The way he's holding them here makes me feel conflicted. Like, this scene is terrifying and I can't imagine what's it like to be on a receiving end of it but... just look at it.
- he's holding Zooble in a way so that their parts don't fall out
- he's not squeezing Gangle so that her fragile ribbons don't get tangled
- he's not putting too much pressure on Ragatha so that she doesn't get ripped apart
- he's only holding Pomni and Jax firmly because their bodies are solid and rubbery
And this scene is right after the torture too. You would think he would be more violent, but no. He wanted to hurt them, not break them.
Caine wanted them to listen. And because they never did, he made them feel what he felt when they poked at his biggest fears and insecurities.
I guess what I meant to say is - even when at his worst, there was still something considerate in him. Something resembling the real him and not the angry monster he'd become.
========== Stand-Outs ==========
Petal Monologue
Mortar Cortar
Whimsical Trip
Sell a Friend
Comma Planet
Love Words V
Transparent Jukai Mystery
Selfish
The Sim
Horse → Uma → Cryptid?!
Melting
Memory-Making
Forward!
Indididididividual
Just Like Her
Nomad Worker
Loving 100 Million Years
How to Gather Light
Petals Elegy
Monologue
My Neighbor Machiko
Brainrot
Neo Venom
Ego Renegade Boy
Spiral Melodies
Dabomen (Full Version)
(For many more songs that are still Worth Your Time, view all this month's highlights on my site!)
Well it's not realistic because there is like 3 teachers and each have multiple classes... knowing that Ace explain in a card there is 200 first years just at heartslabyul this years.... nope, thoses teachers are good for a burn-out. That's why I have fun imagining lots of other teachers ocs.
Humanities (Trein)
History of Magic
Animal Languages
Science (Crewel)
Alchemy
Astrology
Biology
Magical Potions
Mathematics (?)
Maths
Digital engineering (Not sure if it goes there but...)
Magic (?)
Practical Magic
Magic Analysis
Ancient Curses
Conjuration
Defense Magic
Kinesiology (Vargas)
Physical Education
Flying
Swimming
Other (?)
Master Chef
Poison Making (elective class)
Music
Art
Changes and Comparisons of Abbreviated Spells in Ancient and Modern Magic History (elective class)
A world of dreams and connection awaits! Let's go!
Highlights Archive
========== Stand-Outs ==========
Goodbye Dusk, Come Again Me.
Trick Heart
Adlib
Changing
SHIAWASE FOR YOU!
Rainy Love
EGOUiST
Playing Immortal
Love-Fuse
Ra
Nightmare Dinner Time
Working Voice
Moonlight Heaven
Marionette Ballerina
I'm a Ghost, You See
Not Going Anywhere
Gemini
Sorry, Choco Latte
Though It's Good I Was Born And All
Weakling's March
Doppelganger
Spot Late
CONNECT:COMMUNE
Song of Departure
Happiness Penalty
Let's Boil It Over
Sort Jewel
(For many more songs that are still Worth Your Time, view all this month's highlights on my site!)
As an ex-TikTok resident, every time I see someone talk about how horrible the internet is, I think about the Dabloons saga, and honestly I think more people should know about it. So here goes.
So TikTok has a feature where, instead of posting videos, you can post image slideshows. This was a relatively new feature at the time (October 2022, if memory serves).
People started having fun with it, as people do. And among that, a trend emerged. The first slide would welcome the viewer with, "Hello traveler!" As you swiped through, the slides would continue. "You must be tired from your journey," one would say, followed by, "I can provide you with food, but it will cost you..." Finally, it would conclude on this image.
All were set to this song.
And thus, the Dabloons craze was born.
People started offering more wares for the price of four dabloons. It began with simple, silly things like a burger, and then evolved into more. Here's a pie you can buy for eight dabloons, a sword that protects your from robbers for five. Here are all my wares and their prices, please choose which you would like. You look tired, have some stew on the house. Would you like to pick some flowers from behind the tavern?
They also offered dabloons. You'd swipe through a slideshow of an old lady cat asking you to sweep the floor for dabloon payment, or a kindly fairy cat granting you to wish of more dabloons. Sometimes you'd encounter brigands and robbers that would steal your dabloons. Sometimes you'd encounter a hero that helps you recover your lost dabloons. Sometimes there would be connected videos, where in one a cat would give you a quest to track down a hidden treasure, and you'd have to find the video with the treasure to earn your dabloons.
