and Super (sorry DBGT stans ya don’t get shit). Goku went form a curious, humble country boy traveling the world for stronger people to fight and train with, to a man who could destroy an entire universe with ease. Just imagine, you finish watching the final episode of Super, this song plays, and you watch Goku’s progression within this ED. You watch this man improve and better himself – becoming this unstoppable warrior. Imagine that shit man. How the fuck can Lagrima could ever compare?
Fuck, let’s check the best lyrics of the song:
‘I was always thinking of you
The reality that squeezes my heart
I was always longing to see you
And I’ll continue to forge ahead with that memory…”
Let’s imagine that none of the universe or any warrior that died will be brought back (they will cuz it’s Dragon Ball Super and Super is fuckin predictable as fuck) after the Tournament. Do you know how those lines could fit well with say 18 remembering her brother or Vegeta remembering Cabba and the Saiyans of Universe 7 and how they will have to continue on living without them? I want you to imagine 18’s and Vegeta’s sadness as those lyrics play.
Wouldn’t that shit be perfect?
Real shit tho, I’m drunk as hell and none of this will lever happen cuz Toei Animation don’t get deep with Dragon Ball like that. Hope you enjoyed this durenk rant I will do more in the future when I have nothing better to do on a Friday night or something.
Afterword:
Alcohol doesn’t make you a better writer. It only makes you an alcoholic writer and increases your alcohol dependency.
From my last article, I stated how nerd culture has reached popularity that rivals mainstream culture. Years ago, anything nerdy was deemed pathetic – activities that only people with no lives enjoy. Today, it’s going through a renaissance. Superhero/comic movies are now major blockbusters. Video games are treated as a serious art form. Anime is no longer viewed as a joke (for the most part). Yet, despite those achievements, there are bitter nerds angry with the newfound popularity (of nerd culture). They’re upset at the past (as they were bullied for being nerds, weren’t accepted, etc.) They continue to cry about whatever happened to them in high school. Can I say something? If you’re this type of nerd, you need to get the fuck over it.
High school is over. Nobody (but you) gives a shit.
The past is the past; let that shit go. You need to stop being mad at your peers from high school just because they rejected you (for being a nerd). The popular preppy girl who wouldn’t dare date you because you played Pokemon? She’s now fat, have five unruly children from three baby daddies, and she’s working at a dead end job. She’s hopeless. The asshole who called you lame because you wanted to study rather than hitting up the weekend party? I bet you he ain’t doing shit with his life today. He’s strung out on drugs and begging people for money on the streets.
You, my friend? You’re doing well (I hope). You’re working on your goals, dreams, making money, and life-changing moves for the better. There’s a special somebody in your life that appreciate your nerdiness. You changed your wardrobe and rocking the fresher clothes of the season; clothes your bullies never imagine you wearing years after high school.
You changed, just like trends and the people who may have made fun of you.
Here’s what you need to understand. The bullies and assholes that made fun of you could’ve changed after high school. They could have realized that they were horrible to you and others. Perhaps one day they reflected on their hurtful actions of the past, realized what they have done, and made the effort to never repeat that shit again. Teenagers are pricks. They should know better, but it takes a while for people to grow and self-improve for the future.
People need to change for the future.
Peter Parker and Flash Thompon; Peter’s former bully.
Let’s talk about the future. We’re living in the golden age (of nerd pop culture). Superhero movies are bringing studios hundreds of millions of dollars (the good ones of course). Adults are playing on their 3DS in the open without normies talking shit about them. Otaku are expressing their love for the anime medium without fear of ridicule. You can talk about the latest episode of Dragon Ball Super or My Hero Academia with your coworkers. Cosplay is getting the respect it deserves. Everything nerdy is slowly becoming accepted and not made as a joke to belittle the people that love it! I can bet money that in a few years, people will no longer be mocked or bullied for liking anime, video games, comics, etc. It’ll be too deep within the mainstream for anyone to go out their way to bully people over those things. So what if there are some norimes who think that shit is lame? Fuck them! Let them be stuck the past with that old mindset.
You gotta love bitter nerds. Ever since the emergence of nerd culture in mainstream culture, pathetic, dusty nerds have come out with their sob stories on women rejecting them (for being nerdy). You may have come across such stores like “Anime was the reason why women never like me” or “Now that comic books are popular ya wanna join the hype train but ya weren’t down with me back in high school!” If these sob stories describe your experience with women, then you need to hear the truth. You weren’t rejected because you like anime or video games. You got rejected because of you and you alone. Blaming your nerd hobbies only mean that you don’t have the courage to admit that you suck.
Let me explain why – because you losers need a wakeup call.
I know it’s hard to admit fault (for your rejection), but hear me out. The rejections happened because of your flaws. You’re a boring ass person lacking charisma. The girl you wanted like men who can wow her with their confidence and social skills – which you clearly lacked. Who wants a relationship with a man whose personality is that of the mundane Yuki Nagato off The Melancholy Haruhi Suzumiya combined with the unbearable stoic Obi-Wan from Star Wars Episode 1.
Next, your horrid appearance landed you that denial. You fucking stink. You smell like pure unwashed swamp ass. The last time you took a bath or put on deodorant was when Half-Life 3 came out. Your crusty dry lips are begging you to apply Carmex on them. You’re out here sporting disastrous, greasy unkempt hair. That doesn’t make you look cute. It makes you look like the three-way fusion of Post Malone, Digibro, and Mick Foley/Mankind. And that’s pretty nasty my man (no disrespect to the greats Digibro and Mick Foley). And your fashion sense boy! Did you really think rockin’ a fedora, a button down Dragon Ball Z shirt, and New Balance shoes was gonna get you some women?
How dense are you?
Enough your shit tier looks. Let’s talk your blame game. That shit’s weak. Yes, people are shallow and won’t date you over hobbies. That’s okay. I doubt you would date a normie girl with normie interests. With that said, wasting your life playing video games, jackin’ off to ero anime, and reading slice-of-life manga all day long as hobbies are turn-offs to some. Honestly, that’s boring. Nobody wants to hang around with a boring person like you. Find other things to enjoy, like watching live-action television, going out to the movies, reading things that aren’t manga.
Liking nerdy interests alone doesn’t make you special: It makes you uninteresting.
Gotta love bitter nerds. I mean, really. You can’t help but laugh at them for blaming their hobbies and others for their shortcomings. Are you amazed at how they can’t see their own faults and improve on them? Because I am. Look, if you are a nerd who does these things, you need to work on yourself and stop playing the blame game. Take a shower. Have confidence in yourself. Go update your fashion game. Indulge in cool shit other than nerdy shit.
Recently, I bought my first plane tickets; booking a flight from St. Louis (my hometown) to Los Angeles, California (for the convention Anime Expo). The purchase marks major progress for not only the Yuki The Snowman brand, but for my personal growth too. In my years of traveling, I’ve met strangers who turned into friends, visited unexplored places which became my favorite spots to hit up, and unknown cities which became my home away from home. Of course, I visited anime conventions in these different cities (that I grew to love). All of these experiences I earned thanks to traveling.
Trust me, you want these experiences. Let me explain why you should travel as an anime fan.
You’re away from your hometown. You don’t have to deal with the same ol’ people from it. You know; the mindless normies who make fun of you for liking anime. Traveling gives you the chance to explore a major, prosperous city; filled with innumerable cultured people who just get you and your passion. This is especially true if you’re into the arts – like anime, film, theater, music, etc. Your pathetic hometown isn’t filled with cultured people who appreciate the arts. You need to go where your interests are appreciated and respected.
