* ~ Persona 4:FES - The Golden Presents...The 12 Days of GUILDMAS2016!!! ~ *
(The 2016 Persona 4: FES - The Golden Year-End Guild Awards Presentation!)
"Good evening, and welcome everyone! Weee are your hosts, Evie and Lael! And tonight we all come together to celebrate the past year of events, battles, romance, horror, and all the other amazing moments that made 2016 as exciting and memorable as it has been! Over the next three nights, we will be giving out awards for all sorts of reaaally fun categories! We've got Best Kiss, Most Epic Player-Character, and even the Top RP'er of the Year! Isn't this going to be fun, Lael? *beam*"
"Oh! Y-yes, Evie. This celebration is all so garish and spectacular, it's hard to know where to really begin with the introductions and the awards presentations. It's quite a wondrous evening, and it has only just begun. Though, I suppose the time has come for the hosts to step aside, and for the people responsible for making this year so memorable to take the stage and be rewarded?"
"Mhm! Our first section of awards is for the characters whose personalities, actions, and memorable moments have really given the year its unique flavor! ^ ^ Our Character Superlatives are up first! And the winners are...!"
(The 2016 Persona 4: FES - The Golden Year-End Guild Awards Presentation!)
"Good evening, and welcome everyone! Weee are your hosts, Evie and Lael! And tonight we all come together to celebrate the past year of events, battles, romance, horror, and all the other amazing moments that made 2016 as exciting and memorable as it has been! Over the next three nights, we will be giving out awards for all sorts of reaaally fun categories! We've got Best Kiss, Most Epic Player-Character, and even the Top RP'er of the Year! Isn't this going to be fun, Lael? *beam*"
"Oh! Y-yes, Evie. This celebration is all so garish and spectacular, it's hard to know where to really begin with the introductions and the awards presentations. It's quite a wondrous evening, and it has only just begun. Though, I suppose the time has come for the hosts to step aside, and for the people responsible for making this year so memorable to take the stage and be rewarded?"
"Mhm! Our first section of awards is for the characters whose personalities, actions, and memorable moments have really given the year its unique flavor! ^ ^ Our Character Superlatives are up first! And the winners are...!"
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: razz art 1 - The Character Superlatives::
"These are awards given to characters who have given us lots of memorable moments in interaction, brilliance, battle, and so on...or those that we wish to see more of, less of...or even those that we've said goodbye to in the last year! Tonight, we honor all of the above and more...thanks for an incredible year, and best of luck in the following categories!"
"These are awards given to characters who have given us lots of memorable moments in interaction, brilliance, battle, and so on...or those that we wish to see more of, less of...or even those that we've said goodbye to in the last year! Tonight, we honor all of the above and more...thanks for an incredible year, and best of luck in the following categories!"
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Most Underplayed Character - Soji Seta
In a world filled with so many incredible things...from Persona-Users to Devil Summoners, from survivors wielding devils using an app on their phone to undead ash rekindled to perpetuate the cycle of life and death, and from those who accept their shadow to those who have fused with the essence of a demon...it's easy to forget the core conflict that lies at the heart of this supernatural world, and the story from which it all began. Once upon a time, this was...simply...a world of Persona-Users, and the protagonist of this story was a simple young man transported from the city into a rural town to try and adjust to a new life which just happened to be sprinkled generously with the supernatural and divine. And though we stray off into various side paths, often we are reminded by our longing for a simpler world of those characters in that story we wish to see more...a mechanical superhero who battles against the shadows, or the shadow nemesis of our protagonist...the rock and roll hero who has lost so much and the simple girl from a town far off who knows nothing of the supernatural...
...But at the forefront of our minds this year, and certainly not forgotten, is the young man himself...the protagonist of our story. Whose absence was made glaring over time and whose presence and story we wish to see unfold all the more in the coming year. That's why Soji Seta, of all the characters in the Guild this year, is the Most Underplayed in the Year 2016! Let us hope he is no longer on this list in the year to come...
[Nominees: Soji Seta, Shadow Soji, Haruto Mashiba, Zeo Kirijo, Suzume Kirihara]
In a world filled with so many incredible things...from Persona-Users to Devil Summoners, from survivors wielding devils using an app on their phone to undead ash rekindled to perpetuate the cycle of life and death, and from those who accept their shadow to those who have fused with the essence of a demon...it's easy to forget the core conflict that lies at the heart of this supernatural world, and the story from which it all began. Once upon a time, this was...simply...a world of Persona-Users, and the protagonist of this story was a simple young man transported from the city into a rural town to try and adjust to a new life which just happened to be sprinkled generously with the supernatural and divine. And though we stray off into various side paths, often we are reminded by our longing for a simpler world of those characters in that story we wish to see more...a mechanical superhero who battles against the shadows, or the shadow nemesis of our protagonist...the rock and roll hero who has lost so much and the simple girl from a town far off who knows nothing of the supernatural...
...But at the forefront of our minds this year, and certainly not forgotten, is the young man himself...the protagonist of our story. Whose absence was made glaring over time and whose presence and story we wish to see unfold all the more in the coming year. That's why Soji Seta, of all the characters in the Guild this year, is the Most Underplayed in the Year 2016! Let us hope he is no longer on this list in the year to come...
[Nominees: Soji Seta, Shadow Soji, Haruto Mashiba, Zeo Kirijo, Suzume Kirihara]
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Most Believable Character - Minori Koroko
What are the keys, the moments, that allow us to buy into a character when we interact with them in an RP? There were several moments and incidents this year that demonstrated aspects of the character growth and reactions which allow us to suspend our disbelief when we step into the roles of our characters and truly sink our teeth into the world of P4:FES - The Golden. For example: Rednal's slow and methodical breakdown from a self-interested and somewhat haughtily cynical person into the weakened, worn-down hero that was forced to reflect inward to discover a measure of peace and belonging in a world he feared had overwhelmed him. This was a dynamite piece of character development that gave layers to a character who, at least according to his Shade, had always come off as a little immovable. And the pure id reaction of Bel to being thrown into the School of Despair: Island Version was a simple and effective demonstration of man's instinct of self-preservation...the impulse to defend oneself above all else when faced with the unknown.
Setsuna Kikuno provided a shining example of how one's past traumas shape their present and their future, reflecting upon his past as a tool for the Lin Kuei when thrust into a kill-or-be-killed situation and allowing his trauma both to become his strength and a catalyst for his growth...and ultimately his weakness. And in the heart of a Hell on Earth, few were as true-to-life in their experiences than the tiny teen Yoshi Motoya, whose journey from a cutesy-arrogant young man into a broken, lonely individual through the heartbreaking loss of everyone who protected and cared for him reminded us that not everyone is a hero at the end of all things...and that some of us, just some of us, simply end up broken.
But once again it was Minori Koroko who paced the field and provided us as always with a grounded center at the heart of things...rising to challenges when necessary, but always with a realistic mixture of panic, courage, fear, selflessness, and self-interest that has characterized her for years. Her relationship with Genji Amagai develops at a believable and adorable pace, her strength grows incrementally with each passing challenge, and most importantly, every event shapes her...from her abandonment by Amelia Heartilly at Junes to her charming night at the Amagai Household to her courageous struggle in Hell on Earth. Whenever we wonder if things have gotten too supernatural in the Guild, we can always count on her to bring us back to reality.
[Nominees: Rednal Ak'Thias, Setsuna Kikuno, Minori Koroko, Bel Heartilly, Yoshi Motoya]
What are the keys, the moments, that allow us to buy into a character when we interact with them in an RP? There were several moments and incidents this year that demonstrated aspects of the character growth and reactions which allow us to suspend our disbelief when we step into the roles of our characters and truly sink our teeth into the world of P4:FES - The Golden. For example: Rednal's slow and methodical breakdown from a self-interested and somewhat haughtily cynical person into the weakened, worn-down hero that was forced to reflect inward to discover a measure of peace and belonging in a world he feared had overwhelmed him. This was a dynamite piece of character development that gave layers to a character who, at least according to his Shade, had always come off as a little immovable. And the pure id reaction of Bel to being thrown into the School of Despair: Island Version was a simple and effective demonstration of man's instinct of self-preservation...the impulse to defend oneself above all else when faced with the unknown.
