DAVID BOWIE and RYUICHI SAKAMOTO in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) dir. Nagisa Ōshima

Sleep well...

(Sylvian / Sakamoto, “Bamboo Houses” / “Bamboo Music”, 1982)

Me watching Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence: this is a fascinating movie but i probably won’t think about it much

Me the next day listening to the soundtrack: jk this movie is getting embedded in my soul so hard i am vibrating and i will not be able to think about anything else for the next week

I just woke up, conservatives got 48 and white nationalists 46 seats, sanna marin is no longer prime minister and sakamoto ryuuichi is dead, I want to go back to sleep 😭😭😭😭😭😭

On Row 1:

Ball Lightning by Liu Cixin

Billions and Billions by Carl Sagan

The Simple Art of Murder by Raymond Chandler

Liu Cixin’s story is a science fiction one, but it parallels Jesse’s ability to commune with the dead, basically another plane of existence. In the summary, I think you can also see how the dangers of messing with this technology is much like Jesse’s dangers in delving too much into taboo.

RIP Carl Sagan, beloved astrophysicist. His book examines a bunch of questions about our lives, the world, and the universe around us. It’s a nice reminder that Jesse actually has very deep world views (he must as someone who straddles the boundary between life and death).

I think Raymond Chandler’s book connects to Jesse in how his father was a police officer and he himself is investigating the truth behind his father’s death. He’s basically been a detective ever since his father’s death.

On Row 2:

Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon

Dog Man by Dav Pilkey

Music is Freedom by Ryuuichi Sakamoto

Robert McCammon wrote a coming-of-age detective story. Interestingly, it also focuses on how society can influence a growing mind and considering Jesse had to become the head of his family at a young age... HM.

It’s adorable how he has a graphic novel in here! I totally think Dav Pilkey’s novel shows Jesse’s youthful side and, of course, we can’t ignore the theme of the dog-headed cop protecting the city with his friends. This probably reminds him of his father.

An autobiography about the famous Japanese composer, Ryuuichi Sakamoto. This is probably a nod to Jesse’s profession and how it’s closely related to music.

On Row 3:

Lonely 17 Years Old by Bai Xianyong

I and the Temple of Earth by Shi Tiesheng

There is no English translation for Bai Xianyong’s story but it’s also a microcosm for Jesse’s character. It tells the story of a boy who has no achievements compared to his outstanding older brothers and, even though his parents tried to do their best with him, he only disappointed them. He gets bullied by his classmates and so he gets nervous when people show him kindness and pushes them away too, because the bullying intensifies when he accepts the extended hand.

Anyway, the story expresses how you need to understand and accept your real emotional needs to live a life without regrets or obsessions. Although some paths may be hard, and not in line with society, only by knowing what you truly want and satisfying that can you be at peace with yourself.

Shi Tiesheng’s essay also has no English translation, but it’s basically a philosophy work that muses on life, death, hope, and missing his mother. Shi Tiesheng was paralyzed at the age of 20 and then later suffered uremia and had to live on dialysis. His life essentially collapsed in a flash and so he spent a lot of time sitting in his wheelchair, musing on life.

Again, with Jesse’s ability to speak to the dead, he has seen so much tragedy in people’s lives and must have had to contemplate life and death. Remember, he’s essentially a taoist priest and so this kind of introspection isn’t surprising.

1919 by Ryuuichi Sakamoto feels like some long-forgotten Goncharov soundtrack...

[Text: 1985...exchange student at Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan...had this on cassette...all things were possible...Sakamoto’s music made me see that...mind’s eye returning...natsukashii....]

