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Hmmph.
Well, hello there, chapter 246. Nice to see you bothered to show up after all. And I'll have you know I was totally not anxiously anticipating you all weekend at all.1. AHHH HUGGING THE DOG LOVE LOVE YAMA YOU'RE SO ADORABLE asdlkjas!!!1 I love how the girls are like, "D'AWWWW" and Squalo is just like, "GOD, I DON'T KNOW YOU. *FACESMACK*"
And lol, the dog's name is Jirou and the swallow is Kojirou... once again, Yamamoto sticks to his pattern of VERY VERY JAPANESE. XD
2. Holy fucking shit Yama you're such a showoff. Twirling the handle like it's a freaking baton, GEEZ. Somewhere Dera is feeling extra-super-annoyed and he doesn't know why. Hell, even Reborn was all like, "A four sword style..." with the trailing off into ellipses and everything--for Reborn, that's practically the equivalent of, "OOOOOHH, AHHHHHH."
(But serously, HE IS A BEAST. THROWING THE SWORDS LIKE FREAKING BULLETS OR ARROWS OR SOMETHING... YAMAMOTO YOU ARE TERRIFYING. GENKISHI HAVE YOU SOILED YOURSELF YET??!
Incidentally, I love how he holds multiple swords the same way Gokudera holds multiple bombs. TWINNNS.)
3. You know, I am becoming more and more certain that at some point over the past ten years, Squalo secretly usurped Lussuria's title as gayest character in this manga. On page 13 I'm pretty sure Amano just cropped a pic of some guy from a BL manga, inserted it into the top frame, and said, "OKAY, FROM NOW ON THIS IS SQUALO."
4. Okay, hilarity and HOLY SHIIIIT aside, to be serious for a moment: this, right here? Is exactly why I love Yamamoto so much. On the one hand, for the most part he's a very simple, straightforward character, very much the wheee-I-love-life-everything-is-awesome-and-the-mafia-game-is-good-times kid that he appears to be; what you see is what you get. On the other hand, though, it doesn't pay to forget that from the very start, Yama has also had a streak of still-waters-run-deep. This is the kid who tried to commit suicide in the very first chapter he was introduced. He does have a very serious side to him as well.
As we saw way back in that introductory chapter, Yamamoto has a tendency to pick something that is very important to him, and define himself by it. At first, it was baseball; he ended up devoting himself so fully to it that when for a brief moment it seemed like he'd totally destroyed his career, he actually tried to kill himself, saying he had nothing left. And of course, Tsuna saved him and afterward his priorities changed so that his friends were now the most important thing. He now defines himself by his role as a Vongola guardian, and his duty to protect his family.
And I think it's really interesting that in in this chapter when Yamamoto talks things over with Squalo and mentions his failure against Genkishi, his description of feeling regretful and ashamed that he'd let his friends down is almost eerily similar to his response when he broke his arm all those chapters ago. "I found myself overcome with regret that I hadn't taken the blade seriously enough... that I'd brought shame upon the name of my old man's Shigure Souen Ryu... And most of all, that I hadn't done the best I possibly could for the sake of my pals." And he may not be jumping off a building this time around, but he still feels all of this so strongly that afterward, he's willing to give up baseball--the sport he once devoted his entire life to--with no hesitation at all. That's how important this is to him now.
And once he does fully embrace the sword, the level of improvement--in just ten days!--is just ASTOUNDING. Once he gives it his all and doesn't hold anything back, it's just... well, Dino was absolutely right: "This time when you get your training, Yamamoto Takeshi... you'll become something really special."
TL;DR, that whole conversation was just a really powerful reminder of how great a character Yamamoto is; not just a happy, oblivious kid with a sword, but a fully three-dimensional character who understands far more than he lets on, and whose motivations are a lot more complex than we might always see. I'm really glad Amano took the time to explore that a little in this chapter, and finally give him a little more development. While also reminding us that he's a fucking badass.
5. FFF WHAT IS THIS LAST PAGE. HIS SPARROW TURNED INTO A PRETTY FAIRY SWORD AND HE HAS THREE FLAMING SWORDS IN THE OTHER HAND, AND JUST. JUST. GENKISHI, I TRULY AND HONESTLY FEEL SORRY FOR YOU.
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YAMAMOTOOOOOOOOOOOOO♥ You explained every single reason why I absolutely ADORE HIM TO BITS.
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I couldn't have picked better words!!
