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ohshcscenerios · 4 years ago

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Find Me

Chapter One - Choose Your Own Adventure

“We’re almost there.” Haruhi stated as she checked the small GPS screen. The blue arrow representing their car was shown to be a few blocks away from their venue.

Kyoya nodded without checking the screen himself. He knew better than to take his eyes of the road, even for a second, in downtown Tokyo. With the sidewalks bustling with pedestrians and careless taxis braking wherever they please the smallest distraction could create catastrophic consequences.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” She asked him, turning slightly in her seat. She knew this sort of event wasn’t necessarily in his comfort level.

However Kyoya only shrugged and sighed his indifference, “I don’t have much choice in this. After all, this is for Tamaki and I. It would be rude not to show up to my own party.”

His eyes were trained on the road but Haruhi noticed the confliction written across his face. He loved their friends dearly, as did she, and he looked forward to a night spent with them but he wasn’t fond of having to drive half an hour through the densest part of the city just for beer and songs.

But he was also right, it would be rude not to accept their invitation, especially if the party is for his and Tamaki’s graduation celebration.

“That makes sense, I suppose you only graduate from university once.” She said lightheartedly.

Kyoya smiled and reached for her hand, finding it nestled in her lap. He rubbed his thumb into her dorsal and fiddled with a small ring on her finger. “After the graduation ceremony we’ll only have five months until our wedding.”

Haruhi felt a giddy smile spread her lips thin as she squeezed his hand. They had been engaged since her first year in college. She was sure if it were anyone other than Kyoya asking for her hand, her father wouldn’t have allowed her to get engaged at such a young age. Thankfully Kyoya had won favor with Ranka back in high school and although his father caused a few hiccups in their relationship he hadn’t lost that favor.

Most importantly, he hadn’t lost her’s either.

“Your destination is on the right” the GPS announced. They both looked to their right to see a moderate building sitting a little too close to the road with dozens of neon signs blinking against the night sky. It didn’t look like an upscale karaoke bar like Kyoya and Haruhi had thought. It was just a regular run-of-the-mill place for people to come together and drunkenly sing along with their friends.

“I should have known Tamaki wouldn’t have wanted something nicer.” Kyoya grumbled as he pulled into the narrow driveway leading into a narrow parking lot.

They immediately recognized their friends’ cars parked in the front. It wasn’t difficult to find the waxed Lexus sport cars amidst the decade old Toyotas. Haruhi sighed, knowing they should have expected Tamaki to choose a commoner venue rather than somewhere more private. At least she wouldn’t feel too weird sitting among her incredibly rich friends tonight, knowing there were people of her social status down the hall.

Kyoya parked, turned off the car, patted his jacket to double check he had everything, and gave Haruhi’s hand one last squeeze before they both got out and began walking toward the side entrance. He held the door open for her and stayed by her side as they approached the front desk.

“Ootori and Fujioka.” Kyoya stated bluntly. The worker nodded, checked the book resting open on his counter, and stepped out from the desk to lead them toward a room in the back.

The moment they opened the door jovial voices erupted through, officially declaring their arrival.

“Kyo-chan, Haru-chan, you’re finally here!” Mitsukuni cheered from the back corner. He and Takashi were comfortably nestled in a booth with their cold beers in hand.

Tamaki stopped singing mid-sentence and jumped to his feet to greet the pair. “I’m so glad you guys made it. It doesn’t matter that you’re late, I’m so glad you decided to come!” He pulled Kyoya into a tight hug before he could protest.

“Well of course, I can’t decline my own party you idiot.” Kyoya grumbled against his friend’s shoulder.

“Haruhi, you look stunning as always.” Hikaru said as he sauntered over. He was happy to see her wearing one of the dresses he specifically designed for her. He supposed all of his nagging finally broke though her stubborn head.

Haruhi returned his smile, although not as enthusiastically, “Thanks Hika, and thanks for the dress. It’s surprisingly comfortable.” She patted down her thighs to feel the soft fabric on her palms.

Hikaru laughed, “I knew I had to design something you’d actually wear.”

“Hey are we going to finish this song or what?” Kaoru called from a few feet away. He stood before a large television mounted to the wall with neon lyrics racing across the screen however no one was singing the words anymore.

