Diamond In The Rough - Episode20c/Epilogue

Farewell, Gensokyo...

And so, after years of contending with both good and bad issues in the Walfas community, balancing real life, and my own health issues, I finished a four-hour cartoon. Yet, there will still be people out there who will forever believe that my production of this now-complete series is a "never-ending treadmill to milk public attention with the promise of a project that will never be complete." Still, I thank all of you for sticking with me throughout this crazy ride of late nights, wacky conversations, battling writing blocks, and Touhou. LOTS of Touhou.

I want to thank every single person who attended the stream and either gave me feedback or kept me entertained, as well as all of my good and bad reviews (especially the bad reviews: those led to me forging the best scenes). Although the screenings are all done in good fun, I pride myself on getting reactions out of people so I can upgrade the story, and that's where most of the production time for this final episode went: tweaking the emotional bits of this last part (and the fact we got stream regular/WSW admin DeityDiz crying at the final shot is enough to let me know it worked). Although I animated and directed it, this project was essentially co-written by all of you, so feel proud of yourselves.

In addition to all of the people I thanked in the credits, I also wanted to thank the people who kept up with the series of Reddit and other forums (point them out in the comments so I know who else to thank). I'm glad you find my work inspiring/entertaining/other adjectives that may help your overall life.

God bless you all.
God bless Touhou Project, ZUN, and KirbyM.
And now, stay tuned for FUNNY Walfas stuff, starting with Touhou Sketches Chen Edition! Coming later July (and since I've proven I can finish a sketch video in a week and the WSW anniversary is coming up, this won't have an insane work load).

PS: Between all my future uploads, I plan to upload more deleted scenes.

Disclaimer Stuff:
-This is a for-fun fan video.
-Touhou Project is by ZUN.
-ColonelDiamondback's characters are his.
-Hiraku Okami by MiniWitch3
-Some music (noted in the credits) by Kevin MacLeod, available via Creative Commons License.

[ReimuandCirno]

And so concludes the greatest Walfas series of all time.  I'll admit that I think the rules of this Gensokyo are silly, but everything came together nicely.  Yukari explained her plan and it made sense (within context).  Although I suppose it's up for interpretation, but I like to think that Brolli figured out how to "beat" Yukari.  He understood the best option for everyone else was if he and Tenshi both died and he timed things perfectly so that would happen.  At the very end, he became the hero Gensokyo needed.

The entire series raises the bar for what can be done with create.swf.  Many other Walfasers create wonderful animation that are, unfortunately, very short and have no point.  Very few harness that animation talent to produce compelling stories.  You and MiniWitch are a driving force that's leading the Walfas community to a higher level of quality.  Very well done!



Also, Lepus should have hypnotized Hydrus and Velupe so they wouldn't realize they were being crushed for all eternity. But he didn't.  What a jerk.

[OrionoftheStar]

I sort of like that last scene Tenshi's in. Yukari doesn't feel a shred of guilt, Tenshi herself knows exactly what she did, so without going down and deliberately searching for people to lash out at, Sanae's the only one who played a roll in this she can spike the guilt into. So she does. With this, and saying how much she was trying to make Brolli hate her specifically, It feels like a small, much-needed-after-last-video reminder that Brolli and Tenshi were close friends before this.

[Kirbachu]

Brolli is an awesome character in this, in the fact of only being concerned about his well-being and hiding behind powers and a title, but desiring self-redemption after realizing all he's done. Of all the things he is, though, he is definitely not a pet owner. When the last time a pet sees its owner was being punted across the room, and then being abandoned for probably a week or so before dying, it's just kinda cruel. I see how that kinda relates to Brolli's thoughts on the overly-violent beasts, though, by the fact that he praises how "violence can solve everything", which later turns against him. This series is just really well made, especially considering that it's fan-made. This is the best Walfas I've seen, and probably the best Walfas I'll ever see.

[winterdragon]

He may have been forgotten in the eyes of Gensokyou, just another Gappy Stu, but to us in this world 6 years after the fact, "Colonel" Brolli Diamondback's story continues to be remembered by hundreds, because he was the one who strived to be different.
And succeeded.

[KentaMaeba]

This is not only one of the best Walfas stories I ever watched, but one of the best stories I ever seen! The overarching theme was played out deconstructively and reconstructively, showing the best and the worst aspects of the residents of Gensokyo. Brolli was such a believable and relatable character, starting out as a selfish child to becoming self-aware man seeking redemption. The ending is perfect, being gut-wrenchingly depressing while having a bittersweet tinge of hope! I had goosebumps the entire time!

This 4-hour epic is the standard in which all lengthy Walfas stories should now be judged, because "Diamond In The Rough" is...

