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So I watched the HSR 2nd anniversary animation a couple of times, and this frame really spoke to me. Gepard is one of my favorite characters so seeing him on screen in general was a treat, but that in and of itself isn’t why I like this frame so much. It’s what he’s doing.

He’s eating.

I know that doesn’t sound significant on its own. Like, duh, everyone eats! The thing about it being Gepard in particular, though, is that we hardly EVER see him being depicted doing such mundane things. When he shows up in missions and quests, he’s working. When he visits the Express, he’s usually talking about work-related matters. You can find him in the Silvermane Guard Restricted Zone working.

Sure, we know that he’s not ALL work. He grows flowers as a hobby (though he’s not very good at it) and a piece of official art suggests that he himself may be a good cook, but the former is only occasionally mentioned and the latter never acknowledged directly in game at all (at least not to my knowledge).

Most of what we see of Gepard is him being responsible, serious and formal, but here? He’s not any of those things.

He’s not in his Silvermane Guard uniform. If anything, this is probably some of the most casual clothing we’ve ever seen him in. Not only is he eating but there are crumbs all over his face too, and he seems to be either talking while eating or chewing with his mouth open. None of which are considered to be a display of proper manners.

I don’t know about anyone else, but to me this frame is more than just Gepard eating. It’s Gepard being…just a guy. Not a soldier, not a Captain.