MarionetteCreep
@marionettecreep.bsky.social
Cryptid. Weary Millennial. Occasional artist. Horror and monster enthusiast. English/日本語/Dabbling in français, español and norsk. May go on tangents about Japanese linguistics.
🚫Do not use art for purposes of AI training/ AI 'art' will blocked.
🚫Do not use art for purposes of AI training/ AI 'art' will blocked.
Pinned
Things I like for those who might be curious:
- Horror in general
- All kinds of monsters
- Terry Pratchett/Discworld
- Reading (broadly)
- Drawing/sketching
- Japanese linguistics/話せるからね
- Folklore/mythology
- Fighting games (particularly Darkstalkers)
- JRPGs
- Movies/video games/anime
- Horror in general
- All kinds of monsters
- Terry Pratchett/Discworld
- Reading (broadly)
- Drawing/sketching
- Japanese linguistics/話せるからね
- Folklore/mythology
- Fighting games (particularly Darkstalkers)
- JRPGs
- Movies/video games/anime
While we're talking about language milestones, this is one of my proudest.
While visiting the Iga Ninja Museum in Mie in 2024, I listened to the Japanese tour of the ninja house (understood 80%) and after being dragged on stage during the ninja performance, I engaged in banter with the performers.
While visiting the Iga Ninja Museum in Mie in 2024, I listened to the Japanese tour of the ninja house (understood 80%) and after being dragged on stage during the ninja performance, I engaged in banter with the performers.
December 27, 2025 at 1:26 PM
While we're talking about language milestones, this is one of my proudest.
While visiting the Iga Ninja Museum in Mie in 2024, I listened to the Japanese tour of the ninja house (understood 80%) and after being dragged on stage during the ninja performance, I engaged in banter with the performers.
While visiting the Iga Ninja Museum in Mie in 2024, I listened to the Japanese tour of the ninja house (understood 80%) and after being dragged on stage during the ninja performance, I engaged in banter with the performers.
2025 has been an extremely challenging year, but...
- I've read around 25 volumes of manga in Japanese for the first time
- Made steady improvements with drawing/art
- Despite the things I've endured and survived, I've reconnected with a lot of things that make me excited about the world
- I've read around 25 volumes of manga in Japanese for the first time
- Made steady improvements with drawing/art
- Despite the things I've endured and survived, I've reconnected with a lot of things that make me excited about the world
Quote this with what you have accomplished in 2025, no matter how big or small
Reading & writing has kept me alive this year.
Somehow, it’s been my most productive year as an author.
Here’s a guide to what I’ve published in 2025, in case you’ve lost track.
Individual links below but it’s all on itch: danifinn.itch.io
And elsewhere: books2read.com/ap/nAApPp/Da...
1/
Somehow, it’s been my most productive year as an author.
Here’s a guide to what I’ve published in 2025, in case you’ve lost track.
Individual links below but it’s all on itch: danifinn.itch.io
And elsewhere: books2read.com/ap/nAApPp/Da...
1/
December 27, 2025 at 1:18 PM
2025 has been an extremely challenging year, but...
- I've read around 25 volumes of manga in Japanese for the first time
- Made steady improvements with drawing/art
- Despite the things I've endured and survived, I've reconnected with a lot of things that make me excited about the world
- I've read around 25 volumes of manga in Japanese for the first time
- Made steady improvements with drawing/art
- Despite the things I've endured and survived, I've reconnected with a lot of things that make me excited about the world
Reposted by MarionetteCreep
Being able to get through a lot of games, books, anime, and movies with at least 50% comprehension of what's happening is an insanely empowering feeling. You really shouldn't blow it off, especially if you start feeling burnt out on studying.
One of the single best things you can do for yourself as an intermediate or above Japanese learner is to revisit pieces of media that you've enjoyed.
You may not think you're making progress, but when you realise how much of it is just clicking this now, you'll realise how far you've come.
You may not think you're making progress, but when you realise how much of it is just clicking this now, you'll realise how far you've come.
December 27, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Being able to get through a lot of games, books, anime, and movies with at least 50% comprehension of what's happening is an insanely empowering feeling. You really shouldn't blow it off, especially if you start feeling burnt out on studying.
