Kiku ❤️
@mistressofroses.bsky.social
thank you for thinking of me. Tired and overwhelmed fujoshi. 成人済! Same @ on Storygraph! One of many jp->en translators you don't know because they don't want you to. Proud Luddite and supporter of creatives always. Setzer ff6 is the best character idc
An old man called me very beautiful in the grocery store last night when I was so sore and exhausted I could barely walk (I just said thank you and he went on his way, not creepy at all tbh) and I am still baffled by it? it's been a LONG time since random strangers bothered with me so why then lmao
November 29, 2025 at 12:43 AM
An old man called me very beautiful in the grocery store last night when I was so sore and exhausted I could barely walk (I just said thank you and he went on his way, not creepy at all tbh) and I am still baffled by it? it's been a LONG time since random strangers bothered with me so why then lmao
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen:
Acid Black Cherry (so many times lol I was very fortunate)
VAMPS
X Japan
sukekiyo (UNFORGETTABLE so good and creepy? I want to go again WHY ARE YOU SO HARD TO SEE)
Okay we're putting Sincrea here, they have a different name now but ANYWAY
Acid Black Cherry (so many times lol I was very fortunate)
VAMPS
X Japan
sukekiyo (UNFORGETTABLE so good and creepy? I want to go again WHY ARE YOU SO HARD TO SEE)
Okay we're putting Sincrea here, they have a different name now but ANYWAY
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen:
The Veronicas*
Janet Jackson
Chappell Roan (very early career)
Tinashe
(I think that’s literally it. I don’t like crowds lol)
The Veronicas*
Janet Jackson
Chappell Roan (very early career)
Tinashe
(I think that’s literally it. I don’t like crowds lol)
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen:
NKOTB (Magic Summer Tour)
Soul Asylum
Rilo Kiley
Ben Folds (Five)
Less Than Jake/Blink 182
NKOTB (Magic Summer Tour)
Soul Asylum
Rilo Kiley
Ben Folds (Five)
Less Than Jake/Blink 182
November 28, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen:
Acid Black Cherry (so many times lol I was very fortunate)
VAMPS
X Japan
sukekiyo (UNFORGETTABLE so good and creepy? I want to go again WHY ARE YOU SO HARD TO SEE)
Okay we're putting Sincrea here, they have a different name now but ANYWAY
Acid Black Cherry (so many times lol I was very fortunate)
VAMPS
X Japan
sukekiyo (UNFORGETTABLE so good and creepy? I want to go again WHY ARE YOU SO HARD TO SEE)
Okay we're putting Sincrea here, they have a different name now but ANYWAY
Reposted by Kiku ❤️
Octopath Traveler mobile is the greatest thing to happen to me because it's the "Setzer is in every story now (this game is hundreds of hours of playtime)" app whose only flaw is how quickly it drains the battery on this old ass phone
November 27, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Octopath Traveler mobile is the greatest thing to happen to me because it's the "Setzer is in every story now (this game is hundreds of hours of playtime)" app whose only flaw is how quickly it drains the battery on this old ass phone
confusion around the nucarnival character previews is so sad
You're right, Quincy doesn't say "Pfft", but chat jeepity certainly would guess that from チェ
Not to mention how many times the current event uses "the (color)-ed haired youth" sounds like the "make shit up: literary" number is about 80
You're right, Quincy doesn't say "Pfft", but chat jeepity certainly would guess that from チェ
Not to mention how many times the current event uses "the (color)-ed haired youth" sounds like the "make shit up: literary" number is about 80
November 26, 2025 at 12:36 PM
confusion around the nucarnival character previews is so sad
You're right, Quincy doesn't say "Pfft", but chat jeepity certainly would guess that from チェ
Not to mention how many times the current event uses "the (color)-ed haired youth" sounds like the "make shit up: literary" number is about 80
You're right, Quincy doesn't say "Pfft", but chat jeepity certainly would guess that from チェ
Not to mention how many times the current event uses "the (color)-ed haired youth" sounds like the "make shit up: literary" number is about 80
"AI doesn't care if you live or die" is art.
Also? I can't help but think that someone is going to be wandering around talking to themselves with one of these and will get the cops called on them because so many people fear mental illness. Hope they look wasp-y enough not to have an "altercation"
Also? I can't help but think that someone is going to be wandering around talking to themselves with one of these and will get the cops called on them because so many people fear mental illness. Hope they look wasp-y enough not to have an "altercation"
Yesterday my partner and I counted all the ads along Chicago's Brown Line for "Friend," a company selling an AI chatbot pendant, and tallied how many of those ads were defaced.
