Fannish5 memes + VS Arashi 101
laurus_nobilis reminded me of today's fannish5, because I'd been forgetting to check them. Oh, well, I'll do the two latest ones, the current one is especially awesome! NO PARTICULAR ORDER:
Name your five favorite evil characters.
1. Sakurazuka Seishirou from X: Probably my favorite evil character ever because he makes it so compelling! He's charismatic, he knows that he's a bastard, the narrative knows that he's a bastard, and that things are never going to end well for him. But that's the beauty of the story, because he isn't aiming for a happy ending. The great thing about Seishirou is his style, the way it's incredibly difficult to ruffle his calm, smooth demeanor, even when he has a gaping hole in his chest. The great thing about him is how he knows he's fucked up Subaru's life and he did it all on purpose to mark Subaru as his, even after death. The way Subaru really never can forget him. And every time Seishirou slides up behind Subaru and steals the cigarette from his hand, it makes me feel that sense of attraction to him that's just as deep as the hatred for him, everything that roiled up in Subaru. I love a character that can make me feel all that.
2. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII: Much of what I feel about Seishirou also applies to Sephiroth. The nearly unflappable calm. The incredible power this character carries around with him. The combination of deeply seeded attraction and hatred that war with each other when you're face to face with him. The smooth demeanor and the smirk that's both hot and you kind of want to punch it off his face. But I also love Sephiroth for all the potential in the character, for the tragic background and the what-might-have-beens and the layers that might be hidden underneath what we were strictly shown. Sure, a lot of that is fanon wishfulness, but it makes the character that much more interesting. Also, even if I'm not that fond of his AC design, he's still really hot.
3. Xellos from Slayers: While I like evil characters that might have moral gray areas, sometimes I also like the characters who are just purely chaotic and evil, because that's just the way Mazoku are made. They're not secretly wishing for anything else, they enjoy being what they are. Xellos isn't human, doesn't really work like a human, and, sure, sometimes it's fun to play with how he might be able to actually care for someone in his own way, but the reason I gravitated to his character in the first place is because he delights in fucking with people. It's fun to watch someone who is really good at what they do and enjoys it with a stylish flair.
4. Asami Ryuuichi from Viewfinder: Asami is in the same category as Seishirou and Sephiroth for me. I really, really enjoy the smooth, powerful bastards who enjoy being bastards but there might be some shades of something good in there. Sometimes. Asami is fun to read about, because he's amazingly attractive, he's brilliant and ruthless, he always gets what he's after, but he's slowly falling in love and that doesn't really soften who he is, but does add depth to his character. As much as I read Viewfinder with Akihito as the main character, it wouldn't be nearly as interesting without Asami and the strength of his character.
5. Zoisite from SAILOR MOON: It was hard not to include Kunzite in this one, because their relationship is a lot of what I love about his character, that someone so vicious and petty could fall in love and find comfort with someone else. But, honestly, for me, Kunzite would not be nearly as interesting without Zoisite, who is this... he's this amazingly pretty, slender, incredibly fierce character who looks like he could just about be blown over with a stiff breeze. But then he's actually dangerous as hell and smart, he's vicious and ruthless when it comes to his enemies, he utterly delights in mocking Nephrite or the Senshi. And also apparently doesn't mind dressing up in Sailor Moon's fuku or, when chased down by a giant horde of rats, turns them into his living weapons. Zoisite is just that amazing.
Name the five sweetest fictional characters.
1. Inoue Orihime from Bleach: As soon as I saw this meme, I instantly thought of Orihime because her wonderful, darling heart is one of the things that endeared her most to me. Orihime is the kind of character who would do anything for her friends, who always thinks of them before herself, even if it's to a fault often times. She really cares about people, she wants them all to be happy, and one of the hardest things she had to deal with was her feelings of jealousy towards Rukia, who she loves dearly, and fearing that she was a bad person for it. There's a reason her powers are defensive--because Orihime doesn't want to hurt anyone, she just wants to reach out and help them. She just wants the boy she loves to be happy, she just wants her friends to be happy, she wants them all to be safe. And I love her amazing heart for that.
2. Shibuya Yuuri from Kyou Kara Maou!: With a lot of series like Kyou Kara Maou!, they might not have worked without a character like Yuuri. Who could almost have been too LOVE&PEACE about his role as Maou, but... because it's Yuuri, it works. Because he really does think of everyone else, because he wants to help them, and let everyone get along. He tries so hard to understand other people and to forgive past mistakes and see the real person underneath, how they're not a bad person. I love Yuuri's faith in people and his kindness towards everyone, I love that the series really needed someone like Yuuri to put their world back on the right place.
