It's the 5th deathaversery of the beauty project that was Unus Annus!
Man, I can't belive it's been already 5 years since it ended, I can so clearly remember staying up all that time throught the last stream and pulling a 48 hour day.
I remember geeking out and laughing to it with my Onii-san, waiting each day for the next uploud and how they made our days.
I also remember talking so much about it with my friends back then, and how we still include it in our conversations to this day (with my bro as well)
Thank you Mark,
Thank you Ethan,
Thank you Amy,
Thank you Unus,
Thank you Annus
It's been an amazing time back then, it's still an amazing time now (remembering and normally)
And as a creative person & content creator I appreciate the project so so much more with each year that passes <3
Go watch the stream if you can, it's so great and so nostalgic <3
I know it's 2025 and all, but it's the first time we finished the show together (I watched half of it all the way back but that doesn't count) and O MY GOSH
IT'S AMAZING!!!
I mean obviously, but still, heck it's good, so so good!
So good I'm crying and on the brink of an existential crisis, you know, the state you enter when finishing any amazing and absolutley soul changing show no matter your age ^^
Of course it adds up that it's a brother-sister story so it hits double so hard, espacially because well, I am kinda like Mable and he's kinda like Dipper and we're both just so close and life is beautiful
Perhaps in any other universe only one of them would get 13, if even one, in any other universe Ford and Stan wouldn't meet again, in any lots of other universes we would watch the show back in 2015 (pat pat)
But this dimension is fine too, because shows like that still exsist (and even if they almost pulled an Emma plot, they also fixed it back up) and just because you're 10 years behind, doesn't mean you're really. Good stuff is out there to be discovered and no matter the age, enjoy and have fun in this short span we call life!
Overall rating: 9.5
There is little we would change and/or do diffrently (or couldn't possible think of a better solution of said problems), it's definetively an expiriance and both a life changing and soul crushing series, we recommend!
Longer and more in depth review will come soon, now I'm off to cuddle very emotionally and totally not akwardly my best bro that I love be the brodette of ^^
I just found the first shiny, while grinding, despite the odds still being complete trash and aaaaaaaa, we never found them without the charm, that's sooo cool!!!
(Ignore the quality though, it's super late, I should be sleeping and I was quite literally shaking while that happened, will post prettier pictures later when my best bro is back home, I'm just so happy and wanted to share!)
-RikkaCatGirl (Okami ImĹto-chan) (+TakumiHairGuy in Heart, because he would play would he have time)
Are you even a real fan if you don't stay up 72 hours, scrapping together and trying to preserve all art, lore, looks, feels, assets, progress, battle mechanics and just about everything of the game you used to play for 6+ years and is getting it's servers shut down in less than 24 hours?
Bonus points, if there is no real good wiki with most of those information out there...
Double bonus points, if you are feeling depressed and very sad in advance to it and are just in general distress about it...
A very funny thing for me is that all/most of my biggest PokĂŠmon (male) crushes are to some degree characters similar/very heavily liked by my Onii-san, making liking those characters a little weird and complicated XD
But okay in exchange I get some extremely cute siblings combos we adore and are so us <3
A fun fact to remember from DWK is that technically Klette is never confirmed to be any gender. Technically all we know is that they use feminine language (she+) but also a lot of gender neutral language (which could be gendered if wanted)
The only semi hint we get is that Nerv should know now that they kissed, but he never really figures out, because as clusterfucky as the last two films are, they really challenge the view on gender.
Also if you're not convinced, one of the first lines we hear from Klette is "I'm not a girl", later denying she is a boy and throughout both films only challenges Nerv on multiple levels to "find out/figure it out"
Man I love nonsensical children movies to challenge gender views, gender roles and have nonbinary/not-gender-confirmed characters
In the hopes they will buff up and make Yukong usable again, todays headcanon is, let's forget Caiyi's actual daughter Qingni. This sounds absolutely absurd, but bare with me. The thing is, I love Caiyi and Yukong in every imaginable way and ship it extremely. But this headcanon doesn't even need them to be shipped to work!
Because what if, it wouldn't be Qingni but Tingyun? I mean, let's be honest, Qingni isn't exactly nice or even likeable and sadly not even having a custom design. And Tingyun functions so so much better as Caiyi's daughter. Not only because of her very similar looking appearance and absolutely mother-daughter relationship with Yukong, but also her personality and whole career. Not to mention, Yukong is the reason Tingyun is even in the skies!
