#chuoku drama track

[xehanortsreport]

Heya! So, I'm not super familiar with Hypmic, but I figured I'd ask someone who's into it- What's the best place to start for getting into it? I'm only even half-certain of what it all is, tbh.

'Course!! So I'm still relatively new to the franchise myself so I'm definitely not going to be your be all and end all source for this. That said!

Basic plot synopsis:

It's a post-WW3 world and the warmongering government has been brought to heel by the power of all-women political organization known as the Party of Words, lead by the stoic Otome Tohoten. Using the newly developed Hypnosis Microphones, Otome demonstrates their devastating effects - less than lethal soul manipulation capable of torturing grown men into submission - on the Prime Minister, initiating a coup and bringing about the dawn of the H. Era. All lethal weaponry is banned and the only way to fight is with the power...of rap.

Establishing this new woman-led government, Otome further divides Japan into divisions, with Chuoku being the central seat of power where only women (and particularly women who work for the government) are allowed. Everyone else, including civilian women and all men are exiled to the outer divisions, where they must fight for control with the usage of the Microphones...and also it has to be via rap bc that's just where we're at.

At first, said Microphones are handed out willy-nilly, as all structure and government outside of Chuoku has been stricken to zero. Want a house? Rap for it. Need to defend your house from someone who wants to take it? Rap for it. Powerful individuals form gangs and eventually those gangs turn into organizations representing entire divisions. At the height of the consolidation of local divisions under the largest of the powers, Chuoku makes another announcement: rapping is no longer a free for all.

To ensure the safety of the public and to add order to chaos, Microphones are now only allowed to be used by those personally selected by the government. Moreover, the established divisions will now have a fixed set of representatives - a trio of rappers for each division. And lastly, these divisions must compete in the Division Rap Battle, a gladiatorial event in which the territories of each division are now officially decided by who wins and who loses.

The winner gets to take pieces of the other divisions' territories, expanding their power and influence, and also get a shitton of cash.

And thus begin the adventures of Hypnosis Mic!

Genrewise, I'd compare the tone to a delinquent manga with light sci-fi/fantasy elements. The plot is pretty thin and it's mostly just an excuse to serve up some really good characters and excellent music, which is what we're actually here for.

SO. WHERE TO START?

The CDs! THE primary format for HypMic and the base canon are the albums, as HypMic is first and foremost a music project. They are all free to listen to on Spotify!

It is very important to listen to the Drama Tracks, as those are your main story! On youtube, there is a playlist of all the Drama Tracks arranged in chronological order for easy listening, and all Drama Track translations can be found on the Wiki right here, also conveniently organized in chronological order.

Afterwards, if you're really interested in the characters and story, I recommend reading the manga! It does a great job fleshing out a lot of the aspects of each group, including important backstory information that isn't included in the tracks!

The manga is canon, so everything in it is relevant!

The events of the story are currently split into the First and Second Division Rap Battles. Ideally, you listen to the 1st DRB tracks, then read the manga that correspond to those (called "BB/MTC", "FP/M", "BAT/DH" and the important prequel manga "TDD". And yes that is what they're called those aren't just abbreviations lmao.)

Afterwards, listen to the remaining tracks and then read the rest of the manga! ("BB/MTC+", "FP/M+", "BAT/DH+", and a second prequel manga "DoD")

Don't worry as all the manga are relatively short and the drama CDs release very slowly. Once you catch up you'll stay caught up for a while, so take your time!

The anime, game, stage plays, etc. are all non-canon, so don't worry about those. You can enjoy them on your own free time if you get invested!

I've written a lot but the tl;dr is:

Listen to the CDs, read the Manga, then go wild on whatever else you want! And remember, the entire thing is very, very silly, so have fun!

[bukuro-owl]

Buho studies with Hypmic Chuoku Drama-Track!

❌ THERES SPOILERS HERE ❌

Sentence:

0️⃣: 愛した女を蔑ろにするやつは男じゃねぇ

愛した女を蔑ろにするやつは男じゃねぇ

To Love - Women - To Ignore - Guy - Man - Not

Buho’s translation: A guy who ignores the women he loves is not a man.

Dictionary with Sentence ( Read Hiragana ) ↙️

[discotenny]

WAIT WAIT THERE’S A TIMESKIP WHY IS THERE A TIME SKIP WHAT ARE THE NEW OUTFITS FOR 😭😭😭

THERE IS A TIMESKIP! !!!

Summation from slug's thoughts here if you want to get a general idea of what the plot of the new drama tracks (where the timeskip takes place) is.

From what I understand it skips only a few months following Rei turning off all the hypmics so there's no significant age differences. But HooooOOOOooo boy there's a shit ton of shit happening.

Chuoku collapses and there is NO FORM of government in the entirety of Japan now

Otome and Ichijiku are in jail !! THEY"RE IN JAIL!! I saw somewhere that they were broken out of prison but I genuinely don't know if it's canon or not. Nemu is okay she's in hiding I believe.

The divisions are basically in charge of protecting their areas of Japan since it is CHAOS. Crime is at it's all time height and I think it's implied Jiro and Saburo had to take a break from school because of it ?? MTC seems to be working overtime because they have the most muscle.

Ichiro thinks morale is low (it is) so he tries to organize a music festival to show there still can be unity and peace. Like he goes PEACE, LOVE, UNITY, AND HAVE FUN !!

Rei is missing

Otome retires from politics I think?

I don't know how hypmic can continue because this definitely feels like some final arc type shit. I definitely don't think it's over- I'm just verrrrry curious on how they're going to continue the story following all of this.

[slugtranslation-hypmic]

Got an unexpected moment of free time, so checking out the next drama track in the line up! Reading a translation courtesy of shinseimcd on Twitter. Thoughts upon initial read below a cut:

"Out of the women sent to Sapporo, please send 100 of them to Kofu." This is a little wild to me, because they're on two separate islands. Surely they had agents who were closer...?

A COUP D'ETAT? WHAT?!

THE TOP EXECUTIVES OF CHUUOUKU HAVE BEEN IMPRISONED?! But Nemu was spared, huh? Guess she was too low rank.

RAMUDA PRISON GUARDS? Wow, this is a fuckening right out the gate, huh. I do think them having True Hypmics is a little silly, considering they can't actually use them without dying. Bumblebee-ass defense system.

Also, I hope that Riou's major is just chillin' with Otome and Ichijiku now. In another universe where MTC won the last DRB, maybe he would have been busted out first...? (I doubt that would have actually happened before this plot event, though.)

Honobono and Rei are both missing, huh? Honobono = Rei conspiracy theory. "Where's the proof?" They both have big tits, Your Honor.

Robber-kun from S1E1 of the anime makes a guest appearance in canon, I see.

"The police are short staffed" Nobody wants to work these days smdh

"I'm not scared of a micless Samatoki" Half the manga is Samatoki beating the crap out of people without mics, so I think whether he has a mic or not is fairly moot.

"leucochloridium" Wow, Samatoki has a dictionary just for worms, I see

Man, this is already not like any block party I've ever been to...

"Samatoki, these are the times we live in. Don’t be so hard on someone who is trying to handle their business." Samatoki, we live in a society.

I can't wait to see all this in the manga. This sounds wild and stupid as hell.

"If we play a cooperative game and get to know each other better, violence would decrease." This is the theme of Hypnosis Mic laid out in plain text.

"Music isn’t just about rapping, they can play whatever genre they want." Oh, okay. Hence the mix of tracks on the CD. Got it. Again, the theme of Hypmic--there are lots of different ways to be a guy/person in general, and it's a mixture of lots of different people that makes the world go round.

"Since music is the common language across all generations!" Also this

"I’ll call on the people [who were in the DRB] I can, and you guys do the same." Ichirou, literally all of their leaders have been your teammates at one point or another. You have their contacts in your phone, no doubt. This should not be hard.

"And I’ll calculate the budget for the festival!" Yeah, good point. How the fuck are they going to pay for this?

"I have memorized [the whole Genbro manuscript]" You motherfucker. LOL God bless

"Jakurai: Yotsutsuji-kun. I thought that if I helped the Party of Words with their experiments, I could unravel the secrets behind the True Hypnosis Mic" I said this last time, but... did Jakurai even actually help them? As in, did he actually do anything?

"I apologize, but I don’t think I can help you with this. I really need to do research on the True Hypnosis Mic…" Not now, Ichirou, I need to bring my son out of a coma. I can't help you recreate Burning Man in the middle of Tokyo.

"He tried to publish this document at great risk, but was deemed dangerous by Chuoku, and purged" Does Chuuouku purge people by putting them into comas... Also, timing-wise, when does this happen? I guess sometime within the last three years when the Party of Words came to power, right? But I wonder exactly when, in so much as "exactly when" exists in Hypmicverse.

"Yamada Rei, a former soldier" Interesting... In the war that decimated the population?

"My brother was eliminated by a special unit called Kotosarai." Lol of course

"I will not inquire about your relationship with Yamada Rei." I was going to say that it's quite obvious, given their name, before I realized that Yamada is a common-ass last name.

"Ichiro: Um, why are you researching the True Hypnosis Mic? If you don’t want to answer… Jakurai: No, this is a good opportunity, so I will tell you. This is a story that took place in the 1st year of the H Era…" Oh, whoa. So Jakurai finally tells people about all the shit that went down with Ramuda and the TDD fallout. I'm curious what Gentarou thinks about this.