I know there’s a small voice in your head telling you to leave. Don’t deny that voice.
Get and AND travel the world they mean.
Traveling provides you with new experiences – experiences you’ll never have in your small town. In 2016, I traveled to Atlanta, GA. for the world-renowned Dragon Con. Dragon Con is an American multimedia convention where over 80,000 from across the globe invade the entire downtown Atlanta: celebrating nerd culture for five days.
On Saturday of Dragon Con, there’s a massive parade for the convention that wraps around the downtown ATL area. This parade is full of cosplayers showcasing their talents and sci-fi themed floats. Did I mention that throughout the event, Dragon Con has over thousands of non-stop programming that doesn’t end until the afternoon of Labor Day?
Oh, and it’s an open container party convention for you alcoholics and party nerds (like myself).
My backward ass hometown doesn’t have cool shit like that. We got conventions, but their main programming end between 7pm-1am (depending on the convention). We have no parades celebrating nerd culture (because the local rednecks and ignorant Republicans here think the arts shouldn’t be celebrated). The thought of a convention being hosted in downtown St. Louis with over 80,000 nerds is viewed as a joke out here. There’s only one convention that allows open container and partying (Archon, ya know I love ya). If you try to throw a party at our other conventions, security and the police will shut your ass down.
I bet your small town has those issues as well. Even if it does have anime and sci-fi conventions, there are only about 500-1000 people who attend it. Maybe 1500 – and the numbers are made from the same nerds you see in your community. Your con’s guest list is made up of the same 10 voice acting and industry guests each and every year. If you go out of town to a major city that hosts a massive convention, chances are, you’ll see over 30 industry guests. For conventions like Anime Weekend Atlanta and Anime Central, you may even get to see a voice actor from Japan.
Do you get why you should travel as an anime fan?
Traveling allows you to meet new people and gain new networks. Let’s say you’re an aspiring vlogger, blogger, social media starlet, whatever. Your hometown will never support you because they see you every day. They don’t wanna support a person who they believe they will never get anywhere (despite how hard you grind to produce content), or if that person is making more moves (then the average person in their town).
Here’s where traveling to new cities come to play (for your craft). As stated above, new faces in new cities mean new networks for you and your brand. Let’s pretend you’re at Anime Expo, and this is your first time vlogging at such an event. You’re interviewing a marvelous Beatrice (Umineko no Naku Koro ni) cosplayer who spent all of 2017 professionally designing and building her frilly dress and pipe (which is fully functioning). You guys plan to kick it after you two get done with your business because you’re both huge Umineko fans and wanna talk more about the series and she finds you as a cool person (and also wants to smoke you out using her pipe).
Not only did you got a cool cosplay interview for your vlog, you now made a new friend off a love for an obscure visual novel. I’m doubtful the ignorant bums of your small town have no clue what’s a visual novel is. Hell, they’re probably too stupid to read a normal novel.
Beatrice from Umineko
Additionally, it’s smart to meet new friend globally for growth. Furthermore, you need to drop your (loser) friends. Friends who don’t appreciate and understand why you’re so passionate about the things you love aren’t worth having around. What is worth it is having around are people who get you. You like people who like you; who vibes are just like yours. That’s why you must travel.
‘If you’re not feeling it, find new friends.’ -Gary Vee (from his videoSURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE)
Traveling allows you to grow. It’s an outlet for a person to see new places and obtain experiences that their small town will never provide. Exploring the world brings you to new faces that will support you and even befriend you. You need to get out of your hometown and grow.
This is an enormous world. Don’t be content with being in your pathetic tiny town forever.
Boy, the Dragon Ball community never ceases to amaze me with their stupidity. With the revelation of Jiren’s backstory in episode 127 of Super, fans are speculating who could have murdered Jiren’s family and friends. One utterly idiotic theory floating about is that Goku Black was behind the slaughter of Jiren’s loved ones. Yea. Goku Black.
Can I explain how stupid that sounds?
First, let me outline how this theory got started. It’s real stupid but check it. Niggas legit think Goku Black is behind the murders because of how the animators used a similar technique to hide the killer’s identity as they did with Goku Back’s. That’s it. Nothing else to logically suggests that their theory is correct.
If Goku Black was the killer, Jiren wouldn’t be alive. Why? Because Goku Black hates all mortals. He deems mortals as evil. He wants them all dead. Jiren is a mortal. Goku Black would have killed him. Furthermore, why would Toei Animation hide Goku Black’s identity if we already know who he is? That doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever.
Back in Dragon Ball Z, Trunks was explaining to Goku about the upcoming Android threat. During this, there was a scene where we see two figures whom we could not make out their physical appearance; similar to how we couldn’t figure out Goku Black’s identity. It was to add tension to Trunk’s story and the upcoming storylines.
This isn’t exclusive to Dragon Ball either. In many visual media (video games, comic books, anime, etc.), villains’ identity is concealed by shadows and lighting so the audience won’t know who they are until the climactic moment of their reveal.
The face of the crazy ass science dude in Sailor Moon covered in shadow.
Let me keep going so I can break down this stupid ass theory.
Goku Black is just Zamasu in Goku’s body. Because of that, Jiren would have tried to take out Goku from the start of the Tournament of Power for revenge. Jiren would have believed that Goku was Goku Black. Then, he would have attempted to do anything within his power to beat the shit out of him and possibly kill him. Jiren had no interest in Goku when Goku tried to fight him at the start of the Tournament. If there were any interests towards Goku, it’d be related to the fact that Jiren believes that Goku is Goku Black – which he doesn’t – because it’s fucking impossible.
To close out my rant, you are utterly fucking stupid if you believe the theory that Goku Black was the murderer. You ate paste as a kid and you probably the same nigga who thought Goten was Goku Black. I’m not sorry for calling you fucking stupid.
As the Tournament of Power reaches its conclusion, I am constantly reminded of Dragon Ball Super’s 7th ending theme: An Evil Angel and Righteous Devil. Towards the end of it, there’s a line that goes “Justice and evil both carry the same gun”. I couldn’t help but think about the song when Toppo tells Frieza that “Justice…is worthless now” during their battle and Toppo’s resolve (to become a God of Destruction and forego his morals). The theme of justice is played with Toppo throughout the Universe Survival Arc. Toppo is a proud warrior of justice; leading his Pride Troopers to battle after battle in the name of all that is righteous.
From analyzing Toppo’s personality, he holds justice, morals, and honor with the utmost respect. He fights fairs: preferring honest play over cheap tactics. This is shown when Toppo snapped on Android 17 for attacking the Kamikaze Fireball (during their transformation). He questioned the motives of the Tournament, The Grand Priest, and Zeno-Sama. Toppo doesn’t feel right about fighting in a tournament designed to wipe out multiple universes; a tournament in which countless lives will end upon each universe’s erasure.
Toppo and his Pride Troopers initially entered the tournament to punish those who they deemed “evil”. While survival was ideal, targeting evil doers were their prime goal. However in episode 104 of Super, Toppo started to change his mind. With seven of his men gone and his universe at risk of deletion, Toppo decides that the Pride Troopers must kill their ideologies of justice and ethics in order to live.
There’s no place for justice and heroism in a war of survival.
