I was tagged by @sifl-senpai who has the best ideas, headcanons, and thinks everything sounds better when sung in three verses and a chorus (points were made). Check out sifl’s entry!
The rules are to share something you’ve written that you look back on and makes you think “I’m such a good writer,” and then tag three more authors. I tag @codedredalert and @banana-babies because my other writer friends don’t use tumblr. If you’re a writer and you read this: do this tag! You’re a good writer! I believe in you!
Here’s the beginning of “The gold room where everyone gets what they want” a Devilman Crybaby fic I wrote back in 2018.
Heaven is not, as everyone thinks, a place where people go if they’re good enough. It’s a place you earn. So maybe he was tired of that, of needing to earn a place. Maybe God got tired of him the way a mother gets tired of her starving children. Maybe the children could never get full. Maybe they tried — they ate and ate — but their stomachs were too large and empty and their mother got tired of their grumbling and sent them out. Out of the house, into the empty, hungrier world.
Ryo dreams of a world where he lives with Akira in a small town somewhere in Japan. Akira is a teacher and Ryo is a business consultant. Ryo works remotely, checking in every morning via video calls. The work is challenging, partly because his colleagues can be a little slow and ineffectual, but also because human nature is generally unpredictable. Akira can attest to that since he deals with children. Ryo clicks into his emails and commiserates.
On weekday mornings, Ryo, not being one to sleep in, makes breakfast while Akira drags himself out of bed and has a shower. He emerges, dripping with moisture, hair sleek and desirable and Ryo doesn’t wonder why neighbours think they’re celebrities incognito. Akira leaves the house in a rush, with shoes half-worn and bread stuffed in his mouth, Ryo waving leisurely from the door while sipping his coffee. Ryo isn’t housebound, he has his haunts. Places that will tolerate him taking up a chargepoint for hours and, when the weather permits, a favourite spot in the park that overlooks the lake. On the rare occasion he needs to meet a client in the city, he can always expect a warm meal and a warm bed at the end of the day.
“The thing about good and evil,” Satan says, aloud, barely breathless even though he's been pushed to the limit. “Is that it doesn’t truly exist. It’s a conflict of ideas.” Perhaps if he says it louder, the one who needs to hear it the most will listen and believe him. Everyone is a child who’s hungry. Everyone is a mother who is tired. There is no such thing as true altruism and someone like Satan knows this.
God was in power and Satan didn’t agree. He was flung out of heaven to the furthest edge of the universe. After that, God decided the final nail on the coffin should be that he would never be happy, and made it so.
And people wonder why Satan doesn’t like when God decides things.
I had another short story prepared for Saturday but I decided to submit it to a literary magazine instead. If it doesn't get accepted, I'll post it here after all.
Remember when I said Kaoya has drawn a new work? It's called Bird Cage and the first chapter is available on pixiv in Chinese and Japanese.
I wasn't able to articulate my thoughts to her so I've decided to write a review to outline my thoughts, expectations and overview of the story in line and how it reflects her style.
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We're two chapters in and we've been introduced to three characters so far: Gao Ye, Yu Nong and Yun Yun.
Gao Ye is a 26 year old gamer who met Yu Nong in an online game and assumed Yu Nong was a girl. They arranged to meet up but upon meeting, Gao Ye learns he's been lowkey catfished and Yu Nong is actually a guy, and he works with the police too! After some complaining, they become irl friends and Yu Nong promises Gao Ye three things (not mentioned).
In chapter 2, we start seeing more of both of their lives. Yu Nong has a girlfriend, Yun Yun, he's been seeing for a while. She wants to get married but doesn't really care about him. Meanwhile, Gao Ye asks Yu Nong to help him move into a new apartment.
In this comic, I expect her to tackle parental expectations, online vs offline relationships, (ie the inexplicable bond between people you meet online vs those you meet in person), dating standards, the conflict that arises during a relationship, the demands of Chinese society and working life, and as she mentioned, aspects of the working life of China's police force. If this is a love story, I wonder how she will tackle this aspect of modern Chinese society. If not, this might just be an illustration of the validity of online vs offline relationships. We’ll see.