"Who attacked Kannabi-san with the True Hypnosis Mic? Jakurai: They were certain pawns of Chuoku." Oh. Never mind. Well, that's kind of Jakurai.

As a side note, this Nancy Drew team of Ichirou, Gentarou, and Jakurai is really doing it for me. What an interesting combination of nosy fuckers.

"Jakurai: I talked to Hifumi-kun and Doppo-kun, and they agreed to help. Ichiro: Seriously!?" Yeah, Hifumi isn't a surprise at all. It's not that I think he's the type of person who would necessarily go to music festivals, but I think his point of pride as an entertainer would make him eager to host one. Also, if it gets Doppo out of the house, then that's a win-win.

"Hifumi: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 people." I literally thought he was about to break out into a Hifumi Gigolo dance number until he said "people" instead of six.

"Jiro: Are you okay!? Doppo: J-Jiro-kun?" Aww, that's cute. They're still homies after that time they worked together in the grasshopper arc.

"In that case, it might be faster to involve a TV station!" I sense a Sasara appearance.

"I’ll contact the comedian Nurude Sasara, and he can help us talk to the bigwigs at a TV station!" Called it. Also, does this mean Hifumi has Sasara's number...?

"Huh, you have Nurude Sasara’s phone number?" Wow, I need to shut up and just keep reading, apparently.

"Yeah, I exchanged numbers with him when we participated in Freestyle Gladiator!" What's that? The Mixed Up drama track? Huh, didn't know that was canon. I guess there's no reason why it wouldn't be, though.

"Ichiro came up with something fun!" I love that Kuukou's down to clown with whatever Ichirou's doing. Homies again.

"That’s true. Music is perfect for improving the mood of this world right now. But I have work…" Hitoya is so real for this one.

 “There are two things I can’t stand. First, strawberries inside shortcake." WHA- The audacity of this bitch. Hitoya is no longer real.

"Jakurai: Let’s go out for a meal once things settle down. Hitoya: Sounds good." HELL YES you get that friendship

"Jakurai: And maybe I can see your drum performance with dishes and chopsticks again…" Middle school Jakurai moments. I greatly appreciate how Jakurai is so earnestly "Wow! :D" about Hitoya being a dweeb. Theirs is such a fun dynamic.

"Gentaro: You have a really great friend. Jakurai: Yes, I really do think so." Jakurai hyping up the homies. You love to see it.

"Sasara: I’m home! Rosho: This isn’t your home, you know." Domestic... bliss? It's a romantic trope for characters to do the "I'm home!/Welcome back" exchange with one another to indicate that they've found a sense of home and family in each other, and I highly predict that by the end of Hypmic Roshou's going to give in and say "Welcome back," thus prompting a flood of Twitter fanart.

"And Saburo-kun is just a middle schooler, but he’s really something." Aww. It's nice to see Roshou coming around on Saburou too.

"during their school closure" Ah, so it's like the pandemic lockdown level of fucked-up society. Okay.

"I can only sing 70s pop songs." lmfao this is so Roshou. He would be a kayoukyoku fan, huh.

"Where’d [Rei] go?" Yeah, good fucking question

"From my perspective, just using a knife for cooking is impressive…" Doppo........ You were living on your own before you moved in with Hifumi. Do you really not know how to cook?

"Well, as long as it’s tasty, it doesn’t matter!" My philosophy tbh

Tumblr's not letting me put more text in this list, so making a new one.

"Hifumi, don’t provoke a fight while we’re eating! Hifumi: Nyahaha! But the quarrel between them is so entertaining!" Delighted to find that Hifumi is as fond of chaos as I've always hoped

"Because I direct my own shows every time, and they’re well-received. I’m a professional who’s asked to direct plays and events too!" Ramuda is apparently the only literal MC in the whole cast

"Even if you find a good designer and commission them, there’s no guarantee they’ll accept." Facts

"If I offer enough money, they should do it!" ...Also kind of facts (speaking as a freelancer)

"Katengumi underling: Yes? Ichiro: This is Yamada Ichiro. I’m here to see Aohitsugi Samatoki." LMFAO, JUST SHOWING UP AT THE YAKUZA BASE, HUH?

"It’s Samatoki-san, idiot." Can you shut the fuck up? lmfao

"Shut up!" Yeah, you tell him

"Fine, since I’m not exactly free either" God, these are a bunch of three-year-olds. Love them for that

"I want them to feel that the solution doesn't lie in senseless violence but in empathy and helping each other!" This line is directed at Samatoki in particular, huh

"Is this a matter of great importance, like a crucial mission to rescue hostages?" I love Riou's comedic relief so god damn much. There's nothing better than when he comes in spouting some extremely serious stuff with a totally straight face in an otherwise less serious scene. There's a manga moment when fangirls are squealing over MTC, and Juuto's going "Ugh :/ I feel like an animal at the zoo being watched like this" and Riou's all like ":) We are all animals in the eyes of Chuuouku." Fucking hilarious. Man's killing it.

"The Special Prison has been infiltrated!" Oh, okay, so we're back in batshit plot territory

"Captain Keitouin led the Kotosarai and infiltrated the prison." Good for her.

"Thank you. What happened to the puppets? Kotosarai Member: The Amemura Ramuda clones were only guarding the Prime Minister’s cell, and they had no interest in us." Pleasantly surprised to see no meaningless clone deaths for once

Whew! That's one hell of a track. I'll have to continue with part two the next time I get a free hour, so if you've read this far... thanks, and see you then.

Hi Slug! If you've listened to the full songs in the new EP, have your opinions of the trailers changed? Also, the new dramas are HEAVY, so if you've listened to them, I'm curious to know what you thought of them. As always, thanks for the translations!

I like listening to Hypmic music on shuffle during workouts, so I've most of the new songs in full by now. I don't think my opinions have changed majorly. I really enjoy Black and White, and Move Your Body Till You Die is a phenomenal work of art.

As for the drama tracks... truth be told, I haven't even listened to the one that came out in April, so I'll read through some TLs now and record thoughts below the cut:

No One Lives Forever, translation courtesy of shinseimcd on Twitter

"Anti-Party of Words faction" Huh, like a government faction? I'm surprised the PoW allows other political parties or at the very least open dissenters. There was talk in some chapters of the manga of them punishing protesters, not to mention the way they crushed the TDD rebellion in its primacy. Either way, interesting, and I hope we learn more about this as time goes on.

Ichijiku and Nemu baking together is really cute lol

I love the way Ichijiku's whole personality shifts around Otome. Gap moe (????)

It's a cool tidbit that Nemu tends to prefer plainer outfits, as that tracks with how she dresses in TDD. Also, Nemu and Ichijiku shopping together is kind of bittersweet, since Ichijiku is clearly using Nemu as a replacement figure for her deceased sister...

Ichijiku secretly wanting to fall on the cute side of the cute/elegant spectrum is a pretty classic trope but a fun detail that's been hinted at already, since we've seen that she keeps a bow collection.

??? Rei's lab is on Battleship Island? Ohhhhhhhhh this is why Twitter was blowing up with controversy right after this track released... The IRL Battleship Island was home to forced labor of Korean and Chinese citizens during the twentieth-century push of Japanese imperialism which was later, iirc, denied in part or totally by the Japanese government to immense international backlash. Using this as a setpiece for Hypmic is oddly provocative, and I can't think why the writers would want to do that. On a much lighter note, this is also a headscratcher to me because isn't this a UNESCO World Heritage Site? The whole point of that is conservation, and I don't think building a clone lab counts as conservation... Unless they're implying the clone lab was built prior to the 1950s? Hm. Let's not go down this rabbit hole.

"I would like all of the True Hypnosis Mics. As well as all the Amemura clones." Oh? Are there more still alive? I thought Honobono ordered the death of the last remaining three... Well, that scraps a piece of writing I was working on LOL

"Your biometric data is required to access the mic storage facility" So how did the PoW get in?

Her? Heart stop beating? Oh for fuck's sake, is Rei's wife also in a coma? How many fucking characters are in a coma in this series... Whichever mfer invents a device that restores people from comas with no significant brain damage will make a fortune in this universe

"And I won't try anything funny." I do not believe this for one instant

Hmm, the framing of Otome planning this and the way she brushed past talk of countermeasures for the anti-PoW faction implies that Rei is heading this faction.

Oh, so they couldn't get past the biometric locks after all, I see.

I strongly dislike the idea of thirty clones for thirty mics and the nonchalance in which Rei goes, "Yeah, I'll ship them off to Chuuouku" like they're a parcel and not human beings, but that's my personal bone to pick w/ this character and setting.

I was intrigued by the notion of the PoW holding caucuses, implying there's some sort of democratic process in terms of choosing their own party members or positions, but the JPN audio doesn't specify that exactly.

"We no longer require the cooperation of Jakurai Jinguji." I know that this took like four years in real time, but in terms of the Hypmic universe... I mean, Jakurai didn't even do anything for them, did he? He went through all that moral dilemma for nothing, as far as I can tell. (I get that it sets up the reconciliation with Ramuda, but that's it? Seriously?) That's disappointing to roll it back so quickly.

"During the Division Rap Battle, the people of our nation will be focused on the tournament, giving us the opportunity to use the True Hypnosis Mics to mind hack the Anti-Party of Words faction who stand in our way, ultimately pulling them over to our side." Otome always has the most batshit plans. God bless. A consequence of her needing to drive the plot forward is that she'll say some of the truly silliest things I've ever heard. What a complete misappropriation of government funds lol. Also... is this stating there are only 30 dissidents (????), or can the True Hypmics brainwash more than one person at a time?

