#ryuu ans

[animeanka]

Little notes on Ryuu I found adorable:

(Bless the tankobon side notes)

Yes, he does change into pajamas and sleep normally (as opposed to always sleeping under his desk, as is his habit). Though, even in his own room, he often sleeps on the floor.

Since he lives all by his lonesome, Chief Garak stops by to hang out from time to time.

And Shirayuki comes by to greet him in the morning every now and then

It's just... the court herbalists care about him so much 🥲 my baby....

[sailormew4]

Poll Game: Guess Who My Fave Will Be in the End in...

Snow White with the Red Hair

I read the first volume, own the second, and have gotten to episode five of the anime. I'm very excited to watch this series! So in true tradition, let's take a guess on who be my future fave. I got this list from the Wikipedia page on main characters.

Guess My Fave in "Snow White with the Red Hair"

Shirayuki

Zen Wisteria

Mitsuhide Louen

Kiki Seiran

Obi

Ryuu

Izana Wisteria

Other

Voting ended onMar 7

For help here are types that my friends have seen:

IRL Friend: "outcast, dedicated, hardworking, intelligent, analytical, sarcastic, growth arcs, to be loved is to be changed/seen. they serve some form of catalyst to the protag or story like they can influence the protag. a foil essentially".

Also, New Edition! I have an official top five characters (it took two days to organize all the characters in a way that I could agree with), so they follow as: Adrien "Chat Noir" Agreste from "Miraculous", Amity Blight from "Owl House", Atsushi Nakajima from "Bungou Stray Dogs", Mamoru "Tuxedo Mask" Chiba from "Sailor Moon", and Katsuki Bakugou from "My Hero Academia"

Five More of My Favorite Characters That I Think Might Help (Similar Premise or Genre): Jinshi from "The Apothecary Diaries", Lucy Heartfilia from "Fairy Tail", Inuyasha from "Inuyasha", Syaoran Li from "Cardcaptor Sakura", and Killian "Captain Hook" Jones from Once Upon a Time

[meefy]

Thoughts on Ryuu + Autistic-Coded Characters, Part II: the Lilias Arc

Now that I've caught up to the Akagami no Shirayukihime manga(!!), I want to talk now about Ryuu's growth in the Lilias arc - specifically, why it was such meaningful representation for me to see an autistic-coded character surrounded by others supporting him and his values instead of wanting to change him. I will be looking at this through the same lens as my initial anime only analysis of Ryuu's character, so it may benefit you to read that first! Spoilers here up to and including Chapter 106.

The two years Ryuu spends in Lilias are inarguably fundamental for him - not just professionally, but socially and emotionally, too. But as an autistic adult, there are some special reasons why Ryuu's growth was so touching and important for me to see represented in media.

We go from Ryuu being overwhelmed in a room full of adult pharmacists (all of whom see him as some sort of "Rain Man"  rather than the individual child he is)[Ch 34] - not to mention having barely any experience with patients because people are too wary of him and his interest in poisons - to Ryuu being embraced by the community of Lyrias because of the very traits he was shunned for. This is not something that happened easily or over night - but his vast knowledge and hyperfixation on poison and plants actually ends up serving him well as a starting point!

His knowledge of poisons is readily necessary when the team of pharmacists is trying to uncover the cause of sickness in Lilias, and later when they are developing a nonpoisonous version of the poisonous plant. Through his contributions, Ryuu gains the respect of the other pharmacists who treat him as an equal and respected member of the team.

But that's not all. He finds someone his own age, Kirito, to introduce Ryuu to all sorts of activities he ends up enjoying - snowball fights, eating at restaurants, spending time in the public baths. I see so often autistic youth who are treated as "little professors" who get along well with adults, but who are shunned for being "too weird" or "too nerdy" for their same age peers. Kirito doesn't do that. Kirito might be initially confused about Ryuu's mannerisms, but he isn't cruel about them. They're part of Ryuu himself, and that's all there is to it. And in turn, Ryuu gets to have a friend his age for what is probably the first time in his life. It warmed my heart to see how doting Kirito was on his friend; even if they didn't completely understand each other, they understood each other enough.

