"Two Minutes To Run" -Neil Gaiman

"Two Minutes to Run" -Neil Gaiman

“I am thinking about the fragility of civilization. Look around you, at the building you are in, the road you travel on. What you see was made by people who agreed that they would get up in the morning and go to work and nobody would shoot at them or fire mortars at them; there would not be checkpoints at which they could be taken out and never seen again; that there would be food in the shops, and water in the taps, and shoes to buy and to wear. People who believed that the place you go to sleep tonight will be here tomorrow. I have started to think of humanity as family.

There are now fifty million refugees in the world today, more than at any time since the end of the Second World War. And at some point, for each one of those people, the world shifted. Their world, solid and predictable, erupted or dissolved into chaos or danger or pain. They realized that they had to run.

You have two minutes to pack. You can only take what you can carry easily. You are going to have to walk a long way. You hope that somewhere, someone is going to take you in. I have started to think of humanity as family: a family that quarrels, but which must, when things get hard, put aside old arguments and divisions, and care for each other. Sometimes someone needs somebody to take them in, and that’s the function of family. It’s time to care.

You have two minutes to run. What will you take with you?”

Yuuri Katsuki - The Epitome of ‘Unreliable Narrator’

I’m doing a rewatch of Yuri on Ice, and now that my knowledge of skating has increased substantially, the way I’m watching Yuri on Ice has changed completely.

For Yuuri to receive a score of 106 in his short programme is absolutely mental. Before I knew about skating I thought a score of above 100 was ‘good’ and anything below was ‘average’. It’s not. For reference:

Skate America this year - Vincent Zhou, who placed first in the short programme scored an overall score of 97, which is astoundingly high in itself. Shoma Uno, renowned for his high PCS scored 44.78, where Yuuri scored 47.

The world record for the SP is 111.82 by Yuzuru Hanyu. This is followed by Nathan Chen who scored 110.38. Shoma Uno has the 3rd highest SP score (104.15). What’s interesting to note is that all these records were set POST 2018…meaning Yuuri would’ve surpassed the then world record by a good 10 points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn_U8hjbFoM - This skate is the HIGHEST scored SP in the world currently… with the exact same elements as Yuuri (3A, 4S, 4T+3T and 3 spins with a level 4 step sequence). In fact, Yuuri’s base score is probably HIGHER as all his jumps were in the second half of the programme, unlike Hanyu’s (because jumping on tired legs is harder)

I think we as the audience are so swayed by Yuuri’s negative portrayal of himself that we fail to realise just how much of an amazing skater he is (hello, unreliable narrator alert). Katsuki Yuuri is LITERALLY the best of the best, and the more I watch this series the more I realise just how talented our boy is

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undertalevariations

3 years ago

「天と地と」氷柱 • 羽生結弦

「Heaven and Earth」 Ice Pillar • Yuzuru Hanyu

src: x x x x x x x x x

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undertalevariations

4 years ago

HAIKYUU 402: LAST CHAPTER SPOILER WARNING!!!

The final chapter of Haikyuu which is the most magnificent sports anime I've ever read.

Before you scroll down I'M BEGGING YOU TO PLEASE READ THE CHAPTER 402 FIRST. This is going to be super lengthy post hehe.

This is a spoiler zone, you have been warned.

I'm not gonna lie while reading this chapter I WAS CRYING THE ENTIRE TIME.

There are so many significant moments during this chapter (I honestly feel like this summary isn't going to cover everything.)

This moment during the beginning of chapter 402 when Ushijima and Tendo, I truly believe Tendo is Ushijima's first actual friend. It was shown after Karasuno VS Shiratorizawa match (Season 3) but their friendship solidifies even more during Chapter 395 timeskip when Tendo called Ushijima after the World's Match (when Team Japan lost & Ushijima faced criticism) he's the strong pillar that grounds Ushijima.

Tendo truly deserves this moment, he & Ushijima not just considering each other as 'teammates' or 'comrades' but best friends.

Everyone is hyping up on Hinata & Kageyama or Iwaizumi & Oikawa's friendship BUT CAN WE TALK ABOUT USHIJIMA'S AND TENDO'S FRIENDSHIP?

YES. WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT. LOOK AT THEM. so beautiful. *sobs*

HAIKYUU 402: LAST CHAPTER SPOILER WARNING!!!

