I'm a highlighter addict who recently had to start wearing my glasses more often and all of my inner corner highlights seem to get lost behind them. Everything I read says to definitely lighten up that spot! Any suggestions? Obviously available in Canada and cruelty free if possible! I'm fair-skinned with light green eyes and lavendeblack-brown tortishell glasses. Thank you beauties!

A while back I bought a Quest 2 from a guy on eBay for $300, and it has worked perfectly until very recently. I'm starting to see strange lines of various colors across the screen, and the unit won't focus the way it used to, which strains my eyes and gives me a headache.
Yes, I would go out and buy a Quest Pro which, according to many reviewers whose videos I've watched, is the most bang for the buck right now. unless it's the HTC Vive XR Elite. The price difference between those two is not a deciding factor for me. Instead I would appreciate anyone's experiences with these two models, and any other thoughts. I'll be doing PCVR with whichever headset I choose.

In good weather, I take daily 1.5~2 mile barefoot walks around the neighborhood (in addition to other barefooting around town when I do shopping and errands). There are patches on my standard walk where the ground is covered with twigs, seeds, acorns, and occasional small stones. I am ok with that, but it is definitely always uncomfortable and not a highlight of the walk. I walk carefully through this area and try to configure my feet to minimize things poking at me — and fortunately it's just a short stretch, followed by a lovely meadow area. But this got me wondering about places around the world where people are barefoot all the time (whether by choice or lack of access to shoes), and the earlier history of our species before shoes and sandals came into common use. If you are barefoot your whole life, do you really end up not noticing and not minding small things poking at you underfoot? Does that really happen? Seems almost impossible to me (especially since studies show that sole sensitivity is still remarkably good in people who habitually go barefoot). But then again, our ancestors did not spend most of their time walking on pavement and smooth floors, so they must have managed somehow. I am wondering what if anything science knows about this, or what the personal experience of others might be. Pure curiosity — not going to give up my walks.

𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙜-1 𝙚𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙙𝙚 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨
"One Hundred Days" is an episode from the TV series Stargate SG-1. In the episode, SG-1 visits a planet with a Stargate. While exploring, Colonel Jack O'Neill becomes trapped in a cave due to a sudden and severe meteor shower that buries the Stargate under rock. The rest of the team manages to escape back to Earth, leaving O'Neill behind.
Stranded alone on the planet, O'Neill uses his survival skills to ration his limited supplies and tries to find a way to signal for rescue. Over time, he constructs a makeshift radio tower to amplify his distress signal. However, he soon realizes that his signal will take one hundred days to reach Earth due to the planet's distance from their galaxy.
During his solitary existence, O'Neill faces various challenges, including isolation, harsh weather conditions, and even a close encounter with a predatory alien creature. As days turn into weeks, O'Neill's morale begins to waver, and he grows increasingly desperate for rescue.
Back on Earth, SG-1 and the Stargate Command work tirelessly to find a way to rescue O'Neill. They try different approaches, including the possibility of using a black hole to bend space-time and retrieve him. However, these attempts prove unsuccessful, and O'Neill's fate remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, O'Neill's determination and resourcefulness keep him going as he finds solace in an abandoned Goa'uld temple, discovering technology that allows him to communicate with his teammates on Earth. This gives him a glimmer of hope, but the long wait continues.
Finally, after enduring the grueling ordeal, O'Neill's distress signal reaches Earth, and a rescue mission is organized. With seconds to spare before his radio tower collapses, SG-1 is able to dial the planet and bring O'Neill back home.
"One Hundred Days" showcases O'Neill's resilience and survival skills as he faces a seemingly insurmountable challenge. The episode also highlights the dedication and unwavering loyalty of his teammates as they do everything in their power to bring him back.

Hi guys, (Pardon my english, I am french), I need a different perspective on a situation i had yesterday because I am doubting my relationship and I am wondering if I am making things up. Yesterday, me, my boyfriend (lets call him Kevin) and his little sister (lets call her Marianne) went in our hometown which is 2hours and a half away from our current home to meet with friends and have some fun. The plan was that me and Marianne would meet some friends, go eat and then go to a club while he goes see his friends on his side and when we are ready to go back home, we had to text him and he would pick us up in time. The restaurant was great! We had a good time we enjoyed but when we arrive to this club, it went downhill.
We first got there because we heard many good reviews (my boyfriend and some of my friends in that group said good things too) so we trusted that. We were dress properly, (if it matters), we were not were not wearing revealing clothes a tad sexy but not exaggerated , I even wonder on my side if they would let me in because I was dress with clothes i put on everyday. In my city, you can’t go in a club wearing sneakers or wearing jeans, you have to dress a certain way to get in. So we arrived there, and the club, looks trash, it was not the type of club we are used to go. Even my friends were surprised and says that it was not like that when they went before covid. The club was small and jumpack, there was a lot of street members, the guys would touch us when we try to walk in the crowd, they will grab our hands and literally try to convince us to drink with them and they wouldn’t take no for an answer. Fortunately for us, we manage to stay together(no we didn’t drink with guys), but understandably, for these reasons, most of my friend left not without making sure that we were not alone.
So at that point, It was me, Marianne and another friend. I texted my boyfriend at 1:45 am to inform him of the situation and ask him to pick us up, and he said he would be there in 30 minutes. So we waited 20 minutes inside the club, but at some point, we couldn’t take it anymore so we went outside to wait for the remaining ten minutes. Now the guys outside were super aggressive, and wouldn’t take no for an answer. They were more aggressive than inside the club. We were super scared. 10 minutes passed (2:15) and kevin is no were to be found. Therefore, I am trying to call him but he doesn’t pick up the phone. At somepoint 10 minutes later (about, 2:25 am) I literally texted him, for the love of god where are you, there are guys that wont leave us alone please come. This is where he called us. He tell us he will be there in 15-20 minutes because his friends needs a lift to their cars. Mind you they all have their own car, but they decided to use his car to go to a casino that is 15-20 min away. The timing doesnt make sens, It shouldnt have taken that long.
I am pissed but I dont say anything, but I tell him to hurry up, because we don’t feel safe. At some points, our feet hurt, we are physically tired, and as time passed, the guys were more drunk so more aggressive so we decided to go down the street and sit inside a bus shelter.
15-20 minutes passed (around 2:45) and he is still not here. My friend take a cab and go home, so its me and Marianne. Now we have to deal with the crack heads, they started banging on the bus shelter, so we leave this place but they follow us and start calling us name. We are scared as they are supper aggressive. I call my boyfriend, he ignores my call and my text, but when his sister calls, he pick up the phone, and he says he is still with his friend and that he will be here in another 15 minutes. I can hear his friend in the back of his car. I am pissed I am telling him we are scared, and I ask him if he was really coming , he says yes, there is traffic but he’ll be here.
Mind you, there was no sign of any traffic on our side.
Another 15 minutes passed, we are walking, we are cold, so his sister call him, i grab the phone, and I let him know that we are really scared, that we have been waiting after him, we have no where to go (my friends do not live close from where we were) and its been a while now. I told him that I couldn’t trust him to come in time, otherwise we would have made other plans so we dont have to wait alone in the night, that we were scared to get raped, but he woudln’t budge. I asked him, when he knew he had to pick us up tonight, why they didn’t take separate car to go in the casino, (his friends all came with their cars) , he said that I was on speaker phone (with an embarrassed voice) and I shouldn’t say that. His sister, picked up the phone, and even told him 4 times that we were scared.
Now its 3 am, and he still hasn’t showed up, we are super cold, and almost out of battery, and dont know what is happening . We keep on calling him and he says he is close. 15 minutes later, I text my best friend about the situation, and how pissed and scared I am, she is ready to come get us, and finally he arrived. It was 3:15 am . We texted him at 1:45am. There is no way it took that long (1 hour and a half) to come pick us up. Obviously, we get in the car and we are angry. I explain to him what happened and that the fact he was not reliable and prioritized his friends over us put us in a dangerous predicament. Which he answered, that he is not a taxi driver. I didn’t want to say more because his sister were with us but to say that I was shocked would be an under statement. I asked him, what if something would have happened to his little sister or to me, he answered that not his fault if he couldn’t arrive in time, that we should have waited inside the club and then he proceeded to give me attitude for stressing him out.
He is never like that normally, he is the sweetest and such a gentleman but yesterday, I didn’t recognize him.
Was I the AH? Did I overreacted? Am I crazy for feeling the way I am feeling? What would you do after this? I need advice.
Oh and by the way, before someone asked, I didn’t call my friend sooner because every time he said that he would be there in 15-20 minutes, which is faster than the amount of time it would have taken my friend to come pick us up.