Towards the end of the tournament, Toppo is struggling against Andoird 17. After analyzing 17’s combat style (and discovering 17 has infinite energy), Toppo decides to end his battle with 17 with one blow. However, he fails and is forced into a beam struggle with the Universe 7 warrior. During the struggle, Frieza attacks Toppo from behind. Frieza taunts Toppo while blasting him with Death Beams. Bored with Toppo, Frieza attempts to blast Toppo off the battlefield; enveloping him with overwhelming energy.
Despite the struggle, Toppo survives but is heavily wounded.
Frieza taunts Toppo once more. He mocks the man, calling him trash. He then points out how shameful it must be for Toppo to have his prized uniform of justice in shreds. It’s here where Toppo snaps. Coldly, Toppo replies that justice is worthless. After seeing his men fall and the destruction of six universes before him, Toppo comes to a resolution. Justice is worthless. It has no use on the battlefield. Justice doesn’t translate to survival.
In order to survive, Toppo gives up on justice. This same man who praised it with pride now sees it as a waste. A liability even. Toppo decides to ascend to godhood: A God of Destruction. Destruction – like war – is neutral. It doesn’t care about silly ideas like good or evil, justice or injustice. All it cares for is annihilation and death.
What good are both justice and playing hero if both things never ensure survival?
‘There’s only one difference between heroes and madmen: It’s whether they win or lose.’
Question: Have you ever wanted to smoke an entire carton of cigarettes after experiencing a horrific event? Smoking isn’t your thing? Okay, how about drinking an entire bottle of Everclear with shots of 100 proof Vodka so you won’t ever recall those horrible flashbacks? Well, boys and girls, that’s my experience with Passione’s controversial anime Citrus.
Yuzu and Mei. By the way, they’re stepsisters.
What is Citrus? Well, Citrus is a high school anime yuri drama starring Yuzu Aihara: A gyaru who’s about to transfer to a new school. She plans on getting a boyfriend at her new school whatever the fuck gyaru do when they go to a new school, I dunno. On the day of her transfer, Yuzu starts to prepare for her new adventure. She crafts up a plan to get herself a boyfriend and make new friends.
You know, always start the day with goals and an action plan.
She gets to the new school, right? The anime makes us play “Guess who’s the main character!” with the shot of her in the middle of her peers who are all wearing conservative clothing opposite to her liberal gyaru clothes. The student body is in shock at this bold, new girl. That nerve of that Yuzu girl being different and not conforming to their rules! Out of the crowd, some nerdy girl comes up to Yuzu and tells her she’s setting a terrible example for the student body. She demands her to remove her makeup and surrender her phone. Yuzu – not backing down – refuses and gets in nerd girl’s face. They start to argue for a bit until the reveal of the secondary main character: Mei – the student council president.
Good luck on finding the main character!
Mei, being the good student council president that she is, intervenes; stopping the fight from escalating worse. Such a magnificent role model Mei is…except for the part where she hugs Yuzu and starts to grope her ass and slide her fingers along her back; Just to take her phone away.
Alright. So our model class president is a low-key potential rapist. Great.
The story shifts to Yuzu in the bathroom washing her makeup off and wandering about what kinda of shampoo Mei uses. Despite the fact that Mei was on some creep shit with her, Yuzu is in love with her mango scented shampoo. We’re then introduced to Yuzu’s new homeroom teacher: Amamiya. Yuzu starts crushing on him on sight: plotting ways to create the next Japan teacher-student relationship scandal by getting in his pants.
Pretty sure Sting and The Police had a song about this.
After class, Yuzu thinks about getting Amaiya’s information so he can hook up with him (and use it for blackmail material when the relationship eventually fails). She rushes outside with ecstatic flare to hunt down her crush. Her hunt for her sensei is short. She finds Amamiya…making out with Mei – the same Mei who is the school president mind you. She watches for a few seconds until Mei breaks off the kiss and make eye contact with Yuzu. Yuzu runs off like she just stole from her weed plug while Amamiya smoothly walks away like he ain’t did anything wrong.
Yuzu decides that she had enough for one day and runs home. There, she receives some news about her new family. First, her new step-father up and left their family to see the world (and by see the world, he probably regrets his marriage and is going to fuck around with different women behind his new family back). That’s cool I guess. Second, her new father has a daughter before he met Yuzu’s mom. This means that Yuzu has a little sister. At last, Yuzu won’t be a lonely only child!
Oh and her new little step sister is Mei.
You can feel the tension between the two when Mei arrivals, especially around dinner time when Mei treats her sister with death glares. Her mom seems to like her new daughter so that’s great. Fast forward to later into the night. Yuzu attempts to connect with her new little sister, but to no anvil. She tries to bond with her, but Mei ignores her. Upset, Yuzu starts to play dirty for her attention. She brings up how she caught Mei making out with their teacher (and how much of a thrill it must had been for her).
Yuzu starts to taunt her sister about the kiss (just like any other caring big sister). She starts by Asking her if being caught in the act makes it hotter, was it her first kiss, and that she thought kisses were about feelings. Mei silently walks over to her sister…and forcibly kisses her full on the mouth while pinning her against her futon.
Top 10 Haunting Pictures Taken Moments Before Disaster
…I didn’t sign up this. I didn’t sign up for any of this. I thought this was just going to be a simple lovely-dovely warm-hearted yuri anime. Instead, I got incest, anime R. Kelly making out with teenagers, and more incest. Also Mei totally sexually assault Yuzu. I would be cool with the yuri if Yuzu was curious about the same sex and wanted to explore her feelings towards Mei if consent was involved (and if Mei wasn’t her step-sister). Especially given she never had any luck with guys and wanted to see if it because she is gay deep down or some shit.
From anime discussion groups I’m on, others seem to agree from watching he show’s second episode following the first. I haven’t’ caught the second episode, but I heard and read that Mei does worse things to her sister that warrants sexual assault charges. Not that I plan on seeing the rest of the series of anything. I completely lost any interest in it.
I tend to read some spoilers before watching a show so I won’t be shock or taken surprise when something happen, but I didn’t for this one (because I was being lazy). If I would had known that Mei and Yuzu were two step-sisters, I would had been cool not watching this show.
It’s a shame because the animation and art isn’t bad. It’s not God tier by any means, but it’s pleasant to watch. I love the soft, manga-style still art for the ED, the usage of 3D for some the shots inside of the school, and character design. I haven’t spot any off-model shots or animation errros, but I admit I wasn’t paying that much close detail.
To conclude, if incestuous sisters exploring their lesbian feelings is your thing and you like that drama, then you should check it out. For the rest of us (myself included), this is a skip.
Hope you find this summary and review useful! I’ll catch you in the next one.
You’re no longer a broke weeaboo. You finally got yourself a job. You’re getting into the money (legally or illegally I’m not judging). You made enough money off your paycheck or hustle to afford some cool things. In fact, after you paid the bills, you have money left over. You’ve been eyeing that Darkness Ford Lalatina figurine off eBay for a minute. However, there’s also an out-of-state anime convention that you want to attend. You want both, but your funds say you can only have one. You want a new figurine to add to your collection, but going out of state for a larger convention sounds fun.
Let me ask you this: Would you rather go to the anime convention in a major city that’s new to you. A convention where there’s a bunch of fine ass Darkness cosplayers, and one of them may actually like you. In fact, she might want to hook up with you with you (while she’s in character in cosplay mind you). Maybe that Darkness cosplayer is a famous internet personality. She likes you and what you’re doing with your vlogging. In fact, she wants to do a collab with you in the future. That collab could bring more people over to your brand. In addition, there’s an exclusive Darkness figurine that’s only being sold at that convention. You’ve saved up enough money to buy two: One for yourself and the other to flip on eBay for profit.
