Real Talk, it’s a bit rough, so no shame in scrolling past. Go past the Spoiler warning for the stuff related to the MU.

I’ve kept a lot hidden from my online persona, but I’ll be honest for a moment. Currently, in a separate province, my mom is going for scans. There’s a very real chance that she has cancer, and the thought frankly destroys me.
I’ve decided that I’ll be taking a ‘break’ after this post. I truly do adore this community, but personal things are just not doing great. I wish to avoid the risk of high emotions I am currently susceptible to. I’ll probably be sticking around to lurk at times, but it’ll be low key.
I wished to make something more, and decided that making things smoother for the MU I’m most proud of is a good way to leave things. When I return, I have many more projects planned. Scripts, MU’s, and even Scaling Scans. Look forward to that, while I do the opposite (of looking forward in general, I’m excited for the projects).
Depending on the speed of things, I may know how things go at the end of this week. There are two cases. In the best case, I will be back shortly after this news. In the worst case, it may be multiple months before I return, should I return.
Thank you all in advance for reading, and thank you all for being cool people. It’s been really helpful being able to take my mind off things, and I hope I can continue to make a fool of myself in all the best ways.

Absolutely massive spoilers for both Bleach and Guardian Tales. Only read if you are fine with that.

immediate Basic Core connections
-Villains -Villainous allies -Both From Asian (east) countries -Ancient beings in comparison to human lifespan, but not particularly for their species. -Yes, ‘en’ is the final part of their five-letter names. This is not something that should sell you on the matchup.
In Depth/Actually Good Connections
-Long-term threats in their respective series. Constant presences which utilize the protagonists as tests.
-While among the most powerful characters in their verse, intelligence is what makes them terrifying. Capable of manipulating their way into power, influence, and secrecy.
-Prior to a massive reveal, both are thought to be allies to the ‘good side’ (Captain Aizen and Kaden the Hero), with the few who knew being ancient scientists that got locked away to prevent word from spreading.
-Their major goals involve utilizing an unknown power (Labose and the Hogyoku) which is made via mass sacrifice. Both would seemingly succeed in mastering this power, though it is purposefully left vague if they hold complete control.
-During the process of obtaining this power, both would infect others with a primary ‘disease’ of the series (Hollowfication and L-Bacteria). This includes characters of high power (Several Captains and Lieutenants and A Hero of the Champions Sword + A Dragon).
-Both have purposes for these actions which seem good in a skewed lens (Ending the existence of the Soul King and Preventing the Loop from Continuing). These events both involve a higher power (Potentially the highest in the series).
-But through a regular lens, these plans are fucked ways to handle the issues. This is due to issues with both characters mentality (Aizen was incapable of seeing others as equal to him and Kaden was burdened with hundreds-thousands of his past timelines).
-Their eventual ascension would first turn them into monstrous beings due to their views of power, but would both return to forms close to original at their strongest.
-Similarity in armies. Lorraine and Gin are both ‘right-hands’ with closed eyes, who would eventually attempt to overthrow when the ascension had already begun.
The Arracnars and L-Monsters are beings from the series that were manipulated by the characters. They would accept ‘power’ which allowed them to be either pawns or tests.
