• Category: Relationships
• Series: Naruto
• Subject: Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke

It's really no secret I have that huge soft spot for brothers relationships, no really I melt at the sight of this kind of bonds when it runs deeper and gives one or both parties the strength to go further in order to protect that blood bond, and Itachi and Sasuke are the quintessence of this idea.

First introduced as a twisted reality that could not in any possible scenario give us a single hint of which part was really the Truth behind all truths, it is truly a magnificent way to twist an innocent point of view from which one can believe an illusion is real and the biggest lie is in fact what actually unfolds step by step, word after word in a life-time.

So what if a completely misunderstood situation and a utopist ideal never to be achieved by a single person is nothing against a simple blood bond? Sasuke loves his older brother, the praised Uchiha prodigy. Sasuke despises the rogue Itachi, the epitome of his hate, the cause of all his loneliness. But he fails to realize Itachi was all what truly mattered to him.

Itachi loves his youngest brother Sasuke, the often left-apart child in the Uchiha household. Itachi strikes again and again, cracking his brother’s shell with one purpose and a double-agenda. He never failed to realize his love for his sibling but could never show it properly.

This epic sense of what we perceive as a seemingly natural bond that, apparently, can easily be broken and yet survives behind the scenes until the final curtain falls down to reveal pure, beyond all hardships love is truly wonderful and the reason I love both Itachi and Sasuke’s interaction so much.

Madara Uchiha: You couldn't see trough Itachi at all. You couldn't see trough his illusion.
To him, you life was more precious more than the village.

Naruto chap. 401 (Illusion) / Shippuuden ep. 141 (Truth)

• Category: Characters 0-M
• Series: Cantarella
• Subject: Borgia Cesare

I’ve been an historical-cut stories enthusiast for more years than I can accurately remember so it was not surprising to get myself involved by this amazing series called Cantarella, which of all possible historic figures tells on its own fantastical way the story of the Borgia family and more particularly focuses on the man who became both famous for his appearance and outstanding mind, Cesare Borgia.
Add all the above to the exceptional art of the one and only You Higuri, and there you have me made a puddle of glee wanting for more of Cesare’s development and slow yet unmistakable fall from Heaven’s grace to reach the most devious yet beautiful darkness in a tragic fight for his soul and the destiny of an entire country.

How not to fall for him?

In a way, I could say his characterization is way too romantic even taking into account the actual historic figure behind the manga character but who wouldn’t believe a word to this amazing schemer who makes use of the impression he causes just by merely being there to astonish the world around him. His deep desire to break free of all the chains submitting him to a life where his ideal world can become true at the simple cost of his soul but he chose not to surrogate even when Hell embraces him and promises to sooth his ache, the ache caused by the indomitable darkness slowly but surely eating him away. What a wonderful way to enjoy human spirit.

So, after this little recount on why Cesare fascinates me so much in Cantarella you will not be surprised to know I am truly intrigued by his real life model, a man who lived in a time when ambitions like ruling the world or attain a seat in Heaven where not farfetched ideas but required of an exceptional will to drive one’s to reach them in a life-time.

Cesare: From now on, you will stay by my side, where you can witness the tragedy that is destined to unfurl. That is the price you must pay for the sin you have committed. Chiaro…no, Michelotto! I will become the conqueror of the world. If that is my fate then… I can still be saved.

Cantarella vol.2 chap.2

• Category: Characters 0-M
• Series: Inu Yasha
• Subject: Sesshoumaru

Sesshoumaru is by excellence a perfect –built ‘evil’ and charismatic character at least that’s how he is first introduced, a cold blood youkai driven by his hunger for power and despising every single life-form considered inferior.
We later learn that he is not driven by any random goal but rather trying to live up to his noble blood status which includes surpassing his father’s former glory (since he couldn’t do it while Inu no Taisho lived). This would be just beautiful indeed and no father would but feel proud if only we were talking of ‘normal’ beings and not demons. Truth is Sesshoumaru has an awfully intricate and misguided idea of how he should achieve this, at least in the eyes of humans and his half-brother Inuyasha, but that alone is only the tip of the iceberg called Sesshoumaru.

What really is source of admiration and undying love towards him as a valuable villain of sorts and heart-breaker goes beyond his goals and much further than his unique yet glamorous physical appearance, Sesshoumaru has thorough the series (be it talking about canon manga or his animated counterpart) shown an interesting development in terms of what he thinks and what really drives him.

In a way, I could venture to say he has seen the light but that would somewhat diminish his character a whole. Sesshoumaru has never truly opened to something he avoided or failed to aknowledge, he only did so because his former personality and goals didn’t need any of it. Love, pity or even bonding wre concepts he did not have the need to use or apply in any way if they would hinder his path. Later proven mistaken Sesshoumaru despite not declaring publicly that he actually cares for something or someone that goes beyond himself does show he is well aware those feelings are there in his whole being and keep on growing against all expectations.