Still working on a longer piece on this, but here's the quick and dirty: we counted 104 "Friend" ads total, 42 defaced.
Still working on a longer piece on this, but here's the quick and dirty: we counted 104 "Friend" ads total, 42 defaced.
November 24, 2025 at 3:17 AM
"AI doesn't care if you live or die" is art.
Also? I can't help but think that someone is going to be wandering around talking to themselves with one of these and will get the cops called on them because so many people fear mental illness. Hope they look wasp-y enough not to have an "altercation"
Also? I can't help but think that someone is going to be wandering around talking to themselves with one of these and will get the cops called on them because so many people fear mental illness. Hope they look wasp-y enough not to have an "altercation"
Reposted by Kiku ❤️
this point really hits the nail on the head of why localization workers are so frustrated by “AI” loc companies.
freelancers have to beg for a single dollar wage increase, while tens of millions are dumped into a machine designed to replace them.
the machine doesn’t even work. freelancers do.
freelancers have to beg for a single dollar wage increase, while tens of millions are dumped into a machine designed to replace them.
the machine doesn’t even work. freelancers do.
one of the things that makes me most mad about genAI (and there are many) is we've been told there's not enough money for hiring. but there's billions poured into ai.
so not enough money to hire workers. but infinite money to pour into technology whose goal is never having to pay workers again.
so not enough money to hire workers. but infinite money to pour into technology whose goal is never having to pay workers again.
November 23, 2025 at 7:59 PM
this point really hits the nail on the head of why localization workers are so frustrated by “AI” loc companies.
freelancers have to beg for a single dollar wage increase, while tens of millions are dumped into a machine designed to replace them.
the machine doesn’t even work. freelancers do.
freelancers have to beg for a single dollar wage increase, while tens of millions are dumped into a machine designed to replace them.
the machine doesn’t even work. freelancers do.
Reposted by Kiku ❤️
SHOP OPENING ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
SAT November 22nd @ 12pm EST
karlovycross.bigcartel.com ──★
As a thank you to my followers for all of your support this past year, please use the code: SNOW15 during checkout to receive 15% off your entire order! No minimum required! :-)
Happy holidays~
SAT November 22nd @ 12pm EST
karlovycross.bigcartel.com ──★
As a thank you to my followers for all of your support this past year, please use the code: SNOW15 during checkout to receive 15% off your entire order! No minimum required! :-)
Happy holidays~
November 22, 2025 at 2:53 AM
SHOP OPENING ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
SAT November 22nd @ 12pm EST
karlovycross.bigcartel.com ──★
As a thank you to my followers for all of your support this past year, please use the code: SNOW15 during checkout to receive 15% off your entire order! No minimum required! :-)
Happy holidays~
SAT November 22nd @ 12pm EST
karlovycross.bigcartel.com ──★
As a thank you to my followers for all of your support this past year, please use the code: SNOW15 during checkout to receive 15% off your entire order! No minimum required! :-)
Happy holidays~
One thing I guess I can say is that, the way the world has gone with every company CEO thinking LLM translation is just THE BEST is that I will never have imposter syndrome again. I know for a fact I should be respected more than to be relegated to rewriting "he looked at me and my cheeks soften"
November 23, 2025 at 12:51 AM
One thing I guess I can say is that, the way the world has gone with every company CEO thinking LLM translation is just THE BEST is that I will never have imposter syndrome again. I know for a fact I should be respected more than to be relegated to rewriting "he looked at me and my cheeks soften"
I always loved to read. I got into Japanese literature in middle school and realized there were so many things I wanted to read, so many voices untranslated, that I knew if I wanted to hear them I would have to do it myself. Then I got to where I knew enough to try and I loved it. AND I was good.
November 23, 2025 at 12:26 AM
I always loved to read. I got into Japanese literature in middle school and realized there were so many things I wanted to read, so many voices untranslated, that I knew if I wanted to hear them I would have to do it myself. Then I got to where I knew enough to try and I loved it. AND I was good.
Reposted by Kiku ❤️
Jack Dorsey is real close to Musk.
DiVine is made by RabbleLabs, on their site you will find a widget called "And Other Things" that takes you to another domain and explains a lot of stuff about their/Nostr's Ai.
Most likely they just want a free dataset of tons of actual videos to train on.
DiVine is made by RabbleLabs, on their site you will find a widget called "And Other Things" that takes you to another domain and explains a lot of stuff about their/Nostr's Ai.
