Tatarigoroshi-hen is complete, just three more chapters to go, and I'll be done with rewatching Higurashi's first season. Man, I swear, no matter how many times I rewatch this series, it always manages to emotionally hurt me, and I mean that as a compliment.

In Tatarigoroshi, we're introduced to another character, Teppei Hojo, Satoko's uncle. This guy is a serious contender for the worst parental figure in anime, manga, and visual novel history. He's incredibly abusive to Satoko Hojo, both physically and emotionally. On top of that, Teppei's a total scumbag to everyone he comes across.

He's clearly meant to be hated by the audience, but what really makes him so detestable is that there are people in real-life just like him. The abuse got so bad, that at one point, Satoko mentally broke down in the middle of class. As someone who's suffered abuse as a kid, this scene always has me crying. To me, that kind of pain and trauma is more horrifying than any supernatural curse.

I completed rewatching Watanagashi-hen this morning, the second arc for Higurashi: When They Cry. The previous arc, Onikakushi-hen, was a fantastic opening chapter, but this one is when Higurashi: WTC really started to form an identity of its own. If Onikakushi succeeded at being a psychological horror, Watanagashi does even more so as a psychological horror-mystery. Around this time, several questions are posed surrounding the mystery of Hinamizawa. A new character, Shion Sonozaki, Mion Sonozaki's twin sister, is introduced and she's my third favorite of the cast, preceeding Keiichi and Rena respectively. Compared to Mion's tomboy-ish personality, Shion is more traditionally feminine in nature. The contrast between the two is a trope I'll always find endearing. Shion's also got some hidden depths as well as a secret dark side which are revealed in a future arc, so I won't spoil them.

Higurashi, come for the horror and gore, stay for the multi-dimensional characters and compelling storyline.

Started rewatching Higurashi: When They Cry and watched all of the Onikakushi-hen arc. I don't think I can understate how terrifying Onikakushi is or how much it succeeds as an introduction. The first episode does a great job at introducing the main cast; it gives a clear idea of their distinct personalities and shows the group interacting with each other in fun activities. With all this in mind, you'd be forgiven for initially thinking Higurashi was an average slice-of-life series.

However, once Keiichi is told that Hinamizawa has a dark secret, he becomes suspicious, and overtime, his paranoia gradually grows to the point that he loses trust in his friends, the ones he cared for so deeply. The last two episodes of the arc have a suffocating atmosphere. And then, after all the build-up, it culminates into a horrifying ending with three of the main characters dying in nauseating and gory ways. And as a reminder, this is just the FIRST CHAPTER.

I want to watch more My Little Pony, but I feel like if I do, I might rush the series. I don't know, to me, binging a nine-season series without any breaks would kind of be a disservice to the show. Am I the only one who feels this way about 'binge-watching'? Sure, it's fun to marathon a show I'm really into, but without any time to think or reflect on what I've watched, there's no discussion to be had. Binge-watching isn't really fulfilling for me, though what is rewarding is getting to know all of a show's characters, themes, world, among other aspects. Once I get invested in a story or empathize with a certain character, I want to take my time. Like, it hasn't been a month, and I'm already halfway done with My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Now, I think I've reached a good stopping point and will move on to something else for the time being.

I'm thinking of rewatching Higurashi: When They Cry. It might seem strange considering Higurashi is nothing like MLP, but this is just how I watch media.

I've been inconsistent as hell with #vgmwednesday but I want to start posting more video game music. Tonight, I present the 'Staff Roll' for Super Mario 64. This song has stuck with me ever since I beat Mario 64 for the first time at the age of six through the Wii Virtual Console. SM64's soundtrack in general is memorable, but this one really means a lot to me. I didn't finish many games as a kid, I often got stuck mid-way through. However, 64 was one of the few mainline Mario games I reached the ending credits of at a young age. The tune that played once the game was finished really gave me a sense of accomplishment. Listening to it now, it makes me feel nostalgic for a time I might never be able to return to. What was once a big achievement for me is now something I can easily do over a single weekend.

However, this song also makes me feel somewhat hopeful. It is almost like Mario is saying "thanks for joining me on my adventure, now go on a journey of your own".

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eVKj3u8JUm0

I probably shouldn't be surprised, but I've watched the entirety of MLP: Friendship is Magic's fifth season in the span of two days. The two-parter finale to Season Five was kind of insane. In it, Starlight Glimmer returned as teased in the season premiere, and using her magic, she went back in time to prevent the Mane Six from becoming friends. When she (temporarily) succeeds, the present changes drastically. Throughout the finale, the present/future gets altered several times, with many variants, and it got me thinking.

What if the Mane Six really didn't become friends? Each alternate timeline could make for their own 'what if' scenario or AU, there are so many possibilities to explore. What if Discord wasn't redeemed? What if Nightmare Moon completely overtook Princess Luna's personality and ruled over Equestria? What if Equestria suffered a Changeling invasion?

To my surprise, this idea wasn't explored that much in the S5 finale. I don't know, I just feel like there was a lot of missed potential there.

Watched even more MLP: FiM tonight, got to the part where the Cutie Mark Crusaders finally received their cutie marks. I don't know what the general fandom consensus on the CMC is, but personally, I like them. Each of the crusaders have endearing personalities and are so, so adorable. Scootaloo's my favorite of the trio, but I really enjoy Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle as well.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders' concept is simple; three fillies make friends with each other and go on adventures to find their cutie marks. This premise appeals to me a lot. As a kid, I was unfortunately never able to go on a lot of adventures due to me not having many friends to begin with. However, the episodes involving the crusaders allowed me to experience that sense of exploration and discovery. I may be an adult now, but it's not too late to explore my identity.

So yeah, I have a soft spot for the CMCs. Not everyone likes them, and that's okay. Different opinions in the MLP community are what makes it so exciting.

Okay, time for another MLP character gush.

I'm surprised I haven't brought up Pinkie Pie often since she's one of my favorite characters in the show. Of the Mane Six, Pinkie Pie's the pony representing the Element of Laughter, which is fitting since she's one of the funniest characters from the show. She's also a character whose very presence warms my heart. Throughout the series, it's clear that she cares very deeply for her friends, acquaintances, as well as random ponies she happens to come across, and will give it her all to bring them happiness.

In one episode, 'Party Pooped' to be specific, it's revealed that Pinkie has an entire secret room dedicated to planning parties for others. That's one thing I love about MLP: FiM. The characters all have reasons for why they're the way they are. They aren't flat by any means. Related to that front, I headcanon Pinkie's hyperactivity is a result of her having ADHD. Her mind tends to wander randomly which is admittedly something I also do as someone with ADHD.

I've been successfully 'autism-trapped' by My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, so after finishing Season Four, there was no way I wouldn't jump straight to Season Five. Okay, that two-parter premiere was... kind of freaking horrifying. Not in the 'traditional' sense, but more in how uncanny and liminal it is. So basically, the Mane Six travel to a village inhabited by ponies who lack a cutie mark. Everypony living in the village gives an unnatural, almost forced smile. Starlight Glimmer, the town's unofficial 'mayor/founder' made it this way, ensuring that nopony had any identity. Think of it as an incredibly scaled-down version of the Combine's invasion of Earth in Half-Life 2.

Sure, the 'twist' that Starlight did this for malevolent purposes was obvious, but the implications were enough to give me trouble sleeping. We don't know how long SG had done this or what her motivations were. Why are kids shows unintentionally more disturbing than stuff for adults?