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cthellis

@cthellis.bsky.social

Tiny bit more active here now.

My home remains: https://urusai.social/@cthellis

I doubt Bluesky (or any algorithmic social media) will be any healthier for the psyche, even if it does have far fewer Nazis.

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cthellis

@cthellis.bsky.social

Also my chiming in right before the end

Well, nothing has changed about my desires for it: ⁠chihaya-furu⁠

Question is, what has the author revealed? Not... much. I feel like there has been some extra "TaichiXHanano" scenes, to possibly try to fend off the wailing fangirl hordes. Suo is changed largest and Shinobu as well, that I feel it's even best-er now if the win. Though not LIKING that it's luck-of-the-draw (a bit overused and too-cute-by-half here), it shows how much Chihaya and Arata have earned, but lets "the title draw" carry on past the end of the series. A win by Arata here would be tainted by "well the meijin was going blind anyway" but Suo's win here still has "proof" to it, and that can carry on into bringing karuta into other communities, and he can empassion those who wouldn't by either Arata or Chihaya.

Shinobu can best draw out karuta into "a profession" and make the next meijin/queen match explosive. She could also best play out a "fated rivalry" aspect between her and Chihaya. (But frankly I want someone like Inokuma or Sakurazawa to take it from Shinobu before Chihaya would.)
cthellis

— 6/12/2022 10:39 AM
Both Chihaya and Arata are obviously fated to BECOME "the best" at some point, but having both or even either of them do it at the end of the series here comes down more on "narrative obligation and making the audience happy" which is... not as satisfying, ultimately.

I could take either Arata's confessing again or Chihaya's positive acceptance of one better in light of their mutual losses better than being "the prize for winning."

But... I'd rather as I stated before, that it doesn't happen with any of them. There has simply not been enough romantic development in ~245 chapters to end with a random kiss and a promise. Chihaya still feels bound and determined to "find her role" in the world and keep on with karuta before any distractions, and it would probably make sense for Arata and Taichi to come to terms with immature/schoolguy crushes and everyone has, like..…

January 7, 2026 at 9:12 PM

cthellis

@cthellis.bsky.social

I feel like from the author's perspective it's "important fate" stuff, but I want players' skills!

--

I think this was around Chapter 235 dropping:

January 7, 2026 at 9:00 PM

cthellis

@cthellis.bsky.social

Have to cheat to get around BS limits

Space Brothers is coming to its end soon, and is my favorite series ever, so I must list
Akane-banashi got two seasonal write-ups, so deserves a slot
Orion's Board got another, so here we go!
Vinland Saga was my major "catch up on in 2025 and holy shit it's great"
Wotakoi wins "I never stop reading it in K Manga in an ever-looping cycle"

hmmm...

Bluesky really needs a character limit upgrade! XD
What have I been looking forward to most each time I open an app this year...?

Tonikawa/Fly Me to the Moon
Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You
My Dear Detective
Witch Hat Atelier
Steel of the Celestial Shadows

Good enough. I could be here all day, otherwise. XD

December 3, 2025 at 10:10 PM

cthellis

@cthellis.bsky.social

December 2, 2025 at 3:26 PM

cthellis

@cthellis.bsky.social

I'm going to tell my grandkids this was #Frieren angel

"Girl" from Angel's Egg, in the most "Frieren Angle" pose I could find.

November 22, 2025 at 12:19 AM

cthellis

@cthellis.bsky.social

“Wanna bet?” 😝

The broad back of a young man, cast against a background of flowers. A panel from the mange “A Serenade of Spring Thunder”

There is text of what he is thinking: “I will never fall in love.”

November 21, 2025 at 10:11 PM

cthellis

@cthellis.bsky.social

there are 4 types of guys online. no exceptions

The “four guys” from Beast King GoLion/Voltron, in mostly casual clothes, with “Chibi”s head barely visible from the bottom, which is most-amusing.

November 19, 2025 at 11:48 AM

cthellis

@cthellis.bsky.social

HOWEVER

Due to the inability to extract “80’s” from your true image, we must delve deeper.

“Something Takahashi” just feels right, too.

Therefore I shall assign Maris to your cause.

Red-headed Maris the Chojo, chillin’ in her ship with a furry lil’ dude.

November 10, 2025 at 7:56 PM

cthellis

@cthellis.bsky.social

Hm. Obviously it is hard in general to separate you from Usagi, and if I had my druthers would be looking at a different kind of quirky while still having some magical girl in there.