-Opposites of their main/orginal world (SS and The Otherside) would be where their plans of action took place.
-Both utilize dimensional rifts to travel.
-They would be defeated by the ‘experimental’ protagonists (Ichigo and The Guardian) which they had kept an eye on with interest to their plans.
-Both would end up aiding the protagonist against a further threat (Ywach and *The Fairies). While it is questionable whether this was simply due to shared interest or a show of empathy, both were ultimately good actions which saved the lives of many. *The Fairies do not currently have an official title.
Contrasts:
-Bisecting/Permanently crippling others was used against Kaden (via Clara), while Aizen used it for his plan (Taking a SK piece from Rangiku when attempting to create a Hogyoku).
-Kaden truly believes himself to be doing a noble thing, while Aizen is aware that what he does is wrong (he just doesn’t care).
-Kaden shows genuine struggle to kill his old allies (Such as Erina), while Aizen has no issues harming his fellow captains and his Squads lieutenant.
Animation Potential:
Kaden holds this back due to GT being incredibly niche. Aizen has a wide variety of both sprite and 2d models to work with (DB has already used a sprite for him). While Kaden only has his ingame sprite, which does not fit Aizen’s.
In their simplest forms, both are not easy draws. In their monstrous forms, Aizen is a little more difficult and Kaden is horrid.
Kaden does have some stuff to work with for creation of a model (plenty of ingame art), but that’s the issue, it would have to be fan-made.
Fight Potential:
-Army fight potential with Arrancars vs L-Monsters.
-End of army battle with Espada vs Laura, Morrian, and the L-Titans.
-Begin in base forms, simple sword fight. Kaden has his staff Repentance and Aizen has his Zanpakuto Kyoka Suigetsu. Both are capable in close-quarters combat.
Aizen will Utilize his Kido for an Advantage vs Kaden’s usage of Ice and Chains.
Kaden takes the upper hand, stabbing Aizen with Repentance. Only for it to be revealed that he was under Kyoka Suigetsu, and killed Clara (or an image of her, at least)
-First evolution: Cocoon Aizen vs First Phase Infected Kaden. Similar fighting style, Kaden focusing more on Chains, L-Flowers, and ice than before.
Honestly, the least interesting part of the fight, as both are similar to the first forms.
The one thing I’ll give this is Gin and Lorraine both attempting to take them out would be best fit here. Gin vs Kaden and Lorraine vs Aizen. They’ll lose, but it gives a path to the next part.
-Second Evolution: Butterfly Aizen vs Second Phase Infected.
At this point both utilize a lot more of their ranged attacks. It’s very much similar to the other evolutions though, just with more monstrous canvas’s.
At this point Kaden has a Labose realm that he utilizes, which can serve as a counter of some degree to Kyoka Suigetsu. Though it has an obvious weakness with the crystals, so Aizen has an actual out.
-Final Evolution: ‘Sealed’ Aizen vs Final Phase Kaden.
Both back to Human forms. Aizen being fused with his Zanpakuto means that it’s now fists vs Sword (Kaden is using the Disgraced Heroes Blade).
Both utilize ranged attacks. Kaden’s storms vs Aizens Kido.
While I’m not sure whether it would technically work, Kaden using a dimension slash to break free of Kyoka Suigetsu would be sick.
-Death: Two ways.
Reaching the end of the fight, both combatants stand to look at each other. For a brief moment, they flash to their ‘good’ forms. Captain Aizen and Kaden the Hero. Perhaps things could be different had their minds been in better spots.
Regardless, should Kaden win, he erases Aizen via Labose. Should Aizen win, he destroys Kaden with a Cero.

