Beastars, vol. 19

 **

- Beastars, vol. 19. Paru Itagaki. 

C. 161

- The ideological clash between Kyuu and Legosi: The first tries to assault and provoke him to make him react, but the second is only interested in his ideas about fragility. 

162 

- The origin of Melon, his story with his mother. At first glance it is an horrific tale straight out of a slasher or a serial killer thriller. But certain details suggest Melon’s narration is not entirely accurate. For example, the fact that his mother does not react at all when he attacks her. As Melon himself describes it, it is dreamlike at times. Or nightmare-like. 

163 

- Indeed, Agata wonders if Melo’s story was real or invented. 

- Next we’re shown Agata’s origin, wherein it becomes clear that his entire life he’s been lead by what others expect of him, even if he himself doesn’t believe in it. Be it because of his species, his fur color, or his position in a hierarchy. 

- Even at the end he ends up doing as ordered by what is almost a revenant, a zombie: Dolph, back from the dead seemingly and urging Melon to attack him with a hacksaw or a chainsaw. “I can take it!” he claims. 

164 

- Yafya and Gosha: A meeting between old friends, close to a reconciliation. But old friends involved in very dangerous things, from Melon to poison that bleed clean through four stories. 

165 

- Death of Oguma, who in the end was an extremely pitiful man. His every relationship was determined by how much money were they worth, and he never held his adoptive son until the very last moment. 

166 

- More world-building: This herbivore festival. But under Louis and Haru’s skeptical gaze, there is little spirituality and a lot of commercialism here. It’s attended due to social custom and family traditions. 

- It’s also a meeting between Louis and Haru, each carrying their own obsessions and traumas. 

167 

- A transitional chapter: From Louis and Haru reconnecting to the strange competition between Melon and Legosi. 

168 

- A bizarre duel that parodies Japanese game shows. But it also illustrates the difference between these two: Melon has hard data, but Legosi better understands the ways in which different species may relate to each other. 

169

- Finally, we see the deep resentment Kyuu houses. She can’t stand not being Gouhin’s only disciple and then tries to attack a stranger based solely on a wound he has that she takes a sign of sexual conquest. 

**

*

Come Closer.

- Come Closer. Sara Gran. 

Amanda has the perfect life, or so she believes: A six-year marriage, a loft, a good job as an architect, about everything a thirty-something might want. Despite the inexplicable bursts of violence, like the time she smashed a cigarette into her husband’s bare knee. Or that strange tap-tap that seems to follow her now and then. She is openminded, despite her views on minorities —but surely she can’t really be possessed! Surely it’s just coincidence that she’s been dreaming of that imaginary friend she used to have as a child, the one who sometimes felt all too real, all too physical…

An intriguing horror short novel (about 196 pages long) that draws from the subtler examples of classic horror. Charlotte Perkins Gilman (The yellow wallpaper) and Ira Levin (Rosemary’s baby) first and foremost. A dab of Henry James (The turn of the screw) and Shirley Jackson (The haunting of Hill house) as well, perhaps even a very lite bit of Richard Matheson (Hell house) or Daphne du Maurier (Don’t look now). Draws from those venerable sources and delivers a story that is only simple at first glance, with so much suggested rather than being delivered in-your-face. 

Much has been made about if the haunting here is literal or psychological. Is the demon Naamah, second wife of Adam between Lilith and Eve real or is it Amanda’s heavily repressed hate bubbling to the surface? The supposed spiritual experts Amanda visits feel more like charlatans —even if they DO recognize Something besides her, as a child does. Some of Amanda’s acts of violence seem that they would require more strength than she could possibly have… Except, Amanda is in blackout for the most extreme of them. And when she is conscious she details perfectly plausible cruelties (near-drowning a child and in such a way that nobody would believe said child if she told about it. Throwing homophobic slurs at her boss in a way that can easily be blamed on a faulty photocopy). 

Except, even before the possession, Amanda’s life is anything but perfect. She tells of her mother dying when she was three, her stepmother being a woman who never wanted children, herself keeping an imaginary friend based on a sexually liberated neighbor —and keeping this friend until Amanda was nine, and then father and stepmother dying and leaving her with nothing at all. She talks of her husband, who lifted her up… while also demanding she do things exactly as he likes it and to get rid of any habit he dislikes. She gushes about her beautiful loft… that is placed in an area so desolate even thieves don’t bother with it. 

And then there is Amanda’s casual bigotry, up to classifying a middle Eastern man as a woman-hater (and possibly murdering him) or her description of a Brazilian salesman as a “flaming homosexual” —balanced with her dislike of husband Ed’s posh friends. Pointed details for a 2003 novel. 

…and on the other side there is the disturbing intimacy that several people around her —physician, psychologist, colleagues, strangers, Ed’s possible mistress —all are already possessed themselves. And all, we are told, invited and indeed welcomed demons. Why not? Somebody who says they love you and will never leave you alone —who will let you do whatever you want. 

