#a3! mini chat

[moonlight404-translates]

A3! Memory of Toys Event - Chikage and Kumon Mini Chat

Kumon: Wow~! That’s a pretty lively parade! 

Chikage: …Yeah, isn’t that a picture of the Oktoberfest parade in Germany?

Kumon: Woah, only Chikage-san would know it right away! Yes, that’s 100% correct.

Kumon: I was reading this magazine with a compilation of entertaining events from all over the world that Kazu lent me. 

Chikage: I see. The Oktoberfest is indeed a grand-scale event that reunites a lot of people. 

Chikage: They have a good time with beers and food. There’s a parade and other attractions as well. 

Kumon: So awesome! It looks SO fun and exciting! 

Kumon: I had fun helping in the Christmas Market last time, and the food was good. So I want to go to this event too!

Chikage: Both are German festivals, after all.

Kumon: Mhm! Besides, I have a thing for the German language. It sounds kinda cool... 

Chikage: Aah, like how ball pen is Kugelschreiber, and guidebook is Reiseführer? 

Kumon: Yeah! Just like that!! It’s so freaking cool…! 

Kumon: Hey, Chikage-san, if you can, please teach me more German! 

Chikage: Haha, alright.

---------------------

Notes: The Christmas Market appears in the Frohe Weihnachten! event story.

[yurayura-kurage]

A3! Spotlight Event: Same Age Group & Dandelion Bouquet Group & Zahra Group | Minagi Tsuzuru Mini chat

Neither Japanese nor English is my first language so please forgive me if I made mistake. However, feel free to point me out, I’d love to hear your feedbacks on the translation ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶

📚 Practice Conversation 1

Tsuzuru: I’m really grateful and appreciated that Mizuno always supports me and the theater company.

When I look at the letters and the dandelions he sent me… I always feel encouraged and it helps me pull myself together.

That’s why whenever Mizuno faces problems, I want to do anything to help him. This time, thanks to the Director, I’m glad that I could be of help to him.

From now on, I hope I can continue to lend Mizuno a hand if something happens to him.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

📚 Practice Conversation 2

Tsuzuru: It seems that Mizuno often checks our theater company’s site and members’ blogs.

He still remembers stories like when Spring Troupe went to cheer Masumi at his school’s sports festival, or when Chikage-san and Banri went to the escape room together. (*)

Not just that, it seems like he also checks each members’ Inste too… He even seems to understand the candies that Miyoshi-san is recently into, and Arisugawa-san’s current obsession after that.

He’s amazing, or rather, that’s just Mizuno for you… Well, he looks happy seeing our Inste, so I think that’s fine.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

📚 Practice Conversation 3

Tsuzuru: I heard that Mizuno was helping MIZUNO Enterprise in management while he was in university. Of course it’ll be the same with when he has meetings with our theater company but…

Wearing a suit properly, carefully preparing various materials, and communicating with others in a formal manner.

Doing such things is very cool in my point of view. And I respect that guy.

As a scriptwriter, I sometimes have opportunities to meet people other than our troupe’s members with Director, I need to be more reliable.

When having meetings with others, she has to think about lots of things. “As expected of our theater company’s general director”, I thought.

I’ll also work hard to become more reliable as a scriptwriter and an actor that will be worth standing next to the Director.

So that I'll be glad if I can make the Director think that she can feel reassured and rely on me.

Translator’s note:

(*) You can find those blogs here: Masumi’s sports festival, Chikage Banri’s escape room.

[a3-supeingo]

Escuela Ouka: Hyodo Juza

Escuela Ouka: Hyodo Juza (1/3)

Buenos días.

Estoy a punto de ir a la escuela, pero Taichi tarda mucho en arreglar su cabello.

¿Cuánto me tardo con el mío? Sólo lo peino hacia atrás. A lo mucho tardo un minuto.

Una vez me quedé dormido y me fui a la escuela con el flequillo en el rostro y mi profesor ni siquiera me reconoció.

Desde entonces me aseguro de que siempre esté hacia atrás. ¿Qué? ¿Quieres saber cómo me veo con mi flequillo hacia abajo? …Algún día, tal vez.

***

Escuela Ouka: Hyodo Juza (2/3)

¿Cómo estuvo la escuela? Supongo que bien. Nada pasó.

Hicimos una carrera de obstáculos en Educación Física y corrí con todo lo que tenía. Se sintió bien. Creo que hoy dormiré como un tronco.

Eso me recuerda, últimamente Settsu me pregunta todos los días si tuve Educación Física o no.

¿Qué tiene que ver con él si tengo Educación Física? No entiendo a ese tipo para nada.

***

Escuela Ouka: Hyodo Juza (3/3)

¿Vas camino a casa? …Oh, vas a comprar para la cena.

Entonces te acompañaré. Aunque no puedo hacer otra cosa más que ayudarte con las bolsas. ¿Qué es lo que cenaremos hoy?

…No es que no lo sepa. Tú eres la que prepara las cosas. Entonces es curry.

…Así que, eh… ¿tendremos postre?

¿Estás pensando en pudín…? Nada mal.

No es que importe o algo así, pero… también me gusta el pudín.

¿Puedes comprar el que tiene crema encima?

***

Chat de Juza y Azuma

Azuma: Tienes una imagen muy clásica, Juza. Estos días no te encuentras con muchos chicos en el instituto que se vean como tú. Apuesto a que eres muy popular.

Juza: No, la verdad no.

Azuma: Ya veo. Debe ser algo de la generación. En mis días, las personas se hubieran postrado a tus pies.

Juza: No me puedo imaginar cómo eras en el instituto, Azuma-san.

