Songhunter - Aaaaoaooaoaoaaaoaooooooa

merry christmas, oogami.

ive gotten so much mileage out of this tweet. every time i see something on the internet that makes me mad i just think to myself "people in real life: hey man how's it going" and i keep it pushing

Why does basil smell so fucking amazing

heads up: this games charity bundle was finally approved on itch.io! it opens this friday, april 12th, and will run for a week. all proceeds will go to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund.

you can check out the bundle on itch.io and follow @vgforpalestine on twitter for more updates!

Dragon's Head - Resume

[ View on site for better experience♪ ]

Location: Training Room\

〈A few days later〉

Adonis: Mm. Ah, it’s Anzu. What is it? Oh, did you come to watch us practice?

I see. There’s nothing to worry about. I think everything’s been good so far.

Ah, earlier we were practicing the basic stuff, like strength training and cardio. Now, we’re going to practice the roles we’ve been assigned.

Hiiro: Otogari-senpai. I got the equipment ready.

Hm? Umu, I see. We’re not allowed to bring the boat on land, so Tenshouin-senpai arranged some equipment for us to practice rowing.

It’s really impressive how convenient it is to be able to use tools like this……!

Adonis: ………

Ah, no. It’s not the movement itself that’s difficult. Rowing through currents makes the oars really heavy, but we were chosen for the rowing role because we are strong.

It’s just hard to get in sync with everyone else. I’m sure it’ll be easier with a lot of practice, though.

Hm? You have a good idea, Anzu? What is it?

A metronome [1]? I understand. We should try syncing up our movements to the rhythm of a metronome…! That’s a good idea. Thank you, Anzu.

Hiiro: Then I shall go borrow whatever that metronome thing is!

Metronome…… That’s a difficult word to memorize, so I should try really hard to make sure I don’t forget it!

Then I’ll just repeat the word to myself until I find it. Metrohome……Metrohouse……Mechorohouse……Mechoropause……Necorobupause…… [2]

Adonis: Wait, Amagi!

Adonis: ―― Aah, he left……

Then it can’t be helped. I’ll go with him. I’m sorry Anzu, I can’t talk with you any longer. I’m going to go as well.

Tomoya: Don, don. Don ーー don. Don, don. [3]

Ah~…… I thought it’d be easy to play a taiko [4], but it’s surprisingly difficult to play a beat in a steady rhythm…… When I get focused on the rhythm, my hands don’t cooperate.

Uwaah!? You scared me~……

Aah, no it’s okay. I think my ears got numb from listening to myself drumming loudly for a long time. I’m sorry for not noticing you when you called out to me.

I see. I got assigned to play the taiko, but it’s really hard……

Eh. Tell Oogami-senpai?

Koga: ……Hm? Oh. What is it, Anzu? What’d ya need from me? Just so ya know, I’m not in the competition.

If we were gonna compete with another agency, we thought it’d be better to have one person from various different units. So, Adonis is gonna represent Undead.

Tomoya: Really? Then why are you here, Oogami-senpai?

Koga: I’ve been assigned as a commentator. I thought I’d help out by watchin’ some practices to give some criticism before ya go on the show.

And? Why’d ya call me, Anzu?

Taiko? I don’t play the taiko, though?

… Well, I’ve messed around with the drums before, but I wouldn’t say I played seriously.

Hm? Show ya how to get used to rhythm?

Tomoya: Ah, yeah. It’s hard for me to hit the taiko in steady rhythm. Could you give me some tips?

Koga: What, that’s it? If that’s the case, ya should’ve said so sooner.

I guess I can help. Drums and taiko [4] use the same type of rhythm.

First, ya should be able to get a rhythm if ya use your feet or your body. It’s harder to stay on beat if you use your hands.

Tomoya: Ah. I see! Maybe I shouldn’t think so much about the rhythm in my head then……♪

Koga: It’s the same shit ya do during dance lessons, right? You’re thinkin’ about it too hard, dumbass.

Eichi: Aah, Anzu-chan. Good timing. I wanted to ask you a few questions about the costumes. Is that fine?

Hm? Yes, that’s correct. I’m participating in the competition as a representative of Starpro’s fine.