People, naturally, started keeping track of these dabloons. They'd be scrolling TikTok with a calculator in another tab, adding and subtracting their dabloons, writing down what they had in their inventory in their notesapps. The comments were full of people roleplaying along, saying things like, "Thank you kind sir, I will be taking the cloak and soup," or "I have 487 dabloons now". People would say "I don't have any dabloons :(" and people would reply to tell them, "It's okay, I'll give you ten of mine!"
The Dabloons Game eventually split into two. On one side, you had people taking a fantastical approach to it, with taverns and quests and magic. (This was where I was.) On the other, you had people attempting to combat Dabloon inflation by creating a Dabloon IRS, stock market, etc. These two rarely intersected, but occasionally you'd end up with someone from the Dabloon IRS in the comments.
For the span of about two weeks, TikTok came together to become one big RPG. It was beautiful.
Eventually the algorithm moved on and stopped showing most people the game. But I never forgot. And I never will. And I'll forever think about it when people say the internet is cruel and uncaring.
In which (Y/n) reluctantly takes care of a sick Rook, who the next day only vaguely remembers someone nursing him back to health.
Now, he's on a hunt to find out who that was.
Request by anon.
"Oh Rook, so this is why you haven't been bothering me all day long?"
The sudden voice reaching Rook's ears made him toss and turn in his bed, now alarmed and unnerved with how defenseless and vulnerable he was in such a state like this — sick and weak. He attempted to open his eyes and finally find out who this mysterious person by his bedside was, but even the smallest ray of light from the windows made him wince in pain.
While keeping his eyes closed in defeat, he exhaled and quietly called out, "Who—"
His attempts of sitting up were disturbed by hands gently latching onto his shoulders and pressing him down into his mattress again. His sick body saw no other option but to relent. "Sh, lay back down again. You need some rest before you can walk straight again," you cooed like a worried mother bird — much unlike your usual self whenever you talked to Rook. "My silly hunter... overexerting yourself like this... you're such a nuisance."
Humming a soft tune that made the blond's anxiety soon wash away, you tugged at the end of the purple blanket tossed over to the side carelessly. For some strange reason, seeing your annoying admirer so sick and vulnerable made you feel all strange and fuzzy — and for once, you didn't deny your overflowing feelings for him. Your eyes soft and loving, you ran your hand over his matt blond hair.
Rook still seemed a little bit disoriented, his usually so sharp senses blurry and not of much help. "Where am I..." he croaked out while yawning.
You quirked an eyebrow in amusement and merely shook your head, quietly giggling to yourself at how adorable he seemed. "You're in your bed," you stated in a matter-of-fact way while continuing to watch him. The way his hands snuck out from below the blanket to envelop your lower arm made you chuckle, and you merely tugged the blanket over him again. "Here, warm up. And I'll go get you something to eat— like soup! Yeah, Vil must have some vegetable soup around..."
It seemed like Rook didn't want you to go with the way he whined and thrashed around. Yet, he seemed to calm down when he felt a pair of soft lips against his hot forehead. A delighted sigh escaped his throat, and the fuzzy feeling of being cared for made his heart race even quicker than it already was beating.
"Are you an angel?" Rook asked under his breath.
A small chortle escaped your lips as you merely shook your head at his adorable inquiry. "An angel? Oh, I'm not an angel," you retorted, amused since you usually were anything but an angel towards him. Nevertheless, you ignored his weak protests and rose to your feet to venture away to get him some food. "Now rest, and I'll be back."
Rook soon fell asleep afterwards, but swore himself to find out whoever this angel was to thank them for their kindness.
•••
Rook wasn't one to be sick for days; his immune system had always been something he was envied for. So, it came that he was healthy and in high spirits again when the next day rolled around. He intended to not take any further rest — despite Vil's complaints and scolding — and instead began his search for that guardian angel that had nursed him back to health yesterday.