“Let’s order something to drink first.” Kyoya suggested as he peeled the humming blond off his person. He wrapped his arm around Haruhi’s waist and led them toward the back table where their seniors - or rather graduated seniors - were sitting.

Haruhi slid in beside Mitsukuni and looked over the small laminated menu sitting on the table. “I’ll just take a beer, I guess.”

“Two Asahi then.” Kyoya said, more to himself, and picked up a landline telephone in the table’s center to give the bar their bar.

Tamaki returned to the microphone and sang with as much emotion as hecould pour into a modern pop song while Hikaru and Kaoru tried to sing louder than the other.

Which host needs to use the restroom? Click to Vote

Welcome to the beginning of our Choose Your Own Adventure Story. After each chapter make sure to vote what should happen next! Beware, since this is an angsty mystery these polls won’t be as innocent as they seem.

The next update should around 2:00pm (ETS). Polling will end one hour prior.

#ouran high school host club #ohshc #choose your own adventure #tamaki suoh #kyoya ootori #haruhi fujioka #takashi morinozuka #mitsukuni haninozuka #hikaru hitachiin #kaoru hitachiin #vote #poll #find me

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yamagucci-x · 4 years ago

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Read on Ao3

Daisuga Avatar AU

Rated: T

“I take it some of that is for me?”

“Of course, Sifu Mineo.” Sugawara greeted the old man who grinned at him from behind the front desk. “I have to keep Daichi in your good graces somehow, don’t I?” He deposited a paper bag of kale cookies next to a stack of flyers that read Northways Bending Gym in bold lettering. He paused, remembering something Daichi said about memberships declining after a modern facility opened a few blocks away. Northways was well-known for being old school, like the gyms where pro-bending originated, but of course Republic City didn’t always appreciate traditional. “Doing some advertising? I can take some on my way out and put them up in the Little Water Tribe, if you’d like.”

“Why, that would be perfect!” Mineo shook his head with a fond look. “I’m tellin’ you, it’s upstanding young men like you fellows who are keeping this city from going to the goat-dogs. I just wish I could steal you from Narook’s— but then how would I get my kale cookies?” He let out a hearty laugh, waving away Sugawara’s assurances that it was the least he could do. Mineo popped a cookie in his mouth, calling as Suga made his way to the back, “Sawamura has a client, but he’s in the usual room with Yu and your long-haired friend!”

Nishinoya’s grandpa could never remember Asahi’s name, much to his dismay and everyone else’s delight. Suga chuckled as he strolled past lockers and small training rooms until he got to the large open-air courtyard where Daichi worked. He spotted Noya and Asahi in the back and gave them a wave. Toward the entrance, Daichi’s client was scaling a climbing wall, using earthbending to create grips and footholds as he went. Daichi stood at the bottom in a tank top and Suga’s favorite pair of harem pants, occasionally driving his foot into the ground to send a tremor through the wall. Suga sighed, leaning against a wooden post along the outside hall. He loved Daichi’s job.

“Good job!” His boyfriend clapped, “Let’s take a quick water break before we move on to balance exercises.”

Sugawara knocked on the column, coughing innocently. “Excuse me?” he called in a loud voice, “Someone ordered seaweed noodles to go with their hunk of man meat?”

He heard a snort from the other side of the courtyard and Daichi whipped around with a beet-red face. Spirits, it was too easy. His client looked a little stricken but Suga didn’t care. He had to assert himself over these jacked gym rats somehow, didn’t he? “Uh, let’s make that a fiver,” Daichi stuttered before jogging over to Suga. He frowned as took his to-go container, wrapped in blue fabric. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?”

Suga crossed his arms. “Thank you for lunch, honey. I’d starve without you, babe,” he said in a mocking tone.

“Thanks for embarrassing me in front of a member, too, babe,” Daichi rolled his eyes.

Sugawara just snickered. Daichi looked like he was gearing up for a lecture but Suga was saved when Nishinoya and Asahi wandered over. He high-fived Noya and gave Asahi, who was sweaty and breathing heavily, a smack in the gut. “Getting your ass kicked, huh? What’s the point of all those muscles if you can’t even spar with a guy like Noya without getting winded?”