Azuma: Je, je, incluso yo tuve días en los que fui a la escuela y usé uniforme, lo creas o no. Qué buenos tiempos…

Juza: Siempre te puedes poner mi uniforme si quieres recordar esos días. No tengo ningún problema.

Azuma: Ajaja, gracias, pero paso. Tengo el presentimiento de que Tasuku-kun y Sakyo-kun se enojarían mucho conmigo si acepto tu oferta.

[oaixronron]

A3! 7th Anniversary

Sakyo

Train Mini Chat B

[taru-haru]

A3!『MY WORST WEDDING』

Banri Settsu's Practise- Mini Chats Translation

!Spoiler warning! : The followings contain contents of A3! act! addict! actors!

The translation is undercut. You have been warned about spoilers.

❁ Flair Chat 1

Banri: "I'm playing the friend of Azami's character who's the son of a president. The guy's the same age as me so I think I'll be able to act quite naturally.

In the play, there are many scenes where I'll need to work with computers and automates so I should think about doing a research and role study.

There's an action scene this time around but I'm just required to either run away, follow up or simply support.

Well, whether as an actor or as an assistant director, I'll just have to think hard about how to be a pillar for the main guys.

Then there's the drone scene and Taichi's quick-change one, there's still lots to discuss. Let's have a meeting later again yeah?"

❁ Flair Chat 2

Banri: "Sothis is similar to what happened in the last summer troupe show but this time too, there's discussions about doing hair arrangements.

It's pretty fun-- looking at the magazines, preparing waxes, and other arrangements.

This other day, I was asked to try out some patterns and I actually did it.

Yep, yep, Azami's also thinking about his hairstyle. Saw him trying out different wigs.

When he tried on the wig we used in past performances, the aura completely changed and it was a bit interesting. Should've taken a picture."

❁ Flair Chat 3

Banri: "The plot is that Ethan is in love with his fiancee but then again, the act of love seems pretty hard.

Do you talk about the goodness and cuteness of your partner or brag proudly about the relationship you two share?

I could talk as much as I want about Director-chan though.

Her hard-working side, the way she seriously faces theatre is very cool.

But she also has a childish side to her, she has this innocence too, and the way she's lost sometimes is really adorable.

I'm her perfect partner with whom she can discuss production together, and we often go out with each other in private- we get along really well.

Right, right, the way she gets shy and red like this is very nice too.

Can you tell me if I'm allowed to talk like this and boast about you proudly in the play too? Just messing.

[the-himawari]

A3! Ikaruga Misumi - Ayakashi Summer Festival Mini Conversations Translation

*Please read disclaimer on blog

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Practise Conversation 1

At the upcoming meeting, we’re gonna talk about what we should do for summer festival with GODza and everyone from the shopping district.

What kinda stalls and decorations would be fun for an Ayakashi-themed festival~?

Oh, I know! I’m sure it’d be cute to line up some triangle kasa-obake* decorations! I’m gonna suggest that!

Madoka said he’s planning to come to the Ayakashi summer festival.

Ehehe, I’m so happy~.

I wanna hold a summer festival that will bring lots of happiness to all the guests and Madoka! Let’s do our best together, Director-san!

Practise Conversation 2

Shift came to the meeting for the summer festival today, so we chatted for a bit!

Shift told me he works a part-time job when he has time off from GODza’s rehearsals~!

Shift looked really interested when I told him I help out at a circus. It looks like he wants to try it too one day.

Also, when I told him that I work part-time at an onigiri shop, he said that he and Haruto would swing by next time to buy something!

I can’t wait~! If they come to the shop, I’ll let them know which onigiri I recommend.

Practise Conversation 3

I had today off work, so I went home during the day!

I talked lots and lots with Madoka while we munched on snacks together.

He told me all about how he bumps into Masumi at school from time to time~, about GODza’s rehearsals, and about his scripts!

I told him about the triangles I found lately, about my jobs, rehearsals, and about the dorm.

I also told him about my hang outs with Summer troupe, and the shopping trip I took with you the other day!

Ooh, and also about the sandwich you made, and the sparkly triangle you found…

…Ehehe. It sounds like I talked Madoka’s ear off about you.

Maybe it’s because we’ve gone out together a lot these days~?

I have fun hanging out with you, so I wanna tell Madoka all about you…

Keep hanging out with me lots from now on, ‘kay~!

Misumi & Masumi Talk

Masumi: Bake-danukis** can transform into people or objects, huh…

Misumi: It’s impressive they can turn into humans~! I’d love to turn into a different animal too~.

Masumi: Turn into a different animal?

Misumi: Yeah! I’d turn into a cat and play with all the other cats. I’d turn into a bird and fly around… I'd transform into a gazelle and run and skip around the wide grasslands! I also wanna transform into Triangle-kun~.

Masumi: If I was able to transform into a different animal or object… I’d turn into a cat… and have Director pet me on her lap. Or turn into a bird and perch on her shoulder with her face right next to mine… If I could become Director’s phone or bag, I could follow her wherever she goes. And when something happens, I’d return to my regular form and protect her…

Misumi: Masumi~?

Masumi: …I’d be able to do lots of things if I mastered this technique. I think I understand how a bake-danuki feels practicing their technique.

Misumi: That sounds like role study for a tanuki! I’ll do my best to prepare for my role as a daidarabotchi*** too!

Masumi: …A daidarabotchi was mentioned in this book I read earlier.

Misumi: Wah, thanks for letting me know! I’ll give it a read. Ehehe. Let’s put on an amazing show together!