(link)

“Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence” is one of those films I genuinely forget exists

and then suddenly I’ll remember that in 1983 they made a bewildering homoerotic masterpiece with an iconic soundtrack co-starring Ryuuichi Sakamoto and David Fucking Bowie and I just go absolutely apeshit

so this is my stash of mostly BF related yoshida akimi interviews:

ones that i saved from the interwebs:

a tiny excerpt of PAFU (nov 1989) BF special interview from twitter.

a tiny excerpt of the mysterious tachi/onee thing from twitter, but i have no idea which magazine it's from. i suspect it’s from the interview in PAFU (nov 1989) judging by the text formatting.

full scans of COMIC BOX (sept 1990). the interview has been partially translated here.

pics of PAFU (july 1994) BF special interview from twitter.

ones that i own myself:

JUNE (jan 1992) & JUNE小説 (feb 1992) - interview with fushimi noriaki, part 1 & 2. iirc there’s nothing about BF in here, or at least nothing important.

Monthly Kadokawa (No.7, 1993) - 50 questions with sakamoto ryuuichi. no mention of BF. also included in the A to Z book below.

PAFU (april 1995) - short interview. translated here.

MALICE MIZER (1998) - a talk with gackt. summary here.

The Soul of Shoujo Manga (2000) - interview with fujimoto yukari. half-assed summary of the BF parts here.

Ranmal (june 1994) - same interview as above, just with minor additions and differently-arranged sections.

Akimi Yoshida A to Z: Special Talks and Interviews - the ones with BF mentions are:

PAFU (july 1994) - some minor stuff got omitted here compared to the original magazine interview.

Queer Japan (vol 2, 2000) - interview with fushimi noriaki. translated here.

BANANA FISH REBIRTH Official Guidebook (2001) - roundtable discussion.

BANANA FISH REBIRTH Official Guidebook (2018 reprint) - roundtable discussion. same as above.

Special Book of Akimi Yoshida (2017)

the only one i have not read is the last book, which i plan to go through tonight.

this is definitely incomplete, but i’m not too bothered about completion at this point esp if it has anything to do with ash/eiji. because yoshida has been very consistent about them... specifically, about how she has never intended for their relationship to be romantic/sexual. 

i hate to be a bummer but well, that’s just how it is. i mean, if there was something like that that i haven’t seen myself, it should’ve caused a huge commotion in the japanese fandom by now.

perhaps something could have developed should ash and eiji have remained together post-canon, but she never really explores this possibility whenever it’s brought up, because: 1) the series is over so she simply doesn’t care lol, 2) she’s always been set on having ash die young, 3) she mentioned that they would've remained separated even if ash had survived, and that he wouldn’t have gone to japan. 

(although, i find it funny that everyone asks her "would ash go to japan?” but never “would eiji return to new york?” bc i’m pretty sure eiji would’ve, thanks to sing lol)

i’m too goddamn lazy to look through everything again just to take pics as proof, so whatever. you don’t have to take my word for it.

but just a lil advice to anyone who’s stuck obsessing over this like “there MUST be a stone left unturned SOMEWHERE!!!” 

just one lil thing:

let it go.

i mean, i get it. i know exactly how it feels. but this is really not worth the time. you don’t need word of god to validate your reading or your headcanons. just go wild and have fun. i’m willing to bet my life that the mangaka doesn’t give a shit lol.

(that said, please don’t twist her words, spread misinformation or try to pass off headcanons as canon -_-)

Chapters: 18/18 Fandom: Genei Ibun Roku #FE | Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, Persona 5, 逆転裁判 | Gyakuten Saiban | Ace Attorney Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Oribe Tsubasa & Caeda, Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright & Aoi Itsuki, Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright & Persona 5 Protagonist, Amamiya Ren (Persona Series) & Aoi Itsuki, Aoi Itsuki & Kurusu Akira, Aoi Itsuki & Persona 5 Protagonist Characters: Oribe Tsubasa, Caeda (Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE), Takamaki Ann, Amamiya Ren, Kurusu Akira, Persona 5 Protagonist, Aoi Itsuki, Akagi Touma, Tsurugi Yashiro, Yumizuru Eleonora, Kurono Kiria, Sakura Futaba, Oribe Ayaha, Sakamoto Ryuji, Kitagawa Yusuke, Akechi Goro, Niijima Makoto, Okumura Haru, Yoshizawa Sumire | Yoshizawa Kasumi, Morgana (Persona Series), Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright, Niijima Sae, Ayasato Mayoi | Maya Fey, Karuma Mei | Franziska von Karma, Original Female Character(s), Sakura Sojiro, Navarre (Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE), Chrom (Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE), Tharja (Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE), Virion (Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE), Cain (Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE), Draug (Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE), Shimazaki Maiko Additional Tags: It starts w/ TMSFE but P5 and AA will be coming soon!, more tags to come, Major Character Death but also they don’t die, Lmao it’s wack just check it out, TMSFE: Post-Canon, P5: Post-Canon, AA: JfAish era, TMSFE enters at the Prologue, P5 enters at ch 2, AA enters at ch 6! Summary:

