One Piece Speculations

Wano is coming up soon!

An anticipated island since it's name-dropped back in Thriller Bark!

After the WCI fiasco where our official tenth member Jinbei was instated as the helmsman and loads of ship tease, we're finally moving onward!

The Strawhats are finally reuniting after years out-of-universe.

The Strawhat Grand Fleet is coming back too! We're going to see the Barto Club again! And Cavendish! And Don Sai!

Seriously, this is where the Grand Fleet will make their appearance with full force since Dressrosa! The immobilization of a pirate war is gonna be great.

I heard somewhere it'll make Marineford look like a small skirmish in comparison. That's how bloody it'll get.

I wonder who was going to die?

I mean the standard fights are going to be up there. Kaido vs Luffy? Word will spread about Luffy defeating Katakuri, one of the best fighters in Big Mom Pirates.

Zoro would likely fight that traitorous shogun? We don't know who is going to fight who yet, not when more and more characters are pouring in, old and new.

I don't think this would be a Year of Zoro.

Personally, we already knew Zoro had no need of a more personal death. His personal death was Kuina whom he treasured till this day as a friend and rival.

Zoro is a simple and straightforward guy. He won't dwell on the past as much as Sanji or Robin. Like Luffy, he lives in the present. Even now, I think Luffy still thinks of Ace and Marineford, just kept it well-hidden. Literally, everyone to some degree experienced bad stuff from the lowest to the horrifying.

We don't know who or what inspired him to take to swordsmanship or his family or even foster guardians if he had any.

We don't know these details ever. We know when he was young, he traveled to town to town for matches. We know that this is the island where he grew up in and Shimotsuki was the town he eventually settled in until he left.

In terms of backstory, the irony that he will end up getting a relatively normal backstory. Usopp didn't suffer as much as Nami or Chopper.

This is what I think: a traveling swordsman from Wano and probably a relatively famous one too went to the East Blue and met Zoro. He helped him out of his situation and made Zoro the man he is today.

Maybe Zoro did descend from a line of monsters. From Wano, probably? The other two of the monster trio had monstrous lineages so why not?

However, I don't think it's anything dramatic. Luffy's backstory, withstanding the Shanks/bandits/Gray Terminal/forest debacle, was relatively normal. He was outcast from the little kids and his only friends at Foosha Village were the adults. He came from a prodigious line with a Revolutionary Leader as a father and a Marine Hero as a grandpa. Out of all the known backstories for the monster trio, Sanji's was the tensest.

I don't think Zoro's story had the need for more dramatic.

If anything else, I just wanted answers for who or what inspired Zoro to swordsmanship and perhaps his family.

Oda didn't hype it as much as Year of Sanji. So I don't think it's anything too big and jaw-dropping like Sanji's royal status.

Obviously, we're going to Elbaf. Wano is going to be a long arc so don't think for a second that we're going to Elbaf so soon after.

We don't know what island Oda is going to take us next. Remember we typically have no idea what islands Oda is going to take us next. The world he has is limitless.

If Zoro's arc is going to be around Wano, then Elbaf is for Usopp. It's significant, given how much he admired them since Little Garden and helped the Giants at Enies Lobby.

Hell, even remember Usopp's lies about defeating ten giants. I think that'll happen. Usopp had his Observation Haki at ready and at this point, I don't know what level of Observation Haki he is at.

Usopp's lies turning into reality is hilarious. It fits perfectly into the silliness of OP. I just can't wait to see more of his lies coming true. He finally got his army now at his beck and call.

GOD Usopp!

I bet his dad, Kaya, and the three little boys are so proud of him to even get that moniker! I was proud of him to receive that honor!

I think I heard from somewhere that the Moon will play an important part.

Now in the OP world, there are seven moons. Which might explain the crazy weather on the Grand Line. Not exactly since we got candy rain and physics-destroying weather.

I don't know how the Moon will play an important part.

The only thing I could think of is this: Enel and probably a Road Poneglyph is up there somewhere.

It's going to be amazing to see the Strawhats travel to the Moon. I don't know how but I think it's gonna be amazing!

Fishman Island is going to be destroyed.

Given the goals of the royal family and the signatures to relocate to surface level, you know Fishman Island is going to be destroyed one of these days.

If the fact it was almost destroyed by Decken once, you know.

The Strawhats aren't the type to cause unnecessary damage to actual islands - buildings on said islands, certainly. The Dressrosa disaster doesn't count because, at that point, the Dressrosa by the Donquixote Pirates needed to be destroyed and a new life rebuilt.

They won't cause unnecessary deaths. Luffy never willingly kills anyone. The only Strawhats who killed are Zoro, Robin, and probably Jinbei. They will evacuate everyone THEN destroy the island via Sea Kings.

Does that mean they will head back to Fishman Island at some point? Probably.

The world eventually has to figure a way to get to the New World once the underwater hub is long gone now. Blasting holes into the Red Line, maybe?

A world war is coming. Kaido starting a war, partly because he wanted to be killed and partly because he's a warmonger.

I do see it happening. There is too many stuff happening in the plot from Reverie to the Strawhats' growing list of heroic deeds to the very existence of the Worst Generation. You know it's going to be a changing world henceforth.

And I am going to eat that up. Because I love change in fiction, characters and setting. Unless you make it a point that a character won't get that change or that setting won't change its laws, I'm open to depth. I love Toph and Asami, y'know.

I don't know when the treasured One Piece will be found in the story.

There are calculating others who would be waiting for one to find the treasure and take it from there.

It's not like the treasure will be found and BOOM! The story is finished.

I don't know. It's predictable in that fashion but when the story is bubbling with political intrigue, the Strawhats saving countries left and right, a world war... The treasure seemed minuscule.

It's one way but there are other ways. At this point in time, I recall Oda can go on another decade. For love of Godoka, I seriously hope he doesn't go onto two decades because being a mangaka is hard work. He slept three hours a day. He dedicated to his fanbase and treated them nicely. I also recall that the story is 60-ish percent done.

So at least we go a parameter to go around.

And a tease of another possible decade of One Piece.

Reverie is coming up soon too. At this point, Wano and Reverie is the priority, not Elbaf or the Moon. We're going to get the third Road Poneglyph once we finished Wano and we need the last one.

Likewise in Wano where we're going to see old and new characters, we're seeing the Strawhats' friends make friends with the other, forming alliances in a fashion.

The Strawhats had political pull. While they might not realize it, they had more political pull than the arranged marriages Big Mom pulled out for her children.

The Strawhats' recent fiascos including Fujitora apologizing to King Riku publically in camera and releasing information that the Strawhats and Law were the saviors. Regardless of that, the WG raised up the bounties. The dirty laundry of the WG and Marines are going to be aired out sooner or later.

Just not right now.

I don't think Cobra is going to live much longer. He's speaking about something the World Nobles and the Five Elder Stars did not want ever. They don't want change. To keep their power for the last eight centuries, you gotta be smart and shady.

As much as I would love Vivi to become Queen, I am worried about Cobra.

So, so worried.

Not to mention, there are other kingdoms the Strawhats never met with or contacted, who had their own motives.

Just like Wano, Reverie is gonna bubble with political intrigue.

And the Revolutionaries have something to attend to.

At Reverie, maybe? We do not have a clue about what Dragon is planning since we are so far out of the loop? Sabo is obviously going to be there.

Now that we're in S3 of MHA/BNHA, we now need to know which arc will end up in.

I was correct last season about the ending of the Midterms arc.

Considering we're still dealing with the aftermath of the Hideout Raid arc (I cannot wait to see it animated and we're going to see Tokoyami's shadow all berserk!), would we be dealing with the Hero License arc?

Because we need to see Bakugou let loose his pain and see that BakuDeku battle.

The Hideout Raid arc hurts so many people, especially since we see Bakugou who admired All Might so much fear that he ruined that.

Change the Channel

....So...

This controversy has been happening.

I wasn't exactly following Channel Awesome. However, I do know about it since I actually visited the TGWTG original website. Yes, I remember visiting that website and seeing Blistered Thumbs there too. That is how far I remember Channel Awesome in my life since I was in eight grade perhaps. I haven't heard of Linkara but I heard of James Rolfe though. I heard of the Brawl too so... Yeah. I never visited cons so I never saw them either. Just yeah...

I won't call myself a huge fan of Channel Awesome. I certainly followed producers like Todd in the Shadows and Kyle Kallgren and Linkara from time to time. While I haven't followed Nostalgia Critic and I did enjoy his anniversary videos and certain reviews, I didn't get too much into it. For the record, people can still watch NC episodes because I am not going to deny enjoyment of others. I haven't watched NC for awhile now and uninterested which is why I'm surprised to hear about this fiasco.

For a website that promotes free will and speech, feminism, people of color, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized groups and loathes bad stuff like abuse and racism, the behind the scenes show a lack of respect towards women and human beings. Where things could have been easily solved by healthy communication.

Seriously, you guys gave a shit about the ongoing behind the scenes but you can't even give your own.

All of you content creators, former or current, on this fucking website are adults. Adults that are capable of themselves. Adults who should have been paid for their work and drew in more viewers, regardless of popularity.

