I did it guys, I changed the subtitle of the blog! I know this might not seem like a big thing to do, but I have been thinking of changing it for a while, since I've been sick of "Success isn't Always Quality" a long time; I didn't really feel like it described what I do here anymore. Sure, the blog started mostly as a tongue-in-cheek roast, with some semi-serious analysis attached to it because I wanted to give credit where credit was due, but nowadays... while by no means the roasting has stopped, nor the rigor of the analysis, the TONE had shifted to a subtle record of the articulation of my love for both the manga I cover here. The reason I've stuck with this project so alarmingly long is undoubtedly that under scrutiny, I've been able to pinpoint all the elements of these comics that made me love them in the first place, and articulate that love in a very personal way. That's why, the other day, when "A Diary of Dissection" popped into my head as a possibility while pondering changing the subtitle again, I just had to go with it.
And just in time for a few chapters that I've been really looking forward to covering. Another favorite mini-arc for its sheer cuteness.
Sango asks Kagome if she can sense anything at all and Kagome confirms as she pushes her bike with Shippou riding in the basket that she can't. Not even the strange looks she HAS to be getting from the locals over her strange contraption, I guess. Miroku says at any rate that they should split up to look for it on their own, waving while he's already on his way to fuck off by himself. Sango gives him a wide-eyed look, and asks if he means to pick up girls when he's off by himself. Miroku pauses, silent, and Sango's expression turns annoyed, Kagome looks at Miroku's back as well with curiosity. Miroku starts walking again at double speed, and Sango zooms after him, demanding to know what's with his attitude. Kagome ignores them and begins pushing her bike in the opposite direction again, suggesting to Inuyasha that they look this way. Inuyasha flatly agrees. Shippou just sits in the basket like a doll in a toy pram.
They don't get very far. Just to the bank beside the bridge in the panel above, where Kagome has laid down a blanket and her giant backpack with some snackage sitting on the corner. Inuyasha lounges on his back with his eyes closed next to her, and she turns her face up to the sun shining overhead, commenting with delight how nice the weather is. While cracks open a aluminum can and lifts it to take a drink, she wonders aloud where Shippou got to, Inuyasha shooting her a half-lidded glance and an unconcerned hum. He suggests that Shippou has gone off to play, which makes sense considering he's still a kid and all. Says the guy who had to be scolded for swinging around a dangerous weapon in childish celebration a few chapters ago.
It turns out that Shippou is taking a little stroll, licking a lollipop, something I haven't had in quite a while and now I kind of want one. Thanks for the craving Shippou. He says to himself that sometimes those two have to be left by themselves, like that's some sort of sage wisdom or something. He hops up on a big exposed root curving up and back down into the ground to sit with a yawn and stretch, and claims that he sure does take care of those kids. By disappearing sometimes and doing literally nothing. Man, there sure are some real delusions flying through the group today, aren't there?
He hears a shout nearby about some damn thief and looks over to see three little boys kicking a girl on all fours on the grass. One of the boys calls her Satsuki, and accuses her of taking a dried persimmon from his house. She insists that she didn't, but another boy tells her that she's a good-for-nothing and to shut up.
The first kid draws out the word "stupid", reminding her that her brother died a long time ago in the war. The third boy who hadn't said anything before claimed that his father was by this brother's side when he passed. Satsuki declares that her big brother ISN'T dead and launches herself on the first kid's shin, biting it. He cries out and when she's dislodged starts kicking her again with his now tooth-marked leg while the second one hits her with a stick, cursing her damn violence. Hmmm, decrying violence while committing it. Now where have I heard THAT hypocritical logic before?
The answer is LITERALLY everywhere now.
Effective. The boys all flee screaming from the monster, arms in the air, one of them tripping and falling on his face in the process. Satsuki is still sitting on the ground as she watches Shippou pop back into his little child form, scoffing that he beat them. Congrats, kid, you defeated a bunch of little shits who were clearly cowards anyway. Regardless, Shippou turns to address Satsuki and coolly declares she's safe now, playing the part of white knight well. After a small noise of amazement, she pats him on the head and thanks him, mistaking him for a tanuki. His annoyance automatically shows, offering the deadpan correction that he's a fox.
Satsuki pulls something from beneath her collar and offers him half for saving her. He reacts with confusion, so she clarifies that it's the persimmon she stole, and that it's very good munching on it as she stretches out her legs in the grass. Shippou is annoyed once more, thinking she was the one at fault after all. I just think she's neat. Satsuki beams at him between bites, observing that he's quite strong. His expression changes to astonishment, heart skipping a beat. It's adorable and my heart is melting.