Running paid ads never worked for me.
But I’ve been selling my guide! 🎉
How? All through Social Media.
People saw my content somewhere, started following me, opted for my lead magnets and eventually some of them ended up buying the guide (a good choice by the way)
So I thought it would be great to chat about how I manage to get consistent traffic to my website using a strong content marketing strategy.
In fact, I’d argue that content marketing is one of the most effective methods for most companies.
Just look at case studies of how various founders got their first 1000 users at First1000.co or StarterStory.
For me, LinkedIn performed way better than anything else (Twitter, Instagram, etc). It’s where my ideal clients hang out. But also the algorithm favors my type of content.
To get content marketing right you need to know what your ideal persona looks like, where they hang out, what their pains are, and what platforms will favor the content you’re producing.
Building your Content Pillars:
The first step when starting content marketing is to figure out your content pillars: topics that your audience cares about.
I mostly talk about startup growth (Main Topic)
My content pillars are: Customer Acquisition, Startup Marketing, Fund raising, Ideation, Building MVPs, Validating your Product.
Having a consistent, valuable presence on your preferred channels (Linkedin, Instagram etc.) will build trust and keep you in people’s minds.
Figure out your Offer:
You need an offer you’ll promote on your social channels. This’ll give people a reason to give you their email or follow you.
Some may even be ready to buy from you. Make it easy for them by putting your offer in your profile or at the end of your posting content.
Build a Lead Magnets and Newsletter:
Newsletters are great for keeping your audience engaged and informed about your latest developments. But it can also be a source of funneling users to your product.
By providing valuable insights and updates in a regular and consistent manner, you can build a loyal following and establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. So you generate more leads and drive more traffic to their website.
You can grow your email pipeline with lead magnets, which are valuable gated content that requires sharing an email to get.
To make sure you get this right, create high-quality free content that's relevant to your product and target audience. Then, embed a lead magnet, such as a free e-book or exclusive discount, in exchange for signing up for your mailing list. Finally, create a landing page that highlights the benefits of joining your mailing list and share it on social media and other marketing channels.
Additional considerations

• Make sure to monitor your progress. Use tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, or SEMrush/Moz to track your website's traffic, rankings, and performance. Use this data to make data-driven decisions and adjust your strategy as needed.
  
• Used tools like Buffer and Planable to plan and schedule all your social media content in advance.
  
• Check out content marketing guide that gives a more in-depth breakdown on how to do everything to do with content marketing such as:
  
  • The fundamentals of content marketing
  • Content production, blogging, and writing content
  • Distribution, promotion, and tools.

Hope you found this email Helpful .. Share your review by replying to this email.
See you next week.
Looking for other ideas for acquiring users? check out this Zero to Users guide, which tells you what Acquisition Channels worked best for founders.

ICYMI -- here are some of the top moments coming out of the final major of CS:GO:

Liquid Rolls Back the Years (to 2019 not 2018)

Who had Liquid 0-2 to 3-2 in the BLAST Paris Challengers Stage?
After getting embarrassed by Apeks & ForZe on Day 1, few believed NA’s darlings would recover from their disastrous start... until they got matched against Fluxo in the 0-3 pool.
Fluxo got 16-2’d by paiN -- how could Liquid lose?
(If I had a nickel for every time I asked that question I wouldn't be writing this)
In classic Liquid fashion, they gave their 14 year old fanbase multiple heart attacks throughout the series. Despite being pushed to the edge, Liquid pulled through to live on at the Major. After steamrolling their NA brethren in Complexity, Liquid faced Grayhound for the last spot in the Legends stage. It was a layup of a match for them, taking care of the dawgs in two maps and continuing their major run.
Surprisingly, they didn’t choke on the opening day of Legends. They destroyed 9INE and Na’Vi to go 2-0, off the back of a disgusting match by YEKINDAR.
Liquid 3-0 pickers slept happy that night, but their bubble was popped the following day 🫧
Up against their kryptonite (5 dudes from Denmark) Liquid failed to take down Heroic to earn their berth in playoffs, which tee’d them up for a 2-1 match against Into the Breach. The Brits vs. Americans — what year is this, 1781?
Liquid made quick work of the world’s 28th best team on an overtime Overpass and one-sided Anubis, securing their spot among the 8 final teams in the Paris major. Despite not going 3-0, Liquid have made NA proud once again — perfect timing for the final CS:GO Major.
​

🇩🇰 Heroic and Vitality 🐝

I had Heroic as my 3-0 until I switched them for ENCE. Please do not ask me how I’m doing.
ZywOo decided he wanted to win Paris, so that was cool ig. Bro dropped a 1.38 rating in their 3-0 run. Playing in his home city must’ve awoken something inside of him. Rumor has it the air quality is perfect in Paris — and this has something to do with his performances. On the Heroic side — they swept aside FaZe and Apeks en route to their playoffs speedrun. They took down Liquid in the 2-0 pool for the cherry on top 🍒