Setsuna Kikuno provided a shining example of how one's past traumas shape their present and their future, reflecting upon his past as a tool for the Lin Kuei when thrust into a kill-or-be-killed situation and allowing his trauma both to become his strength and a catalyst for his growth...and ultimately his weakness. And in the heart of a Hell on Earth, few were as true-to-life in their experiences than the tiny teen Yoshi Motoya, whose journey from a cutesy-arrogant young man into a broken, lonely individual through the heartbreaking loss of everyone who protected and cared for him reminded us that not everyone is a hero at the end of all things...and that some of us, just some of us, simply end up broken.
But once again it was Minori Koroko who paced the field and provided us as always with a grounded center at the heart of things...rising to challenges when necessary, but always with a realistic mixture of panic, courage, fear, selflessness, and self-interest that has characterized her for years. Her relationship with Genji Amagai develops at a believable and adorable pace, her strength grows incrementally with each passing challenge, and most importantly, every event shapes her...from her abandonment by Amelia Heartilly at Junes to her charming night at the Amagai Household to her courageous struggle in Hell on Earth. Whenever we wonder if things have gotten too supernatural in the Guild, we can always count on her to bring us back to reality.
[Nominees: Rednal Ak'Thias, Setsuna Kikuno, Minori Koroko, Bel Heartilly, Yoshi Motoya]
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Most Idiotic Character - Arimina
Idiocy is really subjective. Some things that might not seem idiotic to one might be completely flabbergasting to another. This year was no exception when it came to judging this category. Zeo's usual lunacy was on full display, especially during his wild entrance into Junes and Babel during the delayed dungeon dive, and D-Rap offered a worthy rival in the art of zaniness when he failed spectacularly to murder someone using nothing more than a bloody spoon.
Rednal's abandonment of an entire arcade to run away from an enemy that he knew wouldn't hesitate to hurt others and do anything it took to get the information he wanted out of him was pretty unforgivable in terms of foolishness, and though Rena would rarely be considered to be an idiot as opposed to fearsome, the fact that she was one of...if not the only...lonesome death in the Hell on Earth event with so many ways to avoid death paints her in a light that some might find to be amusing.
However for idiocy this year there was hardly a match for the virtuoso combination of single-minded foolishness and guffaw-inducing failure than watching Arimina attempt so much while achieving so little. From her frequently-parodied one-sided infatuation with Youmu to her flippant failure of Jian Lin Kuei's orders at the Embryon Headquarters, all the way down to her multiple failed assassination attempts on Setsuna Kikuno in the School of Despair, she was a whirlwind vortex of ineffectual amusement that was unmatched throughout the whole of 2016! Though given her personality and skill, one would expect her to return in 2017 with a rather...bloody vengeance.
We shall see...
[Nominees: Zeo Kirijo, D-Rap, Rednal Ak'Thias, Arimina, Rena Redeyan]
Idiocy is really subjective. Some things that might not seem idiotic to one might be completely flabbergasting to another. This year was no exception when it came to judging this category. Zeo's usual lunacy was on full display, especially during his wild entrance into Junes and Babel during the delayed dungeon dive, and D-Rap offered a worthy rival in the art of zaniness when he failed spectacularly to murder someone using nothing more than a bloody spoon.
Rednal's abandonment of an entire arcade to run away from an enemy that he knew wouldn't hesitate to hurt others and do anything it took to get the information he wanted out of him was pretty unforgivable in terms of foolishness, and though Rena would rarely be considered to be an idiot as opposed to fearsome, the fact that she was one of...if not the only...lonesome death in the Hell on Earth event with so many ways to avoid death paints her in a light that some might find to be amusing.
However for idiocy this year there was hardly a match for the virtuoso combination of single-minded foolishness and guffaw-inducing failure than watching Arimina attempt so much while achieving so little. From her frequently-parodied one-sided infatuation with Youmu to her flippant failure of Jian Lin Kuei's orders at the Embryon Headquarters, all the way down to her multiple failed assassination attempts on Setsuna Kikuno in the School of Despair, she was a whirlwind vortex of ineffectual amusement that was unmatched throughout the whole of 2016! Though given her personality and skill, one would expect her to return in 2017 with a rather...bloody vengeance.
We shall see...
[Nominees: Zeo Kirijo, D-Rap, Rednal Ak'Thias, Arimina, Rena Redeyan]
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Most Lovable Character - Evie Nekata
In one of the more runaway categories of the year, we look at the Most Lovable Character and acknowledge why we grow so fond of certain characters and how we come to form attachments to them that crush us when they are sad and inspire us when they achieve. Their laughter and their smiles warm our hearts, and their tears dig into our stomach like knives. And we experienced so much of each of these in 2016 with a variety of characters...
From the gut-busting laughter and the strangely-endearing Grumpy Uncle Trumpeter from Bel's...unique experiences in the Hell on Earth, to utterly charming growth of Youmu Konpaku as a warrior, a friend, and eventually, a girlfriend to Nekura Myonmou in the Hell on Earth. Few project the innocence and the maturity of Nix Gallen that lures you into loving her before you even know you've been had, and the earnest goodness and open affection on display from a member of Japan's most notoriously scheming Shogunate Family makes Koichi Mori especially endearing to those who love a man who loves a good cat (and woman).
Yet nobody ran the full gamut of emotions quite the way that Evie Nekata did, from her hopeful innocence endearing us to her from the word 'go' to her earnest goodness in trying to bring people together and solve the mystery of the School of Despair, to her vain hope and optimism that made you really WANT to believe that everything would be okay, to the utter heartbreak we all shared when her hopes were shattered and she was forced to watch Lael Sonoda's dark side revealed to all...we experienced everything with her, and it was her lovable nature, her innocent charm, that had us there beside her, experiencing and feeling everything along the way. And it is that connection that makes Evie Nekata this year's Most Lovable Character.
Congratulations!
[Nominees: Youmu Konpaku, Evie Nekata, Nix Gallen, Grouchy Uncle Trumpeter, Koichi Mori]
In one of the more runaway categories of the year, we look at the Most Lovable Character and acknowledge why we grow so fond of certain characters and how we come to form attachments to them that crush us when they are sad and inspire us when they achieve. Their laughter and their smiles warm our hearts, and their tears dig into our stomach like knives. And we experienced so much of each of these in 2016 with a variety of characters...
From the gut-busting laughter and the strangely-endearing Grumpy Uncle Trumpeter from Bel's...unique experiences in the Hell on Earth, to utterly charming growth of Youmu Konpaku as a warrior, a friend, and eventually, a girlfriend to Nekura Myonmou in the Hell on Earth. Few project the innocence and the maturity of Nix Gallen that lures you into loving her before you even know you've been had, and the earnest goodness and open affection on display from a member of Japan's most notoriously scheming Shogunate Family makes Koichi Mori especially endearing to those who love a man who loves a good cat (and woman).
Yet nobody ran the full gamut of emotions quite the way that Evie Nekata did, from her hopeful innocence endearing us to her from the word 'go' to her earnest goodness in trying to bring people together and solve the mystery of the School of Despair, to her vain hope and optimism that made you really WANT to believe that everything would be okay, to the utter heartbreak we all shared when her hopes were shattered and she was forced to watch Lael Sonoda's dark side revealed to all...we experienced everything with her, and it was her lovable nature, her innocent charm, that had us there beside her, experiencing and feeling everything along the way. And it is that connection that makes Evie Nekata this year's Most Lovable Character.