Look I get you are having a breakdown of your making of a masterpiece. But you don't have the right to treat your so-called friends and colleagues like shit, forcing them to make a sexual assault scene, albeit offscreen, which they say are uncomfortable. Ignoring friendly advice and support when it's staring right there in the face. These people were your friends and treating them like shit is not going to do any favors. Linkara's movie actually did things that you should have done, Doug and Rob.

There is a difference between a Family Guy episode where consequences are ignored and devalued and real-life consequences. What they say in Family Guy or American Dad is not going to do it.

I seriously learned about the mismanagement and ongoings behind the scenes after To Boldly Flee movie.

I should've known that there was more to it when I heard about the Allison Pregler vs CA. Or even the Spoony incident. Or the complaints up at Suburban Knights...or Kickassia.

The glory days of TGWTG and Channel Awesome are long gone. While video reviews are still popular and yes, NC is still a major influence on such things, the fact the Walkers' reputations are colored now should be a deciding factor.

I never actually followed Channel Awesome yet I am gleeful watching the numbers drop.

I don't want Channel Awesome to be completely finished and these guys' livelihood destroyed. It might be karma due to their treatment of Allison and Marzgurl's daily life. Or not even telling the rest of the producers for killing off the flagship and expecting them to kill/retire theirs despite they are using those as revenue for bills and such.

I just want Channel Awesome to admit wrongdoings toward the people they supposedly hired and mistreated. I just want them to change.

Not to burn to the ground.

Just to change their management.

That is the main source of grievances for many producers. They went as far as putting together a list and went to a Skype meeting.

I had hoped that given these personal accounts, the higher-ups gotta do something to improve the air. I mean this is the site where the reviewers are vocal about owning up to mistakes.

They are friends. They were supposedly so closely knitted.

Now into the Me Too era, sexual misconduct/harassment/misogyny would not be tolerated. Looking at you, Mike Ellis and Mike Michaud. Sexual harassment towards your employees when they clearly don't appreciate the advances should be notable. To not even stopping it was awful because you have the power to change.

There was a reason why the movie industry, the animation industry (Dreamworks, Pixar, Disney, including John Lasseter for Godoka's sake! Not to mention Clarence and the workers at the smaller animation studios like Nick and Cartoon Network. Just look at Steven Universe's creator, Rebecca Sugar!), and so much more are going on such a massive change in the Me Too movement. This was part of the reason for Whedon's departure from Batgirl.

Now bridges burned like wildfire. Now the unprofessionalism and lack of trust were evident.

I don't think these producers have the need to lie. They even have saved screenshots of their lack of professionalism and distrust. They won't gain anything out of it since they already left the channel they used to be a part of. In fact, they are doing fine or finding something in their life. Even, Holly Brown, someone whom Michaud and the Walker Brothers fucked over, a person who worked her ass off and actually made contact with the fellow contributors on the site, not just Nostalgia Critic. She was the reason why we even got Suburban Knights in the first place! The people already left might not want the whole channel to be shut down and destroyed into oblivion.

They want it to be revamped and the superiors to own up to their mistakes. Instead of making themselves look good and blaming the victims. These former contributors want them to amend their mistakes for a better future. If not, then they can at least make aware of a cautionary tale.

Not broken promises left and right. Problems could have been easily solved had these guys actually tell their so-called friends and fellow creators to do more. Active communication instead of needless hurting feelings. Seriously, learning about what happened to Phelous and Welshy about the animation in TBF makes it unnecessary to go through that.

Seriously, I think these producers, in the light of the Me Too movement, have the right to speak out about the company's ineptitude and misconduct.

From what I gathered, Mike Michaud was the source of blame for mismanagement and lack of concern for people. Not that the Walker Brothers are doing much better, enabling their CEO's behavior or not doing much about their own behavior. At best, Doug was oblivious and careless. At worst, he's actively cruel when common sense such as having a lady who works day and night even on her days of sickness and need of a vacation and taking care of med bills.

Losing producers and creators would be the least of their problems at the rate they are going. Losing fans' support with their non-apology gotta hurt.

From what I see, these guys aren't bad people entirely. They certainly have some privilege given they are the owners of a company. However, they may act as good entertainers or have certain talent but at businessmen, they are awful. However, they got to stop treating their friends and fellow contributors, people who drew in more viewers, like shit.

These guys are supposedly friends with their former contributors yet they are complete asses towards them. I would understand poor communication but not listen to their friends' concerns and input just makes them look inept. Why destroy others who have the expertise and capability to run a business?

Now I never met the Walkers nor Michaud. Though I wish to never meet Michaud due to the stories I heard from other women. Holy Godoka, you don't have to mistreat Marzgurl or Allison or PushingupRoses like that! What gives you the right to that maltreatment?

However, just because a 20+ people have bad experiences does not negate others' good experience. I think Malcolm and Tamara have good experiences and part of the Chicago group allowed them to be shielded from the most terrible experiences Phelan and Allison received. Chris Stuckmann has no stakes so he left anyways, partly of solidarity.

I will still support the individual content creators like Angry Joe and Maven; don't forget that certain contributors chose to stay with CA for their own livelihood. They might have their own reasons for staying or potentially thinking about leaving. Linkara stayed until he couldn't stay anymore in his good conscience. Please support the other contributors barring the Walker Brothers. They aren't the issue. The issue is with Mike Michaud and the Walker Brothers.

The issue is with management and management ONLY. Criticisms should only be lobbed at Mike Michaud and the Walker Brothers for their business practices. Those contributors are not the target. Do not pressure them to leave. They have a choice in all of this. In fact, Chris Stuckmann, Tony Goldmark, and Malcolm actually reached out and talked to the former contributors.

Their 'apology' is actually a non-apology. They didn't deny the allegations but they didn't say yes either. Yet after this so-called 'apology', they blocked anyone who asked about Change The Channel movement, earnest or otherwise. Just why?

Unless you do something about management and Mike Michaud, people should be able to resubscribe back.

Do you guys really need to have a major hit on your popularity and revenue in order for you to actually get a proper apology? Karma had been hitting you for a while now but do you really want to experience the same thing that you put Allison, Marzgurl, and so many more through?

And now I heard the tenth-anniversary movie was canceled...

I should have expected that due to the controversy.

Just remember that the goal of Change the Channel movement was for the change of management and to admit wrongdoings.

Not to burn Channel Awesome to the ground and leave the Walkers destitute.

All they have to do was to admit their wrongdoings and make the first step in making a better community.

That's all they have to do.

This is not about the quality of Doug Walker's works and other shows under their umbrella (Sibling Rivalry, Awesome Comics, NC episodes, etc).

The point is management and owning up to mistakes. That is all.

Not backtracking and pointing out bad quality in effects or lack of effort in set design. That is not the point of the movement. Miss Pregler didn't do much to offer in this one either because she is quite petty about here. Some of her tweets can be pretty petty and mean-spirited. I know she left CA with bad blood but even she should be aware there is a difference between quality and managing a company, the latter of which is the point of the movement she and other former CA contributors spearheaded.

Again, management. Not opinions on quality. That is different from the goal of Change the Channel.

Not to drive off contributors which they had done with Tony Goldmark, The Dom, Calluna, Nash, and The Last Angry Geek.

Don't harass the producers still on the site. They have a choice and a reason to stay on the site. Some people might be disillusioned like Phelous. No trolling and a malicious intent to drive Channel Awesome into oblivion. Harassment and maltreatment are unacceptable for the movement going forward.

Not So Awesome For the document, either you believe or you don't. Yes, there are screenshots of Skype conversations. Does email have to count too or Sean's horrifying experience with Mike Ellis has to be on there too? Does video recordings or sound bites have been there too?

I don't hate Channel Awesome. Want to make that clear. It's just...they should know better than this...

I thought they would have done better than the people they criticized including Tommy Wiseau. I thought that these guys would actually be standup citizens to do the right thing as they always say they were and capable of and made sure they treat LGBTQ+, POC, and the disabled and the sick.

Like I actually expect them to straight-up apologize. To be the good people they always paint themselves as. To make a change that they always seemed to value.

I know that the content creators are still friends and have a flawed experience. They may have made friends and became friends for life. Some even went on to date and marry and have a child together.

For all Doug Walker and his brother criticized Tommy Wiseau, they aren't much better. I thought they would provide basic needs and allow creative input from other producers.

It's pretty hilarious that he was no better than the man he criticized. You would think he would actually listen to those who attend film school or photography. Who are professionals and studied the actual art.

I don't go to film school due to my major but common sense should be listening to those who can and will make your finished product the best you can ever make.

Walkers, please get your head out of your ass.

And Mike Michaud...

Go away.

I did not think it would get this worse. I didn't think it would be. At first, it was a movement that clearly wants the management to apologize and be the stuff these former producers actively wanted to be, professional and sincere to producers.

Give the new revelations, the Channel Awesome situation is now far darker and less amicable. It's just depressing... After these recent events, I just wanted to grab my cousin's rose wine. 

Channel Awesome posted a 'rebuttal' that tackled the issues...

Holy Woman of the Beginning! They outright called the accusers liars! That's not good at all! Don't presume malice on your accusers!

