#gen ix

[retrogamingblog2]

Clodsire Dessert Plushies made by cutiepiesart

[dragonkeeper19600]

I’ve seen a lot of fans saying that Z-A’s treatment of Lysandre salvaged the character, turning what had been kind of a lousy villain into an actually compelling figure.

But, while I also like Lysandre’s portrayal in Z-A, I also always liked him as a villain.

Hear me out. I know ProZD made fun of him back in the day for having a twist villain reveal so obvious I’m not sure it even counts as a twist. I also acknowledge that his flaming hair is silly enough to earn the respect of any Yu-Gi-Oh protagonist. But even with those flaws, I found myself invested in him as an antagonist, almost in spite of himself.

I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself a fan, but he’s a big part of the reason I actually found myself more invested in XY’s story than BW’s back in the day. Maybe part of it was reverse psychology. I saw so many people praise BW’s story and dismiss XY’s that I was inclined to go the other way. But I’ll also say that his motivation made sense to me. It’s true what he says; there aren’t enough resources for everyone to live a comfortable life. Some have to go without; it’s basic math. I can understand Lysandre’s frustration with his inability to help everyone.

His plan also made sense to me, in a “I get why this person would do this” way. Reducing the world’s population to a select few and then making those few immortal, thereby putting an end to death and want, made logical sense. It reminds me of what we call “eco-terrorism” in real life, the idea that we need to actively reduce the human population for the sake of the planet. It does kind of make me wonder about myself, considering how many people criticize his actions in XY as “unrealistic.”

Even so, looking back at Lysandre and his final moments in XY again, I find that I was able to identify with him now even more than I did as a teenager. His obvious despair when his plan fails and he sees no possibility of a bright future resonates with me. As someone who’s struggled with depression a lot this year, I know what it’s like to look toward the future and not see any hope.

This is why Lysandre’s redemption arc really got to me. Not just because he’s working to make up for his past mistakes but because he regained his lost hope. Just look at this dialogue in Hotel Z.

He’s looking forward to something. Change used to terrify him, but now he’s looking forward to it.

I’ll admit, L’s battle theme in Z-A made me shed a tear. It’s such a beautiful score that sings not just of redemption but of hope. It’s really what I needed to hear this year, and it’s the perfect tribute to a character who spoke to me long before it seems he spoke to anyone else.

If someone like him can go from utter despair to smiling like this:

Then maybe I can, too.

[cinimuffin]

A bonus today

[doodle-page]

Sinistcha <3

[mega-scolipede]

Oh yeah btw I forgot to say it when the trailer came out cause I was busy but

Congrats to Phaesphoriashipping on the kid

[pocketattempts]

[1017. ogerpon]

[wellfine]

CROGGERS

[obscure-pokemon-facts]

#416. In Pokémon Crystal, Generation III, and Generation V onwards, increasing a Pokémon's friendship is more effective when at the same location the Player first met said Pokémon.

In Pokémon Crystal, the amount of friendship gained is doubled when levelling up only, whereas in Generation III and Generation V onwards, any friendship gains will be boosted by 1. (X)