DeSkel15

Engaged Member
Sep 29, 2019
2,441
7,660
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
SuperSensei's weakness: Wizards.
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

I activated my 'tism and went through every line of dialogue in the game* mentioning the word "animal" in order to find more leads on the Akira-as-a-captive-animal-for-Pareidolia/others thing. And I found... Not much. I will post screenshots/thoughts on interesting findings, but these are almost certainly not correlated. If this analogy is important, we'll have to wait for more.

1) Far more often, the girls are likened to animals rather than Akira. Most of the time this is in the form of 'slaughtered' animals, with Akira or whoever else being a vulture or scavenging bird. Other references that came up multiple times include humans being like cornered animals in certain situations. Clueless, scared.
2) The term 'lamb' is something I've brought up before, and appears more often in relation to Akira. I have not gone over all of those lines yet, (thankfully there are a lot less, unfortunately I believe they will need more examination to create any kind of theory beyond just basic symbolism,) but I'd be willing to do so to chuck my thoughts out there and have others chime in. The symbol of a lamb as a sacrifice seems to be more important and pervasive. This one instance from the desk of the ninth god referring to Akira as more of a caged animal might illuminate the 9th god's, pareidolia's, or whoever else's feelings about Akira and how they plan to use him — and may actually be more telling, because it's the only time the analogy is made, which could help identify narrators/entities later on. I think Maya's line is probably just a throwaway line, honestly, and not foreshadowing/related to this line from the 9th god, but that's just my hunch as of now.
3) The term Zoo doesn't come up anywhere else, either, besides "petting zoo."
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
Not mentioned: Kaori stating that she likes lambs because all of the bad things you do can be forgiven by ritualistically slaughtering one. Probably a joke/throw-away line.

Again, not much to go on yet. There may or may not end up being much to this analogy long-term. Animal(s) usually refers to the girls being sexed or used, or anyone who's lost, frightened, etc. And again, I think there's more to go over concerning the symbology of lambs, if anyone's interested, but that might take more time and is a different topic.

*I may have missed some or a lot of things. I also didn't go over the vast majority of cases that weren't relevant and/or were just examples of point #1.
Not necessarily mentioning animals, etc, but in the 'Amy' Happy Event which takes place at the Pareidolia Mall, there is a man in a cage that is disintegrating:
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Possibly the "real" Akira, or maybe even Yuu, but it's not clear, and there's so much lore stuff in 'Amy' that I'm not even sure where to start with it.

Could be unrelated, but the relation to Pareidolia and a caged thing seems possibly notable.
 

Fire Lord Zuko

Active Member
Aug 20, 2021
604
2,719

PhiloPhilo

Member
Jan 24, 2022
314
874
SuperSensei's weakness: Wizards.
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.


Not necessarily mentioning animals, etc, but in the 'Amy' Happy Event which takes place at the Pareidolia Mall, there is a man in a cage that is disintegrating:
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

Possibly the "real" Akira, or maybe even Yuu, but it's not clear, and there's so much lore stuff in 'Amy' that I'm not even sure where to start with it.

Could be unrelated, but the relation to Pareidolia and a caged thing seems possibly notable.
Another great catch. I forgot to go over the mentions of cage, too... My last post was a little rushed, honestly.
My initial reaction is that these few instances aren't linked, I'm maybe a couple more mentions away from being totally convinced, but I can't disregard it either. It's easy to say Maya and the letter's lines are just coincidentally similar analogies, but the idea that Pareidolia or someone else wants to cage Akira or use him as some sort of puppeted / performance animal seems well supported and plausible. I'll have to rewatch Amy, I'm definitely not prepared to read into it and propose anything yet. If this caged man is linked to the letter deliberately, that lends more credence than I gave credit for.
I'd say we wait for more mentions, and possibly hope that this is gonna be a clue about Pareidolia or the 9th god going forward, but someone with more insight might be able to gleam more from what we already have and look for things I missed
 
  • Thinking Face
Reactions: DeSkel15

Comiies

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2022
1,431
2,535
Another great catch. I forgot to go over the mentions of cage, too... My last post was a little rushed, honestly.
My initial reaction is that these few instances aren't linked, I'm maybe a couple more mentions away from being totally convinced, but I can't disregard it either. It's easy to say Maya and the letter's lines are just coincidentally similar analogies, but the idea that Pareidolia or someone else wants to cage Akira or use him as some sort of puppeted / performance animal seems well supported and plausible. I'll have to rewatch Amy, I'm definitely not prepared to read into it and propose anything yet. If this caged man is linked to the letter deliberately, that lends more credence than I gave credit for.
I'd say we wait for more mentions, and possibly hope that this is gonna be a clue about Pareidolia or the 9th god going forward, but someone with more insight might be able to gleam more from what we already have and look for things I missed
Well for now Pareidolas motivations are unknown.I mean sure you can whip up a theory or 2 with some vague evidence about how Pareidola wants to use sensei to dethrone the ninth god or how Pareidola wants to cuck Ayane or smt but i dont think its that complicated.

