All art is at once surface and symbol

fannish5: Five worst outfits you've ever seen on screen.

Hell, I'm just going with media in general. I don't consider myself a fashion expert, but boy, do some clothes rub me the wrong way...

1. Zero from the Shaymin/Giratina movie. There are a lot of ridiculous designs in Pokemon. Some of them you get used to. But I was never able to get over how hideous Zero's outfit is. Oops, I mean costume. But even if it was meant to be a costume, it fails at its purpose so fucking hard. This was supposed to look like Giratina? Except for the yellow spike thingees, it barely resembles Giratina at all! Yeah, last time I checked, Giratina was a gigantic puke-yellow worm with a couple black stripes on it. Seriously, if you want to cosplay Giratina, I've seen WAY better from gajinkas.

2. Tetsuo Nomura's designs can be summed up as this: BELTS AND ZIPPERS. BELTS AND ZIPPERS EVERYWHERE. And miniskirts and strips of cloth held together by MOAAAAAAAAAAAR BELTS!!11!1 They're ridiculous, but interesting in a train-wreck sort of way. It makes me glad I quit following the Final Fantasy series after X, though. :P I miss Yoshitaka Amano. :( Though if I had to pick one... this one has considerably less belts and zippers, but Rikku's X-2 outfit makes me feel uncomfortable.

3. The DC reboot of Starfire, Harley Quinn, and Amanda Waller. I know practically nothing of comics, but wow, this is degrading. This isn't just "DUR HUR HUR LET'S TURN THEM INTO SEX MACHINES", this is taking the characteristics of what made those three women so popular, then smashing them to smithereens and spitting on their graves. No wonder people are pissed off at DC. Okay, so my criticism of Waller comes from COMPLETE DESIGN UPHEAVAL rather than her clothes (though yeah, I just love how it's impossible for her to button up her shirt now), but my point on Harley and Starfire's "outfits" still stands.

4. I was never into Weiss Kreuz, so what little I know comes from mainly Jayden and my sister being a huge fan back in the day. Then I remembered Aya's sweater. Not only does it not look flattering on him, it's the color of burnt macaroni-and-cheese. I recognize this sweater, and not because it's attractive. Then... the Gluhen designs. Take the members of Weiss, for example. They went from looking like this to this. AAAAAAAAAAA MY EYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEESSSSS.

5. Thank god Ken Penders isn't in charge of the Archie Sonic comics anymore. 'Cause well... look at his rebooted designs for Lara-Su, Julie-Su, Lien-Da and Dimitri for his "Lara-Su Chronicles." DEAR GOD THE COLORS. WHY GOD WHY.

You know how the other day I ranted about how being assertive didn't mean being an asshole, and that niceness =/= being a doormat? The latest episode of MLP: FiM makes me a happy, happy soul and I found myself cheering. Talk about an anvil that needed to be dropped! ilu Fluttershy. ;;

Inspired by becky_barrett, I'll step off from my Pokemon hiatus for a while to talk about Sacredshipping, aka Morty/Eusine. One of my all-time favorite Pokemon ships, those two make me fuzzy inside. And it's safe to say I like Eusine too. But this is the part where I differ from the majority. I love Sacredshipping, but not in the Anime, because I can't stand Anime!Eusine.

( Eusine puffs with pride at being mentioned, but alas, Suicune is at another castle. )

Dad and I caught up a lot in Maurice, and next time we're starting Part 4~ You know that feeling you get while you read a chapter that's got you excited and you're thinking, "...Whoa. I liked you before, book, and now this is reeeeeeally getting good! :o" That kind of... profoundness. That's Chapter 37 for me. (Me: "Wow, Maurice should've taken hypnotism earlier! :o He's way less of a jerk than he was earlier!") Dad seems to feel the same as I do, and oh boy oh boy oh boy~ ♥

Sara Jaye and I watched most of the Jirachi movie despite technical issues. We'll finish next time~

Meanwhile... I think I found my new favorite tumblr. (Magicastuck: a Homestuck AU in the Puella Magi Madoka Magica universe)

I'm in love with Rose's design from the banner, gdjksghskjdg.