It's even heavily hinted at, that Yukong sees Tingyun as one of her own anyways and is also extremely and personally troubled/right out completely shattered and depressed about loosing yet again someone. (Which would hit differently on so many levels, if it would have been Caiyi's daughter all along)
It would add so much more depth and interest to both characters if Tingyun would be in Qingni's place. I know that would have been probably a little difficult to show, mainly because we would have no conflict to solve at our time in Loufu, because the argument would have happend like hundreds of years ago, but still. She'd still had this conflict that she was destined for the skies but due to multiple reasons was against war and fighting and so became what we now know. There are so many possibilities.
In our mind, Tingyun is Caiyi's, and therefore Yukongs, daughter, I mean look at them <3
Because that's when Deltarune (Chapter 1-4) comes out!!! (0:00 Japan time, so couple of hours later for those living in Europe, America, ect, expect New Zealand & co which get it earlier)
The news later just came in with the Infos and I'm already giddy and waking my Onii-san up to tell him the good news so you should too!!
HSR 2nd Anniversary Animatic; Character Masterpost (Part 4/Final)
A masterpost breakdown which characters are seen where and when in the new anniversary animatic, soley based on characters, not story, song, lyrics, ect...
Original animatic
(The whole thing is rather long and had to be broken down into multiple posts, so if you're intressted I'm suggesting checking out the entire list haha)
Part one, Previous part
You can skip over my rambles and only watch out for the Pictures/Time/Character stamps if you prefer that, also characters are always listed from left to right ^^
(Art on any picture seen is not mine and might be of bad quality due to it being screenshots)
39. We're back to the celebrity AU! Our Girlfriend is just so pretty >.< She looks like that kind of celebrity having so much money but still being really down to earth and loving to chat with fans and making them happy (and that's why they should be protected)
Time: 2:20
Character: Firefly
40. Rockstar AU, Rockstar AU! I need an entire movie just around it because look how fine he looks!! True we maybe needed too long to figure out who he is from them but, that's not only our fault lol. Regardless, he looks amazing!
Time: 2:20
Character: Yingxing
41. Robin is not only gorgeous, but also busy. Perhaps she's the agent of the rockstars and Firefly? Would definetivley fit!
Time: 2:21
Character: Robin
42. You know, you have all those very successful looking people in this one seamingly connected AU, and then you have Geppie eating a hotdog and lowkey looking like he's 12 again. Which is okay too, I'm certain Misha would love someone to play with (and Geppie deserves some rest) ^^
Time: 2:21
Character: Gepard
43. Similar to the previous one, Sunday isn't super famous here, rather hard working and extremly exhausted. But remember bird boy, if it's too much there is always an empty bed with us for you (not to mention your sister would give you her last penny if she needed to make you comfortable or forcing to relax, perhaps all Imoto-chans are the same after all hihi)
Time: 2:21
Character: Sunday
44. Enough stress, back to relaxing. It's really sweet seeing Jingliu like this, also the eyemask screens mood XD Have a good rest, I want one too ^^''
Time: 2:21
Character: Jingliu
45. Out of happy AU, back into depressing reality :/ Anyways, look at this depressed bunch!
47. This segment is all about depressed characters looking directly at someone and perhaps causing some arguing about certain things between us two lol
Not Robin of course, she's perfect. From one sister to another, our brothers may be overworked workacholic perfectionists (near a burnout) that are a little cynical, but we love them uncunditionally, always <3
Time: 2:25
Character: Robin
48. If you would ever tuck down your eyeblind, you would perhaps realise that destroying yourself and everything around you might be the key to happiness
Time: 2:25
Character: Jingliu
49. Please...neither burn to ashes nor suffer alone and wait for a memory of someone. Stelle might not remember but she very much loves you (if you can live with her being a Trashcan Racoon)
Time: 2:26
Character: S.A.M aka Firefly
50. You don't need to shoulder all weight of the world on your shoulders alone...you can also...ask for help or...don't overwork yourself...it's okay, no matter what a magical girl science girl tells you, the universe will still stand. Also stop overthink your bond with your sister, she loves you! <3
(Also, according to Oniisan, your face got chubby, but don't worry we love you regardless XD)
Time: 2:26
Character: Sunday
51. You're allowed to ask for help and enjoy life, even the most simplistic things. I recommend wisiting the depressed lesbian foxian and riding a ship again for the first time, this works wonders ^^ Also stop apologising that someone else did evil while stealing your identity, nobody is angry
Time: 2:26
Character: Tingyun
52. You're valuble beyond the factor of how usuble and affective you are. Also, nope no matter how many times you'll throw yourself off of a building, I will make sure you survive, I'm worse than Luocha sorry not sorry lol
(Also rather random, but this frame was the reason for the debate, because colour theory, animation tactics and coulor identification is weird as heck)
Time: 2:26
Character: Blade
53. Oh Kakavasha, my child, it's not your fault you survived. You didn't even plan on surviving in the first place. You deserve to be something more than mere property and the lucky gambling chip, you deserve to be free
Time: 2:26
Character: Aventurine/Kakavasha
54. Perhaps you don't know who you are anymore, but I'll cherish your memories for you. You might get lost underneath the numbness of nothingness, but we will remember, every single time, till the end and beyond
Time: 2:27
Character: Acheron/Raiden
55. What can I say, beside, don't you dare backstab your own husbando or be the reason for my children to get hurt. Otherwise, don't worry to come off as annoying, people who think you are will anyways
Time: 2:27
Character: Phainon
56. Purple lady, you deserve hugs. Hugs and a better life with better people and perhaps I shall introduce you to my good friend Shadow, I'm sure you can bond over your trauma... Also no, you aren't the most terrible person on the planet no matter what your curse is, and you are not to blame for their death!!
