[kit-so-ah]

I'm a 31yo writer and musician who loves to analyze various fictional settings and laugh a little. At the moment I am preparing for my 7th year of elementary music teaching while I finally start grad school. Main fandom right now is Trigun but I have a forever home with the Birdmen fandom whose discord I own. I've got a phd in Kingdom Hearts and a bachelors in Legend of Zelda. -Gif header by the amazing lackadaisical-pottymouth.

[kitsoa]

KH Theory/Speculation Masterpost

Turns out I talk about Kingdom Hearts a lot. Be it a rambling bout of questions or a outlined multi-part analysis. Below is a master list of links to my most notable theory posts. 

Early Speculation and Musings:

My Gentle Kingdom Hearts 3: A musing about the End -- KH3 initial review. Emotional blubbering.

Real or Figurative: Question about the Ending -- initial pre-ultimania/pre-dlc debate on the discrepancies of ending being literal or figurative. 

KH Questions I’m afraid to ask: -- A log of questions in my speculation process. Most of which have been answered by canon or my own line of speculation.

Explanation/Speculation on the Metaphysical Mechanics

Define: Heart -- A cited definition of the Heart as it is regarded and understood in the canon with minimal speculation. 

Explaining Terranort in KH3-- A Pre-Ultimania theory on what exactly happened with Terranort in Master Xehanort’s re-assemblage that allowed for Terra’s resurrection. This uses Namine’s unique creation to speculate the nature of the cosmic process that creates and regards beings. [basically CONFIRMED]

Musing on the physical nature of the Stations -- A speculation thread meant to help inform future theories. Centered around the idea of “Hearts as Worlds” and meant to tackle what is really ‘physical’ in the KH mythos. [spoiler: everything is a literal, physical thing]

Death and the Final World-- an exploration of already established mechanics in the KH ‘verse. Centered around the question of “What makes a Heart go to the Final World” and “What made Sora’s body go with his heart to the Final World?

Realm of Light, the PoH, and the Physical Concept Pt. 1 -- a theory on the nature of the Princesses of Heart and their connection to the Realm of Light and the Physical Concept. There is no Part 2 (yet) but you can basically use this to explain all the deus ex machina of the PoH and the function of light. 

The Breakdown of a Somebody-- An in-depth breakdown of the components and functions in a Somebody meant to explain the results of the absence or manipulation of those building blocks.

Worlds as Dreams and the Act of Waking up P.1 Traversing Hearts -- An initial understanding of the Power of Waking in regards to how layers of dreams (and their function as levels of reality) might explain how a power to ‘wake’ would disturb the natural order of things. Part 2 is a forever draft at the moment.

Explicitly Meta-Catastrophe Theories:

List of Theories--A compilation of some of my KH theories before they have been fleshed out. Some worldline theories and ‘realm of fiction’ ideas haven’t been touched upon yet but this is the skinny.

The Edge of Imagination Pt. 1 and The Edge of Imagination Pt.2-- ReMind analysis discussing the nature of the Final World as an ‘Idea graveyard’ that suggests the presence of an author figure between Sora and the ‘Verum Rex’ cross over.

Art Shift Analysis-- Pre-Remind comparison of the model and scenery of the secret ending meant to allude to the presence of a more ‘realistic’ world and therefore a ‘prime real real world’.

The Heart of Stories Theory-

Masterpost / Part 1 / Part 2 / Supplementary Analysis / Part 3

In this theory I ask “What is a Heart” “What is a World” and “What is Kingdom Hearts.” By asking these questions and reasoning through the evidence, I attempt to conceptualize the values of the Kingdom Hearts universe and conclude that Hearts are the essence of fictional stories. From here the theory that Kingdom Hearts is becoming self aware of its status as a fictional story is given a thematic foundation.

Heart of Stories theory follow-up - someone debated me on my points from the above magnum opus

KHUX Theories and Speculation:

** denote relatively active theories with a more formal construction

Thoughts on the Meta-Narrative of Kingdom Hearts X and UX-- what it says on the tin. Connecting KHUX to the idea of a story within a story and active authorship.