"Once that is complete, we will move on to other countries. And when we have taken over the world, then, in the true sense of the word, peace through the power of words will be achieved." LMAO? I'm sorry, this isn't very considerate of me, but in my initial impressions of this, I am well and truly gobsmacked. What in the actual fuck. How many clones will die for this? How much money will it cost? How does she think she stands any chance at governing so many people across such an area, even with a downsized population after WWIII? Homie... Never change, Hypmic, you are the wildest.

I can't believe Ichijiku is so whipped she's willing to go along with an absolutely nonsensical plan for world domination. Ma'am, Otome is not going to fuck you, and even if she is, it's not worth it! Ma'am!!! I'm sorry, I'm being petty and not giving this a lot of in-depth thought but LORD this is a trip on first read.

A FUCKING CLONE UPRISING AT THE HANDS OF REI? HAHAHAHAHA.

"World domination, huh, what a joke." Man after my own heart.

I'm actually quite interested in how this "mics are disabled forever" thing works. I guess the mics have a kill switch in them? I vaguely recall someone saying that in the manga years and years ago... Oh yeah, it was Ramuda in TDD 12. Huh, interesting if that was intentional foreshadowing (I'm not sure if I want to be that charitable). At any rate, can't everyone in the room just get new mics? Or does it affect their speakers and such too? I'm curious how that works, like if you build an affinity with a certain mic or some nonsense.

"looks like we won't be having any Division Rap Battles from here on out." Ah, and this is why the other half of Twitter was up in arms like "No more DRB??? End of Hypmic??" I guess.

The Block Party tracks are quite long, and since it's getting rather late for me, I'm going to leave off here for the moment. I'd like to continue this at my next available opportunity... WHAT a ride. Not sure when that will be, but I will add to this with a reblog when I can. And I know it's been months since this track came out, but I would love to hear other people's thoughts. I wasn't around much when it first launched, so I missed most of the commentary on it.

[reinakahara]

Not Even A Storm Can Wash The Tide Away - Chuoku drama track #1 translation

Otome: Is that so. So Nemu-san she… Ichijiku: Yes. Otome: If the effect of hypnosis mic has weakened, we can use the true hypnosis mic to once again- Ichijiku: No, I do not think it’d be necessary for that. Otome: Why? Ichijiku: She sympathizes with our ideology. I believe that she will still be of assistance in the future. Otome: I’m leaving her in your hands then, Ichijiku-san. Do as you wish. Ichijiku: Thank you. *knocks on the door* Staff: Excuse me. Otome: What’s the matter? Staff: I have a message for Ichijiku-sama. Ichijiku: What is it? Staff: The commanding officer of ‘Cleanspeak (Kotosarai)’―Central Crime Department’s Special Forces Unit Keitouin Honobono, has gone to Nemu-san’s room. Ichijiku: Ugh, got it, I’m going now.

*types* Nemu: Hah… What was the predecessor Tsumabira-san doing, not monitoring the perils of each division that need to be kept on a lookout for. I need to take a look at the new data too… Honobono: Nemu-chan, doing good? Nemu: Honobono-san, please knock before you enter the room. Also, can you please refrain from using –chan to call me with? Honobono: My, you don’t have to be so shy~ Nemu: I’ll get angry. Honobono: Ufufufu, you’re cute even when you’re angry~ Oh my, this big sis didn’t intend to say anything that’d warrant that glare of yours though? …Hmm. So these four divisions participated in the final tournament. Nemu: You didn’t know? Honobono: Didn’t have any interest in it, plus I was away on a mission so I had no idea. …Heh, they’re all such fine men~ And the winners from Shinjuku are… eh? Izanami Hifumi…? Kannonzaka Doppo… Nemu:  What is it with these two? Honobono: It’s nothing. (Fufufu, I’m becoming more interested~) Nemu: And so, what do you want? Honobono: If you keep working hard like that, you’ll collapse~ Nemu: If I collapse just from something like this, it’ll mean my level as a person is just at that, that is. Honobono: What a strong determination, let this big sis give you a praise~ Nemu: Just say what you’re here for and get out already. Honobono: Regarding that matter on the other day, I have settled it properly~ Nemu: I haven’t received reports of them getting confined in the special prison though? Honobono: Those kids were my type, so I had them dealt with. Nemu: Honobono-san… Honobono: You got complaints, Miss Vice Chief? Nemu: …… Honobono: No, right? After all, I did talk it through with Ichijiku-san, that it’s okay to do things my own method. Nemu: But… Honobono: But? What? Nemu: I… won’t approve your way of doing things… Honobono: My my, Nemu-chan, you sure can say such cheeky words~ Nemu: …… Honobono: Oh well, whatever. Nemu: Is that all? Honobono: Yeah. Nemu: You could’ve just call or text me about it. Honobono: I came all the way here because I’ve something to ask. Nemu: What is it then? Honobono: Nemu-chan, didn’t you go to Yokohama Division the other day? Nemu: Yes, I did and? Honobono: Heard that you went to deal with your brother Samatoki-kun? Nemu: That’s not it, I just wanted to arrest him… Honobono: And then, you failed? Nemu: …… Honobono: Ah, if so, let me go instead~ Fufufufu, that face of his is my type after all. Must be very fun playing with him~ Nemu: Please stop it. Honobono: You even used your position as the vice chief to go and see him but failed, so I’m just being thoughtful and said it for your sake?   Nemu: Can you please not do things as you want? Honobono: If it were me, I’d have it done in no time. Nemu: Please stop it… Honobono: What? Did you say something? Nemu: I told you to stop it!! Honobono: Oh my, since you pulled out the mic, that means it’s okay if I fight back too, right? Nemu: *starts mic*   ♫「Hah, don’t make me repeat over and over, I’m eliminating the cause of worries through battle, How bad is your hearing that my words are incomprehensible? Now, I cut you down with hypnosis mic, Opening my door at times as if it’s reasonable, Commencing your doxxing manner, You no longer have a part in this, despicable, I absolutely won’t approve of you, never」♫ Honobono: Well then, it’s my turn this time. *on mic* ♫「My, quite full-blooded you are, My hearing is bad, yes so I can’t hear your barks, Challenge accepted, nevertheless you’re a paper doll, Your impudence is nothing but short, I’m a machine gun that rains attack in succession, Going all out, I’m practically a punisher, Be your opponent? It’s right up my alley, My, in that case this fight is quite unlikely」♫ Honobono: Oh, are we done here? Nemu: Not yet. *on mic* *door opens* Ichijiku: What are you two doing? Honobono: And when it was just getting better… Nemu: Ichijiku… -san… Honobono: Nemu-chan attacked me with hypnosis mic so I didn’t have a choice- Ichijiku: Quit the chatter, and leave at once! Honobono: Sure sure, I’m done here then, Miss Chief. Ichijiku: Hmph. …Nemu. Nemu: I’m sorry. Ichijiku: It’s fine, I daresay she’s the one who stirred things up it turned out that way.   Nemu: Ichijiku-san… Ichijiku: However, Nemu, you’re at fault too for letting her play on you. Nemu: I’m terribly sorry. Ichijiku: Try your best not to entertain that wacko. If she pokes her nose into your business, report to me at once. Nemu: But, I can’t just trouble you over something like that- Ichijiku: It’s no problem at all. Nemu: Thank you. …Um, I have something on my mind. Ichijiku: What is it? Nemu: How does Honobono-san came to work as the commanding officer of Cleanspeak? She displays that attitude even with Otome-san and you, Ichijiku-san… Ichijiku: Her Hypnosis Mic ability is convenient for us. Nemu: Convenient? Ichijiku: Yes, she has a troublesome personality but she without a doubt executes her jobs well. Nemu: …… Ichijiku: I’m saying this a lot, but don’t get involved with her outside of work. Nemu: Okay. By the way, what can I do for you? Ichijiku: Oh, you haven’t been resting lately right? How about taking a break at once? Nemu: Thank you for your care. It’s just that there’s a lot to do for the next division battle, so I’d like to get it all done.

Ichijiku: Is that so, don’t push yourself okay? If you collapse, you’ll come to nothing. Nemu: Alright. Ichijiku: Ah yes, let’s go have some meal when we’re free next week, there’s a shop I want to treat you to some good meat at. Nemu: Yes, I’ll be happy to go along with you. Ichijiku: Sure, I’ll contact you again later. Nemu: Okay. Ichijiku: *walks out the room* Honobono: Ichijiku-san~ Ichijiku: What? Honobono: Aren’t you being quite nice to Nemu-chan? Why is that? Ichijiku: Hmp, it’s not all that different though. Honobono: How ever I think about it, it’s clearly a special treatment though? Ichijiku: If so, you’re thinking it wrongly. Honobono: I think you know this but, I’m the type that really wants something that other people cherish. That’s why, when you dote on her that much…… it makes me want to break her! Ichijiku: Try and lay your hands on her, I’ll bury you then. Honobono: Ufufu, that’d be a fun turn of events in a way. Ichijiku: *walks away* Honobono: Say, doesn’t Nemu-chan resemble Natsume-chan? Ichijiku: W-what are you saying… Honobono: I don’t need any more words by that look on your face alone. Ichijiku: Natsume…

Staff: Okay, we’re going on air! Ichijiku: Good evening, I’m Kadenokouji Ichijiku. Today’s top news is as follows. This is a follow-up news on the corruption scandal; the exposure of a president of party comrade’s huge tax evasion.