---

*Kasa-obake: an umbrella yokai **Bake-danuki: a tanuki-like yokai ***Daidarabotchi: a giant yokai who poses as a mountain range while it sleeps

[liquidstar]

what exactly is a3?? like what do you do? i tried googling it but i just can't seem to get a comprehensive answer :[

a bit hard to explain, but basically its a card based gacha game where you use the character cards you got to compete in "plays," the mechanics themselves are actually really simple with cards having different skills in action/comedy/drama, and different character combos giving you boosts. you basically just have to get enough points to pass the play w them

but honestly i dont think ppl really care much abt that part of it. if anything the events are just a means to an end- unlocking more of the story as you level up.

because on the other side of the coin its a VN with an actual plot about a small theater troupe and all the actors it employs. its separated into acts, and they tend to each focus on sub-troupes(separated into spring, summer, autumn, and winter). every event also has its own side story, about 11 chapters, with focus on a specific character (whoever the lead in that play is). and also each card has its own mini story that comes with it. and theres little tiny chats and a lot of other stuff so.. theres like a LOT of story and content. its totally packed which is why its fun.

i really dont care for gacha stuff usually, if anything im pretty cynical with the way they operate. but the actual story of a3 is a very sweet one about found family and a bunch of theater dorks working through their trauma by acting lol. also the story itself is kind of insane because it involves stuff like runaway princes and yakuza and timeloops and a room that disappears sometimes and a magnifying glass that can read peoples minds and a guy who can just straight up talk to cats, and none of this is ever dwelled on because... the show must go on. and taichi is there.

unnnnfortunately the english servers went offline a while ago. you can still easily access the stories online (yaycupcake, an independent fan wiki, has a lot of them), but if you wanna play the game and get the cards you gotta do it on the japanese server

[ginjithewanderer]

Translation Masterlist: A3!

Translations for A3!. Backstages are listed by character, then by rarity, and then by release date.

Backstages:

SR Chikage Utsuki - Raven in the Dead of Night || Part 1 - Part 2

SSR Chikage Utsuki - MANKAI Memory || Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

SR Banri Settsu - Always On-Target ☆ Easy || Part 1 - Part 2

SR Juza Hyodo - Banquet of Blooming || Part 1 - Part 2

SR Juza Hyodo - Brilliance of Blooming || Part 1 - Part 2

R Sakyo Furuichi - How Wonderfully Picaresque || Part 1 - Part 2

SR Sakyo Furuichi - Gratitude and Repayment LIVE! || Part 1 - Part 2

SR Sakyo Furuichi - Stay Safe Today || Part 1 - Part 2

SSR Sakyo Furuichi - Sake Cup Among Chrysanthemums || Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

SR Homare Arisugawa - MANKAI Playback || Part 1 - Part 2

SR Homare Arisugawa - Banquet of Blooming || Part 1 - Part 2

SSR Homare Arisugawa - MANKAI Encore || Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

SSR Homare Arisugawa - Emotional Orange || Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

R Azuma Yukishiro - Assorted Roll Cakes || Part 1 - Part 2

Plays:

South. Hill. Prison || Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

the Rad Red

Mini Chats:

Rabbits Party! - Kazunari and Sakyo's chat

6th Anniversary Pair Chat - Reinhart - Banri & Juza

Home Screen Lines:

Director's Birthday - 2022 - 2023

Culture Day - 2022

Sakyo's Birthday - 2022

Christmas - 2022

Tsumugi's Birthday - 2022

New Year's - 2023

Guy's Birthday - 2023

Azuma's Birthday - 2023

6th Anniversary - 2023

Homare's Birthday - 2023

Mizuno's Birthday - 2023

Tasuku's Birthday - 2023

Troupe Blog:

Anniversary Relay Blog - 2023

Songs:

Dawn of the Red (game size ver.)

[everwisp]

The the way i stopped playing a3 jp server and then liber decided to give guy a mini chat with itaru 🥲🥲

[moonlight404-translates]

A3! Nomadic Bartender | Tsukioka Tsumugi | Mini Chat Translation

-----------------

Practice Conversation 1 

The Western fantasy world for the winter troupe’s play feels novel and exciting. 

I have to consider many things for my role study, like reference stories and people I can learn from. 

Although Hunter is a huntsman, he doesn’t have a hunting scene. Still, I plan to try using a bow and arrow. 

Hunter also has a wife and children. 

I want to express his different sides, from how he always thinks about his family to how he desperately gives his best in his job. 

Practice conversation 2

Hunter has a wife and children, but since I don’t have children or siblings, I wanted to know how it feels to be with little children for a long time. 

My first thought about who I should ask about it was Tsuzuru-kun. That’s why I asked him some questions about it.

But I also wanted to know the feelings of the children’s father… so I asked Tsuzuru’s father about them in a phone call. 

He told me a lot of interesting things about how it is taking care of children and how it feels to see them grow. 

He also told me how Tsuzuru-kun was when he was a child… it was fun to hear. Fufu, Tsuzuru-kun was beside me, so he got flustered with that. 

I feel that listening to Tsuzuru-kun and his father made me understand Hunter better. Now, I appreciate it even more. 

Practice conversation 3

I’m back.

Today, I went to tutor a second-year high school student… huh, is something wrong? 

…Kumon-kun and Taichi-kun? Maybe they want to ask me about an assignment. I will talk to them later. 

Fufu, Hunter may have this kind of conversation with his wife when he comes from work. 

Ah, I’m sorry… I didn’t notice I thought of you as my wife, Director. 

I just thought Hunter would also talk about his job and ask about his children. 

That might be a relaxing time for him. That’s something I can relate to as well. 

My heart calms down when I talk with Director like this… somehow. 

I want to deepen my understanding of Hunter before the performance and go to the stage being one with him. 