Or would you rather have that lifeless Darkness figurine that won’t bring you long-term value?
Darkness (Konosuba)
Yeah, I thought so. This is why you need to stack your money up and act broke. Act broke so you can invest in yourself. When you invest in yourself and things that will bring you long-term value, you better yourself over time. It is wise to save your money and use the money to travel. Travel so you can grow your blog, vlog, brand, whatever. It’s smart. Money can help you grow your otaku network you know – but you have to stack and act broke first.
Let me show you how.
The rich stay rich by living like they’re poor. The poor stay poor by acting like they’re rich.
-Anonymous
PART 1
Save to Invest
Multimillionaire CEO and author Grant Cardone said it best: “Save to invest, don’t save to save.” What does this mean? It’s simple: Don’t save for a rainy day or just in case. Save to invest in yourself; which you want to do. You need to save your money so you can invest in that trip which will grow your brand (if you’re active in doing so of course). How does one go about to saving to invest? Well, it’s not hard. Let’s say you receive $1000 on each paycheck. 70% of that $1000 ($700) should go towards your trip. The rest you will need for bills (because you need your electricity on and your CrunchyRoll active so you can watch your bottom tier action anime series like My Hero Academia).
Once you put that $700 a check aside in savings do not touch the money. If need be, put the money in a scared account (an bank account, separate from your main account, where you do not have easy access to and aren’t allow to take money out until a certain date – only in). Repeat this process until you hit your target savings/investment goal. Investing in yourself is important because as stated earlier, it helps you grow. You can make moves you wouldn’t normally do if you just save money just to save. Saving is cool and I recommend everyone save their money.
It’s what you do with the saved money is up to you.
PART 2
Discipline and Acting Broke
When you’re making more money than usual (or have a lot of money put aside), you’re tempted to take the money out. You see that you stacked up over your goal and might be tempted to take a few 100s out. You may be thinking “Oh, it’s only $300 out of the $10,000 I saved. I can recover the money.” But what if you need that $300 for something when you’re out of town at this convention or you need supplies for your recording gear (for YouTube or Podcasting)? Then you’re fucked. Let’s create a scenario. Your friend invites you to party at a club or a bar. You have extra money stacked up. You want to go; you have all that money you can spend freely.
Or do you? Let’s break it down.
Cover charge: $5
Food (cuz you don’t wanna drink on an empty stomach): $10
Drinks: $30
Bribe the bouncer cuz your I.D. is expired: $20
Food (after drinking): $10
Tips: $10
Total: $85
You just wasted $85 that could have gone towards your investments because you wanted to have fun at a bar for a night. If you really need to drink and chill with your friends, just kick it at his place, buy some cheap liquor and food and call it a day. Don’t waste your money trying to have fun all the damn time. You’re saving money for a convention in which will have multiple free parties after the convention with gracious party hosts that will give their liquor away for 2-3 days.
Which would you rather want?
When taking money out of your savings or blowing extra money, you need to think critically. Ask yourself things such as ‘Do I really need to spend $35 on a bottle of Hennessy tonight?’ or ‘Is it worth to spend $20 to go to the movies when I can watch movies at home or get the movie from the bootleg man or on Firestick?*’
This is where you have to act broke. How does one act broke? By having your money on your mind and your mind on your money. You need to train yourself to actively think about your money everytime you go out and spend money. When your friend asks you to go out somewhere that will cost you money, you need to be like “No, I can’t go out tonight”. Be a cheapass for a while. Instead of dining in or ordering fast food, you should learn how to cook. Cooking your own food saves you money. You can use the money you saved towards your investments. You have a lot of money in your account, but that doesn’t means that you spend it all.
You have to suppress the urge to spend and take money from your savings account. You need to think towards the future – not the present. Forgo temporary pleasures that won’t bring you long-term value in favor of long-term pleasures. Think about your money at all times and ask yourself if you need to spend it.
CONCLUSION
Me every night with my stacks.
With money, you must be smart with it. This means that you must not spend it on anime figurines, body pillows, and manga all the time. Stack your money up, save it, and invest in yourself. Convention season is coming near and you need to expand your network and otaku empire. Stop blowing your money on partying and figurines all the time. You have goals that need to be met for your growth. Even when you make extra money or go over your limit, you shouldn’t dip into your savings and waste your money. That extra money can help you out in the long run.
2018 is the year for us otaku to be smarter with our money – especially for us content creators.
Congratulations! After pimping you out of your hard earn money for a year, the government has given you back $2000 on your tax return! As a hardworking former NEET (Not Employed, in Education, or in Training), you deserve to treat yourself with that pathetic amount of money. So, what are you going to do with that $2000? You gonna blow it on a big tiddy Hotaru Shidare mouse pad? You really gonna drop $500 on a catgirl Yumeko Jabami figurine that will only collect dust over time? You thinking that wasting $50 on a fake Supreme shirt with a half-naked Sailor Venus sippin’ on lean and a lit blunt in her hand while Sailor Mars snorts cocaine off Venus’s ass gonna make you look like your rich? Boy, are you stupid? Don’t use your income tax money to stunt like you’re Jo’on off Touhou 15.5 for a week. Especially if your bank account says you’re living like Shion for the rest of the 51 weeks of the year.
Jo’on (left) and Shion (right)
Use that income tax money to invest in yourself. Income tax money should be viewed as an opportunity to expand your otaku empire. You want to be a content creator on social media? Good. Then use the money to buy a high quality camera. Spend it on audio tools such as pre-amps, condenser microphones, pre-amps, and studio headphones (especially if you’re going the podcast route). Your income tax money should fund and fuel your passion (may it be becoming an anime vlogger, having your own show, etc.) Putting income tax money towards on a Megumin wall scroll isn’t an investment. It’s stupid (unless you’re doing it for you YouTube channel then go ahead).
Are you tired of going to same, small to mid-size conventions in your hometown each year? You never been to Los Angeles before and want to go to Anime Expo? Perhaps you’re interested Otakon in Washigton, D.C. and wanna hit it up. Perfect. Use the money to travel to those cites and hit up those conventions. Leave your hometown for once. If you’re a vlogger, then you can vlog about your first experiences at those conventions. Plus, this is a great way to meet new people and expand your network. In addition, if you go to these larger conventions, there’s a great chance you might meet Japanese voice actors and creators that your small, local conventions will never have.
Trust me: You want that experience.
Income tax season come and goes. You will only get that money once a year. Once it’s gone, it is gone. Knowing that, you should be wise with it and spend it on things that will help you grow as an otaku. Putting that money towards traveling or your anime YouTube channel is smart. Blowing it on anime figurines that won’t bring you overall value is stupid.
“Indeed, I am arrogant. But, to me, that’s precisely what my pride as a Saiyan is!”
After his ego and pride were belittled by Jiren, Vegeta felt that he had to defend who he is as a person. As a proud Saiyan Elite prince, Vegeta dedicated his life to the art of combat, surpassing others, conquering planets, and of course – breaking his limits. It shouldn’t shock anyone that Vegeta took offense to Jiren’s criticism. Is Vegeta arrogant? Perhaps to some. However, I don’t see it as arrogance. I think he’s confident and prideful of what he has accomplished over the course of his life. After all, he has every right to act as such. Vegeta earned his high self-esteem and self-worth through hard work.