They didn't tackle the issues at all. They confirmed (Mike Ellis' departure, the harasser of so many women and one man & the sexual groomer & the contracts), force speculation (the anonymous fan's sexual groomer was revealed when that anon wanted to keep it private. I never actually watched his videos...but still...wow... the confirmation....), and did not apologize for every action, victim-blaming again. The document gave a timeline too so whoever wrote and approve of this...you gotta be ashamed of yourself that you didn't even allow privacy of the anons who wanted to keep her and her aggressor's identity private. Well so much for that wish. Channel Awesome, how stupid are you? Did you read it all the way through? Or cherry-pick whatever you deem good enough to rebut? Even if it's the flimsiest rebuttal in all known internet rebuttals to date. 

Also, the new information on JewWario is now used to smear Lindsay Ellis and Dan Olson? Get out of your asses, stupid people! It is not the point of the movement to smear both sides of the party! Or even a dead man! I know that the people in Change the Channel movement, the leaders, are flawed people and JewWario is revealed to be a rapist in all accounts but it was not the point of the movement. We are supposed to change. Unfortunately, we have to understand our new worldview on JewWario. After that narrative that was sold to us, this revelation changes everything and well... 

Certainly, JewWario's reputation is now ruined with the confirmations of so many people (Marzgurl, Holly, JesuOtaku, Count Jackula, the management...) and his friends shocked to the core. I never watched his videos but I have seen him in crossovers and the specials. Now I don't think I can stomach it, knowing the truth. 

Also, for anybody who said that the people in the document knew about JewWario's actual reasons for leaving the site, do not think of saying that these guys were lying! Just don't. Again, I know they're flawed people and there are some genuinely nice people on there too like Linkara (given how much I heard about him from Count Jackula and Erod and Marzgurl, he's respectable). Don't out the victims because that is the last thing this fiasco needs. However, saying EVERYONE in Channel Awesome knew about JewWario's misconduct is ludicrous. Cferra did not know. Linkara likely did not know. Joe likely did not know. Gonzo likely did not know, given in his testimony he wanted an online wake for the guy. I don't know if Allison knew but she clearly apologized to one of JewWario's victims for not reaching back to her for support. Count Jackula did not know either because of how long he defended the guy. If everyone were to know about JewWario's actions, it's by rumors and the people who are friends with the guy would clearly defend the guy. That former contributor who was friends with JewWario was also shocked. So get your head out of your ass because it is crazy to think that everyone in CA knew about this. 

I don't want to place JewWario on some pedestal because I don't. I don't worship actors nor creators I like. Do you see me worshipping the heck out of Oda Eichirou or CLAMP? Never. I may love them but I never hero-worship them because I know they can make mistakes and really what is the point of hero-worship? 

They attacked the women and ignored the men's complaints. Linkara was nowhere mentioned even though both he and Lindsay protested against the rape sequence. They didn't even mention Sean either. 

They failed to address and apologize for their wrongdoings. 

I don't know who wrote it or have an input on this response.

They weren't even polite. It's petty and arrogant. 

All they have to do is apologize. That's all. 

Speaking of the Chicago crew, I don't know anymore. The tweets from them seemed fishy when they were so reasonable before. Don't harass them either. Just don't. If it looks like they took a side, use your brain and logic and question what the heck is going in there. 

Angry Joe and MasakoX left, making it clear that Angry Joe could no longer support the Walkers. He's one of the biggest names and was there during CA's heyday with Brad and Sage. The senior members left are Brad and Sage.

What will finally get these guys to make an actual apology rather than avoiding the issue altogether? To make themselves look good?

These people they are calling liars have been doing just fine and didn't need the publicity. 

The loss of subscribers was dying down and people were moving forward if slightly. The movement would still be going. The fiasco was dying down.

Now CA just rekindled the fire. 

This 'rebuttal' is nothing more than an arrogant farce to save face. It's stupid too because they did not address and apologize.

On that note, please don't hurt the Chicago crew. They are good people who are being paid in comparison to Marzgurl and others who weren't paid despite fulfilling the quota and requirement. 

Remember that our goal is to make the Walkers and Michaud own up to their mistakes. Not the fact of the sexual predator's identity. With the confirmation of the chatlogs... 

Walkers, Mike Michaud...

Go keep digging up in that hole of yours. I'm sure it'll be a hard time climbing up. 

And during this storm, we got Guru Larry with the trademark Channel Awesome wackiness for levity. I am grateful for his levity in this situation because he did not blame nor hurt CA or Justin's victims or try to make light by making rape jokes. He's playing off the ridiculousness of the situation and the management. He's laughing and eating chicken, watching the heads run around as CA burned. 

Edit: All but three are left. At this rate, let the Chicago crew remain. Larry is only staying, not out of loyalty but out of sheer trolling. I'm pretty even the management knew that because Larry did not keep it a secret. Brad is still deciding apparently and ERod is nowhere. He confirmed in his last video he's staying so...I might as well see it go down tomorrow. 

Edit: Ya'know, looking at other Youtube productions who have connections to industries like JK Films made Channel Awesome look even worse by comparison. JK Films has a closely knitted team with very few people and welcoming of everyone who wants to join in. They are very professional and savvy about business. Just look at Bart and Geo's gym, Barbell Brigade for example. When they mean business, they do mean business. Look at the difference between JK's films and CA's anniversaries. While there is little storyboarding in CA's anniversaries, JK made a point to have those with experience on board. Casey went to film school! While he didn't go to the best schools like Lindsay and Kyle, he still has experience! 

Having connections and actual knowledge of how to run a business, even when money is tight, can do great things. Geo may leave JK but she is still a friend and an affiliate anyway. While Doug appeared on PBS and met stars like Mara and Greg, his business model and ethics are dissimilar from JK. 

Mini-Review: Coco

Just to make this clear: I don't put any studio above all else as some kind of monopoly. I may have a hard time, listening to any mega fan of the Disney/Pixar empire complaining about anyone who might prefer another outside of their sphere. Let people enjoy Dreamworks or Blue Skies more than Disney if they like it more. For example, I don't yell at anyone at my cousin who saw YOI according to her MyAnimeList at a 6 while she enjoyed Code Geass more. We share a distaste for Frozen; she hates it from the start and while I don't hate the movie, I am just annoyed of how much attention it gets and how glorified from an otherwise average Disney Princess film. I put Code Geass and Death Note on the same level while she prefers CG over DN.

While I don't think Pixar will hit their stride again just like they did before, I still expect good quality regardless. From what I hear, Dreamworks is on another Dork Age while Disney and Pixar are once again King of the Animation. Anime movies popular here or foreign animated movies don't seem to have the same glamor as Disney/Pixar. Not even Your Name.

On a writing level, it is a well-written story. It felt organic including the cliches. Something like a ridiculous ban on music felt organic because the character writing felt real.

There is foreshadowing in the details. For example, Ernesto expressed surprise when Miguel called himself his great-great-grandfather. In the first few minutes, we learn the story where we know the bastard musician left his family with hugs and kisses goodbye. It's been hit over our head just how much it pained future generations. So definitely not Ernesto as the forefather of the Rivera family.

Little details should stick out like alarm bells. Small but enough. I love little details such as these. It shows effort and time.

It's not perfect because there are details that can confuse the heck of people. Like had people cross over to the Land of the Dead before and permanently died there?

My sense of humor tends to be surreal and dark. I gravitate to dark comedy and absurdist. I love the McElroy Brothers for a reason. I enjoy slapstick and improvised comedy (the well-written ones or the ones that are good on the fly). The humor in this movie is pretty well-done. The delivery of these VAs is great.

I am admittedly confused about the remembering part and why Hector was being forgotten. His story is being passed down through generations, just not his picture not put up somewhere on a makeshift ofrenda. His name was never spoken although I think some people in the family know it or might not know it at all because they don't bother to know beyond the bastard musician who left the family for fame and fortune. By all means and purposes, his picture was just not put on an ofrenda. The movie made a point in having an identifier at a station for any pictures; we saw just how desperate Hector wanted to go to the other side to see Coco even if it was just a moment before he dies for good. Seriously that was all he ever wanted when he should have shuffled off the mortal coil decades ago. Speaking of ofrendas, shouldn't everyone have them, even the forgotten? I'm pretty sure that everyone has ofrendas from what I know of. The movie made it a point that the Land of Dead runs on memories, memories that can be distorted by emotion; stories have to be passed on in order for those living in the Land of Dead to continue with the afterlife. Coco was the only one who remembered Hector in life and was willing to pass on knowledge of her life with him in spite of her dementia. While the pain of the abandonment hurt the Rivera family to the point, some might know his name and refuse to say it, only saying he's the bastard musician who left family for fame.

I listened to the Latin American Spanish version of the songs and they were sung noticeably softer. Even from the most bombastic numbers are sang softer than those in the original, including Ernesto's version of Remember Me.

