Bort: Records of My Brutal War | Houseki no Kuni

Bort is my third favorite gem in Houseki no Kuni because of their transformation from meathead battle maniac to jellyfish farmer. What are your top 10 gems and who do you want to see me cover next?
References/Visuals:
Houseki no Kuni Manga Ch. 3-4, 6, 13-14, 21-25, 29-30, 32-33, 35, 37, 50, 57, 59, 65, 84, 86-87
Houseki no Kuni Anime Ep. 10
Jellyfish: www.aquarium.co.za/blog/entry...
Social Media:
Twitter @inspirashamul, / inspirashamul
Twitch @inspirashamul, / inspirashamul
Designer Instagram @jatinv_photography
Editor Twitter Donny, / ohdonny_
MAL: myanimelist.net/profile/inspi...
Anilist: anilist.co/user/inspirashamul/
Background Music:
Moodswings - Streambeats by Harris Heller
open.spotify.com/artist/0a9Bg...
0:00 Introduction
1:00 War Log
1:48 Presence
2:29 Diamond
2:53 Assumptions
4:05 Real Bort
4:53 Advice
5:53 Jellyfish
7:00 Peace
7:44 Conclusion
[0160]

[@hackerkyle7387]

The thing I noticed about bort is just the interesting fact they look up raising jellyfish at all. As earlier in the story bort actual talks about organic life and how meaningless a short life must be. But then to find purpose in the things she saw as meaningless in the absence of the Dia the one they wanted to protect the most.

[@inspirashamul]

Yes exactly! It's some really amazing set up for this moment. Ichikawa really pieces the information in the perfect place for the pay off to matter.

[@hackerkyle7387]

@@inspirashamul it makes me really wonder then what is happening on the moon. I'm sure dia may not be so happy that bort is now there and potentially a lunarian. Dia and the other initial moon gems all said they wanted to become lunarians. But now that maybe every gem is one. I can see it causing some problems. I really hope some gems chose to stay as gems. It just make for a more interesting story over all.

[@inspirashamul]

@@hackerkyle7387 It looks like every single gem actually converted over to a lunarian so idk if there are any true gems left (Phos is a big amalgamation so I wouldn't even count them either). It would be interesting to see the new dynamics though since becoming lunarians resolves most if not all the internal conflicts of gem society.

[@hackerkyle7387]

@@inspirashamul yes but in the final chapter it almost seemed like it was a gem by gem basis. I mean it kind of ruins some characters motivation and character development if they became lunarians. Like rutile and padparadscha. If padparadscha became a lunarian then their condition wouldn't be a problem. And her giving rutile that shard to build off from is a dead plot thread.

[@krisynthiagomez5883]

It's actually shown that Born has an interesting relationship with jellyfish throughout the manga as they cling to them whenever they're around, plus they showed compassion when faced against mini Shiro which shows they do have affection for small creatures.

[@annikat6793]

Top 10: Everybody except Enma

[@inspirashamul]

Enma is a toss up. I have no idea what to think of them.

[@annikat6793]

@@inspirashamul Adamant's on thin ice too.

[@Xenibalt]

@@annikat6793 he's ALWAYS been the SUSsiest of bakas >.>

[@anonymoususer9197]

@@annikat6793 i always understood adamant though i thought he should just open his mouth for once...but when he gave literally the worst rundown of events to Antarc after turning lunarians and just passed on his ability under the pretense of happiness i was honestly just done...

[@annikat6793]

@@anonymoususer9197 Poor Phos. I hope we can see them again if the hiatus ever ends...