Ichijiku: Well then, I’m taking my leave now! Producer: Ahh, Kadenokouji, wait a minute. Ichijiku: Sure, what is the matter? Producer: I’d like for you to go do some interview if you can… Ichijiku: Interview, with? Producer: Yeah, the radical political party called the Party of Words; here’s some information. Ichijiku: Party leader, Tohoten Otome? Producer: It appears that they’ve been touting some rather insane political ideologies around. Go and listen to what she has to say, I’d like to release it sometime around next week. Ichijiku: Got it. Producer: Ah, one more… You don’t have to look into that corruption case you’ve been at anymore. Ichijiku: Why?! Producer: …… Ichijiku: Is somebody pressuring us into doing so, or something? Producer: Enough and just do as I said. Ichijiku: Pardon my words, but if we reporters succumb to the authorities, the depravity of the country will be worsened. I don’t want to give in- Producer: Shut it, women shouldn’t be snooping around things like that!   Ichijiku: …… Producer: Get it? This is an order. Ichijiku: This have nothing to do with being a woman…

Ichijiku: Finally~ Natsume: Sister, welcome home. Ichijiku: Natsume, I’m home. Natsume: The dinner’s ready. Ichijiku: Thank you~

Ichijiku: And then, it seems like someone���s been demanding us to stop. I was scolded and he said “women shouldn’t be sniffing about such things!” too. But I’ll never give in to something like that! Natsume: Mm…… mm. Ichijiku: What’s the matter? Natsume: Isn’t it dangerous? Ichijiku: Um… no idea. But I think it’s something that those involved in the press shouldn’t succumb to. Natsume: I really respect that part of you, but… if you think it’s dangerous, stop it right away okay? Ichijiku: Mm, got it.

Woman: Ichijiku, over here. Ichijiku: Ah… You look worn out, Shimozaki-san. Shimozaki: Ah… kinda. Ichijiku: So, what about that thing? Shimozaki: It’s all in this USB. Ichijiku: May I take a look now? Shimozaki: Yeah. Ichijiku: This is… incredible…! If this is made public, arrest can be made, from the local governor all the way to the Prime Minister. …How did you get this? Shimozaki: I’ve been at it as a freelance journalist for a few decades too, it wasn’t for nothing. Ichijiku: Why are you giving this to me…? Shimozaki: I’m backing out from this case.   Ichijiku: You’re backing out? Why? Shimozaki: I have my family. If I go on any further they might be exposed to danger. Ichijiku: Did something happen? Shimozaki: A threatening letter was sent to my workplace. Ichijiku: Threatening letter…? Shimozaki: *sighs* So be it if I’m the one they lay their hands on, but if anything happens to my family… Ichijiku: But… will the government really go that far? Shimozaki: ……This is as far as I can go. Ichijiku, you should be careful too. Ichijiku: Looks like this case is even darker than I thought. Wait, it’s this time already? I won’t make it to the interview if I don’t hurry!

Ichijiku: Excuse me. Otome: Come in. Ichijiku: Do you mind if I put the camera there?   Otome: I don’t, go ahead. Ichijiku: Nice to meet you, I’m Kadenokouji Ichijiku from Koyou TV.   Otome: Nice to meet you too, I’m Tohoten Otome. Please, have a seat. Ichijiku: Thank you. Excuse my haste, but I’ll be asking you a few questions, I’d appreciate your cooperation. Otome: Of course, do ask me anything. Ichijiku: There’s been support from some people towards the Party of Words, however it’s also been said that its political ideologies are quite wild. Otome: I can’t tell if it’s wild… or anything. From how I look at it, we’re merely publishing things that are a matter of course. Ichijiku: ……The ‘Eliminate men, and establish women as the political power’, you mean? Otome: Yes, quite so. Ichijiku: By ‘eliminating the men’, what kind of aim do you have in mind?   Otome: Men are naturally born to fight. There’s no way to leave the country in the hands of those barbaric lots. Ichijiku: I believe there are female politicians around too though. Otome: Even if there are, the male ones are overwhelmingly many, don’t you think? And the leading cabinet are mostly men. For the sake of their self-interest, they indulge in corruption and parachuting, receive dark money. That does not apply only in the political world. You’ve experienced getting oppressed by those kind of people too, haven’t you? Ichijiku: …! Otome: I believe you have, as a fellow female. Ichijiku: Yeah… Otome: That is why, I feel the need to reset the country as soon as possible. If things go on like this the war will repeat, and it can be proven from the history of this country.   Ichijiku: …… Otome: With women as the core, we’ll reconstruct the country. Ichijiku: I see, understood. Thank you very much for letting me hear a valuable talk today. Otome: Not at all, thank you too. …Ah, Kadenokouji-san. Ichijiku: What is the matter? Otome: I believe you’ll come to understand one day what I talked about earlier. Ichijiku: Ah…… Please excuse me.

Ichijiku: The leader of the Party of Words, Tohoten Otome… Setting her thoughts aside, she has a curious persuasiveness.   Reporter: On to the next news. Today at around 5pm, Shimozaki Karin-san and her family has been found dead at the Kyoto’s canal. Ichijiku: Eh? Reporter: The Metropolitan Police is viewing it as a murder case, and is on an investigation progress. Ichijiku: Shimozaki… -san… Shimozaki: I have my family. If I go on any further they might be exposed to danger. Ichijiku: …! Natsume!

Ichijiku: Natsume!! Natsume! Answer me if you’re around! ……S-she’s not here… *phone rings* Huh? A withheld number… Hello? Man: Good evening, I am a secretary of a certain member of the Diet. Ichijiku: ……! Secretary: Have you noticed that your younger sister isn’t there? Ichijiku: Where is Natsume? Is she alright?? Secretary: She is, still unharmed. Ichijiku: Why are you doing this?! Secretary: Now go to the appointed place and bring along the data Shimozaki Karin gave to you. If you don’t… you know what’ll happen, yes? Ichijiku: ……Understood. Secretary: Then listen well, the place is…

Secretary: You’re here earlier than I thought. Ichijiku: Where’s Natsume…? Where is she!? Secretary: The data comes first. I’m taking it. ……Hm, this is it. Ichijiku: Where is she? Secretary: In that room, sleeping. Ichijiku: !! Natsume! Natsume? Natsume? *realizes something wrong* Natsume? Natsume?? Natsume!!! Secretary: I told you she’s asleep. In an extremely still, eternal sleep, that is. Ichijiku: *wails* Wake up!!! Secretary: You don’t have to be so sad, I’ll send you to the same place as her right away. Otome: This is why men are… *mic on* ♫「Your game is up, you foolish lots, If you don’t wish to die, then you boys begone, Boundless lunacy, wretched, how inferior, I’m a match for thousands, unyielding! 」♫ Secretary: W-what was that, what’s going on?? Otome: Kadenokouji-san. Ichijiku: Tohoten-san… w-why are you… Otome: I was targeting the Diet member who’s deploying that secretary of his. Secretary: ……Who the fuck are you? Otome: I don’t have a name to give to a crude being such as you. Secretary: You’re just a woman, don’t look down on me! Otome: Hmph. *mic on* ♫「You lowly follower, don’t make me laugh, Can you fight back in such a state? Will you die a savage death or will you live? I have no need of you, do not get in the way, Tragic history is repeating, with your foolish acts, Armed yet powerless, it’s the dual wielding of words, Now’s the time for steep karma, Men, if you don’t wish to die, step down」♫ Secretary: *screams*

Ichijiku: Natsume… Otome: She is… Ichijiku: She’s my sister… the only family I have… I… I might as well have killed her… Natsume…! Otome: I’m so sorry, if only I had arrived earlier… Ichijiku-san, do you remember the things I said a while ago? Ichijiku: …The things… you said…? Otome: That “men are naturally born to fight”. Ichijiku: Y-yeah… Otome: Therefore we women should have the power, to govern the boorish men. Use this. Ichijiku: This is…? Otome: A hypnosis microphone. Ichijiku: Hypnosis… microphone? Otome: With this mic, we can fight with words. Please come with me. And then, we will prevent any more victims like your sister. Ichijiku: Yes. …Natsume, I will change this world.

Ichijiku: Natsume… Nemu: Eh? Ichijiku-san, did something happen? You’re just staring off into the space there. Ichijiku: Oh, nah, it’s nothing. Nemu: Ah... Ichijiku: Natsume, your sister is still doing her best.

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

translation notes:

Regarding the drama track’s title and Kotosarai, the official english translation was provided in the Hypmic website. 

Parachuting here can mean ‘peremptory’, ‘imposition’, and ‘unfair landing into high positions in a corporation etc for lucrative gains, especially those who holds important position outside’. In japanese, it’s called amakudari.

[hypnomicimagines]

hiii !! im really sorry to ask this & sorry if this sounds dumb, (u can skip this question if u want to!) so im still pretty new to hypmic and i see alot of fanarts where gentaro is like grieving over someone and apparently they died in the hospital ? is that canon, if yes, could u maybe explain to me what happened? idk who else i could ask since none of my friends are interested in hypmic.. im so sorry if this is really dumb u could skip this! T_T

(added read more so spoilers can be under it!)

