Can we talk about AOT's soundtrack ?
(Spoilers obviously) I just need to ramble on about this soundtrack. I'm not even talking about the opening and ending songs (Akuma No Ko my love) but about the actual instrumental OST.
It's so good. So good. I don't think I heard such theatralic soundtracks for an anime yet (yes Demon Slayer has nice pieces, Narutos are iconic, Jujutsu Kaisen has some nice ones, but still). It really enhances the scope and emotional weight of the story, which, if you watched AOT, is immense.
It's my favourite anime so maybe I'm biased, but everything in the score makes it fantastic. The choirs, the string instruments, the electric sounds, everything is titanic (pun intended, ok I'm out).
One of my favourite pieces gotta be XL-TT. Just the choir gives such goosebumps and the melody is absolutely iconic. I remember being frozen seeing the titans for the first time, with the score playing in the background like doomsday just arrived, bells somberly chiming over the sinister drums, everything just melting together in this dreadfull and terrifying apocalypse score.
ətˈæk 0N tάɪtn is also such an iconic piece. These weird electric sounds and the fast paced drums... and then just the iconic part at 2:20. Goosebumps everytime.
Don't get me started on APETITAN. Zeke's theme is so dreadful it encapsulates the terror of another one of these abnormal Titans for the people behind the walls. It's so weird and sounds almost alien. And the small intermissions where the choir takes over, an amazing melody of despair and stakes at play for the survey corpse. Its so good.
Wanna cry ? Just listen to Vogel im Käfig. A bird in a Cage, that's what Eren was. It's so heartfelt and gutwrenching. Plus, the iconic part at the end. This score manages to blend slivers of hope with complete resignation, frustration and the realization that the situation will never shift to your advantage ever.
Then there is Ashes on The Fire. Such a masterpiece. It sounds different, since it's used for Marley and the warriors, but oh God does it sound good. The drums, the calm interludes where only piano notes play, the hectic string passages and the build up to the choirs chanting this epic music... it's amazing. It's so good. SO fucking good.
27 notes
·
View notes
additional feature
pairing: vash the stampede x afab! fem!reader
content: smut (MDNI!)
cw: questionable usage of this man's prosthetic fingers, c.lit play, tristamp coded vash because of the arm color but the others can have some coochie as a treat
a/n: been in my notes app for forever. i cannot believe my first fic in awhile is smut and it's even my first trigun fic. ashamed. shaking out the dust and sand from my brain just like vash shakin' out the sand from his arm.
brad is a genius and knew the blonde would gunk up his masterpiece with sand at some point... so he provided a neat lil feature to help shimmy out the granules from the tiny crevices!
On the desert planet that was Noman’s Land, sand was a cruel devil for mechanical bits and bobs. Constantly eroding the cheap lacquers and choking up the gears in more intricate machinations made being an engineer a more annoying task. Hence why Brad, genius that he is, had equipped the blonde gunman’s arm with a little special something to rid the little granules from the intricate joints that made up the malachite arm.
“This is the annoying part; gets... so… gritty– Eep!”
The blonde man squawks as he flails his left arm around, jerkily stretching his lithe fingers. The dual suns’ rays reflect off of the flat planes of his limb, occasionally blinding you as you watched him fumble around. Speckles fell from the crevices as he slapped his other hand against the jewel toned forearm, but the grimace on his face told you that it wasn’t quite fixed yet. Before you could offer to helpfully brush it down with a random paintbrush you picked up from the previous town, he fiddled with something at his inner bicep and the teal arm buzzed to life.
Sand granules vibrated and seemingly shimmied out of the tighter spaces of his arm and fingers, and he breathed a sigh of relief as he happily wiggled his digits again. A clear lack of stuttered arcs in their movements told you the sand battle was won.
Distantly, the others in your ragtag group argued about the lack of water and supplies for the next few hours, but your brain wanted nothing to do with that conversation. In fact, the mechanical whirring of his arm mimicked the static of your empty skull. Not a single thought was between your eyes at that moment.
