Backlog Dialogues

Another arc, another godcast! This week we look at Ryukishi's impassioned plea to those struggling to reach out, go over the Manga and Anime adaptations, and once more go over what we learned.
And for those who have seen all things, in the spoiler section of the Godcast, we discuss the impact of this work on Ryukishi's future writing.

And I face you now tonight, And we'll fight this more than everAnd if you only play this right,We'll be playing here foreverAnd we'll only be making us win,Because neither of us will lose Together we can face off at the top of this roof Your hand is right in front of me offering the truth I don't know what to do, and I'm still in this dark, But were standing on this building top and GIVING OFF SPARKS I really need you tonight There's only one winner tonight There's only one winner... Once upon a time, i was saving this town But now I'm only falling apart There's nothing i can do, A shadow's come over my heart Once upon a time, there was laughs in my lifeBut now there's only blades in the dark Nothing I can say, Total eclipse of the heart
(Filk of Total Eclipse of the Heart, by Bonnie Tyler)
This week on Backlog Dialogues, we tear through fate.

Ninety-nine City PD Ninety-nine Yakuza Meet To worry, worry, super-scurry Call the cops out in a hurryThese books are what we've waited forThis is it, boys, this is warThe Sonozakis on the lineAs ninety-nine Kyuteballoons go by
(Filk of 99 Red Balloons, by Nena)
This week on Backlog Dialogues, we reveal the 'truth.'

I went to a nurseWho thought that I was cursedShe said it's parasites that are getting me downI went to my friendOn who I do dependHe said he'd listen to what's getting me down
Sometimes that van gives me the creepsSometimes those gardeners play tricks on meIt all keeps adding upThe whole world's cracking upSurely I'm not paranoidOh no no no
Grasping to controlSo I better hold on
This week on Backlog Dialogues, we search for the truth.

Somewhere in this little town. Someone's feeling way more down. Wish that made my heart feel sound.Wish I didn't hide a frown.
The world's kyutest violin really needs an audience. So if I do not find somebody soon.
I'll cut my problems into bits And try to find a spot that fits While hiding in my secret place To keep a smile on my faceI know ive tried my very best to once more find my happinessBut now i stand upon the stage To tell you how it went this way So let me play my violin for you
(Filk of World's Smallest Violin by AJR)
This week on Backlog Dialogues, we forgive our sins.

No one knows what it's like
To be the bad girl
To be the sad girl
Behind Kyute Eyes
And no one knows what it's like
To be hated
To be fated to hearing only lies
But my dreams they aren't as icky
As my heart seems to be
I have hours only lonely
My love is kyuteness
That's never free...
(Filk of Behind Blue Eyes, by the who)
This week on Backlog Dialogues, we get to learn about Rena.

This week brings another Minilog, with the sci fi kung fu multiverse flick, Everything Everywhere All At Once! We discuss the struggles of laundromat proprietress Evelyn Wang as she tries to file her taxes properly but keeps getting distracted by things such as her daughter coming out as a lesbian, her husband seemingly seeking a divorce, and the entire multiverse deciding that she needs to fight the mysterious omnidimensional supervillain Jobu Tupaki. We dig in to the film's sincere exultation at the concept of absurdism as a vessel for familial reconciliation, and also just laugh about silly things like hot dog fingers and worlds where life never happened but we are rocks.

All Cast Review Sessions may be done, but Ryukishi07 has some things to say to launch us into our first postgame discussion of an Answer Arc! We discuss all that we have learned, and John continues his exploration of the adaptations. From the excellent manga adaptation that elevates the work almost as well as Tatarigoroshi did and an almost good anime adaptation that has a good run for the first few episodes then perpetually steps on rakes as things go to shit, this time it runs the gamut. And of course, it's not a Godcast without heavily spoilery discussions for those who have seen all!

How did everything go so wrong for Shion? As victory over the three families approaches, she finds herself constantly thwarted. By Rika, strangely acting violent. By Satoko, refusing to give in to her torture. By Keiichi, who never gives up on her, even as she claims a demon has taken hold. And by her sister Mion, who reveals the terrifying truth that the three families have nothing to do with the strange happenings in Hinamizawa. Reveals abound in the emotional climax of Meakashi!

The year advances to 1983 and things start to get a little more familiar, as we experience some of the events of Watanagashi through Shion Sonozaki's eyes. It's still different in some places, but eerily similar in others, but with Shion's perspective we get to see her hearing mind Satoshi and getting closer and closer to the truth, guided by her intricate behind the scenes knowledge... and her stun gun. We have watched Shion ascend, now let's watch her crash in to the narrative from high above and see just how much she breaks...