At least, this movie actually used the writing potential, unlike Frozen. Considering Frozen is still popping up (I saw a gift bag with Elsa and Anna on it and the new short; given the reaction to the short...people aren't liking it), Coco was a family story - a platonic love story. The song Remember Me was a fucking parental love song! Frozen is not unique and I will make sure that its place is not in the pantheon of good Disney movies. On the tier of average Disney films certainly but never ever one of the classics. Nobody is placing Coco on some pedestal just for having family as a central theme. Thank god for that. You don't see my point my love for My Love from Another Star as some kind of new K-drama. I like W Two Worlds too because the main showrunner and writer Song Jae-jung have unique and crazy ideas that just happened to involve romance where her first half is awesome but her second half just falls. Not down the drain, just lessens the impact and just moved on. W is the best part of this: up until the romance became central when it used to be called the B plot at best, the A plot usually revolves around the potential of the setting such as the suspense and no-rules in W. I was more invested in the first half of W than I was the second; when the suspense is still there in the second half, the romance became front-and-center when that should have just been the icing on the cake.

Also, I don't subscribe to the Pixar Theory. I like crossovers all the same and like headcanons. I don't even think the creators of Pixar think much of it. I always thought the references are nothing more than just easter eggs. CLAMP canon-welded their works with alternate dimensions; if there is something that definitely referenced the original, you would know. xxxHolic had the Star Staff for god's sake.

Coco has the better writing. Not to say Book of Life is horribly written. Both are still pretty great with their soundtracks and the heavy Hispanic heritage in both of them. We should be grateful to at least have some good representation at least with a good show of culture. Just in terms of writing, Coco is better. I don't even hate Book of Life; I personally went to see it myself (for a school report and when I say that I will only watch animation with the occasional breaks, I do mean it because I did not watch dare to watch any of the Disney/Pixar films) but nothing else. I like Book of Life for its simplicity. It tells a simple story inspired by the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in a Mexican setting. Honestly, my wish for Book of Life was to have a lot more Hispanic influence.

Goddamnit Funi, please release the Punk Hazard arc soon. I really want to see you tackle Dressrosa, Zou, and Whole Cake Island. The manga is heading towards the Wano arc in a few more yards. The anime is right now at the Tea Party so get your asses into gear. 

I want to see the Zosan banter and fights....and teamwork. Because I love the trust factor so much. Just look at post-Thriller Bark when the pair kept the secrecy without a single word exchanged. They just knew. Yes, there is a reason why I love this ship a lot. I know Oda knew his fans missed the Zosan banter/fights, given his art of the two together in some fashion playing around. 

I love Lukadrien and Lukanette so much. Luka is a far more interesting character than Nath. I don't hate Nath. If you ship Nathnette, good for you! Ship whatever the fuck you want. Don't care about policing ships when it is something you like. 

I really want to see more of Luka in the future. 

Mini-Review: Voltron Legendary Defender S5

Season 4 of VLD is a disappointment, to say the least. The writing is filler entirely all the way and not the good kind of filler either. It's the kind of filler that does not do good for the story. Most of the characters are relegated to the background with only spoken parts at the climax (poor Lance, his role as the right-hand man is useless and evident that he's Keith's right hand, not Shiro's) or reduce to jokes (Hunk was supposed to be the diplomat or learning to be one...yet Allura was the one who did all the work). Some characters arcs still continued (Keith, Allura, Pidge, however, some of it could be considered fluff at best and certainly does show some impact on their character, one way or another but it's so minimal when the plot overshadowed them). At least we got Pidge's story in the right direction. The half-season did not do a good job with the foundation at all.

Season 5 actually did a better foundation and a better direction than S4 ever did.

...Just beware of the One Piece in this one.

....also prepare for an angry rant down there too. Because this fandom and the way it presents itself...would leave me cursing a storm like a sailor.

So in a nutshell, better paced and characterized. Of course, it's plot-heavy but at least it didn't neglect its characters. Of course, not all the characters got the spotlight. But the narrative has better direction than S3b/S4. Some arcs are starting or becoming relevant like Lance's connecting to Shiro's which Keith's had always been tied to since the beginning.

You know that I have a problem with S3b/S4's tension problem, especially at the end? Easily solved with the tension of saving Sam Holt and Lotor and Clone Shiro being around. It helped raise more tension better than the stupidity of the Voltron Show. The Voltron Show is the poor man's Ember Players. I am so sorry but there is literally no relevance of Coran at all in that episode despite it being a spotlight. Instead of getting anything interesting about his character, it turned out to be so stupid I hate it so much. Coran got the more interesting spotlight when he was fucking fighting Zarkon at the end of S2 and when he revealed the story of the original Paladins where we see his past self. He's more interesting when we see his faces. Look I get he was the comedic relief but seriously, use levity for serious moments when we seriously need it. Not to dismantle what should be proper characterization and a day in the limelight perfectly.

Speaking of Sam Holt, he is heading back to Earth! While I do think the Garrison is a Starfleet-lite, I think the Garrison and Earth, in general, would play a role. Come on, we were given just how grey the Garrison seemed to be including the aliens thing. In Golion, Earth was fucking destroyed and I do think Montgomery and Dos Santos would totally make Earth a site of an important battle. I don't think they would destroy Earth though, given how important it is to the Paladins. The reason why the Galra never attacked Earth in the first place was it's primitive by technology and have little resources (unless it has massive quintessence that nobody knew about...seriously, come on, in Power Rangers, Earth is a place where all the stuff of magic and aliens invade every time); seriously the only the Galra can have over the Paladins is that they can literally invade it just because they can. I think VLD takes place a century from now. I don't think Allura would let Earth be destroyed either, given what happened to Altea.

I love the Garrison Trio's shenanigans. I love to see Lotor's reaction towards his robot's change due to hyper genius yet childish Paladins. I mean Matt is a meme in flesh.

I seriously wonder how the Alteans and Galra see humans based on their weird habits. They can be ingenious but can be horrendously childish and stupid, no matter what maturity they portrayed.

While it is not perfect, it's better than S4/S3b where it just failed in the direction it trying to tell.

So...Lotor and Allura.

I think I should have expected that. Because in the original series, Lotor/Sincline is in some way attracted to Allura/Fala, fucked up or not.

The showrunners did say they didn't want to have the same stuff as the original Voltron and Golion for the Allura and Lotor's dynamic. They certainly referenced the past dynamic in the third episode of S3a.

The two are foils just like Keith and Lance & Zarkon and Shiro & Keith and Lotor.

Anyway, I do genuinely think there is something between the two that didn't happen between Shallura or Allurance. For better or worse, there is a romance between the two that wasn't present in Allurance (which is more friendship and I don't see it developing any further. Yes, they have nice moments but they have a severe disconnect what the other wants in life. Lance didn't seem to understand just how important these things Allura was doing in this season personally. They are less romantically compatible than ever before and I am talking about Allura's complete romantic disinterest in Lance.) or Shallura.

You guys can still ship Allurance and Shallura. I am talking about canon viability here, folks.

The pair just seemed to connect. A spark. Especially during the Altean stuff in the end. Yeah...

This relationship is directly linked to the plot. Seriously, it has quintessence which is the motive and cause of the tragedy. Allura and Lotor seemed to know about the tragedy of Zarkon and Honerva regarding the Quintessence. It doesn't help the imagery between them and Lotor's parents.

What I think is that Lotor is genuine about his claims about peace and using quintessence for good. It's idealistic but misguided because he is under some false assumptions about quintessence and the circumstances. He idolized his mother for Godoka's sake and certainly try to ignore the implications.

So here are the options:

A: Lotor betrays Team Voltron. Predictable but I doubt that. Allura is grounded and levelheaded, not naive and gullible. She may be young by earth standards but she was forced to mature during the time Zarkon was becoming eviler. Now I don't know who is an excellent judge of character like Luffy with Blackbeard and the Strawhats. I trust Luffy to tell between good and evil. Luffy has always been a good judge of character.

B: Team Voltron betrays Lotor. Possibly but given how only Lance so far distrusts Lotor since he is in close proximity now. Well, there's clone Shiro and Keith too but since Keith is currently detached from the Team Voltron, he doesn't seem to realize the full extent of the situation. Allura trusts Lotor and gives her full support in his plans.

C: The exposure of clone Shiro either by the Laith co-leadership or Lotor that will lead to the fracturing of Team Voltron. We already saw the foils of Zarkon dead now which meant that Shiro should and need to step back from the Black Lion forever. Please. The Galra Empire is broken now but still powerful enough given Haggar is now the Big Bad of the series.

D: Lotor will go against Team Voltron and especially Allura's warnings about quintessence. Coupled with the heartbreaking truth about his mom, and how everyone seemed to stamp Lotor as his father's son, therefore, he has the same ideas (well he is manipulative), he will go against them because what he believed to be true or embrace the evil that everyone seemed to think he is as Zarkon's son.

The true evil of the entire thing might be the rift thingies.

I don't know if they can get rid of quintessence because it is useful as an energy source, etc, etc.

So I do think there will be higher stakes when or if Lotor turns against Allura.

Because I do think Lotor is developing feelings for Allura and so is she for him. For better or worse, you decide.

Because I really would like to see Shiro interact with Romelle. I want that so much, I am drowning myself in sangria. Come on, if there is one pairing that I am pretty sure you guys would choose to have a canon from the previous canon is Sven X Romelle.

Because Laura Montgomery loves Romelle too much to include her in her Voltron epic. Seriously, I don't think Allura's mom would appear in this series beyond flashbacks.