Time: 2:27
Character: Castorice
57. Mommy didn't hate you, she also didn't leave you because you were a bad daughter. You aren't a dissapointment and in fact if you feel emotions, it's very helpful and healthy to express them. Also don't throw your friend away, or your mother. Also also, never talk to cute white kitty things
Time: 2:27
Character: Bronya
58. For last comes your girlfiend and the first syche wielding purple butterfly lady. No, you are not to be strong to be loved. You are to be loved because you are. Also, not everything functions through mere strengh, it's okay to just talk it out. Also, can you please buy shoes for the sweetest girl so I don't have nightmares about this child being barefeet? Thank you ^^
(I would love to provide a way better picture or that one frame before that but no matter how hard I try, I can't pause on it and take it, so I hope this one is okay too)
Time: 2:27
Character: Seele
59. Okay, back to our favorite Express crew in a classical mode ^^ I espacially love the nonsensical perspective of this shot, but that's what's making animation fun, right?
Time: 2:32
Character: Welt, Himeko, Pom Pom, Dan Heng, March 7th
Uff that was long, but that's the end of this very long masterpost about every character to be seen in this animatic, it was very time consuming but still extremly fun to make ^^
Thank you so much for reading! Have a cookieđŞ and the most wonderful day!^^
HSR 2nd Anniversary Animatic; Character Masterpost (Part 3)
A breakdown which characters are seen where and when in the new animatic, soley based on characters, not story, song, lyrics, ect...
Original animatic
(The whole thing is rather long so if you're intressted I'm suggesting checking out the entire list haha)
Part one, Previous part, Next part
You can skip over my rambles and only watch out for the Pictures/Time/Character stamps if you prefer that, also characters are always listed from left to right ^^
(Art on any picture seen is not mine and might be of bad quality due to it being screenshots)
24. Just a Caelus and Stelle transitional animation of all worlds we've been too
Time: 1:21-1:22
Character: Stelle (Trailblazer), Caelus (Trailblazer)
24.1 Well...all worlds except I don't remember this one with all the tentacles ^^''
Time: 1:22
Character: Caelus (Trailblazer)
24.2 From one complicated messy world to another, both having golden liquid as their most important atribute
Time: 1:23-1:24
Character: Stelle (Trailblazer), Caelus (Trailblazer)
24.3 Welcome to Amphoreus
Time: 1:25
Character: Stelle (Trailblazer)
25. Now I present to you, HSR the concert with the best pianist who may or may not can end the universe with taking off his glove or a symphony
Time: 1:29-1:34
Character: Welt
26. Seeing Himeko with a violin makes more sense than I'm capable to explain, but it simply makes a ton of sense lol (also, butterfly) and I did picture her with one before ever seeing any of it. It ism however, a very missed oppurtunity to show the Lorenz attractor in the backround
27. This I would like to call, Caelus having an exsistential crisis, or finding out he's a ghibli character (which is basicaly the same process I believe)
Time: 1:45
Character: Caelus (Trailblazer)
28. Complementory to her male version of herself, Stelle has yet to decide if she wants to be Isaac Newton or The red riding hood
Time: 1:50
Character: Stelle (Trailblazer)
29. This is just a collection of the Namless floating around Stelle Newton and playing a clasical piece (It's not shown very well, but Dan Heng plays Cello (fitting) and March 7th a tumbourine style drum)
Time: 1:53-1:57
Character: (In no order because they are floating around) Himeko, Welt, Dan Heng, March 7th
30. We aren't super sure what this part is suppose to say, but perhaps we've been all those important super cool people once? Maybe increnation or simply we before the Stellaron, or perhaps the Stellaron itself? Or perhaps we are simply the representation of humanity itself, all the things we achived and explored already, what we have been able to see
Time: 2:00
Character: Caelus+
31. Again, not a character one, but still super cool. Is it intentional? I don't know but that's an ouroboros before it descends into a spiral with an image similar to a neuron in the backround