“He’s way better at defense!” Asahi protested, looking deflated, “I can barely land a hit.”

Noya put a hand on his arm. “Asahi’s going great, he almost singed my eyebrows off! He just needs to have more confidence,” he beamed.

“Almost singeing your eyebrows off is exactly why I don’t have confidence.” Asahi sighed, glancing down at Noya’s hand with flushing cheeks.

Suga and Daichi exchanged glances but Suga just said, “Well I can’t stay, I have to get back to the restaurant before my break’s over. Are we still on for drinks with Tanaka later?”

“Actually Ryu said we should come by the diner later, he didn’t have any clients today so he picked up a shift to help Saeko out.”

Daichi scratched his head. “Are you sure she’s fine with us hanging out there? We get...rowdy sometimes.”

“Big Sis Saeko? No way, she loves when we show up!” Noya gave a thumbs up.

Asahi laughed, “But does her boss?”

“Hey, I get a free beer out of it either way so I don’t care,” Suga said with a grin, waving goodbye to Noya and Asahi as they returned to their workout. He turned to Daichi and tugged on the front of his shirt. “Now pay up for those noodles I worked so hard to deliver.” Before his boyfriend could protest, he pulled him in for a deep kiss. Suga released him with a sly smile playing over his lips. “See you later, Sawamura,” he breathed.

Their friends whistled and whooped as Daichi, red-faced once again, apologized profusely to his client.

“Oi, Suga!” Noya yelled as he was leaving, “Tell the old man not to eat all my kale cookies!”

Suga delivered the message and grabbed a stack of fliers on his way out. As he settled into his seat on the streetcar, his eyes fell on a bubble at the bottom of the ad.

Coming Next Month: Northways Bending Gym Hosts Its Annual Pro-Bending Borough Tournament!! Big Prize Money! A Chance to Play in the Official League!

He stared at the words for a minute. A smile slowly spread across his face as a stupid, amazing idea came into his head.

Suga raced excitedly home from work, but since their apartment was in the Little Water Tribe he didn’t really need to hurry to beat Daichi there. He jumped up when their front door opened, tossing aside his book. “Hey!”

“Hey.” Daichi dropped his gym bag in the entryway. Suga leaned in for a kiss but he merely pressed his lips against Suga’s forehead.

Oh.

Suga crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. “You’re still mad about earlier? Y’know, I wanted to grab your ass too, but I didn’t. So really you should be thanking me,” he teased, raising an eyebrow.

“Koshi-” Daichi sighed disappointedly. Suga’s expression deflated. He was in it now— mad Daichi was one thing, but disappointed Daichi was way worse. “You know I don’t mind when you stop by,” he frowned, putting his hands on Suga’s hips, “But Sifu Mineo already did so much giving me this job, and with the way the gym’s doing lately...”

“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I don’t want to scare away any customers,” Suga said, toying with the collar of Daichi’s shirt. He pursed his lips. “But sometimes I see the people you’re training and I feel like I gotta remind them who’s boss. I mean, who even was that one guy last week? I know it’s August but put a shirt on, y’know?”

Suga felt the grip on his waist tighten. A grin spread over Daichi’s face. “Wait a second. Is somebody jealous?”

“Okay, that’s not what I said-” Suga tapped Daichi’s chest as his face went red against his will.

Daichi laughed, grabbing his hands with flashing eyes. “No, you’re totally jealous! That’s adorable.”

“Alright, watch it,” he mumbled, “Or you’ll lose your seaweed noodle privileges even before I go back to teaching.”

But Daichi wasn’t done. He put on a sad face, evidently set on punishing Suga further. “You really think that poorly of me? That just the sight of a buff guy is enough to make me lose control?”

“No, you’re not my aunt.” Sugawara rolled his eyes. “Can we move on? I said I was sorry.”

“Fine.” Daichi held his chin and kissed him, smiling against his lips. “But y’know last week I really wanted to grab that guy’s ass, and I didn’t. So really you should be thanking me.”