Debate:

Note: One thing I wish to do once I return is make a proper and studied look into uni Bleach. I do not think my speed debating did justice to what I’m still certain one. But I need to ensure I’m not on a path without bearing.
This was created with Uni Aizen in mind, and I know it a slippery slope, but this current debate is using that for the sake of storytelling a close fight. I understand that it’s flawed until/unless I come with the proof, but I’ve opted to make this choice.
I will also be using the lower interpretation of Kaden (Universal rather than Mutli or higher). As the debate has an obvious winner in this case, regardless of where Aizen gets scaled.
Win Cons: Unlike a lot of Aizen Matchups, he actually has a loss condition that doesn’t rely on being stat-stomped. Labose has erasure capabilities, proving capable of wiping timelines completely. Kaden will need to weaken/overpower Aizen to manage this, but just in the same way someone would need to for a regular kill.
Kaden is limited in his rebirth, and unlike Aizen, is capable of dying once he reaches his peak. The longer the fight goes on, the better chance Aizen has of landing a killing blow.
I will not be considering the memories stored within the champions sword. While it would be a restoration of the Kaden that fought Aizen, it is reliant on a continuing loop (an outside force). If Aizen kills the body of the current timeline, that is absolutely close enough to be called a victory.
Strength: Aizen takes this due to affecting the three realms (3 Universes) while Kaden only affects 2. It’s close, but Aizen just has a larger showing.
Durability: Same as Strength, as it’s a showing of 3 Universes to 2.
Speed: Likewise, the ability to nearly instantly affect 3 universes is higher than affecting 2, which means Aizen is presumably faster. Both have similar capabilities with dimensional travel and teleportation, so this is actually a close stat.
Experience: Both are centuries old at least, with all being dedicated to fighting or research. But Kaden has hundreds, if not thousands, of loops worth of memories as well. This is a wash for Kaden.
Intelligence: Tie, both not only show incredibly similar cognitive capability, but they both focus on manipulation. There’s nothing to show that either has a notable advantage.
Skill: For use of extended abilities, Aizen’s Kido and Kyoka Suigetsu is far more impressive than Kaden’s ice, chains, and Labose attacks. Kaden is far more impressive than Aizen, due to being a long-term swordsman primarily, and capable of beating primordial sword fighters. I give it a tie, but unlike for intel as it’s because they have a roughly equal amount of advantages, rather than being equal in everything.
Powers: Even with Labose having the potential to counter it, Aizen still has immortality. Kaden also has no good counters to mind fucks. Aizen takes this.
Weapons: I’m treating this as ‘army’, as it’s unfair to include the more power-like Kyoka Sugetsu. Likewise a tie, because Aizen has a more impressive variety of Arrancars, but Kaden utilizes his forces far more effectively. Aizen has no issue killing of valuable allies, but Kaden knows how to make only necessary sacrifices.
Winner: Should we utilize the prior sackings, Aizen wins. He’ll need to be wary of Labose, a power that proves to be a risk to his immortality, but Kaden can’t take advantage of that unless he can get through Aizen’s incredible variety and Kyoka Suigetsu.
All Aizen needs to do is continue forcing Kaden on the back foot, eventually his evolution will peak and a kill becomes possible. Kaden won’t be able to find a victory in 9/10 cases.
With mid-dif (due to Kaden having very possibly chances at victory), Aizen is the winner.

Always trying to bring new husbando games to the general public. Unfortunately, this time it's a Japanese-only one, but since it's a match 3 game, you can play it as a casual game, maybe?
So, coly inc. (Promise of Wizard, Stand My Heroes) has recently released their new game, Break My Case (ブレイクマイケース). It's a joseimuke game (aimed towards women) where you're working with hot men, basically. I'm sorry, I don't speak Japanese, but from the few chapters I've translated and judging the company's record, I guess the MC is probably a woman -- the only one in the whole game, talk about a male-centric work environment.
https://preview.redd.it/id3giixna90d1.jpg?width=1067&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d051f05f9279a906b914d0747c17fc848d912642

THE BOYS (NOT THE AMAZON ONES)

There are divided into 6 departments, and there are SEVERAL boys, like, too many (21 to be exact). There's one for everyone's taste (but ofc, it's Japan, so you know there are no black characters, and since it's a joseimuke, there are no muscly guys as well).
Anybody who knows idol games and other joseimukes (like Twisted Wonderland) might be used to this divide of different units, but this isn't that important. At the beginning of the game you have to choose a character to be awarded with a free SR card of him. This choice isn't really important and you can easily get those SR cards in the gacha (SR cards aren't the highest rarity).
The boys have beautifully done live2D animations in a couple of places, like their profiles, in the gameplay stages and in the story as well.
A quick overview of each department and their employees:
Main Office
Simulation Department
https://preview.redd.it/efnopilaq90d1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a3747e28910b2f40ac86f0a2861bbc6cf66e049c
Watchdog Department
Negotiation Department
Special Affairs Department

GAMEPLAY

The game has an interesting twist in the Candy Crush (match 3) formula: it's dynamic, a line will go through the board and you set up the matches as the line goes by. For a couple of rounds (until the song ends, marked by a Youtube-like line advancing at the bottom of the screen), the line will spawn at the beginning of the board (from left to right, but some challenge stages might have the line going around in different directions) and any matches it touches have the whole matching group removed from the board and new tiles are spawned in their places (the board doesn't "fall" like in Candy Crush, so you can't plan that much since it's random which are the next tiles to appear). Any tile that's matched in groups of 3, 4 or 5 (in line or in T-form) are removed from the board, so you can make matches on the go.
A bit of a breakdown about the gameplay mechanics:

