p-kun

I have read the novels, only the church incident portion though. The one who started the fire was unknown. The one who broke the barrier surrounding the church was also unknown, but whoever did it used Yukianesa to do so from inside the church. The culprit cannot be Relius because he/she was an insider of the church. If we cross out Ragna and Sister, either Jin or Saya was the culprit. It's most likely Jin, but the novels (or Terumi in the novels) keep the culprit identity vague, so there's a small possibility that Saya did it. Terumi cut Ragna's arm, but Jin did slash Ragna after Terumi had his fun. So Terumi's claim of cutting Ragna's arm was true. Jin's claim of trying to kill Ragna that day was also true. Poor Ragna got slashed twice that day. I think Terumi's ghost form was corporeal. He could use Uroboros, and he could carry Saya. Celica was the bane of his existance though, so he used the catatonic Jin as a shield when confronting her.

There are so many ambitious goals in this thread, and yet I haven't seen concrete solutions that the community can achieve. Maybe people should step back and think about what is achievable within this year, rather than thinking big dreams like creating anime Evo. Let's start with something small and doable first: 1. There has been talks about making one big tourney for BB this year. Maybe DL can start by picking one existing BB tournament that the community can support (through a vote perhaps), and start making plans surrounding this one tournament. Working towards an existing tournament with a known date and a known venue is easier than working towards a fictional tournament like anime Evo. 2. About poverty and the small local scene, a local sponsorship model might work. DL members who live nearby can organize local regular weeklies or bi-weeklies where participants can contribute money. Since people say that pot money does not matter much, so how about pooling the pot money (or set aside $1 or $2 per person per event) from the events to sponsor/help subsidize penniless players in your community to attend the tournament mentioned in point 1. If you have a small community, maybe you can only sponsor 1 person. Bigger community hopefully can sponsor more people. It might seem tough for one person to set aside $400 for travel cost to a big tourney, but with a community of, say 8 people contributing $2 each per week, in 6 months, your community will be able sponsor someone to represent your local scene (the player him/her self might be able to pay a portion of the travel cost, plus there might be some other players in the community capable of paying their own travel cost). Heck, this model is even doable with online community, though organizing the money pool will be very difficult. In essence, we are basically making local BB clubs/teams similar to Madcatz sponsored teams or other sport teams in the world. This way, if BB has 50 local communities, then 50 players are guaranteed to show up in tourney mentioned in point 1 (who will be some of the best players in their local communities to boot). Players will have the team name in front of their handle names so that their victories will be their team's victory. Teams will have reserve players so that if the sponsored player cannot go to the tourney, other representative can go. Blah blah blah organizational stuff. 3. There are some people unable to participate in tourneys but are willing to contribute, how about DL organizing a paypal account where people can donate spare change and have it used to sponsor the tournament mentioned in point 1, in a similar vein to how some websites have a paypal account to help pay for the bandwidth. Depending on how much can be collected, DL might be able to provide better streams, subsidize entry fee or organize free lodging/meals (priority can be given to the players sponsored in point 2), or even more during the said tournament. 4. In order to achieve point 1 to 3, DL will need to create a committee to help with the organization of the tournament and another committee to provide support and unite local communities. Strengthening local scenes via weeklies or bi-weeklies (no matter how small your community is), and sending local representative to a national tourney will strengthen player quality local and nation-wide. Pooling the limited financial resources will help the poverty problem. Having local and nationwide communities work together towards the same goal will strengthen bonds too hopefully. I hope my idea above will be a useful starting point for the BB community to start thinking about concrete/doable steps, rather than wasting time bouncing fague ideas and never doing anything productive.

I looked at the dictionary and a lynchpin is supposed to be the center part of a wheel. Why would a weapon be called lynchpin? So you are saying that Jin can reject any ars/magic? I think the most interesting part is that despite Jin being billed as Ragna's greatest enemy, power of order actually counters observers rather than Ragna himself. It is said that the stronger the chaos, the stronger the power of order. We used to think that chaos = Black beast/Ragna but it seems that chaos refers to whatever mess observers create by creating things that should not exist to begin with. Now the question is whether Jin can erase things that exist from the very beginning. For example, a movie with CG. Jin might be able to erase characters or phenomenon created by CG, but it's not clear from the material collection if he can erase real humans or items. In short, Jin is Ragna's greatest enemy only if Ragna/Black Beast is a CG. But if this is the case, who is Ragna's observer? The description of seithr and grimoires suggests that BB world is like a Virtual Reality. Azure Grimoire is the strongest of all grimoires. We have seen a lot of grimoires. All ars use one, which means, all weapons and machines (except Sector Seven ones, which are powered by Nuke, IIRC) contain one.

