u/InnocentTailor

As we all know, Nasu intends to get Gero’s love interests and convert them, to be blunt, into breeding chattel for the incoming heir to produce offspring for the Poison Clan.  Besides the extremely dubious morality of nonconsensual harem relationships, it seems like it is inviting a political crisis that would doom the Poison Clan to destruction.

The two folks that come to mind are Shizuku Ushio and Kimie Arashiyama.  On the one hand, the former has affiliations with the Fire Clan – weakened in the modern era but still potent.  On the other, the latter is a member of a branch family affiliated with the Beast Clan – a group on par with the Poison Clan in terms of strength and boasts tons of powerful members overall.  The idea that their members were seized by force to mate without familial consent is a grave disrespect – something that could lead to alliances and joint assaults to reclaim honor.

The other ladies, though unpowered, are also no slouches as well since they mostly seem to come from money - rich parents and relatives with decent coffers and connections.  This means that their loved ones could hire specialists and experts to join in the fray as additional firepower, much like what happened in the earlier arcs. They may not have the strength of the Five Clans, but they should be potent enough to cause issues.

Overall, it’s a battle I don’t think Nasu and even the wider Poison Clan can win.  The puppet master effectively invited a world war on the doorstep of his family if the other groups choose to act.  He may be strong, but he is probably not powerful enough to deal with these potent entities by himself and even with the backing of the Poison Clan – something that might not come if Gero intervenes.

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What do you guys think?  Do you think Nasu thought this through?  Would the families be fine with such a forced union?  Do you think Nasu could survive such a multi-pronged bout?  If so, how could he do so? If not, what do you think is the fate of the Poison Clan following such a war, especially if Gero chooses to either not participate or side with those leading the charge?

This is just a bit of fun brainstorming that I thought of as the chapters are winding down.

Hello!  I recently became a fan of Marriagetoxin and voraciously consumed the manga, which allowed me to catch up to the current arc.

I’m a long-time fan of the medium and have seen all sorts of situations and folks in both manga and anime.  I consider myself pretty detached from getting too invested in good or bad characters since they tend to have some redeemable elements (members of the Gotei 13, Espada, and Sternritters to various degrees) or don’t last that long to care (Shou Tucker from Fullmetal Alchemist, who was taken out with little ceremony by Scar in his brief appearance in the tale).

Now Marriagetoxin has had its fair share of wackjobs, psychos, and crazies as antagonists, with some even returning as allies and aids.  That is then paired with fantastically written characters, especially the love interests with their ambitions, personalities, and multi-faceted views on things.

…and then there is the f@#$er named Nasu AKA Sensei AKA the Doll User.

The man’s overall attitude and methodology in this work makes my blood boil, which I’m sure is the author’s intention as he deconstructs the idea of a harem for the hero and makes it uncomfortably sinister.  Reducing these amazing, multi-faceted ladies into effectively breeding stock, chattel in the crudest sense, for Gero to assure heirs for the wider family is just plain sickening and heinous – probably the nastiest act seen in this tale thus far.

I hope he not only gets a poison-filled punch to the face, but also is denied any sort of redemption – something given to the other villains in the work thus far.

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Anybody else feel that way about this guy?  Any other character in Marriagetoxin that makes you feel like this?  Am I just taking this work too seriously?

On a lighter note, who is your favorite gal among the love interests?  I’m personally a fan of Ushio – cute tomboy looks paired with ferocious water powers and a focused attitude.  I’m always smitten with a determined, hardworking lady (Bleach’s Soi Fon, Fullmetal Alchemist’s Riza Hawkeye, Fate’s Mordred).

Hello!

Speaking as a thirty-something, I was not familiar with Alien Stage and its new spinoff Zombie Stage until I was exposed to the franchise through Anime Expo – I was waiting for the Ninth Jedi panel and just stuck around.  It’s quite an interesting tale of flawed people doing their best in a universe that isn't ideal for them, combined with great artwork and charming music.

While I like the characters with their various virtues and vices, I’m personally not a fan of the frankly pretty hellish existence for humanity – overwhelmingly dominated by aliens and forced to play pets for them.  Then again, I was never fond of dystopias – being a fan of history allowing me access to the worst of humanity if I choose to dive into such depravity.

Yes.  I’m aware that these young adults were formed by this brutal existence, but it’s definitely a bleak existence on par with some of the worst dystopias out there in fiction.  Heck!  It’s weirdly why I’m more intrigued with Zombie Stage thus far because it seems more mundane, despite the zombies.

