Month: May 2017

Beautiful People – Parental Edition

Hey peeps! Welcome to another round of Beautiful People! It’s hosted by Cait @ Paper Fury and Sky @ Further Up & Further In. If you want to know more about Beautiful People, you can check out the FAQs page here.

This month’s round of questions is all about the parent-child relationship between your character and their parent, or if they don’t have a parent, then their caregiver, guardian, or parent-like figure.

Today I’m going to be talking about the parents of one of my new characters I just created: Penelope. She’s a nerdy girl who is really into anime and manga, and she also cosplays. She’s very fun and has a great sense of humor, plus she’s pretty smart. She’s a bit overweight, though, and deals with mild anxiety. I kind of really like her and so I wanted to explore the relationship between her and her parents, particularly her mom since Mother’s Day was earlier this month.

The Questions

1. Overall, how good is their relationship with their parents?

Penelope is very close to her mom and dad, but more so her mom. She finds that she can confide in her mom with about 95% of any problems she might have. Though her parents got divorced when she was younger, around six, she was of course devastated, but her parents continued to be friends after the divorce for the sake of their daughter. Penelope is also close to her step-dad, but not as close to her step-mom, but they’re still friendly to each other.

2. Do they know both of their biological parents? If not, how do they cope with the loss/absence and how has it affected their life?

Yes, she knows both. She spends the weeks with her mom and every weekend with her dad.

3. How did their parents meet?

Her parents met in high school in chemistry (no pun intended). They were young and in love and had Penelope soon after they graduated, when they were about 19 and 20, respectively (mom is older by a few months).

4. How would you feel if they were told “you’re turning out like your parent(s)”?

Penelope would find that as a compliment because she thinks her parents are two of the greatest ever. Of course they have their differences and squabbles like any teen/parent relationship, but for the most part they always laugh and love each other. (But Penelope hopes that compliment will be more along the lines of she’s like her mom than her dad, but shh, don’t tell him.)

5. What were your character’s parents doing when they were your character’s age?

They were graduating high school, the same as Penelope is, and her father was going into the welding trade, working alongside a family friend to get all of his hours in before he started his own business a couple years later, and her mom was going off to the local community college to earn a two year degree in finance.

6. Is there something they adamantly disagree on?

Not really. The biggest thing is that Penelope wants to get a tattoo but her dad isn’t too keen on her getting one, while her mom says to just wait until she turns 18, then she can put as many on her body as she wants. (Penelope only wants two.)

7. What did the parent(s) find hardest about raising your character?

Her mom thought it was hardest as a recent college graduate, fresh out of school, without a home to call her own. They had an apartment and made it work, of course, but she wishes she had had the home she has now to have raised Penelope in.

As for her dad, she found that all of the girly things that Penelope was into a young girl was hard to get into and play with her, like dress up and dolls and stuff. But he made it work because that’s his baby and he is not about to break her heart. (He’s the fun parent.)

8. What’s their most vivid memory with their parental figure(s)?

Penelope remembers her first day of kindergarten very clearly, as they lived only two blocks away from where she was registered. Her dad had called in to let his work know that he’d be late as it was his baby girl’s first day of school, and her mom didn’t have to go into work for another hour or two. They walked to the school, hand in hand, her flowy pink and white sundress twirling in the light breeze of August as they made their way to the school. Penelope remembers the sunlight streaming through the trees, casting the shadows on the sidewalk, the couple of people walking their dogs, her parents smiling and talking to her about how excited she must be – and how excited they were for her – to be starting school. And then when she waved goodbye to them and they held onto each other and waved, holding back their tears. She remembers the feeling of happiness, and she holds that memory dear.

9. What was your character like as a baby/toddler?

She was a happy baby! Always smiling and laughing, though of course she had her moments. She was difficult to potty train, but once it happened, it was the best thing ever. There weren’t too many problems, though she did have a couple of ear infections and a slight bladder problem.

10. Why and how did the parents choose your character’s name?

Her mom’s grandmother’s name was Penelope, and as a remembrance to her (as she passed away a year before Penelope was born from cancer), they named her Penelope. Her nickname is Nel and she prefers to be called that by her family and friends (though she does love her full name, too).

And there you have it for their month’s set of questions! I actually had a lot of fun thinking about this because I never really think about my characters’ parents in so much detail. Though I’m glad to have done this because it gave me more of glimpse into her life with her family.