Hi sweetie! Yes its canon, its his brother who was put in the hospital in a coma by Chuoku (like Yotsutsuji) bc he did a lot of digging on Chuoku and had a lot of blackmail on them and they didn’t like it very much lmao, we just learned the reason in the recent wave of drama tracks

A lot of Gentaro stuff isn’t explicitly stated yet but it’s pretty much canon based on a ridiculous amount of implications that Gentaro isn’t actually “Gentaro” but that his given name is something else and that he’s taken on his brothers name and identity in an attempt to get back at Chuoku and save his brother

Idk if you wanted details but Gentaro says he’s not Gentaro Yumeno on more than one occasion and tbh I don’t even think he ever says he’s lying people just assume he is bc he’s always lying so they’re like “oh shut up. Anyway”, there’s also a manga scene where he sees several publishers (I think) and they all talk about how good his stories are along with specifics and I think if I remember correctly several of them involve brothers.

Anyway yeah! His possibly twin brother is in the hospital in a coma but no he is not dead lmao

If you have anymore questions feel free to ask!

-Matenro Admin

[ramudamemura]

maybe I’ll finally listen to the Chuoku drama tracks today

[xen-xa]

Caught up to Hypnosis Mic and Doppo is the true MVP. Like damn, I was waiting for him to go all out and he did and I love him even more for it! Please, more of this lmao

On another note, I feel so sorry for Ichiro and his brothers lol. If you just go by the anime and not manga or drama tracks (I still don’t know the full extent of the situation), Samatoki is the one who comes out as the bigger asshole in this. Yes, I know he’s yakuza but jeez man.

So, you’re telling me, that Ichiro said something to Nemu that caused her to get mad at Samatoki, and in retaliation, Samatoki nearly has Ichiro’s brothers killed, even though he knew full well that it was Chuoku who was behind it all? What the fucking fuck Samatoki? Lmao

Logically, I knew the winners of each battle were based on the actual winners in the first voting event and Jiro and Saburo were still inexperienced so it’s fair to see them lose, but narratively that really sucks for them to not get back at the guy that nearly had them killed xD

This shit’s crazy.

[slugtranslation-hypmic]

Hey slug, i was of the mind that nothing about ramudas cute self is real and it’s all just a cover for chuoku, but when the Catch Us If You Can drama track came out, I second guessed that a bit because ramuda is still shown to be using his cute voice around gentaro and claims it’s for positivity. Do you think that there’s some truth to the mask he wears? Or is he just using his cute self to cope with the horrible situation he’s in? does he think playing his role as the cute one provides comfort?

Hmm... at the risk of putting in too much headcanoning I think this is partially out of habit and partially, as you say, out of comfort.

In terms of who Ramuda truly is, I think his mask/exterior personality is partially reflective of who he is and also partially not. It's hard for us readers to draw the line (and it's probably hard for Ramuda as well) because he's worn this disguise for so long, so it's ingrained in him. Ramuda's inner personality has very different ways of expressing dissatisfaction (anger, crying, smoking) than his exterior personality (exaggerated moping) because both interior Ramuda, aka Ramuda by himself, and exterior Ramuda, aka Ramuda around other people, both deal with quite a lot of crap worth being upset over. But even when Ramuda's being true to himself, like when Fling Posse defends him in the end of Marionette, he expresses happiness in the same way that his exterior self does (laughter, physical affection, claims of "We're a posse!"). While Ramuda has a lot of experience being grumpy on his own, he has virtually none of being happy. So, in unfamiliar situations like this one, it's probably easiest to default to how the exterior personality would act. In time, Ramuda may develop his own methods of self-expression without the influence of the exterior personality, but he may also continue to adopt them in the future. Some aspects of his personality are almost certainly just for show (like playing dumb) and will probably be dropped or modified in time, but Ramuda seems to have grown into others. For example, he definitely enjoys hanging out with his friends, even though this was probably, at first, an excuse to keep a closer eye on the people he was spying on for Chuuouku.

In terms of comfort and coping, I don't know if this fake role necessarily provides him comfort, but there's a definite argument to be made that using his real voice around other people is distinctly uncomfortable. The first time Ramuda's disguise slips is in TDD 9, where Ramuda yells at Jakurai for calling him artificial. This distresses Ramuda to the point where he begins insulting and punching himself (granted, this is done exaggeratedly playfully, but judging by his facial expressions, it's not a completely fake reaction) before Jakurai stops him. Ramuda doesn't use his real voice again until Jakurai confronts him about putting Yotsutsuji in a coma, which in the end is even more distressing to Ramuda. I've been thinking a lot recently about how badly Ramuda internalizes this and refuses to process it, as he doesn't ever comment on this directly in main canon. But he does take much, much longer to warm up to Fling Posse than he did to befriend Jakurai. Compare how physical Ramuda gets with Jakurai starting right after they met (TDD chapter 7 is a good example of this, taking place almost immediately after Jakurai returned to Japan from overseas) and how long it takes for Ramuda to start hugging Fling Posse (FP/M 14, after the first DRB). Also up for consideration is a line from FP/M+ 10 (Marionette) where Ramuda admits "I always feel like I'm going to be abandoned at any moment." Having Ramuda's first friendship blow up in his face shortly after this friend found out who Ramuda really was, deep down, makes Ramuda more frightened than ever of revealing his true self. Noting also how he is ridiculed and disregarded for his emotions, it becomes more compelling than ever for Ramuda to hide himself when others are around. Because of that, even though Ramuda trusts Gentarou and Dice more than anyone else in the series, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Ramuda still had reservations with using his true voice around them all of the time. He has a lot of damage he needs to recover from, and that takes time.

[reinakahara]

Translation - Dotsuitare Hompo Osaka Division drama track - aikata back again (Partner's back again)

Sasara: I'm back~ Tho no one's here to greet me back. Cigarette, cigarette... right, I'm off smoking, so candies instead. Ah, found it. Nothing beats a candy when you need to have something in your mouth. *door bell rings* Hm? What is it now, right after I got home...! Heave-ho!* *answers intercom* Yes, who is this? Carrier: Is this Nurude's residence? Sasara: Yep, you got it. Carrier: I have a parcel for you. Sasara: Got it, I'll open the door. Please wait until I'm out. ...Wait, a parcel? From who, I wonder.

Carrier: Well then, please excuse me. Sasara: Thanks! Carrier: ......Ah... Sasara: Oh, what's it? Carrier: U-um, you're the comedian Nurude-san, right? Sasara: Yes I am? Carrier: I'm a fan! I'm not supposed to stall time while on duty but, may I shake hands with you? Sasara: Oh, not a problem at all! Carrier: *laughs* I'm super happy! I'm totally rooting for you, so please do your best! Sasara: *pats* Thank you! Bye! *locks door* Sasara: The sender is... Hah? For real, Chuoku?? Let's see... 「Due to our impartial judgement, we will be allowing Nurude Sasara-sama to participate in the next division rap battle. In line with this, we have sent you hypnosis microphone. Please decide your team members by the appointed date, and contact Chuoku's Administrative Inspection Bureau's division battle management. Best regards.」 Hah what a troublesome talk. "We'll be allowing", for crying out loud, it's a decided matter! *crumples and throws letter* Member, huh. I can't think of anyone around me that I want to team up with. What to do... ......-Wait... there is one... So, what do I do...-

C: Oh, there's Sasara! Sasara: Huh? What are you guys gathering together like that for? C: We’ve heard from the director~ You're going to join the next division rap battle right? Sasara: Huh... and I told him not to tell others. C: If you haven't decide the members yet, won't ya pick me- C: No way, rather than this silly guy with lame jokes, group up with me instead- C: That can't do! You won't have a future with these two as your team. If you want to, then you gotta pick me, the runner-up of this year's manzai tournament. *they joke around and make fun of each other* Sasara: Sorry and thanks, I appreciate it, but I'm not thinking of teaming up with someone at the same work... C: That so? Hmm if that's the case then it can't be helped. Sasara: Yeah, sorry.

Colleague: Sasara, do you still have time? Sasara: Should be alright, why? Colleague: Regarding the topic we talked before, have ya give it a thought? Sasara: The pyramid scheme thingy? Colleague: Ya an idiot?? I've explained before, it's not pyramid scheme, it's network business! Sasara: I don't get the differences at all. Colleague: Then, I'll let you meet the boss so just listen to what he has to say~ I told him about you, and he said that he definitely wants to meet you! Sasara: *sigh* What to do. Colleague: He's someone so busy that he won't appear just for an explanation meeting, you know! Specially for this time, it seems that he'll set a meeting just for ya~ Sasara: That's awesome... -I can't stand it anymore. "Specially for this time, just for you", such evident words! I did call him dumb and all, but to think that he's this dumb.- Colleague: Right? Right right? It's good right? Sasara: I wonder... I'm packed with jobs... -Ah? Wait... Listening to this super dubious story, won't it be quite advantageous for me? Let's make this a material for the next show!- Got it, I'll take up on your feeling and try to go hear it for once. Colleague: Ohh for real?? Then I'll talk to him, if there's an update, I'll tell you~ Sasara: Sure, thanks!