Pareidola is a malevolent god that uses Akira as his outlet for that vitriol and hostility.I believe that Pareidola both enjoys watching Akira deprave himself and maybe he has something to gain from Akira reaching the lowest of the lows.I mean correct me if im wrong but if Pareidola *just* enjoyed tormenting Akira his dialogue would show it.No its something else(He does enjoy doing that i just mean that he needs akira to break in order for...a reason?)
 
  • Like
Reactions: PhiloPhilo

PhiloPhilo

Member
Jan 24, 2022
314
874
Well for now Pareidolas motivations are unknown.I mean sure you can whip up a theory or 2 with some vague evidence about how Pareidola wants to use sensei to dethrone the ninth god or how Pareidola wants to cuck Ayane or smt but i dont think its that complicated.

Pareidola is a malevolent god that uses Akira as his outlet for that vitriol and hostility.I believe that Pareidola both enjoys watching Akira deprave himself and maybe he has something to gain from Akira reaching the lowest of the lows.I mean correct me if im wrong but if Pareidola *just* enjoyed tormenting Akira his dialogue would show it.No its something else(He does enjoy doing that i just mean that he needs akira to break in order for...a reason?)
Pareidolia definitely has unexplored motives and his place in the universe / amongst other users is fuzzy in my opinion. I don't have much new to say about him honestly because I think we're missing a lot, and I personally believe that the name Pareidolia itself (and some other language used to describe him) hints at us having a warped/obfuscated understanding or view of him. As for those unanswered questions and what they mean, I don't know. I'm definitely a third-rate lore master with a fourth-rate memory. The lore daddies and chads can handle that while I ramble on about Himawari and lambs, and draw them in Paint
 

BlackDays

Member
Jan 30, 2021
497
522
Some things about Ami/Amy.

When "AmIOkay" or "YouDidIt", don't know who exactly that was, mentioned Amy possibly killing Niki, and someone here pointed out that Amy might be an Ami from a previous cycle, i wonder if that draws back a line to when Hope mentioned that he knows that girl (Yumi) by a different name.
And if that name could have been something like Yumy, Yuni or something similar.

Since Amy is residing in Pareidolias mall, maybe Ami is also connected to Pareidolia.
The times she talks to an invisible entity, i can't imagine that being Sekai.
I don't think Ami would talk like that with her mother.
Pareidolia on the other hand, given it's shitty attitude, seems more likely. After that maybe Hope or the unknown 4th god or even Amy.
And then there's also Amis "death" before the Maya incident.
Even Himawari was involved and Himawari seems to be, i guess, involuntarily working for Pareidolia, which would further suggest Ami is also working with Pareidolia.

One more thing is something i wonder about.
Chika said the Mall is under construction.
When the forrest camping group drove back home, someone in the car mentioned that there is a new construction side along the road.
Was that the Mall or maybe something different?
 

DeSkel15

Engaged Member
Sep 29, 2019
2,441
7,660
Well for now Pareidolas motivations are unknown.I mean sure you can whip up a theory or 2 with some vague evidence about how Pareidola wants to use sensei to dethrone the ninth god or how Pareidola wants to cuck Ayane or smt but i dont think its that complicated.

Pareidola is a malevolent god that uses Akira as his outlet for that vitriol and hostility.I believe that Pareidola both enjoys watching Akira deprave himself and maybe he has something to gain from Akira reaching the lowest of the lows.I mean correct me if im wrong but if Pareidola *just* enjoyed tormenting Akira his dialogue would show it.No its something else(He does enjoy doing that i just mean that he needs akira to break in order for...a reason?)
Pareidolia actually seems to like Ayane:
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
And seems to imply it approves of her development. I mean, she definitely seemed to be part of it's plans so far.

As for Pareidolia's goal:
It seems to want Sensei to inseminate certain girls so that it can "sing again" through them, and "consume" them, or at least that seems to be what it suggested with Karin:
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
Presumably, virgins are the target, as Io seemed more like a side project than a goal for Pareidolia.

Pareidolia also is the one who claimed that all the C-gods want a Sacrifice:
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
Tormenting and fucking around with Sensei seems to be more of a hobby for it.

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
 
Last edited:

Comiies

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2022
1,431
2,535
Pareidolia actually seems to like Ayane:
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
And seems to imply it approves of her development. I mean, she definitely seemed to be part of it's plans so far.