3. Tonytony Chopper from One Piece: I might not have thought of this one on my own at first, but as soon as Siobhan mentioned how often she goes, "Awww, sweetie!" at him, I completely agreed. Chopper is just darling and a complete sweetheart of a character, completely naive at times and deathly afraid fruequently, but always so enthusiastic and cheerful! Always willing to jump right into their crazy little games or believe what the crew tells him with giant, trusting eyes! SO COMPLETELY ADORABLE.
4. Kinomoto Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura: Sakura is one of my favorite magical girls for just being a complete sweetheart. She reaches out to her friends, to the Cards, to her Guardians, to her family, to her boyfriend and they all respond because Sakura is such a good-hearted person. When she does something nice for another person, you can just feel the love beaming off her. When she goes to capture a Card, she genuinely cares about them and wants them all to be friends (and means it!), rather than just dominating them. She's so open and trusting with people that you want to open your heart up to her right back.
5. Honda Tohru from Fruits Basket: Tohru is another of those shoujo manga lead characters that half of the cast falls in love with because she's so open and trusting and sweet-natured. Even if she's naive and goofy a lot of the time, even when you really do kind of worry about her being out in the world sometimes, you do it because you care about that adorable girl. She loves to help make others happy, she wants everyone to smile and be friends, she'll put aside her own wants or spend her own time to help anyone, because that's the kind of giving person Tohru is. Is it to a fault? Yeah, that's part of the point of Tohru's character, learning to deal with that. But it doesn't change what an amazing person she is and how you can see why everyone connects with her. You can't help being drawn towards that warm, caring, loving spirit.
Also! I watched another episode of VS ARASHI yesterday! It was episode #101, with the JOKER cast, including Nishikido Ryo!
I was a little surprised at how quiet Ryo was during this episode, because it's semi-rare that they get other JE idols on their programs, so I expected it to be kind of a big deal? Not that I didn't know Ryo was kind of shy, just that I expected more focus on to be on him. On the other hand, I don't think he's the lead actor of JOKER and I actually did like the balance they showed between all the different cast members that came on the show? And, at any rate, it was actually an amazing episode, one of those I would definitely recommend to even those who haven't been watching much Arashi lately!
The best part is totally the ending, during Giant Crash, where I actually had to break out the screencaps again because it cracked me up so hard. So, all along the way, both teams have been failing about evenly, so they're neck and neck. It's Arashi's turn during Giant Crash and Aiba says, okay, we really gotta go with Green #9, since they were down to the wire. Nino and Jun both are calling out other numbers, but Aiba is insistent! Sho looks like he's going to go with Aiba's because it'll be really funny!
Jun, being the supportive and caring bandmate he is, turns to Aiba and says, "If this thing falls today, so will you." referring to MDA. Aiba doesn't have time to react before Sho pushes the button!
Down goes Green #9!
The Giant crashes to the ground!
Aiba runs for cover and tries to hide behind Ohno so he doesn't get crushed!
Jun is like, SEE, I TOLD YOU! as he sulks over!
Aiba says, well, since you all listened to me, we should share the punishment! as his defense! I laugh really hard.
The rest of Arashi put on their "ugh, so we lost, this is a pain in the neck" faces.
But Jun?
Jun has his I AM PUTTING MY RINGS ON bitchface on.
He literally cracks his knuckles as he's standing next to Aiba and looking away with his bitchface and his rings on.
It's the most beautiful thing I've seen in ages.
Seriously, it's a miracle Aiba survived this.
The ending was actually pretty fantastic, too. I'm not a big fan of MDA, of the idea of singling one of the guys out to punish them for failing, it smacks a little too much of public shaming/humiliating to me. But this episode? It was kind of beautiful, because it's not about shaming so much as it is about bandmates bullying each other and that is what Arashi does best.
Throughout the episode, Haruna-san (from Harisenbon) has done poorly on the games and she probably did cost them a lot of points. (But, given that they kept encouraging her to go out and try them and knowing how Japan works, they probably did that on purpose and she was playing right along with it. That seems to be Harisenbon's thing.) Aiba, in his defense says that, well Haruna-san was the one that got us in this position in the first place! She lost a whole lot more points! The rest of Arashi go, hmm, well, that's true.... Nino helpfully walks over and takes her glasses off, saying that it's not good to fall with them on.