Since Suzaku plans to tackle the timeline. I figure I should translate other informative stuff. - Valk used to oppose Rachel's dad, but after being saved by him, Valk became his servant. (hmm, Disgaea 4 deja vu) Valk has soft spot for Rachel, which is why he chose to stay even after Clavis died. - Continuum Shift phenomenon is caused by Noel's mental instability after she obtained the Azure, rather than being created by Takamagahara. Hazama turns Noel into Kusanagi based on Takamagahara's order, rather than Hazama's own plan. (makes sense, that's why he was not upset when Noel reverted back). - Shuichiro Ayatsuki developed Kushinada's arrow tips (not sure about the meaning of the kanji 楔) - I didn't read Phase 0 or 1 so I have no clue what this is. It is supposedly an anti Seither nuke based weapon meant to be shoot somewhere inside the boundary to stop seither flow. The weapon whereabout is unknown. Relius is searching for it. - Sector 7 is trying to find a method to nullify grimoires. - Takamagahara was initialized to replace Amaterasu to manage time space. It manages Nox Takemikazuchi. Alucard family opposes its prioritizing preservation of the world at the expense of ignoring human will. It is now controlled by the Imperator and operates to destroy Amaterasu (translation confirmation will be nice here). - Power of order rejects phenomenon and existence, including interference phenomenon (what is interference phenomenon again?). It requires absolute will. It is described as the opposite of observation. Depending on who has the stronger will, either rejection or observation will occur. In short, if Jin wishes enough, he can erase anything he wants, just like if Noel (and any powerful observer) wishes enough, she can create anything she wants. - Apparently at a certain point, Ikaruga gained momentum in the war with NOL. Ikaruga leaders and Sector 7 wanted to expand their influence further (as in attacking other cities that were under NOL, rather than just defending Ikaruga territories), but Tenjou opposed. As a result, he didn't have good relationship with the other leaders and sector 7. - Fun fact about Nago, he's a masochist. (so he does enjoy being Rachel's meat shield) - Hihiirokane can cut spirits as well as bodies. (Jubei's brother's sword from Phase 1) - Platinum lives in ruins in Ibukido. She came to Kagutsuchi as per Jubei's request. - Takamagahara wanted to create a phenomenon called Doomsday (weird, it's contradictory to their mission to preserve the world - maybe they intend to preserve the world but kill off all the humans) - Makoto excels at ars that boost physical power. She betrayed NOL due to doubts against NOL's policy. - Seither's true form is particle type program. Grimoires are also called "Code". (no idea what this is supposed to mean) - Magic capital Ishana is located in an island in Atlantic Ocean. The barrier makes it invisible normally, so you need to enter in a certain way. It was the safest place on earth during the war with black beast and thus it was said that many patricians sought refuge there. - Murakumo units get their unlimited supply of energy using their connections to the boundary. It is said that the other 9 nox were created as tests subjects in order to create Murakumo. - It is unclear whether Ragna's motive for attacking NOL is destruction of cauldrons, or the murakumos, or sth else. It's nice that power of order is explained, but what is interference phenomenon again? Was it ever mentioned?