Words died in the back of your throat and were replaced with absolutely salacious thoughts. Those thoughts raced through your mind and the blood pumped wildly in your ears (and between your legs). You fiddled with your fingers nervously as you cleared your throat to grab the blonde's attention.
“Say, Vash,” you coughed, and his eyes darted to yours in interest at the awkward tone you’ve suddenly adopted, “I’ve got an… idea.”
Those big blue eyes blinked owlishly at you as he curiously tilted his head.
“What’s up, Mayfly?”
As soon as the group stumbled into town, divvied up the keys, and parted ways, the door of your motel room was barricaded by a splintered chair because the lock didn’t live up to its namesake.
“Curious about this, huh?” Vash’s teasing murmur against the shell of your ear snapped your attention back to the present. “Were you wondering how it would feel… against… your–”
The tip of his cool, jade finger floated down and graced the swollen bud between your legs. Before you could snap a little jab in his direction, the droning mechanism whirred to life again, except this time, Vash wasn’t trying to rid himself of sand. With a yelp, you curled in on yourself, plush thighs caging the broad man’s hands. Your body jerked and he laughed breathlessly, cooing as his flesh-and-blood hand pried your legs apart. This man was teasing you! Turning the buzzing fingers on and off? How cruel–
“So lewd of you,” he cooed your name, delighted by your body’s honest reactions.
Tease. Bastard. Where’d this confidence come from?
He tenderly pressed chapped lips against the back of your neck, pecking you three times over. When you embarrassingly squirmed against him and curled in again, he fussed. “M-Mayfly, don’t hide,” he breathes, his voice laced with poorly masked desperation. Your attention was taken and you ceased your squirming at the breathlessness of the man holding you. “Just wanna make you feel good.”
For Vash the Stampede, succumbing to hedonism was a transgression against his moral code. Yet, when it comes to his precious Mayfly, your happiness and pleasure were equally his own, and he was a selfish sinner learning to indulge.
He would never come to you with this... idea. But he won’t lie that it came to mind once.
Well, twice.
Okay, maybe a few times before the two of you had become entangled in each other.
For every stuttered gasp you released, he mirrored it. For every choked moan you bit back, his hips bucked in response to wordlessly beg you to let go in his arms.
It made you wonder who was going to finish first. It made him wonder why he took this long to do this. It was all for you, after all. Your pleasure was his.
The gunman’s ragged back rested against the chilled wall of the dim motel room, pulling you taut against his warmth. He protected your back from pressing uncomfortably against the metal over his heart, shifting your body to lean on the rightmost side of his chest. His soft hair tickled you at times, constantly adding ammo to the reasons to squirm in his lap.
Vash’s touch was grounding, yet it also sent you straight for the clouds. His initial hesitant ministrations were gaining confidence the more you sang for him and arched so prettily in his grasp; his index and middle fingers moved at a languid pace, playing you like a seasoned musician performing their magnum opus.
At the start, he expressed concern over the idea of using his arm’s ugly, brutish, and utilitarian functions on your soft body. He sputtered in surprise when you first mentioned it earlier in the day; he had frantically gestured to his shining arm, babbling and asking you to confirm what he thought you had said. Crimson heat rose to his ears and it was not from the suns beating down on his neck.
Vash was certainly surprised by your proposal, but again, it wasn’t necessarily the first time it came to his mind.
Even as the two of you first settled against the musty sheets on the mattress, his hesitation spoke volumes with the way his fingers ghosted your core. After much coaxing and promises to stop him if it hurt, he finally, cautiously, pressed his strong fingers where you needed them most. The jade fingers weren’t vibrating though. Only when you complained with a whined cry of his name did he turn it on with bated breath.
Well, Vash quickly learned the tremoring metal was not too much against your core, and hearing your stuttered gasps? The practiced gunman was delighted to find out his body could serve you even better than before.