*school bell rings* Rosho: A-alright, h-here we go. ...E-everyone, good- good morning. Students: Good morniiing. Rosho: Well then, t-today, let's continue from where we left off before... please open the page 129... Students: Okaaay. Girl: Sensei's cuute~ Boy: And he's totally fine outside of class session. I don't get why but it's funny~ Girl: That's what's good about Rosho-sensei~ Rosho: *sighs* -No matter how many times I do this, my stage fright just won't fix up...-

*bell rings* Rosho: Eh... we'll stop today's lesson here. As for your homework until the next lesson... will be that printouts I handed to you earlier... M-make sure, all of you do it... Student: Stand up. Bow. Students: Thank you very muuuch. Rosho: *sighs* It's finally over... Girl: Rosho-senseeei. May I have a moment? Rosho: Oh? Ah, what's the matter? Girl: Hehehe. Rosho: What are you laughing for... Girl: Because sensei, you're a different person now compared to earlier~ Rosho: Haha, I'm trying to understand that myself so I can't really say anything. Girl: It's both good, whichever sensei it is~ Rosho: Don't make fun of me that much. Girl: Kay, kay~ Rosho: One 'okay' is enough. Girl: Kaay. Rosho: And so? What's the matter? Girl: Right right, I have something to ask your advice for. Rosho: Advice? Girl: Yeah. I was in the middle of my part-time job... Rosho: This school doesn't allow part-time jobs. Why are you asking for an advice on that to a teacher? Girl: Please keep it a secret from the other teachers? Rosho: Can't be helped. Girl: Thanks~ Rosho: -Well, I'm having a side job secretly too so I can't really comment on others.- So? What happened during the job? Girl: Right right, the other day at work, I got scouted by someone from a show business company! Rosho: Heh. You want to be a star and you have auditioned before, so isn't it good? Girl: Hehe, it is! Rosho: But, isn't street scouts shady though? Girl: Regarding that, it's the content of the talk that's fishy. Rosho: I see. Girl: Yeah. He just gave me a business card, and ended there with an exchange of contact details. When I got home, I tried to search the company's homepage online, and I get that it's a proper company, still... Rosho: Still? Girl: Well I'm still a bit scared. Rosho: Then why don't you turn the offer down? Girl: You're right but, it's a rare chance so I wouldn't wanna miss it. And then, I told the scout person at a breath that my 'brother' wants to meet him to see first! Rosho: You're not gonna ask your parents? Girl: My parents are strict, and they'll protest me from getting into the show biz world for sure... Also I wanna confirm that it's all a sure-thing where they won't be able to turn me down, then tell them~ Rosho: Honestly. You'll still have to tell them in the end so better do it sooner. Girl: Please Rosho-sensei, I beg ya! You're my only reliable sensei! Rosho: -She always says that she wants to become a star, and I do want to be of help...- ......sigh. Just this time. Girl: Alright!! Sensei, thanks!! Rosho: *chuckles* Sure, sure. Girl: Sensei, isn't 'once is enough"~? Rosho: Sure. Girl: Later! I'm counting on you next! Rosho: 'I'm counting on you next', what's it about? Girl: I have a part-time after this, so you have to go there without me! The meeting place's written here. Then, I'll leave it to you!! Rosho: *sighs* So she brings the topic to me assuming that I'll accept it.

Sasara: -That idiot. I thought he'll be here for sure but he isn't coming after all??- Waitress: Here's your cream soda. Sasara: Thank you! -Though with that haughty attitude, he sure does have the nerve to be so late. And I'm having my third cream soda!- Rei: I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I'm Amayado, nice meeting you. Sasara: -Geez this old man, making people wait, what a totally self-indulgent person.- ...Nice to meet you. I'm Nurude Sasara. Rei: *claps* What an honor it is to meet the Nurude Sasara, a solo comedian who's now at the peak of his fame~ Ah, the pretty oneechan over there, coffee please~ Sasara: -He sure does talk haughtily.- Rei: Then, let's move to business talk right away. Sasara: Before that, I wanna ask something first, can I? Rei: Of course. Ask anything. Sasara: I've only heard a bit about it, but I still can't tell a pyramid scheme apart. -I do know it actually but I'm curious to hear how he'll interpret it.- Rei: I see, then let's start from there. A pyramid scheme is, an endless chain investment scheme that is illegal by law. And, what we do is multi-level marketing. Normally, it's called the pyramid selling. Waitress: Here's your coffee. Rei: Ouh, thanks. *sips* Where was I again? Sasara: -His explanation seems normal for now. Let's pry into it more.- So what's the difference between that endless chain investment scheme and multi-level marketing? Rei: The biggest difference is, pyramid scheme aims at the transaction of money and valuables, whereas multi-level marketing aims at the commodity transaction. Sasara: Ohoh, so that's how it is. By the way, what does your company deal with? -If it's information selling, this is no joke.- Rei: Along with those, we deal mostly with information sales. At the very least, we also deal with daily necessities. Sasara: *spurts drink* Rei: Oh, what's the matter? Sasara: Ah, ahaha, it's nothing, pardon me. Rei: I'm not supposed to actually, but just for Sasara-kun I'll specially show a million yen worth of information sales. Sasara: ...Sure, that's kind of you. Rei: Ah. Here you go. You can take a quick look. Sasara: Well then, do excuse me. *flips page* -...What is this, it's not even worth a million! If this method is put into practice, it certainly will be a heavily severe matter that even words can't describe. "Let it be a conspiracy game" it said, and the method is quite reckless too. Anyone who falls for such method is stupid.- Rei: Hm, so how is it, our info sales? Quite an excellent one isn't it? Sasara: Hahaha, right it is... -This old man is bad news... Don't you think I'll fall for this, don't make fun of me.- Rei: We have those who do various side-jobs here. You'll even get to broaden your connections, so there's merit in joining us~ I'll show you now so hang on. *types* See, isn't that quite a lot of participants? Sasara: Y-you're right. -Showing his members' personal information to someone he just met like me... what a bad news of a guy, in a lot of ways.- Rei: If there's anyone you're interested in, I can introduce you to them anytime. Sasara: Why thanks. ......Oh? Rei: Oh? Found someone you're interested in already? Sasara: Ahh, no... I thought the name resembles someone I know but I'm mistaken. Rei: Oh I see I see. Sasara: Well please excuse me, I have work to do so I've to go now. Rei: As expected of an entertainer in demand. I'm sorry to have taken up your time when you're busy. Sasara: Not at all, I get to listen to an interesting topic so. *walks* Rei: I think we'll be meeting again sooner or later though~ Sasara: -Huh? ...That pudding-headed idiot, he's easily tricked as usual. Well I do plan to meet him soon, I'll warn him later.-

Rosho: -It's 6 o'clock... until I meet up with that person from the entertainment company, I'll go take a break first. Wait? The living room's light is on. Did I forget to switch it off?- Sasara: YO! Rosho: ......Huh? Sasara: Welcome back. Rosho: *hits* Sasara: Oww!! Rosho: Why the hell are you here?? Sasara: What a smooth comeback as usual. Rosho: It's not a comeback, how did you get in here?? Sasara: *shows key* Heh! Rosho: Spare key, when did you... *snatches* Sasara: Looong ago when I stayed over. Rosho: Geez, I can't be too careful around you. Sasara: By the way...... I have more of these! Rosho: Hah, you had me there. What a troublesome man as always. Sasara: It's been a while since the last exchange like this! I had so much fun, like a frog that flips! Rosho: Your jokes when you're not out there on the stage is still as lame as ever. Sasara: W-what you say?? Isn't it funny though? A frog that freaking flips! Rosho: Your head's the funny one for thinking that it's funny. Shall I find a cure for your head? Sasara: And you're more interesting when you're offstage as ever too... I wish you were like this when we were a duo back then. Rosho: Leave it be. Sasara: Well, I wouldn't say that, because for me, since it's Buddha I can't leave it be! Pfft! Rosho: If I laugh at that I wouldn't be in my right mind. So? What did you come here for? Sasara: Ah yeah, I had so much fun talking with you that I forgot it. You're doing a side-job, right? Rosho: ?? ...What are you talking about? Sasara: You don't have to hide it, I won't tell anyone. However... Rosho: Huh? Sasara: That business is an industrious amateur scam. Get out of it right away. Rosho: Huh? What are you talking about suddenly? Sasara: I went to meet the controller after my show business, and dear me, you, that one is completely 100% fishy. And I was shocked to see your name there in the member list. Rosho: You met the boss?! Even I haven't met him before... How did you meet him?? Sasara: That doesn't matter at all. It's important so listen up, do you trust that someone you've never met before, or do you trust me, your former partner? It's one out of two. Rosho: ...! Sasara: Come now, what will it be? Rosho: ...Pudding. Sasara: Huh? What? Rosho: Weren't you the one who ate the pudding that I excitedly bought for myself? Also, you haven't return the 500yen I borrowed you. And you broke my treasured radio-controlled model. Sasara: Haha, that? Well it's just trifling matter~ Rosho: How can I trust such an irresponsible person like you? Sasara: Haha, let's let the matter slide for the time being~ Rosho: Let it slide what, you big idiot. Sasara: Ahem. Let's get back to the main topic! Rosho: What's with you... Sasara: Won't you team up with me? Rosho: ...What're you saying all of a sudden? Sasara: *puts something down* Rosho: ...Could it be...? Sasara: A hypnosis microphone. Rosho: !! Sasara: I'm to participate in the upcoming battle. I'm thinking to have you in the team. Rosho: I'll pass. Sasara: EH? W-why? Joining rap battles doesn't count as a side-job, and if you win, you'll get tremendous amount of money! If that happens, you can quit that job you got swindled into, and all is right with the world! Rosho: It's not that I trust the scammer, that aside, I don't want to pair up with you anymore. Sasara: Glooooom! *dramatized depression sfx* Rosho: Stupid. No one says that out. Sasara: Nggh why why why why why why why why!? Rosho: Ow that hurts, you're rocking me too much! Sasara: Is it because I'm irresponsible like you said earlier?? Rosho: Uh that's...WAIT IT'S THIS TIME ALREADY? Sasara: No, let me hear what's after "Uh, that's..."! I'm super curious! Rosho: I have to meet someone in a while. Sasara: You're going to ditch this important talk to meet someone? Who's that? Rosho: Does it matter? Sasara: No, I have the right to know. Until you tell me I’m not letting you outta here! Rosho: ...Honestly...