Suga tsked. “Asshole,” he mumbled, clasping his hands around the back of Daichi’s neck to pull him closer. He could have fallen deep into that kiss, losing himself in the feeling of Daichi pressing him against the wall and burying his hands in his silver hair, but he forced himself to pull away. Daichi chased his lips but Suga only gave him a quick peck before ducking out of his touch. “There’s something I wanted to ask you-” He grabbed a Northways flier off the kitchen counter and held it out to Daichi, tapping the bottom. “Have you seen this?”

His boyfriend took it and sat down at the kitchen. “The pro-bending tournament? Yeah, Sifu Mineo does it every year. It’s sort of a minor league thing, there’s a few gyms across the city that host them to drum up support for local teams.” He glanced up and, seeing Suga’s eager expression, pressed his lips into a thin line. “I- are you serious? You want to enter?”

Suga sat beside him, grabbing his arm. “C’mon Daichi, at least consider it.”

“Suga, we haven’t done anything like this since our school days.”

“That’s exactly why we should compete! Don’t you remember how fun it was, the rush?” He grinned, and could tell from the look on Daichi’s face that he was also getting flooded with memories from their days in the youth league. It’d been only semi-formal, but the competition could be fierce. It was how he, Suga, and Asahi had become good friends, and how they met Tanaka and Noya. It was also how they’d gotten to learn from some of the best benders in Republic City. “Besides, it’s not like that was ages ago. We’re not that old.”

Daichi couldn’t deny that his pulse had quickened at the thought of stepping into the ring again, but still, he hesitated. “I don’t know, Suga. The guys at these things are aspiring pros, would we even stand a chance?”

“With Sawamura the Rock? The guy who helped train the Avatar? We’ll demolish them!”

“Okay, I was never called the rock,” Daichi threw his head back in laughter, “But we were pretty good in high school, huh?”

“The best,” Suga grinned. “Well, maybe not the best- but if we work hard for the next month we could be a force to be reckoned with. And wouldn’t it be nice to bring in some extra money, maybe enough to finally move out?”

Daichi glanced around their studio apartment. They’d done it up nicely, but it definitely wasn’t ideal. “It would be nice not to live in the same building as your grandma.”

Suga snickered. “You mean you don’t love having to put out all twelve housewarming pelts whenever she shows up unannounced?”

Daichi sighed, laying his hand over Suga’s with a smile. “Alright, fine. Let’s do it.”

“Yes!” Sugawara grabbed his face and kissed him.

“Hold up-” Daichi raised his brows. “You know he’ll never agree to this.”

“Oh, he’ll agree. I have a plan.”

—

Tanaka, fresh off a busboy shift and still wearing a rag around his head, was already scarfing down a combo platter when their group got to the Dragon Flats Diner later that night. He waved them down, calling something incomprehensible through a mouthful of food.

“-I just don’t think I can do it,” Asahi was saying.

“See? I told you, he’s a coward.” Daichi leveled a look of disdain at him as they slid into their booth.

Before Asahi, who was already sweating under his friend’s frigid gaze, could defend himself Saeko appeared with a tablet and pen in her hand. “What’s up guys? Yu, looking cool as always! Sawamura, I see you’re keeping it tight.” She elbowed Daichi’s shoulder roughly and winked at Suga. “Sorry for spoiling your barhopping plans tonight, but wasn’t my baby brother so sweet to help me out?” She grinned devilishly, putting Tanaka in a headlock until he started choking on a dumpling.

They all assured her it was no problem and enthusiastically accepted her offer of free fire flakes. Sugawara suggested they order drinks and their conversation wandered naturally, from work to Tanaka’s dating life to Kageyama’s latest write-up in the tabloids. When Saeko plunked a mug of beer down in front of Asahi, Suga grinned. “Drink up, Asahi! It’s on me.”

Daichi side-eyed him. “This is your plan?” he muttered.

“You’re not going to buy me off, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Asahi warned as he took a sip.

Suga scoffed into his drink. “So suddenly the mouse has found his courage, huh?”

Asahi rubbed the back of his neck meekly but wouldn’t budge on the subject no matter what tactic Suga and Daichi tried, be it flattery, bribery, or blackmail. The argument lasted through their second round, when Asahi said, “I was never good, anyway! I’d only hold you guys back. Why don’t you ask Tanaka?”