I have read Trigger Shift short stories from BBCS Material Collection (thank you SolarMisae for the scan). I don't find much information inside, unlike the first book. It's pretty impressive they can write so much with so little content. The story is set right after BBCT true end. - Rachel went back to her mansion to visit her late dad's room underground (that's the only place she couldn't teleport to). That room used to seal something, but it's not explained what or why. Rachel wondered if she was doing the right thing and why did her dad gave birth to her. Note: the term used is really "gave birth", which is weird. I suppose Rachel was a product of asexual reproduction. - Destruction of Kagutsuchi's NOL branch was blamed to bombing terrorist attack by Ragna. At the same time various places in Kagutsuchi were also suffering from bombing attack, allegedly by Ragna. The Tsukuyomi seal that Rachel used in BBCT true end was thought to be Ragna's magic. Litchi was busy taking care of civilian casualties from the "bombs". Tao was helping her transporting medicinal supplies. Bang's subordinates were helping her transporting patients in and out of the clinic. Tager brought a critically injured Bang and left him outside. Bang's subordinates brought him into the clinic (while crying because they thought he's not going to make it). Litchi slapped him lightly to wake him up. Bang thought that he's in heaven because (1) it was not a dream, and (2) there's no other way that he woke up with Litchi in front of him IRL. Litchi went "tsukkomi" mode and reflexively slapped him and he passed out again. People were relieved that Bang was still lively. Litchi took mental notes to question Bang about what happened in NOL branch, because she didn't believe the terrorist cover story. While Bang subordinates took Bang into treatment room, Litchi found out that a red giant brought Bang in, so she rushed out to talk to Tager but Tager had left. Note: I believe that all the "bombs" in the city is because Tsukuyomi could not perfectly protect the city nor the NOL branch. - Outside of Litchi's clinic, Tager was impressed with how lively Bang was despite his injuries. He left and reported to Kokonoe. Kokonoe told him that Haku was back under her custody and for Tager to ignore Arakune and get back. - Meanwhile, Arakune was still loitering around, but he started to remember Litchi. - Jin wanted to go to the basement, where Ragna went (to meet Nu), but the wall collapsed en route there, so he decided to leave the building and collapsed. 3 NOL officers picked him up. - The NOL officers that picked Jin up reported to Hazama, who went back to the airship heading to 3rd hierarchical city Iwasu. He told the officers to take Jin to the 5th ship and that the ship should stand by. He ordered tea and boiled eggs from his attendant and while his attendant was gone, he called Relius to report that Noel had inherited the Azure. Relius was interested in how a failure like her could do it and wanted to see her in person and did a couple of tests. Hazama told him to go to Iwasu and meet him there. He also called Tsubaki and told her to meet him in Iwasu. Note: He reported to Relius but surprisingly not to Saya. Presumably Saya was still not awoken yet or maybe she's in Iwasu. - Carl was sleeping on Ada's lap in some alley. - Ragna dug himself and Noel out of NOL branch basement. He was pissed at Rachel for not teleporting them out when the basement collapsed and irritated at Noel's clumsiness. Noel followed him outside (tripping on her butt) and was shocked that he called her "slowpoke". Other than a new timeline, there's not much new info in the book. When I browse the book I find a lot of copy paste from the first book. I'll take a crack on the timeline when I can put my DS down.

About Nine, this is the kind of story where you can "will yourself to life" and have "life link" formed between 2 people just by staring at each other, so anything can happen (sensical story be damned). As for new characters, I want more duodecim fellows, at least the one who's currently in charge of governing Ikaruga. Preferrably mature men/women rather than youngsters like Jin or Tsubaki.

^^ Thanks! Can't wait for EX2. It seems that they ret-con Noel and Jin's first meeting. It's so odd to have Jin being so sweet to Noel or to anybody honestly.

I just saw Makoto, Valk, and Mu's arcade mode. Makoto's is really interesting, so she is similar to Taokaka - the entire beastmen race is created to combat Black Beast, which is why Terumi calls her a doll, just like Noel. She knows that Noel was artificially made in Ikaruga. It seems that the reason she's so protective to Noel is because she finds that they are similar. She hates people trifling with life in Ikaruga but it's not clear whether she hates NOL in Ikaruga, or all scientists in Ikaruga (which may include Ikaruga and sector seven). And she falsified an order for Tsubaki to go back to HQ, but Tsubaki notices that that's fake. Now that I have seen her arcade, her joining Sector seven might have ulterior motive. After all, Hazama does praise her information gathering ability non stop, so I won't be surprised if she's actually infiltrating, instead of joining Sector Seven, possibly for her own gain. Valk's is not interesting. Nothing special but his overly zealous loyalty to Rachel. He is similar to yet worse than Tager in blindly following orders. Mu's is interesting. She shows surprising amount of hatred towards power of order. I remember Zephyr speculated that Jin hates Noel because she's not supposed to exist and being representative of order, he instinctively treats her like a disease. Mu's arcade seems to support this - so the hatred is mutual. Similar to Hazama, Jin calls her and her likes, dolls (though he does sound a bit disappointed at Noel behaving like a doll like the rest of the clones). Hazama says that Jin is still useful, so let him alive (here's to me wishing that Jin will go back to NOL in the next game). While he wants Hakumen sealed like Rachel. Mu and Hakumen encounter is not interesting. Haku gives her a question and she answers psychotically, so he decides that she's not savable.