AWESOMETACULAR! XD

(Also, if it's any comfort, Brolli Diamondback, Seija Kijin will keep Gensokyo busy and frought with conflict for a long, long, LONG time...)

[oCheatoro]

On the bright side, I now know that I indeed foresaw what the "Gensokyo Local Beef" really was. Damn, what a story Spaztique, it got too deep for me whom way of thinking was utterly close from Ep.1 Brolli's. I guess I'll have to think everything through again. Thank you !

[ZTPhotoBo]

This is something I have never done before after watching the end to a show/movie. To everyone who put effort in creating DitR, I sincerely thank you. I feel like I have reached some fulfillment in my life by just witnessing it, sort of like when I went to Washington DC for the first time. It was so beautiful that I'm going to show my friends who say they dislike Touhou but love a good story.

So again, thank you.

[jeyolikemayo]

I'm tempted to hate this series/movie, but I won't for this is a masterpiece. It shows a whole new Gensokyo, the darker kind. For me this seems to be the most realistic story than any other touhou fanfiction. It is beautiful, in a sad and melancholic way.

[marcarmarcar]

“That’s why I took your offer. I wanted Brolli to die fighting someone he could hate, not getting stabbed in the back by someone he loved”



I cried. This series was amazing. Thank you for this. It doesn’t deserve the hate it gets.

[Revan-eksu]

I just cried. I NEVER cry, but I just did. Thank you so much.

[redkami]

Reisen is like my waifu man... I cried when I heard about the baby... I thought maybe she could be happy with her newborn but unfortunately that's not possible for her ;-; god this series is so tear jerking and it makes you question who you are... If I wasn't a touhou fan I still would have been interested in this, you did a great job...

[Nyxcha]

very very well made. i know its over now...but i kinda want to see what happens next as the characters recover, and who brolli becomes next.

also how the story changes gensokyo

[orpsehiefdersadist]

This series is brilliant! The storyline is great and i liked how Brolli didnt get the fate that he expected when he arrived at the court. But how i wished there was a sequel episode to this about the new "reincarnated brolli" and whether he would be a resident of gensokyo or the outside world...
If this series is ever going to be made into an anime with 21 episodes i bet it would be the top anime of the year! :D
You could also turn this series into a best-selling novel but anyways this is no doubt a 10/10 for you and good luck in your upcoming walfas projects! :)

[imperishableneet]

What can I say? I feel better about myself now. If this ended how I expected it was going to end, I would've fallen deeper into depression. It was a wild ride, Bravo. I'll never look at Touhou the same way again. This work was an unexpected masterpiece. If only ZUN could see it...

[ChronicNOTAG]

Oh my god, that was heavy... I'm still shocked.. Poor Reisen, I feel so bad for her. So very, very bad for her... No, seriously, that was so friggin' sad! They all lost so much, but I think she took it the hardest out of everyone... Welp, here's to the new era of stupidity, starting with Jack Diehard. Remember, Jack, there's a spot on the meatrack for you too! D:<

[sovietkamikaze]

With this beautiful movie done with folks you can expect more new doors to open up.

With DitR done, good 'ol Spaztique is not done yet. He has many more things he is making. That does include a voice-over of DitR and a sequel to this story.

Let us not forget Ao Usagi Tribute Show Season 2, Koishi's Heart Throbbing Abridgment, and Walfas Sketches Chen Edition that are being made. 

That's right folks, Spaztique is not done yet, he has much more in store for you!

With that said, This is was a wonderful way to end this awesome movie.

Outstanding job, Spaz.

[DixieChix]

Well, after seeing all of this, the only thing I should say is ``Thank You´´. I know a lot of people have been telling you this, but you have truly made something beautiful, man. Its kinda odd that I have been watching this for ONLY one day and still getting emotional like that. In fact, more people should really think about this: we were always flawed. We are not perfect, and we will never be. But all of us can STILL make a difference in life by trying to live with those flaws, and actually appreciating life as it is, which is why this has kinda made me thinking:

``Who am I´´ and ``How can I make a difference´´? Seriously, I actually am a spiritualist so then I somewhat know about this. But never anything has made me think that, from all of the boring lectures I have avoided, the one thing that would show me this the best would be a Touhou Walfas video. In fact, this is the best Walfas animation I have ever seen, and I would have never thought that it could be something this grand and meaningful. Seriously Spaz, other people should know about your channel and this masterpiece. Really, thank you.