[@ci3rr420]

1.) Phosphophyllite Their the first protagonist that I relate to and I want them to overcome their challenges despite them turning into a "monster". 2.) Diamond I'm just biased since their my gemstone but in terms of personality I relate to them. We have the same goals and desires, like wanting to be noticed by others and wanting to stand out. 3.) Antarcticite In the anime, I didn't like them that much since they rubbed off arrogant to me but, in the manga I learned to love them. Especially when they got revived and the first think they asked was "Where's Phos?" 4.) Bortz I didn't like them at first but the "Shiro" episode made me adore him, especially his interests in jellyfishes. 5.) Watermelon Tourmaline They are so wholesome! I wish they had more screentime or they had a dedicated chapter because I would read the h*ll out of it. 6.) Craingorm I would've placed them higher but their relationship with Enma ruined their chance to get into top 5 🤡. Anywho, I love them, they were the one who stayed with Phosphophyllite the longest but, it saddens me that Ghost Quartz is partly at fault for their betrayal. 7.) Lapis Lazuli I love cunning characters! Usually I rank them higher but, Lapis Lazuli didn't get that much panels so 🐴. I still don't understand why they disappeared once Phos went to the moon, was it because Phos didn't sleep? 8.) Ghost Quartz Ngl, their kinda creepy, caring but creepy. They are a sweetheart but, the fact that they are using Phos as a replacement for Lapis Lazuli just rubs me off the wrong way. Nonetheless, I still like them for showing that they do care for Phos. 9.) Red Beryl I just like fashion 🕴️ and I wish I could see more of their work. 10.) Obsidian I didn't know they were assigned to making weaponry but, when I found out I grew to love them. Also, they were the reason why I got interested in researching whitesmithing and blacksmithing lmao.

[@inspirashamul]

@AXE - TRID This is so awesome thank you for the list because your input/perspective of why you like certain gems is amazing! Even if Phos is a monster, we know how hard they are trying to do their best. I am happy that those were the first lines that came out of Antarc's mouth. Beautiful. Yeah....EnmaxCairngnorm is not ok so I agree with you there. But the moment Cairn wants to be free from Ghost had such a strong impact with me that I can't rate them any lower. Lapis is amazing because of the line from Enma that "intelligence is fatal" or something along those lines (I can't remember/find that moment rn). I think it's because Lapis only left a note for the inclusions in their head so once that purpose was used up, their presence is gone. Red Beryl and Obseidian the working class gems I love them both for their designs. That's really cool that you go into smithing because of them!

[@redberyl9157]

Thank you!

[@mikhailav.]

YOOO WAIT WHAT CHAPTER WAS THE TIME ANTARC SAID THAT??

[@inspirashamul]

@@mikhailav. Ch 95

[@ohdonny]

BORT MY LOVEABLE MEATHEAD

[@inspirashamul]

I miss their luscious locks fr

[@clorcolors]

1.Antarcticite, serious plus a winter vibe 2. post winter Phos, again serious, awkward just like some of us 3. starter Cairngorm, the one who cared but showed little. 4. Bort, hardworker and caring but puts others in the dirt 5. Ratuile, their goal of fixing Padparadscha was a selfish one, they wanted to be the one to do it, not focusing on pad to wake up 6. Cinnabar, they chose to be alone and not try to be among others, values and claims their pain is worse than Phos 7. Lapis, I like their knowledge and huge information build up yet they seem them too manipulative 8. Jade, they didn't reach out but they did apologize to phos 9. I have no clue lol 10. Eclipse, They just toyed with phos many times that I can't find a spot for them

[@inspirashamul]

Starter Cairn as in before the Moon change? But nice list.

[@clorcolors]

@@inspirashamul mhm, despite knowing that some old ghost shards were in their eye making them act they way they did, Their concern and slight... pity is nice ?

[@inspirashamul]

@@clorcolors No I agree and them meeting Enma for the first time was just heartwrenching to read.

