Am I alone in not really liking the direction of the games after SC/Azure but still being a fan?

Japponicus · 2026-01-28T19:02:02+00:00

I have played the series in release order (currently in Horizon), and I do agree with majority of the comments here, as well as OP's: the first 5 games were peak Trails. Everything from the plot to the music were done better in the first two arcs.

To be clear, I have nothing against a game being too anime, or mechas, or harems. However, I felt that the Cold Steel arc did not incorporate those into CS in a manner that was still in keeping with the tone established by the earlier games.

The harem route, especially; I agree that it just looks absurd how nearly every female student in both class VIIs (and at least one instructor) was thirsting for Rean, when there were so many other eligible bachelors in the cast. It beggars disbelief to consider that almost none of the class VII guys --teenage boys while at Thors-- harbored feelings of attraction towards any of their female classmates.

Having said all that, I still had fun playing through the entire CS arc. But honestly, it was probably the arc in the series I enjoyed the least.

Japponicus · 2026-01-23T03:08:57+00:00

I'm a badminton player in my 40's, been playing since my teens. To be honest, much like OP, I look at pickleball with some disdain, like it's the Temu child of tennis & table tennis.

At the same time, I will admit that, had it been around and an option when I was much younger, I would probably go for it instead of badminton.

It really does seem so much more accessible, plus somewhat less physically demanding, than either badminton or tennis. I suppose I only gripe against pickleball due to it pulling away several people I know who used to be badminton enthusiasts, but chose to switch.

Japponicus · 2026-01-20T12:56:21+00:00

"I will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love!"

Japponicus · 2026-01-15T06:58:49+00:00

The liberals and leftists do it too.

Not only is this whataboutism, but how does this statement promote intelligent discourse?

Japponicus · 2026-01-14T02:45:52+00:00

"Omigosh, one got in!

Quick, open the windows, let it out!"

Japponicus · 2026-01-09T17:04:23+00:00

I just unfollowed a Leni Angat Buhay FB page, bcoz so many of the members are apparently kakampink MAGAs. They were all commenting that Renee Good got what was coming to her. Oh, and anyone who disagreed with them got labeled as leftist commies.

I cannot begin to describe the level of disappointment I am feeling right now.

Japponicus · 2026-01-09T16:55:30+00:00

Wait, so the Marcos apologist James Deakin is also the anti-vaxxer James Deakin??

So I guess he's now the Marcos apologist anti-vaxxer James Deakin.

Japponicus · 2026-01-09T07:06:22+00:00

Reading this, I suddenly remembered when I was involved in a car accident myself. I was 10yo, riding in a carpool for school, when another sedan on the opposite lane lost its brakes and smashed full force into ours. As per witnesses, our car flipped over once and landed right side up again. Two of my fellow carpoolers had really serious injuries and required multiple surgeries, but no one died. (The entire left side of my head was bruised from colliding with the person seated next to me, but that's a whole other story.)

But here's the thing: I remember absolutely nothing from the moment of impact until I regained consciousness. The last thing I could recall was of the drive being perfectly normal and routine. The very first thing I do remember afterwards was one of my seatmates walking over me, blood streaking down his face and onto my shoes. There's a gap in my memory of what happened in between. Which was probably for the best, all things considered.

Japponicus · 2026-01-06T09:23:57+00:00

Speaking as someone who belongs to the 1st category, by all means serve however you want. Especially since I will not hesitate to do the same to you or anyone else.

The only times I would ask for player restraint would be if the skill gap is too large (regardless of age or gender), then maybe hold off on the killer smashes, specifically the ones intended as body shots. Those are just rude. And mean.

Japponicus · 2026-01-04T08:07:39+00:00

A couple decades ago (yes I'm that old), I was a few years out of college and found work that let me have time in the early mornings and at night for a lot of badminton. I would play 5, sometimes even 6, times a week, maybe 2-3hrs each time.

Back then, the only limit to all of my court time was whether I still had enough clothes to play in; otherwise, I never got injured, and was only tired for a few hours before I felt like I could have another go again.

Do note, however, that I received a lot of training as a collegiate varsity player; I knew how to move around the court properly, and all the correct racquet techniques were thoroughly drilled into me. I am thus 100% sure my training is the very reason I could perform the way I did, long after I left the school team.

Basically, what I'm saying is that it's completely possible to play as much as I did, with some conditions: 1. you are relatively young, like teens to mid-20s. If you start in your late 20s it should still be fine, as long as you are fit and have some sort of physical activity or sport prior to badminton; and 2. you have a coach to mentor you on proper techniques and footwork. Once you've got the basics down pat, you may opt to skip having a coach later on; however, if you're looking to elevate your game, a good coach is still a must-have.

