really normal discussion/translation notes for the hitoiki song tls ive been working on. just needed a spot to dump them
plus-minus-kakeru-waru
×÷繰り返して心丈夫になる (kakeru waru kurikaeshite kokorojoubu ni naru) is a really, really cute pun. the verb used for multiplication in mathematics is 掛ける– it has several meanings, one of which meaning "to secure" (i.e. locking a padlock, etc). That part combined with 心丈夫 (referring to emotional security or reassurance) can give off the vibe of "securing one's emotional security". this one makes me smile a lot :)
not sure exactly what this line is supposed to mean (what were they cooking?), but the galapagos speed dramatic part of the chorus did lead me to an interesting fact while i was trying to crack it! there's a phrase called the galapagos syndrome, which is a term in the business sector that was coined in japan– one of the early uses of this term is to refer to tech with highly specific features, which was unsuccessful outside of japan. more about that here, it's very interesting and def links back to yusei's role as the akiba rep.
+−の天秤に人生のスパイスを (purasu mainasu no tenbin ni jinsei no supaisu wo). translated as "the positive-negative balance is what spices up our lives". two things here: jinsei is the typical reading of the unit name hitoiki (which, funnily enough, derives the kanji from the names of its two members!), and spice is a nod to the fact the two of them go out to eat curry. i'm not sure if it's mentioned what their preferred spice level(s) are though.
bungaku complex
月が綺麗ですねってこぼしたそれは (tsuki ga kirei desu ne tte koboshita sore wa). this line contains a literary history reference. natsume soseki (author of texts such as botchan/wagahai wa neko de aru) coined the phrase "tsuki ga kirei desu ne" as an indirect translation of "i love you", and it is still commonly used as a method of confession for characters in anime/manga.
電気街 (denki-gai) literally: "electric town". Often tacked onto the end of akiba as a nickname given the prevalence of tech stores in the area. kinda self explanatory.
過去と未来を通りゃんせっせと (kako to mirai wo tooryanse sse to)– tooryanse is the name of a nursery rhyme from the edo period. the melody from this rhyme is often used in crossing signals in japan, with the rhyme itself essentially being about a family trying to celebrate shichi-go-san (rite of passage ceremony for young kids, more detail here).
冥土の土産はメイドが見上げた (meido no miyage wa meido ga miage ta). this one is difficult as hell to translate in a way that conveys the genius wordplay in it, and that very much gives me a migraine because it's so good. 冥土の土産 is an expression which refers to something which the speaker feels can make them pass away in peace– 冥土 in particular referring to hades and his domain in greek mythology. メイドが見上げ literally just refers to looking up at a maid (as the line is sung by yusei, this tracks given akiba's abundance of maid cafes). unironically peak
ほらもう一丁 (hora mou icchou). icchou can refer to a serving of food in a restaurant, which means it's probably a reference to how yusei and rihito are lunch bros who go out to eat together on a frequent basis. icchou, when given the -me suffix, can refer to a city block. this is probably unrelated, but it may even be a subtle nod to the close proximity of kanda and akiba stations– being located less than 10 minutes away from each other in nichome kajicho and icchome sotokanda respectively.
T/N: It’s been a long time since their collab. Thank you for this, nqrse-san!!
Keep in mind that Japanese and English aren’t my first language. I never claim my translation (attempts) to be error-free. As always, if you’re going to use or reference my translations, please do not claim it as your own and credit me.
Atama ni kuraun tsuketa bōgasu
Ushiro ni tate ga nakerya mochiron nōpuran
Sara no kyanpasu majiwaranai kankaku
Chiri kiwa ni wanchansu agete kerasha
Mushiro itade na wanbāsu
Some bogus with a crown in his head
A nonexistent shield behind me, of course, there is no plan
Sara’s campus, sensations that never cross
The one chance on the verge of falling, give it up and kick it
Better yet, give it a hard blow with one verse
Sore wa sore de akumade kimi no baai
Kawari ga irya sore wa shumi no han'i
Sono chīsai monosashi ni imi mo nai
Kochira wa tokkuni kuriminaru maindo
Kibun takame no mobu ga maiku de subete mōra
Bīto no ue o jiyūjizai
And thus, the situation to the bitter end
If there’s an alternative, then that’s within the scope of my hobby
That small measure has no significance
This is already a criminal mind long ago
Mood-boosting mobs encompass it all with a mic
A complete mastery on the beat
Shizumare wow
Kore de toraeru eburibadi basei mo kansei
Sochira wa pyua pyua pyua na kansei de okawarinai ne
‘iya, ima kiki na’
Quiet down, wow
I’ll ensnare everybody with this, the cheers and the jeers too
You over there, your pure pure pure sensitivity never changes, huh.