The most touching part of the Lilias arc for me was, of course, Ryuu's eventual confession in Chapter 105 to Shirayuki about her part in his professional and social growth. Shirayuki was always the first to defend Ryuu in the palace and when they first arrived to Lilias. She treated him with empathy and kindness, and took his role as her supervisor seriously regardless of his age. She looked up to him. But perhaps most importantly, she encouraged him to reach out of his comfort zone - not by telling him to, but by showing her example. Shirayuki is always quick to help others, in her line of work particularly, and seeing her do so was undoubtedly a huge help for Ryuu. In his own words, she helped him bridge the gap between his scientific knowledge and interest, and the patients who benefited from that knowledge - until he was comfortable enough to bridge that gap himself.

For myself as an autistic adult, I don't learn how to interact with others naturally or by someone telling me how to do so; I learn by watching others (including in movies, shows, or by other people) and gauging their reaction. If I say X, this generates Y response. This is especially useful for me when I see people I trust interacting in a certain way, or when I know there won't be negative consequences if I make a social mistake. I have no doubt that Shirayuki’s bedside manner and eagerness to help others - and the good that it brings her - had a profound impact on Ryuu during their two years in Lilias. And, of course, Ryuu knowing he had a supportive group of friends including Shirayuki (someone who cared for him unconditionally and from his "old" life in the palace where he was used to) likely served as a sort of "safety net" - Ryuu knew he could try and venture out of his comfort zone (for instance, interacting with patients more than back in the palace) without fear of being shunned if he didn’t succeed.

Lata's advice in Chapter 104 of finding someone Ryuu admires and emulating them aren't just empty words to Ryuu   - Shirayuki is who he wants to emulate! But Lata also makes the point that Ryuu shouldn't copy anyone; he shouldn't hide or mask the traits that make him Ryuu. This is such an important and emotional point for me to see represented; that Ryuu can admire someone without needing to be exactly like them. He can be himself even as he grows and learns!

By Ryuu's own admission [Ch 106], he isolated himself back at the palace, and realized it wasn't positive for his growth as a person. I cannot speak for every autistic person, but I know myself and many others do not want to be isolated; we want to form real connections with people who don't want to change or take advantage of us. Ryuu was fortunate to find that in the palace with Shirayuki and her friends, and later with the team in Lilias - with Shirayuki’s presence being especially significant for him. I do not want to give all credit to Shirayuki here for Ryuu's growth (because that is mightily unfair to Ryuu who had to do the work himself), and that isn't the point of this post. What I do want to highlight is the positive representation here of 1) autistic coded characters and 2) a warm and empathetic support system. Nobody mocks or tries to change Ryuu's behaviour, as we so often see in media "representing" autistic people. Nobody goes out of their way to question how Ryuu speaks or acts. Rather, Ryuu's friends and colleagues embrace it and embrace him, with all his quirks and abilities - as they should.

It is that universal acceptance that lets Ryuu bloom into the person he is in present canon from a timid and isolated child into a confident and supported person. And the fact he has become so self-aware, enough to recognize this, is a testament to his growth, and of the importance of having a support system that unconditionally loves and accepts you. Obviously, this should be the norm (in media and reality) and not the exception - but until it is, I will keep praising it from the rooftops.

I can't wait to see how Ryuu continues to grow and learn, with Shirayuki and their friends at his side!

[aeroplaneblues]

Back Home

I did this for my last post on Patreon, but it was a little rushed and I liked the idea so I've been fixing it little between work. The point was to practice backgrounds which means this is heavily influenced on ghibli and genshin (the tree) and I think I'm getting the hang of it :D

[witchcraftshere]

same old family doing 👁👄👁.

stole the original frame from here.

might be a little too colourful but that's my special detail if i may say so haha. also couldn't fix the quality.

[what-plant-metaphor-am-i]

The other day I made a ratatouille, and in my head I was like, 'hehe, Rata-touille' (I have been reading vol. 15, Rata is present a lot) so here are some more ANS character names and foods combined:

Zenchilladas

Kikimchi

Shirayuquinoa

Obeans on toast

Mitsuhideviled eggs (alternatively Mitsouphide! Especially since the manga confirmed he likes soup!)

Izanachos

Ryule Log

Garackee (and) Gazaltfish (Garak Gazelt / ackee and saltfish? No?)

[purpledragonsart]

ANS Week Day Two - Rain

[what-plant-metaphor-am-i]

Concept: Ryuu getting mistaken for Shirayuki and Obi’s son while they’re travelling in the north, so he corrects them about Shirayuki, like, ‘oh, no, she’s my colleague’, but then he just. Doesn’t correct them about Obi.

Northerner: So is he your dad or...?

Ryuu from his elevated seat on Obi’s shoulders: I’ll leave that up to your interpretation.