#it really wasn't

[blackthornish]

"Kit [...] wondered what it would be like to be in a family that had more than two people in it."

[gekshi]

the crazy realization of focusing enough and seeing who i think is talking

[mymediacollection]

Hell Dogs: In the House of Bamboo (Netflix, 2022)

My god...he is so attractive.

[dunderklumpen]

There She Goes 2×01 » Speech and Language (2020)

[tirsynni]

Years ago online, there was this strong Female Movement. This was before the Rise of Karen and the like. For a while, everything connected with The Feminine was supposed to be revered. You saw a lot of shit about Female Energies and specifically Female Things you’ve been “told all your life is bad but is actually Good,” such as menstruation. 

At the time, that shit really bothered me but it was hard to pin down why. I knew specific parts I disliked. I knew I hated how I was inevitably connected to certain “feminine characteristics” and I was supposed to rejoice in them, like how my “ability to bring forth life” made me holy or some shit (I am adamantly childfree and the closest I have to a maternal instinct is my love for my cats), how menstruation was supposed to be a Good Thing (no, it sucks, ow), and how there were certain boxes Men and Women were supposed to fit into and I was supposed to love the “feminine traits” society “told everyone to hate.” Some of them were good and had some excellent points, but these things repeatedly told me that some of my key characteristics were “masculine” and “false” and how I needed to just accept the “softer portions” of myself. Sorry, but the nasty temper is here to stay.

It’s easier to look back at that shit now and evaluate it. You can see the strong redfem trends in what was popularly accepted feminism. At the time, you found it everywhere with pretty pictures and lovely fonts and sweet sayings. Now, you look at it and you’re like, “Hey, hold up.” 

Some transmen and nonbinary folk menstruate. It’s not an Example of the Feminine, and as a cis woman, I don’t want it to be. Right up there with childbirth. Some transmen and nonbinary folk can and some cis women can’t. The whole bit about maternal instinct is wrong. Trust me: me and babies do not mix. Give one to my dad? Yeah. He’s good for hours. Let’s just go with Parental Instinct, okay? The “soft, gentle” feminine instincts? Nothing wrong with the soft and gentle, but I don’t see what it has to do with my internal organs.

We can promote women without limiting it to certain organs or stereotypical traits. Part of that movement was the strong connection between internal organs and those stereotypical traits and if we disliked them, it was because we were falling for the Male Narrative. This shit was popular and boasted how it was True Feminism.

Nothing here is a blanket statement condemning what some people have loved about “The Feminine” and themselves. It’s pointing out a popular perspective on the internet several years ago, how it has influence modern topics, how it influenced people then, and how it discouraged critical thought in order to find strength in narrow topics. I think the rise in focus on Transgenderism is important not only in the acceptance of others but in promoting self-reflection and critical thought regarding sex, gender, and society. The dismantling of boxes is important, and not too long ago online, there was an active movement not only in the creation of said boxes but in the importance of loving and respecting said boxes.

[angel-starbeam]

Heinrey: You all wanted me to get married, well I got married.

Court: Right after she got divorced.

Heinrey: Not our fault.

[mc-doppomine]

So we know Matenrou has like...a religious theme in terms of the members’ naming. And in some ways it’s just a way to be able to recognize the members as belonging together if you see their names (such as Mad Trigger Crew all having characters for animals in their names and the birth order of Buster Bros). But you know me, here to overthink this whole thing. (Also please, I am only working with sources I can find in relation to the deities, I’m not an expert in anything mythology or history related)

I find it interesting how Jakurai’s surname is the only one that is not spelled like a deity. Instead his is a temple or shrine. A resting place for the gods. Which he is generally seen as the one that provides reprieve to Hifumi and Doppo, the ‘gods’ that rest at his shrine. And in exchange receives the ‘blessings’ or protection from the gods. I feel MTC vs MTR manga best depicted of those two basically shielding Jakurai and most of their efforts are protecting him while attacking. There’s also a bit of reversal of the imagery since Jakurai is usually depicted and seen as the ‘god’--since they usually use saint when talking about him--and that his teammates receive blessing from him. 

Also a bit of a side note since his given name also could be over thought into this. Thunder is generally the warning you have for lightning. Which in many mythologies and religions is seen as the wrath of the gods. So like he’s the warning to his enemies of the coming of the pain that his team is gonna lay on you. 