[@etthealien5930]

I dunno about Rutile, she seems to care a lot about Padparadscha

[@b04stert04ster]

@@etthealien5930 Yeah agreed. But while Rutile did care a lot about Padpa, I think she subconciously started to focus more on her skill as a doctor rather than Padpa themself the longer they worked on them since Rutile did state that they "wanted to fix [Padpa] with their own hands". It's also important to note that Rutile did start out as Padpa's partner in fighting and not as a dedicated doctor, so I feel like it'd be wrong to say that Rutile just wanted to fix Padpa for themself without acknowledging their history together. Though, that's just my take on their relationship

[@ortezac.5339]

Imma flat out state my Top 1 to be Paddy. Idk, they got that "chill old sensei" vibe there and they're so ridiculously attractive it's not even funny. Like look at that wild mass of messy hair on my comatose-senpai, I rarely ever see that hair in anime. (Also, JELLYFISH ARE BORT'S ONE TRUE LOVE THAT EDGELORD SOFTBALL)

[@inspirashamul]

Hahahah I don't blame you one bit. Pad's design is fire!

[@Envy_May]

pad's a chad with equal parts sleeping princess and stoned surfer dude energy

[@whitelight2195]

I love how Phos is deemed manipulative and evil and is abandoned by everyone while they are doing their best for the others, to make the war end and bring back everyone to life while on the other hand Adamant is seen as good even though he hid them why the war was happening and did not even let them choose what to do about it forcing them into suffering, he even lied to them and revealed the gems these informations and the choice they had only when the other choice that the one he made was looking the worse with Phos being seen as evil. Phos and Adamant were manipulative but while Phos did it because he wanted the situation to become better, Adamant did it only to hide the reality from the gems or maintain their acceptance, one is clearly more egoistic than the other

[@inspirashamul]

Yeah most definitely. And this makes it even more heartbreaking when things don't go Phos's way.

[@krisynthiagomez5883]

yeah, Phos. It's been suggested (mostly by me) that Adamant allowed the war between the Gems and Lunarians to go on because he wanted the give them the illusion of death. Kongo knew that the Lunarians were tired with their long lives and wanted to dissolve into nothingness and probably realized that a similar fate could await his Gems. It's hinted that he "broke" around the same time that the Gems were being born, it's possible he did not want to risk their lives as the Lunarian's self- destruction could result in the Gems as well, but at the same time he wanted to give them the one thing he could not give to the Lunarians. Purpose and an ending. So yes, the Gems were suffering but suffering is life.

[@luvsic005]

My top 10 characters: 1. Phos 2. Cairngorn 3. Cinnabar 4. Diamond 5. Padpardcha 6. Rutile 7. Antarcticite 8. Yellow Diamond 9. Sensei Not sure where I’d rank Achmea yet but he’s definitely here

[@inspirashamul]

Yeah I would count Kongo as a gem. Enma is something. Idk how to rate him until we learn more.

[@NyanGelatOak]

This is the earliest I’ve been to a solely Bort-related video (although this is probably the first.) I really liked the comparison with the jellyfish and Bort, it was pretty spot-on to me. Also, I noticed the color schemes of Kongo’s cape thing and Bort’s hair are the same, so it makes all the more sense to view Bort as “Kongo’s right hand.” I enjoyed this review, as a Bort lover myself :) (Manga CP 95 spoilers in the replies)

[@NyanGelatOak]

(Spoiler for CH 95 and speculation) I believe Bort will actually keep their hair cut short moving on. Bort’s hair was basically symbolism for a sunspot. Now that they all got up to the moon, there are no more sunspots, and no more danger of lunarians. Note that the moon is also VERY cold, so that there are also no more jellyfish :( Which leaves Bort with no purpose as of chapter 95. Diamond, on the other hand, is already an idol, loved by everyone on the moon-therefore has a job, therefore can do something about herself, unlike what Bort said while both of them were on the Earth. So basically the roles are reversed- Diamond is the one who can do all of it now, diamond has a purpose. Bort doesn’t. Now I’m inclined to believe that Bort’s hair was symbolism of their purpose, but I could be wrong- The one thing I’m sure of though is that they might, just might keep their hair short Bort might say something along the lines of “I don’t need it/it isn’t necessary.”

[@inspirashamul]

@@NyanGelatOak Wow I hadn't thought about how reversed their roles are on the Moon. Beautiful comparison there! I'd cry even more if I read those lines in the future.