“Oh hell no-” Tanaka drained his mug and slammed it down on the table. “You know I’d never leave my bro like that. If I’m on a pro-bending team with anyone, it’s Noya.”

“Hell yeah!” Nishinoya shouted, raising his glass. “Wait— should we join the old man’s bending tournament?!”

Tanaka’s face lit up. “It would be sweet to get that prize money. You think Gramps would rig the bracket for us?”

Asahi sputtered into his beer. “Do you even have a waterbender?”

“Duh, Ennoshita will do it!”

“You sure about that?” Daichi smiled.

“Of course!” Noya beamed, a determined glint in his eye, “We can get the old team back together, and we’ll kick just as much ass as we did in high school!”

“And we can come up with a kick-ass new name,” Tanaka cackled. “Something manly, like the Blazing Tigersharks!”

“Or the Blazing Sea Vultures!”

“Or the Blazing Demon Wolfbats!”

“Demon wolfbats?” Daichi asked.

Suga raised a brow. “Why are they blazing?”

Noya shook his head like they were children too young to understand something obvious. “It’s always cooler when they’re blazing.”

“See what you’re missing, Asahi?” Suga laughed, “Getting the old team back together? We could re-brand as the Blazing Spiderwasps.”

Asahi was clearly trying not to give in, but he couldn’t help smiling. “Way cooler than the plain old Crows. What were we thinking?”

“So you’ll do it?” Daichi prompted.

“I dunno...” Asahi looked down at his drink. “I don’t want to end up inconveniencing you guys.”

Daichi leaned forward, his expression serious. “Asahi, I once saw a guy take a dive off the arena rather than face one of your fireballs head-on. You were one of the best guys in the league.”

“You can’t honestly tell us you don’t miss it,” Suga went on, “You spend all day in that stuffy tailor’s shop, just training with Noya can’t be enough. Won’t you at least give it a shot? This is just a local tournament, the pressure’s low. Let’s reunite the Crows!”

Asahi hesitated for a long minute, glancing between his friends’ boring eyes and Noya’s encouraging nods. Finally he sighed, hanging his head. When he lifted it back up, he was grinning. “Okay. Let’s go for it!”

The table erupted in cheers. Noya clapped Asahi on the back and Suga grabbed his hands tightly. Tanaka stood up in his seat to holler across the room for more beer.

The moon loomed high in the night sky by the time they staggered out of the Dragon Flats Diner. They left Tanaka in Saeko’s hands after multiple promises that she wouldn’t let him fall off her motorcycle. Nishinoya and Asahi both lived nearby so they went off together, vowing to have a scrimmage at Northways by the end of the week. Daichi and Suga waved goodbye and set off for the streetcar arm in arm, laughing as they heard Noya’s booming voice echo down the block.

“I hope the trolley is still running,” Daichi said, glancing at the clock on the corner, “I don’t wanna have to walk all the way to the railway station.”

“If it’s out you’re carrying me home,” Suga mumbled, already making Daichi prop him up as he leaned into him and wrapped his arms around his waist. He nuzzled his face against the warm plane of Daichi’s chest. “You could do it. You’re so strong.”

Daichi giggled, the laugh that always came out when he was tipsy, and kissed the top of Suga’s head. “If you say so, Koshi,” he smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from his boyfriend’s flushed face.

“It’s true!”

“You think?” Daichi grinned and suddenly scooped his arm under Suga’s knees to lift him up to his chest in a smooth motion. He teetered for a second, laughing as Sugawara squawked his name. When Suga threw his arms around the back of Daichi’s neck to anchor himself, he pulled him up further to press a soft, slow kiss to his lips. Suga made a little noise and started kissing him back but Daichi nearly lost his balance completely and had to put him down. They stood in each other’s arms on the street corner, laughing and trying to catch their breath, until they heard the tinkling bell of an approaching trolley.

“Oh crap! Daichi, we gotta go!” Suga grabbed his hand and pulled him along as they ran to the stop.