Most likely they just want a free dataset of tons of actual videos to train on.
Oh yeah btw the reason why Vine is being relaunched with great fanfare and no Al is because it's jointly operated with an Al company and they probably don;t want to pollute their scrap pile with stuff they've already shat out.
November 17, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Jack Dorsey is real close to Musk.
DiVine is made by RabbleLabs, on their site you will find a widget called "And Other Things" that takes you to another domain and explains a lot of stuff about their/Nostr's Ai.
Most likely they just want a free dataset of tons of actual videos to train on.
DiVine is made by RabbleLabs, on their site you will find a widget called "And Other Things" that takes you to another domain and explains a lot of stuff about their/Nostr's Ai.
Most likely they just want a free dataset of tons of actual videos to train on.
Exactly this. That person had to be brave enough, vulnerable enough, HUMAN ENOUGH to want community. To have faith the people would rally around them and be kind and helpful and more POWERFUL together than the artist could be alone. If that's not the spirit of democracy I don't know what is.
The "Frieren angle" thing, apart from just being delightful, also completely demolishes the pathetic "AI is democratising art" argument. Someone struggling with a difficult drawing received advice from hundreds of strangers who just wanted to help them improve their art.
November 19, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Exactly this. That person had to be brave enough, vulnerable enough, HUMAN ENOUGH to want community. To have faith the people would rally around them and be kind and helpful and more POWERFUL together than the artist could be alone. If that's not the spirit of democracy I don't know what is.
LRT: There is no worse feeling than when something I used to love slops out. I have learned everything I know about LLMs against my will, but now Certain Things in translation Happening Together Too Often makes my brain enraged and sad
But when Art does happen these days it's like a hit of coke, so
But when Art does happen these days it's like a hit of coke, so
November 18, 2025 at 11:41 PM
LRT: There is no worse feeling than when something I used to love slops out. I have learned everything I know about LLMs against my will, but now Certain Things in translation Happening Together Too Often makes my brain enraged and sad
But when Art does happen these days it's like a hit of coke, so
But when Art does happen these days it's like a hit of coke, so
Reposted by Kiku ❤️
"it is forcing me to be guarded when I should be wowed"
This.
This right here.
I'm so, SO tired of having to scrutinize any piece of art that even remotely resembles genAI slop just to determine whether or not it's worth a second thought or any admiration.
This.
This right here.
I'm so, SO tired of having to scrutinize any piece of art that even remotely resembles genAI slop just to determine whether or not it's worth a second thought or any admiration.
Why am I so against generative AI in games?
Because I simply do not want my initial reaction to art to be one of suspicion and scrutiny, AI slop is fundamentally damaging my relationship to art and artistry, and I am deeply resentful that it is forcing me to be guarded when I should be wowed.
Because I simply do not want my initial reaction to art to be one of suspicion and scrutiny, AI slop is fundamentally damaging my relationship to art and artistry, and I am deeply resentful that it is forcing me to be guarded when I should be wowed.
November 17, 2025 at 10:10 PM
"it is forcing me to be guarded when I should be wowed"
This.
This right here.
I'm so, SO tired of having to scrutinize any piece of art that even remotely resembles genAI slop just to determine whether or not it's worth a second thought or any admiration.
This.
This right here.
I'm so, SO tired of having to scrutinize any piece of art that even remotely resembles genAI slop just to determine whether or not it's worth a second thought or any admiration.
Pooh so cute a friend sees it and immediately sends you money to buy him
I've been going through it but I am so loved
I've been going through it but I am so loved
November 18, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Pooh so cute a friend sees it and immediately sends you money to buy him
I've been going through it but I am so loved
I've been going through it but I am so loved
I laughed out loud at my desk which is very hard to make me do
YOU GUYS WANNA SEE SOMETHING CURSED???? HOW ABOUT NEON GENESIS LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS HOCKEY?????
