#Seimei was really the only one that wowed me despite those expectations

[off-the-deep-end]

In another case of I-didn’t-like-it-the-first-time-through-but-I’ve-made-a-complete-180: actually, Origin is bangin’.

I like the music and how the program utilizes the music! It adds to the elements and the elements add to it!

This may be the first time I really appreciated how organic Yuzu’s jumps and spins feel. He doesn’t really telegraph them; they naturally flow from the music and steps before.

Ugh. So good.

[thatsaweirdwaytospellundead]

Mankai’s 5th Mixed Troupe Play: Yin Yang Midnight 2/ 3

This story takes place during the Heian era-- The extravagant culture and lifestyles of the wealthy elite are coming to an end as murmurings of a mysterious Onryo begin to spread through the court.

Then suddenly, an unexplained plague begins to sweep through the streets of the city. The epidemic moves swiftly through the royal court until the emperor himself falls ill.

Characters

Sakyo as Abe no Seimei

Azuma as Kou

Citron as Geppaku

Guy as Hisui

Explanation of terms

This story is heavily based on traditional Japanese religious practices and thus some Japanese terms will be left to preserve the meaning of the story. I have also included links to wikipedia artists explaining the terms if you would like to read more.

Heian Period: Japanese era that lasted between 794 - 1185 AD.

Onmyouji: A person who practices “Onmyoudo”, a spiritual practice common in Japan during the Heian Period. Onmyouji were responsible for keeping track of calendars, performing rituals, etc.

Onmyouji Bureau: An official department in the royal court made up of Onmyouji who served the emperor.

Onryo: A vengeful spirit that returns after death to cause chaos.

Shikigami: A spirit companion that is summoned by an Onmyouji to help with tasks. They can possess animals and use magic, however it takes a lot of strength from the Onmyouji to control their Shikigami properly.

Due to the length of this play, I will be posting it in 3 parts

[ Part 1 ] [ Part 2 ] [ Part 3 ]

Seimei

There’s quite a lot of them.

This battle formation is really quite...

Kou

This curse thing sure is powerful.

So in order to surround the palace whoever planned this needed to be smart about how exactly they were going to stretch this curse around the perimeter.

The guy behind this must have waaay too much time on their hands.

Seimei

Whoever did it must hate the imperial court so much to put all this effort into this curse.

Just taking away one or two points wouldn’t really have any effect.

If only we could find a way to get the leader...

Kou

So you plan to fight that bastard face to face?

You’re not gonna ask me to do it, right?

Seimei

Go get Geppaku for me. We need to think of a plan of attack.

Kou

Hoping you don’t regret it later.

Seimei deduces that whoever is responsible for the plague must have some deeply held resentment for the imperial court.

At the same time, Seimei’s discovery reveals that the onryo they are dealing with is incredibly strong.

Seimei and Geppaku decide to split up to wait at the locations they predict the onryo could appear next.

Seimei

It will definitely appear here next.

Kou, help me set a trap. I want to conceal myself 

Kou

You got it.

Seimei conceals himself and waits for the onryo to arrive.

???

 .....

Seimei

It’s here.

Bind! Make haste, follow my command!

???

----

Kou

Dammit.

Seimei

Did it get away?

Kou

Damn.

This guy sure is a pain in the ass, what the hell.

He’s powerful and cunning.

Seimei

Who knows what damage that gremlin will do if we just let him run wild....

We really do need the support of the Onnyouji Bureau.

Seimei manages to ambush the onryo and even though it seems like his attack did some damage, the onryo manages to escape.

After telling the Onmyouji Bureau of his encounter and presenting his findings, Seimei is finally able to persuade the Onmyouji Bureau to help him.

Seimei

And after all this, we can finally move around the court as we please.

Geppaku 

I am happy to hear that. As for me, I will continue to search the town for curses scattered throughout the area.

Seimei

Hey, Geppaku, you should come and investigate with me inside the imperial court --

Geppaku

Well about that. You know I am not allowed to set foot inside that place.

Seimei

I was the one who got us permission so there is no need to worry.