Besides Romelle is sitting right there in the canon. For her not to appear and what a fab character she always is, how can the writers and showrunners let her rot in the background when the story is right there for the picking? She is just sitting in canon, waiting for her appearance. And to not let her appear in any shape or form in the conflict of the splitting Galra forces and the rift and the quintessence... tell me one good reason why she shouldn't appear? When a supposed Allura's mother or an alternate Allura who came from another world? Romelle is sitting right there! We already got hints of other Altean survivors with the shapeshifting thing so... Let Romelle appear for the love of The Man of the Beginning. Lotor was such an important character and he finally appeared in S3/S3a. So to not have Romelle in VLD would be stupid when she even appeared in the last Voltron series, Force.

Yes, the series is different (Lotor's mom's counterpart is different) but they play around with the previous canon. The bayards are basically Force's weapons for Godoka's sake. They are willing to have Shiro as Black Lion's pilot for awhile until he will eventually step down. For the love of Philemon, they added quintessence, something that was certainly not in the original.

The showrunners wanted an epic in the vein of ATLA and Korra, just they are smashing together their childhood with Golion, a really bloody and dark series. They went out of their way to watch the previous series up to including selected episodes of their favorites DotU in Netflix for all to see. They must have watched Force because where else had the bayards come from?

So let that girl be Romelle. I'm starting to dislike the DND Allura or Allura's mom theory for the Allura look-alike when I know the only person who looked like Allura in canon is Romelle. I loathe certain theories (not crack because crack is supposed to be crazy and nonsensical), just hating theories that made no sense to the narrative or made no sense in general.

The showrunners would have to be stupid to leave out Romelle when she is a legit character in her own right. She would fit right in with the modern interpretation of Voltron.

I will only allow DND Allura if there is an episode similar to such a game. Allura's mom theory would only make sense if and only if she came from another world or she somehow survived the destruction and living longer. I do think Alteans have a long life but how long is the question here?

Krolia!

We finally meet the mother!

We're definitely going to see more of Keith's family at this point. With his mother, now all we need to do is meet the rest of the family.

I like the theory that Keith and Acxa are siblings, more so the theory they are fraternal twins.

Now that we see Krolia use both fighting styles, it should be the final nail in the coffin, right?

At this point, anything is possible.

They are willing to put Keith's development as a leader of Voltron on standby with the clone Shiro taking over to the point that Lance couldn't get any development as a right-hand man in. Yes, we do see him try to act as a right-hand but Shiro didn't need a second in command, now or ever.

Seriously, Shiro is Zarkon's foil. Yes, I will keep repeating this because it bears repeating. Shiro should never get back being the Black Paladin....ever. It is awful for his precious team's development as people. It will suck for Shiro who desperately needs a break. He can handle being with the rebels or with Coran on the support team. Just anywhere but a Lion. I want to steer him away from the White Lion too because I don't think he can fulfill his life in that way meaningfully. Seriously, his Golion counterparts are dead while his DotU counterpart never returned to a lion.

At least, Ace's death has some kind of fulfillment for his character. I don't think a death for Shiro would be fulfilling his character nor it would be good for Keith either.

That is why I hate people who hate on Keith for being the Black Paladin.

Do you know anything about character development?

Change is what the team needs, not static flatness. Complexity is what the series needs, not characters stuck in one place.

Perhaps Krolia is one of the catalysts to lead Keith back to Team Voltron.

Because Voltron seriously needs him more than Shiro, real and clone.

Ya know, the last time I used the clone/real designation was when Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles revealed the revelation.

So regardless, we met Keith's mother that should be a catalyst for him to get back to Team Voltron where he is better there than at BoM.

Keith will have to return. BoM has not been good to him, aside from allowing him to meet his mom. The very fact that his character arc aside from the identity quest is to become a leader that requires communication and restraint.

I cannot believe that Black Paladin Keith is such an unpopular opinion when Black Paladin Shiro and Lance is more popular. No, Lance will not be getting Black because it will usurp whatever development from Keith as a leader, it will send his development down the drain. The only times I can see him even pilot that damn Black Lion is when there is an emergency with Keith out of commission or simply that a moment. Given how much it's a part of the Lance fandom lately and seeing it everywhere with the Red Paladin Keith, it makes me seethe with rage. It would have been fine as a theory or just a fantasy but no, these guys seemed so certain that it makes me sick.

The point is co-leadership. They are best when they are together, working in tandem. That is the point of their story. They are good when they are alone but together, they can take on the world.

Think the Strawhats. They are individually one-man armies who can stomp your ass into the ground but with their teamwork, they are hell. Just look at only two, Zoro and Sanji, in the Groggy Ring for example. Or Nami and Luffy in the battle against Cracker.

Yeah, Black Paladin Lance is becoming something I really hate these days in the Klance fandom. Preferring to have one guy have all the development but not the other guy even though they ship the two guys together. In fact, Keith is really hated in the fandom. Because no matter what he does, he will still be hated for it. Becoming a leader even though he has the potential? Pitchforks! Make a mistake even when he clearly learned from that mistake? Pitchforks! Literally, think he did nothing wrong when he made mistakes that YOU hold over him despite him learning from those mistakes? Pitchforks! The stupid excuses for not seeing growth in a character and the potential of becoming someone they can become in the future is something I really hate to see in fandoms. I hate it when characters are put down because they are just given screen time more than their favorite. Favorite or not, growth is more important than your damn favorite characters.

Forget nuance and complexity. You want static and preference of fave favorites. You want the status fucking quo. The only change you want is for your favorite character hogging all the spotlight and development from other characters who deserved their character development.

Not change when there is evidence of change to be made. Not potential to become the best people they can ever be. Not the narrative that placed characters in a spot where your favorite character will get different development.

The fandom deserves none of my sympathies once you decided that you would rather have your favorite character take all the spotlight, usurping others' development.

I am sorry but Red Paladin Keith will be a no-go. He will not get character development if he went back to Red. Red Paladin Keith will not get any character development because that will still cater to his solo personality and will not make him communicate to others on an equal scale, hiding behind the leaders instead of participating himself. As Black, he's growing into his greatest potential.

The same goes for Lance. Going back to Blue, not because she's inferior, but the chances he got as a second-in-command would be rendered null and void. His goals to be a leader-type would be void. He is Keith's right hand, not Shiro's. Get it through your thick head. Going to Black would not make anything better for him either because that is not where he will thrive. As the leader, his insecurities will pop up again especially if Keith remained with Red where he won't get any character development.

For Shiro, going back to Black will ultimately render what he could have outside the Lions useless. He has PTSD which is highly inconvenient in a battle that Keith could take over, in fact, Keith had taken over when Shiro was out of commission in the inconvenient timing due to his PTSD. Let him not get a Lion. Let him grow somewhere else. Let him recover from his pain instead of forcing him into a position where he would not grow as a person, but probably worsening him.

The only reason I recall from the showrunner was that the color didn't match up. That is the only reason why Shiro was in Black, Keith Red, and Lance Blue. The showrunners are huge childhood fans of VDotU and had watched Golion so not switching up to the original team would be disingenuous to the series that always had Keith in Black, Lance in Red, and Allura in Blue. And Sven/Shiro on the sidelines working with Romelle. The showrunners are huge fans of the original so why in the seven hells would they permanently make Shiro in Black, Keith in Red, and Lance in Blue when there are chances of character development?

Do you want stagnating characters? Do you want characters to stay in one place because it's what you are used to? Instead of making mistakes, learning from those mistakes, becoming something they have the chance to become? Do you want to go back to the so-called status quo? Even though it will not be good for anybody?

I know my narrative shit here, people. And this fandom pushes a lot of my literary NO buttons a lot.

I hate this fandom so much. This toxic fandom that is willing to spread negativity in the name of SJW Purity regardless of actual adults on site who expect you to regulate your own consumption. That they are not their parents. If you are allowed to be on the internet, then it is you who should regulate your consumption of materials. This toxic fandom who was willing to hurt the showrunner, cast, and anyone related to him in the name of their selfish intent of a trivial and meaningless pairing. This fandom's personal bias for Lance and put down Keith despite his goddamn potential.

I hate this fandom so much. Hate it. I generally hate fandoms for a long-ass time but having a fandom where all the modern trends come together is likely to push all my buttons.

I'm far more concerned about real life worries than having to deal with young teens and young adults trying to put themselves up on a pedestal. Look it is great for tolerance and whatnot outside of fandom. Look what happened to the White Rose Society and Berkeley. It's wonderful to see high-schoolers tackling real-world issues.

However, it's stupid when you are railing off on shipping and hatred on characters regardless of characters' development.

Go and fight the good fight. Protest, Research. Be active. Just don't hurt other people just for having an opinion on a fanon ship. There is a difference between fandom stuff and real life stuff. You know, real-life consequences as opposed to just fandom gifs, theories, and whatnot.

I hate this fandom so much for its Lance stans and its unnecessary hatred of Keith and its reverence for Hunk and Shiro and Pidge and Allura and its refusal to see Lotor as a nuanced character. I hate just how black and white this fandom is and I will not participate in this fandom ever. I only gleaned from the fandom alone that it's exhausting to even participate. Sure you can still put out art and fanfiction and meta but anger someone with a ship and somehow that's more serious than human lives being threatened by people who don't seem to have no life but to hurt other people, making themselves bullies for a cause that seemed noble at first but too high a standard to accomplish. Instead of providing nuanced lessons for identifying sexual predators, they would protect hypothetical 'children' on the fucking internet.