Hard work thanks to his greatest ally: His ego.
All champions have big egos. Without a big ego, they would have never become a champion.’ From Victor Pride’s article The Importance of Having a Big Ego
Why does Vegeta have a big ego? Well, it stems from a few factors. Prince Vegeta is a Saiyan. Saiyans are naturally physical, competitive warriors. Vegeta is also a paragon and of royal blood. He achieved master-level combat skills and knowledge as a child. Seeing his power, King Vegeta (his father) took him under his wing and the two conquered (and destroy) planets for years. Now mind you, Vegeta did all of this before he hit puberty – and he wasn’t finished yet.
Even as a child, Vegeta proved himself to be an outlier.
Being controlled and abused by the tyrant Frieza also impacted his ego. The Saiyans could have been a prosperous race if it wasn’t for Frieza. Frieza murdered King Vegeta. He betrayed the loyalty the Saiyans by killing them and destroying their planet. Following that, he reduced Vegeta’s status to that of a common, low-ranking lackey – completely disregarding his royal heritage.
To say Vegeta was bitter towards Frieza’s treatment is an understatement.
Then, you have the case of Kakarotto – or Son Goku. Son Goku was thought of a low-class Saiyan who would never amount to anything (in the eyes of the Elite Saiyans). Vegeta was disgusted at Goku (due to Goku’s kindhearted nature – unnatural for Saiyans). He didn’t view him as a real Saiyan – nor worthy of becoming a Super Saiyan. Even after believing that Goku was the Super Saiyan of legend, Vegeta held resentment towards Goku for obtaining such status and power. Vegeta was convinced that only he – a royal Saiyan Elite – deserved the title and power of the Super Saiyan.
It was his birthright. And Kakarotto took it away from it.
Yearning to not only obtain the Super Saiyan transformation but also surpassing Goku, Vegeta spent three years’ training to acquire his goals. He worked mercilessly – even to the point of death. It was at that point of near death is where Vegeta finally gained the power of the Super Saiyan. After years of pain and suffering, the prince reclaimed his title of the prince of three Saiyans. He even “surpassed” that blasted Kakarotto!”
(And by surpassed I mean Goku caught the heart virus and was out of commission for most of the Andoird conflict. Therefore, Vegeta was the strongest due pure “luck” on his end).
Vegeta didn’t stop there. Super Saiyan wasn’t enough to quince Vegeta’s competitive thirst. After Goku told Vegeta that they must go beyond Super Saiyan, Vegeta took this chance to prove himself as the superior Saiyan. Vegeta trained for another year in the Room of Spirit and Time (or the Hyperbolic Time Chamber for you FUNimation weebs). Then, he gained power that exceeded Super Saiyan: Super Saiyan Grade 2 (or simply, Ascended Saiyan).
Vegeta yet again surpassed Kakarotto! Oh, how Vegeta praised himself for his efforts. And then a few hours later, Vegeta was curbed stomp by Perfect Cell. See, Vegeta – although proud of yet another accolade – let his ego get the best of him. Cell tricked Vegeta into obtaining his Perfect form and made the Prince his bitch.
That was funny.
Let’s fast forward seven years. With Goku dead, Vegeta had nothing better to do. Well, besides training (because of that competitive nature). Vegeta got news that Goku was returning to the living world for the 25th Budokai Tenkaichi Tournament. He sees this as a chance to finally beat Goku once and for all. See, Vegeta never got over the fact that Goku was the better warrior. Vegeta was envious that Goku achieved so much (despite him being a low-class Saiyan). Vegeta wanted to prove once and for all he was the best. And he could have if shit didn’t go south during the tournament (the Majin Buu and Babidi conflict). During the Majin Buu conflict, Vegeta allowed his jealousy to get the best of him and let Bababi brainwash him into Majin Vegeta.
All because he wanted to show his superiority towards Goku.
The evil prince has returned! At last, Vegeta could dominate Goku in combat…by killing a bunch of innocent people and allowing the release of Majin Buu. Then Vegeta realized that his ego is problematic and that he had to sacrifice himself to take out Majin Buu – all because he fucked up.
Okay, so maybe Vegeta had some minor issues with his ego.
In the real world, high-level athletes, performing artists, and businessmen are viewed as egotistical. Their self-sense of pride are off-putting to some – but they have the right to be prideful. These people pour countless hours into their craft. Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players of our time, is viewed by many as arrogant. But when you won six Championships rings, brought money to your team’s city, and created a multi-million-dollar brand, you earned the right to be arrogant. Kanye West, a rapper hated for his ego, won over 92 awards over the course of his career. He better be egotistical. Entrepreneur Tai Lopez, (in)famous for his “Here in My Garage” video (where he showcased his then-new Lamborghini) was criticized for showing off the luxury sports car and the thousands of books in his personal collection. Then again, when you are the investor and advisor to over 20 successful multi-million dollar companies, I think it’s okay to show off your trophies – and how you earned them through knawledge.
These guys have earned the right to be egotistical, cocky, and arrogant, whatever you wanna call their high levels of self-esteem. Why? Because these guys worked their asses off to get to the levels of where they are today. Vegeta is like that. Vegeta worked his ass off to maintain his Prince and Elite status. He dedicated his life to push himself beyond his limits. He earned Super Saiyan 1, Ascended, Super Saiyan 2, Super Saiyan God, and Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan.
It’s understandable to see why Vegeta was angry at Jiren’s remarks about his ego. Vegeta had to back up his pride – the thing that drives him to better himself. Vegeta himself stated that he can never throw that away. It what makes Vegeta.
Vegeta is an arrogant man. And what’s wrong with that?
‘Being humble doesn’t work as well as being aware.’
Chibi-Usa and Hotaru: two inseparable best friends. After a fateful meeting at a park (or a lab run by a crazy ass mad scientist depending on which version of the story you prefer), these girls became close, great friends; mending each one’s loneliness. Chibi-Usa was Hotaru’s first friend in her life; a life plagued by sickness, isolation, and pain. It was Chibi-Usa’s kindness and warmth which led Hotaru to awaken the powers of Sailor Saturn and save the world from destruction (at the cost of her life). Who would have thought that Chibi-usa losing her hat and finding Hotaru would have led to the world being saved?
But, what if Chibi-Usa never went to the park that day? What if her hat never flew off her head? How would the events of the Sailor Moon Infinity arc had played out if they never met? Well, to answer these questions alrighty guys it is Yuki here and I will analyze this what if scenario! I will explore how character interactions among the Sailor Scouts would have changed, how the series moving forward would progress, and if Hotaru and Chibi-Usa never becoming friends would have resulted in a positive, neutral, or negative outcome.
What if these two never met?
Given the original manga and it’s Crystal anime adaption differs from the 90s Toei anime adaption of the manga, the best way to think about this situation is to split it into two plotlines: Plotline A and Plotline B. Plotline A handles the Naoko Takeuchi’s original vision of the events of the Infinity Arc in which Chibi-Usa never met Hotaru at her father’s lab. This plotline also takes notice of a more depressed Hotaru than compared to her 90s anime counterpart.
Plotline B follows the Toei Animation’s vision of the Sailor Moon Inifity arc where Hotaru isn’t nearly as depressed and sick as she was in the manga; As her father is more active in her life and covers how his sacrifice of his free will may influenced Hotaru for the better.
I must also note that while this what if theory focus on using logic to provide an accurate prediction, I will use some creativity to ensure the path to the final battle between the Sailor Scouts and Death Busters happen almost per normal as in the anime and manga.