Ren Amamiya, Itsuki Aoi, and Phoenix Wright. Three people that are completely different are forced to work together to save the people that they hold dear.

Stolen Souls is officially completed! Thank you all for your support!

The New Super Ridonculous Race

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/36IzNNU

by Thenewsubwayguy

After quite a few successful seasons behind him, Don was prepared to host the biggest reality show ever. 128 duos going around the world in 44 legs with a chance to earn 2 million dollars would already be crazy. But with zombie killers, superheroes, super villains, sarcastic duos, angry critics and many more wacky teams dealing with the former cadets, ice dancers, ordinary stepbrothers, determined stepbrothers and other such teams...travelling from country to country, continent to continent is about to get insane! With many personalities, all of the drama that you can get, surprising interactions and unique challenges from these many countries on TV, this race is looking super ridonculous.

Words: 36429, Chapters: 4/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Family Guy (Cartoon), American Dad!, おそ松さん | Osomatsu-san (Anime), Dragon Ball, Total Drama Presents: The Ridonculous Race, Total Drama (Cartoon), Sonic Boom (Cartoon), Ryuuko no Ken | Art of Fighting (Video Games), Azumanga Daioh, King of Fighters, Drake & Josh, iCarly, Victorious (TV), King of the Hill, Pinocchio (1940), Peter Pan (1953), Rick and Morty, Super Mario & Related Fandoms, Final Fight (Video Game), Fillmore!, F-Zero (Video Games), Metroid Series, Street Fighter, Rocko's Modern Life, Savage Reign (Video Game), Buriki One (Video Game), Mickey Mouse and Friends (Cartoon), Futurama, Persona 4, Sam & Cat (TV), The Loud House (Cartoon), Tekken (Video Games), Phineas and Ferb, Austin & Ally, Donkey Kong (Video Games), Kirby (Video Games), Good Luck Charlie, SpongeBob SquarePants (Cartoon), Dead Rising, Darkstalkers (Video Games), 私立ジャスティス学園 LEGION OF HEROES | Rival Schools: United By Fate, Biohazard | Resident Evil (Gameverse), OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes, 逆転裁判 | Gyakuten Saiban | Ace Attorney, Miraculous Ladybug, Viewtiful Joe (Video Game), Devil May Cry, Regular Show, Johnny Bravo (Cartoon), Samurai Jack (Cartoon), Initial D, Kim Possible (Cartoon), Gintama, Scooby Doo - All Media Types, Puyo Puyo (Video Games), Advance Wars, ARMS (Video Game), Zootopia (2016), We Bare Bears (TV), The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Star Fox Series, Undertale (Video Game), Ed Edd n Eddy, The Nutshack (Cartoon), Sly Cooper (Video Games), 光神話 | Kid Icarus (Video Games), Jet Set Radio, Jet Set Radio Future, Dexter's Laboratory, The Nut Job (2014), Bunk'd, T.U.F.F. Puppy, Skullgirls (Video Game), Mumintroll | Moomins Series - Tove Jansson, Banjo-Kazooie Series, Spyro the Dragon (Video Games), Crash Bandicoot (Video Games), 6teen (Cartoon), X-Men Evolution, Grand Theft Auto V, Persona 5, RWBY, Metal Gear, City Hunter (TV), Gravity Falls, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TV 2012), Corpse Party (Video Game), Streets of Rage (Video Games), Beavis and Butt-head, Soul Calibur, Hellbenders (Web Series)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: Multi