Hifumi’s unfortunately doesn’t have much in the way of myth. I mean Izanami is after creation goddess but like most stories surround how she created Japan with her husband and the fallout from when she died. But there’s not nothing. Namely how the goddess’ name translates to ‘she who invites’ which fits Hifumi as being the most open of Matenrou and likely the driving force for many of the excursions that happen. And in terms of the mythology, it initially does seem like anything related to him but I found interesting was Izanagi--Izanami’s husband--coming down to the land of dead to retrieve her. But when he saw her, he fled. Despite it indirectly his fault that she is there--she died from childbirth with his kid--he ran and he trapped her in the land of the dead. Which is where I find the most relating to Hifumi.

Like I’d assume being the spouse being someone you trusted, Izanagi betrayed Izanami but not waiting to see her as she asked. Then abandoned her. We still have no idea what happened and not like we need to but I had seen it as Honobono having been someone Hifumi trusted. And she betrayed him and hurt him in some capacity. Only to proceed to leave him trapped with all the fear and darkness that she caused. And--at first--seems like he will never leave it. Izanagi blocked the way to Yomi, the land of the dead, leaving Izanami in the land of the dead which seems to described as dark and being of and surrounded by kegare. From what I have looked up and understand, kegare is ‘filth’ that often comes from contact with ‘death’ (menstruation, childbirth, sickness and rape are all under this including actual death).

It is considered ‘not good’ but how it comes about just is something that happens. But it is something that can affect not only the person afflicted but also those around them. It isn’t said but I would think since she’s surrounded by it that Izanami might not fully be affected by the kegare, I assume, she is now a source of since she’s...well, dead. Which I think fits with how Hifumi tends to cause trouble and how very rarely it directly harms him but certainly hurts those around him. But another reversal of the whole name convention, Hifumi is very well loved by those around him and endlessly approached, unlike the goddess (I’m sure she’s respected but I....I have no idea if you call that ‘love’ of her). 

Lastly and hopefully shorter but may or not be, is Doppo’s. His surname is partially named for the Kannon, generally named as the goddess of mercy or goddess of compassion. It’s generally ‘goddess’ but I’ve seen that the deity takes forms ranging from any to no gender so yeah. But I also noticed her name, or rather the name Kannon was translated from, Guanshiyin, translating to ‘the one that perceives the sounds of the world.’ Which I find fitting because I feel like that is basically all of Tirgridia, it is like Doppo’s observations of ‘sounds’ of the town of which he lives and hearing/sensing the lack of vibrance of those around him. Also in general, I see Doppo as sensitive to the temperament of those around him.

I did not find a lot of specific tales about the forms of this deity named as Kannon but there is a pretty big legend that involves her, the Journey to the West. As Guanyin (There are so many names for this goddess, y’all. There’s so many), she is a goddess that quite regularly gets asked for help in the adventures. Like, to me, it’s a kind of frustrating job (even if I doubt she would ever think that) to work hard for these guys that manage to get themselves into trouble so often. Kind of sounds like Doppo at his soul-sucking job and taking on helping people that are or act helpless. But moving on Kannon is this being of mercy and compassion, she hears the prayers for her help and promises to help and liberate. Dependent on what capacity she is worshipped at, she is a figure of unconditional love or a being that shows a great deal of compassion. Both of these things I feel fit Doppo even if he is not very good how he goes about it.

And an interesting distinction to make that she is actually a bodhisattva, which from what I get is a being that is near nirvana but because of a wish or love of other beings delays reaching it. Which is...gonna be a quick detour to dark for a second. (cw for suicide) which I feel like is something that Doppo also mirrors. Mainly in that I believe he is suicidal and has ideations about it. However despite his remarks of just wanting to sleep or die, he never goes through with it. Not even for himself but because he loves other people, namely his teammates, too much to ever leave them to attain peace for himself. 

(cw over)

Oh and for his reversal of theme of his deity, Kannon is actually one of the more popular and loved deities. Whereas Doppo is the most unknown and implied not liked or understood of all of Matenrou. 

And now that I finally, finally reach the end of the individuals....which believe me, I thought this was only going to be like three paragraphs became longer because of looking up stuff and finding more connections. I’m just doing some rapidfire observations. Not necessarily linking to them but but just interesting thoughts when looking stuff up:

Izanami had sent gods of thunder to chase after her husband when he fled from her. Again bringing that thunder and lightning are wrath of gods,

A lot of versions of Kannon in Japan specifically relate her to childbirth or children. Childbirth is what killed Izanami

There was a believed incarnation of Guanyin named Miaoshan, who told her father she would only marry someone that could ease the suffering of old age, sickness and death. Her father didn’t believe there was someone that could do this. He asked her what marriage could achieve that. She said a doctor could ease that kind of suffering. 