The internet has dark depths. I accidentally came across porn sites then and there..without any credit card access. There are more things worse than a fanfiction and fanart of shipping.

Do you know anything about narrative comprehension?

There had been way too many comparisons to Lance to Alfor already. There had been way too many hints as far back as S2 that Keith will eventually take over as the leader of Voltron. In S3, we fucking saw the growth of Keith, Lance, and Allura in their respective lions when they could not get it before. There had been the narrative parallel between Keith and Lance where they are best when they're together.

You need to understand narrative comprehension, stupid fandom of VLD.

Keith will be in Black, Lance in Red, and Allura in Blue. That is where they'll thrive.

It's basically saying that Coby will never become Admiral or Luffy becoming the Pirate King or Zoro becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman or Sanji finding the All Blue or Nami making a world map or Robin finding the Rio Ponegliff. It's basically saying that Luffy and Sabo are unable to carry Ace's will.

It's basically saying that Luffy cannot beat Katakuri. The latter of which needed character development with his defeat. This battle meant that Luffy is truly more than a New World pirate now.

It's basically saying that Karasuno will never beat Nekoma. It's basically saying that Hinata and Kageyama will never become Olympic Gold Medalists. It's basically saying that the Oddball Duo will never receive the honor of being at the very top of the volleyball circuit. It's basically saying that Rin can never beat Haruka fair and square one day. It's saying that Deku can never become the greatest hero he can ever be. It's basically saying that Uraraka can never receive the money for her parents' Hawaii vacation. It's basically saying that All Might will never live past his fated death when the narrative all but stated that he will live.

I could go on.

Yes, we got a new White Lion now.

We still haven't seen the real Shiro nor the Romelle in actual person yet. I literally cannot wait to see Romelle. She needs to come!

You know...I wish to see Romelle meet Shiro. Have that poor meeting that referenced the original series. If there is one thing the 80s Voltron did great in, it's the romance of Sven and Romelle. I think it would be hilarious that all this time, the real Shiro had been transported to a cave where he met the rebel forces there and have to be kept hidden from both the allies' eyes. And that terrible first impression.

Hey, if they are willing to tease Lotura and Punk, then they are willing to have Shomelle. Any shipping is fair game. Any shipping should be fair game, you stupid fandom that try to police shipping. Looking at you, Klancers.

Now that Zarkon is literally out of the story that meant that Shiro should step back from being the Black Paladin forever. Shiro and Zarkon are foils. That meant that Shiro would step aside willingly unlike Zarkon's unwilling death by Lotor's hands.

I am sorry but he is not going to thrive or going to get meaningful character development there. The rebel army needs his inspirational speeches more than the Paladins. He can flourish in the rebel army when he couldn't with the Paladins. Shiro did not flourish as the Black Lion's pilot. At all. Beyond pulling away Zarkon's control, he just seemed far too comfortable...well aside from PTSD that is not good in battle. He is better behind the lines where he can direct others and could still fight. He is better at the shounen hero inspirational speeches ala Naruto. He does not have to keep Black regardless of what bond he has with Black. It will be static if he remains the Black Lion's pilot which S3b-S4a makes abundantly clear, clone and real.

Do you want static character development? I am not talking about the good kind of Asami and Toph or Nico Robin. I am not talking that these characters need the change in that form or character complexity. I am talking about the bad kind of the Megaforce Rangers who did not grow in the course of their run with all their bland glory. I am talking about the negligence of leaving character in one place without any change...despite change is and can be evident.

Coby and Helmeppo underwent massive character development under Garp than being chore boys. Sabo thrived in the Revolutionary Army than being a pirate. Sanji flourished in Kamabakka Island than in Amazon Lily where he would die of blood loss should he be sent there. Zoro thrived under Mihawk's tutelage than he would training alone. Fucking Charizard thrived at Charicific Valley than with Ash.

Voltron is about growth. We could already see the growth of the characters such as Keith and Lance in their newer lions than in Red and Blue. We saw Allura's growth in the Blue lion than she would be in the Black Lion where not only it would have ended much worse but also for the fact that she's already the commanding officer and remembers that she puts a more emotional response in the Red and Blue lion than Black altogether. It would be repetitive for Allura to be in Black because she is already the leader of the actual Voltron diplomacy team.

Let these characters grow, stretch their legs, becoming the best people they can ever become.

Let Voltron reach its fullest potential without the status quo.

Don't be stupid to neglect change or refuse to see change in character if a position where they are best at.

I cannot believe I have to say this again.

Klance fandom, canon or not, you can still ship it. Why do you need canon evidence? Have you been in fandoms as long as I have? I spent a fucking decade in fandoms...although I chose not to associate with fandom, choosing a select few to interact.

I know you guys aren't even the Pokemon fandom where there are lots of ships. Seriously, a shitload. And it's not just anime-based either.

I know you guys aren't the One Piece fandom where the fans are allowed to ship whatever because there will never be endgames. I ship LuNa and ZoSan but never cared much for LawLu or LuHan. I do have a liking for Luffy and his harem of girls he attracted including Nami and Robin into the mix.

Zoro and Sanji did not interact since Dressrosa and you don't see that slowing down the fans of the pairing. Luffy and Hancock had not interacted since the Strawhats Reunion Arc and you don't see that dying down any LuHan fans. Luffy had not interacted with Law since the Zou Arc and you don't see their fans dying down anytime soon. Ace is fucking dead and you don't see that hurting the MarcoAce or SaboAce or AceLu shipping in any way possible.

Don't think for a second that Keith and Lance who haven't interacted (besides a few seconds of communication of mission debrief) for nearly an entire season (S3b-S4a) will stop people from shipping them. Just because you think they will not become canon does not mean that people should stop shipping them altogether.

In the Percy Jackson fandom, did Percabeth and Solangelo stop Pernico in any way? NO! 

In the CCS fandom, did SyaoSaku stopped TomoSaku? NO!

You shippers are just acting entitled brats. You seriously don't know your stuff about fandom. Thinking about yourself and not about any other opinion or fact. Not even about other fandoms apart from yourself.

Do not hurt Jeremy Shada or Joaquin Dos Santos or Josh Keaton or anyone associated with them or anyone in the cast/showrunner ever again.

You are not doing anyone favors by hurting other people, particularly the people who are creating the show you are watching. Do you have any basic human decency? Why do you care so much about ships better than human lives?

The showrunners, cast members, and anyone who was currently working or previously worked on the project are humans who are trying to be inclusive.

What you guys are doing is not good for the movement or anybody. It's selfish and entitled to even ask something trivial. It's dumb to think of shipping when human lives are ruined for your own pleasure. The anti-movement is a joke on the internet based on their stupidity alone regardless of what 'noble' intentions or legitimate concerns they have.

You are not fighting the good fight. Don't make everything about purity.

You are making a bad reputation among those who shipped the same thing. Look at the Steven Universe fandom where anybody who ships outside of the lesbian ships is demonized for so-called not supporting the actual LGBT ships.

Shipping is supposed to be fun.

Not to disagree or agree on what is canon. Not to even have canon evidence. Nor is it activism.

Seriously, do I have to point you guys to a pairing that have no canon interaction beyond a passing comment? Or just one interaction? Or no interaction at all?

There is something called crackshipping, right? People ship fictional characters with a known item they love. For example, people in the ATLA fandom shipped Sokka with his boomerang or Zuko with Honor or Iroh with tea. There are fics about fictional characters fucking with a towel or sunglasses or anything inanimate. How about shipping together two people who will never meet across franchises? Like Jack X Hiccup or Jack X Elsa which is essentially shipping. That is a thing and you don't see that hurting Disney and Dreamworks.

Do I have to bring up a fandom that long since died down? The Rise of Tangled Dragons Six. Whatever it was called. It was one of my previous posts on shipping but at its peak, it's one of the most popular shipping fandoms yet just like SuperWhoLock. I honestly don't care for both but either way, the former was a primary shipping fandom with the Hiccup X Merida or Jack X Rapunzel. And guess what? The shipping didn't hurt nobody. Not Disney. Not Dreamworks. Not Blue Sky. Not Laika.

Hell in the Pokemon fandom, they have names such as Pikashipping and Generatorshipping AKA Ash X Pikachu and Misty X Pikachu. Yes, they are real ships. Actual names.

However, the Pokemon fandom has nothing on the SPN fandom. SPN fandom has more 'sinning' than any other fandom I know of. Not even the anti-fandom purity can ever make it there; I think I barely see it there which is not surprising. I think the thing is well... "My kinks are dirtier and sexier and 'sinning' more than you. Try me. Do your worst." Basically, the fandom is a challenge of kinks. Even looking through A03 tags basically shows you just how kinky the fandom can get. And that's not getting into other platforms like LiveJournal, Dreamwidth, or Tumblr.

Shipping with age gaps, inanimate objects, animals (I'll put Pokemon and Digimon here too), beyond franchises, beyond anything is normal. Nobody gets hurts because it's a niche fandom. I don't think the world at large cares about a ship. Just look at people's outrage at the SU fandom for hurting an artist just for the Lapidot. So many people call them for such a behavior and not helped by the fandom's harassment on the basics of things.