Shippou haltingly strikes up a conversation, confirming her name, and asking where her parents are. Satsuki says she doesn't have parents, but one older brother, whom she gloats about straightaway. She says he's distinguished himself in battle, and when he becomes a samurai, he'll come to pick her up and presumably they'd go on adventures together like Wolf and Cub, or a brother/sister approximation thereof. Shippou meekly asks if those boys before were lying when they said her brother was dead.
... I just think she's neat.
She giggles and roots around under her collar with her hand, offering to show Shippou her treasure, one which will grant wishes if you pray with it. Shippou leans in to see as she pulls out a tiny sliver that looks an awful lot like a Shikon fragment. She says it is, anyway, and while explaining it's a shard of a treasure to youkai, girls out about how pretty it is. Shippou is once again floored by little Satsuki, or at least by being the one to find that rumored jewel fragment they wandered into the village to get.
Meanwhile, someone asks if Miroku is certain that there's a youkai haunting their house. Miroku says that they must exorcise this youkai as soon as possible with seriousness. He's walking along a veranda with an old man, whom he identifies as the village headman as he assures him there's no need for a reward. The old headman insists that he wants to get dinner and bedding prepared for everyone anyway. Not only is Sango still tailing Miroku at this point, but Kagome and Inuyasha have joined her, She and Inuyasha wearing their most exasperated expressions. Inuyasha asserts that Miroku's call for an exorcism is another downright lie, but Kagome shushes him, no doubt looking forward to bedding instead of a sleeping bag.
When they all enter a room, it begins to quake around them. Inuyasha looks up at the ceiling in mild confusion while Kagome cowers into his side, asking if this is an earthquake. Miroku stares at a wall, then slaps one of his paper charms on it.
All three of Miroku's trailing friends, so doubtful before, stare in amazement that there was actually a youkai to exorcise, and that it wasn't a lie. The headman gives them a slightly alarmed stare of his own, and now Miroku is the exasperated one, asking if they all mind.
I don't know what he expects, given his propensity to fake his craft for material benefit. You really don't have much room to be pissy here, Miroku.
From outside comes a shout at Inuyasha regarding BIG NEWS, and Inuyasha and Kagome turn to the in question. Shippou leaps into Kagome's arms calling to her, and as she catches him, asks how he knew where they were. He explains that he just figured the biggest house in the area was the best place to profit from an exorcism, causing Kagome to just grin awkwardly and Miroku to look further put-upon behind them.
Shippou redirects the topic to what he came to tell them, which is that there in fact IS a Shikon shard here. Kagome and Sango make noises of disbelief, but Shippou brought along Satsuki, who stands in the garden, uncomfortably silent. Kagome prompts the headman to spill on who this girl is, and the headman confirms Satsuki's name. Stepping up to her, Kagome leans down and asks to see the fragment, that little snitch Shippou by her side. Satsuki hesitates, lips sealed at first, then asking in haughty defiance if they intend to take it from her. Inuyasha says that they'll take it if it's real, but Kagome quickly tells him to sit. While Inuyasha eats dirt, Kagome gets more on Satsuki's level in a squat and assures her she just wants to see it. This is when Shippou finally realizes that if his buddies take Satsuki's Shikon shard, she'll never get her wish.
To be fair, Shippou, even if she gets something from wishing on a real Shikon shard, she probz won't be getting what she really wants. Horrifying zombie brother wanting to eat her brains instead or something.
You still a little snitch, though.
After a moment, Satsuki turns for a hasty retreat, saying that they've seen enough of her shard and she's going now. Kagome stands and waves, wishing her well, causing Shippou some confusion. The old headman calls after Satsuki, asking if she's going to come back. She says no, because her big brother will be home soon before disappearing down the road. Shippou has latched onto Kagome's arm to ask hesitantly if the shard was a fake, and Kagome gives a simple confirmation while Sango turns to tell him that what Satsuki had was actually a stone flower. What the fuck is that? Kagome suggests that Sango means "quartz" as if Sango is supposed to know what that funny modern-esque word is. Sango ignores the over-her-head term and says it's a stone you can dig up pretty much anywhere in the mountains, and it's no Shikon fragment. Somehow, Shippou does not look at all comforted by the knowledge that Satsuki's shard is fake.
Later on, after dark judging by the flickering fire in an oil pan, someone says Satsuki is a rather pitiful child.
I still think she's neat.