[@inspirashamul]

I am glad you enjoyed it! Yeah I didn't see any Bort-specific stuff on YT so decided to give it a shot myself! Good eye on the cape I forgot Kongo has the same tonal scheme as Bort.

[@titanbomb1]

Disc Golf good thinking 👀

[@NyanGelatOak]

@Disc Golf Very wise words... I never actually thought of that before :0

[@bobikoart]

The "helicopter style pressure" is the best phrase ive ever heard

[@inspirashamul]

It's true and facts

[@jayrun4341]

my top ten is biased bc i just love phos so much 1. phos (obv) honestly it's hard to say since she changes so much throughout the series but she's the most "human" to me (which is ironic ig since im a human that's expected lmaoo) 2. Antarc (they geniunly selflessly treated phos and seems to be the only one who gave phos a chance at change) 3. Lapis (they are mysterious but I love how they pursue knowledge and i can relate a bit to their strong desire for this even at the cost of genuine relationships (her manipulative nature) 4.Yellow diamond- they are just relatable and although forgettable, it's easy to empathize with her character. It's sad to see what happened to her after padpara but maybe it's for the better. 5. Padpara- they are cool and damnn their anime appearance was just *chefs kiss* and they deserve to finally rest. 6. Euclase and Jade - Euclase is interesting, her impartiality and forbearance and also fear of death or conflict is relatable as a human and rare to see in contrast to all the other gems who are tired from their immortality. I'm keen to learn about her relationship with lapis if they have one and Jade redeemed herself when she apologized to phos bc she at least realised that she never "understood her" or tried to 7. Admirables (idk how to spell) but they are so cute and wholesome tbh during the moon arc when phos was just suffering i wanted phos to move to the sea and live there instead ;-;) 8. Post-Enma/Achema Cairgorm this is biased but man after Enma I just felt so bad for phos, it's like Phos was surrounded by hypocritical and selfish strangers. Then again, ghost wasn't genuinely Phos' friend and their relationship was just like a substitution for the people they lost (lapis for ghost and antarc for Phos) 9. Bort and DIamond (post moon) Their relationship is interesting. On an individual level they are also interesting but after Phos waged war/ the sides 'split' I can't bring myself to like them they seem shallow and unfamiliar although the conclusion was weridly satisfying 10. Post moon alex they were so funny to me and I enjoyed their passion for the Lunarians. Enma and Adament are a mystery and they are treading on thin ice lol Rutile was fine until she broke after padpara left oof

[@inspirashamul]

Love it!

[@kurrs177]

I really like your explanation for Euclase. You articulated well the same thoughts I have for her.

[@gustavodecamargo9165]

I have a really soft spot for Euclase. They was so kind and I thought it was amazing that they saw through Phos' plan. Euclase also consistently asked Kongo to pray even though they were settled down on Earth, living their lives as a family, having accepted Kongo's explanation, showing that in some level they could see both sides. Euclase kneeling to Phos on the final fight really broke my heart... This said, I can't make a top 10, I like them all haha

[@inspirashamul]

I don't blame you one bit on not being able to make that top ten that are all fantastic. And Euclase was a gem that I didn't really pay much attention to on my first read but have been slowly warming up to them.

[@help3295]

Poor dia, she didn't deserve any of this just because of a overbearing little sibling and other factors, I wish dia and bort just talk about there feelings. Also notice that the jelly fish also looks like Diamond as well mostly there hair and part personality

[@inspirashamul]

Yooooo I never made the connection but yes Dia does look like a jellyfish

[@phosphophyIIite_]

i think they should’ve definitely just spoke about each others opinions, but i believe bortz overprotectiveness of diamond led them to think bort didnt think they were strong enough they had to recommunicate but it never happens

[@phosphophyIIite_]

not opinions i mean feelings HEHDWHSAKS

[@Envy_May]

1. Cicada 109. Ickymea

[@inspirashamul]

HAHAH love it

[@kurrs177]

Cicada best boi

[@jxoosy]

#1 ANTARCCC (YAYYY THEYRE BACK) 2# phos 3#GHOSTTT 4#alex 5# shinsha #6 PADPAA 7# neptunite 8# moon amethyst 9# DIAMOND 10#Yellow

[@inspirashamul]

Antarc over Phos that is interesting, but I am happy they are back.