G-2 Disappointing Majors in a Row

Déjà vu anyone?
At least this time G2 actually made it to the major before bombing out in the Swiss Stage 🧀 After losing their opening match to the ZywOo Effect™️, they fumbled the bag by losing 16-13 to an org-less Bad News Eagles 🦅
G2's backs were against the ropes — one Bo3 away from elimination in the final Major of CS:GO. FURIA were next in line for G2, but their crippling lack of T-Sides allowed G2 to live another day. In the 1-2 pool, G2 found themselves against the mezii-led fnatic in a game with elimination on the line. After taking each of their own map picks, the two euro-mixes found themselves on the game’s best fucking map for elimination:

DE_VERTIGO

​
nicoodoz came alive on the final map to turn the tides in favor of fnatic, who took the map 16-13. Minutes later, there were numerous reports of Chinese phone numbers hitting up members of G2.
​

The PLAYOFFS:

ZywOo decided this was his tournament to win. The Chosen One and his friends took home the slimy dorito trophy in front of the home crowd 🥖
Vitality scooped up their first major in an undefeated playoff run against some of the best teams in the world — Into the Breach, Apeks, and GamerLegion.
Yes. You are reading that correctly. To say they had an easy run is… an understatement. Sure, you can only face who is in front of you, and props to them for capitalizing. It just feels kinda lame how the playoffs of the final CS:GO major played out.
In other news, dupreeh took home his fifth Major title in Vitality’s dream run.
This makes him:

• The only player to have won 5 majors 🎖
• The only player that has attended every major in history 🥇
• The player with the most career earnings all-time 💰
• The only player with the right to use that amazing Faze down, Ass up deagle nickname lmao 🔥

This dude really went from sweating bullets to sweating major trophies, huh?

R.I.P DIAMOND COINS AGAIN 💎

When the Major comes around, there’s one CS:GO fans always like to bitch about — their Pick 'Ems. According to Leetify, only 0.3% of players got the diamond coin this time around. This was better than Rio’s 0.1%, but still abysmal compared to the 8% and 11% of Berlin and Antwerp respectively.
Why did so few get the coin this time? Some of the biggest names failed to make it out of the legends stage. Teams like G2 and Na’Vi. The ones that did, like Heroic and Liquid, didn’t even make it past the semis. I don’t know about you, but the absolute last thing I was expecting was GamerLegion in the final. Here’s some of the notable matches that led to this wild playoff bracket:

• fnatic 2-1 versus G2 (ouch)
• GamerLegion 2-1 versus Heroic (ouch again)
• Apeks 2-0 versus Liquid
• Into the Breach 2-1 versus fnatic (UK on UK violence smh)

​

Guys This Isn’t a Disney Movie Why Are All These Underdogs Here 😳

He’s H-iM
Let’s talk about the people who pulled off the upsets, who shook the scene to its core throughout the last major ever.
First on the list is Mihai “iM” Ivan from GamerLegion. This guy was turning heads all tournament with his outstanding level of play against the very best.
Despite him and his team getting off to a disastrous start of 0-2 in the challengers stage, they fought their way all the way to the Grand Final. He ended the tournament with a stupid 1.35 HLTV rating, trailing only ZywOo.
Apex Legends Apeks Playoffs
Another team that surprised everyone has to be Apeks— remember guys like STYKO, jkaem, or nawwk? They impressed everyone by stealing a spot in the semis over NA’s darling.
In a run that seemingly came out of no where, yet another random mix of EU players stormed the game’s biggest stage, broke countless hearts, put up a solid fight against the eventual trophy lifters.
I'm just glad I didn’t put any money on these games. If I did, I’d probably have to resort to writing a CS:GO newsletter just to make rent! Wait...
If you like this sorta CS coverage -- I have a newsletter where I recap everything going on in CS. Highlights, news, memes, you name it. It's called The Defuse Kit. Here's the link:
https://join.defusekit.com/

My hair is dyed blond with purple highlights and I just had it done yesterday. What is a good shampoo to use on purple hair so it doesn't fade quickly?

Hey guys:
I have developed a CLI tool for handling JSON data.
The main features currently completed include:

1. pretty-print JSON with syntax highlight and indent.
2. Minimize JSON to a single line.
3. Convert data between JSON, TOML, and YAML formats.
4. Pick out part of a large JSON data via path.

While more features are still being developed. Tries and suggestions are welcome.
Source is here: https://github.com/seamile/jsonfmt.

Infrared heating technology has revolutionized the way we stay warm and comfortable outdoors. Whether you're looking to extend your patio season or create a cozy atmosphere in your garden, infrared panels, and patio heaters offer a convenient and energy-efficient solution. In this article, we will explore the world of infrared heating, highlighting the benefits, and types of heaters available, and how you can easily incorporate them into your outdoor spaces in Ireland.

The Advantages of Infrared Heating

Infrared heating brings a multitude of advantages that make it an appealing choice for outdoor comfort. Let's dive into some of the key benefits:

1. Efficient and Direct Heat Distribution

Unlike traditional heating methods that warm the surrounding air, infrared heaters emit radiant heat that warms objects and people directly. This efficient heat distribution means you can enjoy instant warmth without waiting for the air to heat up. It's like basking in the sun on a chilly day!

2. Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings

Infrared heaters are renowned for their energy efficiency. By directly heating the objects and people in their path, they eliminate energy waste and minimize heat loss. This focused approach allows you to save on energy bills while still enjoying a cozy outdoor space.

3. Versatile and Weatherproof

Infrared heaters come in various forms, including panels and patio heaters, providing flexibility for different outdoor settings. These heaters are designed to withstand outdoor conditions, making them suitable for gardens, patios, restaurants, and other open-air environments in Ireland.

4. Instant Warmth with Adjustable Settings

Infrared heaters offer immediate warmth, so you don't have to endure a cold start. With adjustable settings and controls, you have the freedom to set the desired temperature and create a comfortable environment to suit your preferences.

Types of Infrared Heaters

Now that we understand the advantages of infrared heating, let's explore the different types of heaters available for outdoor use in Ireland.

1. Infrared Panel Heaters

Infrared panel heaters are sleek and discreet heating solutions that can be mounted on walls or ceilings. These panels emit radiant heat, warming up the surrounding objects and people, much like the sun's rays. They are an excellent choice for outdoor spaces with limited floor or patio space.