**The Master’s Figurative Language: A Breakdown of the Flashback in KHUX’s chapter “Cornerstones of Rebirth” -- analyzing the Master’s ‘backstory’ and motives. I allude to the metacatastrophe theory. 

KHUX Theory Confirmations- a compilation of khux theories that have been confirmed or supported (as of May 2020). With the strong note that I still firmly believe Ava has had a nefarious role in the current catastrophe befalling the Union Leaders. 

Ven as a Sleeper Agent -- early interpretation of Ven’s paradoxical innocence and guilt in the murder of Strelitzia.

**The Duality of Ven -- Theory that Ven is harboring a split personality that he created, which may actually be a sentient Darkling. 

**Ven’s Missing Memories -- April 2020 speculation breaking down the nature of Ven’s absent memories, finely deducing exactly what could have caused the memory loss and what can be ruled out. Supports the Split-Personality theory.

**“There is no Traitor” : My Complete Speculation on the Happenings of KHUX -A breakdown of what I speculate to be the twist in the traitor conspiracy, placing blame to Ava as retaliation against a fated demise.

White Coat Strelitzia- initial speculation on the appearance of Strelitzia in Lauriam’s dream. Inconclusive. 

**KHUX- Three Prong Speculation -- A compilation theory analyzing the connection between 1. MoM as the Author of Fate 2. Ava as the Traitor  and 3. Ven as a tool of Darkness. It’s the attempt to see how they interact. 

A Breakdown of khux update: Something Received--(circa November 2019) initial theorizing. Supporting Ava as the Traitor.

“Conviction” speculation- initial musings on Brain’s flashback of Ava giving him the BoP and her cryptic double meaning.

“Frail Defense of Ava”-- slight musings on the rose-tinted glasses the Union Leaders have of Ava. 

***“A Case in Stubborn Belief”-- Breaking down the three main theories I support in light of the murderer reveal. I won’t let these ideas die folks. (circa October 2020)

Dark Road Analysis

Chapter 1 analysis and additional thoughts: Musings on the World building presented in Dark Road’s chapter 1 as well as a meta-theory tie in to the idea of ‘Maturing Worlds”

Xehanort is self-aware: A discussion on the possibility that Xehanort’s reason for existence revealed to him by MoM’s World Tour was that he was created to be the villain.

Scala’s World and the proof of a realm of singularity: Answering an ask about Scala’s cultural fall which then spirals into why the Scala towns are empty. tl:dr--> All timelines converge onto Scala.

The Connection between Xehanort and the Player: Taking my initial analysis a step further and evaluating how Xehanort’s villainy and the Player’s PoV are means for the story to function and revolve around. Therefore their seeming connection is a literal torch passing as ‘primary driver of the story/heart’

Post KHUX Finale

Two KHUX fates?: Your girl is wrong so I’m trying to figure out how to be right with Worldlines and alternate endings. But actually I’m pondering questions like the missing X-blade from khux and the Lights of the Past cutscene not fitting with Ephemer’s fate.

Other:

Not a theory but I write a Kingdom Hearts fanfiction essentially drawing from these ideas known as “IV[or]y Wall”. It started as my attempt to prove that a meta-narrative wasn’t as crazy as it sounded which then became a dumping ground for how I could reveal it and other theories into a narrative. I really slave away at this story and I would appreciate you giving it a read and maybe a comment if you’re so moved. I post updates here when I release a chapter and there are more than a few story reveals you won’t see in this masterlist. Find the first chapter here on Ao3. 

Will update as I come up with these things. Enjoy! (update 1/17/22)

[courtesanofdeath]

This puppet show is over!

[luulapants]

Rating the birds in my backyard by tendency toward violence

Northern Cardinal, 4/10

I'm sometimes worried the male is sexually harassing the female but I'm pretty sure they're just doing some elaborate public pickup roleplay. The rest of us didn't agree to participate in your kink, guys.

American Robin, 1/10

Literally just some dude hanging out. Never bothered anyone but worms. Big fan of the way you just stand there in the middle of the grass like you forgot what you were supposed to be doing.

