An antagonist is someone who directly stands in the way of the protagonist’s desires/goals. A good antagonist really helps heighten a story.
There’s also many type of antagonists like All for One who’s obviously just evil. He has selfish motives, ideals and hurts anyone and everyone to get what he wants.
Zeke however is an initially introduced as an antagonist as the Beast Titan – but as the story progresses this changed. Zeke is given his own backstory, morals and motives which makes him more sympathetic for viewers.
In Jujutsu Kaisen, Mahito is a character that just has childish and selfish motives with no care for anyone. But he seems well-liked because of his chaotic nature and impressive skills? Geto by comparison is given a lot more backstory, and is also shown when he was friends with Gojo and a student at Jujutsu Tech. What’s interesting about Geto too is that we initially believe this character we see is Geto but later find out it’s not him.
Do you have a favourite antagonist? What makes an antagonist well-written to you?
It seems that the Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2 will be beautifully animated, like all the other seasons. I’m more interested in how everyone is going to react to it considering everyone was so pressed about the manga ending.
The Irregular at Magic High School: Reminiscence Arc
These ocean shots in the trailer are beautiful! I haven’t watched the series so I don’t know what it’s about but I hope those you like the series enjoy this arc!
Kenja no Deshi wo Nanoru Kenja:
Wow those shots of the town are stunning! I’m not a big fan of the characters in a video-game type of anime so I’ll probably give this one a miss.
Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru:
I love the blonde girl’s style! I’d watch it just for her.
Sasaki to Miyano:
As we all know by know, I’m not a big romance fan so this one isn’t very inciting to me to watch. I love the redheaded guy’s earrings though.
Orient:
Okay, this trailer is super boring and I got distracted by my well-lotioned legs instead of looking at the screen. The synopsis seems a little weak as well – with the plot following the two main characters who wanted to become sumurai and slay demons when they were young. But now society praises demons and hates samurais so the main character hides away his dream. Some stuff happens and now the boys go on a mission to restore the tarnished name of sumurai. This is something that I’m not at all something I’m interested in to be honest, so it’s a skip for me.
Shikkakumon no Saikyou Kenja:
This is also going to be a miss for me. The whole idea of ‘I’ll get re-incarnated stronger in my next life’ is a concept that I find no appeal in.
Baraou no Souretsu:
I’m actually very interested in this anime! I don’t know if it has a manga so I’m not sure how respectful the anime will be, but this is the first anime with an intersex main character – and where a lot of their struggles revolve around exploring feelings, sense of purpose, and identity mixed in with the middle ages and royalty.
Tensai Ouji no Akaji Kokka Saisei Jutsu:
Wow this is really beautifully animated for what seems to be a comedy – especially the characters the backgrounds! I love the character designs too – their outfits and hair are all super cute. It’s English title is also ‘The Genius Prince’s Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt’ which is a great name and interesting! The synopsis is also really funny:
It ain’t easy being a genius…
Prince Wein is ready to commit treason. And who can blame him? Faced with the impossible task of ruling his pathetic little kingdom, this poor guy just can’t catch a break! But with his brilliant idea of auctioning off his country, this lazy prince should be able to retire once and for all. Or that was the plan…until his treasonous schemes lead to disastrous consequences-namely, accidental victories and the favor of his people!
I’ve talked on my blog before about how I think tattoos are super cool, but I’m terrified to get any. Recently though, there have been many tattoos added to my list of ones I like and I thought I’d share them!
Manga Tattoo Ideas
I really like the above Nishinoya and Maki panels! They’re such powerful moments from the two of them and the poses and art is beautiful.
Small Tattoo Ideas
I’ve seen a few people with Aizawa’s goggles as tattoos, and they’re a nice small tattoo! I also just like Organisation XIII from Kingdom Hearts and think these two designs would be cute small designs.
Sword Tattoo Ideas
Having swords surrounded by flowers going down them is so pretty! It makes for good customisation options too.