So, it's time to put it to a vote. ONE TWO THREE AND--
They all point to Aiba.
Because Arashi has a choice here. They can punish the guest who lost them a lot of points or they can bully one of their own. And passing up a chance to bully one of their own? NEVERRRR!
OTHER FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
→During Falling Pipe Catch, Ryo says that he's not very good at this and doesn't have much confidence. Sho, being the helpful and calming sempai he is, says that Yamashita was on the show before and he was a really huge STAR~ about it, so (being as they're from the same jimusho) Ryo should feel better, right? Somehow, this does not help Ryo at all, he's still nervous!
Jun, being the even more helpful and good sempai, watches as Ryo's about to take his turn, helpfully says, "Yamapi caught it~ :D"
I love it when he fucks with Ryo, for serious.
→Or! During Rolling Coin Tower! Ryo says he's not good at this either, so naturally they all ask, well, what is your good point then?? Ryo says, "....lately, Jun-kun has been bullying me.... :<" to get off on another subject, which totally works well with Arashi, really. Jun's response of, "I do not bully him. :>" was kind of beautiful.
Nino talking about Ryo's farts during Falling Pipe Catch in order to embarrass him was kind of amazing, too.
→Jun and Nino were both out in full force in this episode, seriously. When Nino messes with Haruna-san's hair, then plays innocent? So she whips around to look at him, to tell him to stop messing with her, but he's already looking away. He does this about three times before Jun finally turns peevishly towards her, um, excuse me, but you could you please sit still now? like it's her fault.
Beautiful.
The world should fear when Nino and Jun gang up on people.
→Or when Nino and Aiba start working together. EXCHANGING OUTFITS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EPISODE. No, we've had these outfits on since the beginning, we don't know what you're talking about~ EXCUSE ME, Itou-san says, LET'S LOOK AT THE VIDEO.
Caught red-handed at having switched clothes between them, they say, oh, well, we thought that we each grabbed the wrong outfit~. And Aiba's clothes aren't cutting off his circulation because they were the wrong ones, HE JUST GREW AGAIN, OKAY. IT'S HIS FAULT FOR BEING SO TALL.
The whole episode was really full of these great little moments and I think VSA might just be my favorite show all over again. *___*
Name your five favorite evil characters.
1. Sakurazuka Seishirou from X: Probably my favorite evil character ever because he makes it so compelling! He's charismatic, he knows that he's a bastard, the narrative knows that he's a bastard, and that things are never going to end well for him. But that's the beauty of the story, because he isn't aiming for a happy ending. The great thing about Seishirou is his style, the way it's incredibly difficult to ruffle his calm, smooth demeanor, even when he has a gaping hole in his chest. The great thing about him is how he knows he's fucked up Subaru's life and he did it all on purpose to mark Subaru as his, even after death. The way Subaru really never can forget him. And every time Seishirou slides up behind Subaru and steals the cigarette from his hand, it makes me feel that sense of attraction to him that's just as deep as the hatred for him, everything that roiled up in Subaru. I love a character that can make me feel all that.
2. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII: Much of what I feel about Seishirou also applies to Sephiroth. The nearly unflappable calm. The incredible power this character carries around with him. The combination of deeply seeded attraction and hatred that war with each other when you're face to face with him. The smooth demeanor and the smirk that's both hot and you kind of want to punch it off his face. But I also love Sephiroth for all the potential in the character, for the tragic background and the what-might-have-beens and the layers that might be hidden underneath what we were strictly shown. Sure, a lot of that is fanon wishfulness, but it makes the character that much more interesting. Also, even if I'm not that fond of his AC design, he's still really hot.
3. Xellos from Slayers: While I like evil characters that might have moral gray areas, sometimes I also like the characters who are just purely chaotic and evil, because that's just the way Mazoku are made. They're not secretly wishing for anything else, they enjoy being what they are. Xellos isn't human, doesn't really work like a human, and, sure, sometimes it's fun to play with how he might be able to actually care for someone in his own way, but the reason I gravitated to his character in the first place is because he delights in fucking with people. It's fun to watch someone who is really good at what they do and enjoys it with a stylish flair.