Tsumugi and Itaru Chat

Itaru: This work is definitely the one if you want a story with a huntsman… but this light novel is also a masterpiece… 

Tsumugi: Fufu, you’re very excited about this, Itaru-kun. 

Itaru: Well, of course. How can I not be excited when the winter troupe’s next play is set in a Western fantasy world with knights, huntsmen, and magicians?

Itaru: It’s my pleasure to recommend material to use as a reference for the world and character building. I can even take paid vacations for three days if needed. 

Tsumugi: Ahaha, I appreciate the feeling. 

Itaru: Oh, right. This game has an incredible bow user. Here is the art collection book… Look, it’s this character. 

Tsumugi: You’re right. He looks so brave and impressive. He’s ready to use his bow in the illustration. So it’s like that… 

Itaru: It’s pretty nice to see Tsumugi as a huntsman~. Do you have an idea of what your costume will look like? 

Tsumugi: Yuki-chan said he almost finished the designs of all our costumes. 

Tsumugi: Ah, this anime also has an archer? 

Itaru: Oh, you have a great eye, Tsumugi. This work has such an impressive scene with a huntsman in action. 

Itaru: The story is fascinating too. I totally recommend watching it. 

Tsumugi: Is that so? Now I’m curious about it. I will watch it. 

Itaru: Talking about it made me want to watch it again… I should seriously apply for vacation so we can have a viewing party…

[a3-supeingo]

Escuela Ouka: Sumeragi Tenma

Escuela Ouka: Sumeragi Tenma (1/3)

¿Vas a salir? Nosotros también. Si Igawa estuviera aquí para llevarnos ya a la escuela.

Nunca sé si habrá una multitud esperándome en la entrada, así que el que Igawa me lleve ayuda mucho.

Pero, ¿cuando salgo del auto con Juza-san? Es una locura. Es como si fuera Moisés partiendo el mar de personas. Tenerlo cerca de verdad me ha salvado.

…¿Qué? ¿Estás sorprendida de que sé sobre Moisés? ¿¡Qué crees que soy!? ¿¡Un idiota!?

***

Escuela Ouka: Sumeragi Tenma (2/3)

¿Quieres saber cómo es Juza-san en la escuela? Estamos en años diferentes, así que es difícil decirlo.

Casi no lo veo con otros. Incluso dentro de los círculos de los de segundo año, se le conoce como un lobo solitario.

En definitiva, es un chico rudo. Sin dudas. Pero después de vivir con él en este dormitorio, he notado que en ocasiones puede ser un poco cabeza hueca.

Es diferente de lo que los chicos de la escuela creen. Puede que sea este vándalo que da miedo, pero tiene una buena mentalidad.

No creo que nuestros caminos se hubieran cruzado si no hubiera sido por esta compañía. Muy loco, ¿eh?

***

Escuela Ouka: Sumeragi Tenma (3/3)

Ah, ¿regresas a casa después de comprar? Dame esas bolsas, las llevaré por ti.

¿Qué compraste? Oh, olvídalo. Con sólo un vistazo y ya sé qué cenaremos esta noche.

Sabes, preparamos curry en la clase de Economía Doméstica. Sólo digo.

Aunque preparar curry es un arduo trabajo. No me di cuenta de eso hasta que tuve que hacerlo yo. Tienes que cortar todos esos vegetales y asegurarte de que la flama es la correcta y todo eso.

Debo darte crédito. El curry que haces para nosotros es diez veces mejor que lo que hicimos hoy. Gracias por eso.

…Oye, ¡no te hagas ideas equivocadas sólo porque dije algo bueno! ¡No cambia el hecho de que comer curry todos los días de la semana es una locura!

***

Chat de Tenma y Omi

Tenma: Oye, Omi-san, déjame ayudarte a lavar los platos.

Omi: Oh, gracias, Tenma. Me ayuda mucho.

¿Qué tal la escuela últimamente? ¿Es divertido?

Tenma: No sé. He estado ocupado con este nuevo drama en el que estoy, así que no he ido a la escuela en una semana.

Omi: Ah, ya veo. No soy quién para hablar dado que apenas fui a clases; pero hay unas cosas que sólo puedes experimentar ahí. Deberías de aprovechar al máximo mientras puedas.

Tenma: Supongo que sé de qué hablas. Gracias a Juza-san y a Taichi, al fin hay personas en la escuela con las que puedo hablar.

Omi: Es bueno escuchar eso. Especialmente por Juza, porque sé que es un poco solitario. Estoy seguro de que él también se alegra de tener a alguien en la escuela con quien puede hablar.

Tenma: No podría adivinar por la forma en la que se ve, pero eso espero.

[cherryblossomssmash]

Angels 😌

[the-himawari]

A3! Usui Masumi - Spotlight: Hanasaki High & Ouka High Mini Conversations Translation

*Please read disclaimer on blog

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Practise Conversation 1

Before I joined the theatre troupe, I just went to school because I was told to. And I went along with the classes and events without any real reason.

But after I met you and joined the troupe… My daily life and my student life—everything changed.

There were times I thought it’d be boring going to school without you, so I didn’t want to go.

But I was happy you were supporting me. And I liked it when you’d ask about school and chat with me after I came home.

Also, everyday became noisy after I started going to Hana High with Sakuya and Banri.

So I think things have changed, in more ways than one.

Practise Conversation 2

Come to think of it, there was a swimming competition in the summer back during my Hana High days.

When I told Tasuku, he told me to aim for a good time since I swim pretty fast.

As a result, for some reason, I started practicing swimming with Tasuku.

But you wished me good luck, and I imagined you waiting for me at the finish line during the race, so I swam with all my might.