With that out of the way let’s get started.
PLOTLINE A
With Plotline A, we have to take account and remove the event in which triggered Chibi-Usa and Hotaru’s friendship in the original manga: Chibi-Usa’s hat flying off towards Tomoe’s Lab (where she first met Hotaru). With this event removed, we can say that Chibi-Usa would have finished her day in the park with her family and return home. Hotaru would have her coughing fit, recovered and return home as well. Thus, they would have never met. It’s logical to theorize that Hotaru’s life and depression would have grown increasingly worse. Hotaru herself stated in the manga and Crystal anime that Chibi-Usa’s friendship made her life better.
The trigger.
Remember: Hotaru doesn’t have any friends (thanks to her creepy powers from Mistress 9). Her body is covered in scars from the injuries that she suffered from as a child (from the explosion at her dad’s lab) which she is self-conscious about (as she covers her body with dark colored, long sleeve shirts and long pants). She’s also frail and sick from the cybernetic implants and the Mistress 9 alien egg inside her body. She has little interaction with her father Souichi outside of him working on her implants. Judging from those factors, it’s safe to assume her mental state is poor and her outlook on life is shit.
Moving forward, logic dictates that the story should continue as normal. Kaolinte would start her search for the Three Talismans and the Silver Crystal (per Pharaoh 90’s request). The Inner Scouts conduct their research on Professor Tomoe and the Infinity School; as they believe he and the school are behind the strange creatures (the Daimons) attacking citizens around Tokyo. Next, the Outer Scouts will still attend Infinity School to investigate the Death Busters and Professor Tomoe. Finally, Mamoru and Rei will have their visions of the world’s destruction.
Logic also dictates that the Outer Scouts will theorize that Hotaru is Sailor Saturn – the goddess of destruction. They inform the Inner Scouts and Sailor Moon about Sailor Saturn and their plans to seal her away to prevent the world’s end. However, they won’t reveal to the Inner Scouts that they believe Hotaru is Saturn until the time is right. There is no change from the original story sans Chibi-Usa and Usagi visiting Hotaru, which never happen in this theory.
You may be thinking “But Yuki! Chibi-Usa’s Silver Crystal was key in Mistress 9 gaining full power! Mistress 9 saw Chibi-Usa Silver Crystal and went all giddily! How will Mistress 9 get her hands on the Silver Crystal if that never happened!?” Well, I thought about this problem. We have to get a little creative here, but it should solve the problem.
We can take a wild guess that Kaolinite communicates with Pharaoh 90 who tells her that he believes one of the Sailor Scouts holds the Silver Crystal. Not Sailor Moon, but maybe Chibi-Moon. It’s possible that Mistress 9 could have sense the power of the Silver Crystal and the Holy Grail during the Sailor Scouts’ battle against Cyprine and Ptilol. Mistress 9 and/or Kaolinite then can confirm that either Sailor Moon or Sailor Mini-Moon indeed have the Holy Grail and the Silver Crystal in their possession
Yea, it’s a bit of a stretch and borderline fan fiction, but we need that Silver Crystal to ensure that Mistress 9 gains full power.
The story proceeds normally. After the battle against Cyprine and Ptilol (and Sailor Moon gaining her Super Sailor Moon upgrade), the Outer Scouts give their warning about the awakening of Sailor Saturn – which will lead to the destruction of the world. The Outer Scouts then reveal that Hotaru is not only the daughter of Souichi Tomoe, but also Sailor Saturn herself.
They plan to kill Hotaru before she can awaken as Saturn.
Now, while the Inner Scouts have no emotional connection with Hotaru in this what if story, they still think it’s disturbing that the Outers want to kill a child. The Outer Scouts think nothing of it. Pluto tells everyone that Hotaru wasn’t supposed to survive the lab explosion (which killed her mother and scared Hotaru physically and mentally), and that the only reason why she’s alive is because Professor Tomoe outfitted her with cybernetic implants. The cybernetics implants – although being advance technology – has shorten Hotaru’s lifespan. The implants are also destroying her body, thus making her frail.
The Outer Scouts believe that killing by Hotaru, they will put her out of her misery and prevent Saturn’s awakening.
Despite the Outer Scout’s “reasoning”, the Inner Scouts protest against their idea as in the manga. Chibi-Usa, despite not knowing Hotaru, doesn’t feel right about killing somebody who isn’t that much older than her. Therefore, she sides with Usagi and the Inner Scouts. The Outer Scouts are dead set in killing Hotaru (which logics still dictates) and go through with their plans. Chibi-Usa follows the Outer Scouts to Hotaru’s house in hopes to prevent the killing.
The events here happen similar to the manga. Chibi-Usa spots The Outer Scouts hiding in a tree outside Hotaru’s room. Chibi-Usa spots Hotaru lying on the ground and fears that Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto have already killed her. Chibi-Usa runs up to the window …only to be taken surprise by Hotaru waking up. “Hotaru” is alive! But Chibi-Usa won’t be for long.
“Hotaru” summons a burst of energy so powerful that it destroys the windows of her room (the glass should shred Chibi-Usa to pieces but whatever). The sheer force of “Hotaru”’s energy is felt throughout the area with Professor Tomoe taking notice. “Hotaru” doesn’t seem to appear like this frail, weak girl that the Scouts view her as. She starts to transform: not as Sailor Saturn – but as Mistress 9. Mistress 9 proceeds to attack Chibi-Usa, snatch her Silver Crystal, and Chibi-Usa dies. Okay she doesn’t die (just yet) but still.
Mistress 9 runs off with Chibi-Usa’s Silver Crystal, but not before attacking the Sailor Scouts. The story resumes as normal. The Sailor Scouts retreat and recover (as Mistress 9 is far too powerful for them right now). Mamoru and Usagi take their child to the hospital, and then to Mamoru’s place (to use his own life force to keep Chibi-Usa alive). Finally, the Sailor Scouts prep for their battle against the final members of the Death Busters.
Meanwhile, Professor Tomoe and Mistress 9 are having their fun little chat. Tomoe praises his self for his superior work and brags about turning his daughter into a robot and planting Mistress 9’s alien egg inside her. Hotaru is heartbroken and angry about this just like in the manga.
While they’re chatting, the Sailor Scouts storms Infinity School and engage in battle with all remaining enemies. Mistress 9 swallows the Silver Crystal and gains a massive power boast. Professor Tomoe brags about creating superhumans while his daughter (now a spirit) looks at him with disappointment, betrayal, and disgust. Later, Sailor Moon and the Outer Scouts confront Dr. Tomoe. Tomoe transforms into Germatoid and talk some good shit. Sailor Moon blasts him away – killing him in one blow.
So much about him being a superior superhuman.
The Inner Scouts get ROLFstomped and steamrolled by Mistress 9 and die. Their spirits are in another realm. Hotaru notices this but doesn’t do anything. She has no connections with Chibi-Usa nor the Inner Scouts. She’s still in shock that her dad put her through such turmoil throughout her short, young life. At this point, she doesn’t care that she’s dead. She just wants an end to her pain.
Mistress 9 engages in combat against the reminding Scouts and overpowers them – even a Super Sailor Moon. Mistress 9, now in her true Daimon form, starts to wreak havoc on the planet. The reminding Scouts use their powerful attacks against the monster, but she only absorbs their powers. Master Pharaoh 90 appears and merges with Mistress 9. Fused with his partner, Pharaoh 90 starts to cover the world in darkness. Seeing no other way to defeat this oncoming threat, Sailor Moon summons the Holy Grail. Just like in the manga, she plans to suicide bomb herself inside Pharaoh 90 to save the world.