Now am I the ONLY one who thinks Yukari is actually WORSE than Brolli in EVERY SINGLE WAY? I mean really, she is worse than fucking Tewi, which, unlike her, DIDNT START A FUCKING INCIDENT BECAUSE OF HER SELFISH DESIRES and was only trolling him and Reisen. In fact, after that, she is going to start another incident AGAIN because she is sending ANOTHER moron to go there. I am sorry to shout, but really, I know Yukari is a troll, but I didnt think she would stoop so low. In fact, I ended up actually liking Brolli after that, even with all the mistakes he has made. But really, even if Yukari is a troll that cant be trusted, he should have AT LEAST listened to her, as much as I hate to admit that. *sigh*

[anthonytom-duyquang]

Just watched this again. The ending really hit me on the feels, but there are still some bright spots here and there that showed not all hope is lost. Throwback to that time when Brolli was hinted to save Gensokyo, but not in a way he expected. As for the series, I liked how the 'Gappy Stu' tropes were de-constructed and made much more refreshing. And that boss battle was so epic! If there was any reconciliation for Brolli, he died quicker than what Komachi predicted. It must have been the Mercy kill from Tenshi.

[Re-]

Knowing what he did but the fact that he's willing to fix it all certainly he deserves the reincarnation

[Mark-fctu]

You know, looking back at Brolli's conversation with Shiki, I've been doing some thinking about the nature of escapism, one of many things that DitR was created to deconstruct.

"None of the Gappy Stus have ever acknowledged their faults. They lash out at people trying to correct them, then wonder why the world gangs up on them."

She's got a good point there, but no two situations are exactly alike. Sometimes, you say something dumb in the heat of the moment, and then you feel frustrated when a bunch of people start chewing you out for any number of reasons if you don't immediately apologize, and they'll often do the same if you do apologize. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. All constructive criticism is criticism, but not all criticism is constructive criticism. It's why there are a bunch of Internet articles that encourage you to cut ties with (and block) the people who aren't offering constructive criticism.

"It is not what you have, but who you are that matters."

Personally, I've never gotten worked up over material possessions. I've mostly been struggling with a part of myself that I'm... not that proud of. I've been told that I'm childish. I take things too seriously, and I'm a drama queen. And after thinking about how Undertale, Spec Ops: The Line, DitR, and the German dub of Funny Games (I don't speak German, but TV Tropes gave me context) all got on my nerves, I'm trying to figure out that part of myself.

I struggle with the urge to get offended at every little problem in life, and I think it's because of the sort of life I've lived. There's not much to say about me. I'm an ordinary guy who grew up with some somewhat strict parents. No tragic backstory, no Freudian excuse... just a guy who tends to reacts negatively to criticism in the heat of the moment. All my life, I've always had the nagging feeling that I'm not good enough. There are people who are more athletic than me, there are people who are so much more proactive than me, and there are people who are smarter than me, but the thing that always bothered me... was not being good enough to handle a situation, regardless of what kind of situation it was. My parents have gotten on my case for all sorts of things (forgetting to take care of chores, using too much screen time, having a bad attitude, getting that dreaded B+ on a test, etc)... and after everything I've seen and done, I think it's led me to approach situations with a sense of paranoia, because being harshly criticized is often an unpleasant feeling for me.

I once thought that I wasn't fond of deconstructions with anti-plots, but then I realized that I liked stories such as OneShot, Doki Doki Literature Club and Re:Zero, and I loved surreal (and biting) comedies like Konosuba, SAO Abridged, the ASDF Movie, Llamas with Hats, Four Swords Misadventures, Dorkly's Pokemon Rusty, Old Man Sonic, It Sucks to be Weegie, Ensign Sue Must Die, Duty Calls... and Furry Force (even though it was horrifyingly gross, it was black comedy of the finest caliber). I suppose the reason why I like deconstructive/affectionate parodies is because they don't take themselves too seriously (like Stevo Gets the Bad Gyus, but I already commented on that video). They poke fun at overused clichés and plots while having a bit of (more lighthearted and enjoyable) fun in the process. I've been thinking of how to incorporate that into my writing, since I find that... putting aside idealism and cynicism, deconstructions and reconstructions... it's a certain type of Aesop that bugs me. The one about anti-escapism, because I don't think it's inherently wrong to have silly and childish dreams. Because I've heard it before and it just wasn't that funny the first time. It's why I unironically enjoyed SAO despite its many flaws, because it was a fun show that introduced me to Isekai before it got oversaturated with generic male protagonists and self-aware comedies that rely too much on lampshade hanging. And after reading about Japan's hikikomori problem... I get the feeling that I'm not the only person who's ever been worried by the crushing weight of reality. It is what it is.

And besides, in a fictional world where everybody embodies varying degrees of selfish good and selfish evil, it can sometimes seem like the world is full of jackasses who just aren't worth helping, because they'll just chew you out no matter what you say or do. I found Hatred to be a breath of fresh air because of that feeling... and yeah, 2020 has put me in a bit of a mood. The coronavirus is still a problem, the elections are a mess involving two old white men in their 70's, and people are burning J.K. Rowling's books. It's been an interesting year, to say the least.