Prancing through empty courtyards and dark corridors, Rook kept thinking about all the possible leads and clues he had for identifying his little angel. Sadly, he didn't remember much with how bad his sickness had been — all he remembered were a few snippets of what they had said, as well as the forehead kiss he had been gifted with before his angel went out to get him soup.
A giant smile, one that caused students that crossed his path to shy away and run for their dear lives instead, graced his lips as he straightened his back and began skipping around in an energetic and playful way.
"Where oh where could you be, my angel..." Rook whispered to himself while an exasperated sigh escaped his lips. Clutching his heart in despair, he continued venturing into the library without really caring. "My angel who took care of me when I was sick! My angel who tugged me into bed— my angel who fed me delicious soup!"
Yet, his wild rambling was soon interrupted by a hissing voice coming from somewhere behind the large and towering book shelves. "Rook, can you please be quiet?" you grumbled under your breath and shot him an angry glare that caused the hunter to become aware of your inconspicuous presence. His eyes darted over to your position at one of the empty tables. "I'm trying to study over here..."
Rook immediately grew excited at the sight of his object of affection, the unwilling student he had been chasing for months already — you. Happy like a little child, he ventured over to you and plopped down on the chair beside you, which evoked an exasperated gasp from you. "Oho, mon amour! I've started to miss you, Mademoiselle (Y/n)." His words caused you to grit your teeth and roll your eyes, but Rook didn't let himself be discouraged. "You see, I was in no shape to enjoy your company yesterday."
You rolled your eyes and buried your face behind your book again in an attempt to hide your red cheeks from his prying eyes. Judging by that annoying grin on his face, you feared that he could hear the way your heart was beating at the speed of light at his sudden appearance. "Yeah, I know," you mumbled, trying to stay calm and unbothered. "I was wondering already why you weren't bothering me— running after me and yelling compliments of all kind."
Rook merely chuckled and waved you off. "Does that mean you missed me?"
Gasping, you shot up from your chair with bright red cheeks — and you couldn't tell yourself if the reason for it was because of embarrassment or anger. "Hell no, idiot!" you hissed nervously when you noticed his grin grow larger and larger. The blond merely stayed silent and watched you crumble under his intense gaze. Eventually, you sighed in defeat and crossed your arms. "You're insufferable, do you know that?"
"You wound me, my dear," Rook merely retorted in a teasing way. Then, he placed his hands over his heart and closed his eyes in an innocent way — oh, he was anything but innocent. "Truly, I am baffled at how nice to me you were yesterday."
Your eyes grew wide at the implications of his words, and before you could help yourself, a startled gasp escaped your lips. Rook's eyes flashed in a triumphant way upon realising that your reaction spoke more than a thousand words — so that was enough evidence for you being that guardian angel of his.
Yet, you continued trying to weasel your way out of his accusations. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Much to your embarrassment, Rook was already caught in his rambling that he didn't listen to your meek protests. "You even called me 'my silly hunter'!" he cried out while clutching his chest with both his hands, tears of happiness pricking in the corners of his eyes. Finally, his hard work of wooing you was paying off, and your walls were cracking. "Oh my, my heart... I cannot believe my success..."
Your cheeks were bright and hot by then. "I-I never did such a thing!"
"So it is true that you were the angel that nursed me back to health yesterday!"
When he wrapped his arms around you and smothered your face in his chest, you merely sighed and closed your eyes in defeat. Maybe... maybe things weren't so bad after all — but you would never tell Rook that out loud. So, grumbling curses under your breath, you did your best to appear annoyed. "I try to be nice for once and this is what I get...."
Originally got into this anime because of the Yorushika opening, but the first arc that happened above the sky is really breathtaking. I loved the whole atmosphere from what I’ve watched. I only watched around 5 episodes though I think? For some reason, I kept putting off continuing it, I think I was more interested in the world and was kinda too cowardly to continue because I didn’t want to see the two main characters hurt.
Despite not continuing it, I want to remember this anime hence an entry into this series.
Name: The Dreaming Boy is a Realist (Spoilers Ahead)
Thoughts: This was such a weird experience for me, because I enjoyed this anime a lot despite the fact that it has everything going against it? The animation and art isn’t that consistent or good, and it has pretty generic characters and situations, but….I liked it a lot? To the point I wish there was a season 2, and I’m considering getting into the light novel (not that I will, too busy haha, but it’s close).