Currently, each time your legs twitch inwards, he’d whine with pouted disagreement and sweet talk your body to open back up to his touch by nudging your thighs apart again. His petulant huff raced past your ear and your attention would wrap around his next words. “So wet, Mayfly,” he breathed, awe lacing his voice. “Is it that good? Am I doing okay?”
Genuinely, Vash wanted to be nice, so he stopped his flicked motions to let you answer. His fingers rested on your clit, but didn’t cease the vibrations. With trembling, yet practiced fingers steadily pulsing against you, your head flew back onto his shoulder as you choked out your pleasure, “S-so good, Vash!”
Oh god, you sounded wrecked and beautiful to this man’s ears. The man always loved how his name was uttered from your lips. Your compliment held an unsaid cry for him to continue, so he hummed happily as his fingers sped up their strides, flicking up and down, and occasionally chasing well-practiced circles. The vibrations from his hand seemed to amp up in strength and your hands flew to his strong legs, digging your nails into his skin. His hand was suddenly drenched and his breath caught at the back of his throat.
His loving pace faltered for a beat at the sting of your grip as he groaned, mindlessly nuzzling the back of your neck with his nose. The crescent marks on his legs would never scar like the others on his body because you’d never harm him in such a way, but a ruined part of his mind prayed you did. Vash’s free hand trailed up from your tummy to cup one of your breasts to gently toy with the swollen nubs, pulling you close against his body.
“You’re so wet,” he moans brokenly and gingerly nips at the juncture of your neck. His fingers were starting to clumsily slip from the slick drowning his fingers, but he was determined to be so good and do well. That’s all the Humanoid Typhoon ever wanted to be for you, after all. If he was blessed to touch an angel and make her sing with his erred hands, the least he would do was give her a glimpse of heaven, right?
“A-are you getting close, Mayfly? Can feel her throbbin’ f’me…” he slurs, his fingers working overtime as he flicked and massaged you. You wailed softly as he seemed to establish a steady rhythm after your sudden deluge from earlier. Before he can moan out yet another nose-bleeding-inducing whimper, your hand shoots out and halts all of his progress. You yank his arm away and a confused ‘bwuh?’ slips from the blonde angel in the room. Before he can protest, you awkwardly crane your head around and stare him down; his voice, worry, and confusion fizzle away at the dazed gaze you grace him with.
Although the room was dim this late at night, the lantern illuminated your silhouette well; every curve on your body was highlighted by the warm light. Your chest heaved as you caught your breath from his little onslaught of pleasure.
‘Wow.’
You laughed; did he say that aloud?
Kind of embarrassing, but–
Desperate want painted your pretty little face as you pant at him. His grip on your body loosened as he felt your legs twitch, letting you rearrange the two of you however the hell you wanted.
He’d follow you anywhere.
When you lifted yourself from his body to shakily turn and face him, a hum bubbled in his throat before your fingers coyly traveled down your front, spreading yourself under his gaze. His cerulean eyes had followed your fingers’ dance and he swallowed dryly.
Wet.
So wet.
He did that.
Your thighs were quivering as you balanced yourself on your knees, and if he stared hard enough and long enough, he was sure he’d see you drip onto the sheets.
What a waste that would be, though.
Dumbly, his jaw slackens he stares at your lower half glistening with the obvious sign of your love for him. Distantly, his left hand continued to buzz against your flesh and you laughed at the tickling sensation as you placed your hands on his tense shoulders to steady yourself.
His brain was going to short circuit like the very first time you allowed him to even see an inch of your bare skin. The hardworking pink thing in his skull cheered over and over as his eyes continued to glaze over at the gift in front of him.
Your plump lips were mouthing salacious words down at him but were only partially registering in his clouded brain.