Well, I’m not strong enough to row the boat like Otogari-kun and Hiiro-kun, so I’m going to be playing the role of a drummer.

Yes, that’s true. I’m going to join Mashiro-kun and the others for practice once we finish discussing the costumes.

Tetora: Taishou~? Huh?

Oh, Anego. Sup~! I was lookin’ for Taishou, have you seen him?

Eichi: Kiryuu-kun? He just left the training room to drink some water.

Tetora: Oh really?

Umyuu. I guess I’ll just wait around til he comes back~.

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This is what a metronome is!

Hiiro is progressively just changing one letter as he repeats metronome, but I didn't know how to write that well so I was writing words that seem similar visual wise not really sound wise . ex. he went from mekorohoosu to mekoropoosu , so i changed it from mechorohouse to mechoropause

The sound of Tomoya hitting a taiko

On that note , this is what a taiko is ! pretty much a japanese drum, but this goes into specifics ! :) I specified that it was a taiko because Koga mentions that drums and taikos are similar, so I'm assuming he's talking about a more western drum there.

I was asked why there's a zionist claim that the Palestininian identity is not legitimate. And I think it's important to understand why Palestinians as a whole are seen as a threat by Israel. To understand why it's not about Hamas.

The claim is that the Palestininian identity was made up in order to push us out. Palestinian existence is a threat to the legitimacy of Israel as a country.

I was taught in school that Palestine was empty when we got here. They used a Mark Twain quote. It was a barren land full of swamps and some nomadic people (Beduins) but as soon as we wanted to come here, the awful antisemitic Arabs sent people to settle here before we could to take up the space. I was in school in the settlements though. I was taught the most extreme version of this.

Another version of this is that Palestine was never its own thing, they're just Arabs the same as all Arabs from the surrounding countries. So they could just... scooch over and give us the space, please and thank you. In Israel no one uses the term Palestinian. If I do, people roll their eyes and dismissively go "Arab." An Arab is an Arab. It's a way to strip away their unique identity and blend them in with the rest to say they could always move to Jordan, or Syria, or Lebanon, and it's all the same to them.

It's a way to make Palestinian existence by itself into a malicious plot to deny us a homeland.

Because if Palestinians exist as a distinct group of people, we aren't the only ones with a connection to this land. And you don't create an ethnostate by sharing.

I see other forms of this mentality. Why won't all these Muslim countries take the people of Gaza as refugees? That's asking why they won't help Israel make its ethnic cleansing more neat and convenient. Yes, refugees should be taken in and given shelter. But this question shifts responsibility away from Israel. Palestinians shouldn't be forced suffer either ethnic cleansing that leaves them as refugees, or a genocide.

trans allegory in mystic fragrance and forbidden rain

aka: the essay no one asked for

Content warnings for: Discussions of homophobia and transphobia, and brief mentions of suicide.

If you guys have any other comments on this topic (especially KnightsPs, I'm an UNDEADP so I'm less familiar with their lore) please comment or rb or drop an ask or anything! I love talking. It's also been a hot minute (3 or 4 years) since I last took an English class so my analysis is a little rusty.

Part 1: UNDEAD's "Monster" and Queerness

Every UNDEAD song (with one exception) has the same premise — the singers are the impure, immoral monsters who are singing to a pure, human audience. There are two genres of UNDEAD song:

“I’m a monster seducing you into the darkness, give into your desires because I know that secretly you want it too” — Immoral World, Savage Love Affair, etc.

“I’m a monster and I’m so badass” — Darkness 4, Nightless World, etc.

Darkness 4 lyrics, translation by Shirayukin on Fandom wiki.

The “monster” in UNDEAD’s music is shorthand for anyone that exists outside of a pure society. By joining the monsters, you become tainted and can't return to society, but that’s the only way you can possibly live as your authentic self. In this way, the "darkness" is a safe space that these monsters have created for themselves.

This is, of course, a reference to Rei and how he feels ostracized from society -- the whole reason why Koga began UNDEAD was as a message to Rei that if Rei felt like a monster, he shouldn't roll over and die, but live with them as an undead. However, the concept of the queer monster is incredibly applicable imo. Historically, lots of villains in horror media were queer-coded as a way of eliciting disgust or a fear response, as a way of making its villain seem strange and, well, queer. (Oh, no! Look at all these horrible people ruining life for the law-abiding families!) The link between queerness and horror has been analyzed to death.

