Byakuya Kuchiki vs Zommari Rureaux: True Love

Chapter 299

In a somewhat curious manner, Byakuya Kuchiki has two fights with opponents whose power revolves around love. Captain Kuchiki’s first love-related fight is his fight in the Arrancar Arc against the 7th Espada, Zommari Rureaux. His second love-related fight is one in the Thousand Year Blood War Arc against the quincy PePe Waccabrada who has the schrift “L”. In this post, I will discuss Byakuya’s fight with Zommari. The fight with PePe will be discussed in a different post.

I see Byakuya vs Zommari as a fight that showcases Byakuya’s growth after the Soul Society arc. Through this fight, we see that Byakuya (1) has changed what he takes pride in, and (2) has learned to some degree that love is not controlling.

Min-hyuk’s Loss of Self in Annarasumanara

Though initially presented as a mysterious figure, the magician in Annarasumanara is revealed to have a tragic past. R used to be a straight As student at school. However, he crumbled under the stress and pressure. This resulted in Min-hyuk losing his sense of self. We can see this through the panel above which comes from chapter 25 of the webtoon.

Gripping Dialogues: The Tarkaan and the Cat in C. S. Lewis’ The Last Battle

Picture taken from Harper Collins

Every now and then, we encounter gripping dialogues that just leave lasting impressions. One that I’d like to share in this post is a dialogue from the last installment of C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, The Last Battle. Generally, I often take a liking to dialogues with great messages. But this dialogue in The Last Battle caught my eye because of how cunning and careful its participants are.

[Part 2] Does Episode 5 of Violet Evergarden Endorse Child Marriage?

Hello! This is Part 2 of my thoughts on whether episode 5 of Violet Evergarden is an endorsement of child marriage. Make sure to read Part 1 first here!

[Part 1] Does Episode 5 of Violet Evergarden Endorse Child Marriage?

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Is episode 5 of Violet Evergarden an endorsement of child marriage and marriage with big age gaps? I’m sure this issue is something that has been widely discussed, so I’ll try not to reiterate what is already out there. 

Note: This article is divided into two parts. This is Part 1. Click here to read Part 2. The link to Part 2 is also provided at the end of this post.

When Killing is not the Goal: A Parallel between Sui-Feng and Ichigo Kurosaki

Sui-Feng is indeed an odd name to put next to Ichigo Kurosaki. Rukia Kuchiki or any member of the Karakura team would be a much better pick. Nevertheless, there is an interesting parallel between Sui-Feng’s and Ichigo Kurosaki’s actions in their respective fights with Yoruichi Shihoin and Byakuya Kuchiki. Said parallel is their action of not killing the enemy when they obviously had the chance to. This choice not to kill reveals that Sui-Feng and Ichigo’s primary goal is not murder, but something else.

[Part 2] Violet Evergarden Episode 5: You Write Letters That Bring People Together?

This episode's analysis is divided into two parts. This post is the second part. Click here to read the first part.

[Part 1] Violet Evergarden Episode 5: You Write Letters That Bring People Together?

Note: This episode's analysis is divided into two parts. Click here to access the second part. I have put the link at the end of this post as well.

We seem to have jumped ahead quite a bit in time in Episode 5 of Violet Evergarden. Violet is apparently skillful and capable enough to take on a request from Princess Charlotte of the Drossel Kingdom. (I don’t think Violet would be entrusted with such a heavy responsibility if she’s only got like, less than five experiences under her belt.) Violet is tasked to write public love letters to Prince Damian of the Flugel Kingdom, to whom Charlotte is engaged.

Thematically, the episode generally explores authenticity. Although letters can help people express their feelings, it’s not always the case that people will always write authentically. It’s not always the case either that beauty or overt displays of emotion is a sure indicator of its authenticity. Though this theme is mainly presented through Princess Charlotte and Prince Damian’s story, I’d like to propose that the same theme is echoed through the princess’ relationship with her lady-in-waiting, Alberta.

Bleach: Understanding Byakuya Kuchiki’s Motivations in His Fight with Ichigo Kurosaki

Chapter 152

Ichigo Kurosaki vs Byakuya Kuchiki is arguably the climax of Bleach’s Soul Society Arc. I’ve written here that I’d like to do a post on Ichigo vs Byakuya sometime in the future, and (finally) this is that post. I’ve mentioned that I see Sui-Feng vs Yoruichi Shihoin as a fight mostly fueled by personal reasons. The fight’s main driving force is not so much Sui-Feng’s zealous passion for the law as Sui-Feng’s pain due to Yoruichi’s abrupt departure a hundred years earlier. On the other hand, I see Jushiro Ukitake, Shunsui Kyoraku vs Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto as a fight mainly fueled by impersonal reasons (that is, legal reasons). Yamamoto fights his protégés simply because he thinks lawbreakers must be punished. His fondness of them cannot cancel the necessity for punishment. These two concurrent fights can help us understand the Ichigo vs Byakuya fight. I argue that his fight with Ichigo, Byakuya is driven by both impersonal and personal reasons.

Navigating Magic and Logic

Note: This post is the third part of a series that explores the main message of the Korean webtoon Annarasumanara. You might want to read the introduction, the first part, and the second part first.