They collapsed onto an empty bench and let the rumbling of the car fill their comfortable silence as it lumbered toward the Little Water Tribe. Suga let his head fall against Daichi’s shoulder, his eyes closing under the weight of the night’s beer. The gentle rise and fall of his boyfriend’s chest, the steadiness of the hand on his shoulder, was comforting. “I love you, Daichi,” he sighed.

He felt Daichi’s chest vibrate with a hum. “I love you, too.”

“We’re gonna kick some pro-bending ass, right?”

A puff of air tickled his hair. “Right, Suga.”

#avatar au #daisuga

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houkagokappa · 6 years ago

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Sarazanmai Main PV analysis

Third time’s the charm. With Sarazanmai airing tomorrow I finally want to go through the main PV and give you my thoughts and impressions and observations from it.

The timing hasn’t been too bad since the official English subbed trailer came out yesterday when Crunchyroll announced they would add Sarazanmai to their simulcast for Spring 2019.

youtube

I don’t really have any authority to comment on the translation. It’s professionally made and it’s good. There are some translation differences to mine (I never translated the main PV, but they reuse a lot of the phrases I’ve translated in the past). For the most part I’ve been more literal (mainly so that I can retain as much original information as possible, even at the cost of it sounding chunkier).

Japanese is a very contextual language with room for many interpretations, especially when the full context is missing, so seeing differences in the translations are to be expected. The only difference I find eye-catching is the phrase “Suck out the greed” since they clearly use 欲望 desire/lust. Maybe the translator knows something about the upcoming episodes that I don’t?

The PV starts with the same beautiful gloomy music from the Tsunagaru PV and Kazuki jogging/running in Asakusa. He’s wearing the matching bracelet he shares with Enta around his ankle. We specifically see shots of the red Azuma Bridge as well as Tokyo Skytree and Asahi Beer Hall in the background on the other side of the river. The stage is Asakusa alright.

Then there’s this wild spark in the middle of Kazuki’s melancholic narration about wanting to connect but not being able to.

Pink’s an unusual colour for sparks but plays on Ikuhara’s typical use of colours. It seems to be revealing a grid of some sort. This also feels very Ikuhara, he has a habit of combining the whimsical with the mechanical and technical. Think about the whole “ROCK OVER JAPAN” sequence for example.

The tone shifts, the upbeat ending theme “Stand By Me” by the peggies starts playing and Sara greets us cheerfully. She looks like an idol with her sparkling starry eyes and own TV program. The ア is everywhere. It seems to be used in her show a lot. There’s still no indication what exactly it stands for though.

This screenshot is pretty interesting. The text under “Fortune of today” says “lucky selfie divination”. Is Sara a fortune-teller? Are these her mysterious powers in action? The smaller text says “dish. I can’t see regular people. SARAtto report + Looking for the Prince. Characteristics are [ikevo?] a good smell and fair complexion”. Is that going to be Keppi or the mysterious figure from the last chapter of the manga? Or are they the same?

The focus shifts back to Kazuki. He’s talking about only needing three rules in his life, which could be good or a bad depending what those rules are. Okay let’s face it this is Ikuhara they’ll be bad.

First he’s on his phone like in the earlier PV’s and then we see him with the kappazon cardboard box in his hands walking among other people. We get a quick glimpse of a weird golden kappa statue that makes the same kind of pose I assume the boys will do when they transform. What looks like a phone strap with Sara’s kappa-like creature swings by. It’s probably Kazuki’s and he’s a fan of Sara. There’s also a not-so-hidden ア that’s just on a tile on the pavement, showing us that they really are everywhere.

Next up we have Tooi. We’re shown a calendar (that I think is hanging on a classroom wall) with an overview of July and August (covering the summer vacation). Is that when Sarazanmai takes place? The illustrations for the calendar are of kappa. One highlights that kappa like/need water in their “sara” plates, the cavities on top of their heads. The other one depicts their love for sumo-wrestling. These are both typical kappa things we know from having studied the lore!

Tooi himself is along the river talking to his older brother Chikai. “Let’s get this over with. You and I aren’t very different”. There’s also one of the funniest reveals yet when we see Tooi’s weapon up close and it turns out to be a ruler. As a final touch there’s another ア to be seen right next to the brothers.