Watch Dave's transformation sequence. Oh my god. Oh my fucking god. (Like/Reblog the original post here)

brb going to library

( Puri chats with Darke on her birthday! Naturally this led to Puri discussing Eusine and Morty being magical men. )

( Mewtwo as a Magical Pokemon? OH MY. /George Takei )

( Cresselia is a Puella Magi! And Darkrai's a... witch? )

Greenband Jiggly (1:06:48 AM): In that fangame/fanfic I was making, there's... a dark twist involving Darkrai's Disney Death at the end of the movie.
Greenband Jiggly (1:08:06 AM): Basically, Alice and gang learn that Darkrai was dead all along and that Spiritomb was channeling his body to bring Alamos Town into a permanent Dark Void where its 108 spirits could play forever.
Greenband Jiggly (1:10:55 AM): THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LEAVE PLOTHOLES IN YOUR MOVIES, POKEMON ANIME.
darkeiyadeylo (1:11:03 AM): D:
Greenband Jiggly (1:13:33 AM): Too bad for the tenth Pokemon movie though. I'm busy writing about a ragdoll and a marionette falling in love~ <333

As soon as I typed the last two sentences, I realized that should've been my attitude on fandom from the beginning. SCREW YOU, DARKRAI MOVIE. TEAR MY HEART NO MORE. I'M OFF TO DO THINGS FOR CANONS AND STUFF I ACTUALLY ENJOY. Like writing gay toysex~ ♥

The Realms Con Anime and Video Gaming Convention will be held at the American Bank Center (Corpus Christi, TX) and take place October 7 - 9, 2011.

Damn! Looks like I better save my money. I was thinking of getting Rainbow Dash from any old Walmart or some store so I'd own all the Mane 6, but I can buy her anyday. There's going to be plushies and other goodies at the con!

There's gotta be Kyubey plushies.

It's interesting visiting other people's journals, really. I hopped on Zar's journal regarding an entry to a movie she shared that's become one of my favorites this year ("You Are Umasou") and clicked on one of her friends. Browsing through their tags, I discovered an entry where they talked about Unico. I thought, "Hey, I liked Unico!" and agreed with all the sentiments the poster shared regarding the two movies and the TV pilot. Then a different film was brought up in the comments: Ringing Bell. Curious, I searched for it on YouTube, since the original link was dead. Lo and behold, both the English dub and the Japanese version. :o Since the movie was short, I took the time to watch both, nom.

Ringing Bell(known as CHIRIN NO SUZU in Japan) is a Legendary Shock Movie which was controversially marketed towards very young children in the USA. It is most notable for being a G-rated Children movie which halfway through makes a sharp and sudden turn into a violent, morbidly-depressing dark story.

Because this cartoon was marketed towards very young children, the "Shock Effect" that this movie presented created controversy when it was first brought to America. Many parents were outraged at the G-rating of this film and complained to Sanrio that the film had caused their children emotional trauma and nightmares. The English Version of this film(which is featured on this channel)was modified to be more age appropriate for young children. The dialogue was changed, and many "childish" noises and sound effects were added. Yet, the scenarios and the outcome of this film was still seen as age-inappropriate and Ringing Bell was pulled off of shelves in the mid 1980s and never again released in America.

In Japan this film is remembered as being a cautionary tale which symbolized the post WW2 society. It deals with issues such as non-conformity, self hate, depression, revenge, discrimination, and coping with death, loss, and disappointment. It is still distributed in Japan, yet impossible to find in the USA.

It reminded me something of when Zar mentioned Chimecho back when Gen III was still new. ( Spoiler alert ) Hence why the ringing Pokemon Chimecho was such a rare Pokemon on top of Mt. Pyre...

For the longest time, I thought it was a Japanese folk tale (and I completely forgotten that it was a Revenge is Bad story; the lamb went to the mountains so he could kill the wolf who murdered his mother), but I couldn't remember the name of it (or the sheep, for that matter). I even checked Chimecho's Bulbapedia entry and there was no mention of the "legend." So I brace myself as I start to watch Ringing Bell, and I'm thinking, "Something about this seems familiar." Sure enough, it was the same story. The pieces came together and I realized what was going to happen, which didn't make it any less powerful or horrifying to watch.

I appreciate the silences in the Japanese version more, but it was spooky in the dub that Chirin had the same voice as Unico's. Compare Unico, this pure and innocent being no matter how tragic his fate, to Chirin, a lamb consumed with hate and rage until it's the only life he knows. Talk about discordant.