After a long journey examining our main characters’ views, in this post we will sum up the stance that Annarasumanara holds in relation to life. In the two previous posts, we have seen Ah-ee, Il-deung, and R’s perspectives on life. I have demonstrated that the story rejects Ah-ee and Il-deung’s (and Min-hyuk’s) initial view which champions academic and economic success. Now, I will first show that the story, too, does not tell us to adopt R’s view. Then, I will point out the view Annarasumanara suggests we have.

[Part 2] Violet Evergarden Episode 4: You Won't be a Tool, but a Person Worthy of that Name

Iris and Violet on the train home from Kazaly

This episode's analysis is divided into two parts. This post is the second part. Click here to read the first part.

[Part 1] Violet Evergarden Episode 4: You Won't be a Tool, but a Person Worthy of that Name

Note: This episode's analysis is divided into two parts. To my own surprise, I had a lot of things to say. Click here to access the second part. I have put the link at the end of this post as well.

Iris and Violet on the train to Kazaly

After her graduation from class in episode 3, Violet now finds herself in the middle of a mother-daughter conflict. Iris, Violet’s coworker, receives her first job request as a doll from her hometown – Kazaly. But alas! Disaster strikes. Iris hurts her right hand thanks to a fall down the stairs. As a result, Violet accompanies Iris on her trip back home to act as her hands. The business trip, however, forces Iris to face her feelings about herself, her feelings about her hometown, and her strained relationship with her mother.

Magic and Childhood: The Magician's Rose-Tinted World

Note: This post is the second part of a series that explores the main message of the Korean webtoon Annarasumanara. You might want to read the introduction and the first part first.

The magician in chapter 4

One main character in Annarasumanara aside from Ah-ee and Il-deung is the mysterious magician, R. He suddenly appears in an abandoned theme park to perform magic. Though R’s childlike demeanor and odd way of living invite the suspicion of many, Ah-ee and Il-deung find themselves drawn to him. Eventually, the two students discover that R was once a top-of-the-class student called Min-hyuk, and that he has been living like this ever since his damaging high school years. R, previously a believer in the necessity of becoming a good typical adult, now believes in “magic”.

Money and Straight A’s: The Recipe for a Good Life?

Note: This post is the first part of a series that explores the main message of the Korean webtoon Annarasumanara. You might want to read the introduction first.

Il-deung and Ah-ee in chapter 8

Despite coming from different backgrounds, senior high school students Ah-ee and Il-deung share the same view on life. They believe that life is about becoming typical successful adults. To do so, one must attain economic and academic success. Nonetheless, the story conveys that economic and academic success do not necessarily guarantee a fulfilling life. This can be seen through the juxtaposition of Ah-ee and Il-deung themselves.

Between Magic and Logic, Adulthood and Childhood: Annarasumanara's Main Message

Annarasumanara is a Korean webtoon by Ha Il-kwon. The art style and story might put you off at first - like what it did to me - but all things considered, the story is worth the read. In fact, Annarasumanara is among the best stories I have ever read. It narrates the story of senior high school students Yoon Ah-ee and Na Il-deung (spelling may vary across translations) as they find themselves questioning their worldview after meeting a strange magician. The story touches on many interesting topics, but for now, I’d like to focus on its main message.

Violet Evergarden Episode 3: May You Be an Exemplary Auto Memory Doll

 

Violet's well-earned brooch

In Episode 3 of Violet Evergarden, we follow Violet as she attends a class for aspiring dolls. The main focus this time is Violet’s relationship with Luculia, a fellow student. It is in this episode that Violet experiences her first successful “mission” as a doll – the first of her many other successes in the future.

Bleach TYBW Anime Episode 20: Kenpachi and Yachiru

Episode 20 of the Bleach Thousand Year Blood War anime has just aired, and it sure is phenomenal. We received quite the visual feast, the exploration of an interesting theme, and even a telling moment as to what Yachiru actually is. Now, there is a shot in that episode that I’d like to briefly mention here, so let’s get to it!

Violet Evergarden Episode 2: Not Coming Back

 

I consider Episode 2 of Violet Evergarden as the start of a format that will be used for most of the remaining episodes: Violet's relationship with one other person becomes the main focus. This episode focuses on Violet's relationship with Erica. Violet’s unwavering resolve in the face of difficulty in her doll training actually impacts Erica in a positive way. I think this line from Cattleya will help us to understand Erica’s character deeper: “What people say isn’t everything. That’s a human weakness. We affirm our own existence by testing other people. Contradictory, isn’t it?”

It Takes One to Know One: Sachi Kouda's Character Development

 

Sachi Kouda is the eldest sister among the four sisters in the Japanese movie Our Little Sister (original Japanese title: Umimachi Diary – Seaside Town Diary). We spend a lot of time with her so she definitely left quite the impression on me. Her story is quite the surprising one. If I had to summarize her character and eventual development in one sentence, it would be “it takes one to know one”. I mean this in both the negative and positive sense.

Violet Evergarden Episode 1: "I Love You" and Auto Memory Dolls

Episode 1 introduces us to the main character, Violet Evergarden. Having spent pretty much her whole life in the army, life to Violet is a series of orders and missions to be obeyed. She has lost her own sense of agency. In Hodgins’ words, Violet has no will of her own. She needs someone to tell her what to do, and that figure was Gilbert. Her attachment to Gilbert runs so deep that even a trivial decision, such as picking a doll, is made in relation to him.