Everyone is talking about how glorious Lev & Alisa looks modelling together and their billboard in the streets of Shibuya but can we pause for 5 seconds to stare at the Yaku Morisuke?

LET US FREAKOUT LOOK AT YAKU WEARING THIS GORGEOUS SUIT?

Sir YOU LOOK FINE AS HELL.

I also love the fact Yaku and Lev still communicate with each other, Lev even called Yaku asking him if he has seen the billboard in Shibuya. How precious ❤ also Yaku part of the Russian VLeague team??? HOLY SHIT.

Also, I love that almost everyone in team Karasuno are gathering in Tanaka's house while watching the Olympic game together. Their solid friendship just have my heart and soul.

This moment is where all AsaNoya stans are SCREAMING TO OBLIVION. Asahi and Nishinoya TRAVELLING AROUND THE WORLD TOGETHER. Like HOLY SHIT GOOD LORD IMAGINE ALL OF THE FANFICS WE WILL GET TO READ. (Ao3 writers I'm looking at you guys)

This panel just took my breath away, I started tearing up when I was reading this. It's a full circle of Oikawa's journey - he is now against the people he wanted to defeat during this youth (Kageyama and Ushijima). He is even standing on the other side of the court against his best friend Iwaizumi.

I want to make a comparison between Ushijima & Kageyama and Iwaizumi during this panel.

Ushijima & Kageyama as Oikawa's rivals. During middle school he felt like he couldn't stand a chance against a genius setter who is 2 years his junior, in his middle school until high school him & team keeps on losing against Ushijima (who is also considered as a genius and a stroke of luck because of his left handed spikes.) Oikawa desires to DEFEAT them. This strong sense of competitiveness have matured & the adrenaline of finally become better than them WITHOUT NEEDING TO BE A GENUIS but because of SHEER HARD WORK and TENACITY.

What makes them vastly different from Iwaizumi?

It is clearly shown that it was Iwaizumi who said to Oikawa "I will defeat you on the day we fight." Not Oikawa saying that he wants to defeat Iwaizumi - instead he said "I'll be waiting for it." Oikawa does NOT have the same intense desire of needing to defeat Iwaizumi (compared to Ushijima & Kageyama) instead he said it with nostalgia. Despite Iwaizumi no longer playing volleyball professionally he is still associated with volleyball as Team Japan's athlete trainer.

It's also important to mention that Iwaizumi is Oikawa's foundation of friendship and support, Iwaizumi keeps Oikawa grounded- they have seen each other's struggles and success. THAT SHIT JUST GOT ME AND MY FEELS.

ALSO LOOK AT IWAIZUMI'S HUGE ASS PROUD GRIN, OUT OF ALL SMILES IN THIS WORLD IWAIZUMI HAJIME'S SMILE IS MY FAVORITE. (Clearly I'm an Iwaizumi simp)

the moment we've all be waiting for...

OIKAWA TOORU OFFICIALLY PART OF THE ARGENTINIAN NATIONAL TEAM.

HOLY FUCK SOMEONE HOLD MY HAND BECAUSE I'M SMILING AND CRYING AT THE SAME TIME. THERE IS NO IN BETWEEN OF MY EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER IN THIS MOMENT.

I just want to say this...

OIKAWA TOORU IS THE REAL UNDERDOG OF HAIKYUU.

Imagine he has NO National experience (unlike Hinata who actually got to go to Nationals & made a name for himself.) Oikawa got the skills, the strategy, the tactics, dedication, and intense competitiveness but HE NEVER GOT THE CHANCE (he even went as far as pushing himself to be better in volleyball resulting to injuring his knee. THAT IS SOME INTENSE DEDICATION.) During his middle school and high school volleyball matches or to be able to participate in Nationals or even in Japan All Youth Team's & Trainings NOT ONCE HE IS GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY (and honestly that shit sucks because you know that your actually good at something but no one bats an eyelash towards your direction? It must have hit on Oikawa's pride.)

OIKAWA IS THE REAL UNDERDOG. He does not lack height (compared to Hinata) but he lacks the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and he lacks the chance of be in center stage when he was in Japan.

But now in Argentina he becomes the REAL KING OF THE COURT. Now, he FINALLY is at center stage dazzling brighter than anyone, he is the most talked about volleyball player - he used to be a nobody in Japan but now he is someone that everyone knows and acknowledges.

Hands down the BEST character development.