One of the single best things you can do for yourself as an intermediate or above Japanese learner is to revisit pieces of media that you've enjoyed.
You may not think you're making progress, but when you realise how much of it is just clicking this now, you'll realise how far you've come.
You may not think you're making progress, but when you realise how much of it is just clicking this now, you'll realise how far you've come.
December 27, 2025 at 11:23 AM
One of the single best things you can do for yourself as an intermediate or above Japanese learner is to revisit pieces of media that you've enjoyed.
You may not think you're making progress, but when you realise how much of it is just clicking this now, you'll realise how far you've come.
You may not think you're making progress, but when you realise how much of it is just clicking this now, you'll realise how far you've come.
I've been a big fan of monster, horror and ghost stories since I was a kid, and I stumbled upon one of the photos that had a very important role in how I envisioned ghosts in some stories.
The infamous Specter of Newby Church photo from 1963 appeared in a book, and it captured my imagination.
The infamous Specter of Newby Church photo from 1963 appeared in a book, and it captured my imagination.
December 26, 2025 at 11:24 AM
I've been a big fan of monster, horror and ghost stories since I was a kid, and I stumbled upon one of the photos that had a very important role in how I envisioned ghosts in some stories.
The infamous Specter of Newby Church photo from 1963 appeared in a book, and it captured my imagination.
The infamous Specter of Newby Church photo from 1963 appeared in a book, and it captured my imagination.
Some key reminders from the fantastic @scriptingjapan.bsky.social.
Fluency takes time, and you're own road takes the time and the pathway it needs. Likewise, working together to make a positive learning community is where it's at.
Fluency takes time, and you're own road takes the time and the pathway it needs. Likewise, working together to make a positive learning community is where it's at.
お前は普通の奴だ
YouTube video by Scripting Japan
www.youtube.com
December 25, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Some key reminders from the fantastic @scriptingjapan.bsky.social.
Fluency takes time, and you're own road takes the time and the pathway it needs. Likewise, working together to make a positive learning community is where it's at.
Fluency takes time, and you're own road takes the time and the pathway it needs. Likewise, working together to make a positive learning community is where it's at.
Looking back at it 25 years later, I think this was the scene that really got me into anime. Not quite the VHS tape quality of the time, but definitely the old Evangelion dub that did it.
December 24, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Looking back at it 25 years later, I think this was the scene that really got me into anime. Not quite the VHS tape quality of the time, but definitely the old Evangelion dub that did it.
It's deeply strange trying to play No, I'm Not a Human during Australian summer.
Regardless of how hot it is, it's pretty much the norm to see warnings like 'UV is extreme, please limit sun exposure if possible' on a daily basis. 'Extreme' is the highest category, incidentally.
Regardless of how hot it is, it's pretty much the norm to see warnings like 'UV is extreme, please limit sun exposure if possible' on a daily basis. 'Extreme' is the highest category, incidentally.
December 24, 2025 at 12:32 AM
It's deeply strange trying to play No, I'm Not a Human during Australian summer.
Regardless of how hot it is, it's pretty much the norm to see warnings like 'UV is extreme, please limit sun exposure if possible' on a daily basis. 'Extreme' is the highest category, incidentally.
Regardless of how hot it is, it's pretty much the norm to see warnings like 'UV is extreme, please limit sun exposure if possible' on a daily basis. 'Extreme' is the highest category, incidentally.
Finished Certain Dark Things last night, and Moreno-Garcia is shaping up to be one of my favourites.
This was a fantastic crime/vampire novel that was simultaneously small-scale and character-centric, but also intricate between the margins. Definitely worth a look if you like vampire stuff.
This was a fantastic crime/vampire novel that was simultaneously small-scale and character-centric, but also intricate between the margins. Definitely worth a look if you like vampire stuff.
December 24, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Finished Certain Dark Things last night, and Moreno-Garcia is shaping up to be one of my favourites.
This was a fantastic crime/vampire novel that was simultaneously small-scale and character-centric, but also intricate between the margins. Definitely worth a look if you like vampire stuff.
This was a fantastic crime/vampire novel that was simultaneously small-scale and character-centric, but also intricate between the margins. Definitely worth a look if you like vampire stuff.