Congratulations!
[Nominees: Youmu Konpaku, Evie Nekata, Nix Gallen, Grouchy Uncle Trumpeter, Koichi Mori]
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Most Epic NPC - Obelyn Cernunnos
There was something right from the moment he first appeared that was enticing, engaging...from his intimidating and alluring look to his striking iconography of Red Vipers and Crimson Glaives...to the way he spoke with such passion and anger and vengeance dripping from his every, accented word...that when the world finally descended into Hell and the end seemed ready to creep upon all, it was easy to buy into the idea that Obelyn Cernunnos had spared those who emerged into this new, horrifying reality, and would play a key role in sorting out the darkness into some kind of new tomorrow.
But it is the depth of character that truly allowed Obelyn to shine this year, from his absolute belief that humanity was the key that would overturn the battle of the gods between Lucifer and Loki, to his stalwart friendships and intimate moments with Soji Seta, Kisa, and so many other survivors in the Hell on Earth who needed his encouragement and awakening from time-to-time, right down to his inability to completely sacrifice his revenge against those who had wronged him which made him the ultimate boss of the Hell on Earth event. He never ceased to be compelling, never ceased to be compassionate, and never ceased to pose an intimidating challenge right down until the very end...and even as an enemy, you felt for him. Even as he overwhelmed in the battle against him, pushed humanity to the brink of a defeat where they would have to place their fate in HIS hands instead of their own, you wanted to believe in him, and when he was finally...finally defeated by humanity's combined efforts, you couldn't help but want to spare him because he had given them so much...and he had lost so much...
And while Fenrisulfr and Ravenna Cernunnos provided another epic look into the complex minds and hearts of the powerful forces at play in the Hell on Earth, and Aichi and Monokuma certainly made a memorable impact at the Arcade and in the horrifying progression of the School of Despair respectively...and even Jormungandr provided one of the year's most epic moments...or at least was on the receiving end of one...few had the complexity and the journey and the pure emotional payoff of the arc of Obelyn Cernunnos, which is why he is this year's winner of the Most Epic NPC!
[Nominees: Obelyn Cernunnos, Fenrisulfr, Aichi, Monokuma, Ravenna Cernunnos, Jormungandr]
There was something right from the moment he first appeared that was enticing, engaging...from his intimidating and alluring look to his striking iconography of Red Vipers and Crimson Glaives...to the way he spoke with such passion and anger and vengeance dripping from his every, accented word...that when the world finally descended into Hell and the end seemed ready to creep upon all, it was easy to buy into the idea that Obelyn Cernunnos had spared those who emerged into this new, horrifying reality, and would play a key role in sorting out the darkness into some kind of new tomorrow.
But it is the depth of character that truly allowed Obelyn to shine this year, from his absolute belief that humanity was the key that would overturn the battle of the gods between Lucifer and Loki, to his stalwart friendships and intimate moments with Soji Seta, Kisa, and so many other survivors in the Hell on Earth who needed his encouragement and awakening from time-to-time, right down to his inability to completely sacrifice his revenge against those who had wronged him which made him the ultimate boss of the Hell on Earth event. He never ceased to be compelling, never ceased to be compassionate, and never ceased to pose an intimidating challenge right down until the very end...and even as an enemy, you felt for him. Even as he overwhelmed in the battle against him, pushed humanity to the brink of a defeat where they would have to place their fate in HIS hands instead of their own, you wanted to believe in him, and when he was finally...finally defeated by humanity's combined efforts, you couldn't help but want to spare him because he had given them so much...and he had lost so much...
And while Fenrisulfr and Ravenna Cernunnos provided another epic look into the complex minds and hearts of the powerful forces at play in the Hell on Earth, and Aichi and Monokuma certainly made a memorable impact at the Arcade and in the horrifying progression of the School of Despair respectively...and even Jormungandr provided one of the year's most epic moments...or at least was on the receiving end of one...few had the complexity and the journey and the pure emotional payoff of the arc of Obelyn Cernunnos, which is why he is this year's winner of the Most Epic NPC!
[Nominees: Obelyn Cernunnos, Fenrisulfr, Aichi, Monokuma, Ravenna Cernunnos, Jormungandr]
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Most Epic PC - Raidou "Kai" Kuzunoha
Epic, in this RP, often comes down to a comparison of great moments throughout the year. And this year's nominees for the Most Epic PC are easily in possession of some of the greatest collection of Epic Moments of any crew of nominees over the history of these awards! Each nominee put on display a combination of moxie, disregard for personal safety, and outright courage that made it impossible not to stand up and cheer when they made their great stand! And some of those moments are...
Aka Yuuki's dramatic victory over the Trumpeter, finally silencing the Dooting Skeleton and sending out a collective cheer throughout the world at the blessed silence! Youmu Konpaku's manyfold contributions to the Hell on Earth, her co-kill against the General of Loki's Armies, Fenrisulfr, and even her heartbreaking murder in the School of Despair in order to protect the students around her. Sora Asakura's surprise interjection in Aichi's attack on Rednal to give Noelle, Rednal, and Aselia time to escape from the battle, revealing the hero inside of someone who had appeared to be somewhat of a mysterious figure before...even at the risk of utter ruin to himself. Minori Koroko's desperate duel against the Wolf of Ragnarok alongside the people she loved. And Nix Gallen's thrilling dive from the Tokyo Tower to strike truth and reality into the heart of the World Serpent and make him see reason through his millennia of disillusion and servitude.
But in terms of pure scale and awe-inspiring fantastical wonder, can anything match the way that one of Japan's 4 Great Protectors, Raidou "Kai" Kuzunoha...accompanied by Soji Seta and Admiral Troll...rode into the battle against Beelzebub ON THE BATTLESHIP SOULLESS GOD AND THREW BEELZEBUB INTO THE FREAKING MOON?! I mean...CAN YOU EVEN PICTURE SOMETHING SO INSANE?! ... *coughs* But yes, when the smoke cleared upon our lunar satellite and the General of Hell was no more, it was clear that something truly epic and remarkable had happened...and that this year's award for Most Epic Player Character was damn near locked up in the process. Congratulations to all the nominees, and to our winner!
[Nominees: Aka Yuuki, Youmu Konpaku, Sora Asakura, Raidou "Kai" Kuzunoha, Minori Koroko, Nix Gallen]
Epic, in this RP, often comes down to a comparison of great moments throughout the year. And this year's nominees for the Most Epic PC are easily in possession of some of the greatest collection of Epic Moments of any crew of nominees over the history of these awards! Each nominee put on display a combination of moxie, disregard for personal safety, and outright courage that made it impossible not to stand up and cheer when they made their great stand! And some of those moments are...
Aka Yuuki's dramatic victory over the Trumpeter, finally silencing the Dooting Skeleton and sending out a collective cheer throughout the world at the blessed silence! Youmu Konpaku's manyfold contributions to the Hell on Earth, her co-kill against the General of Loki's Armies, Fenrisulfr, and even her heartbreaking murder in the School of Despair in order to protect the students around her. Sora Asakura's surprise interjection in Aichi's attack on Rednal to give Noelle, Rednal, and Aselia time to escape from the battle, revealing the hero inside of someone who had appeared to be somewhat of a mysterious figure before...even at the risk of utter ruin to himself. Minori Koroko's desperate duel against the Wolf of Ragnarok alongside the people she loved. And Nix Gallen's thrilling dive from the Tokyo Tower to strike truth and reality into the heart of the World Serpent and make him see reason through his millennia of disillusion and servitude.
