‘Anime Japan’ March 2023: Attack On Titan Stage Event
Preamble
Every March in Tokyo, representatives of different anime studios and shops put up stalls at the Tokyo Big Site Exhibition Hall to advertise upcoming anime and related goods. ‘Anime Japan’ is also a locus for interviews with voice actors. This year, Kaji Yuki (Eren), Ishikawa Yui (Mikasa), and Inoue Marina (Armin) went to promote Part 3 of The Final Season.
I couldn’t pass up the chance to go. However, there is limited space at the Stage Events, and the success of an application is determined by lottery. I applied for five events and got rejected from four – but as fate would have it, I got the ticket for SNK! I was as excited as Armin at the ocean. I of course went in my Survey Corps cloak.
Two caveats: photographs were not permitted, so none are provided. Also, my Japanese isn’t perfect, but I’m confident I got the gist of what they were saying.
The Event
The three seiyuu expressed sadness at the series coming to an end, and at how this would be their last time at Anime Japan after ten years. They thanked the presenter for having been their ‘MC’ for all this time.
On the projector, a scene from the last episode relevant to each of their characters was played. First up was Armin and his love confession to Annie on the ship (no pun intended). Inoue expressed interest in the complex feelings between them, and is curious to see where it goes because, unlike the other two, she hasn’t read the ending yet.
Next was Mikasa, who was given the redux of her “See you later, Eren” scene from the start of the series. Ishikawa was really excited for everyone to understand the meaning of those words, but managed to hold herself back from spoiling us.
Finally we had Eren with his breakdown in front of Ramzi. Kaji referred to this scene as Eren expressing his honne. In Japanese culture it is often said that people have a public face, tatemae, and a private face, honne. This is very true of Eren. Kaji commented that, although Eren is acting like a scary titan, this scene shows us he is human at heart after all.
Kaji found it very difficult to talk about the scene further without spoiling anything, but what he did say was very interesting. He expressed his inner conflict over Eren’s actions: acknowledging their awfulness, but understanding the desire to protect the people close to you. Having been with the character for such a long time now, he told us that, ultimately, he wants to be his ally. This was immediately followed up with a pained expression and the rider that “it’s complicated”.
I was really impressed by how deeply Kaji understands Eren. It’s exactly what you’d want from a lead actor, to have such a connection with their character. Interestingly, the word he used for ‘ally’, 味方 (mikata), is the same one Historia uses when she rescues Eren.
After this, the presenter mentioned perhaps the biggest event from the last episode: Hange’s death. Kaji reflected that, although it’s tragic, Hange must be happy to be with their senpai again.
Then came various announcements of events for the SNK anime’s 10th anniversary. You can find all these on the anime’s Twitter page. The merchandise collab with the Gudetama ‘Lazy Egg’ character drew a laugh from everyone.
Another landmark was SNK Radio’s 100th episode. Kaji was fiercely proud of this. He gave a booming YOROSHIKU ONEGAISHIMASU and an inordinately deep bow when he asked us to tune in.
A video compiling key moments from across all four seasons was then played on the projector. Inoue was conflicted, wanting to go “Woah!” on the one hand, but also “Nooo” because it’s ending. Ishikawa agreed there was a certain painful feeling.
The actors will be giving their last interview for the series at K Arena, Yokohama in 2024. Like Inoue, Kaji said he can’t look forward to it because he doesn’t want everything to end – but that he is excited nevertheless. There was a cute moment when a baby started crying and Kaji joked around with a dad in the crowd.
For the finale, the audience were instructed to stand and give a Survey Corps salute on Kaji’s SHINZO WO SASAGEYO, which filled the hall without the aid of a microphone. Ishikawa smiled and waved in my general direction while she left, so I can die content.
The Red Stage, where this interview took place, had no room for ticketless bystanders, so I really was lucky to get in. At the Blue Stage, I was able to peek over the stanchions to watch the BokuYaba and Tokyo Revengers interviews. I didn’t take notes on these, but I can sum up what I remember if anyone’s interested.
22 notes
·
View notes
<3
levi waited as he patiently watched you bargain with a vendor for a silk scarf you fancied.
“but it’s such a small scarf!”
“it’s made from the finest silk, ma’am, imported from overseas.”
a small smile made its way to levi’s lips as he watched your face turn into a red tomato from frustration. you humphed loudly as you handed the bag of coins to the vendor and snatched the scarf from the stall.
he watched you with an amused expression as you wrapped the evidently small scarf around your neck and began to knot it. he could see your lips muttering words to yourself as you proudly walked back to him.
“that was real mature.”
you narrowed your eyes at him. “don’t you patronize me, levi ackerman.”
levi huffed out a small laugh, shaking his head. “at least you entertained everyone around you including myself with your excellent bargaining skills.”
you humphed loudly again as you walked alongside him, your hand casually finding its place on the back of his chair as you moved forward. before you even got the chance to step ahead, headed to your next destination, levi maneuvered himself in front of you.
he levelled you with a calm stare.
“sit.”
you regarded him with a puzzled glance. “huh?”
levi moved himself closer to you, and patted his lap. “sit.”
you assessed him carefully. “i don’t want to hurt you”
he rolled his eyes. “you won’t hurt me. you’ve walked long enough, let me take us wherever it is we are going next.”
your eyes softened at his words, so you let out a small sigh before doing as he asked. you carefully put most of your weight on his good leg as you splayed your legs over the other.
levi’s hand came up to adjust your skirt that had ridden up a little, before going back to the joystick on the armrest. you looked at his solemn expression as he shuffled on the seat, making sure both of you were comfortable.
something twisted in your chest.
unable to help yourself, you leaned in, your lips brushing against the scars on his cheek as you planted a soft kiss.