Time: 2:02-2:03
32. Soft Dan Heng looking out of the parlor's windows while we travel the universe ^^ (There is an excited March in the window previously, but I couldn't get a proper screenshot oops)
Time: 2:08
Character: Dan Heng
33. Remember the classical concert the Nameless are giving? Look, some closeups while the train is shooting through them heh (We needed an embarrassingly long time to figure out how Himeko is positioned to hold the bow like that ^^'')
Time: 2:09-2:11
Character: Himeko, Welt
34. Still in the same classical sense (that's not even an AU, it's canon from now on that we sometimes just whip out instruments and play classical music on the Express), Caelus is playing the trumpet
Time: 2:12
Character: Caelus (Trailblazer)
35. This is perhaps one of my favourite shots/transitions in the animatic as a whole, it's so powerful! I know I said I won't go too much into symbolic and story but...how could I not with this particular picture?
Caelus is positioned in a very similar pose to the fatal position (that one in the womb), while Kafka and Himeko are each on one side, because both are our "mothers". I know it's seen as a joke to call those two Mommy characters, but towards the Trailblazer they very much are (Himeko even to all three of the "children"). Kafka on the left, our previous life, Himeko on the right, our future life. In the middle we stand.
Also, not to mention that those two met for chess, standing for maybe a strategic plan, or...well let's be honest those two meet all the time for various intrests (one being definitively one another), if they wouldn't and Kafka wouldn't trust Himeko, she would never leave us with the coffee lady (I mean that coffee kills)
HSR 2nd Anniversary Animatic; Character Masterpost (Part 2)
A breakdown which characters are seen where and when in the new animatic, soley based on characters, not story, song, lyrics, etc... Also this post is basically just Jing Yuan/High Cloud Quintet simping with their Rockstar AU hehe
Original animatic
(The whole thing is rather long so if you're intressted I'm suggesting checking out the entire list haha)
Previous part, Next part
You can skip over my rambles and only watch out for the Pictures/Time/Character stamps if you prefer that, also characters are always listed from left to right ^^
(Art on any picture seen is not mine and might be of bad quality due to it being screenshots)
14. Caelus has very pretty eyelashes and a very goofy smile, a trilogy
Time: 1:00-1:03
Character: Caelus (Trailblaizer)
15. Stelle on the other hand is just pretty and enjoying the astral view
Time: 1:05
Characters: Stelle (Trailblaizer)
16. Stelle's girlfriend looks absolutley stunning in this Celebrity AU (ŕšâŞáşâŞŕš)
Time: 1:09-1:10
Character: Firefly
16.1 Her shoes are very on point as well (hehe)
Time: 1:07
Character: Firefly
17. To the absolute delight this scene is!!! (I'll warn that this segment has by far the most photos and perhaps you can tell why, nontheless I have selected only the best haha) This rock star AU fits sooooo well!!
Time: 1:13
Character: Jing Yuan, Jingliu, Yingxing, Dan Feng
17.1 A little more of Jing Yuan's face because we sadly don't see a whole lot of it but, the emotions, the boy is feeling it!
Time: 1:13
Character: Jing Yuan, Jingliu, Yingxing, Dan Feng
18. Look at them, I know it's not a full shot of our husbando but like, it looks so cool! Not only him, look at Dan Feng in the backround, and Jingliu rocking on stage!
Time: 1:14
Character: Jingliu, Jing Yuan, Dan Feng
18.1 This point is kinda just to simp about Jing Yuan (and his hands) while he is holding a legendary guitair and looking amazing as ever <3
Time: 1:11-1:13
Character: Jing Yuan (hands)
18.2 More of Jingliu rocking the stage (and Dan Feng looking like he isn't but that's just his default setting, I'm promising he's having fun, probably) ^^
Time: 1:14
Character: Jingliu, Dan Feng
18.3 I love them so so much, but why can't we have at least one shot where all 5 are actually on it, happy and alive? T-T Whoever desinged their outfits did amzing tho, it really feels like them!