^^ None actually. Platinum merely tested his strength and then collapsed before she said anything interesting.

Platinum Arcade story has been posted http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOQGA354G_o Unfortunately, the only interesting thing is that Nine died because of Platinum and Platinum had amnesia about it.

What weapons did Terumi wield during the war against Black Beast? They look like 2 regularly sized swords or a pair of sword and scabbard in the picture here http://blazblue.wikia.com/wiki/The_Black_Beast. Suppose they are Nox, IIRC only Yukianesa fits the picture. If they are indeed Yukianesa, then there are interesting implications to be made.

If I'm not mistaken, the forum has quite a few of Gintama fans. I found this in youtube, and it's too funny not to be shared. It's a parody of Gintama's episode where there's zombie outbreak with few survivors. Casting Hazama's hat as Hasegawa's sunglasses is brilliant LOL. I'm sorry if this is old. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao-6m36JO6g Other older parodies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ_EtZhjmjo http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm11228929 Also, someone made abridged series out of BB. Pretty well done IMHO. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNVKku8sSBQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqVYxttDMqs Are there other funny BB parody videos out there?

Takamagahara has it's own mind. Even if Terumi re-activates it, doesn't mean that Takamagahara will listen to him. NOL team might have numbers and resources (I want to see more Duodecim heads actually, I hope there's at least one in the next game) but none of them can kill immortals anyway, so they are like dogs without teeth. Sure they can bite, but they cannot kill. Non-threatening if you are immortals. Even assuming Saya is a reality warper like Noel, that's only one person compared to what Anti-NOL team has. If NOL team loses Terumi, what threat does it pose? Anti-NOL team on the other hand has 1 person confirmed to be capable of killing immortals (Haku, who may be immortal as well), 1 person learning to do so (Jin), 1 reality warper if only she learns to control her power (Noel), 1 person who can turn dying man into a living vampire (aka. guaranteed healing machine) not to mention sorcery (Rachel), and not to mention Jubei, etc. Not to mention, this side has most of the Noxes (Jubei and Bang's Noxes sound powerful). Even if they are out numbered, they are like rabies dogs. They may struggle to bite you, but once they do, you're screwed. As it stands now, all the Anti-NoL team needs to do is to make sure Haku/Jin land the killing blow to the Terumi and Relius (plus maybe Saya, if she's not brainwashed), and team NOL will back down once their leaders are gone because I think the rest don't have motives to continue. Very managable. They can just use Ragna as meat shield to do so, or even use the more disposable members of the Anti-NOL team.

^^ I don't want it to happen in the next game. Anti-NOL team is too over powered as it is right now. Assuming NOL team is not successful in evoking this "world of death" where immortals can die, the members have no means to kill the immortals in the Anti-NOL team. They can maim Ragna and Rachel all they want but they can't kill whose two. Add in other possible immortals like Noel, Valk, etc. (Phantom can seal someone, but just like Rachel in true end, it's not a permanent solution.) If Hazama loses his Ouroboros, how's he supposed to mind rape people to his side and even out the balance of power?

IIRC based on phase 0, Susanooh was a relic unearthed by Rachel's dad, along with Tsukuyomi. How it managed to go from Alucard family to Terumi's hand is not clear. Bang can be thoughtful, and even have a mature conversation (for instance, with Haku in CT, with Jin in CS). In the material collection, he was writing/planning to write an Ikaruga history book for children so that the truth won't be lost among NOL propaganda - he's definitely not a fool, he knows how dirty the world can be. I'd like to think of him to be close to Tager in maturity, but he's also someone who enjoys his life to the fullest and thus can look silly at times. About Litchi thing, if she becomes Arakune, then Litchi's unique playing style will be gone. Plus, I cannot imagine Arakune(Litchi) moaning when she's hit - that's just creepy. Arakune won't be Arakune without that awesome insane laugh of his.