Rosho: So that's how it is. Sasara: No way, I doubt you, who always get duped can tell if it's a hoax or not. Rosho: Well it's not exactly certain yet if she's being tricked. Sasara: Aight! Then I'll exceptionally tag along too! Be thankful! Rosho: I didn't ask you to. Sasara: Why, don't say that. The important point here is to go and make sure that your student doesn't get tricked, right? Rosho: Ah, true that. Sasara: Well then, it's better to judge with two than one, and the accuracy of information will be higher too, ain't it~ Rosho: Well, indeed... Sasara: Then it's decided. Let's go and meet that fishy-fishy person! Rosho: What a smooth-talker you are.

Rosho: *impatiently taps on table* Sasara: Then, that student walked alone at night. And there's a man with a mic on his head walking from the opposite. The student got curious so he called out to him, "Why do you have a mic attached on your head?" And then, that man said, "THAT'S BECAUSE YOUR— Waitress: Your cream soda is here. Sasara: Thanks! Wait, where was I with the story? Ah the man's reply-- Rosho: I don't care about the story! It's been an hour since the meeting time, the heck is he up to?? Sasara: Calm down Rosho. Even if you ask me that I don't know too. Rosho: Uh right, sorry Sasara. Sasara: It's fine. Though, he sure is late. Is it really around this time? Rosho: *checks* Unmistakenly. It did say 7pm here. Sasara: People who aren't punctual are usually those who are up to no good. Rei: Yoo. Sorry to have kept you waiting~ Rosho: He finally came... Rei: *sits* Sasara: Hey you're-! Rosho: W-what's the matter, your acquaintance? Sasara: Not my acquaintance or anything, this guy is the head of the company that scams you! Rosho: Aren't you mistaken-- Sasara: No no, I just met him earlier today, there's no way I would have mistaken! Rei: *smokes, laughs* It's not in plan but it moves faster than I expected, it's the best. Sasara-kun thinks of his friends more than I thought he would. Sasara: Well he's an important former partner... Rosho: W-what's going on? Rei: You guys seem confuse so I'll say one thing. The evaluation Sasara-kun had said regarding me is likely by and large, accurate. I can assure you on that. Rosho: It was all nonsense?! Sasara: You crook. You sure take the scorch rather easily. Rei: That, is because it's not a goal but a means. Sasara: What do you mean? Rei: In order to bring the two of you together, I'm just playing a role that's connected to you both. To say it completely, I'm interested in you two. Sasara: To have a stranger old man to be this interested in us, I don't have a good feeling about this at all. Rei: Indeed. Sasara: Is it funny though, old man? Rei: I'm just joyful. Rosho: Which means, you were deceiving my student. Rei: Well, it did turn out that way. What a bad thing I've done to that girl. Let me express my apology. Rosho: Don't fuck around, you jerk! It's fine and all that you tricked me, it's just because I'm a fool. But I won't forgive the fact that you've deceived my student! You had trampled on her dream! Rei: Scary~! So, what will you do? Rosho: Imma beat the crap out out of you...! Sasara: Oi Rosho, stop it! Rei: ...What a good punch. Exactly the one strike with all your might. However... Rosho: *groans* Rei: ...Forgive me, I gripped a little too strongly. Besides, at this age, fist violence ain't popular anymore~ If we're going to settle it, it should be with this. Sasara: A hypnosis mic...! Rei: Yeah, you have it too, no? Why don't you give one to Rosho-kun? Sasara: How do you know that I have them? Rei: That's a business secret. If you don't hurry and give it to him, I’m going to win this one-sidedly. Rosho: Sasara... I turned you down earlier but lend it to me! Sasara: O-oh. Rei: Very well. Then shall we head outside? Rosho: I'm gonna beat you up...

Rei: The parking lots is just the place. Here, we can do it without minding the surrounding. You can have the head start. Bring it on. Rosho: Here I go! *mic on*

♫「I'm gonna beat no one but you, It's decided so I breathe into the mic, Seems you can't draw a line between bad and good, When you did, you swindler who can't tell what can't be done, How dare you make fun of my student's dream, In the end I'll use my means, I'll have you pay the right price, Get rid of the fiend who turns dreams to shit!」♫

Rei: !! ...You're pretty good. Sasara: -That old man, he said that but he doesn't seem to be too affected by it.- Rei: Next is my turn. *mic on*

♫「Call me whatever you like, It's my policy to use any means necessary, The produced result to meticulous calculation, Aren't you waiting with your head hang low, Your wariness is meagre, capitalizing your heart I begin the strategy, Sorry but the sensei will also be truant tomorrow, Conversely, I rather want the lesson fees」♫

Rosho: *screams* Sasara: Rosho! Rosho: I-I'm fine. I still... I still can do this... Rei: That's good, you're a man with guts. Rosho: I-I'm still not done... not yet... Sasara: Rosho, calm down for a bit! Rosho: -Finally, I've reached my dream. It's what I earned for my weakness. I was catching up to Sasara but got nowhere. And without knowing, when I got on stage, I couldn't speak properly. If we kept being a duo at that rate, I'll just be a burden and get in Sasara's way. Because of that, I parted company with him. I gave up on my dream, but I can cheer on those who are chasing after their dreams. Distorting that, I could no longer retain my own self. Therefore I...!- Rei: You seem like you're almost at your limit, you still wanna continue? Rosho: I'm not... going to lose to someone who ridicules other people's dreams! Rei: That so? Looks like you're ready to bite the dust. Then I'll play along until the very end. Sasara: Rosho! ...Old man, pardon me, really but let us go at you as two. Rosho: Sasara! It's none of your business! Sasara: Rosho, confronting him with spirit is good and all, but if you're not considering the outcome, you're just being a smug. Rosho: !! Sasara: If you wanna gain something, then you have to do whatever it takes to get it. Therefore I'll lend you a hand. Rosho: Sasara... Sorry. Sasara: With that, the both of us will be going at you. Rei: That's fine with me. That attitude of broadening the chance of winning despite being crude, it's the best. Sasara: Well then, just you wait! *mic on*

♫「Making people laugh is my calling, Besides, what's important is the love for the people, Old man! I have no idea if you have some sort of a goal, but aren't you being rather overly inhuman, no? Do whatever means it take to grasp victory, A setup to lend a helping hand for one's convenience, Even if we had dispersed, duo stays duo, For my partner, I'll give it my all!」♫

Rei: .........Let me stir up again and go at you! 

♫「I don't dislike it, this friendship of men, But all the more, stop being irresolute, Former partner who joins adventitiously, You're coarse but after all a dancer on the palm, The controller I have in grip, When it will be used in accordance to the boss, Let me see more of that combination of yours, This session doesn't even worth the gain」♫

Sasara: .........Rosho, let's do it! Rosho: Y-eah! Sasara&Rosho: 

♫「S: This is our combination, the funny man and the straight man! R: It's too funny the passersby would look back, S: The retorts will make a frog flips ya know, R: You're idiot? Is this the time to say that? S: Isn't it fine! Will you leave the Buddha be? R: Can we actually do this more seriously? S: There's no meaning, earning by swindling, R: Oh? For there's no value in it right? Cut it out already!」♫