Because of you, I was able to set new personal record at the swim meet.

…Well, it might have slightly been thanks to training with Tasuku too.

Practise Conversation 3

The cultural festival at Hana High is one of my special memories from high school.

It’s because you came and we got to walk around inside the school together.

I was happy that I was able to serve you at my class’s food booth, and that we got to explore cultural festival together, even if our time was short.

It was really cute how you were excited to see the booths and how your eyes lit up when you wanted to go check out the next ones…

I was overjoyed I got to show you around the school that I attended…

It felt just like we were classmates and having fun at a school event together. I was so happy.

I told you this before, but Fuyou University holds its own school festival, so you have to come. I’ll check for all the food booths, exhibits and programs that I think you’ll like.

It'll feel like we go to the same school again. This time, I’d like to walk around together while holding hands.

Masumi & Taichi Talk

Taichi: You were you hella popular with the ladies back in your Hana High days, weren’t you, Masumi-kun!

Masumi: Whatever. Not that I cared.

Taichi: Eh~. There could’ve been a whole shoujo manga series written about you, dude… Wait, if that’s true, then did you experience all sorts of situations that I wish would happen to me!?

Masumi: Ha? What do you mean?

Taichi: Like getting called to the rooftop and getting confessed to. Oh, or having a love letter placed in your locker!

Masumi: …I feel like those happened, but I barely remember.

Taichi: ARE YOU SERIOUS!? Then did girls from different schools also wait at your school gate? And did Valentine’s chocolates get placed on your desk!?

Masumi: …I think those happened too, but I had no interest.

Taichi: WOAHHH, AWESOME! What about turning the corner and bumping into a girl with a piece of bread in her mouth on your way to school, and it turns out she was a transfer student!?

Masumi: That never happened.

Taichi: It didn’t, huh~. Then how about exchanging a notebook with someone and then you saw a heart-fluttering message written on the edge of the page!

Masumi: That didn’t happen either. But that sounds like good reference for a situation with Director, so explain it to me in detail.

---

[icharchivist]

LDKJFD the power of a3 and making us ramble so much we need a read more. Nice to see you there o7

hoho it’s good to know you blacklisted this tag. at this point i wonder if i should just come up with a tag anytime i mention act 2 specific stuff so you can specifically avoid it? like “kiri dont look” or something like that so it’s easier on you

And gosh your description on your interest for the troupe!!! The fact we both are “Summer and Winter” people LMAO. While it’s not foolproof obviously i wonder how much the fact we’ve been vibing together in similar fandom for a while might just mean we were on the same vibe on this one.

And i definitely agree on Summer and Winter having really fun dynamic that do end up being on different end of the spectrum. I was just mentioning the other day how it’s fascinating that one of the catalyst for each troupe was having One Member reading his companions so deeply that he ended up hitting insecurities for example. There’s something fascinating with this parallelism on the summer of youth and winter of their lives and the different way it’s been coped with.

I’m genuinely so happy you think that way of Winter. Like, i’m genuinely on that ride too, they have an amazing set up and their relationships are built slowly but in solid ways that is soo interesting to me.  It amazes me and really makes me happy you feel this way because, as we were discussing with Emily (obviously, in substance without spoilers), there are quite a few fans who instead think that Winter was so different from the other that it was easy to be more inattentive during their arc or not really seeing what’s the point of it. And i do completely see where that’s coming from, but i do think it ends up being up to one’s sensitivity more than a writing problem, and Winter does its thing so well, and i’m really glad you felt like that too.  (and Nocturnality so good im so glad it lived up to expectations despite the fear)

What you say on the dynamics though, this is so real!!! I also have this sort of things of some dynamics that end up being so dear to me that it’s a bit more than being dear to the charas themselves. I think one of the reasons i put Tasuku as high as i do in my ranking is in major part because of how i love every single of his interractions with others, even more so than liking his character (which i do!! but it’s also something to take into account). 

And it’s also why there’s no characters i can strongly dislike, not even Masumi because i’m found of his little scenes with Tsumugi where they act like grandma boys, or that one scene in an early mini chat where him and Banri bonds over their taste for obscure music. Or the fact he’s a napping buddy of Hisoka. And those dynamics do so much in building up appreciation for characters without specifically prompting them up so much.

(also the Yuki&Tenma&Juza dynamic you mentioned before is so good i’m such a fan 10/10 would recommend)

and god right, Clockwork Heart was really so good. I do think any creative people would really vibe even more strongly to his arc there, so i totally see it.  Personally it’s when i had my burn out so i remember reading the story and crying, but it didn’t hit me as hard as it ended up hitting me when i thought about it again later (when they mentioned Mizuno again in have a great trip, it’s like, suddenly everything i didn’t register from Clockwork Heart hit so hard i was overwhelmed LDKJFDLFK) 

I. I WAS WRITING MY POST AS I WAS READING ALONG SO I DIDNT SEE WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT MASUMI BEFORE I TYPED WHAT I SAID ON MASUMI DLKFDJKLFJFDKLDF LITERALLY 🤝🤝🤝🤝 EXACT SAME THOUGHTPROCESS.