“No, listen to me now.”
Kono ue ja fuda tsukimono
Surinukete iku wana doro darake no mama
Mawari wa Boomers Rumors Boomers Rumors
Kaeri na shūhasū ga kuruu wa
Aa majiwaranai ue ni Spit sureba kuu wo kiru
Tarinē tarinē tarinē
I don' t give a damn about it all
This is an essential with tags on top
The trap I can slip through remains covered in mud
Around me, Boomers, Rumors, Boomers, Rumors
Just go back, the frequency’s unstable
Ah, in addition to never crossing, if I spit, I’ll cut through the sky
It’s not enough, not enough, not enough
We must go, revive again
冥土の土産にどう?
プレーゴ・ボナペティート
Don't look away STOP IT, PEOPLE
イイ Rap は美容にもイイよ
なあ 頃合だろ 気付こうぜ
We have to let'em out of the closet
“Values are distorted.”
持ち上げちゃうのだぁれ?
You'd better stop posing 在るが儘 Flaunt it
逸する常軌 Kill kitty copycat
This is where it's at
That is barely grasped Filled with gas!
その胸にだけ問え 真価を
I'm strollin' zingaro 傍らには久しい顔
懇切丁寧 It's a waste of time explaining
Forget about it!
Just call me baby Headphone date 両耳塞いで
Meido no miyage ni dou?
Pureego bonapetiito
Don’t look away STOP IT, PEOPLE
Ii Rap wa biyou ni mo ii yo
Naa koroai daro kizukou ze
We have to let ’em out of the closet
“Values are distorted.”
Mochiagechau no daare?
You’d better stop posing aru ga mama Flaunt it
Issuru jouki Kill kitty copycat
This is where it’s at
That is barely grasped Filled with gas!
Sono mune ni dake toe shinka wo
I’m strollin’ zingaro katawara ni wa natsukashii kao
Konsetsu teinei It’s a waste of time explaining
Forget about it!
Just call me baby Headphone date ryou mimi fusaide
How about some souvenirs from the underworld?
Prego, bon appetit
Don’t look away STOP IT, PEOPLE
An excellent Rap is also a perfect fit for beauty
Hey- it’s the perfect time, be aware of it
We have to let ’em out of the closet
“Values are distorted.”
Who’s gonna praise us to the sky?
You’d better stop posing; as you are, flaunt it
Deviate from the norm; Kill kitty copycat
This is where it’s at
That is barely grasped Filled with gas!
Only ask the true worth from that heart of yours
I’m strollin’ zingaro, a nostalgic familiar face by my side
Careful and thorough, It’s a waste of time explaining
Forget about it!
Just call me baby; Headphone date, and cover both ears
You excited? 流行り廃りに Sensitive な迷子
Henna Tatto 引っ剥がして I'll astound you
Do you think it's a storm in a teacup
It's bound to stir up 声高に We are
You excited? hayari sutari ni Sensitive na maigo
Henna Tattoo hippagashite I’ll astound you
Do you think it’s a storm in a teacup
It’s bound to stir up kowadaka ni We are
You excited? Going in and out of style, a sensitive child astray
Henna Tattoo, I’ll rip it off, I’ll astound you
Do you think it’s a storm in a teacup
It’s bound to stir up; loudly, We are
Kono ue ja fuda tsukimono
Surinukete iku wana doro darake no mama
Mawari wa Boomers Rumors Boomers Rumors
Kaeri na shūhasū ga kuruu wa
Aa majiwaranai ue ni Spit sureba sora wo kiru
Tarinē tarinē tarinē
I don' t give a damn about it all
This is an essential with tags on top
The trap I can slip through remains covered in mud
Around me, Boomers, Rumors, Boomers, Rumors
Just go back, the frequency’s unstable
Ah, in addition to never crossing, if I spit, I’ll cut through the sky
It’s not enough, not enough, not enough
We must go, revive again
ただ突っ立って待ってりゃ迎えに行くよ
キャリーな気分? No 歪みきった基準正すだけ
Tada tsuttatte matterya mukae ni iku yo
Kyarii na kibun? No yugami kitta kijun tadasu dake
If you just stand around, do nothing, and wait, I’ll come pick you up
Feeling like Carrie? No. Just correct the distorted norms
UMBRELLA for rain, and CURE for your pain.. STUPID
Anyway I let you say “It’s just what I wanted!”