2. Infrared Patio Heaters

Infrared patio heaters are freestanding units designed specifically for outdoor use. These heaters come in various styles, such as standalone models, tabletop heaters, and even hanging heaters for covered areas. They provide targeted heat, allowing you to create a cozy ambiance in your garden or patio.

3. Portable Infrared Heaters

For added convenience, portable infrared heaters offer flexibility in terms of mobility and placement. These compact heaters can be easily moved around your outdoor space, ensuring warmth wherever you need it. They are ideal for outdoor gatherings, camping trips, or simply lounging on your deck.

4. Infrared Ceiling Heaters

Infrared ceiling heaters are a popular choice for covered outdoor areas, such as gazebos or pergolas. These heaters are mounted on the ceiling, providing radiant heat from above. They effectively warm up the space without occupying valuable floor or seating areas.

Incorporating Infrared Heating into Your Outdoor Space

Now that you're familiar with the types of infrared heaters available, let's explore how you can effortlessly incorporate them into your outdoor spaces in Ireland.

1. Designing a Cozy Patio with Infrared Panels

If you have a patio or outdoor seating area, consider installing infrared panel heaters on the walls or ceiling. These panels can be seamlessly integrated into the design, providing both warmth and an aesthetically pleasing look. Enjoy the cool evenings in Ireland while staying warm and comfortable.

2. Creating an Inviting Garden Oasis with Patio Heaters

Transform your garden into a cozy oasis by strategically placing patio heaters around seating areas or near walkways. With their versatile designs, patio heaters not only provide warmth but also enhance the ambiance of your outdoor space. Imagine enjoying a cup of tea surrounded by the serene beauty of your garden, even during chilly weather.

3. Flexibility and Mobility with Portable Heaters

Portable infrared heaters offer the advantage of mobility, allowing you to bring warmth wherever you need it. Arrange them around your outdoor dining area or move them around during gatherings for maximum comfort. These portable heaters are also great for camping trips or picnics in the park.

4. Extending Outdoor Seasons with Covered Spaces

If you have a covered outdoor area like a gazebo or pergola, infrared ceiling heaters are an excellent choice. Mount them on the ceiling to provide comfortable heat from above, ensuring you can enjoy your outdoor space even during cooler months. Host outdoor parties or relax with a good book, all while staying warm and cozy.

Conclusion

Infrared heating offers a convenient and efficient solution for outdoor comfort in Ireland. Whether you choose infrared panels, patio heaters, or portable options, you can easily incorporate these cutting-edge heaters into your outdoor spaces. Enjoy extended patio seasons, create a cozy garden oasis, or stay warm during outdoor gatherings with the help of infrared heating. Embrace the ease and comfort provided by this technology, and make the most of your outdoor experiences, regardless of the weather.

I previously made a theory that the veil or what the portal leads to is basically a physical akashic record
(https://www.reddit.com/DestinyLore/comments/12cl39a/veil_theory_and_the_akashic_record/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1)
With the new season we were given a cutscene of a guardian trying to enter the portal the witness opened. The person instantly died but we have a lore card for that person with a new ship in this season called akashic revelation. (https://www.ishtar-collective.net/entries/akashic-revelation)
In the lore tab it talks about how when the guardian entered the portal he saw flashes of the Big Bang and the eventual natural death of the universe (heat death). He even heard a mother laughter and someone saying the name “Eric”.
The portal showed him the entire history of the universe before he died. Him and his ghost being melted into the ship they traveled with. I think the teaser trailer we got for TFS, the place they were in could be outside of the universe where cause and effect don’t exist. Where time and space are one in the same yet not at all.
So tldr the portal is definitely a physical akashic record of the entire universe and where it leads is outside of the universe where time and space almost overlap.