It is your job to make sure what you consume. Not other adults. YOU. Who is allowed to be on the internet. Fandom is a voluntary action; you participate or you don't. I chose to never ever participate. Just look at my scathing hatred towards certain sub-sections of fandoms. Fandom is never a safe place. The internet is not a safe place. Sure there are discord servers. However, on Tumblr, where you can unfollow, block, or use Tumblr Savior to AVOID tags, then what the fuck are you doing hurting other people that are not even hurting you? They are either exploring their sexuality or having plain fun.

You are hurting people. You believe you are fighting for a cause. When that cause is utter nonsense when you have the utter reason. Reason that fandom has always been this way. Reason that shipping is in no way has to be canonical or play activist.

It is YOU who has to know what you consume on the internet. Again, Tumblr Savior, blocking, or unfollowing meaning avoiding is right there for you to use.

Tell me. Why hurt other people on opinions on a ship? A meaningless and trivial ship?

You can choose to not like a certain ship. You can criticize it due to execution or the fact it strangled the two together without any buildup of romance.

However, you cannot hurt others who like it. They are doing nothing but having fun or exploring their sexuality.

Even the raunchiest works in fandom are written by teens who are exploring their sexuality.

Spirk and Holmes X Watson are one of the oldest slash ships in history. It's literally on fandom history. And you don't see that hurting the actual LGBTQ movement.

So for the Klance shippers, if you know your narrative comprehension, you must know that the ship is not dead in any way canonically. The narrative is pretty much binding Lance to the Shiro and Keith's arcs now. Keith and Lance had always been depicted as a tag team as leaders and combatants. It will be intense in the coming seasons for Keith and Lance just like Korra and Asami.

Just don't think for a second that the showrunners or cast will literally spoil the ending or the endgame. That will ruin any kind of tension. That will spoil the journey.

Now speaking of Sheith shippers, ship whatever you want. Do you even know why this type of relationship would not be doable in the current atmosphere? The relationship between Yuuri and Viktor was very mature based on a colleague-turned-coach relationship. Even till this day, aside from arguments that the pairing and the show are vague on its LGBT, the ship was being argued in western grounds simply for having a teacher/student relationship, calling it a power imbalance and all that sorts.

Funny. See Sheith won't be as accepted now because America still needs to ease into it just as LGBT needed to ease into 'sensibilities'. A teacher/student relationship and gay at that would not do. LGBT representation is still new in America. Despite the avalanche, LGBT and all of its relationships, yes including age gaps and supposedly power imbalances like teacher/student - still needed to be adjusted.

So Sheith shippers, just ship. Ship when you can see reason and don't twist canon for your own agenda. This says to everyone basically from Klance to Plance to Hidge to Hunay to even across fandoms like Shizaya and Zosan.

Look at me. I'm a Shizaya shipper - which is a enemies relationship - and I shipped it good. And Narita did not disparage anyone from shipping it and even created his own slash fic with the said couple. I shipped USUK - which from all intents and purposes, is a ward/caretaker relationship and others see it as brotherly - and Hima-sensei encouraged it with his ship teasing. I'm a Sterek shipper - which is an age gap relationship - and you don't see Davis discouraging it in any way. I still shipped Victuuri - which is again a teacher/student-ish relationship - and nobody besides the fandom is making a fuss about it. I shipped Ereri - which is an age gap relationship - and you don't see people shoving Eruri down my or any Ereri shipper's throat.

Does that make me more mature for shipping a ward/caretaker, enemies, teacher/student and an age gap relationships simply due to its mature implications? I'm 23. Supposedly, around the early twenties and teens are the age of Klancers. I'm a shipper of Klance as well as Shallura; I don't mind Sheith - honestly, I don't care for it - and Shomelle and Hidge and Hunay and Hance and Plance and Lancelot and Keitor and so on.

Why does it matter that I should care for a ship like Sheith? I don't care about it because I'm not drawn to it like I am with Shizaya and USUK and Sterek.

Again, shipping does not mean that you are the more mature one of the shippers. Shipping does not mean any of that silliness. Shipping is supposed to be fun.

Sheith shippers, call yourself mature all you want simply for shipping Sheith or a mature relationship which does happen in real life. However, don't belittle others for shipping something you don't. Shipping is not meant to be a contest of maturity.

Shipping is supposed to be fun. It supposed to mean that everyone had their own opinions and having fun with shipping two persons together. Those who even had limited characters too. I shipped Minato X Akihiko and you don't see anyone shoving Akihiko X Mitsuru or Akihiko X Shinjiro down my throat.

In Teen Wolf, despite Derek having not been in the show since forever, there are still hints of Sterek. Stiles stared at the initials that might not be Derek's initials but the notion is still the same. Hell, in the end, the two even became the Supernatural Hunters tag team. The show did not dissolve Sterek, unlike Kira X Scott.

Know the narrative. Why do you trust Word of God so much? Make your damn interpretation. Practice Death of the Author if you must. Seriously, I practice Death of the Author alongside knowing the author's intentions. I am open-minded and I have to be, being an English major who read assorted books. I barely catch up with any Word of God at all.

After the disaster that is S4, I wanted to see these writers do better. I know they can do it. I know they aren't Eiichirou Oda who keep notebooks of his arcs and managed a satisfying payoff every time he writes his big arcs. I know they aren't Urobutcher either or Hiromu Arakawa. I think Montgomery and Dos Santos have something planned definitely for the story given their comments about Lance's future romance and the Shklance arc and just how pleased the cast are with their characters.

The shining star seasons of VLD is S3 and S5. I wouldn't mind S1 for its pacing alone and setting the beginning stage. S2 is where the cracks started to show but S4 is probably the worst written of the bunch with the award of the Worst Episode So Far is the show episode that did nothing. We could say it is setting things up...but when S5 did it better in terms of writing... I'm not saying that it's a waste but for the love of Godoka, S4 could've been a lot better written.

Isn't that why there's a stint of time between S4 and the new season?

Above all, I missed the 13 episode drop. That allows breather and flow better. The half-seasons seemed rushed by comparison. S1 was perfectly paced, S2 was slow, S3-5 seemed rushed by comparison. Well, S4 was just tedious to sit through based on filler alone.

I am waiting for the next release of Funi's One Piece dub and Sentai Filmworks' Haikyuu second season dub. They should be reaching Punk Hazard so far and Trafalgar Law's VA must be on this show for a long ass time now with TLaw will be playing an important in the upcoming three arcs excluding Whole Cake Island.

Now of the Wano arc, is it possible that we are getting something Zoro-centered? Typically, a Strawhat would get an arc for themselves to explain their whole backstory. While I don't think Zoro would need anything more than his Shimotsuki story which he may have lived there since he was presumably ten-ish (he looks ten or even six in OP standards), we still don't know what happened before he arrived. Given how strong-willed he was and how he took to swordsmanship, do you think someone inspired him and helped out of his previous situation? He has such a strong will as a child that I feared he experienced something that makes him who he is. Certainly, he spent his formative years at Shimotsuki but something before he arrived and met Kuina gotta be important.

I know there weren't any hints beforehand like Sanji's Mr. Prince/North Blue. Seriously, I think the only hint of Sabo's existence was Ace's ASCE tattoo and other than that, neither Ace nor Luffy mentioned Sabo likely because they don't like to dwell on him much. Then again, we didn't know anything about Dadan and Garp and anybody related to the Post-War arc detailing Luffy's formative years.

Probably someone from Wano who inspired him, a traveling swordsman perhaps. Zoro was a traveling swordsman who used bounty hunting as a way of survival although, by the standards of East Blue, he is pretty brutal.

Zoro, like Luffy, is a simple and straightforward guy. Like his fellow Strawhats, he isn't the type to tell their personal backstory unless they all gather together and do it. He isn't the type to divulge personal information, not because it's personal like Nami or Sanji, just that it's in the past. Just look at Enies Lobby where Robin revealed the horrors of the Buster Call to her hometown. He is not the Strawhat First Mate for a reason. Unlike Sanji, he's not too emotional now and then in the past. He says that yes, the past shaped him but here he is now with a dream and a promise that he and Kuina will keep. Seriously, his treasure was Wado for Godoka's sake.

One Piece Live Action TV Series

I was honestly surprised to hear this news. While I haven't yet to watch the live-action Attack on Titan, I don't hear the dissents that the Hollywood Ghost in the Shell and Dragon Ball Evolution did. I haven't watch the live action FMA yet either but while I don't have the bad feelings that the Death Note adaptation gave me...I felt indifferent. Ace Attorney is the most faithful of all the adaptations right down to the silliness while still meshing well with the dark features the director is known for.

One Piece is long as heck. It's not even half-way finished because the Straw Hats still need to find the last two Road Poneglyphs and let's not forget the very fact that we still haven't reached the World War yet, the Games of Thrones-esque when we have some form of the Red Wedding in the latest arc. The anime had all but caught up to the current manga by now. Oda has even teased he could go for another decade and did you recall that he would die for OP? Look I love OP and enjoyed it and even now with the current arc, I still deeply enjoy the passion and writing that Oda puts his heart and soul into.

