Here's to a new year! Here's my first mega try (also first time posting in a while due to reasons) but heya! Admittedly struggled a fair bit with self doubt and anxiety on this one as put it off for a while/other things caught up with me but I figure I'll be glad I did it once I've done it. It's kinda being done last minute though, so admittedly there's that...
I'd been intending to make the mega about something else originally when I signed up, but that would require more time on my part (and I just binge read this recently, so it all works out). Anyways, my subject of the week is The Summer Hikaru Died; it's a queer (BL) horror manga which is currently also scheduled for anime release next year (2025).
Content warnings naturally follow and further details will be spoilered.
CONTENT WARNINGS
Grief, body horror and (very debatably IMO) mild gore, supernatural horror (ghosts/"impurities", otherworldly entities), death I suppose though that one's a given
Premise
The titular Hikaru went for a walk in the woods, died, and something came back wearing his body, something that doesn't quite know how to be human or mortal; "Hikaru" returned, to ensure that his best friend, Yoshiki, would not be lonely. Romantic tension (and tension of a less pleasant kind) ensues.
The plot/things I like about it thus far (light spoilers)
Yoshiki and "Hikaru" have an absolutely great dynamic- their relationship may not be fully healthy, but their intentions seem to both be in the right place, as are their deep feelings (Yoshiki's for Hikaru and increasingly for "Hikaru," and Hikaru and "Hikaru's" own true feelings) and honesty in this regard, despite the latter "Hikaru" being effectively an imposter of sorts. (it's complicated, but these are increasingly distinguished separately and I really like that process as well)
"Hikaru" is, while not quite a blank slate, extremely new to the concept of even just "being" in the sense that mortal creatures and individual organisms(?) do. They've had to learn (and Yoshiki has had to confront them about) the value and significance of life and death; they've increasingly established boundaries, and they approach the world with a liveliness and curiousity that is really cute (the original Hikaru was also lively FWIW, but "Hikaru" is experiencing everything anew even if they retain the memories).
Yoshiki, on the other hand, is both grappling with his grief and loss of Hikaru, while finding comfort (and discomfort alike) in his imposter, and in guiding them through a new world or state of being. He's finding his resolve and moral/ethical backbone interacting with "Hikaru" (very blue-and-orange morality dynamics, though they're learning), he's experiencing what could be described as a rocky but determined romance and queer experimentation at the same time "Hikaru" is being introduced to notions of attraction and desire (beyond instinctual desire to consume).
Their pairing in so many ways should not work (or rather would be usually destined for a tragic end). From the start, there have been several points where by all means it should have met such an end. But their determination and willingness to meet the other where they're at and gradually be understanding with the other is both fascinating and something I'd feel optimistic for (and interested in seeing play out further).
Anyways, I should cut myself short at this (and make sure to have something properly written beforehand for next time). But anyways, thus far it's a strong recommend (if you feel alright with the content warnings) from me.
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As a reminder, please do not discuss current struggle sessions in the mega. We want this to be a little oasis for all of us and the best way to do that is not to feed into existing conflict on the site.
Also, be sure to properly give content warnings and put sensitive subjects behind proper spoiler tags. It's for the mental health of not just your comrades, but yourself as well.
Here is a screenshot of where to find the spoiler button.
My mom started using my non-deadname without me even asking :O
She still uses the other one in a lot of contexts still (talking to friends about me) but it was still really, really nice to see especially after she was so dismissive (read: transphobic) when I started talking to her about my transness initially
I haven't rly talked about it with her like... in-depth and seriously yet but stillllll
Uhhh
is a land of contrasts or something
Have been so surprised by her recently, she's even been getting into left politics recently. Some of it is Trump derangement syndrome but like, she's using my name now without even asking and we've been talking seriously about communism and anti-imperialism for the first time in my life. She has even expressed wanting to get involved with some kind of left organization (I haven't recced her a communist party or something quite yet lol). People can actually change, there has to be hope for all of us
Maybe part of it is I am actually quite okay at talking communism (without even saying that word hehe) with people now lol, a lot of it is cuz of this site besides reading more and spending a little time (not enough) in orgs
Congrats with your mom! Hope her support grows and her politics continue left.
Hoping your mum continues to get better for you, this rocks. Convincing people of leftist politics and whatnot (without even saying the word hehe) is a really important skill I think.
I rly hope so too
I need to look up info about political stuff near her, tell her about some of it and see if she would be interested in checking it out. Even DSA or smth would be incredible cuz she has been tuned-out from politics like.... all of her life til now. She maybe wants to get in the struggle :3 (even if it's likeeee 60% TDS reasons rn lol)
Making your mom read CAST AWAY ILLUSION, PREPARE FOR STRUGGLE but not as a bit