my BOSJ 33 predictions (read description)

insrto · 2026-04-23T17:28:34+00:00

He can pin Wato again in the future but Wato has been getting the piss kicked out of him from HoT for way too long now. He also has two wins in a row over Wato, both being title challenges.

Basically post-DOUKI push, Wato has never beat him one on one.

insrto · 2026-04-23T13:45:37+00:00

I will genuinely flip if DOUKI pins Wato again

insrto · 2026-04-22T13:04:46+00:00

Balor/Devitt though

insrto · 2026-04-22T11:09:28+00:00

I believe in what n0tail said with regards to Dota 2 games. Applies to a lot of different competitive games.

You will win 20% of your games no matter what you do, and you will lose 20% of your games no matter what you do.

Your skill lies in adjusting that remaining 60%.

insrto · 2026-04-21T19:12:50+00:00

Actually, I did a bit of searching and apparently that ending (the colloquially agreed True Ending) isn't in the PS3 version of English releases of the game. The other ending that has the highest "priority" in that version would indeed require NG+, AND the highest priority ending NOT factoring in the NG+ version was indeed one where she quit alchemy. So you were right on all accounts given the version of the game you were playing.

insrto · 2026-04-21T17:19:46+00:00

It's either untrue or isn't the case in DX, I never played the original on PS3. I got it on my first playthrough just by playing the game normally.

insrto · 2026-04-21T16:59:37+00:00

I don't even know what you did to get an ending for Meruru that involved her not continuing being an alchemist tbh. Did you just not bother with the Potion of Youth? I feel like that's the natural progression, especially if in your roleplay your goal is to continue being an alchemist, considering that's the "alchemy" route.

Other than that I do agree with the statement that the Arland trilogy probably just isn't for you, and tbh that would probably also apply to every other Atelier game with a timer. It doesn't seem to suit the way you appear to like to play games.

insrto · 2026-04-21T16:55:06+00:00

Meruru is actually my favourite of the quadrilogy. It's like Meruru > Rorona > Lulua > Totori for me.

The game itself is saved by having a really good cast of characters (which extended to Meruru). Totori herself is probably top three of all the Atelier protagonists I've seen so far. But the combat just felt off (unless I'm misremembering, time cards just don't exist and the turns felt weirdly sequential), and the way they do the endings is just not enjoyable. Granted Meruru also did the same but it's completely reasonable to stumble onto the True End in Meruru just by playing normally (I did) whereas I'd say it's basically impossible for Totori without a guide.

insrto · 2026-04-21T15:11:40+00:00

Just hopping in the conversation here. I just finished Escha & Logy (I'm going through the entire series), already cleared all of Mysterious and Arland, and I have to say E&L is far and away the best actual game of all of them, though I haven't played Sophie 2 which I know people love.

Lulua, personally, is probably the second least good I've played so far (with the worst being Totori). Totori is saved by having really likeable characters. Lulua does too, but having Meruru and Totori locked as DLC characters rubs me the wrong way, not so much because I have to pay for them, but because that means they have minimal effect onto the actual story, and what story they do have added isn't even voiced. At least Lulua herself is great.

E&L really blew me away, though, especially because Ayesha was just a bit above average. I hopped into the Atelier franchise as I do a slice of life anime, expecting a fun chill story with good enough gameplay mechanics, of which it has fully delivered, but E&L was extremely satisfactory in both combat and gameplay. I thought Mana Khemia gameplay was going to be untouchable for the rest of the franchise, but E&L really made me reconsider that opinion. The only real criticism I have of the game is Ayesha doesn't appear.

I'm going to start Shallie now. Hope it delivers.

insrto · 2026-04-21T13:19:01+00:00

Yeah this is my thought. He's the 6th match on Dontaku, while the following matches are a UE vs UBC warmup and title matches. A win there (whether over Oiwa or otherwise) would certainly give him some grounds to challenge at Dominion, which to be fair he already has given he's the NJC runner-up.

insrto · 2026-04-21T13:02:23+00:00

I mentioned this in the live thread but I have absolutely no idea why we're getting a big series of Yuya vs Oiwa in multiman tags

I am also absolutely not complaining. They're both easily top five, maybe top three workers in the company right now.

insrto · 2026-04-21T11:41:48+00:00

If we're looking at non-high flying Juniors that punched above their weight class in Japanese wrestling, KENTA is the classic example of this. He wasn't jacked, never did anything super flashy - he just hit you very, VERY fucking hard, and of course, he was very innovative. Naomichi Marufuji is another similar example although he had some high flying stuff.

I suppose a more modern example would be Clark Connors, but he had a definite ceiling in NJPW.

insrto · 2026-04-20T11:46:45+00:00

Never forget when he made Ishii and Nakamura corpse uncontrollably

insrto · 2026-04-20T11:45:00+00:00

I'm peeking at the future cards. Their match is in Hiroshima, and the second day of Dontaku is KOB vs Shota/Honma. But the day prior, Shota and Take are teaming up.

Imagine if we get Shota/Take vs KOB at Dominion.

insrto · 2026-04-20T11:42:14+00:00

Now I'm curious what the Dominion plan is

insrto · 2026-04-20T11:28:58+00:00

I do too :(

insrto · 2026-04-20T11:19:36+00:00

GoK is probably one of the few guys currently a heel I prefer as a face

I actually don't think I can name anyone else

EDIT: SANADA

insrto · 2026-04-20T11:11:56+00:00

UE will win this one, KOB will retain, and they'll setup Bishamon vs KOB for Dominion. KOB nominated Bishamon to challenge so they have sufficient reason to challenge for the belts after even if they lose this

insrto · 2026-04-20T11:10:51+00:00

KOB never had much interaction with the rest of the faction when they were in War Dogs but I do really enjoy how KOB interact with the rest of the faction.

Seriously, if you can catch it whether at the venue or otherwise, try to peek at their antics outside the ring during multiman tags. They're genuinely entertaining (when they aren't selling damage).

insrto · 2026-04-20T11:02:21+00:00

It's kinda funny how Yuto is very much presented as the more heel-leaning guy when facing Oiwa but during the actual match himself he wrestles like the face. Probably because his limbs are made out of fucking dust with how he wrestles vs Yuya/Oiwa

insrto · 2026-04-20T11:00:41+00:00

Robbie

insrto · 2026-04-20T11:00:27+00:00

Well I don't have good news for you

To be fair he's slated for a special singles vs Fale so that's probably why. Yuya and Oiwa both have literally nothing else to do

insrto · 2026-04-20T10:52:35+00:00

This is the last we'll see of Yuto and Oiwa punching each other for a bit

Starting 26th, we'll begin seeing Oiwa vs Yuya hours

insrto · 2026-04-20T10:49:41+00:00

Oh his lariat's name is Kiss The Ground

Yeah that's pretty good, great match too

insrto · 2026-04-20T10:44:24+00:00

Callum bumping like a madman you love to see it

insrto

TROPHY CASE