Time: 1:14
Character: Yingxing, Baiheng, Dan Feng, Jingliu
19. Obviously Baiheng gets her own point because, look at the happy girly! Her jacket looks absolutley stunning too, and she's just such a happy bean <3
Time: 1:15-1:16
Character: Baiheng
20. You know what is best than the High Cloud Quintet giving a rock concert? My precious children attending it and be all on one place and being happy!! <3
19.1 And because one picture is never enough to express how happy this scene makes me, have more of them <3 (Also, this is your reminder to be cringe cause cringe is just having fun and fun is always more important then haters ^^)
21. What's more funny than Caelus? Of course Caelus in an insanly fast moving animation! XD
Time: 1:17
Character: Caelus (Trailbleizer)
21. Guess who is back in Belabog with our most favourite Robo Dad? Was throwing his only piece of clothing of of himself, necessary? Maybe not, but he's having fun, and that's the only thing that counts ^^
Time: 1:18
Character: Svarog
22. Remember our lesbians? Here they go! Is one of them supposed to be dead and not able to be here in the normal canon? No, but I headcanon that she's a better mother now that she knows her daugher comes after her and won't use her Soulgems (or talk to the cute white kitty thing)
22.1 Also, the big picture itself is confusing enough and I wouldn't normally dwelve on it but Cynthia!!! (It's probably just Jade/Himeko, but Cynthia is that you??)
Time: 1:19
Character: Cynthia!!
23. Not a character shot, but pretty fireworks in Belabog ^^
HSR 2nd Anniversary Animatic; Character Masterpost (Part 1)
This animatic is pure joyful art and since I like it way too much, here's a masterpost which characters are where and when in it! Of course, all credit goes to the original video and artists working on the project!
(This is very long, like over 100 pictures long even and splutter into sections, but you get the point, you have been warned! None of the pictures are mine and might be not of the best quality since they are screenshots)
It's also only focused on the characters and not the story, song, meaning of scenes/the lyrics, and and and (though it is worth mentioning all of it is very very pretty!), but there are my rambles (which you can ignore and only look at the pictures and time/character stamps (that read always from left to right))
Other parts: Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
1.Fitting for the game, the first character we see is our conductor ^^
Time: 0:27
Character: Pom Pom
2. Not a character, but after we see the Astral Express, once in parallel between Penacony and Xianzhou and also the Express one four different spots on Loufu (when you ask us)
Time: 0:31-0:32
3. Summoning animation mentioned in a canon ish animatic!
Time: 0:36
Charackter: Pom Pom
4. We have frappuccinos on the Express and we look through all of March's pictures ^^
Time: 0:40
Characters: Himeko, Pom Pom, Welt, Caelus (Trailblaizer), March 7th, Dan Heng
5. For some reason we skip Hertas Space Station (and with that Arlan, Asta and Pepi) and go straight to Belabog that is thriving
5.1 My girly Clara has friends! Sadly no confirmation if she has shoes ^^'' But look at them, they are so precious my baby's <3
Time: 0:43
Character: Clara, (Pitch Dark) Hook (the great), (Sampo)
5.2 Close up on our definetivley very straight and very logically known for age and logic ladies in beautiful dresses ^^
Time: 0:43
Character: Serval, Natasha
6. More Astral Express shenanigans in which we are totally very very much enjoying Mommy Himekos coffee
Time: 0:45
Character: Welt, Himeko, March 7th, Dan Heng, Stelle
6.1 Himekos reaction is simply priceless lol
Time: 0:46
Character: Himeko
7. Aaand we're on Loufu! (Friendly reminder that we do favour them quite a lot here hehe, but it's not my fault they are so cool!) Also, will we talk why Loucha is even there? No? Wonderful!