But queer people also love the misunderstood monster who's shunned by "proper" society. The gothic novels that originated the horror genre in the 1800s, like Dracula or the Picture of Dorian Grey, were written by queer authors and/or contained scores of queer themes. Do I need to go into why werewolves, shapeshifters who had to go deep into the woods to hide their wolf form, can be read as queer? Do I need to go into why Frankenstein, someone abandoned by his own creator and shunned by society by the nature of his existence alone (something out of his control), can be read as queer? Do I really need to go into why the modern-day vampire is queer? Vampires? Of course queer people will love these monsters, because they see themselves in the monsters, more so than the victims. (Also, nothing more in line with the queer experience than seeing a monster and going “ngl they're kinda hot actually.”)

In summary: It's very easy to read UNDEAD songs and UNDEAD's conceptualization of the "monster" through a queer lens. The monster is queer, and the monster welcomes you into the darkness and invites you to also give into your desire to live freely.

Immoral World lyrics, translation by Mandy on Fandom wiki.

Also, shout out the love you tried to hide, huh? Show me your truth? Show me your pride?

Dude.

Dude.

Sidenote: The one exception to this “monster” theme is of course the elephant in the room, Sustain Memories. I think it plays well into UNDEAD’s image — at least in !-era, Rei, Adonis, and Koga have always been the monsters, while Kaoru is the human that joined them (see: their Halloween costumes in !-era). So Kaoru doesn’t sing of monsters, he sings of a human love. There's also something to be said about Kaoru being the one member of UNDEAD who tried so desperately to appear cishet and experience a "normal" love in !-era. But also, it's a wedding song because the anime boys look cute when they sing about weddings.

Part 2: What about Forbidden Rain?

Here's the thing about UNDEAD's other monster songs -- they're always proud of being monsters. They're not ashamed, and they want the audience to join them in their freedom.

Forbidden Rain lyrics, translation by @/snaketaper on Twitter.

On the other hand, the singer in Forbidden Rain sees themselves as a "beast" who can never be forgiven, someone who's slowly poisoning their pure lover. They love them so much that they apparently have to let go of them, for their own sake. It's the first song that actually contains references to genuine love (usually UNDEAD is just horny).

The song remains sort of ambiguous about the nature of the relationship between the singer and the audience. It's clear that the audience does actually care for the singer, since they do reach out a "gentle hand" that the singer can't take. But the singer says, "Let's end this thing that never even began" -- are they even together in the first place? Maybe it never began because they were scared of the "beast." Or maybe it never truly began because the relationship was built on a lie. They sing about a beast inside them that they have to hide, and says that their current self -- the one they show to the audience -- is a fake. And this is something that cannot be forgiven.

It's not hard to read this in the context of queerness. Maybe it's about a gay singer who doesn't want to reveal their feelings and tarnish a platonic relationship. Or maybe it's a trans singer who's wracked with guilt at keeping their identity under wraps and hasn't come out to their heterosexual lover, so they want to break off things before they come out and taint their previous relationship.

In Love & Beast, the "source material" behind Forbidden Rain, Inogari (Adonis' character) is soft-spoken, protective, and kind. He saves the main police character in the very first scene. He's an ambassador and a respected enough member of society that he's part of the Sakurayama (Rei's character) social club. He uses "watashi," which is even more polite than Adonis' "ore." He literally faints at the sight of blood. He's the picture of innocence and goodness and all that society approves of. But in a Jekyll and Hyde-like twist, he ends up secretly being the killer Beast. In the end, the Beast is finally caught when Inogari realizes the truth and chains himself to a wall so he can be caught by the police in an act of sacrifice.

Inogari is the picture of propriety, but he keeps the Beast repressed, and eventually this Beast destroys him. Even if you try your best to act as part of proper society, you'll never really fit in.

Silent Oath lyrics, translation by royalquintet on Fandom wiki.