[@cyncynshop]

1. Phos, so powerful yet so futile. Did so much yet it feels like nothing at all. Desperation beautifully crafted. Selfishness and selflessness both spelled Phos's doom. They are so beautiful. 2. Cinnabar, they have about the same truth Phos have, but ultimately decided to do nothing. Had the most fun 100 years before Phos bring down the eradication. Their emotions are so complicated when it comes to Phos. Pity, anger, understanding, hope..... But when other gems extended their hand to them, they accepted it slowly and readily. 3. Cairnigorm, a new personality born from ghost of (literally) ghost quartz. They lived in trauma for 400 hundred years from the passing of their other half, and then their partner. I hate Archemea aaaaaa but Cairn's rejection of past and by extension Phos is so interesting. I can honestly get behind feeling happier in the present by hating the past. The Mature to Infantile transition by Cairn's own choice make her one of the more transformative characters. 4. Diamond & Bort. Their parallels never stop being cruel for 2 brothers. Short haired Bort is amazing and she made her hair into a whip. When Phos said to Dia, "You're way more likeable than Bort." I didn't know it will culminate into Dia's final violent pop star breakdown. But it is great. 5. Everyone else, I like everyone else, just can't type them all. Sensei used to be higher on this list until it turns out he's willing to subject Phos to 10000 years of torture for his own freedom. I understand why he did it, but it hurts so muchwhen I remembered Phos saying "I want to help Sensei."

[@inspirashamul]

Amazing list! Hahah yeah everyone is amazing but your reasonings for the top 4 are great.

[@Skidoodle18]

Am I the only one with Benito in the top 10? I can relate to them a lot. Not standing out, wanting to feel special, and being dragged along into various events. Plus, I love them working with Alex at the cafe

[@inspirashamul]

I honestly didn’t think much of them but Ch 96 definitely made me like them a little more.

[@flyingpenguin2485]

1. Phosphophyllite 2. Amethyst 84 3. Adamant 4. Antarcticite 5. Bort 6. Yellow Diamond 7. Padparadscha 8. Rutile 9. Diamond 10. New Morganite Pre-moon Cairngorm would be on this list, but I just really hate Cairngorm when he’s on the moon

[@inspirashamul]

Love the list and yeah that's understandable moon Cairn is a lot.

[@shuitsukishoes]

1. Phos ofcc 2. Rutile (idk they've always been one of my favs since the beginning and their drastic change was one of my favorites too.) 3. Padparadscha 4. Yellow Diamond (they weren't in the manga as much as all of the other characters but everytime they were there their words and actions always hit hard for me, like how they said everyone they've partnered up with has gone to the moon and their reaction to when they found out that the gems on the moon have turned into dust. seeing how they were after the invasion arc was really impactful to me too) 5. Cairngorm 6. Bortz 7. Antarctic 8. Cinnabar 9. Ventricosus (not a gem but one of my favorite characters) 10. Dia

[@inspirashamul]

Amazing list. Yeah Rutile's change is heartbreaking to see. Also I agree Yellow Diamond is up there for me for the same reasons even though they have a lack of screentime (made a video about it as well idk if you've seen it). What do you like about Ventricosus? I haven't really thought that much about them.

[@sighing_tom]

I can't really think of a top 10 but my top 5 are #5 Lapis Lazuli (the flash backs, design, and the dream scene) #4 Ghost (Personality, they're creepy in a funny way) #3 Phosphophyllite (Main character, feels bad for what they're going threw) #2 Antarctictite (My favorite arc in the anime, they act so cute with adamant) #1 Cinnabar (There from the start, just doesn't want to be alone anymore, kinda tsundere, relatable)

[@inspirashamul]

Awesome top 5! Mine has changed considerably since this video came out but glad you watched it!