Uma Musume: Pretty Derby - ROAD TO THE TOP
I wasn’t planning on checking out the 4 episode special for Uma Musume, but the amazing opening caught my eye and convinced me to give it a shot. As I started watching, it was clear to me that this show’s superb animation was supported by some incredible cinematography that helped build the narrative between its leads. As a fun exercise, I wanted to try to highlight some of the directing choices and break down how Uma Musume RTTT gets away with telling so little by showing so much.
Cinematography is the presentation of the visuals in anime. The arrangement of characters in a scene, the lighting, the focus on props or backgrounds: all of these can be encapsulated by “cinematography,” and put in a ton of work for the viewing experience. There are plenty of obvious instances where a show will employ cinematography, but even if you don’t notice it immediately, these choices can have an underlying psychological effect in how you experience a scene. You can dye a scene in blue to enhance the melancholy. You can cut away from a conversation to a nearby prop to reveal a character’s mental state. These visual techniques can easily go underappreciated, and Uma Musume thankfully has some fairly overt examples that we can analyze.
(spoilers for episode 1)
Prologue
Episode one opens up with the Yayoi Sho, a GII race that introduces two of our main leads: Narita Top Road and Admiral Vega. Much of what I want to talk about in this race will come later. But let me give a brief synopsis of the race. Under a slight drizzle, we start off with Avec Blaze* in the lead. Narita Top Road, eager to meet the expectations of her fans and coach, puts on a burst of speed to take the lead. Admiral Vega, who also feels the need to win for a yet undisclosed person, quickly follows up on her heels despite lingering behind the pack. Though it’s a close affair between the two, Narita Top Road clutches her lead and wins the race. She cheerfully waves to the crowd while Admiral Vega regretfully looks on. The episode immediately gives viewers exactly what they’re here for: some hype horse girls racing.
Narita Top Road: the favorite
After the OP, we follow Narita Top Road in her daily school life. Her training starts at dawn, and this is clearly a recurring affair since her coach advises her to take a break.** At school, Narita Top Road is the class president and is admired by her classmates. Between her coach, fans, and friends, there’s plenty of people who acknowledge her drive and expect great things from her. Admiral Vega, noticing a small injury on Narita Top Road’s thigh, brings her outside to put a band-aid on it. In the hallway, Narita Top Road and Admiral Vega confess to one another declare their respective determination to win the upcoming Satsukisho. While Narita Top Road professes her excitement to race along with someone she admires, the light from the windows is always illuminating her face. She is quite literally glowing. Meanwhile, Admiral Vega, who feels hesitant about befriending her rivals, seems to have her face framed in between the path of these light beams. She’s not poorly lit by any means: there is just a clear difference in how our two characters are illuminated. The light is so all over Narita Top Road that she is reflecting light. This light and dark metaphor will persist throughout the episode’s run.
We’re next treated to a brief origin story for Narita Top Road. What helps sell the flashback is the fact that the conversations with the trainer all take place at sunset. This is a great example of the “Against the Setting Sun” trope, where Narita Top Road and the trainer make a goal to conquer the Twinkle Series together. Sunsets can symbolize transitioning to another phase, and here it depicts Narita Top Road’s first step to becoming a pro. We’re also treated to a parallel from an earlier training scene, where Narita Top Road attempts to make a sharp turn from the outside of the pack. She struggles more in this flashback, staggering several times; there is a noticeable improvement in the training scene that took place during the present, where Narita Top Road only staggers once. The mirroring of her first training scene in this flashback confirms Narita Top Road’s consistent practice and diligence. Narita Top Road works from sunrise to sunset, and when you consider the previous paragraph on lighting, it becomes apparent that Narita Top Road can be associated with daylight.
TM Opera O: in the middle
While Satsukisho is expected to be all about Admiral Vega vs. Narita Top Road, we switch unexpectedly to a third character. The ordering of events here was initially a bit confusing for me: we start with a cocky smirk prior to cutting to the eyecatch, with the upper half of the face hidden. When we come back, the first thing we see is an eye: it is TM Opera O waking up at 2 AM, visibly distressed. Then, it cuts to a flashback where TM Opera O is returning to running after an injury. She is all bravado and speaks boldly of her destiny to win every race she enters. She proceeds to win consecutive races, backing up her claims, but is also shown visibly struggling during training. Even so, she proudly declares that her perseverance in the face of adversity is for the audience: TM Opera O lives to win and bask in the cheers of a crowd.
This flashback in my opinion serves to humanize TM Opera O’s larger than life personality: behind her dramatic flair and proud sense of self is someone who worked incredibly hard to get back into shape and still experiences some stress about meeting the standards she set for herself. For instance, her introduction starts with just her mouth, hiding the eyes, which are commonly used to indicate a character’s true nature. Then the show cuts to that portion of the face (eye) that was missing in that first shot, suggesting that the TM Opera O waking up right now is closer to her true self than the more grandiose mask she wears in public. She’ll continue to play this theatrical character in the series, but her introduction serves to let the audience know early on that she’s had her own share of struggles and insecurities.
Admiral Vega: the rival
Finally, we get to Admiral Vega and what she’s doing in preparation for the Satsukisho. We cut to night time, where Admiral Vega leaves to go for a run. She and her roommate, Curren Chan, are placed in different layers (Admiral Vega slightly blurred in the front while Curren Chan is sharp and placed behind her). This arrangement highlights the contrast in their activities: as Curren Chan is clearly winding down the day by brushing her tail, Admiral Vega is off to train.
As she runs along a deserted street with numerous streetlights, Admiral Vega refuses to step into them. In fact, she’s shown running away from the light. The connection to darkness suggests that Admiral Vega’s motivations could be unhealthy. Or, going back to her thoughts in the hallway, Admiral Vega’s avoidance of light could connect to her dogma that she does not need friends or rivals (in this case, Narita Top Road who is the light): she just has to win at all costs. Either way, the lack of lighting for Admiral Vega directly sets her up as the clear rival for Narita Top Road. In the very next scene, Narita Top Road practices in broad daylight to the cheers of her classmates. Lighting and the time of day will play a pivotal role in coloring the interactions between these two characters in the rest of the series.
Final Race
And now we’ve finally arrived at the Satsukisho, a premiere GI race for our trio of leads. Before it begins, Admiral Vega and Narita Top Road meet in the tunnels leading to the racetrack. Even though they are in the exact same location with respect to the light from the exit, Narita Top Road’s face is illuminated while Admiral Vega’s face continues to be shadowed. These two are definitely rivals and antitheses to one another. However, TM Opera O appears from the top of the tunnel exit, the backlighting giving her an almost videogame-boss-like feel; these two were supposed to be focused on one another, but the more menacing opponent may be the one standing above them.
Even if the media has tried to convince you that it’s a close affair between Narita Top Road and Admiral Vega, the cinematography makes it clear that this is Narita Top Road’s race to lose. Despite her cheerful demeanor in training, Narita Top Road is actually very nervous. She’s the last to enter her start gate and, as her classmates and friends cheer her on, we get this shot of Narita Top Road seemingly caged in by her starting gate. These expectations that she’s desperate to meet are beginning to stress her out. As we start the race, you’ll see that many of the shots here mirror that first race, which Narita Top Road won: the stormy clouds and slight drizzle, the shot of her coach right before the dramatic last minute spurt from Narita Top Road to take the lead, and even the brief proximity of Narita Top Road and Admiral Vega give the impression that we’ve seen this exact race before.
But unlike the race at the start of the episode, TM Opera O arrives to steal the show! There’s an incredible panning shot that zooms in on TM Opera O as she makes a break for the lead, emphasizing her approach. But then she flies past the camera, and the shot becomes an inverted zoom away. Not only does this shot give the viewer the sense of being left in the dust like her opponents, but the upside down perspective makes it clear that this result is an upset and, dare I say it, has flipped expectations. TM Opera O snatches victory from Narita Top Road’s hands, shattering the projection of a repeat of the first race’s results.*** She rightfully basks in the glory she anticipated earlier in the episode.
At the end, Narita Top Road is devastated. While TM Opera O celebrates, Narita Top Road’s sweaty face is pushed to the background: it’s a very familiar position for Admiral Vega. The mirroring of shots throughout this final race really gives this single episode a sense of completion, and that we’ve come full circle in spite of the different results. Despite the loss, the episode ends with Narita Top Road’s refusal to give in: a literal ray of sunshine breaks through the clouds and illuminates her as she holds her head high. Her hopes for a GI win have yet to be dashed, and she’ll have three more episodes to get her revenge. Meanwhile, Admiral Vega finished a dismal 6th, and her posture here is even more slumped than in the first race. Maybe it’s an injury bothering her, or perhaps it’s from the increasing weight of her failed expectations physically pushing her down. We’ll have to see in episode two if she’ll be able to find the same strength to raise her head.
Conclusion
As you watch the next three episodes, you’ll find the same impeccable directing throughout. They’ll continue to mirror previous shots to help depict the evolving relationships between characters and utilize lighting to contrast Narita Top Road and Admiral Vega. There are so many awesome shots littered throughout the show and despite my qualms for some of the story elements, my attention was captured by both the stellar race animation and the thoughtful cinematography. Even if you’re not that interested in horse girls, consider giving this short ONA a shot.****
Thanks to u/MyrnaMountWeazel for reviewing my essay!
*Is her name actually Astral Blaze?
**There’s a fun pair of shots here between the coach and Narita Top Road, but I wasn’t sure what this could mean outside of (spoilers) some potential communication issues between Narita Top Road and her trainer in the later episodes.
***I really was hoping that TM Opera O being in the 12th position and winning was a cinematic choice referencing Narita Top Road winning the first race in the 12th position, but no it is an actual coincidence.
****This was supposed to be a funny post about horse feet but I got lost in the directing sauce.