Anime series have some very exciting and creative weapons.
I particularly like the 3D Maneuver Gear from Attack on Titan. It’s a very effective tool to use against titans and is so fun to watch the Scouts fly from tree to tree, do spins and more!
Death Scythes from Soul Eater are also such as interesting concept already with how someone is a ‘weapon.’ I also just like the shape of scythes and they swing around nicely when used.
Another weapon I like is Aizawa’s capture weapon because it’s innovative and complements his fighting style with his Erasure Quirk well. It’s fun to watch and interesting to see how versatile it is.
I also like Maki’s Cursed Tools. She’s so impressive to watch because she’s so talented with them. It’s fun to watch her make Panda carrying some too or use Megumi’s Shadow Storing Technique to store more weapons for her to effortless swap between.
Is there any weapons you’ve seen in an anime that’s your favourite?
There are some characters that just grow on you throughout a series. You start off either disliking them, a bit apathetic to them or liking them to rooting for them 110%.
It makes me wonder: what makes us start to love these type of characters?
Perhaps it’s because they are not particularly likeable characters, but rather relatable characters.
Likeability is the quality of being easily liked. It covers the perceptions of warmth, friendliness, attractiveness, approachability and similarity. Characters that I think of that are likeable include Itadori from Jujutsu Kaisen, Mob from Mob Psycho 100 and Sasha from Attack on Titan. These are characters you like and root for from the start.
However, relatable characters are characters you can bond with, empathise with and identity with. They are characters you usually watch develop and bond with as the story progresses. Characters that are think are relatable include Akaashi from Haikyuu!!, Yuri from Yuri On Ice!!!, and Saiki from The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. I’m not saying that these characters aren’t likeable – but they are known to be very relatable.
With this in mind some characters that definitely I found grew on me as a series progressed – and ended up being some of my favourites – including Bakugou from My Hero Academia, Nanami from Jujutsu Kaisen and Jean from Attack on Titan.
Something that I found to link Bakugou and Jean is that they didn’t have the most impactful introduction on people – but became fan favourites the more they were shown.
Bakugou was kind of hated by fans when he was first introduced – he was a bully, arrogant and mean. But as he develops thorughout the series he’s become number 1 in the most popular character polls. Now, people understand that he’s trying to be better, cares for his classmates, is emotional and is still so driven after facing a lot of bad things. By revealing more about Bakugou’s view points and understanding beliefs his character became more relatable to others.
Jean had mixed reception by fans I feel when he was first introduced – he was kind of rude and arrogant. But he had the best development by far in Attack on Titan – his leadership, caring nature, struggle with keeping his morals, ability to perform well under pressure and courage are well loved now. As Jean grew in his teen years and experienced more in the Scouts he really matured and fans appreciated that he was the most ‘human’ character in the series.
Nanami was well-loved from the start because of his comedic introduction with his relatable, ‘Work is shit!’ Nanami doesn’t emanate ‘warmth’ because he’s blunt and serious, but he’s relatable from the start and fans love his more realistic and mature mentality than other adult sorcerers we’d seen so far. He’s the one just trying to make money in a career he’s suited to and acknowledges that children are children and should be treated as such.
It’s as we’re shown more about these characters I’ve mentioned that we come to appreciate and bond with them. We learn to understand their motives, ambitions and struggles and so – we root for them because we understand them.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you think characters that grow on you in series are relatable? Or is there another common thread?
As an Ackerman, Mikasa’s physical abilities are insane. Seeing her throughout the series we see her carrying way more boxes and barrels than others and carrying multiple rails and thunder spears. It made me wonder how much can Mikasa lift? I would assume she carries 150+kg easily since she carries large bundles of thunder spears.
This thread by u/YamiRang ‘How much can Mikasa carry?‘ is very interesting because it calculates a higher amount that she can carry than I had assumed. It’s rather interesting so I suggest giving it a look! It’s always fun to read others’ theories and speculations.