But in terms of pure scale and awe-inspiring fantastical wonder, can anything match the way that one of Japan's 4 Great Protectors, Raidou "Kai" Kuzunoha...accompanied by Soji Seta and Admiral Troll...rode into the battle against Beelzebub ON THE BATTLESHIP SOULLESS GOD AND THREW BEELZEBUB INTO THE FREAKING MOON?! I mean...CAN YOU EVEN PICTURE SOMETHING SO INSANE?! ... *coughs* But yes, when the smoke cleared upon our lunar satellite and the General of Hell was no more, it was clear that something truly epic and remarkable had happened...and that this year's award for Most Epic Player Character was damn near locked up in the process. Congratulations to all the nominees, and to our winner!
[Nominees: Aka Yuuki, Youmu Konpaku, Sora Asakura, Raidou "Kai" Kuzunoha, Minori Koroko, Nix Gallen]
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Most Confusing Character - The Many Faces of Yuno
So, uh, this was a bit of an awkward year, wasn't it? Things...actually kind of made sense a lot, and reactions tended to be the sorts of things that made us think, "Huh...yeah." more often than, "WTF?! O.o" But even in a thin year for confusing motivations and results during events, we were still gifted with a few real 'Dabble-Ewe-Tee-Eff Mow-Monts' that left us scratching our head and wondering exactly what it was we just saw.
From Aichi's curious motivations during his attack on Rednal and his questionable tactic of carelessly murdering dozens in order to initiate a conversation, to Rednal's even-more-curious reaction to such threats and wanton destruction of...just kind of running away with his tail between his legs and not really trying to prevent the horrifying result of Aichi's aggression at all (not to mention Rednal's descent into madness in the aborted dungeon dive and subsequent sharp turn into sanity). We saw Kansei and Bel's attitudes and actions within the School of Despair absolutely frustrate and flabbergast one another to the point that they nearly killed one another on multiple occasions.
But for sheer brain-twisting confusion there is still little match for she-of-the-3-names, the woman of three brains, and the stab-happy yandere, tsundere, and ...like, deredere, maybe? That's a lot of deres. That is Yuno/Izu...whatever/Keira. Just saying all that made my brain hurt. Peace, y'all, I'm out of this category before I get myself shanked!
[Nominees: Aichi, Bel Heartilly, The Many Faces of Yuno, Kansei Ribasu, Rednal Ak'Thias]
So, uh, this was a bit of an awkward year, wasn't it? Things...actually kind of made sense a lot, and reactions tended to be the sorts of things that made us think, "Huh...yeah." more often than, "WTF?! O.o" But even in a thin year for confusing motivations and results during events, we were still gifted with a few real 'Dabble-Ewe-Tee-Eff Mow-Monts' that left us scratching our head and wondering exactly what it was we just saw.
From Aichi's curious motivations during his attack on Rednal and his questionable tactic of carelessly murdering dozens in order to initiate a conversation, to Rednal's even-more-curious reaction to such threats and wanton destruction of...just kind of running away with his tail between his legs and not really trying to prevent the horrifying result of Aichi's aggression at all (not to mention Rednal's descent into madness in the aborted dungeon dive and subsequent sharp turn into sanity). We saw Kansei and Bel's attitudes and actions within the School of Despair absolutely frustrate and flabbergast one another to the point that they nearly killed one another on multiple occasions.
But for sheer brain-twisting confusion there is still little match for she-of-the-3-names, the woman of three brains, and the stab-happy yandere, tsundere, and ...like, deredere, maybe? That's a lot of deres. That is Yuno/Izu...whatever/Keira. Just saying all that made my brain hurt. Peace, y'all, I'm out of this category before I get myself shanked!
[Nominees: Aichi, Bel Heartilly, The Many Faces of Yuno, Kansei Ribasu, Rednal Ak'Thias]
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Biggest Airhead - Zeo Kirijo
Death, taxes, and Zeo doing the kinds of things that are going to make you question all of your life decisions. These are the constants of the universe, and there is little that you can hope to do to survive unless you let it go and ride the wave of insanity to whatever end it should take you. Zeo's grand entrances, his flamboyant personality, and his utter disregard for the world around him make him a classic airhead that is hard to beat in any given year...especially one that was almost disappointingly sane as this one.
Respect goes to Eoria's continue existence, Misara's somewhat unusual motivations, Mithos's obfuscating personality in the School of Despair, and Amora's general squicky, laser-focused attitude for giving the old cyborg badass a run for his money, but this is yet another throne fallen to the blue-haired Falcon-punching bad boy that is Zeo! Congratulations...I guess?
[Nominees: Eoria Ansul, Misara, Zeo Kirijo, Mithos, Amora]
Death, taxes, and Zeo doing the kinds of things that are going to make you question all of your life decisions. These are the constants of the universe, and there is little that you can hope to do to survive unless you let it go and ride the wave of insanity to whatever end it should take you. Zeo's grand entrances, his flamboyant personality, and his utter disregard for the world around him make him a classic airhead that is hard to beat in any given year...especially one that was almost disappointingly sane as this one.
Respect goes to Eoria's continue existence, Misara's somewhat unusual motivations, Mithos's obfuscating personality in the School of Despair, and Amora's general squicky, laser-focused attitude for giving the old cyborg badass a run for his money, but this is yet another throne fallen to the blue-haired Falcon-punching bad boy that is Zeo! Congratulations...I guess?
[Nominees: Eoria Ansul, Misara, Zeo Kirijo, Mithos, Amora]
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Most Unlikely Badass - Fina Res-Taihaku and Aka Yuuki
The term 'Most Unlikely Badass' generally refers to someone who does not look like the badass they are, someone who comes from such a background or power base that it is difficult to imagine they could be as powerful as they are, or someone who has, through sheer force of will, risen beyond the maximum power or station or inner strength that you might have ever imagined they could achieve.
This year saw nominees who ticked off all of the boxes above and then some, and an unusually-tied duo whose achievements and pure 'WTF, that thing is THAT tough?!' value that made it impossible to separate them for the purposes of this award! Leading the pack this year are our winners, Fina Res-Taihaku...a tiny titan of terror who has ascended form a wannabe to an out-and-out BAWS whose outwardly cute (albeit freaky) look belies the downright HORROR SHOW of a Final BAWS that she has become (And this isn't even her final form!)...and of course, the ascendant heroine of the Hell on Earth, Aka Yuuki...a badass normal (who may soon ascend into her own Persona) who put together a run of fortune and skill that somehow allowed her to overcome a Fiend (Trumpeter) that had bedeviled far stronger fighters than her for the entire first day! Between unlikely-looking strength and unlikely-incredible achievements, the two were so equally deserving of this award...that they both get the nod!
But that is not to undercut the other nominees...Youmu's cute smile belying the stout-hearted samurai within, Kansei's unassuming frame hiding the ferocious fighter inside, Evie's innocent smile lulling enemies into overlooking her Kuzunoha Village pedigree, and even the wounded Setsuna Kikuno's surprising strength when roused by Bel's treachery...all of them were worthy nominees in any year. But in a year like this, it turns out the smallest (and most unlikely) really does stand tall.
[Nominees: Fina Res-Taihaku, Youmu Konpaku, Kansei Ribasu, (wounded) Setsuna Kikuno, Evie Nekata, Aka Yuuki]
The term 'Most Unlikely Badass' generally refers to someone who does not look like the badass they are, someone who comes from such a background or power base that it is difficult to imagine they could be as powerful as they are, or someone who has, through sheer force of will, risen beyond the maximum power or station or inner strength that you might have ever imagined they could achieve.
This year saw nominees who ticked off all of the boxes above and then some, and an unusually-tied duo whose achievements and pure 'WTF, that thing is THAT tough?!' value that made it impossible to separate them for the purposes of this award! Leading the pack this year are our winners, Fina Res-Taihaku...a tiny titan of terror who has ascended form a wannabe to an out-and-out BAWS whose outwardly cute (albeit freaky) look belies the downright HORROR SHOW of a Final BAWS that she has become (And this isn't even her final form!)...and of course, the ascendant heroine of the Hell on Earth, Aka Yuuki...a badass normal (who may soon ascend into her own Persona) who put together a run of fortune and skill that somehow allowed her to overcome a Fiend (Trumpeter) that had bedeviled far stronger fighters than her for the entire first day! Between unlikely-looking strength and unlikely-incredible achievements, the two were so equally deserving of this award...that they both get the nod!
