This is a completely unedited section of the site. I have not nor will I go through and check this stuff for typos or confusion. That defeats the purpose of free writing!
Free Writing for Rowen I - July 13, 2014
Really looking forward to working on these Ronin Warriors shrines. I think my biggest challenges will be writing up all my thoughts after all of these years. That's one reason I'm including the free writing section. Although, mostly I'd like to talk about Rowen, the hardest part for me right now is focusing because I have so much energy for this project. I remember when ronin warriors sites were everywhere. Now they're all gone and that makes me a bit sad. But I find that my love for Rowen has stayed the same over the years. I've been vaguely aware of his bad eating and sleeping habits. I get the idea he probably stays up all night reading or star watching (studying) and makes late night taco runs in his pajamas so that he'll be dressed for bed if he does manage to get there. When he does get to bed, it's because he's collapsed. I think that, at least. He strikes me as someone who stays up late and reads, at the very least. In which case, he's a cool guy for that alone.
Free Writing for Rowen II - July 14, 2014
Rowen has always been my favorite warrior. I think in part it has to do with the dark blue and gold colors. It always reminds me of the night sky. Bright on dark. I also really like that he enjoys studying. He seems to be very smart and is described as the most dangerous because he's a tactical genius. He's a very quick thinker and I admire that he can quickly sort out problems and come up with solutions. I think he's a very good balance for Ken's charging in and Ryo's emotional outbursts. I always find it most interesting too, that his rivals in the series are converted or saved from the evil side and ultimately end up helping them. Anubis and Kayura both start at opposition with the ronin and then end up aiding them. I've always wondered if there was something different about Rowen's arrows that allowed people to "see the light" so to say. Maybe that's another reason I like the golden bow and the idea that he's a star boy (rather than a wind boy). His attribute of knowledge was changed to life, but I suppose that doesn't matter a whole lot because I can still reason why either would be helpful or converting in way of baddies. Still, I've always like the golden bow and unlimited arrows because it reminds me of Apollo! And I wonder if that was intentional or not, but I'm definitely going to write up the symbolism there. I think it's amazing. Plus, I think about how Apollo had the oracles at Delphi and how that knowledge could destroy or assist someone (which makes me wonder if that's one reason Anubis and Kayura end up on the Ronin's side). Although Rowen is considered the smartest ronin he has some of the words (and obvious stating) lines. I feel bad for him. I'm sure there was something lost in translation! And that's something I can cover too.
Free Writing for Rowen III - July 15, 2014
I don't know why I believe that Rowen would be the most difficult person to talk to. And I don't even think that's true most of the time. I think a lot of it has to do with the idea that his parents didn't raise him as quite a normal child. He loves to study, so I feel like he probably has a love for intellectual conversation. Which makes me feel like he's probably pretty reserved when it comes to casual conversation (not that I blame him, small talk is ridiculous). I feel that he probably has a lot to say and just can't figure out a way to translate it (I know a few people with this issue) and that's perfectly fine too. After reading/listening to drama CDs, he seems so unapproachable though! Not quite as friendly as he is with that Brooklyn accent. (Which I love, actually). Maybe that's a sign of character growth and not lost translation. And that would be perfectly fine with me. I still like him a lot, his aloofness adds an interesting facet to his personality, but I don't believe he always means to be aloof, I think he just doesn't know how to deal with people his own age initially.
Free Writing for Rowen IV - July 16, 2014
The more I understand about samurai the more I wonder if one reason that the warlords treated Ryo and the guys so badly was because they felt they were more ronin. In the English version of the show, the name is Ronin Warriors, vastly different from Samurai Troopers. And when I consider it, the boys didn't have a master to serve as much as they followed a path of righteousness (aka, justice mighta been their master, ya)? Still, I wonder if that's me reading too much into it. It's definitely something I want to cover for the sake of names, which might be important. Names hold meaning, so I want to cover it. I think it'll be especially fun in terms of mythology, history, and symbolism. Over all, I'm thinking about writing in terms of what it means to be a samurai to Rowen and what it meant to be a samurai in general. I think it's important to note the way that the warlords also treated them and I'm not certain that had to do with age, status, or was just evil arrogance. Still, it'll be interesting because much of the samurai and ronin stuff I know fits in awkwardly in context of this. I'll enjoy the analysis and looking through everything. I suppose Rowen would appreciate that as someone who loves to study too.
Free Writing for Rowen V - July 18, 2014
Rowen is the last warrior to be reunited with everyone after they are initially split up. He and Ryo also spend a lot of time together after the others are abducted. I find it hard to take in that Rowen is so aloof in the drama CD. And he really strikes me as being unable to speak to the others and relate to them, although, it is an interesting thought. I think the time with the guys most likely made it a lot easier for him to talk to other people on a more casual level. One thing I've noticed about Rowen since started the rewatch is that he tends to be the first to do something. He's the first that jumps in to save Ryo and he's also the first one to attack the foot soldier once they put on their armor. Strikes me as a little impulsive. Is he showing off? Is he being no-nonsense, let's finish this?
Free Writing for Rowen VI - July 19, 2014
Relationships! I think Kento and Rowen are best friends. They have a dynamic that the others lack at the beginning of the series which leads me to believe that they already knew each other. Although, it then strikes me as odd as to why Sage and Rowen would be sharing a room, unless they had similar sleeping habits? (Not likely, Sage seems like a good boy that goes to bed on time and lives on a very strict schedule.) Still, perhaps it was more to help build bonds, in which case perhaps Rowen and Sage got along the least and needed some way to bridge that gap. However this also strikes me as odd since Cye and Rowen seem to have the least interaction as far as Rowen's relationships go (excluding Mia and Yulie). He spends quite a bit of time with Ryo in the Netherworld to get the other guys back, he is friends with Kento before hand, and he shares a room with Sage - does he interact with Cye? He has more interaction with Anubis at this point (episode 14) than with one of his own team members. His relationship with Anubis is interesting too. Although Anubis is trying to kill him, Rowen cracks his helmet. I believe he totally intended to kill Anubis though; the only reason he didn't is because Anubis turned out to be a badass that could catch the arrow. I think that the arrow's energy is still part of what pushed Anubis back to the path of light. It was, at least what made Rowen realize that the warlords were human. This was probably quite shocking because they often refer to the warlords as demons. I believe that they were under the impression they were fighting otherworldy beings. This also serves to shake up the ronin - but Rowen seems the most adjusted to it. If they're with the dynasty they need to be stopped. It doesn't matter to him that they're human. Rather I feel like he understands that in their battles that there will be casualties and he's trying to weigh the pros and cons. If they defeat a few humans quickly then they can save all of humanity and that seems much better from a logical standpoint. He knows that they will have to fight the warlords, it can't be avoided. Knowing that he launches himself into battle. I'm also interested by Dais's comment that Rowen is the cleverest and therefore the most dangerous. Does he mean Rowen as a person? Or that the man holding the strata armor is often clever and intelligent and therefore should be watched? He has no interaction with Rowen before he says it, so I'm curious what previous knowledge he as of Rowen and the Strata armor.
