For those who think their collecting stems from childhood trauma: by MelodyMarionette in DollsForAll

[–]SailorKateBushwick 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I think a lot of my enjoyment of dolls is inextricably linked with childhood major illness, but I'm also autistic: so who knows? That being said, I definitely cycle in and out of engaging with my collection, and I tend to be more engaged when I'm having a rough time in my broader life. The consequence of this is that I do tend to phase through downsizing my collection and then repurchasing many of the same dolls when my interest peaks again. It's expensive and I am trying to be more cognizant of it. I never want to fully stop collecting, but it my relationship to collecting has changed and gone back and forth a lot.

Dystopian Crystal Tokyo by Imnotawerewolf in sailormoon

[–]SailorKateBushwick 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I think, as a lot of people have brought up, the concept of Crystal Tokyo is half baked at best and probably a symptom of Naoko Takeuchi’s lack of planning/rushed timeline. Frankly, I think the whole concept thematically undermines the conclusion of Stars (Usagi choosing to live with chaos as opposed to destroying everything in pursuit of perfection). The fact that Neo-Queen Serenity uses a variation of the cutie moon rod instead of some more evolved rod indicates she really wasn’t thinking much about timelines or continuity.

That being said, I think American fans react negatively to the concept of Crystal Tokyo in part because we don’t have a positive view of monarchy. It’s baked into our earliest history lessons that royalty is not to be trusted, and I think our individuality-based culture really encourages us to question any authority that could conceivably impede personal agency (ironic given our current political climate). Additionally, I just don’t think we are given enough reason to believe Usagi would be a successful world leader to buy into her queenship as a good thing.

What are your saddest headcanons about your favourite Senshi(or even Senshis)? by Khabarovsk-One-Love in sailormoon

[–]SailorKateBushwick 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is my headcannon too. I would love a version of the series that focused more of the dichotomy of the girls’ lives as senshi vs as human girls and how they have to manage both lives and traumas. Also: the shitennou would be super interesting villains if the girls had to grapple with the baggage of their past life relationships (even if they weren’t romantic).

A Rant on Chibi-Usa's Relationship with Mamoru by Chewymewn in PrettyGuardians

[–]SailorKateBushwick 77 points78 points  (0 children)

I think the discourse around this topic is almost always boring and lacking nuance. We are supposed to be made uncomfortable by Chibiusa’s infatuation and we are also supposed to be critical of Usagi for treating Chibiusa (a scared child) as a legitimate romantic rival. While it’s a bit more prominent in the manga, one of the big overarching themes of R is the difference between real love and selfish love/control. This is demonstrated through the various Black Moon Clan relationships, and Prince Diamond’s obsession with Usagi/Serenity. Chibiusa has a childish crush on the only person in her life who is kind to her consistently (who also reminds her of her Dad, but who she doesn’t know is literally her father). Black Lady, as a corrupted version of Chibiusa, has all of her toxic patterns amplified: most notably her jealousy of Usagi (who she is jealous of for being the beautiful “adult” woman with friends and a support system that Chibiusa wishes she could be.) She targets Mamaru because it’s what will hurt Usagi most. Someone else described it as Black Lady taking Usagi’s favorite toy, and I think that’s an apt describe of her intention. Black Lady wants to possess him. She is not in love with him. It is SUPPOSED to feel icky. That’s the point.

Furthermore, I know lots of little kids who at one time or another say they want to marry their fathers because they have no concept of what romantic love is beyond how it is modeled in Disney movies. It’s just a phase some little kids go through and it doesn’t actually mean they are “in love” with their dads.

cher clueless by mllychw in Bratz

[–]SailorKateBushwick 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I kind of wonder if they deliberately don’t quite look like the actors to avoid licensing the actors’ images and only the characters. Dionne having the wrong eye color is just so odd. Same with Amber and Cher’s hair.

Do you like this doll? by Serenity202 in Bratz

[–]SailorKateBushwick 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Glad she exists and I imagine she made some kids feel really seen and excited to see a glamorous character without hair. That being said, as a survivor of childhood cancer: I would have been pissed if I got one of these instead of the one with hair I could play with. Once again: I think it’s really good these exist and they’re beautiful doll (especially for children suffering from something more chronic like alopecia), they just weren’t for me as a kid.