But that is not to undercut the other nominees...Youmu's cute smile belying the stout-hearted samurai within, Kansei's unassuming frame hiding the ferocious fighter inside, Evie's innocent smile lulling enemies into overlooking her Kuzunoha Village pedigree, and even the wounded Setsuna Kikuno's surprising strength when roused by Bel's treachery...all of them were worthy nominees in any year. But in a year like this, it turns out the smallest (and most unlikely) really does stand tall.
[Nominees: Fina Res-Taihaku, Youmu Konpaku, Kansei Ribasu, (wounded) Setsuna Kikuno, Evie Nekata, Aka Yuuki]
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Most Likely to be stabbed by Yuno - Faustus Necromonium
In a year with no dearth of potential stabbing victims...from the daughter she doesn't want to claim to the cultist and self-proclaimed 'deity' infringing on her territory, to the always-likely grope-induced stabbing you might imagine Zeo could elicit...it remains Faust, dogged and ever-failing suitor to Yuno's hand who is most likely to catch a blade between the ribs for his unwelcome advances.
Though at the current rate it's going, he's just as likely to be stabbed by Rednal for the same offense as Yuno...better keep an eye out, Fausty!
[Nominees: Faustus Necromonium, Kyori, Korina, Amora, Zeo Kirijo]
In a year with no dearth of potential stabbing victims...from the daughter she doesn't want to claim to the cultist and self-proclaimed 'deity' infringing on her territory, to the always-likely grope-induced stabbing you might imagine Zeo could elicit...it remains Faust, dogged and ever-failing suitor to Yuno's hand who is most likely to catch a blade between the ribs for his unwelcome advances.
Though at the current rate it's going, he's just as likely to be stabbed by Rednal for the same offense as Yuno...better keep an eye out, Fausty!
[Nominees: Faustus Necromonium, Kyori, Korina, Amora, Zeo Kirijo]
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Least Trustworthy Character - Bel Heartilly
A near-unanimous winner to the point that it's almost unnecessary to acknowledge or talk about anyone else...but we will, just a little, for posterity's sake. Naniyori is Naniyori, so you can never trust him...and Arimina prides herself on being a bloodthirsty killer beneath her flippant smile and cute face...Monokuma is a master of lies and deception who left quite a trail this year in the School of Despair, and Lewis Keys' deceptions in the Hell on Earth might have rang a little more false than usual this year with the world gone to Hell.
But really, this award is all about Bel Heartilly this year...who turned in a performance of deception for the ages in the School of Despair...making you doubt him and twisting words, actions, deeds, all so many times that you often found yourself almost trusting him because you were so sure he was lying to you that you could be sure that the opposite was true...and maybe that was his intention all along? But in the end, it turned out that everyone was dancing to the tune of Bel's harp in the SoD, reacting to his provocations and being lured here and there into machinations that lead to death after death...and his successes, his cold-hearted pleasure in each deception, made it all the more obvious that Bel, whatever he says, was out to look after only one person from start-to-finish...himself.
And that you ever doubted otherwise is why he is the runaway winner in this year's Least Trustworthy Character voting! Congratulations, you rotten b*****d!
[Nominees: Bel Heartilly, Naniyori, Arimina, Monokuma, Lewis Keys]
A near-unanimous winner to the point that it's almost unnecessary to acknowledge or talk about anyone else...but we will, just a little, for posterity's sake. Naniyori is Naniyori, so you can never trust him...and Arimina prides herself on being a bloodthirsty killer beneath her flippant smile and cute face...Monokuma is a master of lies and deception who left quite a trail this year in the School of Despair, and Lewis Keys' deceptions in the Hell on Earth might have rang a little more false than usual this year with the world gone to Hell.
But really, this award is all about Bel Heartilly this year...who turned in a performance of deception for the ages in the School of Despair...making you doubt him and twisting words, actions, deeds, all so many times that you often found yourself almost trusting him because you were so sure he was lying to you that you could be sure that the opposite was true...and maybe that was his intention all along? But in the end, it turned out that everyone was dancing to the tune of Bel's harp in the SoD, reacting to his provocations and being lured here and there into machinations that lead to death after death...and his successes, his cold-hearted pleasure in each deception, made it all the more obvious that Bel, whatever he says, was out to look after only one person from start-to-finish...himself.
And that you ever doubted otherwise is why he is the runaway winner in this year's Least Trustworthy Character voting! Congratulations, you rotten b*****d!
[Nominees: Bel Heartilly, Naniyori, Arimina, Monokuma, Lewis Keys]
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Most Badass Normal - Aka Yuuki
Entering into a Hell on Earth without any powers at all, finding a way to move forward in spite of the chaos surrounding you, and surviving more than an hour would be enough to merit consideration for this award...much in the way that Leeyreak Oum did during his time in the Hell on Earth, or the way that Elena Wakahisa in the Bad Future found her courage to escape the Lin Kuei with her son Set after learning of his torture in order to find a new life for the two of them outside of the influence of the Syndicates, braving the Corruption en route to the Resistance. It would be easy to ignore it all and deny your inclusion in the world of the supernatural, and you might even survive and thrive, to a degree, the way that Mikoto Hageshii did...which might merit consideration as well. You might also simply allow yourself to go with the flow, to crack, and have fun in the chaos the way that Shun Fujomaki did, and that would get you a look as well.
But when you destroy a Fiend and you thrive, thrive in a world in which every last thing is bent on destroying you and eradicating you from the Earth...all of that with no inborn powers, no idea what's going on, no clue how to survive or escape the nightmare you were trapped within...? That, my friend, is the very definition of badass...Normal or no. And that was the year that Aka Yuuki had.
Well done!
[Nominees: Aka Yuuki, Leeyreak Oum, (Future) Elena Wakahisa, Mikoto Hageshii, Shun Fujomaki]
Entering into a Hell on Earth without any powers at all, finding a way to move forward in spite of the chaos surrounding you, and surviving more than an hour would be enough to merit consideration for this award...much in the way that Leeyreak Oum did during his time in the Hell on Earth, or the way that Elena Wakahisa in the Bad Future found her courage to escape the Lin Kuei with her son Set after learning of his torture in order to find a new life for the two of them outside of the influence of the Syndicates, braving the Corruption en route to the Resistance. It would be easy to ignore it all and deny your inclusion in the world of the supernatural, and you might even survive and thrive, to a degree, the way that Mikoto Hageshii did...which might merit consideration as well. You might also simply allow yourself to go with the flow, to crack, and have fun in the chaos the way that Shun Fujomaki did, and that would get you a look as well.
But when you destroy a Fiend and you thrive, thrive in a world in which every last thing is bent on destroying you and eradicating you from the Earth...all of that with no inborn powers, no idea what's going on, no clue how to survive or escape the nightmare you were trapped within...? That, my friend, is the very definition of badass...Normal or no. And that was the year that Aka Yuuki had.
Well done!
[Nominees: Aka Yuuki, Leeyreak Oum, (Future) Elena Wakahisa, Mikoto Hageshii, Shun Fujomaki]
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Character That Took the Biggest Level in Badass - Nekura Myonmou
I'm sorry, did YOU jump off of Tokyo Tower with NO BUNGEE CORD and STAB A GIANT SNAKE IN THE FACE WITH A SPEAR this year, Winnerman?! How exactly do you think you won this award?!
Well, first, let me acknowledge Kisa's achievement in finally growing into her role as a Demi-Fiend and claiming all of her Candelabras (save the one she chose not to take) and Set's ascent from an outsider and a loner into a true leader and a hero in the School of Despair...and a tip of the ole' hat to our last category's winner for their impressive role in the Hell on Earth.