(and i tOTALLY feel you on the Tasuku think. Like i could ramble about it but i think some people stopped at him being rude and just, stayed a bit bitter about it without thinking much about why he was rude to start with, which is that he... kinda was mad Tsumugi ghosted him? and that they had to be drifting apart the way they had? It’s totally fair he was bitter and ultimately he was cold to Tsumugi but only snapped when Tsumugi’s insecurities got in the way again. And yeah it’s def because they care for each other. Idk i love Tasuku, he’s a little rough and he clearly has some issues communicating his feelings, but he works SO hard on them.  but yeah i think it’s just, i’ve seen that Tasuku isn’t exactly a character people really talk about nor have in mind all that much, and i don’t think anyone HATES him, but i’ve rarely seen people really LOVE him either, but i did see people only bring him up to say he was rude or that his anger issues were a problem, but it never felt like it was something people cared strongly about either, more like they mentioned it in passing, but since they don’t mention anything else about him it sticks out. So it feels like, they don’t HATE him, but they don’t LIKE him either, it’s more, neutral with a side of distaste.  I did see some weird takes around the Winter charas at the time which were less Against the Winter chara but more huh. how to say. Like once i saw a take about how everyone in Winter was wrong for reacting this strongly when Homare laid bare their insecurities and it puzzled me so much. Obviously it was One Stray Take, it’s not representative of a group thinking, but i think it’s representative of this idea of, no real strong feelings for a character but since they’re bitter for One thing they did wrong by a chara they actually like, or just, that they did wrong in a way they really dislike, without it specifically influence a lot the way they read the characters they still discuss of it as a major flaw in a way i would not approach this way personally. But i’m with you on the conflict and, esp a3′s conflict which has been done very well where it’s not like anyone is the Bad Guy for that. They can be an asshole yeah, but they have their own conflicted emotions that brought this out. It’s an interesting approach to conflict and it’s why i don’t want to stop at “character was mean to character i like so now i hate them”. understandable first kneejerk reaction, but i personally don’t like to stop there at my experience with a character and i want to know more. And it’s how i get to have chara like Banri whom i wasn’t hot about when i was reacting to how he behaved with Juza, but once i took a step back, i could appreciate as his own character.)

and i cANNOT WAIT to see you reach act 2 and the rambles that’d get from it. Like, personally i know act 2 rewired my brain ALKDJFLKJDFLKD Like i legit didn’t talk about the events on tumblr when they were live because while i was crying my eyes out and was involved in all of them, i was just discussing it in priv with friends and i was content doing that. after act 2 i was just “i can never shut up about this game ever again” aLKDJFDKJFMLDFKLM

And i genuinely can’t wait to see your reactions since so far we’ve been vibing in similar ways about it and i really am curious of your thoughts! 

And omg the reason you came to get into a3. Hell EVEN I didn’t get to Stray Devil Blues yet (since it’s act 3 and the EN server died before we reached this part). But i feel you, the aesthetics of it are so good that it just *muah*. 

Really glad to see therefore we have Tsumugi and Taichi to thank for you joining us in this wonderful family that is Mankai. 

Anyway, take your time reaching act 2 of course, a3 is best taken slowly to appreciate it and let it sink in. I’m looking forward to it, but i’m especially looking forward to you having a good time, that’s the important part ;D

thank you for the return it was really interesting to read!!

Take care :3c

was having banri thoughts lately just bc like. why not right. and then i suddenly remember u mentioning that some ppl... did not like banri at the start? which is wild to me bc in my mind ive always been ride or die for him. like i love juza so much but i feel like. that doesnt rly oppose liking banris character as well? banri is such fun character drama at the beginning of autumn and then his and itarus dynamic is fun from the start... gosh and the acting in the final bits of the autumn troupe between him and juza! suchhh fun tension. like. idk. it just started making me think like wow. digging thru a3 on my own with mostly the influence of like, just you has probably skewed my opinion of what the common perception of a3 is like. for example in my head winter is the most popular troupe which... it maybe isnt? i feel like recently i saw u mention summer might be the most popular(? this couldve been a dream) and i didnt realize itaru was super popular until like. last month. i mean if i had to pick a character i thought was the most popular i'd pick. misumi.

LKFJDLKFJD god what an ask

yeah i doubt i'm exactly the "common a3 experience" but to be perfectly honest i haven’t really kept tabs on the fandom per se since hh mid-2020 when i started to dig into some tags and saw so much negativity i was just :/ and stopped doing so (the curse to liking rascals </3).

Nowadays my knowledge of the a3 fandom is mostly the people interreacting with me, which already generally means that they vibe with what i post, so it gives me a skewed vision of the fandom like, are we all like that? or are the loud voices that made me go avoid the tag still here yaknow?

More stuff under cut

For Banri, i'll admit i wasn't too hot about him when i started the game, which now i regret so bad because he's my precious little meow meow hands down. He has such a good arc!!!! I know in my case i just had a hard time because i cared for Juza right away and i was still so high on Summer's development i kept comparing Banri to Tenma and going "here's why Tenma is amazing and Banri is cringefail". But it lasted me until a bit before Banri sees the portraits, when he starts to be conflicted, after that i was all, oh wait i like that guy. And then the more content i saw of him the more i loved him and he became my fav Autumn Chara. (so if you want to ramble about him more you’re free to do so because i’m team i adore this guy. please do. you’re so right in what you say of him.)

But so i did expect people to have my experience - hard time in the beginning, then mellowing on him before the end of the Autumn Chapter. And it wasn't the case 😭😭😭😭 At least at the time, the Banri's takes were rancid. Like it was genuinely annoying at a point, you couldn't go anywhere without some Banri bashing fuckery, even after his initial arc, people just. really hated him. My most hated takes were that i saw so many people say Banri would bully Yuki or stuff implying they would have an antagonistic relationship and it's probably why i cling to Into the Night so much, like HELL you're going to twist one of my fav crosstroupe dynamic!!! I legit saw so many things reducing Banri to a menace and a bully, and if not that, talking about how much everyone in the dorm hated him, and it was really driving me insane then.