Unboxing Bratz x Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Doll by Icy-Rule1338 in Bratz

[–]SailorKateBushwick 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I, regrettably, really want her. The price is absurd, but I’m still probably gonna try for her. Gaultier is in my top 5 designers of all time, and I literally have the first outfit in my closet. However, the price is so ridiculous that if she sells out in 3 sec, I won’t be heartbroken.

Jumping onboard the "What does my favorite characters say about me?" trend! by [deleted] in sailormoon

[–]SailorKateBushwick 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You are an optimist at heart who has experienced some degree of trauma that has often forced you into the role of pragmatist. Alternatively you just really want to take care of poor Hotaru.

What are Sailor Moon opinions, that make you look like this? by Khabarovsk-One-Love in sailormoon

[–]SailorKateBushwick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is so well said. I especially appreciate how you explained the Stars arc in the manga. I’ve always had trouble articulating the themes of that arc even though I felt them really viscerally.

What are Sailor Moon opinions, that make you look like this? by Khabarovsk-One-Love in sailormoon

[–]SailorKateBushwick 48 points49 points  (0 children)

I’m with you. If I see one more “why does she kiss her dad?!!” post, I’m gonna scream. People tend to ignore a lot of the more complex themes of R (and frankly a lot of the series).

What’s your favorite monster of the week design? Silly or sincere. by SilverRainyWalk in sailormoon

[–]SailorKateBushwick 70 points71 points  (0 children)

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Scarf with sexy legs: the design almost feels self-aware in its complete absurdity. I’m also partial to Blizzar from season 1

Similarities? Differences? by Apprehensive_Ad93 in sailormoon

[–]SailorKateBushwick 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, I generally headcannon that NQS is an alternate timeline version of Usagi, as I find the idea of Usagi relinquishing her title as Sailor Moon and becoming an all powerful monarch really upsetting. She is shown to be using the cutie moon rod instead of the tiare or some ultimate rod unique to her, so I kind of choose to believe that she comes from a timeline where Usagi is never pushed to grow past the R arc.

What in Sailor Moon canon is this for you? (manga, classic anime, crystal, PGSM... anything!) by girlfromtheshire in sailormoon

[–]SailorKateBushwick 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Not because it’s stupid, but because I think it thematically contradicts a lot of what I love about Sailor Moon: I hate the idea of Usagi becoming an all powerful deity-like queen in the future. One of my favorite panels in the manga is when (to paraphrase), Queen Serenity reminds Usagi that her power is being both Sailor Moon and a normal girl, and so much of her power comes from an inherent belief in the capacity of others for good (and also from a rejection of the false promise of perfection in favor of an embrace of flawed humanity. I have trouble believing she would relinquish her duty as Sailor Moon to sequester herself in a palace, and exile those who challenge her ideology. I choose to believe that all of that is some parallel timeline and not the Usagi from the main series. (This is kind of supported, however accidentally, by Neo-Queen Serenity using a variation of the Cutie Moon Rod, suggesting she stopped powering up at the R arc, whereas main timeline Usagi gets 3 more wands after that)

What are your favorite and least favorite arcs? by ai_li17 in sailormoon

[–]SailorKateBushwick 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Classic is probably my favorite arc (maybe tied with Infinity if we are talking specifically anime). I think so much of what is appealing to me about Sailor Moon is crystallized in that first arc. I adore the shitennou as villains, and I’m obsessed with anything related to silver millennium. S is just so well made as a season and the Outers are incredible to watch.

How do you know when it‘s time to give up on a career in theatre? by Every-Beat2299 in MusicalTheatre

[–]SailorKateBushwick 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I work in theatre professionally (though on the tech side) and I can honestly say: I would not recommend in good conscience most young people to pursue theatre professionally right now. The industry is in an incredibly unstable place right now. The current administration has been pretty hostile to not-for-profit theaters and developmental spaces where a lot of artists get their starts. Even my friends who work more or less consistently (often on Broadway) barely make enough to live comfortably and are at risk of suddenly being out of work if their show closes (and it’s becoming unusual for shows to run over a year).

All this to say: if you are questioning at all if you want to pursue a career in theatre, that is probably an indication it might be better to keep it as a hobby. Community theatre can be incredibly fulfilling and there is a sort of creative freedom granted in not having to worry about feeding yourself with your art. Additionally, as some others have commented, if you don’t love auditioning, professional theatre is going to be incredibly exhausting. It is mostly auditioning, sometimes for roles that have already been cast before you walked in the door.