I was so blown away by him flying around with his sword blasting dying will flames. It's like Tsuna gloves only Yamamoto style... I wonder if all of them can flyyyyy 0.0
And I did like that he got all srs bizniz on us, everyone had always wondered about the baseball<mafia situation. I was just surprised to learn that his older self hadn't yet devoted himself to the sword. As bad as I feel that he has to give up something he loves, I'm glad he's moving forward with this. Nnnngh can't wait for another week to see more Yamamoto badassry!
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I know, it's such a striking difference from his old style; instead of basically sticking to katas and water manipulation, he's suddenly throwing swords like projectiles and blasting rain flames all over the freaking place and leaping around like he's freaking Yoda or something. SO AWESOME.
I was surprised to hear that about his future self too; makes me wonder if he ended up having the same regrets (especially after his dad and Tsuna died), or if he ended up making the baseball/swordsman combo work after all. And yeah, while it's a little sad in a way (kind of felt like he was symbolically letting go of part of his innocence), it's also a great development for his character; it's been a long time since he really took a step forward. AND LOOK HOW AWESOME HE IS AS A RESULT. Can't wait for the next chapter. 8D
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his friendsthe sword and Squalo's busy being super gay, I couldn't help but be occasionally distracted by the giant fish just casually cooking in between the two of them. xDI'm really fascinated by the changes going to the future will and has brought on in all of these characters, though. Just the mention of how TYL!Yamamoto hasn't devoted himself completely to the sword and things like that. By the time this Yamamoto gets to be that age, he'll clearly be a thousand times more bad ass, and with a better appreciation for mortality and the people he cares about. I love it. I find it so great to watch.
tl;dr, this manga is delightful and I pretty much just want to hug Yamamoto all the time.
I'm so late replying to all of these; sorry XD
And yeah, all of them have gone through so many changes since coming to the future that it really makes you wonder how much their own timeline is going to change. On the one hand, we've gotten this glimpse into one possible what-if, but on the other, it's very much a make-your-own-destiny thing now that they know how to avoid some of the key mistakes from this time. So they're going to end up that much stronger. It's exciting to think about. |D
I'm joking. XDDD
OH, MY POOORRRRRRRRR GENKISHI! ;__;You're a good man; you're just too stupid. ;__;
YAMAMOTO, IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT. YOU SHOULD HAVE KILLED GENKISHI EARLIER LIKE THIS:
Re: I'm joking. XDDD
I love how Kojirou in that pic is just hovering there facing Yamamoto like, "YES! YES! DO ITTTTT." I SWEAR IT IS EGGING HIM ON.
My advice to Genkishi: IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE AT ALL YOU HAD BEST TURN AROUND RIGHT NOW AND START RUNNING.
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OH YAMAMOTO. YOU'RE SO HOOOTTTTTT. ♥
He's ACTUALLY amazing now. He managed to OUT-AWESOME EVERY OTHER REBORN CHARACTER in about seventeen pages. How do you DO it baseball boy??
I think one of my favourite panels has got to be after Bianchi is like "BUT HE CAN'T POSSIBLY DEFEAT AN OPPONENT THAT HE CAN'T SEE!!11!!" and Squalo's smug face is just HILARIOUS. He's all, "OH YEAH??? YOU WANNA BET, BITCH? >333"
He's so proud! It's adorable!! He's like Yamamoto's new surrogate mummy. "See that? See how awesome that was? /I/ taught him that! He's /my/ student." I bet he hopes XANXUS is secretly watching some how. ;;
4. After seeing that panel, I actually went HOLY SHIIIIIT outloud, cause I was just like SHOCK HE'S GIVING UP BASEBALL OMGGGGGG! and it was intense... I mean, baseball has been what's defined Yamamoto for so long and it was so weird to see him actually want to give it up - but it's real character development for him to see that it's actually not everything. He's such a good friend... he's so sweeeeeeeet. <3333
I love it how he still says he's going to keep playing it though! He's so cute and happy, even when he's got big bruises across his face. Dawwwww. So... Squalo knocked him out, draged him into the forest (!!!) and then lit a fire and lectured him about his priorities?
Squalo is awesome. ;;
And I really want Yamamoto's dog. Thought I'd just toss that in there. Sorry for the long comment. I could keep going, but I'm not that interesting, so I won't. (x
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He's ACTUALLY amazing now. He managed to OUT-AWESOME EVERY OTHER REBORN CHARACTER in about seventeen pages. How do you DO it baseball boy??
I am also amazed at the regularity with which he seems to accomplish this feat. It's like every so often this little switch goes off in his mind and he's like, "Okay, time to be awesome again." AND THIS HAPPENS.
Totally agreed about Squalo's smirking face; I love how obviously proud he is. And then when Yama does stuff like hug his dog in the middle of the fight, he smacks his forehead. HE'S SO INVESTED, IT'S HILARIOUS.