This would work if Sailor Moon was more power than Pharaoh 90. But she isn’t. The only way to defeat Pharaoh 90 and save the world is by summoning Sailor Saturn. The Outer Scouts don’t want to do this, but they have to . Maybe Saturn had a change of heart and won’t blow up Earth.
…Nah.
The Outer Scouts’s start to react. They raise their Talismans high towards the skies. The Holy Grail appears as well: reacting to the power of The Talismans. The lights from these scared items ascend to the skies with force. The world is veiled in darkness. The earth shakes, the wind stops, and the sea is wild. The earth begins to rot. The Sailor Scouts wait.
Their only hope: Sailor Saturn.
Finally, Sailor Saturn has been summoned. She does her epic speech on why she’s the best Sailor Scout, on how Hotaru was supposed to die years ago, her role as a bringer of destruction, and her thing about her being an uninvited guest (she loves to smoke everyone’s else weed and drink everyone liquor but she don’t match people on blunts and don’t bring her own bottles to parties so nobody invites her to shit).
She reveals that she will bring down her Glaive to the world and destroy it. Everyone starts to freak out. They beg her to stop and think about what she’s doing – but she refuses. If Pharaoh 90 isn’t stop, then who knows what he will do once he destroys Earth. A single planet with what, Billion people on it vs. an entire galaxy filled with countless lives.
I think you know where I’m going with this one.
Saturn, having no choice, lowers her Glaives. Silently, she speaks three words:
“Death Reborn Revolution.”
The world is torn apart as auras surround everyone and everything. Everyone says their final goodbyes and what not as the world ends.
Negative outcome.
You might be wondering “Why this is a negative outcome”.
Well, for a few reasons:
Hotaru pretty much had nobody who cared about her. Yes, her dad took “care” of her by making sure she was “healthy” or what not, but he was a piece of shit that used her pain for his advantage. As noted earlier, she barely had any interactions with him (as he was busy with work). It doesn’t help that Souichi turned Hotaru into a cyborg and implanted an alien egg inside her against her will. Hell, the dude bragged about it.
Chibi-Usa befriending Hotaru influence her for the better. Chibi-Usa treated Hotaru like a human and show kindness towards her. Chibi-Usa was the only person who was nice to Hotaru and treated her like a human despite her health issues. Even when Chibi-Usa freak out about Hotaru’s cyborg body, she regerted her actions and wanted to apologize to Hotaru. No Chibi-Usa being friends with Hotaru means no Hotaru telling Chibi-Usa she loves her and that she appreciated her love at the end of Infinity.
Hotaru pretty much was borderline suicidal throughout the Infinity arc as she questioned why she is even alive if she has to suffer. Her body was falling apart, she had an alien in her, and she was growing weaker each day.
Honestly, this is why Chibi-Usa befriending Hotaru is important for not only for the Sailor Scouts, but for Hotaru’s own mental health and the sake of the world. Chibi-Usa helped Hotaru get her mind off her own worries for a little bit through their interactions. Hotaru had someone whom she can hang out with and depend on. Chibi-Usa made Hotaru’s life felt it was worth of value. Because Chibi-Usa helped Hotaru, Hotaru returned the favor by not only saving Chibi-Usa’s life (by saving her soul and protecting it), she saved the Sailor Scouts and the world.
Yeah, Chibi-Usa may be a bit of annoying brat and a pink little shit, but she did become utterly selfless upon meeting Hotaru.
Now, if I want to be positive and make this a somewhat good or neutral end, Hotaru could had recovered the souls of the Inner Scouts as she heard a voice (Saturn) telling her she must fight back against Mistress 9 and protect the Innners from her. Maybe Hotaru would have had a change of heart and saw that life was worth living or something.
Other than that,I do not see any positive outcome that suggest the world would had been save if it wasn’t for Chibi-Usa becoming friends with Hotaru.
This concludes part 1. Part 2 to come soon. In the meanwhile, please watch this Dragon Ball “What-If” analysis which inspired this Sailor Moon what-if article.
2017 marked the 5th anniversary of the Western visual novel “Katawa Shoujo”, produced by 4 Leaf Studios (4LS). The game (set in a boarding school for disabled students) touched countless lives and inspired many to better themselves. Except me; I’m still on some asshole shit even after finishing the game years back, but whatever. In the summer of 2012, 4LS ran a Kickstarter for their official Katawa Shoujo artbook titled Tomorrow Today: A Katawa Shoujo Illustration Book for the Anime Convention “Anime Expo”. 4LS requested backers for the book with rewards such as receiving a copy of the artbook and button set from the game.
My copy of Tomorrow Today before I sold it.As both fan and future hustler, I saw the chance to support the project. I love the work 4LS put into Katawa Shoujo. Plus, I never owned a video game artbook before. I went ahead and donated a dub for an ero video game artbook where you have sexual relations with physically and mentally fucked up girls (Hanako, Rin, and Emi got some fucking issues). 23 year-old me was like “Bruh, this gonna be worth some money one day. Buy that shit and save it.” So I did. Back the Kickstarter and a few weeks later, the artbook arrived. I was impressed by the quality of the production (and the beautiful art) – and I was seeking the money.
Hanako “Bacon” Ikezawa
After consuming the art in the book a few times, I put it aside in my closet in a box and let it sit for five years. 2017 came along. I decided that I should start to work on my dreams of increasing my income and use the extra income towards my goal of producing infinite cash flow. Around this time, Doki Doki Literature Club (DDLC) came out on Steam. Weeaboos were once again celebrating a feels-like Western visual novel masterpiece. Some bold stated that DDLC was the second coming of Katawa Shoujo and many agreed. WIth Wester Visual novels making a come back an idea popped in my head.
“I should take advantage of the success of another popular Western visual novel like DDLC and flip that Katawa Shoujo artbook.”
‘While we out here, say the Hustler’s Prayer If the game shakes me or breaks me
I hope it makes me a better man, take a better stand.’
-Sky’s the Limit by Biggie Small
Shizune and her creepy lesbian or possibly bi friend, Misha.
With Doki Doki Literature Club’s release and people comparing it to Katawa Shoujo, I saw my chance. I made a listing for the book and put in on the market. Within seconds, my friend hit me up asking if she could buy it off me. Within seconds, we made a deal for the book: $40 – twice as much as I back the Kickstarter (yeah there’s that five years’ worth of price inflation and all that fun shit but whatever I don’t feel like doing inflation math). That was about a week ago. Today, as I’m waiting for my friend to come through and pick up the book, I started to reflect on Katawa Shoujo, the art book, and how bittersweet this sale is.
From my own estimation, there are only maybe 1,000 of Tomorrow Today in existence. I am doubtful that the other owners of this book are willing to part with it (that or they’re smarter than me and waiting for the value to increase as the years pass by). The chances of me encountering the book on eBay are rare (a copy was on auction on eBay last weekend and I almost won it…but I was signed out of my ebay account five seconds before I was going to snipe it for $48) 4LS stated that they will never touch Katawa Shoujo again, nor will they expand on the game. The story of KS began and ended in 2012 – never to be retold again.