• You can't unite 2 groups (for instance, 2 groups of 3 in the same line don't make a group of 6, each move only results in one group of matching tiles).
• If new tiles come up and you can match them in a group, they'll still be removed if the "walking line" barely touches any of the matching tiles (this makes the gameplay very frenetic and dynamic).
• Once you move a tile and make a matching group, those tiles are locked until they're removed by the moving line.
• Groups of 4 or 5 form a musical note tile (a single one with 4 matched, double if matched in T, and triple if matched in a line of 5), which is removed by the "walking line" to power up an ultimate skill that varies from each card and to raise the combo (more combos, more bonuses and items at the end of the level).
• Other skills are present for each boy you bring to the level (you can bring 4 boys for each level --one of them being the leader with a leader advantage/skill--, and a support from friends or random people that'll help you with a boost).

It's one of those games with low stamina limits that only consume 1 stamina per stage. At the start, it's pretty okay, but I can see it being too little in the long run. You can stack up to 3 runs and you can skip stages once for every boy (in the daily grind section, so up to 21 times daily).
A screenshot of a match 3 stage. Notice the line is in the second to last column of tiles, and every tile lit up before the line is alreay matched (hende locked in place) waiting for the line to pass and remove them in the next round.

GACHA AND MONETIZATION

Gacha is what you expect from joseimukes: pretty greedy, but with hald decent rates at least. Some stuff to consider:

• Cards have R, SR and SSR rarities.
• Pity is 3% for SSR, 17% for SR and 80% for R cards.
• There's at least one SR card guaranteed in each 10 pulls.
• There's no pity for SSR cards, but there's a 200 pulls spark (through the shop).
• There's 50/50 in limited banners (oh wow, I'm surprised).
• There's no written indication of warranty on getting the featured card in your next SSR pull if you lose 50/50.

About the monetization, 10 pulls cost 500 gems, and there are no packs that sell that exact amount (an old trick so you always have gems left and you have to get more).485 gems cost 2.9k yen, and 870 gems cost 4.9k, for reference. There are discounted packs, though (limited time, of course, of course).
Oh, there are 2 pulling currencies: free and paid one. Atm, I can only see a special banner using paid currency (10 pulls guarantee a random SSR), and there's a discounted pull everyday using only 10 paid gems instead of 50). Max level of the cards are heavily reliant on dupes (5 more levels for each dupe, 1 + 4 dupes required). SSR has a max level of 60, SR max level is 45 and R is 30 (no dupes, add 20 for the max level with 4 dupes)
Generosity-wise, the game seems to be extremely stingy, with no events so far, and the game will rely only on events if there's any. For now, stages only offer 5 or 10 gems each, and story is level-locked. At least the starter events give a good amount of rewards, and you get a bit more than 30 pulls worthy of gems just for starting the game and an SSR ticket to play the gacha (random card). There was also a special b-day reward for one of the boys, and the 2nd day prize was 5 gacha tickets, but that reward was only available yesterday.
I'll leave some card images from now on just to make the article more pleasing to the eyes. SSR card.

MORE CONSIDERATIONS

I'm sorry, but like I said, I can't talk about the story and the lore too much. I've only read 3 or 4 chapters and it was pretty corporative-esque, I don't enjoy the theme at all, but I've been playing for 3 days now only because of the fun gameplay.
The game doesn't need a VPN to access and you can download it and play instantaneously through Qooapp or Taptap (links at the end). It also has a quality I don't often see in Japanese gachas: the UI is clean and minimalistic, and there isn't a lot of loading screens (although I've had a few disconnections, probably due to the distance I am from the main server in Japan). The live2D looks and feels modern and really fluid, and the songs are pretty cool (and a nice touch to integrate the new gimmicks to the old match 3 formula).
If you want to actually play the game and not be like me (super casual), a Twitter fan (@ aporia_eng) is translating stuff for the game, mainly new announcements and info on the characters (link at the end).
SSR card (birthday special)