Let’s Chat! ^w^

How is the relationship between your character and their parent(s)? Have you given much thought to it before? What’s the best memory your character has with their parent(s)/guardian(s)/etc?

May 30, 2017
How Books Can Bring Happiness

I think it’s safe to say that a lot of us deal with some form of mental illness and we all have different ways of coping with said mental illnesses. One of those ways for me is by shopping. Now, I know this isn’t always the best option in dealing with my illnesses, but if it’s something that brings me temporary joy when I’m feeling otherwise deep darkness, I’m going to do so. Of course, I often regret those decisions right away, but I usually end up with something cute or useful or a book or something… It all evens out, right?

I was just thinking about this and wanted to talk about how reading helps with depression and anxiety, at least for me, and how art is a huge stress reliever.

I know we all joke about how we love books because they destroy us, but is that really a joke? What is it about our emotions being pulled this way and that that make us feel happy? I love to read fluffy stories because they’re super feel-good and cute and they just make me want to swim in a rainbow of daisies, but I also love to read dark books that deal with a very different side of humanity because it’s always interesting to see how they affect me and how I think afterward.

I think that no matter what kinds of books we read, unless we actually hate or dislike the book for whatever reason, it brings us some form of happiness. It lets us feel like there’s more inside of us than what we had before and that’s a feeling that’s very euphoric and hard to let go of.

I haven’t really read any novels this year, but I’ve been reading a lot of manga that’s been making me feel good or giddy or happy. Of course I’ve read some darker things with a lot of action and blood and death, but I find that those stories, too, are just as valuable to me as those that are full of cute romances. When I read novels, it’s the same thing, and I get that feeling of excitement and anticipation when I’m reading. It’s like a light at the end of that dark tunnel that’s trying to keep me trapped inside. I reach for that light and I find hold onto that small glimmer that makes me happy again.

Books are powerful. They have the power to change our emotions and instill in us something other than what we were expecting. And that’s amazing.

And even though I have probably over 200 books that are on my shelves waiting to be read, I know that they’ll still be there, waiting for me no matter my mental state that day, and that’s such a wonderful comfort (even though I’m running out of space ahhhh).

The same goes for art. Art is a super stress reliever for me. I find that when I’m drawing, I can be doing it for hours and not feel hungry or depressed or anything other than focused on what’s in front of me. I’m creating something that I’m happy with (hopefully; the end result is always negotiable in that regard) and something that brings me joy, and that’s something that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

I just want you to know that if you’re dealing with your mental illnesses to remember you’re not alone and to not give up. Find the healthy things that make you happy and latch onto them in those moments. Who knows, maybe they’ll be just what you need in that moment to turn it around for the better.

Let’s Chat! ^w^

What books bring you happiness when you’re feeling down? I’d love to hear any recommendations!

May 29, 2017
Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Things on My Reading Wishlist

Hey, I haven’t done one of these in a while. Welcome to another Top Ten Tuesday as hosted by the lovely people over at The Broke & the Bookish! Today’s topic is about the things on our reading wishlists that we want to see more of in books, whether that be tropes, types of characters, plots, etc.

1. More hate-to-love relationships. Okay, so, does it make me weird that I really like to read about these kinds of relationships? I think there’s something sweet about them and how it shows how people’s emotions can change and develop over time and with learned trust and respect. I don’t know, there’s just something humbling about it.

2. More relationships that have already started pre-book and continue to be strong throughout the story. I mean, do I really need to explain this one? Because I see a MAJOR lack in this kind of romantic relationship, period.

3. More childhood friendships that either do or don’t turn into romantic relationships. Now I love this kind of trope and think it’s super cute when it’s well done, but I hate it when there’s petty jealousy and all of that crap. But I know that also makes for an angsty story, so…

4. Of course more diversity is always a plus. LGBT+, POC, religious, etc. We all know what I mean.

5. Super cheesy fluff. Okay. I know we all like to read about the super cool hero/ine that goes out and saves the world, but what about those stories that are just feel-good and are about a week in their lives where they just kind of bum around, have funny Snapchat talks with friends, snuggle with their loved one, go on a date… I don’t know, I just want more fluff! Of course this would probably be better as a short story than a full on novel, but still.

6. More books set in other countries other than the US or fantasy worlds! I want to read more about cultures across the world through YA books. If you have any recommendations, please let me know!

