galateus (galateus) wrote in scans_daily, @ 2009-06-05 17:43:00 |
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Entry tags: | in-joke: bondage, in-joke: crack, medium: manga, title: four swords plus |
Four Swords+ part three: "Day of the Tentacle"
A bit of a late entry, but part four should be back on track. Nothing to do with either Theme Week, but it does contain blatant subtext that even context can't make better. Unlike the other posts, this is less plot advancement and characterization and more of an eclectic collection of "special" moments in the series, but if you want to catch up on who these people are:
Our hero, Link, was struck by a radioactive magic sword, from that day forward becoming Quadruplicate Lad.
The four Links could never really get along, even in the face of certain doom. So without the mightiest superpower of all to save them (it's teamwork), the merciless river rapids destroyed their stolen boat and sent the Links to an early, watery grave.
...Or not. It doesn't really explain how they survived falling over a waterfall like that, but they each seem to fall through these... black rectangular portal holes? Whatever, the end result is the four of them are scattered across the world. It might be a reference to a game mechanic that would make more sense if I'd actually played Four Swords Adventures.
But the important part is, not only are they separated (robbing them of the power of teamwork forever), they are beset on all sides by The Four Temptations Of Link, catered to each of their personalities.
Red's trusting naïveté is exploited.
Boisterous Blue (self-convinced that he's Original Link again) is offered the chance to fight sorcerer Gufuu/Vaati alone.
Vio... We'll get to him in the next post.
As for Green Link, well:
Of course, because this is Japan, that one Seduction of the Innocent moment is completely eclipsed by the homoerotic subtext that follows...in spite of the minor obstacle of all the characters involved being the same person. (God, I love this series.)
Scans from chapter 11: final boss.
Who says tentacles only attack schoolgirls?
Seriously... Red's holding down his billowing tunic to protect his dignity as he's hoisted up by what's apparently not just any evil tentacle, but a tongue-tentacle? It's like they just re-traced over Kiss Players or something.
Let's just say Red and Blue came a long way, Odd Couple-style, between the last time we saw them and chapter 11. (Red also got a little sweet, fiery revenge for the oar incident.)
Yeah... Red's little "oh my ♥," is one thing, but it's Blue's "oh, snap!" I can't wrap my head around. I didn't hear Vaati/Gufuu cracking wise about Link's mama or anything.
Maybe it just wouldn't be manga without copious tentacle bondage that at least one victim seems to be enjoying a little too much?
And so Legolas the surprisingly-pretty knights of Hyrule narrowly save the boys from a fate worse than death: Tentacle porn.
Sadly, the adventure eventually ends. With Zelda saved and Vaati vanquished, Link now has to relinquish the Four Sword... which means there can't be four of him anymore.
But even that depressing thought can't stand in the way of slashiness. (And right in front of Zelda, too):
Scans from pp25-26 of chapter 12.
Really brings up the age-old question of "does that make it narcissism, incest, or masturbation" doesn't it?
...What's that? You say I've been skipping something? Oh, right. The entire plot. There's plenty of that, even with some subtext that's actually subtle, in the next installment. That bittersweet ending might still be coming, but it ain't here yet.