~Warning: mindless praise ahead~
First of all, I'm so stoked to see Kaoya tackling something as domestic as a budding romance in a modern day setting. Her opm doujins have themes that are along the same vein but it's one thing creating fanwork and another creating a full-fledged original work.
Here's why I'm excited: She makes sure neither the characters nor the drama are overly exaggerated and she saves over the top reactions for when it's completely necessary. The result is a thought provoking but entertaining read with 3D characters who are wholly imperfect, mature, struggling but self-sustaining adults.
One thing I appreciate about Kaoya is that she does not belittle any character's thought processes even if other characters disagree. In Chapter 2, Yun Yun and Yu Nong discuss their ideas about marriage and their relationship and though kaoya has a self-imposed mandate to not describe internal thoughts, she lays them out through actions and dialogue in a way that's easy to understand as long as you take the extra step to think about them (which is all anyone ever asks).
One thing I don’t expect to see is kdrama-style drama. As we’ve seen in her previous work like the side story for Yao Zai Sheng, she doesn’t tend to draw out misunderstandings and conflict, and if she does, that relationship is definitively doomed. Honesty and being true to yourself features strongly in her work. Her characters are as straightforward as she is and she presents a conflict which only persists if the solution is not immediately present.
Another thing I don’t expect to see is a strong love rival. Her works aren't typically structured with heroes, villains or even archetypes that resemble them, similarly, Yun Yun is looking to be the type of pitiable character who I predict will either not change and continue to live under her parents’ expectations to find another Yun Nong, or will grow to find her own wings. She might also become an obsessive ex that will hinder Yun Nong and possibly Gao Ye but I hope not as I don’t favour those sorts of characters. Yun Yun is by no means stupid, so when she watches Yun Nong go, we have to wonder what she's planning.
Criticism
Other than her simplistic style (which I personally favour) and pacing, I can see why she isn’t popular. All the things I mentioned above as pluses (little or no drama, no exaggeration, adult characters) mean tension is not particularly high, which makes her work not as compelling. You feel a niggling fear that bad things are going to happen at some point but always controlled and never to the point where you think “no way no wayyy”, in this way the work is never cheapened, but remains mature.
In addition, things which have great significance (even plot significant) are never put in bold flashing lights but rather hinted at subtly with passing glances and carefully worded statements. You have to pay attention when you read, and then you have to read it again. This applies to her overall message too.
On that note, I should mention that one of the reasons why Kaoya's work is actually compelling is that she has something to say.
Finally, she's said it's to make a strong impression, but Gao Ye’s hair sucks.
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Thanks for reading this ridiculous disjointed review. Do check out Bird Cage lol
I told @the-nysh I would do this so I did. I’m just here to shamelessly promote my favs. If you want to binge on art, trawl Pixiv and bookmarks. If you want daily art, follow the artists’ Twitter, or @GSnightfight.
Sidenote: It is strange to know that some of the raunchiest stuff come from mums.
(Artists under the cut!)
Kinako [Pixiv] [Twitter]- Protec. Their comic strips are so cute and good. Like this one here and an ongoing one on Twitter. I don’t really understand it but it seems like Genos drank a memory loss chemical to forget about how he couldn’t really love Saitama but then ended up in a relationship with him anyway? He calls just calls Saitama “Saitama”, it’s very bittersweet because he regrets drinking it. (Full thread here)
Yutani [Pixiv] - They do doujins, including one where Genos turns into a white wolf and one where Saitama gets double-teamed by devil!Genos and bunny!Genos.