4. Asami Ryuuichi from Viewfinder: Asami is in the same category as Seishirou and Sephiroth for me. I really, really enjoy the smooth, powerful bastards who enjoy being bastards but there might be some shades of something good in there. Sometimes. Asami is fun to read about, because he's amazingly attractive, he's brilliant and ruthless, he always gets what he's after, but he's slowly falling in love and that doesn't really soften who he is, but does add depth to his character. As much as I read Viewfinder with Akihito as the main character, it wouldn't be nearly as interesting without Asami and the strength of his character.
5. Zoisite from SAILOR MOON: It was hard not to include Kunzite in this one, because their relationship is a lot of what I love about his character, that someone so vicious and petty could fall in love and find comfort with someone else. But, honestly, for me, Kunzite would not be nearly as interesting without Zoisite, who is this... he's this amazingly pretty, slender, incredibly fierce character who looks like he could just about be blown over with a stiff breeze. But then he's actually dangerous as hell and smart, he's vicious and ruthless when it comes to his enemies, he utterly delights in mocking Nephrite or the Senshi. And also apparently doesn't mind dressing up in Sailor Moon's fuku or, when chased down by a giant horde of rats, turns them into his living weapons. Zoisite is just that amazing.
Name the five sweetest fictional characters.
1. Inoue Orihime from Bleach: As soon as I saw this meme, I instantly thought of Orihime because her wonderful, darling heart is one of the things that endeared her most to me. Orihime is the kind of character who would do anything for her friends, who always thinks of them before herself, even if it's to a fault often times. She really cares about people, she wants them all to be happy, and one of the hardest things she had to deal with was her feelings of jealousy towards Rukia, who she loves dearly, and fearing that she was a bad person for it. There's a reason her powers are defensive--because Orihime doesn't want to hurt anyone, she just wants to reach out and help them. She just wants the boy she loves to be happy, she just wants her friends to be happy, she wants them all to be safe. And I love her amazing heart for that.
2. Shibuya Yuuri from Kyou Kara Maou!: With a lot of series like Kyou Kara Maou!, they might not have worked without a character like Yuuri. Who could almost have been too LOVE&PEACE about his role as Maou, but... because it's Yuuri, it works. Because he really does think of everyone else, because he wants to help them, and let everyone get along. He tries so hard to understand other people and to forgive past mistakes and see the real person underneath, how they're not a bad person. I love Yuuri's faith in people and his kindness towards everyone, I love that the series really needed someone like Yuuri to put their world back on the right place.
3. Tonytony Chopper from One Piece: I might not have thought of this one on my own at first, but as soon as Siobhan mentioned how often she goes, "Awww, sweetie!" at him, I completely agreed. Chopper is just darling and a complete sweetheart of a character, completely naive at times and deathly afraid fruequently, but always so enthusiastic and cheerful! Always willing to jump right into their crazy little games or believe what the crew tells him with giant, trusting eyes! SO COMPLETELY ADORABLE.
4. Kinomoto Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura: Sakura is one of my favorite magical girls for just being a complete sweetheart. She reaches out to her friends, to the Cards, to her Guardians, to her family, to her boyfriend and they all respond because Sakura is such a good-hearted person. When she does something nice for another person, you can just feel the love beaming off her. When she goes to capture a Card, she genuinely cares about them and wants them all to be friends (and means it!), rather than just dominating them. She's so open and trusting with people that you want to open your heart up to her right back.
5. Honda Tohru from Fruits Basket: Tohru is another of those shoujo manga lead characters that half of the cast falls in love with because she's so open and trusting and sweet-natured. Even if she's naive and goofy a lot of the time, even when you really do kind of worry about her being out in the world sometimes, you do it because you care about that adorable girl. She loves to help make others happy, she wants everyone to smile and be friends, she'll put aside her own wants or spend her own time to help anyone, because that's the kind of giving person Tohru is. Is it to a fault? Yeah, that's part of the point of Tohru's character, learning to deal with that. But it doesn't change what an amazing person she is and how you can see why everyone connects with her. You can't help being drawn towards that warm, caring, loving spirit.
Also! I watched another episode of VS ARASHI yesterday! It was episode #101, with the JOKER cast, including Nishikido Ryo!
I was a little surprised at how quiet Ryo was during this episode, because it's semi-rare that they get other JE idols on their programs, so I expected it to be kind of a big deal? Not that I didn't know Ryo was kind of shy, just that I expected more focus on to be on him. On the other hand, I don't think he's the lead actor of JOKER and I actually did like the balance they showed between all the different cast members that came on the show? And, at any rate, it was actually an amazing episode, one of those I would definitely recommend to even those who haven't been watching much Arashi lately!