Would you rather: Have Armin be the Commander of the Scouts? OR Have Jean be the Commander of the Scouts?
Would you rather: Have good hearing, archery, horseback riding, and tracking skills like Sasha? OR Have great hand-to-hand combat skills like Annie (who is considered on par to Mikasa in combat)?
Would you rather: Have to fight Levi? OR Have to fight Kenny and the Military Scouts?
Would you rather: Have to live in Marley? OR Have to live in Paradis?
Would you rather: Have to be a titan-shifter? OR Have to be in the scouts?
Link back to the original (Sophie @ Me and Ink) so she can see your answers and listen to the tunes.
For every prompt you choose name 1-5 songs (you can use Sophie’s graphics)
Have fun and play your music LOUD!
Home Town Glory // Songs that remind you of home // Midnight Sky by Miley Cyrus
“But it’s been a long time since I felt this good on my own.”
I don’t think this song reminds me of home physically as much as it reminds me of the vibe that we’re all small specks of dust in such a vast universe. I just feel like it would be a great song to have someone dancing to with a brightly star-light night background in a dimly light city or in a landscape like what Ymir was in in Attack on Titan. Someone make this happen for me please. My soul needs it.
It’s a Love Story // Your favourite songs about love // All of Me by John Legend
“What would I do without your smart mouth?”
I just really like this as a love song since it’s sung to the person he loves and includes things typically portrayed as ‘negative’ in a wonderful light. He just sounds so in love.
Shut Up and Dance // Songs you have to dance to // Dancin (KRONO Remix) by Aaron Smith
“Yeah but the feeling is fine.”
This song is such a bop. It’s got such solid beats against the vocals and the little odd sounding runs/trills just helps add to it.
If this was a Movie // Songs from Movies/TV/Broadway // The Plagues from Prince of Egypt
“Serving as your foe on his behalf is the last thing that I wanted.”
This is such a chilling song. The chorus’ harmonies and articulation, the instrumental sections, the lyrics, it’s all so creepy and powerful. The part where they make Moses sing against Rameses too is just perfection.
Comfort Crowd // Songs that make you feel calm // Frozen by Sheldon Riley
“You’re frozen when your heart’s not open.”
In what is probably a rather controversial opinion, I much prefer this cover to the original. The lyrics are so perfect for a ballad and I think the fact he’s projection is so open voweled and warm sounding adds to a sense of longing.
Always Remember Us this Way // Songs that remind you of your childhood // Asereje by Las Ketchup
“Y la baila y la goza y la canta.”
This song purely reminds me of my childhood because my dad sung it so much with us and played it so much. He helped me with my pronunciation too since I always butchered it. Plus, my siblings loved this song when it was on Just Dance.
Let’s Get Down to Business // Songs that motivate you // Son of Man by Phil Collins
“Oh, the power to be strong and the wisdom to be wise.”
I don’t think this song motivates me as much as I just want to say I appreciate Phil Collins absolutely going above and beyond in Tarzan. I don’t even care about his tax evasion this song makes me feel things and stay focused on studying (I don’t do well with upbeat songs while studying, I need songs more in the same vibe as Son of Man to focus).
Old Town Road // Songs from the past that you like // Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley
“Would it be a sin if I can’t help falling in love with you?”
This is such a romantic song. No more needs to be said.
Cry with You // Songs that make you cry and cry // Call of Silence by Hiroyuki Sawano
“Even if my body’s bleached to the bones I don’t want to go through that ever again.”
I can’t say anything about this song. I’ll just cry. Please listen to it.
I Think I’m in Love // Your latest music obsessions // Far Beyond by Dexter French
“Through ourselves we send a sign but the message is our breaking.”
I couldn’t think of a latest obsession so I just decided to put what’s probably my favourite song in.
Writer in the Dark // Favourite lyrics from songs // The Loneliest Girl from Carole and Tuesday and TheDOGS by Hiroyuki Sawano
“Do you really want to set the night on fire?”