So, I found a template from a certain horror game and felt compelled to make a quick Meathead edit. #meatpaint #noimnotahuman
December 21, 2025 at 11:08 PM
So, I found a template from a certain horror game and felt compelled to make a quick Meathead edit. #meatpaint #noimnotahuman
Wait, we're getting a live action version of Look Back from Kore-eda?! This could be quite the thing.
First teaser for "Look Back" live-action film by Hirokazu Kore-eda.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=djXq...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=djXq...
December 21, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Wait, we're getting a live action version of Look Back from Kore-eda?! This could be quite the thing.
Seeing a few language Youtubers I'd previously liked descend into being pro-genAI and advocating for AI app usage has been deeply disappointing.
It's beginning to feel that the idea of language learning being a process, rather than just an end, is fading in the minds of more people than I'd like.
It's beginning to feel that the idea of language learning being a process, rather than just an end, is fading in the minds of more people than I'd like.
December 19, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Seeing a few language Youtubers I'd previously liked descend into being pro-genAI and advocating for AI app usage has been deeply disappointing.
It's beginning to feel that the idea of language learning being a process, rather than just an end, is fading in the minds of more people than I'd like.
It's beginning to feel that the idea of language learning being a process, rather than just an end, is fading in the minds of more people than I'd like.
As harsh as this year has been, and as complex as a lot of things will be going forward into 2026... having a little room to stay up late and read books on warm nights for a few weeks as the year wraps up, is wonderful.
Let's see which books I can knock off the pile.
Let's see which books I can knock off the pile.
December 17, 2025 at 11:57 AM
As harsh as this year has been, and as complex as a lot of things will be going forward into 2026... having a little room to stay up late and read books on warm nights for a few weeks as the year wraps up, is wonderful.
Let's see which books I can knock off the pile.
Let's see which books I can knock off the pile.
A fun, lighthearted game series to chill out to: any game in the Katamari series.
A surprisingly horrific example of cosmic horror: any game in the Katamari series.
A surprisingly horrific example of cosmic horror: any game in the Katamari series.
December 16, 2025 at 12:06 AM
A fun, lighthearted game series to chill out to: any game in the Katamari series.
A surprisingly horrific example of cosmic horror: any game in the Katamari series.
A surprisingly horrific example of cosmic horror: any game in the Katamari series.
Reposted by MarionetteCreep
Add to this that social media age checks in Australia are being outsourced to KWS, a US-based subsidiary of Epic Games -- created by startup SuperAwesome (youth-targeted ad strategies).
"We may share your information with our Epic Games family of companies" www.kidswebservices.com/en-US/partne...
"We may share your information with our Epic Games family of companies" www.kidswebservices.com/en-US/partne...
December 13, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Add to this that social media age checks in Australia are being outsourced to KWS, a US-based subsidiary of Epic Games -- created by startup SuperAwesome (youth-targeted ad strategies).
"We may share your information with our Epic Games family of companies" www.kidswebservices.com/en-US/partne...
"We may share your information with our Epic Games family of companies" www.kidswebservices.com/en-US/partne...
It's official, Bluesky is now behind the verification wall for Australians now, and is a privacy and data security nightmare.
This 'Kids Web Services' platform is owned by Epic, and the security of your data is unverifiable. Your options are to give up your face, card number, or ID. This is bleak.
This 'Kids Web Services' platform is owned by Epic, and the security of your data is unverifiable. Your options are to give up your face, card number, or ID. This is bleak.
December 14, 2025 at 11:44 PM
It's official, Bluesky is now behind the verification wall for Australians now, and is a privacy and data security nightmare.
This 'Kids Web Services' platform is owned by Epic, and the security of your data is unverifiable. Your options are to give up your face, card number, or ID. This is bleak.
This 'Kids Web Services' platform is owned by Epic, and the security of your data is unverifiable. Your options are to give up your face, card number, or ID. This is bleak.
It still amuses me on a low-key level that my first exposure to the cyberpunk genre was in the late 90s as a kid. I still have a massive soft spot for Phantom 2040.
Phantom 2040 Intro
YouTube video by Dalton Barron
www.youtube.com
December 14, 2025 at 9:17 AM
It still amuses me on a low-key level that my first exposure to the cyberpunk genre was in the late 90s as a kid. I still have a massive soft spot for Phantom 2040.