House Sparrow, 10/10

You're a gang. You're participating in gang violence. There's ten billion of you living in a single wood pile and it's been civil war for three years now. When will the bloodshed end?

Tufted Titmouse, 1/10

A shy baby. A pretty little guy. I saw you on the neighbor's garage roof and time stopped. There were anime sparkles around you. Come back.

European Starling, 9/10

Why is it always you? Listen, I know, I KNOW the sparrows are the problem, and YET. When the fighting starts, it's always you in the middle of it, provoking them and then screaming like you're an innocent bystander defending yourself. I'm onto you.

Carolina Wren, 3/10

This rating is not for physical violence, which you don't engage in, but for your role as an incurable narc. A tattle tale. I know they're fighting again, okay? I see it. Our yard has been a warzone for years, you don't have to make a big announcement every time someone misbehaves.

Eastern Wood-Peewee, 0/10

If this were "birds who think they're better than everyone else," you'd get 10/10.

Red-bellied Woodpecker, 6/10

It's a utility pole. It's not a tree. You're surrounded by trees that are full of bugs. But there you are, on the utility pole. Committing vandalism.

American Crow, unrated

For who am I to cast judgment on the actions of La Famiglia? I assume you are doing what is best for the neighborhood. If I could, though, without criticism, make a single observation. That when large numbers of you gather in the ominous dead cottonwood - no? No, you're right. None of my business.

Great Crested Flycatcher, 5/10

Frankly, I think you could be doing more. I think your name implies a great potential. I think you should massacre the insects. I think your beak should drip with viscera.

Stay tuned for more criminal activity!

[luulapants]

(continued)

Common Grackle, 7/10

La Famiglia does not suffer you to stop in our neighborhood long, and I trust their judgement in this manner. You have the look of a guilty bird.

Tennessee Warbler, 2/10

You keep to yourselves, and I respect that. I get the sense that you could defend yourselves if it came to it, though.

Brown-Headed Cowbird, 3/10

You're not a crow, and eventually they ARE going to figure it out, kiddo.

Gray Catbird, 5/10

Would you. Respectfully. Would you shut the FUCK UP.

Eurasian Collared-Dove, 0/10

You're doing great, sweetie, everyone loves you.

Red-Breasted Nuthatch, 4/10

A comedian. A little jester of a bird. You're so silly. Sure sometimes you incite violence in others but, really, is that your fault? If it is, we forgive you.

Blue Jay, 12/10

If you could learn any human behavior you wanted, it would be how to build a bomb.

Honorable mention:

Turkey Vulture, 5/10

You weren't in my backyard, but you WERE eating roadkill in the street in my neighborhood. I know the animal was already dead when you got there, but you get violence points for frightening the small children that walked past you. Incredible work.

[courtesanofdeath]

Why this hairstyle? Well, it's... to show my determination, I guess.

[skipsjack]

Stargaze be upon us, which means I have to celebrate before the despair can hit

[kitsoa]

Ok so I rewatched stargaze with Mal and like, the second viewing helped me a ton. I needed like... a cleanse. Some distance from expectation. And a couple good metas to help me get over the between season retcon with the arm and Lina that was weighing hard on me.

I am officially digging this season.

Episode 3 helped a ton. It was seriously a treat. Not only was it great with character acting and the Leonof campyness, but it had some of the best fight choreography in the series proper. Like there are few instances of triorange taking advantage of the medium save for maybe the finale and a few choice sequences in season 1 but this fight was littered with effective camera shots and creative fights. I particularly like how much this fight finally showed off Vash's prowess. Hes such a defensive character that he never goes all out and things are constantly interrupting him before he can get clever on villains. But his ricochet shot, using the gas. Using the gravity, showing off his unique advantages w durability and strength, his understanding of his setting (im sorry he was raised in that ship) the non-human aspect of the fodder enemy removing certain barriers-- he ripped off a robots arm and used it as a shield as he impaled other robots. I love him. It's wild to think that trigun hasn't had the opportunity until now to show vash fight fight. Like I feel like I finally understand who Vash is on his own. Its great. It really helped me view the first 2 episodes as the stepping stones they are.

