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[mundanneman]

CSM 185 Review

Chainsaw chapter 185 begins with what is possibly the most unbiased presentation of the Aging Devil by Fujimoto. It is nothing more than him voicing his thoughts out loud. We know everything he says is something he is contemplating. The gap between his words when monologuing about not giving the world an exit showcases this.

Furthermore, he nonchalantly mentions how he did not give this world an exit, implying he created this world. The readers of this manga can easily speculate something like that. The terrifying part is how casual he is about this.

The scenery changes in every panel for the reader. It reminds them of how many people have been thrown into this world. It gives weight to Aging's words that follow about nobody succeeding in escaping. The terrified expression of the treed person is possibly one of the more brilliant additions. Even after a thousand or two thousand years, there is no peace for the damned. This world is presented as a place where you can be detached. Yet, there is no rest for the damned.

Based on his words, either he did not create this world with an end goal in mind, or if he did, it never reached that point because people turned into trees. I am not completely on board with the idea that it is just a natural fate but I will not deny that possibility. It could very well be a side effect of Ageing's ability. After all, there have been theories and discussions pretty frequently about how humanity could progress if they were immortal; if they could beat the bane of old age. Who is to say that such a fate will be desirable? After all, the people trapped in this world did reach an answer. The answer they chose presumably allowed them to get as close to stopping their suffering as much as possible.

When the devil talks about the what-if, the speech bubble comes from the old age face which has closed its eyes. When it talks about what it wants, it comes from the youthful and blind face. In my opinion, its eyes are closed because it has turned its eyes away from the possibility of the potentially bleak realities that it faces. On the other hand, the energetic youth is too blinded by its desires.  The fact that ageing does not have an attachment to life comes into play here. At the same time, it makes his motives. 

To showcase its resolve, the cost dialogue is written in a close-up manner with a bigger font size. 

When we finally see ageing, almost poetically, it's looking down on what has grown old, remaining in shadows as light falls on the old man. Ageing's light falls on its back while its front is covered in shadows, showcasing his current state and desires and the gap between them. His emotional state is visible through the distorted speech bubbles. Ageing is unmoved. It cannot sympathise or empathise. 

Similar to a few chapters ago, it continues to look down on the youth it claims to support.

Surprisingly, Ageing conveniently does not mention a thing about the person who supposedly escaped.  This is just my headcanon but it could relate to the Fakesaw Man.

We finally get to see Asa make a weapon without an ability; without help from Yoru. She is holding it together through sheer will. Her distorted speech bubble indicates she is not calm. But, she got the job done. Nobody predicted Denji would eat someone who has already given up on their life. He takes advantage of the mechanism of this world in a manner that you would expect from a foolhardy youth.

Pochita saved Denji from his heart disease and saved him from dying to the zombie devil; he took over when he could no longer go on. However, what saved him this time was Denji. The current actions of this duo are separated. One acts as Denji and one as Chainsaw Man. This reminds me of a partnership as compared to the past when Denji was trying to become the Chainsaw Man.

Interestingly, even though Denji only transforms into Black Chainsaw Man when he can no longer go on, this time, even though he is back on his feet, Pochita remains in his Black Saw form. The engine roars and he gets back up, but the one who makes his engine roar is Denji, as he gets ready for a fight with the primal fear.

[hayatheauthor]

10 World-Building Aspects You Probably Overlooked

When crafting a fictional world, it's easy to focus on the big picture—epic battles, grand landscapes, and memorable characters. However, it’s also important to flesh out your world-building to create a ‘real’ world. Some aspects to consider when world-building are: 

1. Local Cuisine

Consider the types of food your characters eat and how it reflects their culture, geography, and economy. Unique dishes can reveal societal values and local ingredients.

2. Currency & Trade

Explore the forms of currency used and the trade systems in place. This can include bartering, precious metals, or unique items as currency, influencing economic interactions.

3. Timekeeping Practices

Different cultures may have their own methods for measuring time, whether it's a unique calendar system, seasons, or celestial events, affecting daily life and traditions.

4. Cultural Taboos

Consider the unspoken rules and taboos that govern behavior in your world. These can drive conflict and character motivations, adding depth to societal interactions.

5. Local Flora and Fauna

Unique plants and animals can shape the environment and influence the culture, whether through medicine, food sources, or as part of local mythology.

6. Rituals and Festivals

Incorporate unique rituals or festivals that celebrate historical events, seasonal changes, or important life milestones, providing insight into cultural values and traditions.

7. Language Nuances

Explore dialects, slang, or even the use of sign language that reflects the culture and social dynamics, enriching dialogue and interactions between characters.

8. Architecture and Housing Styles

The design and materials of buildings can reflect climate, resources, and cultural values. Unique architectural features can tell a story about the society that built them.

9. Social Hierarchies and Classes

Examine how social structures affect character relationships and interactions. Class distinctions can influence everything from daily life to political power.

10. Environmental Impact

Consider how the natural environment shapes societal behaviours, resource usage, and conflicts. Climate and geography can drive migration patterns and societal development.

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Check out the rest of Quillology with Haya; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors!