Another note: Forbidden Rain has a lot of the same themes of self-sacrifice, repression, and pure, romantic love that Knights songs do. Knights, in game, is a much more traditional idol unit than UNDEAD is. Forbidden Rain thus attempts to align itself more closely with the socially acceptable Knights, but it's still an UNDEAD song at its core. The monster is inescapable.

Part 3: Mystic Fragrance and Trans Allegory

This thread by @/pretty5P on twitter (https://x.com/pretty5p/status/1625958198623539200?s=46&t=lm_x5Uw5f8pKXHUoLzYksw) is a really cool analysis on the perfume symbolism in the song and how it relates to Arashi's gender identity (go read it!!), but if you don’t want to give Elon Musk ad revenue, the gist of it is this: Odette is her "masculine" initial impression, the impression others have of her, and the impression that fades most quickly. Odile is her lasting "feminine" self and the true self that remains when the top notes fade away.

Over the course of the song, the singer (Odette/Odile) grows more and more tainted, going from a pure white dress to a multicolored rainbow dress to a pitch black dress. The final perfume note is desire, the desire to live as themselves, the desire to be with the person they love.

Mystic Fragrance lyrics, translation by KYM2020 on Fandom wiki.

While the song does focus on a pure romantic love, just like Knight's songs, the symbolism of wanting to be Odile is far more similar to UNDEAD's monster. The idea of a "hidden desire" lying in wait beneath pure feelings is explored in almost every song, as is the symbolism of a dress that gets tainted by desire:

Savage Love Affair lyrics, translation by Nina on Fandom wiki.

And just like UNDEAD songs, the "tainting" of the pure is never presented as a bad thing. Note the references to the moon in both -- it's only in the dead of night, in a midnight ballroom, that one can "spread their wings" and reveal their true self. The darkness, the space of monsters, is a safe space, and in the light of the truth-seeking moon the singer of Mystic Fragrance says that their audience is beautiful.

In the original Swan Lake ballet, Odette is a beautiful woman who falls in love with Prince Siegfried. She's cursed to transform into a swan in the daytime, a curse that can only be broken if someone who has never sworn their love to anyone swears their love to her (in other words, someone untainted). Unfortunately, the evil sorcerer who cursed her turns his daughter into Odile, the black swan who looks identical to Odette, and Siegfried mistakenly confesses his love to her. Knowing that the curse can never be broken, Odette throws herself into the lake rather than live the rest of her life as a swan, and Siegfried joins her.

Mystic Fragrance isn't tragic, however.

Part 4: Living your truth

The endings of Forbidden Rain and Mystic Fragrance are where they differ. Both of their source endings are tragic — Inogari is unable to control the Beast and shackles himself to a wall, waiting to be arrested. Odette and Siegfried leap into a lake and drown themselves, because the only way they can be together is in death. Forbidden Rain ends with the singer holding their loved one close to them one last time in the rain before they leave.

But Arashi rejects her source material because she chooses to embrace the monster. She becomes Odile. She decides to live her truth, and as the top notes and heart notes fade away, all that lingers is her true self. That's why Mystic Fragrance has a happy ending.

There's a lot of symbolism in the Mystic Fragrance music video with respect to the person who loved Arashi during the war era and who killed themselves. She spreads her arms like the wings of an angel and sings in front of a setpiece that looks like the cenotaph. Her outfit contains anemones, symbols of a lost love and grief (and, coincidentally, the flower that Adonis in greek myth turned into when he died). Her greatest regret was that that person couldn't love themselves the way Arashi now tries to love herself. In this way, Mystic Fragrance is like a message to that person -- live your truth.

kohaku mimir........

i love my post apocalypse au so much u dont understand. i think about it every day. finally finished the art i was working on for a while :D (+ i did another format version to use as my phone lockscreen under the cut)

[Click for better quality. Reblogs are appreciated. I also do art commissions]

EDIT: also check out an accompanying drabble my friend wrote (very cool)

I think kaoru and koga are wearing their summer camp shirts (idk the name but the one undead and ra*bits ! era event)

aww that’s cute! they’re still wearing their summer camp shirts from last year…

now the real question is why are they wearing rei/adonis' shirt 🤨