I’m half dead because I’ve been literally drawing these for the whole day but oH WELL it was worth it;)
Drawing third-year first-years is always fun. Noya and Tanaka are just checking on their not-so-longer kouhais and discover some..things.
“Dubbed anime has been airing in the Middle East since the early 80s, if not the late 70s. So we all grew up with it. However I truly got into it back when I was 9 years old (1992). I used to buy a lot of anime on VHS, in fact, I did most of my shopping in London, which was my family’s no.1 destination for summer vacations back then.
(Anime/Manga in the United Arab Emirates got) Really popular, especially after the year 2000 with the introduction of high speed internet. People started downloading anime and it became very popular between college students. It’s quite unfortunate to see anime being introduced through piracy like this, but it’s only because Japan has no interest in entering the Middle East market for animation. And to this day, the Middle East remains an untapped market. I’m working really hard to change that!
So many arab shows and cartoons that have been airing on TV always portray Arabs as lazy, stupid, self-centered, unskilled, etc and that’s how the stereotype was formed. I wanted to do something different. I wanted to give kids and young adults a more positive role model a brave Arab protagonist who may be lazy and unskilled, but has a very pure heart that’s full of courage and the willpower to protect other people even if the fight doesn’t concern him.
The story will still maintain its identity as a comedic action series loaded with homage, easter eggs and parodies, and it’ll make fun of a lot of typical giant robot anime tropes, but the protagonist’s personality will develop into a more serious one as the story progresses. Even the name of the robot is a trope. A typical giant robot’s name usually ends with “er” and I wanted to do the same thing, and that’s how Torkaizer was born.” - Ahmed Al Mutawa, Creator of Torkaizer
GUYS THIS IS REALLY SERIOUS:
To all those reblogging the post about the bombing at New Years Eve in Sydney this is confirmation that it is a HOAX.
Spreading information like that is exactly what starts situations in the first place. There has been enough fear mongering and misinformation spread by the media in the last couple of days.
PLEASE SIGNAL BOOST THIS AND LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT IT IS A HOAX!!!
Favorite akafuri headcanon: akashi is totally whipped and does whatever furi wants, and furihata has NO CLUE.
#like akashi has a big practice at rakuzan planned and everyones freaking out because its going to be brutal#and then furi jusg casually mentioms he wants to see a movie on that date#and suddenly practice is cancelled and akashi has two tickets to a sappy chick flick
I’m sorry my writing hand slipped.
*****
“Aaaaaah,” Hayama whined, crossing his arms behind his head as the Rakuzan starters exited the locker room. “This weekend’s practice is gonna be brutal.”
“Don’t complain,” Akashi said flatly.
“That’s right.” Mibuchi nodded his head with a perky smile. “Sei-chan’s doing what’s best for the team, after all.”
Nebuya nodded along in silent agreement. Mayuzumi had already slipped away to head home.
“Are there doctors who replace legs?” Hayama asked rhetorically. They made their way out of the gym, stepping into late afternoon sunlight. “Because after Saturday’s practice I’m gonna need one.”
“Eh? You have practice this Saturday?”
The four Rakuzan players paused at hearing the voice. Leaning against the low wall outside the gym, Furihata Kouki was waiting.
“Kouki.” Akashi’s face never changed, but his body language shifted into something more casual, more relaxed. He came to stand in front of the Seirin player, head tilted slightly. “What are you doing here? I thought I was going to pick you up at the station.” Akashi’s face became abruptly stern. “I’m not late, am I?” He made to pull out his phone and check the time.
“No, no!” Furihata waved his hands in front of him. The light blue and white striped material at the end of his sleeves was a little loose on his wrist and threatened to slip down at the movement. “I was early, actually, and um,” he seemed nervous, his voice taking up a slight waver as he fidgeted with the blue buttons of his mostly white jacket, “I wanted to surprise you.”
From the group that had hung back while Akashi approached, Mibuchi had the sudden (and accurate) feeling that Akashi currently wished he and Furihata were very much alone.
“Is he wearing the Captain’s—?” Hayama began to whisper loudly before Mibuchi elbowed him into silence.
“I see.” Akashi was making efforts to ignore his teammates. His chest warmed with pleasant surprise.
Furihata scratched his cheek with slight embarrassment. “Yeah.” He coughed, and focused on his previous question. “You have practice Saturday?”
Akashi nodded. “Yes. Is that a problem?”
“Of course not!” he denied, though he looked to the side guiltily. “I was just wanting to go see that one actress’ new movie, but I can go on my own, it’s no big deal.”
The atmosphere around him stilled, and then Akashi nodded. “Kouki, you must be thirsty after coming all this way. Here.” He reached into his bag and pulled out his wallet, slipping a few small bills into Furihata’s hand. “There’s a vending machine around the corner. Get something to drink for yourself, and a black coffee for me, if you wouldn’t mind?”
“Oh!” Furihata looked down at the money, then beamed at Akashi. “Of course! I’ll be right back.”
As he disappeared around the corner, Akashi pulled out his smartphone (one of the newest models) and began tapping swiftly away at one of the applications. “Before you say anything,” he addressed his curious teammates, making Hayama close his mouth, “I know I never buy drinks after practice. He wouldn’t have accepted the money and gone if I hadn’t made a request for myself.” He never looked away from his screen.
A moment later Furihata returned with a can of black coffee and a green tea in his arms. Akashi smiled softly. “It seems Saturday’s practice has been cancelled—coach’s orders. We can go see that movie after all. I’ve already purchased the tickets.” He flashed his phone’s screen.
“Really?” Furihata lit up, his smile wide. “Are you sure?”
“Of course.” His gaze swiveled to his teammates, subtle threat lacing the words. “I expect you’ll all be capable of informing the rest of the team of the change?”
Mibuchi stepped on Hayama’s foot with the speed of a striking snake before the blond could say anything. “We’ll get on right on it, Sei-chan!” he said cheerfully to drown out Hayama’s whimpering.
Akashi nodded, and steered Furihata from the school grounds. Mibuchi watched them go, Furihata chattering easily and Akashi nodding along with the air of someone who has nothing to say, but is happy to listen and pay rapt attention. The amount of unconscious power Furihata held over Akashi was almost frightening.
“Sei-chan’s whipped,” he observed.
The other two nodded. “Yeah.”
*****
Far ahead crossing the school grounds, Furihata commented, “I’m a little hungry now.”
“There are three restaurants fairly close. Where would you like to go?”
“Don’t you have to have reservations for those places?”
“…don’t worry about that.”