Geppaku

But don’t you think someone like me would cause unnecessary panic if I was to wander around in there?

The fact of the matter is, there is an unexplained pandemic going around. If I was to wander inside the imperial court people would be quick to point fingers and wonder what sort of chaos my presence would signal.

Seimei

Well I don’t think people would really--

Geppaku

People fear those who are different.

My deepest apologies that I cannot be of more help.

Seimei

Geppaku...

Seimei

Kou, go search for any impurities within the imperial court!

Kou

Ehh, sounds like a pain. What about asking your friend?

Seimei

Geppaku is not allowed to enter the imperial court.

Kou

Huh, you mean he can’t get past the barrier?

Seimei

...... But me and Geppaku are....The same...

Even though we are both part of the Onmyouji Bureau...

Our teacher was also looking forward to seeing Geppaku’s talent shine....

But because of where he was born, he could never fulfill his dreams.

Kou

I see.

Well then I could see why he ended up so rebellious.

Seimei

Rebellious?

Kou

Have you not noticed?

Wooow, you really are dense.

Seimei

What are you talking about?

Kou

Exactly what I said.

That brat friend of yours is not who you think he is.

Seimei

Hey, I will not stand for this Geppaku slander!

Kou

Well excuse me then.

Fine fine fine, I guess I don’t understand humans after all.

Seimei invites Geppaku to come with him and investigate inside the imperial court, however Geppaku tells him that he is not allowed inside and rejects his invitation.

Later, during Kou’s investigation, he discovers traces of the mysterious curse inside the imperial court.

Seimei

So what you’re telling me is you found signs of the curse within the imperial court?

Kou

Yep, seems like it got through the barrier.

I couldn’t have imagined that it would spread this far.

Seimei

This is something only a human could have done.

Now that I think of it, when we encountered that onryo the other day I had a feeling it could be someone else’s shikigami....

It would have to be someone strong for them to control such a powerful shikigami.

There’s no one from this land that could--

Kou

What is it?

Seimei

Umm..

Kou, let’s go set up a counter curse.

Kou

ARE YOU FOR REAL?

How many times will I have to tell you, this is the work of spirit that holds an immense amount of negative energy--

It would literally swallow you alive, you wouldn’t be able to handle it!

Seimei

We can keep chasing this thing in circles like we have been, but it would only yield the same result. With this method, we can finish it all in one shot.

Kou

Well, well, didn’t expect you to go through such extremes.

By setting up a counter attack, Seimei aims to find out if the person on the other side of the mysterious epidemic is indeed a human. Seimei cannot fathom anyone who would be strong enough to control such a large-scale attack and control a shikigami so skillfully.

Despite his hesitation to believe this could be a work of another Onmyouji, Seimei takes it upon himself to find out who the mastermind is behind all of this.

Seimei

--- Ku...aah... UWAAA!!!

Kou

Sucks.

Hey, master!

Seimei

REVERSE, Make haste, follow my command! 

Kou

Wow, more stubborn than I thought!

GREAT! Now he can’t escape!

??? 

--GWAAAAAA!!!

Seimei

H-Huh, why are you here?

What do you want?

Why are you causing chaos in our city, why are you hurting the great emperor?

???

W-Wouldn’t you like you know....

GAH!

Seimei

Who is your master?

???

E-EVEN IF YOU WEAKEN ME, I WILL NEVER--

Seimei 

--

Kou

I think we’ve heard enough, don’t you think?

Seimei

Alright, fine.

Kou

Now’s time to deliver the punishment!

???

--

Kou

!?

Seimei

He disappeared...?

Kou

Damn.

Seems like whoever is behind all of this interfered.

Seimei

... Kou, follow that energy! We need to uncover the perpetrator!

Kou

You don’t need to tell me twice.

Seimei takes it upon himself to plant a counter curse.

Despite taking severe damage, somehow the onryo manages to disappear. Seimei deduces this was the work of someone stepping in to save the onryo at the last minute.

In an attempt to find where the mastermind is hiding, Seimei orders Kou to chase after the onryo.

To be continued... Read part 3 here!