Then we get Enta’s presentation. At first he’s playing soccer by the river and then we see him holding on to the bracelet he shares with Kazuki. The in-between frame shows us a fish shop. What’s remarkable about it is that all the signs on it say “kiss”. Then we get a kappazon.co.jp box that flies away. Enta talks about having a strong bond that can’t be easily broken. Based on what we know it’s safe to assume he’s talking about Kazuki.

Then things get weirder when it’s Keppi’s time to appear on screen. He’s holding on to a cucumber, which is another thing that kappa love. He tells the boys that they’ve been turned into kappa and that they need to get the zombie shirikodama in order to turn back. We see the boys all slimy and gooey in their new kappa forms. Kazuki still has the box, so it might be something that happens during this walk of his that we’ve been seeing the whole time.

This is a very interesting frame. The pictograms behind the kappa boys look like ghosts. Are they supposed to be the boys’ souls or something like that? Or are they actual spirits wandering around? Story wise them being the boys’ makes more sense, but from an artistic viewpoint I think it’s weird to suddenly draw something that’s part of the main characters in the style that’s deliberately simplified and created for background characters. There’s also the “DO NOT ENTER” sign with the otter symbol and a cross over it. Clearly the otter is unwanted, that’s been confirmed by the Reo and Mabu’s keeponly1luv twitter account as well.

The PV continues with its interesting imagery. The next shot is of this circular shape with the words “no start”, “no end” and “no connection” getting revealed. We’ve heard these words before so they’ll be important. They all tie together, but we’ll have to wait and see just how. It’s possible that they each apply to one of the three boys. Kazuki can’t connect, Enta doesn’t want to let go (end) and Tooi doesn’t want to uhh... get involved and start anything?? I’ll have to think about this more another time, or please send me your theories!

The background isn’t the same as it was for the spark earlier, but it’s the same style. I wonder if it’ll have anything to do with what the cops are up to because they’ll be introduced soon and they were the ones talking about no beginnings or endings.

The PV continues and there’s a small explosion hiding the boys in a cloud of black smoke while they let out a surprised scream.

Then there’s a pling, which I think resembles the sound an elevator makes when it reaches the right floor and opens its doors. The background is a metallic grey so it might as well be where the scene plays out. Reo and Mabu appear with their weird new catchphrase “Suck out the greed” (or desire!) and there’s some mechanical action that starts. Lights get turned on, gauges reach their max and a bunch of signs with the kanji 吸 “suu”, to suck or inhale appears.

I guess this is their machine for sucking out the greed? Or desire. I’ve pointed out the heart in the upper right corner before but it’s worth pointing out again. Earlier I wondered if this machine was somehow alive, but now I’m thinking that it might just stand for “desire”.

This is all controlled by the otters, the next cut shows us otters decals that are peeling. The otters seem to be controlling some circular objects, not unlike the construction we saw light up earlier.

Then there’s the “desire extraction” that covers all of Asakusa. The cops throw their hats. Celebrating their success? In an attempt to be dramatic? You decide.

Next up the opening there “Massara” by KANA-BOON starts playing and we see the three boys striking poses while in their kappa forms. I’m guessing it’s from the actual OP although it might be part of their transformation sequence.

Following this there’s a scene where the otter symbol all over Asakusa (or Sumida where Tokyo Skytree is located) burning red. It definitely looks like a bad infestation. There’s also a spiral with text reaching down from the heavens. The text is the same as we got in the first teaser PV’s and says “CHARGE” and “desire”. As something new there’s also ハコ which is the word for “box” written in katakana. I think this is a reference to the Box Zombie which is supposed to be the first zombie we’ll be introduced to. There are certainly boxes everywhere in the following shots while the zombie seems to have a lust for more cardboard.

Are the otters summoning the zombies? There’s definitely a connection between them.

Then we see Keppi run with a cart (or whatever it’s called) where the kappa boys sit. They seem pretty chill so I wonder if this is after their fight with the zombie? Next up we see one of these legendary shirikodama balls. It’s a ball with the kanji for butt on it. Then the three kappa boys are flying around, apparently connecting through the sarazanmai. They managed to connect in one way at least by holding on to each other’s hands.