FINAL THOUGHTS

Lack of English language aside, the game might be a good choice for husbando fans seeking for a new and interesting option. If you like a good story, you probably are beter with Tokyo Debunker (despite all the AI stuff and the cashgrab aspects), but if you want a different gameplay vibe, this game is accessible for anybody who've played any other Candy Crush-like game (and enjoys the genre).
It's a solid 7/10 game but probably a cheap thrill for those who don't speak Japanese and aren't really into the corporative theme.
I can only hope the game comes to global, it deserves to be a moderate success in Japan. But if you've reached this point also hoping about an English release, I'm sorry to crush your dreams, but coly inc. isn't known for localizing their games :(
SR card

TL;DR

Pros:

• Interesting gameplay;
• Adds a twist to the match 3 (Candy Crush) genre;
• High quality: live2D, great UI, few loading screens;
• Generous starter rewards;
• No geoblock.

Cons:

• Japanese only;
• Theme might be too niche;
• Apparently greedy in the long run (too early too judge, but it is what it is);
• Dupes make a HUGE difference (it raises the max level, like Nikke).

Meow cat, please meow back (SR card).

LINKS

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.colyinc.breakMyCase
Appstore: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/%E3%83%96%E3%83%AC%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AF%E3%83%9E%E3%82%A4%E3%82%B1%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9/id6472174407
Taptap: https://www.taptap.io/app/33653518
Qooapp: https://m-apps.qoo-app.com/en-US/app/23527

Guys. GUYS. GUYSSSSS!!! Send help. I found more puzzles (more on that below.) There is too much choice and it is hurting my brain - I believe u/rtsgrl warned me of this. 😵‍💫 (and to an extent hurting my wallet, but honestly, I flew halfway around the world so what’s a few more $ for puzzles?!)
Next in our series of ‘Puzzle Hunting in Japan - 2024 edition’, my posted pics are a combination of one company but in two cities - Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Kyoto in Kyoto and Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Umeda in Osaka. Similar to Bic Camera (please see my previous post), this place sells more than cameras. Camping gear, bicycles, alcohol, toys, cosmetics, TVs, you name it, they got it.
And what they’ve got are over a dozen filled shelves of puzzles. These two places have the most variety of brands I’ve seen yet! (Hence my lamentations about choice!) Apple One, Beverly, Yanoman, Epoch, and others I don’t even know the names of - all here. My only criticism would be that if you’re into the Art Crystal puzzles (at least the Studio Ghibli ones), there is a distinct lack of them compared to the Bic Camera store in Akihabara, Tokyo. But other than that, wow, you’d be hard pressed not to find at least half a dozen puzzles to fall in love with and haul home.
I’ve got my work cut out for me. Please send me your thoughts and prayers. 🤣
PS - special thanks to u/jigusou who had pointed me in the direction of Yodobashi Camera in another post!

Original Running Time: 137 mins FanEdits Running Time: 114 mins
Outline: Re-edited shot by shot, shots either trimmed or removed, and the sound/music reworked. The idea was to make a pacier, more kinetic & tightly edited version with dialogue more focused, more intense fights, and a faster pace in scenes, fights & dialogue to make a sequel that feels more in tone with the slick original Kill Bill movie.
The first Kill Bill made homage to many aspects of eastern cinema, from the wild Japanese style editing, to the over the top Hong Kong action movies, to the slower less over edited martial art movies of the 70s ...and it all worked together. That same energy I felt wasn't delivered in the sequel after the gory fun frantic energy of the original movie. But when it came out... Something was off about Kill Bill 2 for me. So i sat to rewatch it to work out what that was. The sequel felt (to me) like some of the dialogue wasn't as snappy, the pace far to slow, it lacked the vibrant energy the first one boasted, and scenes felt bloated. After the kinetic style of the first film (still incorporating great slower paced sequences like the death of O'Renn) The editing felt sloppy, with both the pace and edits feeling glacial at times. Some scenes (like Buddy at work, or with the gravedigging pal, felt less slickly scripted in comparison to the previous 4 movies by Mr Tarantino. The long walking shots to music felt like just that, long walking shots, rather than adding style or character atmosphere for the audience. The fights had weak continuity at times, as did some edits in other scenes, mostly michael madsens. I do love how this one is shot, I like the dialogue, and really enjoyed the training by the Sifu, but really... I rarely dig this out to watch, and if I do, I rarely finish it. The slow meandering intro, long pauses between dialogue, and often not adding tension or suspense, makes my mind begin to wonder during scenes, or friends i'm watching it with start to chat over it. So since I re-edited Kill Bill Vol. 1, I have been tinkering with this movie to try and make it feel more focused, have a more continuous pace, and for myself to create the worthy sequel to the first I felt wasn't delivered in 2004. Over the time of editing I realised that the scenes just all really badly needed a lot of tightening with smoother sound edits flowing together from one shot into another. ...Really I just wanted to see if I could make a cut I enjoyed more, & that I might watch more often in the future when i decide to dig out part 1. Hopefully you enjoy this different version of Kill Bill 2 as no scene, dialogue, or music montage is the same as the original version. People know the crack now, I keep what I think works and remove what I find doesn't (this is of course debatable, but hey, it's my edit) then I spend a few nights making the sound work so hopefully the edits are seamless.
Significant Changes:

