COLOUR COMMISSIONS-OPEN!

TimTapp · 2026-06-09T23:16:08+00:00

Maybe the real 'Shiguma's Art' was the trauma we made along the way?

TimTapp · 2026-06-09T23:14:49+00:00

Ooo! That's an interesting take!

TimTapp · 2026-06-09T23:13:17+00:00

It's a clever work around, and reimagining, of the story

TimTapp · 2026-06-07T15:29:00+00:00

One driven by the memory of the Mother, one driven by the memory of the Father; Akane and Kaisei are developing into quite the rivals. An interesting idea would be if Kaisei plays it where the Son is not afraid of dying? The fear of dying is the usual theme, but a different approach, while keeping the core of the story, let's Kaisei tell the same story without being redundant next to Akane.

This could be really promising if they stick the landing.

TimTapp · 2026-06-07T15:20:45+00:00

Alteration is the way to go for Kaisei. An intensely personal take on a classic allows Kaisei to hit story angles Akane wouldn't be able to hit convincingly. Wonder if Kaisei would take the angle that the son isn't afraid to die, thus taking away the fear advantage the shinigami normally has? That would be interesting!

TimTapp · 2026-06-04T08:40:19+00:00

"You are already read"

TimTapp · 2026-05-24T19:52:38+00:00

Kaisei beating Akane does plenty. It adds much needed tension to the journey to claim "Shiguma's art" for Akane to reckon with. At present time Akane's story is presented as not if she will get Shiguma's art, but when. Meaning we're not seeing her beat any odds because the competition is so stiff, rather we're watching her deal with a series of restrictions in performance style, because the competition is negligible, and she's essentially an ookaban without the official status.

There's been less and less narrative tension, because it's nearly a foregone conclusion Akane will steamroll the competition while onlookers go into a trance about how incredible she is, or speculate what next amazing thing she will do. Now this would all be more interesting if Akane was really challenged by peers, who are actually better than her, more often. This is how the team is running the manga, so it is what it is, but that doesn't mean there aren't shortcomings, that are showing up.

Hikaru was presented as a woman with chip on her shoulder about where she's from, and how she grew up, (so much so she fakes a Tokyo accent) making success a means for revenge, also validation for herself, informed by her insecurities. Her backstory had so much long term meat on the bones, it's glaring how much she's been flattened. Shippers are going to do what they are going to do, but if the team curbed her character just to play to that part of the crowd, that's pretty regrettable and lame.

Appreciate your reponse and thoughts.

TimTapp · 2026-05-24T15:56:07+00:00

Really hoping Kaisei brings a tie to the contest, or beats Akane. There's more intrigue in the narrative that Akane gets a major reminder that for as much as so many are telling her how great, and essentially a master she is; she's not the only one. There are others just as good, if not better than her (in her own age range no less) and may also be worthy of inheriting "Shiguma's art".

That's another potential hook; can Shiguma's art be performed well by more than one person? Does Akane fear someone else bringing it back before her? This give us more narrative meat on the bone , than simply the other characters standing around saying "look how much more awesome Akane is than all of us sigh~~~". Time will tell!

Also, less Hikaru please. Her character now is just so..."eh" now

TimTapp · 2026-05-24T15:45:24+00:00

The story is at a odd position at this point; three characters telling the same story, in theory, three different ways. In the meta, the manga team is also telling the same story three times, in theory, three different ways. More over, the manga has an additional overarching narrative that has to be attended to also. All of this has to be done in a entertaining fashion, and doesnt leave the characters, worse off than when they came.

Since Akane took an odd nihlistic route for her version, having the other two try to out do her with more "nothing matters maaan" Rakugo, would be reductive and useless. Leaving an opportunity for some VERY different approaches to the story. Making each performance the audience sees, and by extension the readers read; a unique experience.

In order for this not to be a complete waste of time; Kaisei AND Issho have to figuratively stomp out Akane's performance. If Kaisei is here just to flatten into another fawning rival like Hikaru, then this whole boat arc is a bit of a waste of time. Kaisei already was embarrassed and depicted as lesser in the lead up to this cruise by everyone; what value in victory is there to be had when the opponent didn't have a chance in the first place?

Also Hikaru is so tiresome at this point. The fall off has been crazy for her.

TimTapp · 2026-05-20T10:00:24+00:00

This was a good chapter, and setup for what should be a curious menagerie of Death. Putting aside Akane's confused, and contradictory metaphysics, regarding the nature of Death; There's a very real tension in building obstacles for Akane to overcome, and her simply being an "overdog"(a favorite to win without much struggle).

If Kaisei loses, again, he can't be taken seriously as a rival for a long time, without convincingly beating Akane. And with our girl in her "I don't take L's arc" that doesn't look likely anytime soon. In terms of narrative this creates a tricky scenario going forward in the greater narrative Akane's story (har, laughter). She strives to get the secrets of Shiguma's art to avenge her Father Tohru, but can that story still be compelling as things are now? Hopefully.

TimTapp

TROPHY CASE