The official name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. However, since I can remember, it has gone by the nickname of Mormon. In April 1990 Russel M. Nelson of the quorum of the twelve apostles gave a talk in general conference titled, “Thus Shall My Church Be Called”. link here He explained why he felt it was important to use the full name of the church. In October 1990 President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the first presidency gave a talk titled “Mormon Should Mean More Good”. link here He began his talk by referencing Elder Nelson’s talk in April 1990. He suggested people reread Elder Nelson’s talk to understand the various elements of the name of the church. Then President Hinckley said, “The Mormon church, of course, is a nickname. And nicknames have a way of becoming fixed… I suppose that regardless of our efforts, we may never convert the world to general use of the full and correct name of the Church. Because of the shortness of the word Mormon and the ease with which it is spoken and written, they will continue to call us the Mormons, the Mormon church, and so forth.” He then told a story of how Mormon means more good and referenced that the Prophet Joseph Smith first said this in 1843. In 2001 the church began the website “mormon.org”. In July 2010 the church announced the “I’m a Mormon” campaign. Link here and here. In 2014 the church released a movie called “Meet the Mormons” which was shown in theaters. Info I remember taking our family to the movie theater on a Monday night for Family Home Evening to watch this movie. In October 2018 General Conference President Russell M. Nelson, president of the church, gave a talk titled, “The Correct Name of the Church”. link here. He said, “if we allow nicknames to be used or adopt or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, He is offended.” He also says not to say “LDS church”, “Mormon church” or “Church of the Latter-Day Saints” because that is a “victory for Satan”. I remember watching that talk and how passionate President Nelson was about it. At the time I didn’t give it much thought other than it was going to take a lot longer to say “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints” instead of Mormon. I also felt guilty if I ever did use the word “Mormon”- even though that is what I had said for years, now it was suddenly a bad thing to say. Since 2018, everything with the Mormon name has been renamed except for the Book of Mormon. Even the world famous Mormon Tabernacle choir was renamed to The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Link. I really enjoyed listening to the Mormon Tabernacle choir- it was always the highlight of General Conference for me. I could not understand the name change because all it did was remove the word “mormon” and make the name longer. However, the name of the choir still doesn’t reflect the church’s official name. My personal opinion is President Nelson simply doesn’t like the name “Mormon”. I understand, it was always confusing for me growing up in the midwest where people didn’t know about the church. However, I came to embrace being a Mormon as I followed President Hickley’s teaching to associate it with “more good”. I took being a Mormon as something very good in my life and a way I could show others I was still a person but someone who believed in Christ and in helping others. So, I will refer to my time in the church as me being Mormon because that is how I saw myself.

every dating site eventually goes to shit. tinder was good in the past before it got over saturated. could actually get lays and the competition wasn't as fierce. now the amount of matches you get is lower compared to before. a lot of shit to wade through. very little girls willing to put out and fuck because some idiot guys screwed them over in the past. now there's a lot more hoops to jump through before you can get laid or some type of romance in the relationship
seeking used to be good, could bang girls at a decent rate and the site wasn't known that much. this was before tik tok. now seeking and sugaring is known more and the site has rebranded. a lot of confused girls signing up and not knowing what the site is about. and due to inflation PPMs have gone up as well. now you will be very hard pressed to find good deals with nice girls, all of them are basically enforcing a hard minimum of 300 PPM with average PPM being around 500
out of all the SDs on seeking i'd say less than 10% could afford to give that level of PPM on a consistent basis. a majority of guys on seeking only have enough for 1 or 2 PPMs before they go busto OR they are trying to get cheaper PPMs or some PUA type trying to not pay any PPM
it's incredibly lop sided and i wonder how it is from a female perspective lol. basically the hotter girls are competing for the 10% that are able to fund this level of PPM. and the rest of the girls are pushing for hot girl PPMs when they look like 5/10. they may land someone here and there that will pay this level of PPM but it's got to be such a time waste and grind sifting through a lot of crap just to find a horny guy in that moment that is willing to pony up the high PPM
i personally may continue to be on seeking just to see if any gems are on that are worth me actually negotiating PPM. a lot of the girls i see are just so average quality. like 5/10 looks. it's not even worth it to me. AMPs are so much cheaper at 200 per session. there are other options out there for cheaper. sugar and seeking is definitely the expensive level of getting with these chicks. i imagine it's the select top net worth of guys that are duking it out offering 500+ PPMs to girls lol. i'll let these guys compete with themselves on seeking. for the more sensible person that wants to take their money for more value, i'd say there's better options