Usually I don't like depressing films, but I think Ringing Bell is a very important film to see. You'd be hard-pressed as hell to find anything like this being made today, especially marketed as a kid's film. Not in a "DUR HUR HUR LAMBS AND BUTTERFLIES KIDS WILL LOVE THIS" way, but as an intentionally frightening fable about revenge, nonconformity, and even the horrors of war. I remember watching one of my Beatrix Potter tapes and refusing to watch the Aunt Jemima one again because there was a scene where her eggs got smashed and it left her in sobbing hysterics. How would I have reacted to the egg-smashing scene in Ringing Bell as a kid? Hoo boy.

I know it's Banned Book Week, but considering this movie's been yanked off shelves into obscurity in the US, it feels oddly appropriate to have watched this. :o

So I jokingly think, "lol what if Kyubey from Madoka met Raggedy Ann? She'd just tell him she has everything she wants already." Not to mention in the books she's got a Wishing Pebble sewn in her body. Who needs a contract when you've got a Wishing Pebble? Then since Raggedy Ann doesn't have a Wishing Pebble in my novel, a dark thought occurred to me.

( Madoka spoilers! )

Okay, that was stupid. I'll stop rambling now. :P All this time I could've spent writing my actual novel. Woes.

Jean and I watched the first two episodes of an Anime called No. 6~ ♥ Here's a synopsis:

"Sion is a bright teenager living a comfortable and promising life inside No. 6, one of this six remaining city-states created by The Babylon Treaty after the last great war devastated the world. On the rainy evening of his twelfth birthday, he meets a savvy adolescent who calls himself "Nezumi" (Rat) and is desperately trying to run away from the authorities. For helping a fugitive of the state, Sion is stripped of all his privileges. Four years later, they meet once again. For better or for worse, Sion is about to unravel the secrets guarded deep inside No. 6."

It's also the gayest, cutest thing ever. And there's a canon kiss in one of the original novels. :3 I hope they don't skimp this out for the Anime. Sion and Nezumi are so sweet together. ;; HAND-HOLDING. HAND-HOLDING EVERYWHERE. They even have a waltz! :3 Dystopia and adorable BL ftw.

Scary bees though. Ack. D: NOT THE BEES!!!

I downloaded all 12 episodes of Puella Magi Madoka Magica! I'M CATCHING UP WITH ANIME I WANT TO WATCH, WHOO. This show promises me a deconstruction of the Magical Girl along with lots of Nightmare Fuel and funky Yume Nikki-esque imagery. So far, it's delivering~ ♥

I also wanna download Princess Tutu and Toward the Terra. I heard good things about Tiger & Bunny and Simoun from a friend, and I wanna watch Utena so bad. ;; /Yes, being behind on practically everything that could possibly interest me in Anime is probably why I've been so depressed, ha.

My birthday's in 12 days. I'm so utterly shy when it comes to asking for gifts though. I don't want to seem too pushy or ask for too many expensive things. It makes me feel selfish, even if it's for birthday or Christmas. ^^;;; I'm asking for ponies from my IRL friends so my Fluttershy won't be lonely. Puri would love fanart for her birthday (Andy & Marius, waaaah), but since I haven't posted a whole lot of novel stuff on my journal or shown what a lot of my characters look like really (let alone Marius), I'm fine with just pictures of Raggedy Ann & Andy to keep nearby while I write. I'd be interested in how the artists on my flist interpret them. :o

Grimsley/Marshal, fic or art, would be nice too. If all else fails, anything involving my favorite Pokemon like Shaymin, Togekiss, or my Gen V favorites like Sigilyph, Lilligant, Bisharp, and Scraggy & Scrafty~ ♥

So I've been stuck on the first chapter of my Darkrai fic and it's like being stuck in Madotsuki's room and forced to beat a high score in NASU. But miraculously, I finished the first chapter and now the mindfuck can begin. X3

I ♥ D/P Adventure. Volume 5 was adorable. T-T Now I started the Platinum version of the saga. Can't wait to see more of Charon! Koya's a douche, bleh. :/ I can trust Ihara to do something sweet though. Maybe Hareta can meet his Growlithe? Kaihei is a riot. XD And oh shit Flint's afro is bigger than his body.

Godammit. Why is my Internet so slow on my laptop? Remind me once again not to let Dad touch my computer again. Gods, it makes clicking on GPX a chore.