Katawa Shoujo changed me. No, fictional crippled animu girls didn’t make me a better person. I cracked jokes at Hanako’s pain (because she’s not a real person). I made fun of people who cried over this game. I sneered at anyone who got overly emotional about Rin. I told fans who called Emi a slut for having a boyfriend and sex drive that “They’re just mad because no woman will ever fuck them in their lifetime.” I got myself banned from the Katawa Shoujo forums for trolling, shitposting and overall keeping it real. Yea, Katawa Shoujo didn’t make me a better person within the fanbase, online, or in real life.
Them five years ago: “You’ll never contribute to anything.” Me five years later: Working on my hustle and brand based off my internet tough guy persona. Remember kids: Chess, not checkers.
What Katawa Shoujo changed within me however was my creativity. From playing Katawa Shoujo, it hit me: If these random dudes online can get together and make their own shit for the world to see, then so can I. In fact, I can do it better than them because there’s nobody better than me. Like I’m on some Vegeta from Dragon Ball or Lute from Fire Emblem 8 type shit. Egocenteric pride aside, KS fuel some sort of creative fire in me and got me focusing on my craft. I want to create something that has the same emotional appeal as it. I long to create a visual novel that was consider a milestone of Wetern visual novels. That or just write about otaku culture in a crude, spiteful matter.
Have my name in Western otaku history, you know? No, global Otaku history.
Katawa Shoujo touched many people. Katawa Shoujo inspired those who played it. I was inspired to sell my Tommorrow Today book for $40 to fund my hustle. But, it’s bitter-sweet. One part of me wishes that there was a follow up to Katawa Shoujo, but I understand why there will never be one. And that’s okay. Parting with the artbook feels like I’ve finally parted away from Katawa Shoujo for good. It’s been five years, it’s time for me to move on. I best use the $40 to wipe the tears away.
It was February of 2001. I was watching Outlaw Star for the first time. Gene, the lead character, was struggling to perform a spacewalk to repair his ship; as he was experiencing traumatic flashbacks of his father’s murder (who was killed by space pirates during a spacewalk). Story-wise, I was lost, but the episode was interesting enough to hook me into the series. The episode ended and the ED starts to play. A single guitar chord rung out multiple times, followed by a woman’s vocals:
‘Oto no nai mahiru
Kaze ha tada akarui
Sukoshi nemutasou ni
Hanabira ga yureta
Nani ge nai kono omoi
Nee, hito ha donna kotoba de yondeiru no’
While I didn’t understand Japanese at the time, I was taken away by the sadness of not only the song itself but the sorrow in the singer’s voice. I didn’t need to understand Japanese to understand the pain of the woman singing. Fast forward to episode 21. After arguing with Gene, Melfina runs off to an empty, rocky landscape to clear her head and indulge in some short-term peace and quiet. As she stands on a short cliff overlooking the barren, rocky field, Melfina starts to sing:
‘I don’t know what words I can say
The wind has a way to talk to me
Flowers sleep, a silent lullaby
I pray for reply
I’m ready
Quiet days calm me
Oh, serenity
Someone please tell me
Oh what is it they say?
Maybe I will known one day’
Melfina was singing the first ED in English (although not a direct translation). With the song in English, non-Japanese speaking Western fans were given a personal insight into her character and pain. As an artificial creation (or bio-android), Melfina struggles with and questions her existence (as explored throughout her character arc). The normal people that she encountered will never understand how she feels. They will never relate to her pain and struggle.
Melfina will never have anyone that she can relate her sorrow.
Some of you reading this may experience this feeling of unrelatable sorrow. You may be going through some things that many will never experience — and therefore, they can’t connect with you. Let’s take African-Americans for example. We can never truly express our pain and suffering to other races; as they never experienced the trauma and hardships of being Black in America. Outside of race, let’s use people who struggle with mental health. People with mental health problems find it difficult to explain to those without any mental problems on how they feel. When they attempt to do so, they’re usually met with “Oh, it’s just all in your head” or “Well, at least you’re better off than others.”
It’s frustrating.
As a story-telling medium, anime must convey realistic emotions with its characters that the viewers can connect with. Combining elements such as visual, music, sound, and plot, the artist can craft ways for the viewer to become invested in a character they find interesting. The artist must be clever enough to manipulate our emotional connection with a character subtlety. Art must speak to a person by using a direct link to make it feel real. The right buttons must be press. This is why some fans of Dragon Ball find themselves connecting with Son Gohan. They may find themselves as a fan of his character because they can relate to his studious, bookworm nature.
Let’s take this a step further. Chances are, if you’re a fan of the anime and manga series Watamote, you will find strong correlations with the socially awkward otaku Tomoko and her levels of anxiety and yourself. Tomoko, as much as she wants to be popular, can’t with her anxiety holding her back. While a simple task of ordering food at McDonald’s is easy for most of us, for some, interacting with a cashier is a brutal, painful challenge. It’s a draining task of combating your nerves and trying to stop yourself from overthinking (that the cashier is judging and mocking you). As you attempt to speak, your voice is low, quiet, and shacky. You’re looking down at your feet because the thought of making eye contact terrifies you.
The following thoughts flood your mind:
‘Is she judging me?’
‘I hope she won’t make fun of me.’
‘She probably thinks I’m too stupid to order food.
‘They’re going to make fun of me in the back.’(Spoilers: they do. Take it from somebody who worked in the food industry for years.)
You know that scene where Tomoko struggles to order food? I’m sure some of you can understand and relate Tomoko’s situation during that scene. It’s not a fun place to be in: interacting with others praying to God that they won’t judge and/or belittle you. Again, like with Melfina, Tomoko’s awkwardness and anxiety work with her character and you – the viewer – connecting with her because it’s rooted in realism.
In Bakemonogatari, lead heroine Hitagi Senjougahara is a self-described tsundere with severe trust issues. She closes herself off from most if not, all people (sans her father) due to her mom – whom she trusted – setting her up to be raped by members of the ult she was involved with. Her parents divorced soon after and because of it, Senjougahara feels that she’s a burden on their family. Following that, she ran into six con men who claimed they could solve her issue (her weightlessness and burden). She was ripped off by each man, furthering her mistrust in others. With these acts of betrayal and rip-offs, Hitagi does not open herself up to anyone: fearing that they will take advantage of her. It wouldn’t be until years later when, with the help of Ararargi (series’s main character) not taking advantage of her trust, she was able to trust and open herself to others.
In life, there are some who wall them self off from others – because of trust issues. It’s hard for them to open themselves to others. It can take people years for them to start trusting others again. Even if they do find someone to trust, they still have their guard up until they can feel like they can truly trust them. Hitagi’s oddity of the crab makes sense once you break things down. Crabs have hardened shells and sharp claws to defend themselves from predators. Crabs attack anyone who attempts to get near with claws. Remember: Hitagi did attack Araragi with a pair of staples (a symbolism of a crab’s claws) and was still defensive around him as she thought he would run his mouth about her oddity to others. She did warm up to him and lower her guard over time.
Anime is a storytelling medium. As such, it’s the job of the creators to give us the emotional connection to characters. Through clever crafting due to the creator, it’s possible for a fan to feel a direct connection with a character; especially if said character acts similar to that one person. If you spent your teen (or later) years feeling socially awkward and struggling with anxiety like Tomoko Kukori, chances are that you’re going to find that personal connection with her. That’s how art and character connection work – with realistic characteristics from said character.
Everyone, thank you for taking the time to read this article. If you like what I wrote, please give me a link, leave a comment, and feel free to share. Tell me, which characters have you connected with and what, to you, makes a character relatable.
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Yuki The Snowman 