Characters: Drake Parker (Drake & Josh), Josh Nichols, Takino Tomo, Kagura (Azumanga Daioh), Sakazaki Ryou, Sakazaki Yuri, Hugo Andre, Poison (Street Fighter), Chet (Total Drama), Lorenzo (Total Drama), MacArthur (Total Drama), Sanders (Total Drama), Katie (Total Drama), Sadie (Total Drama), Samus Aran, Captain Falcon, Wario (Nintendo), Waluigi (Super Mario), Heather (Total Drama), Alejandro Burromuerto, Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Zooey (Sonic Boom), Rocko (Rocko's Modern Life), Filburt Shellbach, Cornelius Fillmore, Karim Fillmore, Yabuki Shingo, Nikaidou Benimaru, Sho Hayate, Gai Tendo, Ralf Jones, Clark Still, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, Satonaka Chie, Tatsumi Kanji, Rick Sanchez (Rick and Morty), Morty Smith, Hank Hill, Bobby Hill, Hayley Smith, Jeff Fischer, Philip J. Fry, Bender Rodriguez, Spencer Shay, Carly Shay, Tori Vega, Jade West, Sam Puckett, Cat Valentine, Stromboli (Pinocchio), Il Conduttore del Carro | The Coachman (Pinocchio), Mortimer Mouse, Terry Bogard, Duck King, Julia Chang (Tekken), Bob Richards, Jasmine (Total Drama), Shawn (Total Drama), Mario (Nintendo), Luigi (Nintendo), Candace Flynn, Stacy Hirano, Leni Loud, Lori Loud, King Dedede, King K. Rool, Majin Buu, Hercule Satan, Austin Moon, Ally Dawson, PJ Duncan, Gabe Duncan, Tom (Total Drama), Jennifer "Jen" (Total Drama), Ryu (Street Fighter), Ken Masters, Jacques (Total Drama), Josee (Total Drama), Radicles (OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes), Enid (OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes), Chris Redfield, Claire Redfield, Hinata Wakaba, Batsu Ichimonji, Frank West, Chuck Greene, Morrigan Aensland, Felicia (Darkstalkers), Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright, Yahari Masashi | Larry Butz, Karuma Mei | Franziska von Karma, Mitsurugi Reiji | Miles Edgeworth, SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Dante (Devil May Cry), Trish (Devil May Cry), Joe | Viewtiful Joe (Viewtiful Joe), Silvia | Sexy Silvia (Viewtiful Joe), Samurai Jack, Johnny Bravo, Alya Césaire, Nino Lahiffe, Rigby (Regular Show), Mordecai (Regular Show), Chloé Bourgeois, Sabrina Raincomprix, Fujiwara Takumi (Initial D), Takeuchi Itsuki, Matsuno Jyushimatsu, Matsuno Karamatsu, Lord Boxman (OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes), Dr. Eggman | Dr. Robotnik, Toudou Kasumi, Shijou Hinako, Shiranui Mai, King (King of Fighters), K' | K Prime, Maxima (King of Fighters), Ash Crimson, Shen Woo, Beth (Total Drama), Leshawna (Total Drama), Nostalgia Critic, Angry Video Game Nerd, Kim Kaphwan, Jhun Hoon, Amitie (Puyo Puyo), Maguro Sasaki, Velma Dinkley, Daphne Blake, Sakata Gintoki, Shimura Shinpachi, Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable, Sami (Advance Wars), Max (Advance Wars), Spring Man (ARMS), Ribbon Girl (ARMS), Dexter (Dexter's Lab), Dee Dee (Dexter's Lab), Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, Jody Summer, Dr. Robert Stewart, Peacock (Skullgirls), Big Band (Skullgirls), Emma Ross, Pit (Kid Icarus), Dark Pit (Kid Icarus), Beat (Jet Set Radio Future), Rhyth (Jet Set Radio), Eddy (Ed Edd n Eddy), Edd "Double D", Sans (Undertale), Papyrus (Undertale), Panda (We Bare Bears), Grizz (We Bare Bears), Nick Wilde, Judy Hopps, Sly Cooper, Carmelita Fox, Surly (The Nut Job), Andie (The Nut Job), Jimmy Neutron, Cindy Vortex, Ramon (King of Fighters), Tizoc | Griffon Mask, K.O. (OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes), Dendy (OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes), Kirby (Kirby), Bandana Waddle Dee, Banjo (Banjo-Kazooie Series), Kazooie (Banjo-Kazooie Series), Snusmumriken | Snufkin, Lilla My | Little My, Meg Griffin, Chris Griffin (Family Guy), Vega | Balrog, Balrog | M. Bison, Kitty Pryde, Kurt Wagner, Casey Jones (TMNT), April O'Neil (TMNT), Dipper Pines, Mabel Pines, Minnie Mouse, Crash Bandicoot (Crash Bandicoot), Coco Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Hunter (Spyro), Duke Weaselton (Zootopia), Mochida Satoshi, Mochida Yuka, Lie Ren, Nora Valkyrie, Jonesy Garcia, Jude Lizowski, Sakamoto Ryuji, Kitagawa Yusuke, Cammy White, Juni (Street Fighter), Beavis, Butt-head, Saeba Ryo, Makimura Kaori, Trevor Philips, Michael De Santa, Solid Snake, Meryl Silverburgh, Geo Dampierre