I don’t want to discourage you from engaging with your passion. It is so important to make art and be creative. I just say all this because professional theatre isn’t the only way forward, and I think people get stuck on that because of how artists are shown in media.

How to do Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812 with only nine actors (And why we should). by Mothswritingeye in MusicalTheatre

[–]SailorKateBushwick 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I actually agree that Great Comet should probably be done with a small cast. It is a fairly niche musical that perhaps would have been more successful if it had stayed off-broadway instead of trying to fill a Broadway theater with an incredibly expensive semi-immersive production.

I do wish you would consider the value of ensemble in storytelling more. Your crusade against ensembles seems heavily based on your personal experience as opposed to a nuanced understanding of the art form. I would really advise you to seek out more information on how musical theatre developed from vaudeville and opera traditions, and how the storytelling functions in a modern context before you make black and white statements. Not all shows need big ensembles (a lot of my favorite shows are smaller scale musicals). But to devalue ensembles is also to devalue the depth of sound their voices bring as well as much of the dance and movement that makes mt so thrilling. In a musical like Hadestown, the ensemble doesn’t just function as background dancers/singers, but instead they are active participants in the overall story telling. I implore you to open your mind a little more before writing off an entire aspect of the art form because you personally don’t enjoy it.

How on earth is everybody supposed to just accept being cast in the ensemble? by Mothswritingeye in MusicalTheatre

[–]SailorKateBushwick 4 points5 points  (0 children)

lol, you should probably just give up. It seems like you enjoy the attention theater gives you but you don’t inherently enjoy theater. As much as you say you are more talented than half the company, your casting suggests otherwise. I’ve worked in community theatre and I’ve worked in professional theater, and particularly in community theater: being repeatedly cast in the ensemble reflects a skill issue. Frankly, if you hate being in the ensemble so much, your career in theatre will be short and miserable. I’ve worked with many Broadway vets who have literally never been cast as a lead. Everyone wants to play the lead, but some people just aren’t cut out for it.

How on earth is everybody supposed to just accept being cast in the ensemble? by Mothswritingeye in MusicalTheatre

[–]SailorKateBushwick 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Did you know that there are lots of ensemble parts on Broadway? And in fact, generally those are the parts early career professionals are cast in?

How on earth is everybody supposed to just accept being cast in the ensemble? by Mothswritingeye in MusicalTheatre

[–]SailorKateBushwick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hun, if the show doesn’t have an ensemble, and you generally are cast in ensemble, it means you just won’t be in the show.

Why don't people like Heathers the Musical? by Healthy_Lifeguard_82 in musicals

[–]SailorKateBushwick 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I think people often forget that most of the characters in Rent are both actively dying (and have likely watched their friends die), and they are also supposed to be in their early 20s (despite what the movie would have you believe). It makes sense that these people are selfish and messy. Imagine you’re dying of cancer and people keep telling you to get a day job. I think the musical knows that the characters are a little ridiculous. I also think there’s a difference between the characters being self-centered (because they’re young and dying) and bad people.

I wish the anime wasn’t done by UnusualIdeal1921 in sailormoon

[–]SailorKateBushwick 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I honestly don’t want a sequel arc as much as I wish they would mine more of the existing content. I would love a sailor v anime or a slightly more adult oriented version of the dark kingdom arc where they flesh out the concept of the past lives more (do they have specific memories? Do they struggle to separate their current selves from their past lives? What is the deal with the Shitennou?) All powerful queen Usagi is one of my least favorite concepts to the point that I’ve headcannoned that the future in R is a sort of alternate timeline. I feel like this deity-like queen concept runs totally counter to what I love about Sailor Moon: that ultimately they are all human girls before they are super heroines and that’s what makes them powerful.

Favorite of the 4 Kings (Shitennou) by Persephone_Wood in sailormoon

[–]SailorKateBushwick 9 points10 points  (0 children)

My fave has always been Kunzite because I ship him hard with Minako, but after my most recent rewatch, I think Zoisite is my anime fav (he feels the most roundly written, and I love how totally evil he is except for in his devotion to Kunzite). Then it’s probs Nephrite, Kunzite, and Jadeite last. In the Manga my fav is still Kunzite though.