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[mundanneman]

CSM 183 : Review

This chapter of Chainsaw Man opens with another brilliant aspect of Fujimoto's artwork. We see Denji's face and zoom in on his eyes. His remembering of Aki and Power is a subtle and brilliant way of driving home the impact of this memory. Next Page: He cannot see their eyes. Brilliant. He cannot bring himself to look them in their eyes. It could be guilt. It could be him trying to deny the pain. It is up to the reader's interpretation. Even though those two are smiling, Denji cannot look them in the eye. He barfs. What had these three once said as something that connected them? They all barfed. Well, it was as explicit as it could get but the point stands. There is a transition from the thought bubbles to distorted speech bubbles. This showcases both, Asa and Denji's state of mind. Through the brilliant placement of panelling and the drawn speed lines, a cinematographic effect takes place as Denji falls into the water. At this point, it is important to remember that he had just barfed Bitterness Devil. Bitterness and snow: A friend reminded me of the term bitter snow, a harsh reality that you cannot help but run away from. These relatively similar designs of Bitterness and Snow showcase this. As if it ends there. Bitter Coffee? He remembers the first girl who did manage to steal his heart properly. But, he cannot look her in the eye. Guilt? Running away from pain? Sadness? Pain? Yearning? Everything I say. Why? Because he remembers her without her bomb choker. A future he could have had. And the more he remembers, the more he runs; the more he falls; the more he drowns. Nayuta, the dogs, the cats, he remembers them all, but he can only look at their backs as they run away. He cannot look anyone in the eye. This is where we see the first impact of Asa's words. Rather than moping, he tries to think about what she said. He tries to remember how he smiled. Considering the circumstances of the Chainsaw Man's body and his own, I do not believe what he is seeing is the real Pochita. It is much more likely it is a manifestation of Pochita brought forth by his mind. Did Pochita eat those devils to make him forget? Yes. Did he barf them up to make him remember? Does that mean the one who barfed them up was not Denji but Pochita? This is a question for a separate topic. As on the nose as it gets, if Pochita stops his fall, Asa lifts him. Falling Devil flashbacks anyone? Asa is so confused. Her eyes drawn in a zig-zag manner show that. Well, he finds a reason to live. He has not faced and overcome his trauma. But, he did not run away from them this time. Fujimoto continues with his brilliant panel placement as he switches between Asa and Denji's faces, reflecting their conversation beautifully. As Denji makes more and more sense, Asa's eyes are back to normal. Even Denji's speech bubble goes back to normal. At the same time, he referred to Chainsaw Man in the third person. Unlike the previous parts where he wanted to be Chainsaw Man more than he wanted to be Denji, He is himself right now. While Chainsaw Man is Chainsaw Man. I will argue that we are reaching the climax of this arc with both Asa and Denji moving towards the climax of the current part of their character arc. It's not over for either of them. But, they have and are making progress.

[mundanneman]

Chainsaw Man: A brief overview of its visual storytelling

Chainsaw Man: A brief look at artistic storytelling

Chainsaw Man is one of the best mangas out there for me. I would say it's my favourite of all the mangas. One of the aspects that makes it amazing is its artwork. Nothing matches up to it if it's not named Bleach. And part 2 does not drop the quality.

It is why I fell in love with this story. It is because of how Fujimoto uses it for visual-storytelling. Let us look at chapters 180-182 of Chainsaw Man.

We see how the first panel of Aging vs Yoru. Fujimoto draws Aging to showcase him as more overwhelming than Yoru. He was the bigger and stronger of the two. Aging takes up most of the page while Yoru falls. She looks like how you cut and paste a piece of art elsewhere. This works well in tandem with how aging's ability works. By showcasing the blurs as Black once and white once, he showcases how Yoru and Asa, of them fell prey to this power. The world reminds me of the idea of coexisting with nature.

We see Yoru's speech bubble overtaking Asa's face as she tries to use bang on herself. It showcased her ignoring Asa's will. Fujimoto draws Asa's speech bubbles or thought bubbles normally as connected to her. Sometimes they are zig-zag to showcase her emotional state. But, while her words are self-assuring, her thoughts and words are not connected to her. She does not believe in what she is saying. She is running away. She is in denial.

In chapter 182, Denji pushes Yoru away. Fujimoto draws her in a dark tone while he draws Denji in a fair tone. We see his emotions through his bold and bigger text. even though he was getting some action, his speech bubbles present the truth. He is not accepting the idea of letting Yoru lead him around. His focus is on his emotions.

We see how Yoru's face shows us a comical expression. It works to showcase how she is not relatable here. How she does not understand Denji and Asa. How she might be in denial. Asa punching Yoru works better than arguing with her again. She had already done that and failed.

Asa's eyes. They are usually black. when she is under no stress and is behaving normally. She gets hazy black eyes when she is going through gut-wrenching emotions. Her eyes take on a more Yoru style eyes design when she takes charge.

In conclusion, CSM nails the idea of visual storytelling.

[mundanneman]

Dead by Rats

I watched in silence as the rats dug tunnels to carry food. The invaders yearned for it as well. They failed like the pathetic dogs they were.

I watched in silence as birds fought with rats for food. Why? There was enough for everyone. Do not behave like those invaders. Stop! The horror!

I watched in silence as nature played its course. Why must they remind me of that horror? That bird, its beak reminds me of my commander's nose. He was the first to fall. That group - they flock together like the Barneys family. Those rats - they nibble at the food like my son!

Enough. I am tired. Its getting late. I close my eyes. I sense a rat making its way towards my heart. I hope I can see my son again. And this time, if I see my neighbour, I will not let him get near him.

[mundanneman]

On the Island

We looked at the boat - only one spot left. The crux of the decision that plagued us every day. How many times have we danced to the same tune? 

Today was the thirteenth day ever since we crashed on this island. It was easy enough to make a raft, not so easy a boat. It will not survive a two-person journey. Not if we want to carry food around as well.

Luckily, we had a lot of food with us when we landed. Not so much anymore. Afraid of it going stale, people hoarded as much as possible, ate as much as possible, and wasted as much as possible. It became a crisis as they became addicted to the taste. As we lost more and more food, we also lost more and more people. Now it's just the two of us.

We look each other in the eye. We made a promise. Both of us will leave. We are the only ones who haven't gone stale.