Now I NEED Haikyuu chapter centered on Oikawa's struggles and experiences in Argentina - alone in a foreign country to chase his dreams that shit is amazing and inspiring.

This panel made me stop breathing for a while. LOOK AT MAGNIFICENT AND GLORIOUS THEY ARE.

JAPAN'S NATIONAL TEAM.

I HAVE NO WORDS. EVERYONE LOOKS SO BEAUTIFUL AND POWERFUL AND LOOK AT THAT TINY IWA IN THE CENTER.

My skin has cleared. My sadness now gone. My lifespan increased by 10 years. Someone please put this panel on my forehead, thank you very much.

There are so many important portions in the following scenes in this panel but I choose this one because it reminded me of Hinata & Kageyama's dynamics since Season 1.

Hinata always calling for a toss to Kageyama (remember Season 1: Dateko VS Karasuno match, or during Season 2 Training camp Hinata always calls for a toss and Kageyama always delivers.)

The greatest weapon is their powerful bond and synchronization, their freak duo toss that shifts the momentum of the game.

Kageyama and Hinata: the greatest rival, the greatest opponent, the greatest ally, and now the greatest weapon FINALLY used on center stage.

For me this moment really put Haikyuu into it's full circle, it really put it into completion, and it truly made it perfect ending.

This image of Udai Tenma drawing on his new manga that is ABOUT VOLLEYBALL and this little boy riding a bicycle looking at the TV (this ICONIC moment Season 1 Episode 1, Haikyuu Chapter 1)

Hinata Shoyou used to be the boy riding his bicycle looking at Karasuno's number 10 Little Giant - now Hinata Shoyou isn't just known as 'Little Giant' but Ninja Shoyou proudly wearing this Number 10 Jersey PART OF JAPAN'S NATIONAL TEAM.

He is now someone ALL children aspires to be, someone that they want to become in the future - someone that inspires them to play volleyball and keep on breaking the tall wall looming over them.

I FULL BLOWN SOBBED DURING THIS MOMENT. The impact, the power, the intensity of volleyball into their lives.

These two moments really struck a chord, Haikyuu isn't just about Hinata and his teammates. It is about no matter how little or big your journey is it will always leave the GREATEST impact into someone's life.

This wraps up the 8 truly amazing years of Haikyuu.

Furudate and his wonderful team of assistants, editors, translators, and researchers. Thank you for bring us joy through Haikyuu - thank you for inspiring us everyday and for creating these characters.

I've been reading Haikyuu for 3 years already, when I first watched a Haikyuu with no expectations and no idea what is volleyball but now I am fully immersed in the Haikyuu fandom. Who would have thought I'll be obsessed with this anime? I've watched and read so many manga & animes but it is Haikyuu that really struck me the most.

This ending is BEYOND MY EXPECTATIONS - it really blew me off the roof and I have a mixture of both sadness and joy. I'm sad that Haikyuu is ending but I'm also happy that all of the characters I grew to love have forged their own paths and grew not just as volleyball players but as characters that we can connect and relate on.

I would like to quote my favorite line in Haikyuu:

"For today you happen to be the defeated. But what will you become tomorrow?"

- Chapter 368: What Will You Become?

Thank you for the last 8 years Furudate!

(This is an extremely lengthy post, if you have come this far, congratulations! 🎉)

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undertalevariations

3 years ago

It’s a skating anime... thing?

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undertalevariations

3 years ago

I've seen a lot of discourse in recent weeks about how evan hansen is actually a monster, so here's my take:

regardless of their consequences, evan's actions were not malicious prior to the formation of the connor project.

his initial motivators are guilt (feeling responsible for tipping connor over the edge), embarrassment (over having to admit that he name-dropped his crush in his letter), and bad advice (from jared).

at first, he just wants to console the murphys in their grief, and lets them believe he was friends with connor to comfort them.

however, disappear acts as a turning point in the story, when evan's motives become murky. he decides he likes the attention he's been receiving as a result of his "friendship" with connor, and the song openly states that the project is founded on evan's unwillingness to fade back into obscurity.

upon closer analysis this song becomes rather sinister when you realise that when evan sings "no one deserves to be forgotten", he's not singing about connor, but about himself. (incidentally, I think that's largely the reason the song was cut for the movie, in a vain attempt to paint evan more positively.)

after that, the focus shifts much more to evan and his actions in the charity fraud fundraising campaign, and connor, ironically, fades into the background until evan eventually gets cold feet.