I love it how he still says he's going to keep playing it though! He's so cute and happy, even when he's got big bruises across his face. Dawwwww.
I know, that's the other thing I love about Yamamoto; on the one side, he does have his share of serious business issues just like the rest of them every so often, but on the other side, he never lets them get him down for long. He just accepts it and works through it and then goes on same as ever, and that is just awesome.
And I really want Yamamoto's dog.
Oh my God me too. XD
AND I LOVE LONG COMMENTS. ♥ You're always welcome to post as much as you like even if I fail and don't reply for like THREE DAYS sob orz. XD
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IT ACTUALLY DOES. HE'S INCREDIBLE. It's like he just decides to up and be awesome every now and then. I suppose he's just taking a break in between? I wonder if he has some sort of funky double personality thing going on... ?
It's cute! Cause Squalo seems to just constantly be angry, but I suppose now he has a little Japanese boy to channel his anger into, so he can be all soppy and proud of him when he kicks Funeral-Wreath butt. (:
But on the other side, he never lets them get him down for long
I think this part of him is what makes him so great... I mean, he's got a lot to be sad about considering his Dad being dead TYL AND his Boss. Plus he's locked in perpetual battle with people who have a ten year handicap on him - and Byakuran is at the end of that battle, waiting to kill them all.
But he's seemingly UNSTRESSED by it all. It's so amazing. I think he actually runs on rainbows and happiness. <33
♥ I hope Yamamoto lets his dog stay out of its box just like Gokudera does with Uri!! Uri and Jirou should be friends. I mean, Jirou has got rain flames and that = tranquility, so he should be able to calm that angry cat right down, surely.
OH GOOD CAUSE I TYPE WAY TOO MUCH. =___= oh that's okay, I don't mind. I've been too busy to be on the internet much these days anyway orz orz
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Haha, who knows? Yamamoto's mind works in strange ways. XD
I know, he's like a really stern and demanding parent who secretly tears up every time junior makes him proud. "VOIIII SON, GET OUT THERE AND KICK SOME MILLEFIORE BUTT OR I'LL DISOWN YOU LIKE THE TRASH YOU ARE." And then once Yama actually does go and kick ass he's all like, "FUCK YEAH THAT'S MY BOYYYYYYYY."
I love that he can deal with it all so coolly no matter what. I mean, the whole reason that moment of vulnerability was so awesome was because it was so damn rare. Because unlike Tsuna or Gokudera, when Yama has a problem he's almost always able to just deal with it and work it out on his own and then move past it. Which I think is just amazing; HE'S SO DAMN WELL-ADJUSTED, lol. I think he may be my new role-model. XD
Lol, I wonder how Uri and Jirou would get along. If their personalities are anything like their respective guardians' (annnnd Uri for one definitely seems to have a Gokudera-ish streak in him XD), it would probably be hilarious to watch.
Haha, it's okay, I'm sure not one to talk when it comes to typing a lot. XD
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Ahh. Chatting about Yamamoto keeps me sane at 11-30pm while writing an essay~
I wouldn't be surprised!
I would NOT like him as a father though. Imagine if he married Xanxus and you were their child? It would be so awesome until they started to tag-team discipline you. *shudder* ... You know, I bet Hibari is their forbidden love child. Considering his personality and his looks (all inherited from Xanxus - although the bitchiness might have come from Mummy Squalo), I mean. ... Wow, can you imagine what would happen if he was??? He'd inherit THE VARIA.
Yama's totally my new role model. He tackles problems with a smile. <3 He's such a sweetie! How could you not like him ever ever ever?
I want them to get along. It would be SO sweet if they ended up being really good mates or something! I find it quite amusing that Uri is like a reverse Gokudera - she hates one person and likes everybody else, where Gokudera likes one person and hates all the rest of the lot! Lol!
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WORSHIPPEDROASTED THE TUNA.I seriously can't wait to see this fight and didya see didya see didya see Hibari's expression at Yamamoto's power? Hibari, who is only interested in Reborn and, at the very least, amused by Tsuna's inconsistent strength, seems quite alert now. I think he also watched the Vongola Rain fight too. But that one little panel made me squee at the possibility of Hibari and Yamamoto interactions.
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And lol, yeah, Yama actually managed to elicit a response of "!" from Hibari, which is practically unprecedented. Makes me wonder what their next encounter will be like after all this is said and done.
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and "sexy"category.Kinda random thought but I figure you'd be a good person to speculate with me:
Ya know, I wonder what's going to happen if the Vongola kids do beat the Millefiore and go back to their time. Will Tsuna, now knowing how the mafia operates and knowing how his loved ones can be targeted by enemies, still go through with entering the mafia world? Will Tsuna, seeing how his gentleness resulted in the Millefiore exterminating the Vongola, change his leadership style?