• Every shot has been trimmed if necessary (basically all of them) to help pacing/style/continuity, and the music reworked to smooth over the many changes to each sequence.
• Recut opening wedding rehearsal. Dialogue removed. line by Samuel Jackson. lines from bill. The priest.
• Recut Bill & Mr Blonde speaking at caravan. Removed dialogue on selling sword cost and Beatrix deserving to die too.
• Recut Mr Blonde at work. cut Mr Blonde walking from truck to bar. Removed dialogue such as Stripper asking if she should leave, one of the days being scrubbed off the board, and about Mr Blondes hated hat, and Rockets end reaction. Trimmed/removed some tracking shots
• Recut Mr Blonde arriving home and suspicious of his surroundings. Cut looking at his hat cross-eyed.
• Recut Beatrix Coming up to door for revenge
• Recut Mr Blonde talking at Beatrix and call to Elle. Dialogue Removed. Zoomed shot of Mr Blonde getting blood sat over him so you can't see the glass of blood thrown at his right side.
• Recut Burial sequence. Dialogue removed such as Beatrix being sweet ass pussy, eyes burning. Recut Being nailed In. Recut Darness and Inside coffin.
• Recut Bill and Beatrix at campfire.
• Recut arriving at temple.
• Recut meeting Sifu Pai Mei
• Recut Beatrix & Pai Mei sword fight & Tiger Claw fight
• Recut Training Montage.
• Recut Rice Eating sequence.
• Recut escaping coffin. Removed Beatrix asking for a glass of water.
• Recut Elle Diving. Removed Elle pulling up at Mr Blondes. Removed Beatrix walking in desert. Recut transition to Beatrix watching Elle arrive at Mr Blondes. Inserted shot from removed sequence of Elle arriving at buds.
• Recut Elle & Mr Blonde chat in trailer. Dialogue/shots removed.
• Recut Snake Attack
• Recut Elle speaking to Mr Blonde as he dies. Dialogue removed such as always wanting to use gargantuan in a sentence. Recut clearing up money and phonecall to Bill.
• recut Elle & Beatrix fight. dialogue/shots removed.
• Recut Sunset montage
• Recut Beatrix meets Esteban (I should really google the spellings.) Dialogue Removed.
• Recut Driving montage to Bills.
• Recut Entering Bills. Removed a lot of Beatrix wondering about the lounge
• Recut Beatrix finding Bill. Recut Beatrix puts child to bed. Dialogue removed.
• Recut Bill and Beatrix chat. Dialogue removed
• Recut Pregnancy assassination scene. Dialogue removed
• Recut Bill & Beatrix fight.
• Recut walking away montage
• Recut character titles and more of Beatrix driving at end credits.

I may try to do an edit of both volumes as one movie (with sequences in probably a new order) and will just go with what feels right and if I can get something to work. As that may go on a backburner, or take some time, here is a cut of Vol. 2 to pair with my sensical cut of Vol. 1.
"Wakey Wakey ...Eggs & Bacey." (I may have removed the 2nd half of this quote in this edit)
I have done a version with the deleted scene reinserted and recut. This will be called the sensical cut extended.
Released