But really, this was a battle between the girl who JUMPED OFF AN EFFING TOWER TO STAB A GIANT SNAKE IN THE FACE...and Nekura Myonmou, our winner. Let's just break it down like this...yes, Nix had the moment which really sealed her ascent into the role of a full-on badass. And yes, it was really freaking cool. But in the end, we all must admit, that Nix was already a badass...and what Nekura endured and obtained this year was a variety of items, encounters, and growth-opportunities that raised him from run-of-the-mill normie to an out-and-out death machine.
Just...imagine you're a normal guy back in January...minding your own business, eating a beef bowl at Aiya's...suddenly, you're in the alley, some bad stuff is going down! Before you know it, you're spitting up a FUME OF FREAKIN' DEATH and your body is scarring and changing before your eyes! ...Then you get thrown into a School of Despair and a whooole lot of death happens that you're right in the middle of, and whoa, on the side there's a whole HELL ON EARTH APOCALYPSE going on in which you casually seduce a General of Loki and knife her for her trouble...while daily destroying demons and gaining more and more power.
So yeah, it was a pretty full year for ole' Nekura, and there was a lot of growth happening, yeah? You can't deny it. I can't deny it. The proof is in the...well, you know. And that's why on the WHOLE...the edge has to go to Nekura for the biggest Level in Badass gained. Because Nix was already a badass and C'MON, I KNOW...it was TOKYO EFFIN' TOWER, give me a break here!
[Nominees: Aka Yuuki, Nekura Myonmou, Kisa, Nix Gallen, Setsuna Kikuno]
I'm sorry, did YOU jump off of Tokyo Tower with NO BUNGEE CORD and STAB A GIANT SNAKE IN THE FACE WITH A SPEAR this year, Winnerman?! How exactly do you think you won this award?!
Well, first, let me acknowledge Kisa's achievement in finally growing into her role as a Demi-Fiend and claiming all of her Candelabras (save the one she chose not to take) and Set's ascent from an outsider and a loner into a true leader and a hero in the School of Despair...and a tip of the ole' hat to our last category's winner for their impressive role in the Hell on Earth.
But really, this was a battle between the girl who JUMPED OFF AN EFFING TOWER TO STAB A GIANT SNAKE IN THE FACE...and Nekura Myonmou, our winner. Let's just break it down like this...yes, Nix had the moment which really sealed her ascent into the role of a full-on badass. And yes, it was really freaking cool. But in the end, we all must admit, that Nix was already a badass...and what Nekura endured and obtained this year was a variety of items, encounters, and growth-opportunities that raised him from run-of-the-mill normie to an out-and-out death machine.
Just...imagine you're a normal guy back in January...minding your own business, eating a beef bowl at Aiya's...suddenly, you're in the alley, some bad stuff is going down! Before you know it, you're spitting up a FUME OF FREAKIN' DEATH and your body is scarring and changing before your eyes! ...Then you get thrown into a School of Despair and a whooole lot of death happens that you're right in the middle of, and whoa, on the side there's a whole HELL ON EARTH APOCALYPSE going on in which you casually seduce a General of Loki and knife her for her trouble...while daily destroying demons and gaining more and more power.
So yeah, it was a pretty full year for ole' Nekura, and there was a lot of growth happening, yeah? You can't deny it. I can't deny it. The proof is in the...well, you know. And that's why on the WHOLE...the edge has to go to Nekura for the biggest Level in Badass gained. Because Nix was already a badass and C'MON, I KNOW...it was TOKYO EFFIN' TOWER, give me a break here!
[Nominees: Aka Yuuki, Nekura Myonmou, Kisa, Nix Gallen, Setsuna Kikuno]
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The Kamina "Manliest Man' Award - Zeo Kirijo
Right, so...let's talk about some of the people who weren't nominated for this award to gain a little perspective on how Manly the nominees this year really were: multiple-time winner of the Manliest Man Award, Kanji Tatsumi...School of Despair standout Setsuna Kikuno who stood by his guns in the face of his own personal destruction...Bel, seducer of succubi...Rednal, keeper of the world's least-desirable harem...and that's just the ones who weren't nominated!
Those who were nominated include Nekura, whose growth into a strong man has been outlined in the post above, and Shohei Hihi who stood as the bulwark of man several times in the School of Despair when strength was necessary for their protection. Soji Seta, the Guild's perennial source of manliness and personal strength, and of course, Tharros Gallen...who stood between a horde of devils and the Belberith Battle Party and told them in the words of a great wizard, 'You shall not pass!'
But nobody puts more nominations in over his own manliness than Zeo Kirijo, and to be honest, he's kind of a rock solid dude in that regard. He's stacked, he's metal, he stands up for the ladies and keeps his distance from the dudes but is also a total wingman in his own mind...nobody is quite the bro that Zeo Kirijo is...for better or worse! And that's why one has to acknowledge when he stands up for good, for his friends, he's a bastion of manliness! ...Maybe. Probably. Do cyborgs count as 'men'? Wait, no, of course they do! I'm not redoing this award now, damn it!
[Nominees: Zeo Kirijo, Nekura Myonmou, Shouei Hihi, Soji Seta, Tharros Gallen]
Right, so...let's talk about some of the people who weren't nominated for this award to gain a little perspective on how Manly the nominees this year really were: multiple-time winner of the Manliest Man Award, Kanji Tatsumi...School of Despair standout Setsuna Kikuno who stood by his guns in the face of his own personal destruction...Bel, seducer of succubi...Rednal, keeper of the world's least-desirable harem...and that's just the ones who weren't nominated!
Those who were nominated include Nekura, whose growth into a strong man has been outlined in the post above, and Shohei Hihi who stood as the bulwark of man several times in the School of Despair when strength was necessary for their protection. Soji Seta, the Guild's perennial source of manliness and personal strength, and of course, Tharros Gallen...who stood between a horde of devils and the Belberith Battle Party and told them in the words of a great wizard, 'You shall not pass!'
But nobody puts more nominations in over his own manliness than Zeo Kirijo, and to be honest, he's kind of a rock solid dude in that regard. He's stacked, he's metal, he stands up for the ladies and keeps his distance from the dudes but is also a total wingman in his own mind...nobody is quite the bro that Zeo Kirijo is...for better or worse! And that's why one has to acknowledge when he stands up for good, for his friends, he's a bastion of manliness! ...Maybe. Probably. Do cyborgs count as 'men'? Wait, no, of course they do! I'm not redoing this award now, damn it!
[Nominees: Zeo Kirijo, Nekura Myonmou, Shouei Hihi, Soji Seta, Tharros Gallen]
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Most Courageous Character - Setsuna Kikuno
Courage comes in many forms. It can be taking a leap of faith in order to bring somebody that you've come to care about to their senses in spite of the danger that the fall might pose, and it can be facing the music when you know you've done wrong, whether you intended to do it in the first place or not. It can be acting as the guardian or the warrior who defends the weak and the innocent, regardless of sex, appearance, size, etc. And it can be simply standing up to the world when it serves you a mountain of pain and refusing to be crushed under the weight of all the anguish they wish to give you.
But for my money, and for this year, I wish to acknowledge the courage that it takes to stand up for the contents of your heart and the very core of your character...even when such an effort is certain to lead to your utter destruction. In a world, in a place, where refusing to kill and refusing to give in to the lesser nature that has been drilled into you over and over by those who wished to use you...instead, choosing to stand up for what is good and just, refusing to be a pawn of any syndicate or murderous manipulator bear, even when there are attempts and threats on your life being made from all sides...that is the type of courage that few can live up to.