let’s call him mauricio. i don’t even remember when it started, i just know my earliest memory of it was when we were about 2 or 3. we were in my mothers bedroom at my grandmothers house. everyone was in the backyard barbecuing when he starts kissing me and sucking on my face. he told me we were “loving each other.” i didn’t know what that was and i thought it was funny, until my mom shouted at us through the window and asked what we were doing & i responded saying we were loving each other. my mom immediately ran inside and up the stairs and discovered him all over me with a red face and my hair messed up. she got very upset, but his parents just laughed it off and said it was an innocent thing. after that it didn’t happen for a while, until one day he started kissing me again. i finally got to an age where i realized what was happening was wrong and i told him that. he said it was totally normal and that he loved me. when all of our cousins were there he would suggest playing hide and seek in the dark so he could kiss me and grope me without anybody seeing. he would ask all of our parents for sleepovers so he could slip his hand under my shirt as i tried to sleep. if pretend to be asleep and he would grab my hand and put it on his penis and start rubbing. as we got older, the more scared i got. because he got bolder with the things he’d do. as we got older, he got stronger. he was in football his whole life and once he hit puberty, i couldn’t fight back anymore. one time i was chilling in my room and he jumped on top of me and started grinding on me and i was screaming at him and trying to pjs him off, but i couldn’t. he only got off because he heard out other cousin coming, let’s call him alexander. he came in laughing and asking why i was making so much noise, HE made up a lie and they both laughed at me for it. i picked up a spray deodorant in an aluminum can and threw it at his head as hard as i could. he laughed at me and said it didn’t hurt. my other cousin (they were inseparable) looked at me like i was crazy. one night we all stayed at alexander’s house, i thought i was safe. alexander’s house only had one bathroom, and the lock was broken. so one day mauricio convinces his little brother and alexander that it would be a good idea to go into the bathroom while i was showering and dump a bucket of cold water on me and record it. they do it. i get mad. i cry. alexander cries and says he doesn’t know why he did it and he knows it was wrong. years go by and i don’t go back home due to medical problems i was going through. i finally go back. i’m about 17 years old. let me just clarify beforehand that i am not a skinny girl. i’ve always been the chunky cousin. i’m 5’8” and i’ve got chunky arms and i’m strong. apparently not strong enough. i went to my grandmothers house for the holidays. i was asleep in my room. with the door LOCKED. i wake up to the feeling of someone on top of me moving back and forth with their hands in my shirt. i can feel his hardness in between my legs. i immediately try to stop him and try to wiggle out from under him. i kick my legs. i try to push him. he pins my legs down and covers my face with a pillow so that they can’t hear me screaming. he tells me that he’ll get off if i stop screaming and stay still. i do and he gets up. he starts teasing me and asking if i liked it until he hears my mom coming upstairs. he smirks and walks out and goes downstairs to eat breakfast as if nothing happened. that always made me so angry. how he could act like everything was perfectly fine. he would always tell me he loved me and nobody else could have me and that he was gonna love to the US where it was legal to be married to your cousin. i thought he was crazy. but i was so terrified of him i couldn’t bring myself to tell anybody. i also knew he was the star of my family. the first male grandson. always in varsity football. always a straight A student. i knew if i said anything my family would fall apart. finally in 2021, i had just turned 18. he was 19. i went home for the summer. it had been a while since we had all seen each other so we had another slumber party. everyone was upstairs except him. i went downstairs for some water with a knot in my throat knowing he was going to try something. i tried to run past him but he caught me from behind. he groped me and rubbed against my butt and asked me if i could feel it. i started screaming and he covered my mouth and held my hands against my back. then he pushed me onto the floor and got angry that i wasn’t letting him kiss me. before i went downstairs i started recording a voice memos, knowing he was gonna try something. i recorded the struggle. i recorded myself saying, BEGGING no over, and over again. that night i decided i couldn’t take it anymore so i told my older sister about it. after that i told my my mom. after that she told my aunt and my grandma. they all cried and were in disbelief. my aunt asked my younger cousin if he had ever done anything to her and she broke down crying and said that that night when i went upstairs, she went downstairs to watch youtube because the wifi was better in the kitchen. he came up to her and groped her like he did to me and pulled her shirt up and took a picture of her breasts. she was 12. when i found that out i had a panic attack like never before. i was so angry and i felt so guilty. i thought if i would have let him do whatever he wanted to me for the last time he would have NEVER touched her. after that, her mom drove to his parents house and banged on the door to get him to come out. he wasn’t there. he was out partying with friends. they beefed her not to file a police report because if he got arrested he would be killed in jail for being a child molester. my aunt agreed to it and said she wanted a blood test to see if there were any drugs in his system that made him act that way and asked them to put him in a mental institution so he could get help. conveniently enough it came back that he had a drug in his system that night. apparently he went out to drink with friends and he claims they gave him an opened drink and that he started feeling weird after. my uncle who always called me his daughter told me that if it was really against my will that i would’ve spoken up sooner. my grandma defended him endlessly because “he was the outcast of the family now and somebody had to show him love.” i yelled at her that my dead grandpa would beat the hell out of him and forbid that he step foot in his house again and she got so sad at me. i didn’t care. it is true. it’s now been two years since i told everybody. my mom had started speaking to his mom again. his parents and my uncle and my grandma still defend him. i’ve gone through months and months of therapy and spiritual healing so i’m okay now. but every now and then i remember the fear i felt and how weak i felt and i just want to shrivel up and die. my younger cousin and i will never get justice. he will continue to walk around being the star of the family for the rest of our lives. i will have to sit back and watch my grandmother put my abuser before me until the day she dies. i love her, but i cannot forgive her. i cannot forgive my uncle either. they both try so hard to regain my trust and love, but i can’t do it. they’ve betrayed me.