The best part is totally the ending, during Giant Crash, where I actually had to break out the screencaps again because it cracked me up so hard. So, all along the way, both teams have been failing about evenly, so they're neck and neck. It's Arashi's turn during Giant Crash and Aiba says, okay, we really gotta go with Green #9, since they were down to the wire. Nino and Jun both are calling out other numbers, but Aiba is insistent! Sho looks like he's going to go with Aiba's because it'll be really funny!
Jun, being the supportive and caring bandmate he is, turns to Aiba and says, "If this thing falls today, so will you." referring to MDA. Aiba doesn't have time to react before Sho pushes the button!
Down goes Green #9!
The Giant crashes to the ground!
Aiba runs for cover and tries to hide behind Ohno so he doesn't get crushed!
Jun is like, SEE, I TOLD YOU! as he sulks over!
Aiba says, well, since you all listened to me, we should share the punishment! as his defense! I laugh really hard.
The rest of Arashi put on their "ugh, so we lost, this is a pain in the neck" faces.
But Jun?
Jun has his I AM PUTTING MY RINGS ON bitchface on.
He literally cracks his knuckles as he's standing next to Aiba and looking away with his bitchface and his rings on.
It's the most beautiful thing I've seen in ages.
Seriously, it's a miracle Aiba survived this.
The ending was actually pretty fantastic, too. I'm not a big fan of MDA, of the idea of singling one of the guys out to punish them for failing, it smacks a little too much of public shaming/humiliating to me. But this episode? It was kind of beautiful, because it's not about shaming so much as it is about bandmates bullying each other and that is what Arashi does best.
Throughout the episode, Haruna-san (from Harisenbon) has done poorly on the games and she probably did cost them a lot of points. (But, given that they kept encouraging her to go out and try them and knowing how Japan works, they probably did that on purpose and she was playing right along with it. That seems to be Harisenbon's thing.) Aiba, in his defense says that, well Haruna-san was the one that got us in this position in the first place! She lost a whole lot more points! The rest of Arashi go, hmm, well, that's true.... Nino helpfully walks over and takes her glasses off, saying that it's not good to fall with them on.
So, it's time to put it to a vote. ONE TWO THREE AND--
They all point to Aiba.
Because Arashi has a choice here. They can punish the guest who lost them a lot of points or they can bully one of their own. And passing up a chance to bully one of their own? NEVERRRR!
OTHER FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
→During Falling Pipe Catch, Ryo says that he's not very good at this and doesn't have much confidence. Sho, being the helpful and calming sempai he is, says that Yamashita was on the show before and he was a really huge STAR~ about it, so (being as they're from the same jimusho) Ryo should feel better, right? Somehow, this does not help Ryo at all, he's still nervous!
Jun, being the even more helpful and good sempai, watches as Ryo's about to take his turn, helpfully says, "Yamapi caught it~ :D"
I love it when he fucks with Ryo, for serious.
→Or! During Rolling Coin Tower! Ryo says he's not good at this either, so naturally they all ask, well, what is your good point then?? Ryo says, "....lately, Jun-kun has been bullying me.... :<" to get off on another subject, which totally works well with Arashi, really. Jun's response of, "I do not bully him. :>" was kind of beautiful.
Nino talking about Ryo's farts during Falling Pipe Catch in order to embarrass him was kind of amazing, too.
→Jun and Nino were both out in full force in this episode, seriously. When Nino messes with Haruna-san's hair, then plays innocent? So she whips around to look at him, to tell him to stop messing with her, but he's already looking away. He does this about three times before Jun finally turns peevishly towards her, um, excuse me, but you could you please sit still now? like it's her fault.
Beautiful.
The world should fear when Nino and Jun gang up on people.
→Or when Nino and Aiba start working together. EXCHANGING OUTFITS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EPISODE. No, we've had these outfits on since the beginning, we don't know what you're talking about~ EXCUSE ME, Itou-san says, LET'S LOOK AT THE VIDEO.
Caught red-handed at having switched clothes between them, they say, oh, well, we thought that we each grabbed the wrong outfit~. And Aiba's clothes aren't cutting off his circulation because they were the wrong ones, HE JUST GREW AGAIN, OKAY. IT'S HIS FAULT FOR BEING SO TALL.
The whole episode was really full of these great little moments and I think VSA might just be my favorite show all over again. *___*