7.1 Tingyuns face is also priceless here, I love that they gave her glasses, it just feels like it would suit her so much, well her before the whole Plant lady thing happened, which does make the question how Tingyun can even be present after those events, but I think this is a debate on its own and I think they wanted to make a fun animatic and not make nessacerly sense, so it's fine
Time: 0:48
Character: Tingyun, (Luocha)
7.2 How could we pass this shot without mentioning my cuties (especially Quingque, I mean look at the dork! Also, I think she is supposed to be sitting on the desk because otherwise she is way too tall. It is Celestial Jade tho, so I think even if this counts as work we all know why she is there (beside bothering her boss obviously)
Time: 0:48
Character: Quingque, Fu Xuan
8. We're back on the Express where Welt does the unimaginable crime of pouring Himekos coffee into a plant pot (°ă°), also ignore what we are even doing back there
Time: 0:50
Character: March 7th, Dan Heng, Caelus (Trailblazer), Welt
8.1 Look who came to visit, sure hope she doesn't drug us so we can't remember any incriminating things about her very morally right projects and lie to her or about her to anyone (but she is pretty)
Time: 0:51
Character: Welt, Ruan Mei
8.2 One is never enough, so here comes another one! To be honest, we are still waiting for Screwllum as a 5 star and hope he'll eventually drop ^^'' I mean, look at him, he's simply cool! Also he's probably the most trustworthy from the Genius Society we know so far ^^''
Time: 0:52
Character: (March 7th, Dan Heng, Caelus (Trailblazer)), Screwllum, Welt, Ruan Mei
8.3 I said, don't look to closely to what we're doing XD Because I have zero clue what Caelus is doing (probably sending March some questionable Trashcan stuff), but it's a mood, in fact all three are a mood XD
Time: 0:50
Character: March 7th, Dan Heng, Caelus (Trailblazer)
9. Express, but one cart away, with our lovely Mommy Kafka ^^ (perhaps don't question what Silver Wolf is doing either, otherwise she will infect your devices with pop-up viruses)
10. Acheron on the Express enjoying a traditional green tea! She looks lovely, March is thinking the same, while Dan Heng wants some sleep and Trailblazer feels underdressed and questions if the skeleton Raiden brought was nessesary (it was)
Time: 0:53
Character: Dan Heng, March 7th, Acheron/Raiden, (Hand - Trailblazer)
11. Penacony, the land of dreams where you can gamble your life away, work as a mascot, transport giant breakable things or become a multimilion manager!
11.1 You can also ride a hooverboard and be annoying (and crash into people because you rather not look around)
Time: 0:54
Character: Sparkle
11.2 This might not be deep or important on the greater scale but a) Oh look the dude we forbid to stay in Penacony but does because he loves his sister is Clockie! and b) Robins face cracks me up basically every time lol
11.3 Having a rough day? No problemo, Sparkle is always on her mission to make it worse for the better! Also, your sister will upsell her clients her past thropies or get them to win them for themselves, who knows?
Time: 0:55-0:56
Character: Sparkle, Sunday
11.4 Perhaps have a better night than those two, or don't, at least others can laugh and find amusment in your pain (I'm looking at you Gallagher haha)
It was about time to be honest, we pulled on like 3 banners and lost a 50/50, anthing just to get her guranted (we will come for Tribbie, you just wait!)
She's so cool to be honest and Pollux is so pretty! Also she fits our "we are depressed/we wanna die" bunch just perfectly. We didn't know if she would work with our current team set up, but she is making Blady very usable again! And that's always a win.
And since she has zero good Light Cones and we had planned on her not having decent Light Cones, we also went for her Signature, obviously
And Look!!
We have so good luck with Signatures to be honest (have only pulled three times since game beginn but we got all of them on the 50/50 ^^)
It's such a pretty (and very strong) Light Cone, really recommend, tho the story on it might make you depressed. But would it be a good HoYo character if you don't get instant depression just looking at them or their story a tad to lond?
Of course this also happened...On the Light Cone banner...where the four stars are really pushed and he wasn't even on the chracter banner, yet again
Honestly, this sounds so funny and weird, but it's the third time we pulled somewhere where Moze wasn't even featured and we got him anyways. Which okay, true we invested a lot in this dude, but we are over the E6 mark, so please...it could've been a Gallagher or Hanya instead of him and Natasha ^^''
All in all, very lucky pulls and we even have some left for maybe Hyacine? Will see, thank you Lain & Madoka ^^
You never had a chance against fate â Mydeiâs loathed ascend to godhood
Sooo, as the 3.2 patch is approaching, obviously I had waited so long till writing about our beloved Lion King. It was totally not procrastination, executive disfunction or the fact we played the patch rather late, no no it was planned like this from the get go.
And I will surely not get lost in the trauma or similarities to our boy Jing Yuan, hehe
Lean back, take some snaks, this shall be long ^^
[SPOILERS for the Mydei storyline and the 3.1 patch as a whole]
(Art doesn't belong to me)
Where do I begin? Where it went wrong? Where it began? When it ended? Or when the story throws us in since last patch?
I decide for the latter, as itâs more dramatic for a start. Or so the game devs thought for sure while making this warrior's entire life journey.
So, we are at the most secret place Amphoreus possesses and we conveniently can access from our bath-chamber, before the Titans. Which are still busy with our isekai protagonist, which wants to obtain the coreflame of Strife. Nikador has fallen, therefore a new demigod had to be born.