I think the weakness of having a weak animated adaptation is that it avoids having weird fanservice direction and camera work like something Alya Hides Her Feelings in Russian has.
I think if you’re coming into this anime expecting a romance, you’ll be very disappointed. But if you come in wanting a calm slice of life where the main character deals with people in his life, it’s pretty good.
Like it’s pretty nice and calming! I liked it a lot.
There’s just this one weird subplot with the brown haired girl in the third picture. It’s the generic “guy saves the girl, and then she asks the guy to go with her to a place to pay him back and can be misunderstood as a date but it’s not” kinda plot. The main guy also has an internal monologue in his head about her rack, but doesn’t say it out loud — and she also complains out loud that she’s bigger than the rest of her classmates and it’s kind of a problem. But nothing else weird happens. The plot twist at the end is that she’s actually a middle schooler — but after that reveal, the anime never focuses on her assets ever again. Like…bare minimum?? So it avoids being totally uncomfortable somehow? It’s honestly kinda weird how normal the anime is. There are too much nonsense in animes haha.
In any case, I also enjoyed the fact that the guy moved on but the slow burn for the romance side still continued and I was satisfied with how the season ended.
I am repeating myself but I still find it weird and am pleasantly surprised with how much I personally enjoyed anime. It’s one of those things that I would understand if others would find it boring or dislike it, but I personally liked it a lot, somehow?? Anyways verdict is FUN/10.
Just a bunch of animes I wanted to talk and ramble about and remember. These reviews aren’t really going to be too long or coherent haha, just rambles.
Third Anime: Dog Signal (Spoilers ahead)
LOOK AT THAT OPENING, it’s so pretty. Even if you’re not planning to watch, check out the animation of the opening at least.
Thoughts: The first episode is a VERY TERRIBLE FIRST IMPRESSION due to one guy making the other wear a collar and crawl around, bUT I PROMISE THAT’S THE ONLY WEIRD PART. If you’re a dog lover, I recommend this anime a lot! They talk about behavior and training dogs and it’s actually really cool. Each dog and story is unique too, though it can get very dramatic and emotional at times, so it’s prob best as either an after work show rather than morning.
A series where I talk and ramble about animes I want to remember that I’ve watched, or any random ramblings. Note: These don’t go very in depth and more scattered thoughts.
First Anime: As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I’ll Use my Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World
(S1 spoilers ahead, no S2 spoilers)
Thoughts: Had lots of fun with this isekai. Lots of fun personalities, and it’s fairly funny, but what’s important to me that it’s not afraid to let its emotional scenes play out straight. One of the standout characters was Ars’ father. He will be missed. Loved his bond with all the cast. However, even when he died, it didn’t leave a missing piece, and I was very much content following Ars in his journey. Can’t wait to continue with S2.
Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons
(Spoiler Free)
Thoughts: It’s an enjoyable slice of life family drama, but it’s not too heavy on the drama. All four sons are likeable in their own ways, and the anime is able to show arcs and moments with all of them. Love their dynamics, and definitely there were emotional moments here and there. My fav was the oldest son. It honestly feels like those NHK mini dramas which have lots of episodes that is broadcasted everyday and has hundreds of episodes haha. 12 felt really short and kinda long at the same time.
Since mobile has a limit of 10 images per post, I’ll continue this in part 2.
Well, it's it's not a "best of" or anything because I'm well aware I generally avoid most of the major shows and watched in a year what many watch in a season, but I can at least say something of those I watched. My rating system is very loose where B's are mostly ok to good shows, and because I only pick what sounds interesting to me that's where most of them end up.