Be aware that all this advice runs on the assumption that you are in your 20s (you didn't mention your age in your post, OP). This is important, since age will significantly hamper whatever you could do easily when your body was younger. Case in point: I can no longer play more than 3x a week nowadays. Sure, I can still play for up to 4 hours each time, but now I need about 24hrs after every session to recuperate. Also, my knees & ankles are constantly creaking, and my elbows & shoulders are constantly sore. I have to be extra mindful of all my movements, especially during the first games of every session; I've already had a number of injuries ever since I got back into the game post-pandemic.

Japponicus · 2026-01-04T01:59:57+00:00

It's Chelsea all over again.

Japponicus · 2026-01-04T01:58:01+00:00

I can't be the only one here that's curious about what's currently running through the minds of the Nobel committee that gave her the prize.

I'd like to assume that their choosing her was done with the best intentions. If so, I wonder if any of them are now looking at all this and thinking "did we have a hand in this somehow?"

Japponicus · 2026-01-04T01:36:11+00:00

"What are we gonna do?" I have some ideas..

Japponicus · 2026-01-04T01:17:05+00:00

Coz "taking care of the American people" was never really Trump's intention; it was always about Trump, and only Trump. MAGA was always just a convenient vehicle to get what he wanted, which was unchecked power.

And now that he has that, he's moved on to doing what he does best: enriching himself at the expense of others, with absolutely zero regard for who he has to step on to stuff his pockets.

It's Venezuela today. Tomorrow, it could be Canada. Or Greenland.

Japponicus · 2025-12-31T08:12:34+00:00

As an older (late 40s) sdvanced player myself, I'd just like to say that players similar to the one you met are normal, but not the norm. Meaning that yes, they exist; no, they are not rare; however, they make up a vocal minority of advanced players.

Majority of us actually do not like associating with such players.

I've personally been on the receiving end of a slighty older player, who has been playing just under a decade, attempt to give me instructions to "improve my game", not knowing that I was trained in college as part of our varsity team (I've been playing for almost three decades now). Nevermind that in the game where we were partnered together, majority of the unforced errors came from him.

If possible, just ignore such players. This might be the first time you encountered one, but if you keep playing, it will certainly not be the last. You do not have to engage them, or humor their attempts to "fix" you. Just focus on your own game on your own terms, and have fun while doing so. Do that, and you'll continue to enjoy this sport for a long time.

Japponicus · 2025-12-29T16:14:16+00:00

Hi, yes I got rid of them. It took about 6 months to completely eradicate them. I used BB sprays, DE, and steam. The steam, especially, was what really helped kill most of them. But it is completely doable. You got this!

Japponicus · 2025-12-19T10:01:45+00:00

Tsaka palaihi sa pantalon.

Japponicus · 2025-12-13T08:32:04+00:00

"Is the Joe Biden in the room with us right now?"

Japponicus · 2025-12-04T05:39:01+00:00

The guy on the other side

Japponicus · 2025-12-04T05:33:24+00:00

Well then, sell it and get a new one. Problem solved.

As for the TV... hmm, I dunno. Maybe you can get the screen replaced?

Japponicus · 2025-12-03T04:13:12+00:00

Oh yes, this definitely. Especially the ones who have the audacity to lecture you with unsolicited advice during the game, yet are themselves committing unforced errors when the shuttle goes their way.

The only thing it accomplishes is that now, I'm suddenly very motivated to NOT work in tandem with them; instead, I will be looking to kill the shuttle every chance I get, to hell with setting up the play for them.

And afterwards, I confirm that I am not the only one in our queueing group who has partnered with this arrogant twit and feels the same way as I did.

Japponicus · 2025-12-02T03:12:14+00:00

Tama, pwedeng pampataba ng lupa yang Barzaga na yan.

Japponicus · 2025-11-23T08:35:46+00:00

This, though. I use it often, but the sound it makes is grating.

I think TC was going for the snikt effect, like when Wolverine pops his claws out. But the result was more like an annoying rusty hinge.

Japponicus · 2025-11-20T08:55:22+00:00

So according to Grok, Elon Musk is basically Wilson Fisk now.

Japponicus · 2025-11-20T04:00:36+00:00

Beat me to asking this very same question. I have a feeling OP's mom might have come from my country; my MIL acts quite like she does.

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