Regarding the Recent Hikaru no Go Debacle:

I won't lie, I'm quite bothered by this discussion. I'm a total nobody in the Hikaru no Go fandom, I've never been particularly active in it and I probably won't become active anytime soon, but I'm very fond of it. I love the series deeply and I respect many people in this fandom; I've always liked it for its general maturity. And I don't want it to get wanky. Perhaps it's inevitable, but still, I'm just honestly upset, even though I'm not truly close to anyone involved in this conflict (I mean, I have actual friends in the Hikaru no Go fandom, but they aren't in the very center of this kerfuffle, so to say). No, I don't think that the concept of plagiarism is overrated. At the same time, I do believe that this term is to be used cautiously, especially in literature, where plots are constantly recycled. Even the idea of Death Note is not 100% new - there's a short 70s manga by the great Shigeru Mizuki that is also focused on a mysterious killing notebook, but most people in Japan, including Mizuki himself, don't seem to view that as a possible legal issue (at least I've never seen or heard any negative comments from Mizuki, and he's influential enough in the manga department, more so than Ohba). I understand that it's a completely different situation, but... anyway, I think that the atmosphere is too heated and painful for everyone. Naturally, I can't just show up with a PLAY NICE! flag and stop the wank; even so, it's sad to look at. And I guess I'm being subjective here because the accused person is a friend's friend, and I hate it when the ones I care for are hurt, whether it's fair or not. Um. Perhaps I simply need to read all posts related to this situation.

Mostly About Katekyo Hitman Reborn!

I've finished the available chapters of Katekyo Hitman Reborn!. At last. Lord. My brain. Um... I'd like to read some decent fanfics? Preferably the ones with Gokudera and Yamamoto in them (as a couple or as friends)? I know, I'm so original, but I can't help it, their interaction is terribly... cute, no matter how Gokudera feels about it. My friend, who understands Japanese fandom terms better than I do, says that he acts kind of like a typical tsundere around Yamamoto, and, well, I'm willing to trust her. Yamamoto himself is awfully sweet, too, and his box animal is an akita inu! How adorable is that? So... yes, I suppose it's safe to call them my current OTP, although my understanding of this term is extremely liberal and it often means gen!OTP - as in, I'm interested in all possible interpretations of their relationship, it doesn't have to be romantic (in other words, please rec your favorite gen to me). Now, random notes!

• Strangely enough, I don't care about Mukuro.


• ...and Dino x Hibari. Hibari himself is cool, though.


• Hibari's connection to animals is my favorite part of his personality.


• Squalo amuses me. Way too much, I think. He's so... explosive.


• Lal Mirch! ♥


• Chrome! Tsuna! Kyoko! Haru!

Uh, all in all, Katekyo Hitman Reborn! isn't exceptionally well-written, yet it gets strangely addictive after the first several volumes and then you find yourself craving for fanfics (and doujinshi, too, though not all doujinshi, because I can't stand the way Tsuna is portrayed in some fancomics; no, people, he is not 3 years old, I swear). Don't misunderstand me, I do like this manga, it's very entertaining, maybe not brilliant, but... fun. And, well, I won't deny it, I like yaoi, even when it's only fanon. I don't slash everything under the sun, but I do enjoy it, and therefore, Katekyo Hitman Reborn! is... relevant to my interests.

My next post will be about fine literature and ancient philosophy. Totally.