Lisa [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Have I mentioned lately how much I love Lisa? I’ve been following her ever since she did “The person who makes you happy/Happy people” (Part 1/Part 2). She just did an omegaverse doujin too. Her style is a bit anatomically questionable but they look soft and blushy and muscley and romantic so I’m into it. She’s also done a couple of fake movie posters that’s also very tender. ^3^ (Also, nice try Lisa, I know you draw gratuitous bottom!Genos porn on a separate Twitter account.)
Nano [Pixiv] [Twitter] [Tumblr] - Soft, round egg. They did a doujin where Saitama gets fucked while wearing a dress as well as this really nice sfw doujin about Genos realising he likes Saitama. And who could forget this iconic fake twitter video. (Also they’re on tumblr! Please show them more love)
Polon [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Soft watercolour style, lithe muscley egg illustrations in sexy (and funny) poses and outfits. Loads of lovely short R18 comics. One of my favs is in here where Saitama’s cum is turned into Cookies and Cream flavour by a monster and this one where Saitama gets a bad fan letter and needs some TLC. They also have cat!sensei and dog!Genos versions which are super cute. Cat!Sensei is very chubby (it’s in their icon!).
Oikkodeth [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Yall better recognise. Mainly R18 doujins and puts out one every event (that’s like 5 times a year or more). They’ve covered the whole range: hanahaki, Little Red Riding Hood, human torso!Genos and more. Anatomy is a bit stiff but they’re so proficient.
Mido [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Korean but translates her comics to Japanese. Expressive, cute, clean comic style.
Akiyama [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Yall better fucking R E C O G N I S E. They, along with asamizu and a few others, have been posting since 2013. They churn out doujins like a machine and even has their own category in the doujin store, their books took up half a shelf. Consistently cute, punchy dialogue and doesn’t deal with drama. But you don’t need me to tell you. (Look at this though!!)
Hoyu [Pixiv] [Twitter] - You guys remember the sausage pillow comic? Do you like spit, licking, kinks and softcore yandere Genos? You’re gonna love Hoyu. Also, she knows loads of people? I always see her in the comments on twitter. Very skinny boys and twisted love, a new and interesting sketchy style.
Akiko [Pixiv] [Twitter] - A very girly and attentive waifu top!Genos and a tired Saitama. Puts out a comic strip almost every day? #blessed. (Sensei, please be sweet to me!) Doesn’t do R18 very often.
Oishigeru [Pixiv] - Does only doujins, maybe twice a year? Most, if not all are R18 and Saitama always looks vaguely worried. i like Even If mostly because it’s the only one I read all the way through and it’s about insecurities of a relationship. There was another doujin about Genos/Two Saitamas. Does introspective egg very well so I’m immediately biased. Doesn’t post art on twitter so I’m not including it.
Emochikaoya [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Yall already know I’m a massive fan of Kaoya’s work. Kinkwise, if you think of it, she’s probably drawn it. Super efficient, churns out minicomics once a week in between drawing her original comic (can’t stop the thirst, guys). I’m trying to get her to do more coloured illustrations so if you guys want to stroke her ego, I’ll pass it on. My favourite doujin of hers is ‘Who’ and it has hands-down The Best Egg Lecture. Probably one of the few artists who bother to translate to English (you’re welcome). I have a million things to say about her but it would turn into an essay so I’ll stop.
Minerux [Pixiv] [Twitter] - A member of the <:oc saitama club. puts out a comic weekly on twitter at the very least. they wordy but it super worth to read because all sweet and funny. regularly takes part in href="https://twitter.com/GSnightfight">@GSNightFight challenge on Twitter. Uncertain and worried egg and supportive and very attentive borg. Check out “Curiousity” and “Red String” and a personal fav “Hold on”.
Dokimaru [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Her neko sensei is probably the most iconic. He has a sweatshirt with like 6 nipples? Iconic. they drew a hot springs doujin where Genos turned basically his whole body into a vibe and Saitama caused him to short circuit and blow out every fuse in the ryokan. They set off the fire sprinklers. This one ficart where Saitama gets double-teamed by two Genoses knocked me flat.