“thank you. and just so you know, i never want you to feel like you somehow owe me something in exchange of me loving you.” you then kissed his lips. “i love you and i care about you so, so much.”
levi looked at you with an expression that made you want to embrace him tightly and never let him go, and never let harm come his way ever again.
he silently took your hand and brought it to his lips, his eyes falling shut as he kissed your knuckles gently.
wrapping your other arm around his shoulders, you leaned in to kiss him once more. “let’s go get those baked cinnamon thingies you love so much, and then take a stroll in the park.”
levi smiled and nodded, but not before correcting you that the baked cinnamon thingies were called cinnamon rolls.
the sky had turned into hues of lilacs, pinks and oranges by the time you and levi reached the park. in one hand you held your cinnamon roll, and with the other you fed levi his.
“mm, this is actually so good. why did i hate it again when i first tried it?” you moaned in delight through a mouthful of sweet goodness.
“because it wasn’t drowning in diabetes. you’re gonna get sick.” levi remarked, eyeing the bun in your hand as he navigated you both through the wide expanse of the green and flowery park.
your cinnamon roll was oozing with an unhealthy amount of the creamy icing, but you couldn’t care less.
levi opened his mouth for another bite. you lifted the bun to his mouth, but just as he was about to bite into it, you pulled it out of reach with a giggle.
a burst of laugh escaped you when levi shot you an annoyed look, daring you to test him again.
“i’m sorry, i’m sorry. here you go,” you lifted it to his mouth—only to pull it away again, breaking into another fit of laughter.
“i’m gonna throw you off my lap.” levi muttered.
you let out a dramatic gasp as you held the roll to his mouth again. “don’t make fun of me because i like sugar, you turd.”
“you mean diabe—mmf!”
you shoved the bun into his mouth. his eyes widened in shock while you grinned foolishly at his look of despair.
he began chewing angrily, as he whipped out his white kerchief from his jacket pocket and wiped at the corners of his lips.
“i can’t believe you manage to look this adorable even when you’re mad. oh my god,” you kissed his cheek, puffed and stuffed from the big bite thanks to your assault of the cinnamon roll.
you went to kiss him again, but he dodged it, your puckered lips meeting nothing but the air.
you huffed in frustration half-heartedly. “i’m sorry, i won’t do it again. promise.”
he grumbled under his breath. only then did you notice a remaining crumb of the bun still lingering on his chin. using your finger, you caught it and put it in your mouth.
levi’s cheeks turned pink at that.
you smiled as you leaned your head against his and began finishing the rest of your rolls.
fortunately enough, you were strolling closely near the flower bushes. you seized the opportunity and plucked a handful of hydrangeas.
“relax,” levi muttered.
you pouted as you dropped the flowers on your lap. “why do you sound so mad at me.”
you picked one and placed it behind levi’s ear. “i’m sorry for making you choke on a cinnamon roll. i love you.” you pouted again, looking at him with puppy dog eyes.
levi shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips, before absentmindedly placing something in your hair.
you scrunched your brows, immediately plucking it out.
it was a red rose. a loud gasp escaped your lips. “where did you get this?”
levi only rolled his eyes. “while you were too busy bullying me, we passed rose bushes.”
you sputtered dramatically. “excuse you, i was loving you!”
his lips quirked to one side at that. he placed another red rose in your hair.
“that one has a lot of thorns.” he warned, as he reached up and tucked a loose strand of your hair.
you brought the rose to your nose and inhaled the familiar scent. “i’m sorry for bullying you.” you said, your head falling against his chest.
his arm snaked around your waist and squeezed your side.
“you can make it up to me, when we get home.” he whispered, his warm breath fanning your temple.
you looked up at him, your hand going around his torso. “i shall, mr. ackerman.”
he pressed a tender kiss to your forehead, lingering there for a while.
“i love you, mrs. ackerman, bullying and all.”
you bit your lip to contain your huge smile as you looked at him.
“take us home, please. i’ve got a little surprise for my dear husband.”
579 notes
·
View notes
SLUT CERTIFIED — eren yaeger
꒱ ➛ SYNOPSIS : ❝ i mean…i can teach you, if you want. ❞
˚◞♡ who ?? : eren yaeger x black fem! reader
— ˚◞♡ before you read : minors DO NOT interact, a lil friends to lovers action goin on, this story is written with a black-coded fem! reader, switch! eren, submissive! reader, bimbo??? reader, college au, mentions of a bitchy sorority, tattoed reader, tattooed eren, i present eren the shy gangsta, loss of virginity, body worship, mentions of unresolved feelings, included kinks such as [ choking/ corruption/ breeding/ size kink/ overstim ] positions such as [ missionary/ mating press/ doggystyle/ cowgirl ] eren gives reader head ofc, reader do be squirtin a lil :o, reader and eren are both horrible at communicating their feelings bye.
— ˚◞♡ author’s note : me when i see the header photo on pinterest and get inspired. oh em gee this is my first fic that isn’t a oneshot hello ??? very excited to share this with you guysss. i’ve wanted to write a mini story like this for a while now but i hadn’t been able to get in the funk— BUT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE MADE ITTTTT !!!! the first chapter is in the works and should be posted later this month. [ hopefully ]
CHAPTER INDEX
I: THE HUMAN BODY IS A TEMPLE.
II : TESTING THE WATERS.
III : FLIPPING THE SCRIPT.
IV : WAIT, YOU FUCKED WHO?
V : THE NOT-SO AWKWARD ‘I LOVE YOU’ MOMENT.
©️ SATORUBI 2023 please do not copy, or repost as your own <33
2K notes
·
View notes