[@meh4294]

My fav are 1antrac(they cool) 2phos(no need to explain) 3alex(I love geeky yet crazy characters like hanji from AOT) 4jade(they funny ,I love them so much ) 5parpa (cool) 6yellow (I just want her to find happiness) 7-10 pretty much everybody else

[@inspirashamul]

Great list!

[@RADLEA]

1. Phos 2. Padparadscha 3. Ghost 4. Lapis 5. Dia 6. Rustile 7. Antar 8. Shinsha 9. Euc 10. Jade

[@inspirashamul]

Awesome list! Love seeing Lapis in top 5

[@muryllo931]

1. Phos 2. Dia 3. Lapis 4. Padparasdcha 5. Ghost 6. Euclase 7. Cinnabar 8. Bort 9. Amethyst 84 10. Alex

[@inspirashamul]

Awesome top 10

[@FitzIsBetterThanYou]

Switch Dia and Bort and it's perfect

[@kurrs177]

1. Phos/Lapis Lazuli 2. Cinnabar 3. Diamond 4. Antarcticite 5. Ghost 6. Bort 7. Euclase 8. Yellow 9. Alex 10. Zircon

[@inspirashamul]

Love the variety in this

[@ryu_u.]

1. Phos and Diamond 2-10. Everybody else except Cairngorm tbh

[@ryu_u.]

this is kinda biased since i relate to both phos and dia 😭

[@inspirashamul]

Nothing wrong with being biased you gravitate towards what you relate to

[@05w47d]

List is heavily based on how much I like their personality so some characters are ranked lower, (That’s why cinnabar is not in top 10) 1. Phos Their transformation is just beautiful and so excellently done I don’t think I could rank them anything else besides 1 2. Rutile Again I think it’s the transformation they went through in the later chapters. Also I just love their design and overall demeanor 3. Kongo Kongo deserves all the love, the unconditional love he feels towards the gems is just very nice. 4. Benitoite I sympathize heavily with them, and they don’t get enough love. 5. Padparadscha Probably their selflessness and I like the older sibling pep talk they gave phos 6. Jade Under appreciated and I love them 7. Amethyst 84 I could have put 33 here too but I think 84 got some more chapters to be fleshed out. I think their relationship with each other is such a complex and well developed, so I liked when 84 did what they needed to be independent from one another 8. Antarcticicite Their selflessness and the devotion they have for others 9. Yellow Diamond Like their personality, and also their transformation. When you have a character as old as them I think it makes for some good character beats 10. Bort I liked them in the last chapters

[@inspirashamul]

Love the breakdown for your list great stuff!

[@Matty_channel]

I still dont get it why they got mad at phis for bringing them on the moon..🤔

[@inspirashamul]

I mean Phos withheld a lot of information like the fact that there were no existing gems on the Moon before taking the group up. I would be upset in that situation.

[@Matty_channel]

@@inspirashamul oh ok i actually forgot that part haha

[@Matty_channel]

@@inspirashamul oh yeah btw to you know...maybe one of the unknown gems that wasn't shown in the anime or manga EXAMPLE: AQUAMARINE ,RED DIAMOND CHLORIDE, FLUORIDE,ORANGE DIAMOND,SAPHIRE,AND MORE😁❤️

[@inspirashamul]

@@Matty_channel like where these unknown gems on the moon? I don’t quite get the question you are asking.

[@Matty_channel]

@@inspirashamul yeah😊😊😊😊❤️

[@fruitiqs]

1. cinnabar 2. rutile 3. bort 4. antarc 5. phos ( sorry phos had to place you the last of the 5 ) the reason to my list is that, I tend to judge all of the gems based on their lore. yes i do know phos is the #1 for lit everything and all but their reason to become the current phos is simply disappointing to me as of that cinnabar and the others have dethrone phos ( i feel like there's grammar mistakes i apologise for that )

[@inspirashamul]

That makes total sense and no grammar mistakes that I found it reads well.