When Monokuma demanded that the students kill one another in order to survive, Setsuna Kikuno stood up and said 'no'. When Arimina tried to kill him and he was justified in taking her life in self-defense, Setsuna Kikuno chose to spare her, knowing she would likely escape and try again. When Bel threatened and manipulated the island to try and turn them against him, when the easy way out would have been to kill him and cover it up or simply to lie about who he was and what sort of past he had come from...Setsuna Kikuno stood up and told the truth, he owned his past in a way he couldn't before. They say that hard times mold a man, for better or worse, into the man that he will be. And if that is true, then in the crucible of fire, Setsuna Kikuno emerged as pure, unbreakable steel...the very best of him on display...a courageous choice, especially when the choice only invited a greater, personal peril. But that is what it means to be brave...is it not?
[Nominees: Nix Gallen, Setsuna Kikuno, Minori Koroko, Lael Sonoda, Youmu Konpaku]
Courage comes in many forms. It can be taking a leap of faith in order to bring somebody that you've come to care about to their senses in spite of the danger that the fall might pose, and it can be facing the music when you know you've done wrong, whether you intended to do it in the first place or not. It can be acting as the guardian or the warrior who defends the weak and the innocent, regardless of sex, appearance, size, etc. And it can be simply standing up to the world when it serves you a mountain of pain and refusing to be crushed under the weight of all the anguish they wish to give you.
But for my money, and for this year, I wish to acknowledge the courage that it takes to stand up for the contents of your heart and the very core of your character...even when such an effort is certain to lead to your utter destruction. In a world, in a place, where refusing to kill and refusing to give in to the lesser nature that has been drilled into you over and over by those who wished to use you...instead, choosing to stand up for what is good and just, refusing to be a pawn of any syndicate or murderous manipulator bear, even when there are attempts and threats on your life being made from all sides...that is the type of courage that few can live up to.
When Monokuma demanded that the students kill one another in order to survive, Setsuna Kikuno stood up and said 'no'. When Arimina tried to kill him and he was justified in taking her life in self-defense, Setsuna Kikuno chose to spare her, knowing she would likely escape and try again. When Bel threatened and manipulated the island to try and turn them against him, when the easy way out would have been to kill him and cover it up or simply to lie about who he was and what sort of past he had come from...Setsuna Kikuno stood up and told the truth, he owned his past in a way he couldn't before. They say that hard times mold a man, for better or worse, into the man that he will be. And if that is true, then in the crucible of fire, Setsuna Kikuno emerged as pure, unbreakable steel...the very best of him on display...a courageous choice, especially when the choice only invited a greater, personal peril. But that is what it means to be brave...is it not?
[Nominees: Nix Gallen, Setsuna Kikuno, Minori Koroko, Lael Sonoda, Youmu Konpaku]
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Magical Girl Miku Girliest Girl - Kyouko Nekata
Fluffy tails, crossdressing jokes, and seductive eyes aside, the qualities of a 'girly girl' include a softness of character and an embracing of one's own gender not out of any pressure to do so or any desire to project a certain image of oneself...it's simply a reflection of who they are, a celebration of women and their nature as a whole. And few reflected such joy in celebration of who they are this year more than Minori Koroko, Nix Gallen, and Kyouko Nekata.
Kyouko is a wonderful example of how 'Girly' is the furthest thing away from 'Weak'. How her cuteness can be disarming as her smile can be lethal, and how despite her cute clothes, her charming voice, and her soft skin, she can be far more intimidating and powerful than even her brothers when she wishes to be...a deadly and beautiful combination that embraces and subverts the expectations of what it means to be 'Girly'.
And the same could be said of Nix Gallen and Minori Koroko for years prior to this, of course, but in recognition and celebration of the term...of the subversion of expectation and brilliant combination of everything that it can and should mean, few embody that better than Kou and Kyou's adorable and frightening little sister...this year's 'Girliest Girl', Kyouko Nekata!
[Nominees: Minori Koroko, Roux, Nix Gallen, Suzie the Succubus, Kyori, Kyouko Nekata]
Fluffy tails, crossdressing jokes, and seductive eyes aside, the qualities of a 'girly girl' include a softness of character and an embracing of one's own gender not out of any pressure to do so or any desire to project a certain image of oneself...it's simply a reflection of who they are, a celebration of women and their nature as a whole. And few reflected such joy in celebration of who they are this year more than Minori Koroko, Nix Gallen, and Kyouko Nekata.
Kyouko is a wonderful example of how 'Girly' is the furthest thing away from 'Weak'. How her cuteness can be disarming as her smile can be lethal, and how despite her cute clothes, her charming voice, and her soft skin, she can be far more intimidating and powerful than even her brothers when she wishes to be...a deadly and beautiful combination that embraces and subverts the expectations of what it means to be 'Girly'.
And the same could be said of Nix Gallen and Minori Koroko for years prior to this, of course, but in recognition and celebration of the term...of the subversion of expectation and brilliant combination of everything that it can and should mean, few embody that better than Kou and Kyou's adorable and frightening little sister...this year's 'Girliest Girl', Kyouko Nekata!
[Nominees: Minori Koroko, Roux, Nix Gallen, Suzie the Succubus, Kyori, Kyouko Nekata]
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Best Main Storyline Villain - Monokuma
What a villain is can sometimes be debated...is Obelyn Cernunnos a villain because he stood against humanity in a final struggle, despite the heroic protection and wisdom he offered them right until the moment that his spear crossed their blades? And what makes a villain truly evil can often be debated as well...is Shadow Soji the greatest evil simply because he was born from the darkness in a hero's spirit and grown into the Guild's most intimidating force? Is Zazi the most evil because of the pure chaos in his year? Is Aichi the most evil due to the highest body count racked up so far this year?
This year, however, few combined the outright clarity in twisted motivation with the successful despair-inducing destruction and death a villain often seeks better than the two-toned, tiny bear of despair himself, Monokuma! Hidden often behind the screens of a television, Monokuma manipulated the actions and motivations of the Students on the Island of Despair in order to amuse himself and achieve some nefarious end...through the death, despair, and destruction of all that the children held dear. It was a wicked game, perpetuated by a wicked entity, and as the big bad of one of two MAJOR storylines of the year, and the only one of the two with clearly-villainous motivations, he managed to stand out from the crowded field as a true totem of fear and loathing in 2016!
[Nominees: Aichi, Shadow Soji, Monokuma, Zazi Pazzia, Obelyn Cernunnos]
What a villain is can sometimes be debated...is Obelyn Cernunnos a villain because he stood against humanity in a final struggle, despite the heroic protection and wisdom he offered them right until the moment that his spear crossed their blades? And what makes a villain truly evil can often be debated as well...is Shadow Soji the greatest evil simply because he was born from the darkness in a hero's spirit and grown into the Guild's most intimidating force? Is Zazi the most evil because of the pure chaos in his year? Is Aichi the most evil due to the highest body count racked up so far this year?
This year, however, few combined the outright clarity in twisted motivation with the successful despair-inducing destruction and death a villain often seeks better than the two-toned, tiny bear of despair himself, Monokuma! Hidden often behind the screens of a television, Monokuma manipulated the actions and motivations of the Students on the Island of Despair in order to amuse himself and achieve some nefarious end...through the death, despair, and destruction of all that the children held dear. It was a wicked game, perpetuated by a wicked entity, and as the big bad of one of two MAJOR storylines of the year, and the only one of the two with clearly-villainous motivations, he managed to stand out from the crowded field as a true totem of fear and loathing in 2016!
[Nominees: Aichi, Shadow Soji, Monokuma, Zazi Pazzia, Obelyn Cernunnos]
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Most Innocent Character - Iofiel
It's hard not to recognize the steadfast innocence and belief that Evie Nekata has in the people around her, including the clearly-troubled but ultimately good Lael Sonoda, whose innocence shines as well in the moments when he is not plagued by his harrowing demon...and Youmu is a true reflection of goodness and innocence, from her virtuous nature to her slowly-developing and utterly whimsical romance with Nekura Myonmou that can melt even the most icy of hearts. And Nix has proven with her belief in a devil who had been quite cynically evil for thousands of years, one with issues, and the proof of that innocence in the way that she somehow actually softened him up a bit and made herself immune to the World Serpent's venom, she is a contender for this award to be reckoned with.