It's been an exceptionally long year, and it's been a little bit since I did a proper Meathead piece. Feeling a bit rusty, but to anyone who's had a rough year, you've survived! #meatpaint
December 14, 2025 at 8:30 AM
It's been an exceptionally long year, and it's been a little bit since I did a proper Meathead piece. Feeling a bit rusty, but to anyone who's had a rough year, you've survived! #meatpaint
Finally got around to watching Sinners (2025).
Absolute fantastic piece of vampire/weird fiction/Southern Gothic cinema. No notes, and it's definitely amongst the best vampire films I've seen.
Absolute fantastic piece of vampire/weird fiction/Southern Gothic cinema. No notes, and it's definitely amongst the best vampire films I've seen.
December 14, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Finally got around to watching Sinners (2025).
Absolute fantastic piece of vampire/weird fiction/Southern Gothic cinema. No notes, and it's definitely amongst the best vampire films I've seen.
Absolute fantastic piece of vampire/weird fiction/Southern Gothic cinema. No notes, and it's definitely amongst the best vampire films I've seen.
Not usually one to watch the Game Awards too closely, but I must confess, a new Control, new Ace Combat, and two new Crystal Dynamics Tomb Raiders, and a Yakuza spiritual follow-up from the original creator as a combo are rather lovely.
Also, Pragmata officially has my attention now with the demo.
Also, Pragmata officially has my attention now with the demo.
December 12, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Not usually one to watch the Game Awards too closely, but I must confess, a new Control, new Ace Combat, and two new Crystal Dynamics Tomb Raiders, and a Yakuza spiritual follow-up from the original creator as a combo are rather lovely.
Also, Pragmata officially has my attention now with the demo.
Also, Pragmata officially has my attention now with the demo.
Been a long couple of months, but I've finally got another Meathead piece in the works. I'm fooling around with a physical concept before trying it digitally in the next few days. #meatpaint
December 11, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Been a long couple of months, but I've finally got another Meathead piece in the works. I'm fooling around with a physical concept before trying it digitally in the next few days. #meatpaint
Was digging through old files, and I found the photos of my first trip to Japan as a student, way back in January 2005. The trip was mainly spent as an exchange student in Okayama, and then the standard Kyoto-Hiroshima-Tokyo circuit. Sadly, I lost contact with my home stay over the years.
December 11, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Was digging through old files, and I found the photos of my first trip to Japan as a student, way back in January 2005. The trip was mainly spent as an exchange student in Okayama, and then the standard Kyoto-Hiroshima-Tokyo circuit. Sadly, I lost contact with my home stay over the years.
Update on the previous post, Discord is already being affected in Australia with any channels that are tagged. This... could get complex.
December 10, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Update on the previous post, Discord is already being affected in Australia with any channels that are tagged. This... could get complex.
Fair warning, depending on the nature of identity verification that Bluesky pushes in response to the new laws here in Australia, this account might go dark for a bit.
I'm in my late 30s, but I'm not willing to risk a data breach of my ID for the sake of social media if push comes to shove.
I'm in my late 30s, but I'm not willing to risk a data breach of my ID for the sake of social media if push comes to shove.
December 10, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Fair warning, depending on the nature of identity verification that Bluesky pushes in response to the new laws here in Australia, this account might go dark for a bit.
I'm in my late 30s, but I'm not willing to risk a data breach of my ID for the sake of social media if push comes to shove.
I'm in my late 30s, but I'm not willing to risk a data breach of my ID for the sake of social media if push comes to shove.
Following up on the repost about the joy of the creative process and its struggles, I must say that it's very much the same with language learning.
We do this because it kindles a fire within us, and the struggle is half the point. Replacing that with genAI removes the fundamental joy of learning.
We do this because it kindles a fire within us, and the struggle is half the point. Replacing that with genAI removes the fundamental joy of learning.
December 6, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Following up on the repost about the joy of the creative process and its struggles, I must say that it's very much the same with language learning.
We do this because it kindles a fire within us, and the struggle is half the point. Replacing that with genAI removes the fundamental joy of learning.
We do this because it kindles a fire within us, and the struggle is half the point. Replacing that with genAI removes the fundamental joy of learning.