For a short moment in 3.0 we really thought that Phainon would get the coreflame and become Strife, tilting the whole theory of which (known) character would presumably get which of the Titans coreflames. But heâs â¨specialâ¨, not just in the way that he has a husband with a white lion, no no heâs the Hero. ButâŚI drift away, this is not about the white-blue haired slightly dumb Phainon, but his edgy depressed traumatized counterpart.
And because Aglaea is who she is and Trinnon lost connection to Phainon, it was clear, something had to happen. Obviously, we choose the most dangerous path, or at least this is what it was described at in the end of 3.0 but apparently itâs fine. I mean, they donât know it but we are far from being truly alive and Mydei canât truly die, so I suppose it makes sense to send us to fetch him.
In Nikadorâs trial a person faces their worst fears, having to fight against them. And in all Mydei-Phainon fashion, his worst fear is connected to Phainon, his loss and his people.
Anyways, we get Phainon, drag him back to safety, or well out of a very possible death, and get a black screen, only to find out we have forced Phainon into resting and bugging Mydei about the coreflame. They havenât done that for awhile and Iâm glad itâs not a big occurrence in this patch but this one was veryâŚhard and random ^^ââ
While Dan Heng is having deep thoughts about the black tide and corruption like problems could be a problem of a Stellaron (or a simulation) because, alas we are still in Star Rail and this is kinda the theme, Tribbie is speaking with Mydei since she worries about his worrying for Phainon. He brushes her off and tells her yet again there is no word for âfearâ in the Kremnoan language and telling her he knows about the planned idea for him to become Strife, but asked if he could first talk with his people.
I want to dwelve on the fact how incredibly worried Tribbie is and even going so far to say she will be there for him regardless of his decision, especially regarding his crown. But this will be part of a later post about Lady Tribios herself.
Anyways, our prince who does not want to be one, goes around Okhema questioning multiple Kremnoans, from children to elders the answers were all alike, they want to return âhomeâ, hoping for a King and new battlefields. This does not sit right with Mydei, who is only more determined to not become King. Or the idealization of Strife. Or the successor of his late father.
You see, his father was not a nice man. First there was the whole ordeal of splitting Nikador, driving him basically insane as they tried to drag them in a human vessel or simply lock them away, making a god their marionette. Then he got the amazing idea of murdering his one and only child. He does say itâs to end the bloodshed, but he also says itâs because of Nikador. So maybe he wanted to do goodâŚbut he wanted to end bloodshed with more bloodshed and by murdering his wife, so I donât really think that worked out. His son did end it however somehow, soâŚplan successfully failed?
Mydei was thrown in the River of Souls in which he got his blessing and curse by the gods, immortality. A gift he would often wish he did not possess. Especially because there was no one worth living for.
Here comes a problem tho, itâs a time one. Amphoreus in itself is a fine world, it has the chance to be even amazing, some characters being written just sooo well. But it does remind us a lot of Belabog, and with that time problems are apparently also a thing again. Not as big as Servals, but how old is Mydei?? And how old was he when he was thrown in the River of Souls? Because at first it seemed like he was a baby, but that couldnât add up since he remembered his mother. We also donât really know how long he was in the River or where he got out and how he then found his loyal comrades or was taught by Krateros or Verax Leo. HoYo, I plead with you, make sense!
What we do know, however, is that he had 5 very loyal and close friends named Hephaestion, Perdikkas, Leonnius, Ptolemy, Peucesta, which stayed, lived and fought together till the very end.
(Art doesn't belong to me)
We also know that this group of soldiers were relatively rebellious towards the Kremnoan standards and were trying to change what Kremnoan even are. Because they are not just senseless beast attacking and fighting, dying in honor of being a warrior, no they are loyal strong friends who fight for their comrades and live for the fallen. They are so much more but bloodshed crazy fighters, as painted by both many Kremnoans and other natives to Amphoreus.
This is a theme and is quite interesting, since some of the mentioned comrades of our dear crown prince, are not even active fighters, and through the Verax Leo (I terribly want to know if they are all the same or is each one a separate lion, which is a big possibility since the one Lion that was Mydeiâs greatest teacher, is insinuated to die) we know this is not a one time occurrence. Kremnoan people were not just fighters, they were as varied as any other people we meet on the planet. They all just were Nikadors followers and inhered Strife in one way or another. And not everything has to be about the brutality. In fact, when we go with Trianne to see the past of Castrum Kremnos many of the people even in the central area at the time of this big spectacle made by the King, not all were fighters.