Mat [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Mat?? Is so?? Good?? Ever think about how a look can break your heart? Egg is always tired and Genos is worried. Contact is very sweet and makes your heart twinge, and there’s another one they just released about Saitama being cursed with handcuffed hands
Hebitoriasu [Pixiv] [Twitter] - I’m not a big fan of the shading but I can see improvement. Mostly R18 doujins but they’re cute.
Tori/Saboten [Pixiv] [Twitter] - They have two major AUs - fem!Saitama (Nyotama) and Sabo-sensei - and they’re both amazing. Very good readability, very funny comics. If you’re not a fan of fem!Saitama, they have dedicated groups of art for nyotama. Of course my fav of their works is the one with all of Saitama and Genos’ dating problems and the one where Saitama is “Weak to ikemen (handsome guys)”.
Asamizu [Pixiv] - What kind of useless list would this be without Asamizu? Yeah they had their own category too on the doujin shelf. Very nice graphics, and they discuss relationship topics in a candid manner. Been drawing these boys for over 4 years! Mostly doujins. I also have to plug their game (visual novel) about Saitama endlessly repeating a week to try to get Genos to stop asking him out, it will probably last 10 hours. God they do love to ramble.
Toufumaru [Pixiv] - I’ll admit, I’m not a big fan of their recent work (sailor uniform sensei and sensei who wants to be held) but I really like Blue in Blue and Mellow Yellow which talk about Saitama’s non-existent emotions.
Nemunoki [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Mainly R18 doujins. They’ve explored all manner of sexual situations and kinks. Outdoor sex, electricity, double penetration, tentacles, you name it. It’s all amazing. The perspective does throw me off though.
Untara [Pixiv] - Into switch but really likes bottom!Genos anyway. What can I say? Kinky, but hot.
Satoku [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Melancholy egg! Attentive Genos! Does mostly short comics but they’re so cute. Martyr Saitama is my jam!
Kamikoawakakyouko [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Interesting concepts. Recently released a comic that I consider to be the pinnacle of the OPM fandom because it’s Saitama having to consider the environmental/global impact of his strength and how that boils down to affect his everyday life.
Matabi [Pixiv] - Pretty much only doujins. Sensei has moobs and the boys are squishy and blushy. Also does quite a bit of rimming.
Sototuka [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Mostly R18 illustrations with some nice shading but questionable garments. She drew this doujin with futa!Sensei and double-dick Genos.
Hara Hara [Pixiv] - Saitama is the manic pixie dream girl you guys never thought would exist. Fashion model ingenue. Werk it, sensei. Permanent come hither. Seeing Saitama in dresses brings me life (even if he is super skinny).
Raoki [Pixiv] - Mainly R18 illustrations. I remembered she did sounding with Pocky.
Gmeko [Pixiv] - C U T E. Round and pastels. Soft with lots of TLC. Did a “(I’ll find you) Before the stars do” comic and a hair washing comic.
NICE BOON [Pixiv] - Korean who takes no shit. Fantastic fashion. Little to no BL but the concepts are all on pointe. Existential egg. Eggistential. Locked twitter.
Silver_mssk [Pixiv] [Twitter] - locked account but if you managed to add her…really, really good eggistential portraits in a variety of scenes. Hilarious comics and a stone face Genos and flailing egg. Also lots of Mobuncle/Saitama scenarios? Which…tbh same.
Foo2333 [Twitter] - What if Saitama took part in enjo kosai (paid dating)? Bottom!Saitama, a soft and sexy egg desired by all. Listen, I don’t make the rules.
Skaky21 [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Mostly out of the fandom but dips in sometimes. Very polished shiny style. Not my cup of tea but it’s cute.
1200年丸 [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Now mostly BNHA but does OPM sometimes. Mostly SFW. This comic is cute.
ICHIKAZU [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Curly haired boyish Genos! Everyone’s crazy about her Apocaplyse!AU but I prefer her newest doujin where Saitama wins a camera and Genos uses it to take lots of pictures of his sensei.