Something about ‘being inside’ and ‘finishing together’–
His wide eyes snapped back up to yours when you planted your hips firmly against his. Oh god, his pants were so ruined but he didn’t care. Not when you were looking down at him with all the love in your eyes as you sighed out his name in bliss.
It sounded so pretty from your lips.
The Humanoid Typhoon felt dizzy, oh so dizzy…
You purred when his hands shakily found their home on your hips, “c’mon Plant boy. Let’s get those pants off of you, huh?”
Vash the Stampede had never clumsily unbuckled his ruined pants so fast in his life. Can’t blame the guy though. His pretty litte Mayfly laughing and sitting on his lap made it really difficult.
19 notes
·
View notes
In praise of the non-canon moments in sab2 and my ratings:
Just want to appreciate these moments the writers added cuz idk I feel like they do understand the characters. It’s like watching fanfic. Hot take: I sometimes like them so much more or just as much as the canon scenes taking place.
kanej chapel scene in s1
iconic. One of the best non-canon things they added to show Inej's first kill. And it be for Kaz. AHH and in a chapel. The symbolism. The emotion. And of course the delivery of Kaz saying "Look at me" while leaning in but not touching. 10000/10
Nina and Kaz fake couple scene
I'm dying I cannot with this scene. This is perfect. I always wanted a fake dating scene in the books. And this was perf. "He's all hands" and Kaz's face looking slightly terrified and horrified. Also ahhh him having to take off his gloves to do the tea ritual. I gasped. It was so surreal. And then Inej watching tear tear. 9000/10
Kaz panicking at tea time
I gasped when I saw this. I think this was insane. Cuz in the books, all we get that is similar is the... prison carriage scene. But this- this seems even more exposed. Kaz panicking and then putting his hand down and then, Nina putting her hand on him and Kaz looking terrified then running through the streets and then Inej carrying him and... then him curled up holding his cane without his gloves and Inej being there to give his gloves and witnessing it. Ahhh like first of all, looks like a nightmare for kaz but dang idk if we get such a scene capturing the vulnerability of kaz ahh. The writers knew exactly how to torture him. It's so crazy bc Freddy can play him with nerves of steel but then in a puddle of fear and I'm in awe. The shaking and the curling up in the corner. I'm in tears. 10000!/10
Wylan monologue on butterflies
This was hilarious and very Wylan. So nerdy. 900/10
- feeding the team butterflies… ummm
I don't know if this brought me out of the show, bc it was so bizarre. But ahhh Inej on top of kaz trying feed him a butterfly while he's having a nightmare was just-- ahhh most strange situation I could think of but also ahhh the angst. I was screaming no don’t touch kazzz. I guess the scene was another excuse to torture Kaz and I ate it up. AHHH the fact the only inej could help him. 900/10
-the Jesper and wylan piano tuning
Also such a random scene but I loved it so much. Lol the fact that wylan pretends they're piano tuners bahaha. And then he congratulates Alby's playing and then proceeds to show off. Such a fun scene. 9000/10
Jesper being in prison carriage scene
Screaming crying and throwing up. when i saw this in the first episode. I gasped and in the first 5 minutes AHH. What. Idk i kinda loved that jesper was there. There's so much trust in their relationship and seeing kaz struggle right in front of jesper was so painful. Ahh him gasping for breath and trying to hide it. Is heartbreaking. And then Jesper being like "boss", and then "kaz" and his eyes being so concerned for his friend and calling for help. I cry. 10000/10
Hallucination scene
Once again performed beautifully. The stares. The "May I" and then gently pressing Inej to him. The hand on the cheek. And Inej giving him the intent stare. The soft kiss. UMM. I don't like that it's a hallucination. But i do find it fascinating to compare the "I want you" of this and the actual "I want you". THEY are BOTH delivered similarly. So in some ways,,,, I see this as a look into a future. Not unrealistic. If we never got a "real" I want you. I would be angrier. so for that it gets points back. WHAT DID WE DO TO DESERVE A KANEJ KISS> 9000/10
Also some thoughts on canon moments brought to life perfectly:
Kanej "I want you" church scene
“You,Inej, you…. To die buried underneath” Kaz never said it but ahh his eyes looking so ... distant and his lips forming the words and then the delivery of the "To die buried..." with his eyes rolling upward. Perfect. Perfectly delivered. AHHH. Freddy understands Kaz.