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As for how things will go after this arc, I'm not sure. Well, the way I see Tsuna, he's always been extremely reluctant to go along with anything relating to the mafia. Even now, the only reason he's fought so hard and gotten so much stronger in the future arc is because he's doing it to protect his friends. And back during that weird trial he went through to get the upgrade for his gloves, he was really adamant about refusing to follow the same path as the other Vongola bosses. So I don't think he's going to change in that sense even knowing how this one future turned out.
I do think, though, that he'll have more of a sense of responsibility after this--he'll be that much closer to finally accepting that becoming the Tenth Boss is something he has to do, regardless of his feelings on the mafia lifestyle, because he has a responsibility to his family. But I also think he'll still very much be trying to do things his own way. Under his leadership, the Vongola family is going to become something completely different, for better or worse. And actually, I think that's what the Ninth intended all along when he chose him to be his successor.
...Actually, thinking about it now, I wonder what TYL!Tsuna's feelings on the whole thing were before he died. He's the one who ordered the rings to be destroyed, something he obviously regretted later on. But even after seeing what that action led to, he still made the bizarre decision to have Irie bring the younger Vongola to the future to fight, rather than just using the ten-year bazooka to get the rings, and then having the older guardians use them. That he would have that kind of faith in his younger, more naive self suggests to me that even after everything that happened with the Millefiore, he still holds true to all his old ideals of harmony and believing in others and so forth. He basically chose to entrust the fate of the world to a group of kids who'd just barely emerged from their first real mafia conflict, even though he could have just as easily left it to his own much more battle-hardened guardians. Whatever he saw in the younger guardians--their innocence, their potential, who knows--he ultimately thought it was even more important than the older guardians' experience. It's the type of insane decision only a shounen Jesus-type would ever make, but that right there pretty much says it all.
Soooooo, tl;dr, I guess I basically think that while Tsuna will do a little more growing up from this experience, the core of him isn't going to change that much. I don't know if this was the type of speculation you were looking for but it's pretty much all I can come up with, orz. XD
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I do agree that he'll have a greater sense of responsibility. And that if he does step up to the throne, he'd definitely want to take the Vongola in a new direction. But there's a part of me that thinks that because he cares about his friends so much that he wouldn't want to involve them in such a dangerous lifestyle. Maybe after this, he'll see how reliable the Varia are and perhaps would feel okay with leaving the Vongola in Xanxus's care?
Regarding your thoughts on TYLTsuna...I hadn't thought of that before: trusting the world to inexperienced kids in possession of powerful rings rather than just snatching those rings and having the adults use them. It makes sense what you noted -- his desire in harmony, his strong sense of duty that transcends time (this is probably telling of his relationship with TYLHibari).
Honestly, I don't know what I was expecting when I posed the questions, ha ha. But I always like to hear what you have to say so thanks! <3
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Because he does, many people tend to forget that he tried to commit suicide at the beginning and how Tsuna helped him to have another purpose in his life. And having someone to tell it too is good for him, having Squalo.
That aside, asdhasidufjsakdf ♥ I just love him so much. Yamamoto can be terrifying. I mean, look at him there, panting and fucking smirking!
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Yeah, I'm really glad Amano hasn't forgotten about that side of him; it's always fascinating to take a look at, even if it's only for a brief moment (because that's part of Yama's nature too; he never gets down about anything for too long). And I love that he opened up to Squalo; the whole swordsman bond and all that. XD (AND THAT SQUALO ACTUALLY PAID ENOUGH ATTENTION TO RELAY THE STORY TO THE OTHERS LATER ON--MAN, YOU REALLY LIKE THIS KID, DON'T YOU.)
...you just made me reread the entire Rain Battle by linking to that page, sob. I couldn't help it. XDDDD HE'S SO AWESOME, GOD.
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He's been my favorite from the very beginning, and I adore chapters like this that vindicate that he's more than a sporty guy with a goofy grin--although that part of him is there too, and makes him loveable. The dog huggles killed me! <33333333333333333 *____________*
(And personally I love all the silent commentary happening behind Hibari's eyes as he watches all this unfold. <333)
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YES, exactly; it's great to see the manga acknowledge that there's that depth to him. While at the same time punctuating it with DOG HUGGLES and TUNA ROASTINGS and "But of course once we get back to our time it's right back to baseball again!", because after all, it is still Yama. |D
And yeah, for once Hibari does seem quite interested. The "!" says it all; I love how Amano can show so much with just a panel or two.