I remember once making a post about how i was so close to blacklist "Banri" because people didn't filter this bashing with tags so i was just ready to just, not see Banri anymore, but it was breaking my heart. But somehow after this post i got a few people coming back at me about how it annoyed them too and i saw some of those people make their own posts in a more. direct way. and after that i never saw Banri bashing again. My power (< absolutely not, coincidence at best i'm sure).

A lot of Banri bashing i saw back then were from "newcomers" in the sense that it was after the anime aired, and a lot of people were just coming in without knowing about the events. imo i think the events do help giving a better feel to Banri in general so the fact people were fresh from the anime might have skewed things. I remember a friend who was in that case, newcomer and all, only read the main story, didn't like Banri after reading the main story. Then, Main story act 2 came out and while they didn't read the events, they read the main story and they started liking Banri there (because he did develop so much since then)

And as a whole i'd say, by act 2 it must have died out a bit.

There's another chara who gets bashed a lot but. Act 2 stuff 😔. Unfortunately a chara i like a lot so this was my breaking point of "i'm not checking the tags anymore none of you know how to behave". I think it mellowed since then? and i know the chara is popular in the JPN fandom meanwhile.

else i've seen like, Tasuku having very little content from fans and a few people being mean to him when they talked about him, but it was a long time ago and i sure hope it died out. I don't think i'd say he's bashed, more that most folks don't have strong feelings about him and stopped just with a bitter taste over his anger toward Tsumugi in the first winter chap.

Now. About popularity, Winter is DEF NOT the most popular troupe. Pretty sure it plays between Autumn and Summer in term of popularity. That said it's not like any of the troupes are unpopular so any ramblings about each Troupe would be meet with pleased reactions from the fandom, so it is harder to gauge that but yeah.

Troupewise something i noticed is that i think Summer is the most popular in term of GROUP, while Autumn is the most popular in term of Individuals. So a lot of people liked Summer specifically for their dynamic and how each of those charas played out each other more than individually liking each of them, while for Autumn it was, they liked all of them strongly! not specifically for their dynamic, though of course it plays a part, but as individuals. I mention it because i think it was the key difference in rank up in why i think Summer plays were okay to rank up to while Autumn were a nightmare. (that said that can also be "blamed" on "fans gravitate around characters that have elements they have as well" or something which means Autumn fans were more likely to be competitive and stubborn in a way Summer were more mellow.)

Itaru is definitely the most popular character of the whole game, period. It's not even a competition at this point it's so funny. when the EN server was live, anytime Itaru had a rank up card was a bloodbath (< survivor of Kniroun ranking up at 0.2%. Didn't sleep normally for the whole duration of the event it was so much.).

By the end of the server things were dying out a bit but still in general you could get a vague idea of popularity by how wild the rankings could be. For instance the fact Tasuku's ranking was a breeze without even trying was indicative of how he's not that popular.

In general i've noticed, at the time at least, that Winter ranks up were rather easy. I've ranked up for a few of Summer and i didn't see much of a problem otherwise*. Spring was really chill unless Itaru was in rank up. Autumn was THE Bloodbath. There were Autumn Stans organziation all over, the appp SYSTEMATICALLY broke EVERYTIME Autumn was around, it was always much more challenging, so yeah man.

Misumi* is probably the one i'd consider the second most popular character of the game, pretty much.

(*The funny thing is that Misumi got his lead play very early in the server's history, and i know i ranked up for him then and i didn't think it was too hard. In retrospect i'm sure it has more to do with the fact the game didn't have as many people playing it, than it had to do with popularity, so my word on Summer not being a problem is based on weird stats)

A while ago, for the Taiwanese server, there was a special set of cards in term of popularity on this server. Itaru got a SSR, Masumi got a SR, and Misumi got a R.

Masumi is in a weird position because i'd say he's fairly unpopular in the EN server, while he's popular in the JPN and Taiwanese server. Honestly i'm assuming he's especially popular with the teen audience.

AND THE MOST TELLING PART:

The first Cross-troupe's play was involving the most popular character of each troupe, by a poll being made by the JPN server. The leads were Itaru and Banri, then Misumi as a secondary character and Tsumugi as a more support character.

Meaning at the time, this was the order of the 4 most popular characters of the game.

When the mixed troupe event came to the English server, i remember a poll circulating on tumblr and likely twitter as well, trying to see if the EN Server had different favorites. Itaru still came on top, Misumi followed closely afterward. For Autumn, it was Juza and Taichi that were on the top of the Autumn poll, not Banri, and for Winter, i think it was still Tsumugi but Homare was very close behind.

So that was the popularity at least back then, god knows opinions now.

I've seen Homare be extremely popular on tumblr for sure. I have no doubt in Juza's popularity as well.

I saw a lot of Taichi fan going "Taichi is underappreciated" but i saw so many of them i was kinda just thinking "bro i'm pretty sure Taichi is in the popular character squad by now" But i'm also on the other hand as i've once seen a post saying Hisoka was popular and it stunned me a moment going ????? because as a huge Hisoka stan i don't see it???? There's a few devoted fans, and he has a better fanbase in JPN server, but in EN server??? (I'm comparing the last rank up for Hisoka VS the last rank up for Taichi in my mind and i genuinely don't see it for instance) so i also think it's likely i have a "fav blindspot" where i just don't think people are vibing with the charas the way i'm vibing, just. exactly like what i'm talking about with the Taichi stans so.... (that said i also once was tagged in a post that was going "i don't think i've ever seen a Hisoka or Tasuku stan" and a friend just went @ icha come here. Schrodinger Hisoka who's both popular and unpopular depending on who you're asking. And Tasuku IS MY UNDERRATED MEOW MEOW)

I think i recall Tenma being popular for a time, and Yuki is well appreciated by everyone around here. Kazunari has a loud fanbase but i'm pretty sure the seiyuu thing was a huge blow to them and a lot of them got more quiet at the time.