By the end of the series, Sesshoumaru realizes he being a demon does not define him and finally, the mission entrusted by his father gains sense. That in itself makes all his character development worth waiting for one of his appearances over hundreds of chapters without him, because yes, Sesshoumaru is not the protagonist even if the undying love I feel toward him make it look so!

Sesshomaru: I must travel the path of conquest... power is necessary in order to walk that path.
Inutaisho: Conquest, huh? Sesshomaru, is there something you want to protect?
Sesshomaru: Protect? The answer is no. I, Sesshomaru, have no need of such.

Inu Yasha 3rd movie Tenka Hado no Ken

Sesshoumaru: To obtain this in exchange to Rin’s life... it means NOTHING!
Sesshoumaru's mom: Sesshoumaru, it’s something you had to learn. That when your heart wishes to save someone dear to you, it must at the same time feel sadness and fear of losing them.

Inu Yasha chap. 470

• Category: Series
• Series: N/A
• Subject: Vampire Knight

I’ve been blessed with the amazing approval for Kaname and since then several other Vampire Knight related listings (back in the days when nobody else applied for them xD;) so talking about the series and why it is on my wishlist is so weird and hard at the same time. However, I guess it never hurts to spread more love for this already much beloved series in the animanga world.

So a couple of things first would include saying Vampire Knight is brought by the amazingly talented hand of Matsuri Hino who, is not only the artist but also the mastermind behind this intricate, sometimes hell of confusing and beautiful story which gathers some of the elements I always fall hard-on at first sight, as would be beautiful vampires, a love triangle, mystery and conspiracy, and above all of those angst because yes, in this manga, it is very unlikely to see all the characters reaching Eden of happiness (seriously).

The most catching element in Vampire Knight though is the Hino’s ability to drive her readers around her very own created world presenting new ways to unfold and twist all previous knowledge of the story and look back at past, present and future events with a new look chapter after chapter. Be it on the vampires’ side, the humans’ or even people entangled in the piece of land called Cross Academy where the chance of coexistence becomes a fact and not a dream we are given the pleasure to enjoy all sides that is what makes the whole Vampire Knight ordeal so pleasurable.

Let’s now take into account he gorgeousness of the characters designs, the variety of personalities, the goals each characters pursue and the subsequent relationship bonds they create for the sake of their beliefs. Truly an amazing piece of work that explores the many times overused world, yet recreated this time, of those mysterious yet attractive creatures, vampires.

Kuran Kaname: Zero…no one hates vampires more than you, yet you need more blood than any vampire. I think you’re the most vampirelike of us all.

Vampire Knight Vol.7, 13th Night: For Whom the Blood Flows

• Category: Characters 0-M
• Series: Kidou Senshin Gundam SEED/Destiny
• Subject: Athrun Zala

I think Athrun’s inclusion in this top 5 wishlisters confirms my die-hard feelings for male characters that don’t need many words to express their ideals but are often misunderstood for that same reason. Athrun Zala is first introduced as an elite soldier of his home country, PLANTS, entangled in the on-going war between Naturals (non-genetically enhanced humans) and Coordinators (genetically enhanced humans living mostly in space colonies). While it might be easy to assume he is a cold-blood perfect warrior it is soon revealed he was not too long ago a pacifism enthusiast much, I believe, to his father’s disappointment. Why change so dramatically then? The end of his mother’s life at the hands of Naturals, triggered vengeance in his heart and made his whole being step in to both protect his brethren and get his payback on Earth. However, his character is slowly being eaten away by confusion when his childhood best friend and most likely the person who understands him best at the time steps back in his life labeled as an enemy of his own justice concept. In a way, Athrun has made many sacrifices against himself to ensure his goals were achieved, he strongly believes those sacrifices will diminish his anguish and pain after getting cornered by this overwhelming situation, war.

Yet, he never truly loses sight of what he has become, a man with bloody hands. Battle after battle he fights his enemy but also his own feelings, realizing later on that he inflicts the same pain he felt at the beginning of his quest onto other people, many times innocent people who also strive to protect those who are important to them.

By the end of his development his conception of Justice fixes up to take into account more than his own perception of things and the world as it is, which is in my opinion the greatest ordeal he achieves. It is no longer about using his power to protect what is his anymore, but rather giving a chance to everybody’s future by establishing the right path to Justice.

Cagalli Yula Athha: [pointing a gun at Athrun] I won't let you get back in that Mobile Suit! Many more will die if I do!
Athrun Zala: Then shoot me. I must fight the naturals, for if I don't, more of my people will be murdered like the innocents on PLANT. Such is my duty, for I am a warrior of ZAFT. So if you intend to stop me, I suggest you open fire.

Kidou Senshi Gundam SEED phase 24