Rick G. Rivera

a picture of a boy and a monster with the word elio on the bottom ALT: a picture of a boy and a monster with the word elio on the bottom

I feel like the final, theatrical version of Elio was a lovely film, and could still be read as queer or neurodivergent coded, but I would have loved to see the alleged original version where it was more textual.

For what it's worth, I haven't forgotten that I mostly follow political accounts and scream into the void here. Yes, the OBBB Act is gonna kill a lot of people, and, yes, Trump v. CASA makes injunctions functionally impossible, but I need the escapism.

YouTube video by Netflix Anime DAN DA DAN Season 2 OP | On The Way by AiNA THE END | Netflix Anime

Dan Da Dan Season 2 premieres today! Super hyped (despite the show having more fan service than I would prefer). New intro isn't bad, but it's gonna be hard to ever top the straight 🔥 that was the Season 1 opener, Otonoke by Creepy Nuts.

youtu.be/DCCRNzKvWRg?...

Happy New Fiscal Year to those who celebrate. May your projections be accurate and your audits be without findings.

My guy, if you're only twelve eps in and already this hyped, One Piece is about to become your religion.

Yes, the pacing sucks, but if you stick with it you are guaranteed an emotional and narrative experience you won't get anywhere else.

But, hey, if you ever have hundreds of hours to kill and are looking for a story about both the value and cost of personal liberation in a world ruled by oligarchs, disinformation, and impossible choices, One Piece can be immensely rewarding.

And, unfortunately, while the live action adaptation is good, there is no way in hell it will last long enough to get to some of the series' real highlights. I mean, it probably won't even be able to introduce some of what have turned out to be the story's core themes.

It leaves me with the dilemma of most One Piece fans. I wish my friends could experience the show's brilliant moments (not ALL of which are tragic), but I can't in good conscience ask them to commit to 450 hours of content, a lot of which is honestly a slog.

Thing is, series creator Eiichiro Oda keeps doing this. "Help Me." The Going Merry's Funeral. "I Want to Live!" Sabaody and the Paramount War. The series carefully builds long term emotional connections with characters then makes you sit with their pain.

Characters like him, and the experience of an episode from a week ago adding resonance to something that aired in 2008 is what makes the series so rewarding.

It's unfortunate that the shows biggest asset is what makes it so hard for new viewers to access.

To say nothing of how it's pretty damned likely that he is meant to be a reference to the Christian martyr Saint Bartholomew.

How could we have known that the invincible cyborg monster with the ability to literally transmit pain was once a boy enslaved due to who he was born to, or a young man who wanted only to take on the suffering of others?

It's been a minute since One Piece made me weep, but the last few weeks explaining the backstory of the silent, implacable force of nature that is Bartholomew Kuma are definitely doing it.

America: Stop being a stupid ass whiney punk and get yourself an effective public rail system already. Love, Someone Who Just Vacationed Elsewhere.

Yay! I got confused by the time change!

a man in a suit says i don t want to go ALT: a man in a suit says i don t want to go

Final day in Tokyo be like

I didn't take a ton of pics because I was too busy getting my Disney on, but the theming was absolutely impeccable, the park was spotless, the crowds dense but remarkably quiet, and the rides were fantastic.

Didn't get to do everything, but a day well spent regardless!

A bit behind with posting because the day at Disney Sea went long, but I'm afraid I have been forever ruined for theme parks.

Yesterday's walk: temples in and around Kamakura. Frankly beautiful structures with so many lovely details to find and gawk at.

Life sized Gundam! LIFE SIZED GUNDAM!

Actually, we just happened to leave the Diver City mall as the show was going.

Whisper words of wisdom...

Incidentally, if we hang out IRL and you want any particular small thing from Japan, lemme know!

I have many other pics, but, Michelin star ramen, y'all. Two for about $25! Ginza Kagari in Kamakura! 美味しいです！

Day 1 Begins at Shiomi Station, headed towards Tokyo Station, then on to Kamakura. It's a balmy 82, kinda humid, but tolerable.

Next stop Tokyo and all the Gunpla you can eat! 日本に行きますよ！！

Groomed, Manicured, and ready to go on vacation!

I think this works for Saturday.

I'd ask if you have any idea how satisfying this is, but I know the like five people that follow me on here, so I know you know EXACTLY how satisfying this is.

#transformers #colllector

Drink three liters of water, the doctor said. Your body needs to stay hydrated, she said.

Can I just save myself the time and effort by just dumping two gallons of water in the toilet? Basically the same net effect.

Eh it's alright. Gave me an excuse to visit Prescott Market again. Really starting to love that place.

If only it had a full service bar.