The entrance to Yomi is referred to as Yomotsuhirasaka and is where Izanagi closed it with a boulder. It contains the same final character of Doppo’s surname saka/zaka. 

[lanternsmith]

I’ve been seeing a bunch of people shitting on this newest season of RWBY so I figured it’s about time I put in my 2 cents (even if it’s a bit late to the party). Everyone’s real pissed off about Fairgame not happening, or even just about the fact that Clover died, which is fair, I shipped it too okay. I get it. But it’s not bad writing, it’s not out of character, and it’s not bury your gays. First off, the first time we meet Clover and the Ace-Ops they’re arresting RWBYQOJNR after they helped take down a bunch of Grimm in Mantle for an unauthorized use of weapons. They’re helping save people and it’s illegal simply cause they’re not all licensed huntsmen and they’re using weapons that aren’t authorized? Jeez, so then people in Mantle can't protect themselves against Grimm without getting arrested then? Lovely. Also, Clover’s specified multiple times how much he trusts Ironwood. Of course he was always gonna try and arrest Qrow. Yes, they’re friends. But Clover’s so loyal to Ironwood that he had to put that aside. He doesn't have to like Ironwood’s order but he still carried it out. Cause Qrow did try and reason with him in the airship and Clover didn't listen. If he had, then maybe the airship wouldn’t have crashed or Clover could have helped Qrow fight off Tyrian instead of being resistant to helping Qrow in that fight at all in favor of arresting him. Clover never once helps Qrow against Tyrian. And seriously, what are Qrow’s options here? Clover’s not gonna help him and he can’t let himself get arrested so he has to fight both of them off somehow and it’s unlikely that he can fight them both off at the same time. That doesn't mean he actually likes Tyrian or sides with him or anything. And Qrow attacks right back at Tyrian whenever he gets a chance. 

Tbh, It’s kind of horribly symbolic when you think about it though. Clover’s loyalty to Ironwood got him killed in the end. It’s not a coincidence that he says he owes Ironwood his life right before he's impaled.

Now about “bury your gays”. First off, Qrow and Clover’s sexualities haven’t been confirmed by CRWBY. You could say they’re flirting, and hey maybe they were, but we’ve also never really seen Qrow have a healthy friendship with anyone his age before and also I’m gonna hazard a guess that Clover doesn’t exactly have any friends with that whole no friends thing the Ace-Ops had going for them. RT has sunk a bunch of straight ships whether through death (Arkos, Summer/Tai, Ren’s parents) or other means (Raven/Tai, Jaques/Willow). Also Clover had a bunch of death flags going on in my opinion (”what would you do without me?” yes, what indeed?, the luck semblance -> when will your luck run out?). Their sexualities aren’t confirmed and even if they were, RT has made it clear that people die on both sides. Pyrrha’s death showed us that. Being gay won’t save you from Salem. Also Coco, Ilia, Scarlet, Saphron and Terra (a married lesbian couple with a kid, so that’s pretty official if you ask me), and May are all LGBT characters who aren’t dead and are all officially confirmed. And hopefully we’ll have Bumbleby in the future. So there’s that. 

You can still be upset RT killed off Clover. That’s fair. Just please stop straight up harassing them or the voice actors for any reason. That’s never ok.

On another somewhat related note, I have a theory that this next season will have some more focus on Qrow’s recovery arc. And I think there’ll be some parallels with how Blake’s arc went back in seasons 4-5. I don't think he’ll relapse back into alcoholism exactly (especially if he’s in jail), but he’ll probably have some pretty awful depression. The man has no self worth. He has some self esteem as a huntsman but not as a person. Let’s be real, Clover’s death is probably gonna make it worse than it already is. So yeah, I think he’s gonna have some sort of mental relapse going on. Blake had her sort of traumatic relapse into running back to Menagerie, but she wasn’t alone. Sun followed her and she had her parents there for her to help her along but not to make choices for her. Qrow’s not gonna be alone either. Robyn was also arrested and it seems rather clear from some of the shots in episode 13 that she’s gonna be there to support him.

And Qrow deserves a new, cooler sister after Raven’s shit went down. I nominate Robyn. See? Slightly misspelled bird names. It could totally work.