As for Pareidola's goal:
It seems to want Sensei to inseminate certain girls so that it can "sing" through them, and "consume" them, or at least that seems to be what it suggested with Karin:
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
Presumably virgins are the target, as Io seemed more like a side project than a goal for Pareidola.

Pareidola also is the one who claimed that all the C-gods want a Sacrifice:
You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
Tormenting and fucking around with Sensei seems to be more of a hobby for it.

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.
Why would the others not accept Pareidolia hmmmmm.Is it because they share the same goal but Pareidolias way of achieving it is too...barbaric?Is that what it is?Are the gods just ethically correct cunts?

Realistically though i would accept for hope to,at the very least sympathize with Pareidolia.I mean Hope with his whole "YOU MUST TAKE SOMETHING THAT ISNT YOURS" and "FOR HOW LONG WILL YOU KEEP RUNNING?" stick is eerily similar with Pareidolia.But i suppose that Hopes obsession is soley on akira.

But yea it seems that with the non existant info we have now for some reason Pareidola is an outsider,an outcast,something that no god accepts.
 

aramaug

Member
Jun 28, 2019
161
904
Didn't know of The Quiet Earth, very interesting. I've wondered before if Selebus might have taken some inspiration from Gene Wolfe's story "The Death of Doctor Island". Extremely troubled youths are sent to an isolated location for "therapy" and aren't allowed to leave until they're fixed, but it turns out one of the patients is special and his treatment is prioritized over the others, to the point of having him kill another patient as part of his treatment. I get very similar vibes with broken people being sent to Kumon-mi, but Akira is allowed to take priority over all of the rest. Also chock full of allusions to poetry, the bible, and mythology.
After posting this, I decided to reread "The Death of Dr. Island" for the first time in years and found that there's another very uncanny similarity to LiL that I had completely forgotten about:
The story's protagonist is haunted by memories of (and seemingly feels guilt for) the death of a girl who was his fellow patient at a mental hospital. The dead girl's name is Maya and she's described as being 15 or 16-years-old. Here's a couple of his memories of her that stood out to me:
  • ""Like this," Maya said, and held her legs together and extended her arms, to make a three-bladed bike prop or a crucifix."
  • "[W]hen he saw Maureen or any of the others in the rec room they talked about the Good Old Days. It had not seemed like Good Old Days then except that Maya had been there."
I think Wolfe and Selebus likely chose the name Maya for the same reason, as a reference to the Hindu concept of Maya, the illusion that veils the true nature of the world, which for LiL connects to the theme of perception.

A few other parallels between the story and LiL:
  • The titular Dr. Island is an artificial intelligence that is both the controller of the contained "world" that is the asylum and the embodiment of that world itself. It speaks to the patients directly in their minds and is basically their god.
  • The protagonist has previously had split-brain surgery and has two minds controlling a single body. At the end of the story, Dr. Island forces his previously dormant side to take over, making him a prisoner in his own mind.
  • There's a pivotal scene in the protagonist's own "treatment" where, thanks to a spacial anomaly, he's able to put his hands on his own shoulders, but they feel like the hands of a stranger.
 

DeSkel15

Engaged Member
Sep 29, 2019
2,441
7,660
Why would the others not accept Pareidolia hmmmmm.Is it because they share the same goal but Pareidolias way of achieving it is too...barbaric?Is that what it is?Are the gods just ethically correct cunts?

Realistically though i would accept for hope to,at the very least sympathize with Pareidolia.I mean Hope with his whole "YOU MUST TAKE SOMETHING THAT ISNT YOURS" and "FOR HOW LONG WILL YOU KEEP RUNNING?" stick is eerily similar with Pareidolia.But i suppose that Hopes obsession is soley on akira.

But yea it seems that with the non existant info we have now for some reason Pareidola is an outsider,an outcast,something that no god accepts.
In theory:
  • Callous/HOPE wants to Fix everything.
  • Calm/USER2 seems to want to maintain Order.
  • Concerned/Pareidolia wants to "sing" or just have fun.
That's probably why the others don't accept it. It's also cruel and seemed to be the one who crumbled Maya Prime.

HOPE wants Sensei to fuck the girls, but it seems to be more along the lines of it being for their own good. Hence Yasu talking about "saving" them all the time.

USER2 isn't entirely clear, but it seems protective and if Sensei fucking the girls protects them, or is how things are supposed to go, that's probably it's goal. Then again, it's seemed a little bloodthirsty lately through Tsuneyo, so it might also be preparing to Reset things, now that Pareidolia got involved.

Pareidolia seems to just want Sensei to rape and fuck girls for the most part. Maya Prime being someone who Sensei may stop fucking others for, is possibly the reason why it got rid of her. Also with her gone, it seems to lead to Sensei becoming "The Collector".
 
Last edited:
4.20 star(s) 299 Votes