Uma Musume: Pretty Derby - ROAD TO THE TOP
I wasn’t planning on checking out the 4 episode special for Uma Musume, but the amazing opening caught my eye and convinced me to give it a shot. As I started watching, it was clear to me that this show’s superb animation was supported by some incredible cinematography that helped build the narrative between its leads. As a fun exercise, I wanted to try to highlight some of the directing choices and break down how Uma Musume RTTT gets away with telling so little by showing so much.
Cinematography is the presentation of the visuals in anime. The arrangement of characters in a scene, the lighting, the focus on props or backgrounds: all of these can be encapsulated by “cinematography,” and put in a ton of work for the viewing experience. There are plenty of obvious instances where a show will employ cinematography, but even if you don’t notice it immediately, these choices can have an underlying psychological effect in how you experience a scene. You can dye a scene in blue to enhance the melancholy. You can cut away from a conversation to a nearby prop to reveal a character’s mental state. These visual techniques can easily go underappreciated, and Uma Musume thankfully has some fairly overt examples that we can analyze.
(spoilers for episode 1)
Episode one opens up with the Yayoi Sho, a GII race that introduces two of our main leads: Narita Top Road and Admiral Vega. Much of what I want to talk about in this race will come later. But let me give a brief synopsis of the race. Under a slight drizzle, we start off with Avec Blaze* in the lead. Narita Top Road, eager to meet the expectations of her fans and coach, puts on a burst of speed to take the lead. Admiral Vega, who also feels the need to win for a yet undisclosed person, quickly follows up on her heels despite lingering behind the pack. Though it’s a close affair between the two, Narita Top Road clutches her lead and wins the race. She cheerfully waves to the crowd while Admiral Vega regretfully looks on. The episode immediately gives viewers exactly what they’re here for: some hype horse girls racing.
After the OP, we follow Narita Top Road in her daily school life. Her training starts at dawn, and this is clearly a recurring affair since her coach advises her to take a break.** At school, Narita Top Road is the class president and is admired by her classmates. Between her coach, fans, and friends, there’s plenty of people who acknowledge her drive and expect great things from her. Admiral Vega, noticing a small injury on Narita Top Road’s thigh, brings her outside to put a band-aid on it. In the hallway, Narita Top Road and Admiral Vega confess to one another declare their respective determination to win the upcoming Satsukisho. While Narita Top Road professes her excitement to race along with someone she admires, the light from the windows is always illuminating her face. She is quite literally glowing. Meanwhile, Admiral Vega, who feels hesitant about befriending her rivals, seems to have her face framed in between the path of these light beams. She’s not poorly lit by any means: there is just a clear difference in how our two characters are illuminated. The light is so all over Narita Top Road that she is reflecting light. This light and dark metaphor will persist throughout the episode’s run.
We’re next treated to a brief origin story for Narita Top Road. What helps sell the flashback is the fact that the conversations with the trainer all take place at sunset. This is a great example of the “Against the Setting Sun” trope, where Narita Top Road and the trainer make a goal to conquer the Twinkle Series together. Sunsets can symbolize transitioning to another phase, and here it depicts Narita Top Road’s first step to becoming a pro. We’re also treated to a parallel from an earlier training scene, where Narita Top Road attempts to make a sharp turn from the outside of the pack. She struggles more in this flashback, staggering several times; there is a noticeable improvement in the training scene that took place during the present, where Narita Top Road only staggers once. The mirroring of her first training scene in this flashback confirms Narita Top Road’s consistent practice and diligence. Narita Top Road works from sunrise to sunset, and when you consider the previous paragraph on lighting, it becomes apparent that Narita Top Road can be associated with daylight.
While Satsukisho is expected to be all about Admiral Vega vs. Narita Top Road, we switch unexpectedly to a third character. The ordering of events here was initially a bit confusing for me: we start with a cocky smirk prior to cutting to the eyecatch, with the upper half of the face hidden. When we come back, the first thing we see is an eye: it is TM Opera O waking up at 2 AM, visibly distressed. Then, it cuts to a flashback where TM Opera O is returning to running after an injury. She is all bravado and speaks boldly of her destiny to win every race she enters. She proceeds to win consecutive races, backing up her claims, but is also shown visibly struggling during training. Even so, she proudly declares that her perseverance in the face of adversity is for the audience: TM Opera O lives to win and bask in the cheers of a crowd. This flashback in my opinion serves to humanize TM Opera O’s larger than life personality: behind her dramatic flair and proud sense of self is someone who worked incredibly hard to get back into shape and still experiences some stress about meeting the standards she set for herself. For instance, her introduction starts with just her mouth, hiding the eyes, which are commonly used to indicate a character’s true nature. Then the show cuts to that portion of the face (eye) that was missing in that first shot, suggesting that the TM Opera O waking up right now is closer to her true self than the more grandiose mask she wears in public. She’ll continue to play this theatrical character in the series, but her introduction serves to let the audience know early on that she’s had her own share of struggles and insecurities.
Finally, we get to Admiral Vega and what she’s doing in preparation for the Satsukisho. We cut to night time, where Admiral Vega leaves to go for a run. She and her roommate, Curren Chan, are placed in different layers (Admiral Vega slightly blurred in the front while Curren Chan is sharp and placed behind her). This arrangement highlights the contrast in their activities: as Curren Chan is clearly winding down the day by brushing her tail, Admiral Vega is off to train. As she runs along a deserted street with numerous streetlights, Admiral Vega refuses to step into them. In fact, she’s shown running away from the light. The connection to darkness suggests that Admiral Vega’s motivations could be unhealthy. Or, going back to her thoughts in the hallway, Admiral Vega’s avoidance of light could connect to her dogma that she does not need friends or rivals (in this case, Narita Top Road who is the light): she just has to win at all costs. Either way, the lack of lighting for Admiral Vega directly sets her up as the clear rival for Narita Top Road. In the very next scene, Narita Top Road practices in broad daylight to the cheers of her classmates. Lighting and the time of day will play a pivotal role in coloring the interactions between these two characters in the rest of the series.
And now we’ve finally arrived at the Satsukisho, a premiere GI race for our trio of leads. Before it begins, Admiral Vega and Narita Top Road meet in the tunnels leading to the racetrack. Even though they are in the exact same location with respect to the light from the exit, Narita Top Road’s face is illuminated while Admiral Vega’s face continues to be shadowed. These two are definitely rivals and antitheses to one another. However, TM Opera O appears from the top of the tunnel exit, the backlighting giving her an almost videogame-boss-like feel; these two were supposed to be focused on one another, but the more menacing opponent may be the one standing above them.
Even if the media has tried to convince you that it’s a close affair between Narita Top Road and Admiral Vega, the cinematography makes it clear that this is Narita Top Road’s race to lose. Despite her cheerful demeanor in training, Narita Top Road is actually very nervous. She’s the last to enter her start gate and, as her classmates and friends cheer her on, we get this shot of Narita Top Road seemingly caged in by her starting gate. These expectations that she’s desperate to meet are beginning to stress her out. As we start the race, you’ll see that many of the shots here mirror that first race, which Narita Top Road won: the stormy clouds and slight drizzle, the shot of her coach right before the dramatic last minute spurt from Narita Top Road to take the lead, and even the brief proximity of Narita Top Road and Admiral Vega give the impression that we’ve seen this exact race before.
But unlike the race at the start of the episode, TM Opera O arrives to steal the show! There’s an incredible panning shot that zooms in on TM Opera O as she makes a break for the lead, emphasizing her approach. But then she flies past the camera, and the shot becomes an inverted zoom away. Not only does this shot give the viewer the sense of being left in the dust like her opponents, but the upside down perspective makes it clear that this result is an upset and, dare I say it, has flipped expectations. TM Opera O snatches victory from Narita Top Road’s hands, shattering the projection of a repeat of the first race’s results.*** She rightfully basks in the glory she anticipated earlier in the episode.
At the end, Narita Top Road is devastated. While TM Opera O celebrates, Narita Top Road’s sweaty face is pushed to the background: it’s a very familiar position for Admiral Vega. The mirroring of shots throughout this final race really gives this single episode a sense of completion, and that we’ve come full circle in spite of the different results. Despite the loss, the episode ends with Narita Top Road’s refusal to give in: a literal ray of sunshine breaks through the clouds and illuminates her as she holds her head high. Her hopes for a GI win have yet to be dashed, and she’ll have three more episodes to get her revenge. Meanwhile, Admiral Vega finished a dismal 6th, and her posture here is even more slumped than in the first race. Maybe it’s an injury bothering her, or perhaps it’s from the increasing weight of her failed expectations physically pushing her down. We’ll have to see in episode two if she’ll be able to find the same strength to raise her head.
As you watch the next three episodes, you’ll find the same impeccable directing throughout. They’ll continue to mirror previous shots to help depict the evolving relationships between characters and utilize lighting to contrast Narita Top Road and Admiral Vega. There are so many awesome shots littered throughout the show and despite my qualms for some of the story elements, my attention was captured by both the stellar race animation and the thoughtful cinematography. Even if you’re not that interested in horse girls, consider giving this short ONA a shot.****
*Is her name actually Astral Blaze?
**There’s a fun pair of shots here between the coach and Narita Top Road, but I wasn’t sure what this could mean outside of (spoilers) some potential communication issues between Narita Top Road and her trainer in the later episodes.
***I really was hoping that TM Opera O being in the 12th position and winning was a cinematic choice referencing Narita Top Road winning the first race in the 12th position, but no it is an actual coincidence.
****This was supposed to be a funny post about horse feet but I got lost in the directing sauce.