#hz118

[scraftyisthebest]

And here she is!

Say hello to Hatterene, at long last.

It's truly a glory to behold, the girlies finally fully evolved.

And they are slaying!

[amelikos]

Thinking about how both Liko and Amethio's Carbou are portrayed as "little brothers" in relation to other characters but in different ways.

[smilingperformer]

Aaaahhhhh!!

Hatterene is here! \o/

And she is a darn scary sadist dhdhsjsjdj.

Exciting times ahead~

Also Achigator is absolutely evolving next week based on preview LOL. Weird how Roy got so many eps in this training arc, Dot got none. Weirdly Roy balanced 🤔

[amelikos]

Liko and Ann in HZ118.

I watched the new episode and Liko and Ann's relationship makes me happy because it's really the kind of dynamics between a magical girl heroine and her Normal Friend who is her link to the mundane.

I really like Ann's character because of that, she reminds me of so many friend characters in magical girl anime, who are friends at school and who are usually characters who remind the protagonist what she is fighting for, etc. Someone outside the thrill of adventure/magical stuff, someone who's known the protagonist before she was thrown into the adventure and who knows sides of the protagonist in a way others don't necessarily, someone who represents the protagonist's own circle separate from the main crew (though, those two sides can sometimes merge).

I like that Ann usually notices that Liko keeps her feelings to herself and has pointed it out in the past, too (when she was talking to Roy at the bus stop at the beginning of Mega Voltage)..

Putting these two sets of screenshots side by side (because magical girl comparison, etc).

Second set of screenshots is from hit tv anime Princession Orchestra (episode 22), featuring the protagonist (Minamo) and her childhood best friend (Natsu), someone who has known her before she gained magical powers (the Normal Friend just like Ann is, someone who's known the protagonist before the magical adventure started and who is there for her in a unique way).

Anyway, it's interesting to me because both protagonists (Liko and Minamo) have a tendancy to put others before themselves and it's addressed in the narrative, an aspect that the characters have to grapple with. Natsu supports Minamo and wants her to cherish herself and what she wants to do. A bit similar to Liko and Tebrim. I also like the nuance in both stories when it comes to this "self-sacrificing" aspect of these characters.

Ann told Liko that she could relate to Tebrim as a middle child (she has a big sister and a younger brother). From the outside, it may look like Ann is giving in to her siblings or accomodating them, but Ann doesn't feel that way at all. She is doing what she wants to do, and it makes her happy seeing her siblings happy. Similarly, Tebrim isn't holding back and she is glad to help her friends.

Minamo in Princession Orchestra also finds her purpose through her Princess duties. What she is doing for others is something she is doing for herself and it's her own resolve and determination. It's just that what she chooses to do is something that ultimately benefits others (protecting them).

Anyway, I really like when "selflessness" and "selfishness" are explored with such nuance and when the answer isn't clear-cut. Finding meaning and purpose through others, and the different ways it can be portrayed in a narrative. I really love Liko and Tebrim, and the concepts they explore through their characters. It always feels nuanced and not just taking things at face value? Really good stuff.

Also happy I could finally write a bit about Liko and Minamo Princession Orchestra because their similarities have been on my mind for months now. I like unconventional protagonists who offer depth in their stories.

[amelikos]

Masquernya playing with Carbou.