Rating: S
Apothecary Diaries S2 (Winter-Spring)
Rating: A
Kowloon Generic Romance (Spring)
See You Tomorrow at the Food Court (Summer)
Ruri Rocks (Summer)
City The Animation (Summer)
Witch Watch (Spring - Summer)
Ranma ½ S2 (Fall)
Spy x Family S3 (Fall)
Rating: B
Blue Box (Fall'24-Winter)
I have a Crush at Work / Can You Keep a Secret (Winter)
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (Spring)
Food for the Soul / Hibimeshi (Spring)
Mono: Weekend Animation (Spring)
Aharen-san Is Indecipherable S2 (Spring)
Uchuujin Muumuu (Spring - Summer)
Bad Girl (Summer)
Touring After the Apocalypse (Fall)
Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota (Fall)
Style of Hiroshi Nohara Lunch (Fall)
A Mangaka's Weirdly Wonderful Workplace (Fall)
Rating: C
Tasokare Hotel (Winter)
I May Be a Guild Receptionist but I'll Break Lines Every Time (Winter)
Zatsu Tabi (Spring)
Kaiju No. 8 (Summer)
Rating: D
Ameku MD (Winter)
Awkward Senpai (Fall)
Rating: F
Your Forma (Spring)
There it is, always impressed with the quality of the shows this Summer. So, I'm just going to make a Top 10 for the hell of it. There's 8 in the top two ratings, so two Bs will do the honors, and those are...
10-8
Bad Girl, Touring After the Apocalypse, Ranma ½ S2
Bad Girl ends up edging Hibimeshi, Blue Box, and Can You Keep a Secret by not much, mostly virtue of being very, very deranged and not afraid of being very weird. Touring after the Apocalypse could have been a lot higher, if not for hinting at being a mystery show that did nothing with the mystery. The actual mystery show ended up in the podium, could this have been a contender? Who knows. Ranma is always a strong show, but is my third favourite Rumiko Takahashi work and is the only on this list I skipped a full episode.
7-5
Ruri Rocks, See You Tomorrow at the Food Court, City The Animation
Ruri Rocks, a hobby show about a girl discovering the world of minerals had no reason being this good. Ruri could be an annoying character, but all her adventures end up with her energy being channelled into being productive. Episode 9 stands out as one of the better directed, better animated episodes I've seen and it's a shame I'll probably be one of the few that will keep bringing it up. As for Food Court, look, I don't think I can stress even more how Wada and Yamamoto are two of my favourite character pairings ever, the quiet gyaru and her complete gremlin of a best friend who can't stop airing her grievances manages to be both completely outlandish but also feel very grounded in a way most "quirky" characters aren't. I feel City could be a lot higher, at least visually it takes the crown as the better looking show of this year, at a time many shows are coming close to just using actual photos as backgrounds, going full ligne claire is something to be commended, and episode 5, which starts as a regular episode before going full 24 with split screens and telling multiple stories at once which makes you have to rewatch the episode multiple times is genius. Unfortunately, due to the virtue of being a sketch show there were just enough duds to make a very good show, but take it out of contention.
4-2
Spy x Family S3, Kowloon Generic Romance, Witch Watch
Spy x Family is a show that at a point early on was hovering on the higher B tier as it seemed a bit aimless, but really came back swinging with the second half, including some of the most intense moments the show had so far. On the lower step of the podium is Kowloon Generic Romance, an incredibly atmospheric mystery show about memories and regret. Features some great characters, including best girl of 2025 Yaomei, and could even be a contender for the top spot had it got a few more episodes to give some of the stillness the manga has that is necessary to the story, instead of having to constantly rush from plot to plot. Taking second place is Witch Watch, a show that seems made for me in particular. Clumsy witch? Check. Very good faces? Check. Complete disregard for "serious plot" and instead doing silly slice of life episodes? Check. Jokes about wordplay and spells that are a bit too literal? Check. There's probably better shows out there, but how many would in the week many shows premiere open with half an episode of the in-universe hit show two of the characters write doujin about? I love bits, this is a show that does incredible bits. Enough said.
And the winner is...
Apothecary Diaries S2
Well, it was the only S-ranked show, so I guess there's no surprise, is there? The continuation of the adventures of the poison gremlin and his primary enabler (sometimes of the prince and his lost cat) continues, and after much "well I'd rather not think about that" Maomao finally had to come with terms with Jinshi's "frog" and his actual lineage. It's going to be interesting to see how it plays out for the announced third season (Fall season, and movie in December with an original story), as the adaptation where it's drawing from has stalled (in fact, the adaptation has overtaken it by what's maybe a couple of chapters) and the experience in the last 40-something episodes will have to come in handy in adapting directly from the LN.
