A to Z Challenge 2017 -- Xingese Prince #atozchallenge

Xingese Prince Ling Yao is the twelfth crown prince of Xing and is from the Anime Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood. Ling Yao is one of the new character that was introduced in this remake of FMA. 

 He comes from the kingdom of Xing, which is in a state of crisis and chaos.  He becomes involved with the Elric brothers and with the homunculi when he fuses with the Homunculus Greed. 

He ends up becoming a pivotal character in the series.

He travels from his home country of Xing to Amestris for the Philospher's Stone, which has similar characteristics as the one of fable. But to make this stone, it requires to a horrible sacrifice.  People in FMAB fight and die to find and have this stone.

He is highly trained in martial arts, which definitely comes in handy during the show. He also has studied the Xingese version of alchemy, which led him west to find the Philosopher's Stone. 

A to Z Challenge 2017 -- Undertaker #atozchallenge

What can i say about Undertaker other than he is the weirdest, most eccentric, and strange character that ever graced my tv screen.  He is morbid and sick and twisted. He is certifiable. He is also one of the Reapers like Grell and William.  He just doesn't hang out with them anymore busies himself as an undertaker in the in the human world in the Anime Black Butler.


Grell and other Reapers call him a deserter.

He worked as a Reaper for a long time, becoming tired of the 'end'. He decided experiment.

He tried to connect false records to the Cinematic Records of deceased individuals.  Cinematic Records are the records of the souls. So when you

hear the turn your life flashing before your eyes, thats what you're seeing according to this anime.

Undertaker as Reaper

His experiement became the first Bizarre Doll. They are not truly alive but are only "Flesh dolls without a self".

Moreover, he knew Ciel's father, and is one of the members of Aristocrats of Evil, who strike down the forces of evil in the underworld that affect polite society.

A TO Z CHALLENGE 2016 -- ZMEU

You watch her.  You want her to be your bride. She is perfect for you.

Swooping from the sky, your might is too strong for them.  You take her up into your arms.

She struggles, but it is futile.  She will marry you.  A purr of pleasure rumbles at the thought.

This time your precious maid will not be taken away.



Zmeu is a humanoid dragon!  One of the coolest beings I've come across.  They can turn into full dragons and have other shape shifting ability as well.  They also can create tools to use.

There is a debate on etymology and that he could be some type of ogre or giant, but why mess with a fire-breathing, maiden-stealing, flying bit of awesomeness!

Of course, the handsome young man (aka  Făt-Frumos) has to go rescue the girl from it.  Sometimes, he has to travel to the lair of the Zmeu, tarâmul celălalt (other world/realm) to save the maiden from marrying the creature.

They don't always steal girls. They steal other precious things like golden apples or the sun and moon.

There are different versions from all over Eastern Europe.  This happens to be the Romanian one.

A TO Z CHALLENGE 2016 -- YAMAUBA

You lead them through the forest.  They have lost their way.

You open your door for them, offer them food. You give them shelter.

You wait.  Anticipation courses through your veins.  Your mouth salivates.

You gaze upon them and grin.  They are asleep.

Rising, you stalk toward the man.  He barely opens his eyes when you strike.

Ah . . . Heaven.  Hot blood of your victim stains your mouth.  Man flesh tastes wonderful.



Yamauba (or Onibaba) is a Japanese demoness or ogress that was once human.  Usually these women fled because of their wicked deeds or were abandoned in times of famine, but they survive to become yokai.

They are classified in the kijo type yokai. They are cannibalistic and will 'help' travelers and shelter them for the night in their huts. They will attack after their guests have fallen asleep.

 They usually live in isolated mountains and forests far from civilization.

Yamauba may have once been kami before being demonized.

One story has a Yamauba raising Kintaro, a legendary hero.

They can also be found in Noh plays.

A TO Z CHALLENGE 2016 -- XIÈ ZHÌ

You know he is guilty.  You see it as clear a the purest water.

You care not for the speech of the humans.  Your instincts call for you to punish the man before you.

You cannot resist any longer.  You stand and stalk over to the sweating man.

He knows you know.  He stinks of terror.  His eyes are wide as you get even closer.  You raise a paw and strike.



Xiè Zhì or Xièzhì is also known as Xiè Cai or Xiè Chai.  It is described as having one horn, but its body shape has many forms akin to a dog, goat, or (as in the case of the Korean version) a lion.

One scholar called it a "righteous beast" since it has the ability to see right and wrong, good and evil.  In some stories, they were used in courts of law.  The wrongdoer would either be bitten, clawed up, or rammed by the creature as a sign of guilt.

The Korean version is called a Haetae.  It had a bell around its neck and scales on its body.  Statues of it were used to protect Hanyang (Seoul).  

Mention of the it goes back to the Han Dynasty (around 206 BCE).  

In modern times, the Xièzhì is used as a symbol for law and justice in China as well as the Haichi as the official symbol of Seoul.