7. Show more interactions with the online world. In case you haven’t noticed, you’re currently reading this on the Internet (GASP!), and the sheer lack of technology in many, many, MANY books is unrealistic. I get that there can be problems, but there’s always room to improve and grow in these areas. Many people have a large part of their lives online, so it’s only realistic to include that in books.

8. More adventures and less saving the world. I mean, don’t get me wrong, those books are and always will be awesome, but I’d love to read a super cool adventure story of a group of friends just going out and seeing the world, without having to save it from The Big Bad.

9. More pets! Super cute puppies and kitties and llamas and sheep and horses…. Okay, maybe this one’s just me, lol

10. More healthy family interactions! It’s always SO amazing to see healthy family interactions between teens and their parents or siblings, and I really, really just want to see more of that.

Let’s Chat! ^w^

What’s on your reading wishlist? What more would you like to see of in books? Does anything on my list resonate with you? Let me know!

May 9, 2017
Anime Rewind #1

Hey peeps! So today I wanted to introduce something new: Anime Rewind! This is a new feature where I’m going to talk about the anime I’ve been watching lately, my thoughts, how many episodes I’ve watched, and more. I’ll be doing this feature monthly, so let’s get into it!

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

The life of the shinobi is beginning to change. Boruto Uzumaki, son of Seventh Hokage Naruto Uzumaki, has enrolled in the Ninja Academy to learn the ways of the ninja. Now, as a series of mysterious events unfolds, Boruto’s story is about to begin!

Episodes Watched: 1-5, ongoing

Thoughts So Far: I know I already talked briefly about the first episode of Boruto, but let me tell you: I’m loving the show so far! It has a very sort of nostalgic feel to it, but the animation is a lot smoother and brighter, the story is progressing in a way that we’re getting to learn not just about Boruto, but the other characters that surround him, and there are so many questions and mysteries that have yet to be explained so I’m very excited to see where the rest of the series goes from here.

Episodes 2-5 have much the same thing of some mysterious purple shadow that takes over someone and causes them to act not as themselves; in fact, it causes them to act violently towards others. Boruto is able to see this shadow with his eye (similar to his mother’s Byakugan) but he doesn’t know how he’s able to do it. In some cases it’s in his friends and in others it’s in other people. I have many questions as to what this foreign matter is because episode four showed how strong Boruto is and how he was able to summon a very large purple glowing monkey monster thing from another dimension – though no one seemed to see it at all.

There’s lot of hilarity at times, especially between the boys and girls, and I love the slow incorporation of the old characters that we all know and love. I have high hopes for this series and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

Rating So Far: 4/5 stars

Tsukigakirei

It’s the third year of middle school. Kotaro, a bookish boy aspiring to become a novelist, and Akane, a track girl who loves to run, meet in the same class together for the first time. They’re put in charge of the equipment for the sports festival, and slowly grow closer via LINE. How does Kotaro deal with his growing feelings for her? Meanwhile, Takumi has been in love with Akane since first year, and Akane’s friend, Chinatsu, becomes interested in Kotaro. A refreshing story of young love set in Kawagoe.

Episodes Watched: 1-5, ongoing

Thoughts So Far: MY PRECIOUS BABIES OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS ANIME. No, but seriously, this is a super sweet anime about young love and finding connection and it’s just so cute. The first five episodes are about that feeling of a crush developing and the difficulties that can potentially come along with it, especially when those two characters are shy. *squeeing in the distance* It’s just so cute and it brings me all of the happy feelings.

The animation style is also very lovely and it integrates two kinds of styles: traditional anime style and video game style. I mean, I’m sure there are actual terms for this, but that’s what I could tell from watching it. It’s unique in that sense and I really think that it makes the anime stand out in that way.

As for the story, we have the shy guy who just wants to write a successful novel, and the shy girl who’s on the track team and the fastest female runner. There’s friendships in there, too, that we see, but it primarily focuses on the developing romantic feelings between the two main characters. And of course drama just got introduced in this last episodes AND I JUST WANT MY BABIES TO BE HAPPY, OKAY!?

Rating So Far: 5/5 stars

The Royal Tutor

The “Royal Tutor” is a special tutor carefully selected for the task of teaching the prince, and a title given only to the best teacher in the nation. Heine Wittgenstein has been called to the kingdom of Grannzreich to take on the role of the Royal Tutor. He’s been ordered to raise a worthy candidate for the throne, but he’s greeted with four princes of completely different, unique personalities… all brothers, no less! How will Heine handle these four brothers who were too much for all the previous Royal Tutors, prompting them all to run away from the job?