...But anybody innocent enough to believe there's even an ounce of good, trustworthy soul inside of Bel Heartilly is just too much innocence to be contained within a single body...and FAR too much not to be recognized here. Iofiel, you might need to get a clue about the true ways of the world...but in the meantime, have an award for your utterly hopeless and endearing spirit! Congratulations!
[Nominees: Iofiel, Evie Nekata, Lael Sonoda, Youmu Konpaku, Nix Gallen]
It's hard not to recognize the steadfast innocence and belief that Evie Nekata has in the people around her, including the clearly-troubled but ultimately good Lael Sonoda, whose innocence shines as well in the moments when he is not plagued by his harrowing demon...and Youmu is a true reflection of goodness and innocence, from her virtuous nature to her slowly-developing and utterly whimsical romance with Nekura Myonmou that can melt even the most icy of hearts. And Nix has proven with her belief in a devil who had been quite cynically evil for thousands of years, one with issues, and the proof of that innocence in the way that she somehow actually softened him up a bit and made herself immune to the World Serpent's venom, she is a contender for this award to be reckoned with.
...But anybody innocent enough to believe there's even an ounce of good, trustworthy soul inside of Bel Heartilly is just too much innocence to be contained within a single body...and FAR too much not to be recognized here. Iofiel, you might need to get a clue about the true ways of the world...but in the meantime, have an award for your utterly hopeless and endearing spirit! Congratulations!
[Nominees: Iofiel, Evie Nekata, Lael Sonoda, Youmu Konpaku, Nix Gallen]
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Most Beautiful Female Character - Aselia Bluespirit
What a plethora of beauty that this guild has gathered! Over nearly eight years now, the number of lovely female characters has become almost astronomical, and it shows in the nomination and voting this year...as past nominees fall by the wayside, some stalwarts manage to stay on the ballot with a single vote, and yet always there seems to be someone new who really shines with moments of in-character charm and beauty, reminding us why some of us fell in love with their characters and beauty in the first place!
Kyouko made an impact this year with her deadly, beautiful charm and ethereal look, and Minori has always had an elegant, youthful charm that endears her to those who follow her story. Matsuri Lampard brings a true mature beauty to the Guild that is so often a place of youthful cuteness, and Nix's evolving beauty reminds us of the charm and beauty that can only be cultivated over time together with others.
But the moments that stood out this year and really reminded us the most of the beauty of a character who had often been forgotten or faded into the background due to her lack of a verbose vocabulary is Aselia Bluespirit, whose mere presence has such a profoundly good influence on Rednal, whose beauty brings out the very best in his caring nature, that it's impossible not to recognize the purity of look and spirit that has made her such a linchpin to the lingering sanity that has managed to carry him this far through all the insanity.
And this year, that's enough to edge out an impossibly deep field and earn her a nomination as this year's Most Beautiful Female Character...at least, in the eyes of the Redster, that is...
[Nominees: Aselia Bluespirit, Kyouko Nekata, Minori Koroko, Matsuri Lampard, Nix Gallen]
What a plethora of beauty that this guild has gathered! Over nearly eight years now, the number of lovely female characters has become almost astronomical, and it shows in the nomination and voting this year...as past nominees fall by the wayside, some stalwarts manage to stay on the ballot with a single vote, and yet always there seems to be someone new who really shines with moments of in-character charm and beauty, reminding us why some of us fell in love with their characters and beauty in the first place!
Kyouko made an impact this year with her deadly, beautiful charm and ethereal look, and Minori has always had an elegant, youthful charm that endears her to those who follow her story. Matsuri Lampard brings a true mature beauty to the Guild that is so often a place of youthful cuteness, and Nix's evolving beauty reminds us of the charm and beauty that can only be cultivated over time together with others.
But the moments that stood out this year and really reminded us the most of the beauty of a character who had often been forgotten or faded into the background due to her lack of a verbose vocabulary is Aselia Bluespirit, whose mere presence has such a profoundly good influence on Rednal, whose beauty brings out the very best in his caring nature, that it's impossible not to recognize the purity of look and spirit that has made her such a linchpin to the lingering sanity that has managed to carry him this far through all the insanity.
And this year, that's enough to edge out an impossibly deep field and earn her a nomination as this year's Most Beautiful Female Character...at least, in the eyes of the Redster, that is...
[Nominees: Aselia Bluespirit, Kyouko Nekata, Minori Koroko, Matsuri Lampard, Nix Gallen]
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Sexiest Male Character - Obelyn Cernunnos
It's almost unfair to nominate both the shadow form and human form of a single person, but that's the type of character that Soji Seta projects into the Guild. His sexiness is innate both in his attitude, his charm, his caring nature, and in his occasionally-awkward moments as well. And similarly, there is a maturity and grace to Amagai Genji that lures those who get close to him in to get a little bit closer, but there is a bit of innocence within him that keeps him from nabbing this year's top spot. Bel Heartilly is a devil who thrives on his own sexiness earning him points with the devils, the women, and the people around him...and more often than not, no matter how disingenuous and untrustworthy a person he might be, it's just so damn hard to say 'no' to that pretty face!
So who has the ability to outshine all of that? Bel's charm and changing, manly features? Genji's grace and youthful vigor? Soji and Shadow Soji's charismatic sexiness?
That would be a man who oozes sensuality and masculine, adult charm. A man whose sexuality is not only open but implicit in the way that he speaks, the way that he looks, the way that he embraces the possibilities of life and love openly and without shame or hesitation. The moment we met Obelyn Cernunnos so long ago, he was entangled in a heated affair with Ravenna, and ever since then, the open-shirted Viper had radiated a sense of danger, possibility, and his voice was practically bursting with the sort of passion that can entrance a person. He is a perfect combination of charm, sensuality, and raw animal magnetism that draws the eye and allures you.
Obelyn Cernunnos is sex. And that is why he IS...the 2016 Sexist Man! Congratulations...and shine on, you crazy Viper!
[Nominees: Shadow Soji, Obelyn Cernunnos, Soji Seta, Bel Heartilly, Amagai Genji]
It's almost unfair to nominate both the shadow form and human form of a single person, but that's the type of character that Soji Seta projects into the Guild. His sexiness is innate both in his attitude, his charm, his caring nature, and in his occasionally-awkward moments as well. And similarly, there is a maturity and grace to Amagai Genji that lures those who get close to him in to get a little bit closer, but there is a bit of innocence within him that keeps him from nabbing this year's top spot. Bel Heartilly is a devil who thrives on his own sexiness earning him points with the devils, the women, and the people around him...and more often than not, no matter how disingenuous and untrustworthy a person he might be, it's just so damn hard to say 'no' to that pretty face!
So who has the ability to outshine all of that? Bel's charm and changing, manly features? Genji's grace and youthful vigor? Soji and Shadow Soji's charismatic sexiness?
That would be a man who oozes sensuality and masculine, adult charm. A man whose sexuality is not only open but implicit in the way that he speaks, the way that he looks, the way that he embraces the possibilities of life and love openly and without shame or hesitation. The moment we met Obelyn Cernunnos so long ago, he was entangled in a heated affair with Ravenna, and ever since then, the open-shirted Viper had radiated a sense of danger, possibility, and his voice was practically bursting with the sort of passion that can entrance a person. He is a perfect combination of charm, sensuality, and raw animal magnetism that draws the eye and allures you.
Obelyn Cernunnos is sex. And that is why he IS...the 2016 Sexist Man! Congratulations...and shine on, you crazy Viper!
[Nominees: Shadow Soji, Obelyn Cernunnos, Soji Seta, Bel Heartilly, Amagai Genji]