I also find this next image interesting, it really plays up the “connection” part of Sarazanmai. We get the ア again and what looks like a mobile signal. It’s a very modern and a very literal interpretation. Ikuhara has mentioned the era of the internet and how easy it is to connect through the use of smartphones and apps several times when he’s talked about the inspirations behind Sarazanmai. Old vs. new has been another topic and this highlights that as well.

After this we see another shot of the Asakusa Sara TV program. The text is the same as previously but this time the image is of a traditionally drawn Japanese woman. Is this where the “old” is brought in?

Then this is another one of my favourite shots! It’s the Niimi Yoshokkiten kitchenware department store, that’s also the building where Reo and Mabu’s “Asakusa Sara Kouban” is located. Their police box/station is the red structure at the bottom of the building and I think we can see their silhouettes inside of it. What I really love about this image though is the otter that’s next to the giant chefs head on top. To be clear, the chef’s head is actually there in real life actual Asakusa while the otter is something the anime added there. I think this highlights the fact that Reo and Mabu are working under the otter (literally! - pun not intended).

The signs on the building are a bit difficult to decipher, but I see ウソ a lot which means lie. There’s also something about the world and food/eating? The text on the top that says “kawau” is probably in reference to “kawauso” which means otter.

As a side note I want to point out that the second teaser PV that featured the otter symbol had a narration about lies and otters. Could it be about Reo and Mabu? Who’s the one with the strong desire…

Right after that split second image we get this one. That’s an otter! Clearly controlling/ordering all the other otters around! Mabu makes a comment that someone tries to get in their way, which we can assume will be the three boys. Are they confirmed villains now? I feel like a lot of people aren’t buying it. With Ikuhara first impressions are often deceiving and characters can have good reasons for their seemingly horrible actions, so I wouldn’t count in it.

Next Asakusa Sara TV reports on flying boxes. The text that is show on screen is absolutely horrible to read and full with silly puns on Sara’s name and her using “dish” instead of “desu”. It’s cute as long as you don’t have to translate it yourself. The time here is 19:00 which makes me think that this PV covers the entire first episode and will end here with this (it was 7:55 at the start).

Reo and Mabu have their little quasi villain speech and then Keppi talks to the boys and says “you’re as dead as you are alive”. Does this have to do with the “turning into kappa” process and the “ghosts” I mentioned earlier? Are the boys’ actually half-alive, half-dead? Isn’t that what zombies are? Suddenly things are starting to make more sense!

There’s quite a lot going on visually. Keppi’s eyes look terrifying. They’re large, read, black and purple. He seems to clapping, so I’m guessing this happens after the boys have dealt with the zombie successfully. One of the ア signs falls down and is heavy enough to break the pavement. There’s a close-up of Kazuki’s face where he looks kind of frightened and surprised and then in classic Ikuhara fashion there’s a shot of hands trying to hold on to each other but not being able to do so. However, unlike in his previous works there are now three of them. It’s most likely for the three boys, although it could also be one boy using both of his hands.

Then there’s text on the screen that says “even if you connect”. Tooi fills in that he “won’t let you have it”, Enta says that he “doesn’t ask for anything else” while Kazuki “can’t bear to lose his connection”. Tooi’s just angsting in front of the lockers, Enta’s shown where he was practising football, but what’s interesting is that he has a kappazon box right next to him. It looks like the one Kazuki was carrying. Could it be the same? Could it have been for him? Kazuki’s chilling somewhere (at home?) out of frame with his phone in his hands. He has the Sara strap on it and a tiny otter icon appears on the screen.

Then the most mysterious thing in the PV happens with all these ア signs flying around and uhh... through Kazuki? The pink things look a little bit like buildings, are they perhaps reflections? The sparkles and the rainbow give this image the impression there’s something reflective. I really don’t have that much else to say although I’d love to be able to do so.

The PV ends with the three boys appearing as kappa yelling “sara” and “sarazanmai”. The final shot shows us the iconic look over Asakusa and Sumida with the tagline “Don’t let go. Desire is your life.” The ア’s are everywhere.

#sarazanmai #sarazanmai thoughts and analysis #sarazanmai nonsense #my nonsense

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