An intriguing, thought-provoking short novel that is slightly marred by its reputation as a “Super scary novel” or a “Surprisingly literate possession tale” (no doubt from critics quite unfamiliar with horror history proper). A better method is —read and decide for yourself. 

*

Golden Kamuy, vol. 17

 

- Golden Kamuy, vol. 17. Satoru Noda. 

Entering Russia brings a tremendous change for both our protagonist groups. It’s no longer just the unmerciful nature or the cruelty of human adversaries; now there is the weight of history and politics. Sometimes, the sins of the past catch up not to the individual,  but to entire nations…

A somewhat odd volume of GK because it has less of its unusual characteristics: There’s less spectacular moments and less homoeroticism, which in theory would bring this closet to so many other generic adventure tales. But none of it went away. Check out the story of the virginal standard bearer seduced by his lieutenant and by another soldier. Or the gender non-conforming character Sofia Golden Hand. Or the method for separating flesh and metal in extreme cold…

This volume sets up the historical and political context for upcoming tales —a study of ethnic minorities in the Russian-Japanese border. It’s not that the quality was lowered or that it tried to appeal to the Mainstream -it’s that the story takes a slight pause to carefully set the next action stage. 

*

Beastars, vol. 18

 

**

- Beastars, vol. 18. Paru Itagaki.

C. 152

- As one might expect, segregation instead of improving students' safety only augmented tension between both groups. While the Carnivores act like fairly ordinary teenagers (though one can assume that for a strict Japanese society, their behavior is far too rowdy), the hebivores seem more terrified than ever.

- Jack's depression, however, comes from another place, as we'll soon see.

153

- The entire chapter happens in one location and with only two characters, not counting flaskbacks.

- "You've surpassed me and grown up on your own" --it's evident that the root of Jack's anguish isn't the school's situation, as Legosi assumes, nor the situation of dogs, as Jack states. It's simply that feels Legosi abandoned him.


154

- The origin of the species. We've seen that while most of the story is well known (Haru was taking a college class on it), the novelty is the presence of the whale, an almost mythical figure...

- ...that is quite real, as we soon see.


155

- Another chapter with few characters, now primarily focused on Bill.

- And with a new perspective: Louis and Legosi's moralistic diatribes have given Bill an insecurity complex.


156

- Be careful what you wish for! Free complains that the ghetto is increasingly gentrified, but in the end it becomes even more savage and may have taken Dolph's life.

- The use of blood torches to spread their scene and thus mark territory is one of the most... animalistic traits these criminal groups have exhibited yet.


157

- Adler the reaper being Louis' favorite character can be interpreted in several ways. Perhaps it's simply the role he worked hardest for.

- Oguma's homophobia is notorious, making it clear that if Louis proves incapable of breeding, Oguma will have him deemed worthless.

- Up to a point, Lousi and Legosi have swapped roles, but only marginally. Legosi takes the Adler character, but poorly acted and only to help his friends (though he does accomplish this), while Louis tries to discern the nature of the meat market (but presenting himself as a highly priced product).


158

- Apparently, even elite students like Louis and Jack are unaware that there is a cabal of Beastars under the high one --Louis believes Beastar is only ever a singular title.


159

- Appearances can be deceiving: Sen and Kyuu may seem harmless but are quite merciless. She, tiny and seemingly fragile, uses brute strength, while he figures out their opponents' weak spots.

160

**

 

**

Question.

 

To all and everyone reading --what Gay / Queer media have you seen that you are especially fond of? Say, the first five or ten that come to mind.

For me, in no particular order: 

 

- Pose.

- Q Force.

- My brother's husband.

- Looking.

- Tales from the city.

- Queer as folk (US --hope to see the UK version someday)

- Gone but not forgotten (little known Indie movie, definitely a huge favorite)

- Y tu mamá también.

- Bull's Eggs (Geman comic)

- Bareback Jukebox (Mexican novel).

 

What are yours?

May 2022 TV

 Seen on tv: 

- Riverdale, season 5. 

Unfortunately the weakest season so far of a generally very entertaining show —you can see exactly how much the plans for his one had to be altered several times mid-production. 

- The Andy Warhol Diaries. 

- Halston. 

Two glitzy series covering capital fashion icons of the twentieth century. The first is a docu-series and the second a dramatization —they sometimes overlap, as they share a producer (Ryan Murphy). Entertaining —the first is a touch too long but together they constitute an important screenshot of oft censored Gay History. 

OTHERS

- Housamo: Memories of Thor. 

- Housamo: Memories of The Fisher King. 

Essentially two “chapbooks” released between major chapters (plus a third, Shoggoth), covering previous time loops within the main story. Fairly entertaining. 

MOVIES

- Bombshell. 

Dramatization of a real life scandal —that is hampered by the participants (the ones in real life, not the actors in this movie) being such extraordinary unpleasant people it’s legitimately hard to care for anyone here, victims and assailants. Nevertheless very well acted and with polished production values. 

*