Episodes Watched: 1-5, ongoing

Thoughts So Far: I. Love. This. Anime. Holy carp. Okay, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first went into this. I’m like, “Okay, it has a bunch of pretty boys in it… but what about the story?” I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED, FRIENDS. This show plays so much on stereotypes, which makes it hilarious, but it also is about this mysterious tutor, Heine, who is trying his best to teach these four princes about several subjects and about real life so that they may take the throne one day.

First off, the animation? Glorious. I love how they use chibi versions of Heine in some scenes because omg too funny. Here, a few examples:

What’s hilarious about this is that Heine is actually very short in comparison to the princes, but I believe he’s actually older than them, so it’s kind of this huge joke in the anime itself (hence him getting carried off by doves and being carried like a small dog by Prince Leonhard).

And then each of the princes have very distinct personalities, and each of them are kind of taken to extremes (because let’s be real, this whole anime is one big joke). The second eldest prince, Kai (we don’t know the eldest yet), is very stoic and calm and has a very mean glare (but really he’s the most precious bean of ever and I love him to death ahhhhh), Bruno, who is very studious and smart and thinks his intellect is superior to everyone else’s, Leonhard, who hates studying but is really good at athletics and loves cake, and then Lict, the youngest prince and the playboy, but who also has a very keen side to him.

Overall, this anime is glorious and gives me life, and if you watch anything off of this list DEFINITELY WATCH THIS ONE.

Rating So Far: 5/5 stars

My Hero Academia

Izuku has dreamt of being a hero all his life—a lofty goal for anyone, but especially challenging for a kid with no superpowers. That’s right, in a world where eighty percent of the population has some kind of super-powered “quirk,” Izuku was unlucky enough to be born completely normal. But that’s not enough to stop him from enrolling in one of the world’s most prestigious hero academies.

Episodes Watched: 1, ongoing

Thoughts So Far: Okay, so my friends are really into this series and told me to watch it, but the way they explained it made it just sound weird and not my thing. WELL GUESS WHAT!? It is SO my thing because I’ve only just watched the first episode as of writing this post, and let me tell you: I love it. The animation style is very quirky and has a roughness to it that comes with shonen anime, but I think that just adds to the overall aesthetic of the show itself. Not only do we get to learn that 80% of the world’s population is some form of superhero, but our main character? Yeah, he’s not one, but he strives to be one!

I thought that learning a bit about why Izuku wants to become a superhero was SO touching and I almost cried, not gonna lie, but the rest of the episode was all kinds of hilarity and actiony and so good. I can’t give more thoughts just yet, but just wait for my next wrap up!

Rating So Far: 4/5 stars

Blue Exorcist (season 2)

Assiah, the realm of humans, and Gehenna, the realm of demons. Normally, these two dimensions would never intersect, but having possessed all material substances, the demons are now intruding on the material world. But among the human race, there are those who can exorcise such demons – The Exorcists.

Episodes Watched: 1-12, completed season 2

Thoughts: I really enjoyed the first season when I watched it two years ago or so and this season didn’t disappoint either. It picks up fairly soon after where the first season left off and it takes the gang on a trip to Kyoto to guard – and later on fight – the Impure King. I love this animation style, and I feel that it really enhanced the story. As for the story itself, it showed development of the main characters Rin and his twin brother, Yukio, as well as other characters in the series and how their relationships with one another could be rebuilt with time.

I thought that this particular story arc was good, but I still have SO many questions regarding various things and that it didn’t hold the same kind of spark that the first season had, but my main question is: what is going to happen to Yukio? Because both Rin and Yukio are the sons of Satan, but only Rin has Satan’s blue flame power, Yukio showed signs that that power might be manifesting in him as well? And even a demon saw it in his eyes and now I’m 100000% intrigued in his story. I need to know!

I love this series and how it uses humor as well as its serious moments and I think that if you’re interested you should check out the first season for sure.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Kenka Banchou Otome – Girl Beats Boys-

Following the events of the game, the orphan heroine Hinako Nakayama suddenly reunites with her twin brother Hikaru who asks her to take his place at Shishiku Academy, a private boys school infamous for its rough-and-tumble student body. Hikaru being the child of a powerful Yakuza family, the Onigashima, he is obligated to become the leader of Shishiku Academy. Hinako will have to hide her identity and fight to control the school. How will Hinako deal with a school full of handsome boys who let their fists do the talking rather than talk about their feelings?

