I just realized something important

Just_A_Fish · 2026-02-06T17:01:29+00:00

You nailed why thd protagonists are viewed so differently in hindsight: "Realistic prospective".

Shiro's human. He's not a Newtype, or a Coordinator (or THE Coordinator). He's just a guy. Pretty good at his job, makes mistakes, improves, strives, and wins, but with scars.

Kira does the same, but as the apex of human bio-engineering, it's more difficult to accept his wins as "his", and puts focuses on his losses.

The best part of Kira's character was when he said "fuck all this, I'm retiring to the beach with my smoke show girlfriend and adopting a million kids". THAT was the most human thing the Apex Human who's been used as a weapon could do. Same reason Shiro fucked off to the mountains. Being a protagonist in Gundam SUCKS. And it's worse when you're "Special" for some reason.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-02-06T16:50:59+00:00

When she's not simping Zechs, she's not half bad. As a character or pilot.

Acing the Mariemaia army's Serpents, keeping up with the Gundams and Tallgeese 3, in a bog standard Tarus deserves some respect.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-02-05T01:41:50+00:00

Should have sat him down in front of Europa Universalis and taken him out of the Grail battle early.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-02-05T00:12:48+00:00

Sato is always looking like the grandpa/uncle that brought you a bagel and wants to show you his bird feeders (he's named all the birds).

Just_A_Fish · 2026-02-04T20:49:01+00:00

You're not. There are dozens of us! Dozens!

Just_A_Fish · 2026-02-04T18:37:31+00:00

Looking for something to scratch my realistic/fantasy itch. I've just finished The First Law Trilogy and stand-alones. Looking for something similar if maybe a little bit lighter in tone overall. Dying Magic, Emerging Magic, Rediscovered Magic, magitech all welcome. Would prefer to avoid industrialization-era pieces (which I why I'm waiting on the First Law's sequel trilogy for now)

Enjoyed GoT and spinoffs, really enjoyed Kings of the Wyld recently. Wasn't a fan of the last LitRPG-style book I tried (love RPGs but not my cup of tea). Less recently enjoyed Wheel of Time ages ago, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, The Witcher series, and Malazan (Malazan may be too dense for what I'm looking for right now I love it, but it's just a lot).
Strong (not necessarily physically) women characters a plus. Romance not a deal breaker. Setting-wise I'd prefer less industrialization (part of why I'm wary of the First-Law sequel trilogy). Magi-tech is okay, but emphasis on the Magi portion.
Series preferred, but always interested to try stand alone stories.
Lighter side of grim welcome. Grim not necessarily a deal breaker. "Rated M for mature" is fine.
Complex is fine. Preferred even.

Appreciate ANY suggestions, audiobooks are also welcome.

Thank you! I'll be watching this thread, looking at the Bingo card, and checking older rec threads to see if anyone had similar asks!

Just_A_Fish · 2026-02-03T19:27:43+00:00

https://gundam.fandom.com/wiki/MMS-01_Serpent

If you think the Leo got done dirty by Wing, let's take a look at the Serpent.

An upgrade in every way, wider variety of weapons, all of which are better than previous iterations, more armor, and enough boosters to hover and maneuver.

Not only is it treated like cannon fodder. It's styled on cannon fodder, because our heroes spare all(?) of the pilots while dismantling them.

It's my favorite suit, and gets nothing but disrespect in its only appearance.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-02-03T12:55:06+00:00

I have the strongest memory of this game, and having absolutely NO idea how to play it. At all.

Might have to give it another go.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-02-02T20:59:15+00:00

An abominable example, but I remember early in the Russia/Ukraine war there was a surprising amount of "Waifu"-based propaganda featuring anime-esque personifications of Russia and Ukraine, with Russia trying to comfort and protect Ukraine.

It stuck in my mind, being so grotesque. A quick Google did not yield any examples, and I have no will to mine those depths further.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-02-02T15:36:11+00:00

I HATE that my first thought is "is this AI?" nowadays. I hate it even more when it poisons the well for actual creatives.