Puri got cabin fever, so she and Dad bid a visit to Barnes 'N Noble and Half-Price Books! Dad bought me lots of Nabokov goodness (Ada, Pnin, etc.) and I got PokeManga. This includes the first volume of PokeSpecial (YES!), a volume I was missing for Diamond & Pearl Adventures (more on that later) Mystery Dungeon with Ginji, and the Movie 11 adaptation. Now, allow me to rant on that latter. Skimming, I knew it was going to suck, but I bought it anyway for some of the cute plump Shaymin illustrations. I thought Movie 9 manga sucked? Well, so did the movie, no harm done. But what this guy did to Movie 11 is unforgivable. DD:

You know how Movie 10 manga took out the annoying bits of the movie (no more forced Accordshipping or Blame-It-All-On-Palkia syndrome!) and made the story and characters cute and enjoyable? (See: Tonio) Movie 11 manga takes the opposite route, butchering the movie by removing everything that made Movie 11 interesting and cute (Shaymin being a brat, a HUMONGOUS amount of Mugen and Zero's relationship, Shaymin's contrasting friendships with Ash & Dawn far more "subdued", etc.) and reduced it to shallow generic trash.

- The art is hideous. This sums up Makoto Hijioka's style: draw everyone's facial features as W I D E as possible and make their eyes tiny and their chins clearly pointy blank space. Mugen especially suffers from this. He looks like a gorilla. His facial expressions are so ugly it makes me cry tears of blood. The only characters that look good SOMETIMES are Shaymin (only reason I bought this at all), Giratina, Dawn and Zero. Speaking of Zero. Speaking of Zero, GOD. STOP SHOWING HIS SECOND EYE.

- Zero is OOC as fucking hell. In the movie, he's composed and quiet to the point of apathy. In the manga, he becomes Dilandau Without Substance, constantly cackling how he's going to take over the Reverse World ("and it'll belong to me, Zero!" Yes, he even addresses himself. Multiple times at that) and is just your annoying villain who never goes away. Worst of all, the manga can't make up its mind what he wants. First, Mugen is all, "Oh noes, he wants to take over the Real and Reverse Worlds!", then it's "He's gonna take over the world!", then Zero goes, "I'm going to blow up the Real World so the Reverse World belongs to me as its ruler, Zero!" Dude, which is it? His motivations for wanting to preserve the Reverse World is never explained, and Mugen himself doesn't take responsibility for Giratina's capture as he does in the film; it's all Zero's doing, uh huh. And he's doing it because he's evil and out of control. It's not like Zero felt close to Mugen and felt betrayed when Mugen suddenly decided to cancel all the plans they promised they'd finish together! It gets worse: when Mugen erases the plans and when Zero is left frozen in the Megaliba, Zero sobs like a maniac over having lost his beautiful plans. SOBS. In the movie, he was devastated when Mugen got rid of everything, yes. But he snarled and that was it. Finally, when Megaliba malfunctions, Zero has done everything he could and when he realized it was hopeless, he closed his eyes and accepted his fate, waiting for hypothermia to claim him before Officer Jenny and Mugen found him in the credits. Now which guy are you most likely to sympathize with?

- Shaymin's a damsel in distress instead of a brat (unless in Sky Forme, but that's not saying much), and Mii always refers to herself with all the "I"s and "me"s as "Miis" in its place. ("Mii doesn't like it...") It's... a different Shaymin, and it makes me cry. D: Come on, girl! Yank Ash's head around like you used to! You're supposed to be his grasshat! DDDD:

So, Shaymin manga? Huge disappointment. Don't buy it. :P Get Darkrai instead!

I didn't expect much out of Shigekatsu Ihara's Diamond and Pearl Adventures, but I finished the first volume and I loved it! Seriously, Hareta owns my soul ("I'm fine with being stupid! :DDDD") and his Piplup is made of win. Mitsumi makes me think of a lovechild between Misty and Tiff/Fumu from Kirby, and while Jun isn't the same Jun from the games, I'm fine with that 'cause he's fun too. XD (Plus he hits on Mitsumi and she always smacks him down. lulz for everyone!) The Gym Leaders, like Roark and Gardenia, appear for only a short time, but it's like I got to meet them for a day and goshdarn they're so cool. (Gardenia has her hood up in the introduction and goes stealth in the Eterna Forest!) The Munchlax chapter is so cute, and I like that Hareta lets him go instead of keeping him. From what I heard of later volumes? Gosh damn, I'm so excited! *_______* (Riley, Lucario and Riolu in Volume 2? YES PLZ) Dude, this same guy also is supposed to be responsible for the Lucario manga adaptation. DO WANT. Except I have no idea if it's translated or if it'll ever be. *sob*



Mugen the Shieldon has PokeRus~