Kaji Oyaji [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Wowowow so cute and pastel? Is everyone an angel? Am I dead? Soft and sweet. Saitama is like a fairy and Genos is in love. Imagine the embodiment of Spring.
Ginsky [Pixiv] - Chinese. They’ve moved on but boy those were some bright colours and expressive faces.
Tutu_en_f [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Soft romantic sketches. Feel very french but I’m only saying that because she is literally in France now.
COCONUT [Pixiv] - Korean. Fashionable (you see a trend?) Saigenos sketches. Young boyish Genos, manly egg.
Obachan [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Chibi comics. Still active and cute af.
Shiwasu [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Woah this egg is too cute for this world. Does short comics, draws sex but not especially ero. I like this one which is about Genos becoming able to read Saitama’s mind, first kiss (self explanatory) and Saitama losing his strength (R18).
Nyuton [Pixiv] [Twitter] - Active on Twitter. Posts a lot of speed-colouring videos. Nice sketchy feeling but with colour. Likes to borrow concepts from music videos.
Mochi [Pixiv] - Crudely-drawn gag comics with a humour on par with ONE’s. Please, they’re so good. This one opens up with both of them wearing The Dress.
Shout out to starjr_major who is currently in Golden Kamui hell but used to draw some really amazingly cute Saitama.
1ST RULE: tag 9 people you want to get to know better. (I dislike tagging)
2ND RULE: BOLD the statements that are true.
APPEARANCE:
I am 5'7 or taller - I wear glasses - I have at least one tattoo - I have at least one piercing - I have blonde hair - I have brown eyes - I have short hair - My abs are at least somewhat defined - I have or had braces
PERSONALITY:
I love meeting new people - People tell me I am funny - Helping others with their problems is a big priority of mine - I enjoy physical challenges - I enjoy mental challenges - I am playfully rude to people I know - I started saying something ironically and now I can’t stop saying it - There is something I would change about my personality
ABILITY:
I can sing well - I can play an instrument - I can do over 30 pushups without stopping - I am a fast runner - I can draw well - I have a good memory - I am good at doing math in my head - I can hold my breath underwater for over a minute - I have beaten at least 2 people arm wrestling - I can make at least 3 recipes from scratch - I know how to throw a proper punch
HOBBIES:
I enjoy sports - I’m on a sports team at my school or somewhere else - I’m in an orchestra or choir at my school or somewhere else - I have learned a new song in the past week - I exercise at least once a week (I try) - I have gone for runs at least once a week in warmer months - I have drawn something in the past month - I enjoy writing - Fandoms are my #1 priority - I do some form of Martial arts
EXPERIENCES:
I have had my first kiss - I have had alcohol - I have scored a winning point in a sport - I have watched an entire TV series in one sitting - I have been at an overnight event - I have been in a taxi - I have been in the hospital or ER in the past year - I have beaten a video game in one day - I have visited another country - I have been to one of my favorite bands concerts
MY LIFE:
I have one person that I consider to be my Best Friend™ - I live close to my school/work - My parents are still together - I have at least one sibling - I live in the United States - There is snow where I live right now - I have hung out with a friend in the past month - I have a smartphone - I own at least 15 CDs - I share my room with someone
RELATIONSHIPS:
I am in a Relationship - I have a crush on a celebrity - I have a crush on someone I know - I’ve been in at least 3 relationships - I have never been in a Relationship - I have admitted my feelings to a crush - I get crushes easily - I have had a crush for over a year - I have been in a relationship for over a year - I have had feelings for a friend
RANDOM:
I have break-danced - I know a person named Jamie - I have had a teacher that has a name that is hard to pronounce - I have dyed my hair - I’m listening to a song on repeat right now - I have punched someone in the past week - I know someone who has gone to jail - I have broken a bone - I have eaten a waffle today - I know what I want to do in life - I speak at least two languages - I have made a new friend in the past year