Episodes Watched: 1-4, ongoing

Thoughts So Far: My first thought is WHY are the episodes only eight minutes long!? This has SUCH potential to be such a good series, and I think that it’s doing a good job in the short span of time that it uses, but man, I wish these episodes were longer.

This anime was kind of a surprise to me because I was looking at the list of simulcasts for spring and this one popped up. I’m like, “ooh, an otome? Like the games I play? Sign me up.” ~~(because I’m trash)~~ and so I started watching this and now I’m hooked because I need to know if the guys ever find out her secret identity and if she ends up with one of them (I’m already shipping her with the blond guy) and omg I need more. She kicks butt and I’m like, YASSSS! But at the same time I want to know more about each character and I seriously wish this series had longer episodes. Argh.

Rating So Far: 3/5 stars

March comes in like a lion

This is a gentle tale about people trying to regain something. And it is a tale of battle. The main character, Rei Kiriyama, lost his family in an accident when he was young. Now he is a 17-year-old pro shogi player who is burdened with deep loneliness. Rei lives alone in an old town in Tokyo, but after becoming acquainted with three sisters, Akari, Hinata and Momo, he begins to change little by little…

Episodes Watched: 1-4, ongoing

Thoughts So Far: This is a bittersweet story about a boy who lives alone but often spends time with a family of girls who care for him like their own sibling. I think that this story is very different and it’s really trying to dive into the depths of loneliness, depression, and sadness, but on the flip side it’s also trying to look at love, family, and happiness. It’s got a unique animation style that isn’t my favorite, but it works for this story. I think that I’ll have to watch more episodes to see how I really feel about it, but so far it’s interesting.

Rating So Far: 3/5 stars

Brothers Conflict

As the only daughter of a famous adventurer, Hinata Ema has had a pretty lonely life. But when her father remarries, she leaves the newlyweds alone and moves in to a huge building with her 13 cute new stepbrothers—each of which has a very unique personality. Oh, and her over-protective, talking pet squirrel is there, too. Is love in the air for Hinata?

Episodes Watched: 1-4, ongoing

Thoughts So Far: This otome series is kind of ridiculous, but OMGILOVEIT. Okay, so I’m clearly a sucker for harems/reverse harems/otome stories because this series just gives me life. It’s so cheesy but it’s soooo good! It follows this girl as she becomes part of this very large family of 13 brothers, and how several of the brothers are falling for her, and just… I can’t. I’m already laughing typing this.

Anyway, from what I’ve watched so far, I ship her with the red head brother because she already knew him before the marriage and her moving in and everything, PLUS he likes her to begin with, but things happened and now she’s kissing another brother and I’m just like, “stahhhhpppp, go with my shiiiiip.” I also ship her with another one, but shh.

I think I need to watch more and figure out my feelings on this because it’s just hilarious and brings me much joy.

Rating So Far: 3/5 stars

Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo lives in fear of creatures called Ghouls. When a young man becomes the first Ghoul-human hybrid, he must control his deadly hunger.

Episodes Watched: 1-2, ongoing

Thoughts So Far: As I’ve read the Tokyo Ghoul series up to volume 12, I know what’s going on and stuff, but I still wanted to watch the anime and wow, I knew it was violent and bloody, but damn. I’m enjoying it so far, though, and I think the pacing is going really well with the books, so that’s always a plus. The anime introduced ghouls, what they are, Ken, how he gets turned into one, and it’s all kind of very fast paced and it really takes you right into the story right away.

I’m interested to see how it handles the movements of the ghouls and everything, but so far what I’ve seen? Very smooth, very intense, and kind of sexual? Like… whoa. Anyway, this anime isn’t for the faint of heart, so if you’re interested in seeing it, just remember there’s a lot of blood and ripping of body parts.

But I still love it.

Rating So Far: 4/5 stars

Ahhhh, sorry this post was so long, but I’ve been watching a lot of anime lately, and I don’t think this is even everything I’ve been watching? Either way, let me know what your thoughts are if you’ve watched any of these and fangirl with me over ships and whatnot.

Let’s Chat! ^w^

Do you watch anime? What have you watched lately that you would recommend to me? Let me know!

May 8, 2017