"I want you" - Idk how freddy can go from being the most monstrous looking person to turning his eyes into these round boyish eyes. So... open and round. And ahh you can see Kaz trying... so hard to show he's giving his all. And then when he takes his gloves away and you can see his shuddering breath. Ahh
"Gloves on" delivered so sadly and brutally. Amita's eyes so... yearning but letting him down. Ahh felt like a breakup. Almost made me wish they cut the line. Because the show!kaz was trying to hard. I kind of wish in some way they didn't say this canon line lol. I want Inej to see he's trying.
And then when Inej leaves... and we are left looking at Kaz. His eyes watering. And looking so heartbroken. Stab me.
This was delivered perfectly. I-chef’s kiss.
The Dregs fight
Ahh the fight was amazing and stunning with the speed ramping. And kaz using his cane to lift a chair and slamming his cane into people faces. Chef's kiss. Freddy giving his all. THIS IS BRUTAL KAZ I NEEDED. YESSS feral kaz. How did i deserve this 100000/10
Pekka Rollins revenge scene
UMM... Freddy/Kaz gave it his all. And I bow before him like Pekka. AHHHH. The glares. The delivery of every line from the books UMM. Praise. "Buried." "Six feet deep" . Also seeing Kaz getting beat up was so painful but ahhh performed so well. The framing of the shot where Pekka bows before him... and it's silent almost. It looks like a painting. I'm stunned. Also the delivery of the line "quitclaim for inej ghafa" AHHH. Ahh idk... the protectiveness. 10000000/10. AMazing showstopping. I can't believe they plucked it from the books.
382 notes
·
View notes
My rewatch of Revue Starlight has absolutely been enhanced by having seen Shoujo Kakumei Utena in between now and the first time I saw it. The inspiration is undeniable.
This scene from the end of episode one interests me in particular.
It's easy to see the parallel here, Karen holds Junna in a manner similar to how Utena holds Anthy when pulling out the Sword of Dios. The interesting part is that they're thematically opposite. When Utena pulls the Sword of Dios out of Anthy, it signifies the beginning of a Duel. When Karen catches Junna at the end of the Revue of Passion, Karen's sword is already drawn, Junna's cloak falls to the ground, and the Revue is over.
Of course, the Revues are very similar to Duels. The girls transform their clothes and manifest weapons. Each Duel and Revue has a unique song to represent it. The participants must knock something off the breast of their opponent to win. However, I think using imagery from Utena like in this scene was meant to contrast it to Revue Starlight.
I'm going to repeat myself a bit here, but everything in this scene mirrors Utena in the sense that it's in reverse. The sword of Dios is pulled at the beginning of the Duel, Karen catches Junna at the end of the Revue. In Utena, the purpose of this scene is for Utena (the hero) to draw her sword (her means of winning), in Revue Starlight, the purpose of this scene is for Junna (the opponent) to lose her cloak (her lose condition). The girls in Revue Starlight are even facing in the opposite directions as the girls from Utena.
This was done in episode 1 of Revue Starlight and to me, the purpose is clear. To introduce the concept of Revues by evoking the imagery of Duels from Utena, but then subverting the expectations of the viewer by reversing that imagery's meaning.
Shoujo Kakumei Utena is about Utena Tenjou learning to connect with someone she had tried to protect from the nature of the Duels and freeing her from her fate.
Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight is about Karen Aijou forcing herself into the Revues trying to reconnect with her childhood friend who will free Karen from her fate.
This scene was meant to tell us that these stories are opposites.
27 notes
·
View notes