昔からさ “今日”じゃねぇ
フラッシュバックする交差点 We just go straight ahead
We got no time to 右顧左眄
Cause I’ve been here before だからもうヤメ
Kid stuff 靡くんじゃ興醒め
ほら 次のが欲しくなる Because of me “I’m on my way.”
Shout without a loud-speaker
I’m particular ’bout 履き潰したスニーカー
Mukashi kara sa “kyou” janee
Furasshu bakku suru kousaten We just go straight ahead
We got no time to uko saben
Cause I’ve been here before dakara mou yame
Kid stuff nabikun ja kyouzame
Hora tsugi no ga hoshiku naru Because of me “I’m on my way.”
Shout without a loud speaker
I’m particular bout hakitsubushita suniikaa
Long ago, you see, it’s not “today”
Do a flashback at the intersection, We just go straight ahead
We got no time to hesitate
Cause I’ve been here before, so no more
Kid stuff, yielding and losing interest
Look, I start to want what’s next; Because of me “I’m on my way.”
Shout without a loud speaker
I’m particular bout, my worn out pair of sneakers
(I don’t give a damn about it)
I don’t give a damn about it all
この上じゃ札付き者
すり抜けて行く罠 泥だらけのまま
周りはBoomers Rumors Boomers Rumors
帰りな 周波数が狂うわ
ああ 交わらない上に Spitすれば空を切る
足りねえ足りねえ足りねえ
We must go, revive again
Kono ue ja fudatsuki mono
Surinukete iku wana doro darake no mama
Mawari wa Boomers Rumors Boomers Rumors
Kaeri na shuuhasuu ga kuruu wa
Aa majiwaranai ue ni Spit sureba kuu wo kiru
Tarinee tarinee tarinee
We must go, revive again
I don' t give a damn about it all
This is an essential with tags on top
The trap I can slip through remains covered in mud
Around me, Boomers, Rumors, Boomers, Rumors
Just go back, the frequency’s unstable
Ah, in addition to never crossing, if I spit, I’ll cut through the sky
It’s not enough, not enough, not enough
Hitori:
(Maybe if it was a grave cafe…)
A-Afterlife for two… Souvenirs from the grave available…
Placard:
"Grave Cafe: This way to the afterlife"
Bocchi the Rock! ep 10 | 1:05~
This scene represents her escape from reality when it was decided that she had to wear a maid cofe's uniform at the school festival.
The reason for the strange expression "grave cafe" here is that both the word "maid" and the word 冥途, meaning afterlife, have the same pronunciation in Japanese, [meido].
The exact meaning of the placard is "Afterlife Cafe," as it is labeled 冥途喫茶, but the translator probably thought that was confusing and used the term "Grave Cafe".
Being aware of her own gloomy personality, she associated the word "maid" with 冥途[meido](Afterlife) and imagined a non-existent place like a Grave Café, thinking it would still be better to work there.
The white clothing she wears in this scene is one of the traditional Japanese burial outfits, a symbol often used to represent Japanese ghosts.
"Souvenirs from the grave" is actually expressed in Japanese as 冥途の土産[meido no miyage](Souvenirs to the afterlife), a Japanese idiom meaning like a something good experience when dying.
Here she is not saying it in the original meaning, but as a joke because of the association of the word meido.
She is so adorable and her strange behavior has often been expressed jokingly, but as a matter of fact she would have had such a subconscious, almost traumatic fear of interpersonal relationships - so much so that she soaked herself in an ice bath to take the day off work and fled to the back door to avoid interacting with people as a maid.
Her last word for this season was very simple, but I think it was a modest one that represented a great deal of growth for her.
本作は「文化庁メディア芸術祭大賞」や「日本ゲーム大賞優秀賞」、更には海外でも秀でた和風ゲームとして入賞した作品ですが、長期の開発期間や甚大な広告費を割きながらも売上の初動が振るわなかったとして、開発したカプコン子会社の「クローバースタジオ」は早々に解散し、開発者も霧散してしまいましたが、その解散後に海外のゲーム賞(アメリカ合衆国のゲーム情報サイトIGNの主催する「The Best of 2006」『Overall Game of the Year』最優秀賞)を受賞し、立て続けに2007年度「日本ゲーム大賞優秀賞」受賞というのっぴきならない高評価を得ました。