And for what it's worth i do think there's a sizeable portion of the fandom that really like Tsuzuru, but i think it's just, something you get to see a lot when a huge part of the fandom is creatives. And to be completely fair, Clockwork Heart is the one event i had a massive burn out at and didn't pay attention to the rankings at all, so i can't tell if people went really wild about it. And the next Tsuzuru rank up event was literally the last event of the EN server and i'm sure it's not indicative of anything since a lot of folks just didn't want to bother. So unlike the others were i'm using rank up as a gauge of popularity i can't tell how Tsuzuru's might influence his.

SO YEAH that's for what i could pick up BACK THEN, as i remind, i didn't really look deeply into the fandom itself. I'm really good in my corner so it might not actually be indicative of the fandom trends and i'm maybe completely off base.

Then about how, i, personally, don't represent the fandom, unless the fandom changed since then: When i first liveblogged a3, it was when the server was new and no one was on tumblr about it, so i was a little unfiltered from people's opinions. when i came back about a year later to comment on act 2, getting all worked up, and running then into the growing fanbase on this website, is when i started to run into fan takes and everything.

And, let's be clear, i came back because i was crying very hard over Hisoka and Azuma and the full Winter Troupe, and Chikage, so i really came here with my Big Winter Boots only talking about Winter and then Spring.

I ended up getting a feel of what people were talking about a lot at that time, and kinda ended up talking more about what i considered my Underrated Gems.

For instance, i absolutely adore Itaru. I ranked up for him, i've bleed for him, i love the dude. But he's so popular i figured i legit had nothing to say about him that a hundred people wouldn't have been able to say before. So i've mostly didn't really talk about him much despite loving him a LOT because i just didn't think i had anything to say. (now in my current reread i'm doing it so disconnected from what i know of the fandom that i indulged in talking more about how much i like him LMAO)

Meanwhile, there's characters i love that i know the fandom don't talk about much so i end up talking about them more, and it's the case of Tasuku. I wouldn't be surprised Tasuku is really low on most people's popular list. I'm just Not Most People and you're going to hear me ramble about that hunk of a man every few days or so.

I've made my niche in the Winter Troupe appreciation gang and i'm pretty sure by now a lot of other Winter people follow me as a result because i couldn't shut the fuck up, so then my perception of the fanbase gets skewed because i just think of Them ahah.

And there is the fact i adore the rookies, mainly Chikage and Guy, but don't talk about them so much mostly because they came out later in the main story and i've been rereading act 1 so many times instead,,, and didn't talk much about act 2 in case some people managed to save themselves from being spoiled (like you!!)

So my personal perception of a3 is probably not reflecting the whole a3 fanbase really much. God the amount of times i talked my friends's ears off about Winter, that they kinda just humored me without thinking much about it, until they found out one of the More Popular Chara (Itaru, Tenma and the whole Autumn Troupe mostly) and suddenly they're like *twirls hair* heeyy Icha tell us more about a3. It's genuinely so funny to me.

and again i don't know perhaps i'm full of shit, and it's not like i've kept tabs on the fandom recently either!

But that is at least a bit of what i remember in term of popularity and what i can say is that i shouldn't be taken as an example of the fanbase's views in general.

I'm vibing in my corner, and by experience, it usually meant i ended up talking about more niche things, but since i'm disconnected from the fandom i'm pretty sure i still have opinions that are popular opinions. So who knows! not me!

So yeah that's all i can say about the popularity of the a3 fandom. Def not an indication of it by me.

and it must be funny for you since you only really have me as your fandom gateaway because well. *waves at post* yeah.

The more you know!

[jujumin-translates]

Sakuya Sakuma | SSR Family Mini Chats

Sakuya: This time I’m playing Blanc and Masumi-kun is playing Nero, who are both part of a V-Talenter twin pair. (1) (2)

Sakuya: The two of them trust each other and share a strong bond, so we’ll want to be in harmony with each other when playing them.

Sakuya: We also talked about special action training so we can perform cool and cooperative fight scenes.

Sakuya: It kinda reminds me of the time I did special training with Masumi-kun for Romeo and Julius.

Sakuya: Back then, Romeo and Julius were opponents, but this time I’ll do my best to be a reliable partner!

Sakuya: In the play, there’s a scene where we play a game against each other, so Spring Troupe had a gaming tournament.

Sakuya: Actions games, fighting games, racing games… We played a bunch of different games.

Sakuya: At first, it was difficult to operate, so I didn’t do well at all…

Sakuya: But, Itaru-san and Citron-san gave me some tips and I eventually got better and better and won the tournament!

Sakuya: Even thought it was just a game, winning made me happy. I’ll take their advice and practice even more!

Sakuya: Recently, I’ve been watching lots of videos in my free time--.

Sakuya: I think the animal videos and outdoors channels are interesting!

Sakuya: The outdoors-related videos make me feel like the time we went camping.

Sakuya: If you’d like, do you wanna watch some videos together? I’d really love to hear your video recommendations, Director.

Sakuya: Yes! Well then, I’ll go make some tea. I’m excited for our casual video watching party, Director!

• • •

T/N:

(1) Sakuya’s character’s name in Japanese is ブラン (Buran). I’m like 90% sure it’s supposed to be Blanc as in like “White” to go with Masumi’s Nero as in like “Black”.

(2) I TL’ed Vタレント (V-Talent) as V-Talenter cuz that sounded more natural, in my opinion.