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Is anybody else like this?  Are there others who enjoy the characters and other aspects of the series, but dislike the setting of Alien Stage?  Do folks believe it is impossible to like one and dislike the other?  Who is everybody’s favorite character, to end on a fun, engaging note?

To answer the last one, I like Sua thus far.  She looks sweet and demure, but is hiding one heck of a basket case when it comes to her obsession with Mizi.  In my opinion, you gotta have women’s wrongs if you want women’s rights – that messiness being enjoyable, addictive spicy drama for the tale.

NOTE: I'm making this is a spoiler thread since narrative stuff is going to be discussed here.

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Hello!

With the upcoming Cassette Beast sequel on the way, I did the plunge, purchased the game, and am enjoying my journey through this amazing world.  An aspect I enjoy is the companions, as they are stylish in appearance and varied in personality and backstory.

With that said, one thing that I have noticed is that they don’t really struggle in the narrative.  Yes.  They have their own woes and personal tribulations, which are brought up by antagonists like the Archangels as they attempt to break the party prior to the battle, but they’re easily paved over with declarations of conviction from the heroes before the boss gets its face kicked in with some well-timed attacks and a fusion.

I’ve been a veteran of RPGs, ranging from Japanese titles like Digimon and Pokemon to Western games like Fable and Fallout.  They have companions with various motivations, personalities, and backstories as well, though they are all part of the struggle within the wider tale as they grow due to influence from the player.  This sort of growth is something I didn’t really get from this game, which could’ve formed the foundation for more interesting dialogue, examinations, and even playable missions as the relationship blossoms.  It doesn’t have to be downright depressive in the end, but the struggle would’ve made the stories more worthwhile overall.

So what do you think?  Is this a valid criticism of the game? If so, what would you have liked to explore with the companions in the story? How would you dissect them without compromising the already-established story beats?

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For me, I think Kayleigh’s lack of direction (she said she dropped out of college) and her follower mentality, which was seen with her initial devotion to the cult, could’ve been ripe for storytelling potential.  While it didn’t seem to bother her in the game, it was touched upon in the 2026 Anniversary Zine when she was sparring against Eugene – those stinging words distracting her in the heat of battle.

Maybe she is desperate for a clear purpose in life – a common issue with young adults?  Maybe its decision paralysis plus possibly a lack of confidence in her own abilities?  Her Ranger duties were apparently more focused on community service than battle, so maybe her superiors thought she wasn’t capable of being a strong combatant within the force - something that could possibly seed a bit of resentment/envy for the more talented player character?

In my opinion, these could’ve all formed interesting avenues to dissect Kayleigh as a character Persona-style, which could then be tackled by the player as it culminates in a fusion against the Archangel.

This was something I was intending to do next year, not this year.  However, I wanted to ask about opinions on the matter just to see that I don’t bumble into hot water.

As we all know, Anime Expo is usually held around the first week of July, which means we otakus are indulging in anime while a lot of the country is celebrating the nation’s birthday.  I thought it would be fun to touch on that with a Continental Army uniform – a bit of patriotic pizzazz on the convention floor without going too over the top.

While I’m no stranger to donning uniforms for cosplay, I've never done real-world entities and organizations to avoid controversy – only fictional organizations like, for example, Starfleet from Star Trek.  Wearing this garb would be my first foray into such an idea, so I wanted to know what folks here would think of such a display – whether it would be alright in the sea of magical girls and shonen warriors or better left to the wayside to avoid running into those who are more politically involved.

Thanks!

I thought this would be an interesting discussion.  Of course, spoilers are in full effect.

With the collab story done and completed, it can be seen that Lucy was the focus of the overall tale – her nightmares being the basis for the crisis and her mental state being put on full display post-anime series.  She started out as an insomniac still haunted by her experience in Night City to somebody who got the chance to see her deceased friends again, even though she ultimately forgot it all upon returning to the “real” world.

So, how do you think she is post-collab story?  Do you think she improved mentally from where she started, is about the same, or slightly worse for wear?

While I think she definitely improved, it is fleeting and ultimately bittersweet – a baby step due to her overall traumatic backstory plus the general hell of living in the Cyberpunk universe in the first place.  With that said, she does have Misty backing her up as a vocal confidante and gained a smidge of peace from the dream.  In my opinion, that is as good as a happy ending for the neon dystopian world, though bittersweet overall by fiction standards.