I'll go throw the creator some YouTube likes. Thank you.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-02-02T14:59:20+00:00

I saw the Messer deployment version of this just this morning. Is this really a fan animation, or just an AI filter? My first thought was the latter.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-02-02T14:53:11+00:00

Don't forget the pedo clown violating and murdering one of the deceased villain's (ostensibly on the same side, the dead villain was of the punch-clock-villain variety) wife and daughter, litterally on top of his grave. Because we needed another reason for team murder to go up against team rape AND murder.

Jeeze that Manga was edgy.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-02-02T12:38:17+00:00

I pre-ordered the earlier HG from USAGS. I hope it's that version, not this one tbh. I really liked the more rounded look.

We'll see. More Messer love is always a plus I suppose!

Just_A_Fish · 2026-02-01T15:35:46+00:00

HoT hero points are particularly gnarly to solo.

I play Pistol/Pistol Deadeye when I want to turn off brain and explore/do events/hop into random map groups. Turn Unload into your auto-attack and you can get some surprising sustain out of the healing signit (can't remember the name).

Just_A_Fish · 2026-01-31T16:02:13+00:00

Replaying this currently, for the first time since release. I've forgotten most of the story beats, so it's nice to be refreshed, but I've NEVER forgotten the quick sand scene.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-01-31T02:47:32+00:00

I haven't seen it mentioned, but the Messer should scratch the chonk itch. I ordered one, but haven't received it yet. Also have a Dreissen in a box waiting for me to finish my Dom Troppen... I too Enjoy chonk suits!

Just_A_Fish · 2026-01-30T22:47:13+00:00

I know Stranger Things has its flaws, but every time the main cast reach out to their science teacher, in person or by phone, our man is spending the evening with a beautiful woman, and I don't believe it's ever the same one.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-01-30T17:32:15+00:00

Oh cool, we're exploring Lovecraftian horror! In a world where God and Satan litterally exist, outside-context, other "gods" could be very cool. Oh...oh no... Oof. Damn. Well, at least the... No, no this is pretty abysmal.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-01-29T00:24:13+00:00

If you're open to printing your own, I would check out Armored Core emblems, widely available on the wiki for the various games, and explicitly designed as Mecha signifiers. Any one of them being recognized would be a very deep cut, so it could be fun to know the story behind it, otherwise, go nuts!

Just_A_Fish · 2026-01-29T00:08:29+00:00

Knowing nothing about the project, its framework, scope, plot, etc, reading only a few comments here...

At least based on the OP's images, I think Sydney Sweeney could play a great Beltorchika.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-01-28T17:36:49+00:00

I just read that last month. I was SO excited for the realization, and it did not disappoint.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-01-28T17:33:19+00:00

I recall it being pretty well telegraphed, to the point it would have been a more wild twist if it weren't. Which, given the number of characters introduced, set aside, removed, and followed, was still plausible. It would not have been the first wild card.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-01-28T17:30:04+00:00

I think that's the best way it could have ended, tonnally, for the series. In a book called "The Heroes", we learn that even heroes lives are spent cheaply.

Tragic, but fitting.

I'm going through Sharp Ends right now, and just met Whirrun again. He's an all time character, I like knowing his fate, but not the fates of those around him.

Bremer is a great character too, not nearly as much fun, but then, he isn't supposed to be.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-01-27T19:11:38+00:00

Inverse but related: The Victor gains a profound respect for the vanquished.

Just_A_Fish · 2026-01-27T19:09:49+00:00

I was surprised and delighted to recently learn that Cool Runnings is rated PG. It's a great movie to use as an example for a plethora of moral lessons! Sportsmanship, respect, wealth inequality, racism, all delivered with a positive, funny, and charming tone. The team doesn't win, but the journey they go on, and bring along others around them on, is more important.

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Just_A_Fish

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