Lyrically this is just one of my favourite songs from this series. It’s got such a clear story, emotion and message told.
“Were we born to lose and let goliath win?’
You have to listen to this song the lyrics are so good.
Sign of the Times // Songs in the charts that you love // Call out my Name by The Weeknd
“I said I didn’t feel nothing baby, but I lied.”
The Weeknd has such a great voice with so much emotion behind it. This song is feeling.
More Than a Memory // Songs you have specific memories attached to // Right Here, Right Now by Fat Boy Slim
I was deathly afraid of this music video growing up. It got to the stage that just the music would make me physically nauseous. If you made me watch any part of the video I would cry. And if you made me sit through the whole thing it would sometimes get to the point where I was sweating and my hands were minutely shaking.
Sing to Me Instead // Those songs you have to sing to // Take me to Church by Hozier
“I’ll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife.”
I seriously considered putting this song under the ‘lyrics’ question for this tag but I just love singing along to it so I had to keep it here.
I Wasn’t Expecting That // Songs that you didn’t expect to love, but you do // Glassy Sky by Yutaka Yamada
“The moments we spent have passed and gone away.”
I was crying too much the first time I heard the song so I knew I liked it but on a second listen I remembering not liking it as much? But I listened to it later thinking I still wouldn’t like it that much and did a total 180. I love this beautiful song.
Favourite Record // Albums you can’t live without // Merry-Go-Round-of-Life by Joe Hisaishi
I actually don’t listen to albums so I wasn’t sure to to put it. However, I will listen to this song for the length of an album. Someone please make a note that I want this song played at every major life event I have and if it’s not I will be upset. Someone better play this behind me while I dance through the street one night after a fantastic day where a wizard walks me through the air.
Video Games // Name your favourite music videos // The Trail We Blaze from The Road to El Dorado
“Changing legend into fact we shall ride into history.”
Okay so I also don’t really watch music videos. However, I have watched the Road to El Dorado many times and its entire soundtrack goes so hard in the movie which is a video. So, on that note I’m putting this song in.
“Going against the flow takes courage. I respect that” – Annie
The storylines follow Annie and Mikasa
Need there be anymore reason?
It gives a deeper understanding into the characters (especially Annie since we really didn’t get to see her all that much before she went into the crystal) and lets us learn more about their own stories. This works to kind of do a bit of ‘filling in the gaps’ about the Marleyan Warriors, Annie’s psyche and even a bit of how the Military Police works in Annie’s volume too
Annie’s such a great character
But apart from learning a lot more about Annie, it also lets us meet some interesting characters and see a bit more of minor characters (like Hitch and Marlowe). It also introduces some things that happen later in AOT’s timeline – such as Reiner’s identity complex. And although we already knew that Reiner developed this as a way to cope, it makes it more believable and easier to understand his actions when we get to see how it was developing and actually see how it affects him more in different situations
My poor babies have been through so much
All three volumes have their own interesting storylines
I’m so glad Isayama decided to write Lost Girls
The music in the OVA is great! There’s female covers from some of the OSTs in the anime!
Call Your Name is a beautiful song and I can’t really decide if I prefer the male or female version, so I’m just going to love them both
It lets us all cry together! We can cry over Marco’s death along with Annie, Reiner and Bertholdt as they take Marco’s gear and watch him get eaten. And also cry over how Mikasa’s volume focuses upon her imagining what her world would have been like without Titans (meaning that her parents would still be alive too)
ARE YOU CRYING YET? BECAUSE I AM!! SOMEBODY GET ME A TISSUE BOX PLEASE!!!
We get to see Annie’s hair down! And more of small Mikasa and Kenny (for some reason that I myself cannot tell, I do like Kenny’s character)!
I really wanted to see what Annie’s hair looked like down, and my wish has been granted
The novels and manga are already completed, so you won’t have to wait forever in between the OVA releases if you don’t want to!
So for those who are impatient like me, you can binge read it!
The Spooky Red Head Blog 