What do you folks think?  Where do you also want to see her story go next if we see Lucy again?  Did you like the conclusion of Lucy's tale in this story or did you want something more?

While the dream’s contents are up for interpretation, her friendship with Misty (probably trauma bonding since the two lost loved ones to Arasaka) and the general experience of her falling asleep aren’t.

Hello!

As we all know, we’re in June and are coming up on roughly a month before the festivities in San Diego.  With so much to do, see, and, of course, buy, one facet of this is the purchase of art commissions from artists, whether they’re rising stars in artist alley or established names that have drawn for major companies.

While I know this is a pricey hobby overall, is anybody around these parts jockeying for a commission from San Diego Comic Con?  If so, which artist and, if you’re willing, what are you interested in having them draw?  Has anybody done this before and, if so, what did you get?

I’m just curious overall as I get deeper into this as well.  It’s so cool to have these storied, respected folks give you a piece of original art – a 1:1 that is yours.

Hello!

This is a bit of an odd musing overall since this is a common sight at conventions, but does anybody feel a tinge bad for the guys and gals who are placed in these seat placements and sign a plethora of photographs and memorabilia for several bucks?  As one of my friends put it, it feels like a celebrity petting zoo as these folks are attempting to get attention and cash for works, whether they’re relatively recent or in the far past.

Granted, some celebrities seem to have fun at these get-togethers (e.g., the Star Trek folks going around Las Vegas after their convention), but this is just a random musing on my part as I’ve used such services for my own collecting habit.

What do you folks think about this?  Is it a dignified, profitable venture or more financial desperation overall?  It seems to have picked up in recent years due to the rise of pop culture after all.

Hello!

As we get closer to Anime Expo, I have a question concerning the Virtual Meet and Greet Signing Sessions that are mainly for VTubers.  I get the meet and greet side of things, but how do the autographs work?  Do they actually sign pieces or do they just offer merchandise with a signature of sorts on them?

Just curious overall.  Thanks!

Contains a few pages from the recently-released web comic alongside some character sheets.

Star Trek has been boldly going where few sci-fi franchises have since 1966. And Star Trek comics have been in the bridge for almost as long.

Now, for the storied franchise’s 60th anniversary, IDW is putting together a comic special with timeline and galaxy-spanning stories that will feature the Trek-writing debut of comics author Brian Michael Bendis; a story by David Gerrold, one of the last living writers who worked on The Original Series and created the iconic Tribbles; and one by Star Trek: Lower Decks creator Mike McMahan

Hello!

I had the chance to see the Ribbon Warrior short and all I can say is…wow.  It was simply amazing – one in line with the manga and distinct from the main GuP stuff.

I would love to see the series adapted into a solid anime series after Das Finale, but that seems to depend on its reception in Japan among Japanese fans of the franchise.  Does anybody have an idea how the short was received by folks and execs?

Thanks!

In a recent interview with Monopoly Events, William Shatner mentioned that a major Star Trek event is planned for Saturday night in San Diego.

“There’s a meeting in San Diego at a big convention in San Diego, where a lot of people go. A lot of programs go to promote themselves, and on a Saturday night there’s a big Star Trek event. Bigger than… I mean all the shows. And they’ve invited me. And I can’t go, because I’m busy. And it’s too bad, and I’m sorry about that,” he said in the interview.

Hello!

As we all know, a big part of conventions is art commissioning, whether that is from a hobbyist with a booth, a rising star in the field, or even a skilled veteran with oodles of pictures in their portfolio.  I’m personally getting into the hobby and having fun with it as I add pieces to my personal collection.

My curiosity is this: For those who are already knee-deep in this facet of con culture, what do you usually commission?  For those who craft commissions, what are the most useful drawings for your portfolio for future work/ambitions?

Thank you very much!

Hello!

As we all know, a big part of conventions is art commissioning, whether that is from a hobbyist with a booth, a rising star in the field, or even a skilled veteran with oodles of pictures in their portfolio.  I’m personally getting into the hobby and having fun with it as I add pieces to my personal collection.

My curiosity is this: For those who are already knee-deep in this facet of con culture, what do you usually commission?  For those who craft commissions, what are the most useful drawings for your portfolio for future work/ambitions?

Thank you very much!