Additional Tags: Crossover, Cross-Posted on FanFiction.Net, Team Dynamics

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/36IzNNU

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence // Sakamoto Ryuuichi & Muraji Kaori

Okay, this version is pretty epic too. I’ve always loved the Trio version cuz I love piano & strings, but this rendition is so so good.

Looking at her guitar makes my hands cramp up cuz there’s no way I can even attempt to play a chord with that cray wide fingerboard.

Why is “BANANA FISH”’s Ash commended by women? Thinking about lives that bear relation to #metoo

I translated an article about Banana Fish and #metoo for an acquaintance, and I decided to put it here because I figured people might be interested. Here’s the link to the Japanese Article: https://realsound.jp/movie/2018/08/post-233213.html

As a commemoration for mangaka Akimi Yoshida’s 40th anniversary, Banana Fish is airing on Fuji TV. Although the source material has been completed for over 20 years, it boasts a lasting popularity; it's lustre has not faded in the slightest. In particular, the protagonist Ash Lynx's charm is unique.

Banana fish had been airing since before I was born, so I read the bungou edition with no prior knowledge. Within that black binding, I was taken to such bloody setpieces such as the Vietnam war and mafia disputes, so I was sure that this comic was targeted towards boys. As such, when I realized halfway through “Bessatsu Shoujo Comic” that it is shoujo manga, I was very surprised. As it turns out. “Banana Fish” has a large female following.

When one stops to consider this, the work itself does indeed feature characters with slender shoulders and bodies. Undeniably, it fits right in with other shoujo from the 80s and 90s. Even in the anime, the blonde ash and other characters are colored in light tones, giving this hard-boiled world a somewhat soft impression.

Furthermore, as far as shoujo manga-esque elements go, the caucasian protagonist Ash is drawn from the standpoint of a woman. The boss of a gang of New York street boys, Ash has repeatedly suffered sexual violence from adults of the same gender as a result of his lovely and elegant appearance. These experiences have become sources of trauma carved into Ash’s memories and body, and he’s developed a hatred towards those who look at him in a sexual manner. However, within his actions, there’s a sense of an urge to “give up”.

From last year, the movement to address the issue of sexual harassment against women has been increasing due to the complaints of journalists such as Itou Shiori and the blogger/writer Achuu. However, there are still a great number of voices without much heart in them, both towards women and the movement in general. Female writers looking on such conditions are likely tortured by a sense of resignation. Is it not the case that many women live their everyday lives embracing such a sense of resignation?

