The Rec Center #482
Hello everyone! This week we have Fansplaining’s newest piece—on racism in period drama fandom—as well as coverage of OpenAI’s gross new feature that mimics the art of Studio Ghibli. Plus: some gorgeous Nosferatu fanart and a grab-bag of fic recs! — Elizabeth
new stuff
“Bridgerton and Period Drama Fandom’s Enduring Racism Problem” by Amanda-Rae Prescott at Fansplaining
Fansplaining’s latest is a deep dive on racism in period drama fandoms, tracing the history of backlash to racebent and inclusive casting all the way up to the complicated dynamics of Bridgerton’s global fandom.
“Hayao Miyazaki, Who Said AI Is ‘Insult to Life Itself,” Reduced to AI-Generated Meme by OpenAI” by Emanuel Maiberg and Matthew Gault at 404 Media
If you somehow missed the AI Miyazaki thing this week, this is a good explainer. (We should note that since this was published, the horrors have continued—the White House Twitter account used the feature to render a cartoon image of a person they were deporting, in case there was even a scrap of doubt about the kind of people choosing to use this tool right now.)
“Studio Ghibli’s archive is the key to its 4K restoration process” by Charles Pulliam-Moore at The Verge
The ultimate palate cleanser to the misery of the AI Miyazaki situation: actual Miyazaki art, specifically the 4K restoration of Princess Mononoke, which is in theaters now.
I would intentionally tank a Disney movie in a heartbeat if I got the chance
— Pornhub’s Gore Vidal (@milesklee.bsky.social) 2025-03-27T22:32:00.801Z
older stuff
“Disney Makes LeFou Available For Public Use Decades Before Copyright Expires” at The Onion
“‘Go ahead, put LeFou in whatever silly slasher films you like—we do not care for him, and we never have,’ said Iger.”
tumblr & beyond
Nosferatu fanart by descendinight
While we haven’t played it ourselves, we love the look of this fanmade Conclave visual novel.
A cool translation detail regarding Murderbot’s pronouns.
“who goes there?! Willem Dafriend, or…”
In fact crying over Doctor Who is just part of the human condition.
“hi shakespeare. big fan of your fake dating au”
fanfiction
We’ve got another grab-bag this week! Thanks to everyone who sent in a rec. — Elizabeth
“Weakened Like Achilles, with You Always at My Heels” by HMSLusitania. 54K words, rated Mature.
Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016); Ship: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson
Recced by: anon
Backstory: Ten years after the events of 1986, Steve’s life is pretty good. He’s moved away from Hawkins, he has the family he always wanted (more or less), and he doesn’t have to worry about interdimensional horrors. But he’s been keeping a secret that’s about to come to light when he and the gang head back to Hawkins for their 10/11 year high school reunion. Featuring The Party found family and the return of Eddie Munson.
Rec: This fic perfectly balances creepy, spooky, Upside Down shenanigans with warm fuzzy found family emotions and eventual romance for everyone’s favorite Baby Girl Steve Harrington.
Content warnings: Technically major character death, but it’s a fix-it; canon typical “horror”
“autumn flower” by ScarlettStorm. 106K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: 陈情令 | The Untamed (TV)魔道祖师 - 墨香铜臭 | Módào Zǔshī - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù; Ship: Lan Zhan | Lan Wangji/Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian
Recced by: Toshokanin
Backstory: A genderbent Wangxian modern AU in which Lan Wangji is quietly grappling with gender identity when Nie Huaisang introduces Wei Wuxian, an out and happy trans woman. The plot centers on Lan Zhan’s transition, while also falling for Wei Ying.
Rec: This is such a poignant, beautiful T4T longform fic about gender identity and becoming the person you always wanted to be, as well as meeting the person who helps give you the courage to realize that dream. I love both Lan Zhan’s journey, and how Wei Ying is there for her every step of the way.
Content warnings: Gender dysphoria
“A Secret History of Salt” by Teaotter. 5.3K words, rated Teen.
Fandoms: Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America (Movies), Leverage; Ship: Gen
Recced by: Grace
Backstory: Parker, Alec, and Eliot steal the Winter Soldier, give him some bibliotherapy, and make friends with him.
Rec: This is one of those short, delicate stories that works because it has a thousand pounds of set-up behind it in fandom. The prose is top-notch. Bucky’s point of view changes as he changes, and his understanding of friendship changes. The character development is outstanding.
Content warnings: N/A
“Distant, and hard to love” by Lilliburlero. 8.6K words, rated Gen.
Fandom: ; Ship: Francis Crozier/James Fitzjames
Recced by: Lizara
Backstory: Crozier and Fitzjames retire, under pseudonym, to an abandoned house in a small parish. The story is told through the diaries of Mr. Amies, the Vicar.
Rec: It is fantastically written in the most original way, and it captures many small heartbreaking details whose significance are lost for the Vicar (but not for us the readers).
Content warnings: Mentions of cannibalism
“Good Morning Midnight” by ignitesthestars. 122K words (WIP), rated Mature.
Fandom: The Grisha Trilogy; Ship: The Darkling/Alina Starkov, Mal Oretsev/Alina Starkov, Alina/Ivan
Recced by: Taylor
Backstory: In the conservatory at Tomikyana, Alina tells Mal what their story would have been if the Grisha Examiners had discovered her power at the very start. This is that tale, from the very beginning, to the bitter end.
Rec: It’s a really well-written, epic-length AU of Alina growing up in the Little Palace and the various ways that would change the canon—a combination of chapter fic and short stories, but presented as one fic.
Content warnings: Grooming, manipulative relationships (a bit more than the canon has)
“Awakenings” by pebbles1971. 114K words, rated Explicit .
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis; Ship: Rodney McKay/John Sheppard
Recced by: Seaward
Backstory: This is an AU rewrite of a classic geeky scientist and misfit military friendship, with travel between galaxies, aliens, and a futuristic city/spaceship.
Rec: The author offers a very real and heartfelt take on various characters exploring their identities. If you like this introduction, you’ll probably like the story: ‘Hi, Mer McKay, PhD, PhD, autistic, genius, gender ambivalent, queer and kinky as fuck, compulsive over-sharer.’
Content warnings: BDSM, kidnapping, brainwashing, non-con from an OMC, bittersweet ending
“Watching Our Stars Align” by ClarkeStetler. 68k words, rated Mature
Fandom: DC Comics ; Ship: Batman/Superman
Recced by: Gav
Backstory: An unspecified DC Comics setting where Batman and Superman are both established members of the Justice League, and both are fathers (separately) to teenage sons.
Rec: I always enjoy a new twist on the identity porn trope, and this novel-length romcom introduces an extra element in the form of a superhero dating app. Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent independently sign up to make anonymous connections on this app, and (wouldn’t you know it!) wind up matching with each other. A charming take on a vintage pairing, and I loved this writer’s warm depiction of Bruce’s parenting style.
Content warnings: N/A
i feel like i've talked about this before but a fundamental survival skill for surviving fandom is learning to identify when the speaker is presenting a phd thesis vs. playing dolls.
— doctor cannibalism (danny) (@danmeichael.bsky.social) 2025-03-11T18:59:17.554Z
FINAL THOUGHT
That’s all, folks! Have a relaxing weekend! — Gav