It's very interesting to see how Mydei is so extremely wanting and wishing to prove the stereotypes painted by his father and just the general public about his home and his people, wrong. He wants to make them see there is nothing heroic of dying or of wishing for war to fight in. He wants them to see that if they do what they have done before they will eventually just die out and nothing will be even left. Itâs an honor thing. But the honor is misplaced.
Mydei spends his entire life fighting for those people who are extremely ungrateful for any of his attempts to save them from their own doom. And no one is evenâŚslightly thankful or thinks of his sacrifices made for and only for his people. His friends. His mother. The only thing he ever knew was violence and how Strife works. The only thing to his name beside a title he hated, was the fact he is Kremnoan. Heâs proud of being one. He reminds us, as the Trailblaizer just like the other Crysos Heirs, that he is proud of being Kremnoan. But he is not at same time. Because of what it became.
See, no matter what he does, or what he wishes to do because he sees father than those close minded people, his efforts should be considered heroic, but are said to be foolish. Because his so called people, like the stereotypes. Like to go to war. Like to fight. Like to pretend this is a heroic thing to do even tho right now, there are much bigger problems than stupid little conflicts escalating. People want to go home, not because they miss the place, or the memories with it, no they miss the violence. And the praise they got out of it. They miss the slaughter. And they miss being encouraged for it.
The Kremnoan language is vast we learn, but fighting abilities are valued higher than knowledge. Kremnoan have such a big history outside of their so called heroic wars. There are so many words and stories. So many that one could say the Kremnoan language has no words at all.
So of course, the only possible way to safe his people, was, to kill them. Not personally, just end them. Metaphorically, and actually. Mydei takes on the crown, only to end it. He takes Strife, so he can take it away, destroy its bloody claws plastered around his folk no matter how young.
And I think this is the most fitting things he couldâve done. The only thing that actually would work. Make his people listen. Make them understand. Or at least he hopes so.
They might hate him as a King, but they hated him as the crown prince that refused the crown anyways, those who would hate him would do anyways. He does the right thing, he ends the agony being associated with his blood. In his mind itâs a fair deal, heâll die for his people. Over and over and over till the end. Till the Black tide might consume him. Till the world would come to an end as well. He would die as a true Kremnoan. As Mydeimos, son of Gorgo.
His fate, the prophecy, as he thought he could unrun it, was always ending exactly like this
(Art doesn't belong to me, but I dig the duo/quatro)
Of course this is not the end of the story, there is actually much more to it, like the fact that Mydei was done in mere hours (max) with Nikadors trial (in comparison Phainon was there for days and couldnât get past them), the fact that Phainon and Mydei are as official as the other very straight pairings, the fact that his former teacher, and biggest opposer to what he did, Krateros wanting to take on the coreflame himself, kidnapping Trinnon and later ârepayingâ them with trying to save Trianne as she feel because of the Reaper.
Or wellâŚthe last conversation he has with Castorice before parting to Castrum Kremnos about death. About her abilities probably even cutting through his immortality. I know this is all foreshadowing so we all drool over the fact we can literally pull her as this post goes up, but, I think most people still underestimate her so I thought to throw that in.
Of course, itâs absolutely heartwretching that he canât even properly stay for the goodbye ceremony for Trianne, even though he is absolutely loving this small adorable readhead trio. Itâs not mentioned with words as much but Mydei and Tribbie (as much as the others) share a bond where they would care a lot for the other. As much as Tribbie, as the teacher, is caring and very affectionate towards all, with Mydei is special and very heartwarming (but more on that in her post, also yes I know she is special with everybody).
If you ask us, I have to say that this patch is by far the better one of the two we had for this world. Of course, I extremely miss Herta, I think itâs very displeasent that the main crew is voicless as it disrupts the experience (especially for the next patch, I fear the worst when they become more relevant than just Dan Heng), but the writing and character building is amazing! I love how they handled Mydei (and Tribbie). I think they portrayed him as a person perfectly and tho we find it more than cheap to shush him to the side with having him fight for an eternity, so he disappears off the visual story line, it kinda fits his being. So, weâre still very happy with this side of the story, at least it was told properly, in a ways to make us understand too.
I mean, how could we not, itâs a beige haired man with a lion and a pretty traumatic backstory, that fights similarly to our Blady just more unpredictable and more chaotic (and less grumpy when being healed).
Anyways, thanks for reading this all, have a cookie đŞ, may beige haired hot lion husbandos be with you ^^