This sense of resignation may be difficult to understand for men. However, while Ash is a man, he stands on the same side as we women. Ash, who displays disgust towards sex and has been ruthlessly exploited, and fights to endure and stay strong, is all the more a sympathetic figure for women.

Ash may be attractive, but he’s not merely a “cool, strong” protagonist with “a pitiful past that makes you want to support him”. He’s a figure that seemed to overlap with those of women, and lives while bearing the shared suffering that so many women live with. Because he’s in such a unique position, many women find themselves find themselves drawn to Ash.

This is a digression, but in the last volume of the bungou edition there are essays from prolific people. Distinguished people such as Sakamoto Ryuuichi and Watabe Eriko have created splendid works, but there are essays with large spoilers (at first glance, I realized that I had stepped on something of a landmine…). For people planning on reading the bungou edition of the original work, make sure to reach the end and read the essays. While I’m not particularly experienced in translation, I like to get better, so feedback is much appreciated.

About Plush

-About Plush-

-Gender: Female

-Age: 19

-Birthday: ...she doesn’t remember it but it’s August 16th

-

-What is she?

Plush is a plush doll. She was meant to be a bunny but...things didn’t go quite right.

-

-Personality-

-Plush is incredibly shy but once she warms up to you, she’s very playful, childish and sweet. She does have a weird obsession with eyes though, probably because she has buttons for eyes as opposed to real eyes.

-

-Music that fits her-

-She fits more energetic and/or cute weirdcore songs

(-music examples-)

(Polaroid: Vib-ribbon)

(It’s a kids world: Danganronpa Another Episode)

(Dream (2000): Ryuuichi Sakamoto)

(Dog Hole: Undertale)

Chaos Politics

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/SdsjykM

by pumpernickel_simswood

Ryuji has been studying under Toranosuke Yoshida with intent to go into politics and all's going smoothly until Mr. Yoshida ends up dead. Murdered. The Phantom Thieves decide to investigate.

Words: 8014, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Persona 5, 逆転裁判 | Gyakuten Saiban | Ace Attorney

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: Gen, M/M, Multi

Characters: Sakamoto Ryuji, Kurusu Akira, Takamaki Ann, Sakura Futaba, Kitagawa Yusuke, Okumura Haru, Niijima Makoto, Mitsurugi Reiji | Miles Edgeworth, Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright, Mishima Yuuki

Relationships: Kurusu Akira/Sakamoto Ryuji, Suzui Shiho/Takamaki Ann, Kurusu Akira & Phantom Thieves of Hearts, Mitsurugi Reiji | Miles Edgeworth/Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright

Additional Tags: Established Relationship, Minor Character Death, Post-Persona 5, Post Phoenix Wright 2, Post-Gyakuten Kenji 2 | Ace Attorney Investigations 2, Spoilers, Author has only played the first 2 Phoenix Wright games and case 1 of Apollo Justice 1, So my knowledge of canon is wild lol, Fluff, y'all so much fluff, akiryu are the most fluffy dorks I swear, Can be read standalone, or as a sequel to A Date Then, no beta we die like [redacted], One Shot, Author knows nothing about Japan

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/SdsjykM

♪

Rules: Put your music on shuffle and write down the first 10 songs that come up. Tag 10 others to do the same.

Tagged by @unravel-you ! Thank you!!!*\(^o^)/*

1. A Tribute to NJP - Sakamoto Ryuuichi 2. Can U Believe - Robin Thicke 3. Bloody Waltz - Diabolik Lovers Anime OST 4. 紅い約束 - Ali-color 5. Plumage - Canopus Sounds 6. Old Times- The Others Film OST 7. The Chase - Philip Glass(The Illusionist OST) 8. Crystal Lagoons - Canopus Sounds 9. October Sky - Javier 10. Romance - Shinigami to Shoujo OST Ahahaha~ I have a lot of soundtrack and classical music. I am tagging anyone who wants to do this!!