There are so many angles you can take the Eriks era &it took a 2nd watch to understand oh. ohhhhh they have to approach this era this way bc the crime is so significantly different. In the manga, julai doesnt cause him to Eriks. 5th moon does. And vash blowing a hole in the moon against his will causing him to go into hiding is very different than a hero having a mental break bc he fucked up so bad in Julai, like he literally didn't succeed at anything during that finale, it is in retrospect, the higgest failure of a protagonist in recent memory (i mean he "kills" Nai and stops the ultimate ohase of his plan but he might as well've let Nai love with the damage he caused) . Sure he did the same thing manga Vash did w thr city, but he blocked his memory of the tragedy if im recalling correctly in the manga while the trauma is fresh and very much not blocked in the anime (any memory loss is either an act, a temporary disconnect or lack of communication by symptom of mental break down). This era is gonna have to linger a little while longer because he is not okay at all.

Rewatching episode 2 I realized the trigger that "woke" Vash up wasn't the soft, heartwarming reminder of the people who love him (like Lina or Meryl or wolfwood). We expect this because it is a trope in a hero lowest moment blue screen of death. We expected this because of the manga. So it bothered me when Vash snapped out of it for a seeming no reason. But like, vash is in that state because of his guilt over the innocent blood on his hands. And while his body moved without thinking to save Jessica (think s1ep10) it was Hoppered threatening his own death, that had Vash wake up, because the catatonic state was the result of Julai &Nais death playing over and over (same note in a piano), so the thought of more senseless death at his hand was the trigger for his mind to wake up and reject the situation for his own mental protection. Instead of love reminding Vash who he is, hoppered traumatized Vash out of his trauma coma. Sounds simple but the expectations were warring with my interpretation. When I finally saw it for what it was, Vash's curse of suffering, then I could easily accept the changes and see them for the gems they are. It's a really effective narrative beat and currently Vash isn't back yet. But he's close.

I also have to say that the Hoppered tragedy is really sad but ultimately simple. Hoppered gained meaning caring for his love Eriks. Hes an outcast. He was rejected in every way and could have easily been yoinked and manipulated by the Eye. It's never confirmed, so Hoppered is nevered confirmed to have any connection to Knives influence so he is genuinely a product of the aggressive environment of the planet and human nature. When his love dies he immediately is face with Vash in the exact same state of need as her. He may have not connected the dots initially that it was Vash but regardless Hoppered felt the same purpose draw him into caring for Vash bc of the void left by his dead love. Even as the understanding of Vash's role in her death is clear, Hoppered's war is over his own sense of purpose and the emotions tied with his time with his love or revenge for her death. In a similar dream or delusion as Eriks-Vash, Hoppered was suspending any logical thought for the easy, life preserving choice. Care for vash. Call him Eriks. Pretend she's not dead. It's the only reason you're alive. Jessica's arrival means the gig is up and Hoppered accepts death while simultaneously reaching for the revenge option that's been at his finger tips for 2.5 years. Bc he was gonna die either way.

This framing allows me to accept him making Vash pull the trigger so much more. I was getting bogged down with the same agony of " but Vash's first kill!" But first of all, just like julai, the kill is not on purpose or by his direct will it serves as a means to empathize how out of control Vash is to the death around him. But also, Hoppered was going to die by his hand regardless. Bc Hoppered couldn't live without the illusion of purpose given to him by his wife and Vash. Vash leaving was going to kill him no matter what. So why not make that crystal clear? Oh I think we'll still get Vash's first kill. In fact it'll be paralleled with this scene.