We're treated to a scene of Satsuki cradling her fake Shikon shard in her hands as she's walking down a hill, while the headman says to Inuyasha and company that he's offered to take care of her, but she insists on continuing to live in the hut she and her brother lived together. Our main characters are forgotten for a moment while Satsuki keeps descending the hill, attention fixed on the little sliver of "jewel" in her hands. In the tall grass to her left, a lizard-like creature, observes her creepily. He identifies himself as the creature that was forced from the headman's place earlier, and he's pretty sure he can use this girl. If she doesn't bite his leg off first, because she's just that fierce.
Still later, Shippou can't seem to stop thinking that Satsuki's brother would return to her alive if she prayed with the REAL Shikon fragments. Again, Shippou, I don't think you realize the monkey's-paw-like ironic twist that comes with the use of this fucking jewel. As he lays awake on Kagome's futon next her while she and the rest of his companions slumber away (Inuyasha propped in a corner with Tessaiga standing between his knees as usual), Shippou is actively convincing himself to "borrow" Kagome's shards for a bit. She dreams of the angles on polygons while he shifts and shuffles, taking the little vial of shards, which must have been replaced after the other one shattered, from who knows where on her. It looks like he might have gotten it from around her neck, but there doesn't appear to be a chain?
Anyway, just as soon as Shippou gets his tiny mitts on those fragments, he's lifted into the air by the fluffy tail. Inuyasha dangles him, looking a combination of annoyed and tired, and greets him with a short hi. Shippou insists his thievery is to help someone, but Inuyasha isn't buying it, accusing him of not thinking straight. He proceeds to lecture Shippou on how he knows the danger of these little shards, and it's not anything a human should ever use. He causes Shippou a turn when he asks just why the kid is helping that girl from before anyway.
Miroku has now popped up from the other side of a short decorative screen separating him from the girls and suggests that Shippou's fallen for Satsuki. He doesn't blame the little guy, since he noticed that she was pretty cute too, and he's super lucky Sango's not awake to wallop him one for the creeptastic comment. Inuyasha raps on Shippou's little irritated forehead with his knuckles, saying such a reason for his actions is pathetic. Shippou snaps back that it doesn't matter if he's in love with Satsuki, because Inuyasha has no right to call HIM pathetic when he can't stop drifting between Kagome and Kikyou. This earns him an off-panel wallop, and we next see him lying dazed with a giant lump on his head, Inuyasha demanding he go the fuck to sleep from a lounging position facing the corner.
Somehow, Kagome is STILL asleep through the racket. Her maths dreams are apparently just THAT enthralling.
In the morning, Shippou makes his somber way down the same hill Satsuki did previously, thinking he should at least say goodbye to her. He wonders if Satsuki intends to keep praying on the fake fragments forever. He stops to sigh dramatically, complaining aloud that he can't tell her the truth about her fake shard.
At this very moment, Satsuki runs up the path toward him, waving her arm jubilantly above her head to him. He greets her in a somewhat subdued matter, and when she cries with joy that her wish was granted and her brother came home, Shippou makes a noise of confused shock.
The funny thing is, her wishing on a real shard probably would have had an indistinguishable result.
So what did I think of this chapter overall? As bad as RT did by me in the previous arc with how bland and boring Tsubaki was, she turned the who thing around with little Satsuki. This girl is a DELIGHT to see on the page; so vibrant and full of personality. Her sassy attitude and willingness to stand up for herself is in perfect concert with how she's confirmed to be something of a little pest. And yet, you can't help but feel a little broken-hearted at how poorly she's handling the reality of her brother's death, outright denying it to be true fiercely. It really is no wonder that Shippou finds her fascinating; she's got layers of complexity right off the bat, and her uniqueness is palpable. A free spirit for sure, enchanting from the first moment she appears. She's probably my favorite, and I'm not sure if it's because she really IS that awesome, or if having to read several chapters of Tsubaki to get to this point starved me for an actually cool character. Either way, she's just too fun.
In addition, I'm really like that Inuyasha and crew are running with the lack of a Shikon shard in the village and taking a nice little break from the search. No doubt Kagome in particular needs a little bit of a breather after the last few chapters she spent in constant agony. Inuyasha has seemed rather on the tired side throughout the whole chapter too, very low-energy. The whole vibe with them just exudes chill, which I think is fair - it's been a little while since the characters haven't been actively battling Naraku or some other nefarious force, and as a reader I'm exhausted too. I just didn't realize it until I got to kick back a little with this chapter.
And if I needed the break, no doubt RT was getting pretty tense before she got to put this one on paper.
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