I just wonder how are they going to execute this? Because One Piece's world runs on nonsense and unpredictability. The world-building is incredible not just in the individual islands and the seas but also the entire world's history. It's also full of passion with lots of crying. Actors, you are going to cry a lot...messily as possible too because the crying scenes in OP aren't pretty like a single tear dropping down a pretty face, no, everybody cried like a fountain. Messily. Maybe that's why the Midoriya's tears are like this to the point that it might be a secondary quirk.

However, they do know just how crazy the world is, right? You are going to need a lot of CGI, animatronics, makeup, and a whole lot of special effect in order to match the world. You are going to need CGI for the main character who uses his body almost every single chapter, be it fighting or normal everyday activities like catching an apple or swinging himself up the mast. Not to mention, Brook himself. How about incredibly large characters like Kuma or Moria? I think you can find an actor for Akainu or Fujitora or Aokiji. Heck, you can find actors for the dwarves, merpeople and giants. Each island is designed exaggeratedly like Whole Cake Island or Impel Down is basically the Alcatraz. Seriously, there are so many things I can name that needs CGI in general. You are going to need CGI for Devil fruit users after all. I'm not talking about Bentham's Devil fruit users because actors can act that role.

Are you going to pull in all the stops for this one? Devil fruits, islands, people? You must go full on Games of Thrones, go Pirates of the Caribbean on this. If you honestly want to go all out, you have to get the best of everything from special effects to actors.

Normal islands like Little Garden or those in East Blue and Paradise (Drum, Alabasta, Whiskey Peak, Twin Capes, even Reverse Mountain, Little Garden, Jaya, Skypeia, Sabaody) can be done normally. Although you have to do with the dinosaurs in Little Garden though. Sanji and Zoro outright caught dinosaurs. How about the Sea Kings monsters for god's sake? How about the wolves in the Skypeia arc?

How long would the series be? We know that they are going right back at the beginning in East Blue. East Blue is relatively easy to do because the sets (aside from property damage...so much property damage...) are easy to create. You can even reuse, repaint, remake sets.

...Though in Whole Cake Island, you must make a lot of edible pastries because well...you know...actors will need to eat them.

Just how the fuck is they going to do sets like Water 7 which is practically Venice? I think they can do Thriller Bark but lots of makeup for the zombies. They can do Marineford including the iceberg Mihawke chopped.

Do you know just how much property damage there is in OP? So much property damage from swords slashes, punches, devil fruit powers... Had you seen the damage in Alabasta? Dressrosa?

How about technology? Thousand Sunny has so much tech involved from the Gaon Cannon to the Channels. We are talking about submarines here, folks. You can build individual sets after all but you have to use again. However, since we are explicitly shown ship's deck frequently where most of the action takes place including the Grand Line's wild weather. I know the sea is dangerous but you don't have the luxury of animation.

How about the costuming? There is loads of fanservice in OP from the Cyborg Franky who wears one pair of speedos and he only has one to Nami who doesn't even mind showing off her body. Hell, Nami and Robin are well-regarded as beautiful in-universe. Amazon Lily is practically littering with beautiful women of all shapes and sizes. How about Chopper? He has so many forms of the love of Godoka? There are notable jokes that are there like Kaku's nose that compared to Usopp's nose. The character designs cannot translate well into live-action. How on earth are you going to do Usopp's trademark nose? Duval? Insane character designs that would take a lot of effort in order to translate into real life? I think you guys can do Pica or even Big Mom but you would have difficulty with Duval or Usopp. Plot-driven characters like Duval is going to be difficult to recreate. Like Sanji is capable of being a plastic surgeon based on his kicks alone.

The series is ridiculous. I hope you don't tone it down one bit. Because it is high on powerful emotion and exaggeration. It's by no means realistic...it's realistic when it wants to. For example, Sanji's blood loss and the necessity to supply the blood.

It's not like they can actually match the character design-wise. You can't possibly match characters like Lola. How on earth are you going to do characters that have trademarks like Brook's afro and Franky's pompadour? Or the Square Sisters?

On actors and actresses, are you going to stick with white people despite the fact OP is not quite our own? There are places that are certainly inspired by real-life nations like Dressrosa with Spain and Italy or Zoro's hometown as Japan. In fact, there is still Japanese food still existing there with onigiri; people literally eat Japanese style for the most part including bandits living in the mountains. You could get actors from many nationalities because there is the very fact that Oda has given his characters nationalities if they exist in this world.

You can do Paulie. Hell, you can even do Hancock.

You have to be pragmatic about this adaptation after all. You can't recreate everything when the anime and manga are doing just fine. There are things you can do without trouble like the sets in East Blue or even Reverse Mountain. You are going to have to do CGI with Laboon though.

As for romance, it's open season. Unlike Naruto or Bleach which I ship SNS and Ichiruki, I don't have much inclination. Yes, I do like LuNa and ZoSan but beyond that, there are relatively little ship wars. I am utterly grateful because Oda pretty much made sure of that beyond the characters he made married or definitely lovers (Chiffon and Bege or Roger and Rouge) but he certainly left potentials in the wake after all. People still ship LawLu or LuHan or Luffy with a harem of the girls he attracted from his journey. In the OP fandom, people ship whatever they want.

Unlike in other fandoms where they would argue whether or not you can ship it based on age/whatever context and the canonicity of a pairing from age to whatever the heck you think of (I am looking at you, VLD fandom), the OP is free game. Nobody cares about who or what you ship together.

There are so little ship wars in OP that fans would rather argue which pairing would be the endgame. Yes, there are still wars a la the form of dismantling or ship sinking. You do know that regardless of ship sinking or dismantling, people can still ship, right? People still ship pairings like Katniss X Gale or RoyEd or AlEd or DeanCas when the canon says that it is nil. Regardless of whether or not the individual shippers are swayed by the argument, let it be known that it is still shipping. Shipping is subjective and should not be taken seriously. One of OP's themes is friendship so don't think for a second there will be romance. I doubt there will be an endgame couple(s).

I just worry what Hollywood would in terms of romance. They might as well tease many couples or imply an endgame couple at the end.

The series is incredibly silly and whimsical. It's insane and things like Sanji's poster ending up being a real person in the end or a talking skeleton or a talking reindeer is considered apples. We got people who can kill others by turning into candy or becoming the element of the devil fruit they ate. We are talking about characters who are not normal in design. You can get actors for characters drawn in realistic proportions and yes that includes the ladies but you would have a hard time finding an actor for Duval. You guys can even do Jimbei or any Fishman for that matter, mermaids should be fine too.

The show relies intensively on flashbacks which means child actors. Unless you get incredible actors like Stranger Things (that is still disbelieving because how on earth they manage to get together such an incredible group of child actors?), you must be thorough in your search.

I just worry a lot about this project because OP is huge in all respects. You would need brevity in order to get the essentials of each arc out. Everything is interlocked so you can't really skimp on the details unless it is absolutely necessary.

Unless you want to fall into the pacing issue the special Episodes did.

Now the series is still heavily Japanese influenced despite its western setting. When I say it's Japanese media, it's still Japanese media regardless. Cowboy Bebop is still Japanese influenced although it might not look like it. Tiger and Bunny are still Japanese despite looking every bit like a superhero show.

Regardless of its western setting (it sets around the 1500s, last I calculated), it's still Japanese in its form. Japanese names are still littered about, Japanese culture and expectations are still there albeit in less volume than Naruto... Even the Funi dub doesn't skimp the Japanese, using the names and culture. Zoro's home island is more Japanese than Cocoyashi or Dawn. You are going to need to use the Japanese names and culture that is in there, regardless of its western premise.

To be honest, I still don't like to think Jimbe as part of the Straw Hats. I can get used to the idea someday.

But I just wanted another girl into the crowd. Certainly, they have female allies including Vivi but just another girl, please. There are female pirates and the women in OP is certainly well-developed.

Just another girl...please.

We already got Jimbe who does fit the template of a Straw Hat down to losing somebody important in their life that they loved immensely. There are just too many hints that Jimbei will join the crew.

Between Jimbei and Carrot, it's a toss-up and it's more likely Jimbei than Carrot.

Doesn't mean I have to like it.

Death is the only way for Jimbe for not joining the Straw Hats.

Either he or Carrot.

Now ten members are the supposed limit. Remember that OP was supposed to end within five years, Oda had not expected the major phenomenon... It is still a valid interpretation that there will only be ten members in total. But there is another one where the cap might be at ten members.

Oda has a tendency to split the Straw Hats. Just be lucky we're not following the number of pirates as saying the Heart Pirates at 20 members or the Tonta Corps at 200 or the Charlotte Family at over a hundred family members. I would personally put an estimated number of 12 members for the Straw Hats, no more, no less.

Can you believe the Wano arc is coming soon?! We first heard of Wano as far back as Thriller Bark and now we're heading to Wano right after Whole Cake Island. I cannot wait for the arc to start!

And now the second season for Tiger and Bunny is finally greenlit! Finally! Seriously, I thought a second season would not come. There were merch of course, pretty cute ones too.

And yes, I am well aware it is the merch that supports the anime. OP has so much going for its franchise including actual lectures and published analysis! Oda pretty sure wasn't expecting that.

I mean if my works were as well-regarded as OP, I will die continuously inside while staring in awe. If my works ever get that point.