OK im finishing up. I am now officially hyped for the next episode beyond belief bc i am convinced we are gonna get Vash freshened up and debuting his new self. That means getting his clothes back, getting his new(?) Arm (probably off screen...) getting his gun and his hair cut. Transformative things. I got my money on either Meryl or luida cutying Vash's hair. With the comfort luida gave Vash at the end of 3. I think there's a good chance its gonna be Meryl mainly because we gotta address the black hair. Like its gotta be made obvious to the audience that isn't catching on. And its gonna be Meryl bc all that "haircutting is intimate and gentle" and Meryl is the heart of the cast (&not bc vashmeryl is dear to my heart im such a Meryl fan stahhhp) bit also because it a plot point that has to reach the crew somehow. It could be luida since she could exposition about it but it seems too early to reveal what it actually means.

Im hopefully for some crew shenanigans or banter. They didn't get the time to breathe thier dynamic in this episode and that's okay. We got Vash's puppy dog eyes at ww and the "awkward run to hug but hesitated" thing with Meryl. We got moments that mattered but now we need to embrace a little humor and sunshine. Meanwhile the stage set for the next movement of characters, they find direction and set off. The villains start making thier move. We understand why the episode is titled "from order to chaos". I anticipate something low key but I want nothing more than that.

This felt really really good to get out. I missed you trigun. Sorry it took me a second to come back to you. Sorry I doubted you. I love you so much.

[vanilladrpepper]

let's believe it's for the distant future; i'm not alone

[vero-niche]

the true recurring themes of studio orange's trigun:

meryl hitting wolfwood with a car

vash going 😍 at wolfwood while addressing him in the softest tone possible on the vocal spectrum

[heartbeat-echo]

The long hair is endearing

[shelternmberone]

wake up

[frolixkav]

"it's really you, isn't it, Wolfwood?"

[egberts]

why did everyone play the recorder in fourth grade what were they training us for

[wine-aunt]

oh

[egberts]

the repliers deactivated url is taking me out rn

[can-i-make-image-descriptions]

[Image ID: Anonymous Tumblr ask reading: The recorder in elementary school was to strengthen the lungs. Practicing controlled deep breaths at a young age can reduce the risks of things like asthma, and improve speech/voice quality. Public elementary schools nowadays are mandated to have programs (voice classes or otherwise) that work on those aspects. The recorder is the cheapest option and keeps the kids engaged. /End ID]

[kitsoa]

Ya know, I'm not as jazzed about some direction for stargaze and I've been worried since it became clear that this was gonna be it in terms of episode count. But I kinda need to enjoy this because I truly adore stampede and the spin they took on the original and I'd like to let things play out. That said there is so much negativity I might have to tap out from the discussion all together. I'm ok with criticism but it's getting in the way of me just giving it a chance. A lot of this is due to me agreeing with many points. Alas I'm gonna find what I like first.

[lotldraws]

it's that time again, here is the pre-game installment of stargaze saturday

[the-ghost-of-jason-todd]

COMING IN LATE WITH 4 NON-SELFIE PICS

tagged by @swifty-fox

i am tagging:

@lackadaisical-pottymouth @charlezarrd @the-backspin-alchemist @hogans-heroes

[lackadaisical-pottymouth]

oooh

I tag!! @desfraisespartout and @kitsoa

[kitsoa]

@birdmenmarxist

[riboku]

happy tanabemas @kitsoa! — prompt eishi's loneliness + fire reminiscence

[kitsoa]

Any resolutions for the new year?

Well, nothing substantial. I want to hit the gym a bit more, get strong-- I'm looking at aiming for running a 5k. I'm not very athletic but I'm very scrappy so I'll manage this, especially now that my asthma is diagnosed. I'm trying not to set one of those goals that hurts me like "lose ___ pounds". attack goals through a lifestyle change. In that vein, I'm not gonna set the "get a boyfriend" goal--- it's gonna go for something less stressful like "try new things and meet new people," that's a muscle i don't exercise enough and it'll be more fulfilling.

I am going to attempt a job hunt this spring. Thats the goal. Attempt. Hopefully get some interview practice. I don't resolve to make it. Just get the experience. Make more art and stained glass. This was a lowkey year because of the move but I wanna make sure my studio is in order and the art is moving. Finally, I'd like to make some choices to help my finances recover. I got a few major expenses and I feel my nest egg is so small now. I want some financial confidence so I resolve to budget.