The Grey Wolf Strikes Back

Hmm...I don't know too many anime like that but I'll try to list some I think you would like. Fate/Zero Attack on Titan Goblin Slayer Golden Kamuy Samurai Champloo Afro Samurai Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood The Heroic Legend of Arslan (Don't think it ever got renewed for a second season) Drifters (Don't think it ever got renewed for a second season) Tower of God Katanagatari Re: Zero Gurren Lagann Berserk Devilman Crybaby

What have you seen and what do you like in general when it comes to anime?

The Revenge of the Sith novelization is a true work of art. Just wish it was longer so that the second half of the movie wasn't crammed into the last third of the book.

@Mentat From my understanding of Islam, suffering exists fundamentally to test our character and different people are tested in different ways (wealth for example is considered one of the most dangerous and one a majority of humanity fails). To badly paraphrase a verse in the Quran "We will test you with a little bit of fear, hunger, and death, and then you shall be returned unto Us." Furthermore, God says in another verse that you may think something is a punishment or bad for you when its the opposite and similarly you may want something thinking its good for you but its actually not. What's more there is a hadith where the Prophet (PBUH) says after a battle that now they go from the lesser jihad (battle) to the greater jihad (daily life) and in another God himself says that if humanity were sinless He would replace us with a race that does sin (but then repents). Beyond that, suffering exists as a natural byproduct of having free will and conscience (I mention both because in Islamic theology, unlike humans and jinn, angels have conscience but not free will, also just because God allows something to happen doesn't necessarily mean he approves of it), and is in turn why Judgment Day exists. Because on that day every injustice, every good deed, every debate, every dispute, every aspect of our lives, will be brought forth for presentation, interrogation, explanation, reward, punishment, redress, etc. Speaking of the Jinn, in the Quran when God announces to the angels He intends to create mankind and establish through them stewardship of the earth, the angels point-blank ask Him (having seen what happens when you give creation free will with the Jinn, who were created before humanity but after the angels) "are you going to create (again) a race that will shed blood and spread corruption while we worship and praise you constantly?" to which God responds "I know what you do not know." (What God means by this is up to interpretation obviously.) So yeah, this world ain't perfect because it isn't meant to be. In essence, its a crucible. (As for the whole love thing, that gets into among other things the difference between God being both ar-Rahman and ar-Raheem, which is beyond the scope of my knowledge to properly address.) Apologies for the rambling! As for those saying religion can't coexist with science or rationality, say that to pretty much any Muslim scientist in the last 1000+ years.

I have to say I fundamentally disagree with the (predominately western) notion that faith and science cannot coexist. I mean, I get how that idea developed out of conflicts and events such as for example the Catholic Church's persecution of Galileo, but that still doesn't make it a hard and fast rule.

I mean, Aemon was frail and blind and that didn't stop him from being an asset despite no longer being able to do things like read or write as a result. Also, what I was trying to say is that if he was actively mediocre I think Gyldayn would have mentioned it the way he did with Aenys. Furthermore, I think its important thematically that Daeron II was the first Targaryen king who wasn't able to even pretend to be a warrior, let alone a knight.

@Lord Varys Aegon II could serve with the stewards given his literacy and education, cripple or not. Also, Aegon II might not have been the exemplary swordsman Aemond was stated to be and that Daeron might have grown into but I'm pretty sure if he was actively poor Gyldayn would have made mention of that fact.

Currently reading an Arthurian indie novella, Ap Ector. After that I'm going to read Dark Reflections, the debut anthology by Annwn Press, followed by The King-Killing Queen by Shawn Speakman, having enjoyed the original novella of the same name in The King Must Die anthology, which I backed on Kickstarter.

Add me to the Blue Eye Samurai hype train. Also, a little late to the party but the AOT finale was a lot better than what I'd been led to expect.

Saw Everything, Everywhere, All at Once last night. It was certainly an experience.

Just finished the second season. A MASSIVE improvement on the first and yeah, the villains definitely steal the show. Hope they don't recast Ishy.

As a Muslim polytheism has never appealed to me logically or philosophically. That said, mythology does make for a fun read.

I wrote a bunch of poetry this past year involving, among other things, Arthuriana, Greek mythology, German mythology, and French folklore. Believe me when I say no one was more surprised than me.

A little late but happy new year's everyone!

@Lord Varys And just who exactly has the authority to decide who deserves mercy/redemption and who doesn't?

How thoughtful of you. (Note: Sarcasm)

I thought the cut episode involved Iron Man and Peter Dinklage's giant dwarf from Infinity War?

Ooh, that sounds amazing! Wouldn't mind reading it if you'd like to share! (Can also share some of my own work in exchange!)

Wrote another poem, this time reimagining Bluebeard as an eldritch evil of sorts.

As an Arab, it always warms my heart to see more MENA-inspired fiction get published.

That one I didn't have as much trouble with despite it being set earlier in time, lol.

Man, I remember that movie. Weird as f*ck. Hard to understand the accents at times too.

The MUSH. Daeron's horse is shot from under him and while he's desperately trying to free Blackfyre from its scabbard (at the same time his whole army is rushing to cover the distance between them and where the parley was taking place) a prince of Dorne stabs him through the throat with the but-spike of the peace banner, which is as lurid as it is ridiculous.

The second is definitely a bit darker and more mature. I liken it to SW: TESB in that regard, down to ending with the heroes firmly on the backfoot. It helps if you go in knowing there'll be a third concluding part.

Saw The Boy and the Heron today. If this really is the end for Miyazaki its a great way to end his career. Next week, I hope to watch Yorgos Lanthimos' latest, Poor Things. Also enjoying Blue Eye Samurai.