November 17, 2025 at 4:23 AM
I laughed out loud at my desk which is very hard to make me do
Was going through my cabinet and found a partial bottle of Incanto Shine (iykyk) and realized a) man, I really was young once and b) I really need to get myself some Nature Insolente for Christmas because I miss wearing real perfume and not Lush Rose Jam from 2016
November 16, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Was going through my cabinet and found a partial bottle of Incanto Shine (iykyk) and realized a) man, I really was young once and b) I really need to get myself some Nature Insolente for Christmas because I miss wearing real perfume and not Lush Rose Jam from 2016
Reposted by Kiku ❤️
hey, seattle, here's a bookstore to avoid
(as nicole says, don't harass them! but I would add: also don't give them your money)
(as nicole says, don't harass them! but I would add: also don't give them your money)
November 14, 2025 at 7:11 PM
hey, seattle, here's a bookstore to avoid
(as nicole says, don't harass them! but I would add: also don't give them your money)
(as nicole says, don't harass them! but I would add: also don't give them your money)
When I first came to Japan the Suica penguin (like the guy in the suit) was in my train station. Not only was he so short that he had to hug me around the waist the penguin head was INCREDIBLY soft to the point that I have never forgotten how it felt
「Suicaのペンギン」2026年度末をもって“卒業”へ。Suica誕生25周年を機に、新たなイメージキャラクターへバトンタッチ。作者の坂崎千春氏も感謝のコメント
https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/news/2511112m
https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/news/2511112m
November 13, 2025 at 6:08 AM
When I first came to Japan the Suica penguin (like the guy in the suit) was in my train station. Not only was he so short that he had to hug me around the waist the penguin head was INCREDIBLY soft to the point that I have never forgotten how it felt
I remember when I used to drag myself to work and school with any number of horrible maladies and wonder what happened now that a little cold has me calling in and praying to dayquil until I remember that I used to be able to enjoy what I did and take pride in things when they were hard
Womp wooomp
Womp wooomp
November 12, 2025 at 4:28 AM
I remember when I used to drag myself to work and school with any number of horrible maladies and wonder what happened now that a little cold has me calling in and praying to dayquil until I remember that I used to be able to enjoy what I did and take pride in things when they were hard
Womp wooomp
Womp wooomp
BABEL. I'm a translator, and it really made me think a lot about if my intentions are as good as I think they are, where my responsibilities to the original artists lie, and made me lose a lot of respect for contemporaries who think it's their place to alter material for "sensibilities" of readers.
performative reading, lack of reading skills, nobody's reading anymore -- NO!
tell me about a book that changed you
for me? the *extremely* ahistorical novel, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY which I read at 13 and was like, "Oh, art can be *everything* to a maker, for good and bad"
tell me about a book that changed you
for me? the *extremely* ahistorical novel, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY which I read at 13 and was like, "Oh, art can be *everything* to a maker, for good and bad"
November 12, 2025 at 2:09 AM
BABEL. I'm a translator, and it really made me think a lot about if my intentions are as good as I think they are, where my responsibilities to the original artists lie, and made me lose a lot of respect for contemporaries who think it's their place to alter material for "sensibilities" of readers.
If a disgusting member of the public/my job gave me a cold I swear to God I am gonna
immediately use that excuse to not Do tomorrow, really
immediately use that excuse to not Do tomorrow, really
November 11, 2025 at 8:20 AM
If a disgusting member of the public/my job gave me a cold I swear to God I am gonna
immediately use that excuse to not Do tomorrow, really
immediately use that excuse to not Do tomorrow, really
Funny that when women were bringing reading/pub in vogue it was "but the books they're reading are stupid" and yet it's not that men are reading grifter "self help" that is worse than pulp romantasy because it tells you it's real, oh it's "performative" because it's a "female" hobby is it? Christ.
November 11, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Funny that when women were bringing reading/pub in vogue it was "but the books they're reading are stupid" and yet it's not that men are reading grifter "self help" that is worse than pulp romantasy because it tells you it's real, oh it's "performative" because it's a "female" hobby is it? Christ.
I can't begin to tell you how much of my fledgling adult-on-the-internet years were all of us sending the day's Oglaf to each other
A rare interview with the creators of the always-funny, always-brilliant, and *usually*-sexy—or occasionally anti-sexy—OGLAF!
Cooper has kept a low profile over the years, but is legitimately one of the very best artists in comics today. Read OGLAF if you're old enough to drive!
Cooper has kept a low profile over the years, but is legitimately one of the very best artists in comics today. Read OGLAF if you're old enough to drive!
Talking Oglaf with Trudy Cooper and Doug Bayne: 'We'd stay up all night drawing stuff to make each other laugh' - The Comics Journal
Other than some time off every year for Christmas, Trudy Cooper and Doug Bayne have delivered a new Oglaf comic, skewering fantasy tropes with absolutely not safe for work humor, every week since 2008...
www.tcj.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:35 AM
I can't begin to tell you how much of my fledgling adult-on-the-internet years were all of us sending the day's Oglaf to each other
Reposted by Kiku ❤️
just re-read this essay. stay for the third act.
November 10, 2025 at 7:56 PM
just re-read this essay. stay for the third act.