Rei: !!!! Sasara: Now, come! Rosho: We definitely won't lose! Rei: *mic off* It's a lose. Mine, that is. Sasara: What do you mean? Rei: Just as it is. It's my defeat. ...My bad, for hurting your student. Rosho: It's pointless even if you apologize to me. Rei: Hm. I know that. I'm also apologizing for hurting you as well. And, I will refer your student to a proper company. Rosho: I can't trust you. Rei: There's no need for that. Just witness the outcome for yourself is fine. I may be a swindler but when I say I'll do it, I'll absolutely do it. Sasara: *laughs* Interesting. Since he's talked to that extend, let's see how it turns out, Rosho. Rosho: Yeah but... Sasara: If he ever break his promise, we'll just have to beat this old man up. Rosho: ...You're right. Sasara: Aight. Now we're a team again! Rosho: Huh?? Why did it turn out that way? Didn't I say I won't team up with you again? Sasara: Say, why is that? To begin with, you didn't tell me the reason too when we dispersed back then. Rosho: ...... Sasara: I think I have the right to know tho. Rosho: ...You're right. It's true that I should talk to you regarding this. Sasara: Yeah. Now, let me hear it. Rosho: I... wanted to avoid you. Sasara: Why so...? Rosho: Since the training school days, you were already something else in my opinion. And me, with my baseless confidence, I recklessly did my best. Even so, didn't we become popular right after our debut? Sasara: Yeah, that time was tiresome for me too. Rosho: You were conducting yourself well even in competition. Meanwhile I quickly lost myself to the pressure and couldn't retort as I wanted to, and continuously got in your way. Sasara: ...... Rosho: And as you already know, one day I suddenly couldn't speak well on stage. No matter how I practiced, I ended up feeling nervous and pressured every time I was on the stage. I resented my spineless self, and what more, with the fear of crushing your talent in the end, seems it had defeated me. It had been absolute hell. Sasara: ...... Rosho: Because of that, I gave up on my dream, and decided to run away from you. Sasara: Rosho... Rosho: After listening to this, will you still want to form a group with me? Sasara: Say, do you know why I'm doing solo now? Rosho: Beats me. There should be a muckle of others who want to team up with you. Sasara: That's because, there's no one else as interesting as you are out there. No one but you can play the role of my partner. At that time, after giving you words of kindness, I noticed that you became a greater mess. Because of that, I was hoping that you'd be able to overcome it. Rosho: ...... Sasara: And when you said you wanted to disperse, I could only kept quiet in understanding. If we had carried on, you would certainly have broken down. We may have gone on different paths now, but I still unwaveringly be thoughtful of you, and respect your straightforward integrity. Rosho: Sasara... Sasara: It's not comedy, but will you team up with me once more and aim for the top together? Rosho: I might end up causing you trouble again, is it alright with you, despite that? Sasara: I've never once thought that teaming up with you is a troublesome thing at all! Rather, you might fix your stage fright too. Form a team with me and let's beat up your trauma from back then! Rosho: Right... Sasara, I'll be counting on you again! Sasara: You don't have to be so polite! Rei: Looks like things are being rounded off pretty nicely. With that, there's only one person left, the amount of people needed to participate in division battle. Sasara: Old man... You sure do know a lot about us. Rei: You're thinking too highly of me. What I also know is that, you and Aohitsugi Samatoki had a dispute too. Rosho: Aohitsugi... Samatoki? From the Dirty Dawg? Sasara: You even know that much. Rei: *chuckles* Sasara: *chuckles* What an uncanny old man. Rei: Why, thank you. It's just a proposal, but do you have anyone in mind for the remaining one in your team? Sasara: No... Not one at all. Rei: Then, will you consider letting me in? Rosho: HUH? The hell you're saying? Rei: Anyway, since you're joining the battle, of course you wanna win right? If that's the case, I'm the very person you're looking for. You've experienced for yourself my capability after all~ Rosho: I refuse! Who'll form a group with-- Sasara: Wait, it's interesting. Rosho: Sasara! Sasara: Rosho, let's give it a thought. From what I've seen all this time, his skill is by far a top-class. Besides, having him as a comrade is better than having unnecessary acts upon us. Also, we can properly watch over the matter with your student too. Rosho: ...That's... true... Sasara: Then, it's decided! ...Old man, we'll be needing your strength. Rei: Sure. Since we're comrades now, call me by my name instead of old man. Sasara: Well then, once more. Rei, we'll be counting on you. Rei: Leave it to me.

Ramuda: Looks like it went well~ My entrance wasn't necessary at all. Rei: Amemura huh? Ramuda: Wanna eat candy? Rei: Hah, don't need it. Ramuda: You sure did work hard this time. You even took the trouble to create an online company business, tricked Tsutsujimori Rosho, approaching a comedian with some talk so that you could lure out Nurude Sasara. Rei: It's nothing big. Ramuda: As expected. That's quite a workload tho~ You were acting like a big fool, I almost laughed. Rei: Well I might have overdone it a little. Sasara's quite sharp-witted, so it's a good thing I don't have to do 'that' much. Ramuda: So? Is Nurude Sasara in a workable condition to go as planned? Rei: Yeah, no problem. Ramuda: Hm, I see. Rei: In any case, you might face us off in the division battle. When that happen, I won't hold back. Ramuda: *laughs* You won't hold back like you did today, right? Rei: Hey, like I said, I didn't go easy on them~ I was meaning to go all out on them within limits. Ramuda: Heh~ Those two did quite well then. Rei: Yeah, there's no mistaken it. They're the actual thing. Laters. Do something about those from Nagoya. Ramuda: Tsk. Acting all lordly. ...Well now, off to eat hitsumabushi I go~

-------------------------------------------------------- Note: 1. Sasara's heave-ho (yokkoi shoichi) is a pun, I can't make it into words. It sounds a lot like Yokoi Shoichi, an Imperial Army sergeant from the second world war, and he elongates the words just to be accompanied by a random name with feudal title, Maru no Sukezaemon. I can't find anything on that name so must be him being silly as usual lol. 2. Frog that flips - originally meant 'overthrown by your retorts'. Kaeru (retort) is also wordplay on frog. 3. Can't leave Buddha be- I'm sorry for my awkward wording but basically it means 'I can't stray away from my god'. Wordplay on Hotoke and Hottoke. 4. "Let's beat up your trauma from back then!" - Here Sasara used 'dotsuitare', which means 'strike it hard/beat it up'. 5. Hitsumabushi is Nagoya’s local eel dish.

[reinakahara]

Oh my god thank you! I was looking for guidebook drama tracks' translations...if you don't have them I can send them to you(I found them from YT) 2 tracks, and each one is about 30 minuts, no one translated them because it's unsafe? But I saw so many full non-eng tls till now, anyway if you're not ok by translating them then it's ok...

Oh, do you mean the recent Chuoku's drama tracks? I'll have them in my list then, I'm okay with upping it just here. Please wait for it

[slugtranslation-hypmic]

Finishing the readthrough of the last of the drama tracks, ft. a translation courtesy of shinseimcd on Twitter. Thoughts upon initial read below a cut:

I love the energy Man A's bringing to the block party. He's here to have a good time, follow the rules, and tell cops to fuck off on sight. He's not even causing trouble; he's just a walking ACAB billboard. God bless. We should all aspire to be like him.

I love that Riou is defending Dice's atrocious eating habits.

"Gentaro said he’s got other business to attend to so he’ll come right before the show starts." I have a terrible feeling that Gentarou is up to no good. (Jk, he's probably doing some hooey with the manuscript he memorized.)

I'm charmed that Doppo and Juushi think Sasara is funny. Normie-ass senses of humor.

"I never would’ve thought that there’d be a factory in an abandoned subway." This sentence took me the fuck out. I wasn't ready. Never change, Hypmic, for your bizarre-ass circumstances.

"So, I hired a skilled hacker to track down the one who tampered with the registration records and got their IP address." ...Did he hire Saburou, by any chance?

"Kotosarai just released all the criminals that were held in the Special Prison." #prisonreform

"I’m heading to Chuoku now. I’ll definitely be back before the start of the festival." I love that the festival is still high on Riou's list of priorities. True Hypmic right here... "Oh fuck, there's life-changing plot going down... but I still need to rap, since it's the gimmick of the franchise!"

"Jyuto: Finally awake, huh?"

(Big thank you to my lovely friend Ashe who had no idea what this was being used for but willingly drew it anyway.)

"Zannen: Long time no see, everyone." Oh my god, they're back. I guess it's cheapest to keep reusing their VAs instead of getting new enemies of the day every time.

"Rosho: I’m done. I’m gonna do this." Roshou's inner punk is showing. Good for him! Good for him! Fuck 'em up!

"Guess I’ll join in the fight with my mic stand too!" As ridiculous as it sounds, I think Sasara's mic stand is probably one of the best to use as a weapon. It'd hurt like hell to get bopped with it. This is also very on-brand for Sasara...eagerly joining in the violence if someone he cares about is threatened.

"0123" is literally the least secure password in the world. What in the actual fuck? It couldn't have been, say, Rei's wife's name or something? Her birthday, at the very least?

"I’ll be waiting where a choice was given.” Ohhh they show this in the manga. It's something about joining Rei (to find out what happened to the Yamadas' mom...?) which Ichirou vehemently rejects. The location is always whited out, though.

"Samatoki: You’re [Riou] one crazy son of a bitch!" Couldn't agree more. It's his charm point.

"Rosho: Sasara, you got my back?! Sasara: Yeah! ‘Course I do!" Quit flirting in public.

"These are rubber bullets. They don’t have lethal power. They just lost consciousness. " If a rubber bullet hits you hard enough to knock you unconsciousness, you're probably not going to make it, but I guess this is well within the scope of usual fictional silliness.

Dice moments...

"Samatoki: Even if you and I clash at the end of our ideals, I won’t hold back. Be prepared for that. Nemu: Okay. Samatoki: See you. Don’t catch a cold. Nemu: Thank you, onii-chan." OOF... SAMATOKI AND NEMU MOMENTS......

"Ansho: Busujima! Kubiki! Rio: Commander! You’ve regained your sanity! Ansho: No, I don’t know if I’m sane. My consciousness gets clouded multiple times a day." Can confirm, this is how insanity works. Psychosis resigned!

"Kubiki: Busujima. Let’s take Commander and return to our base. Rio: I’d love to, but… Kubiki: What’s wrong? Rio: There is somewhere I need to go. Please take care of the Commander." The fact that this somewhere is a rap performance is so, so funny to me.

I saw some people talking about the Ramuda and Jakurai scene on Twitter. It doesn't do much for me, personally, but I am very amused because this whole scenario is a hugely popular trope in shoujo romance comics right now. Physically weaker (usually the girl in an M/F pair) character tries to stand up to the villain even though they don't have the strength to be effective just so their strong, handsome, can-do-no-wrong partner (usually the guy) can swoop in and do the ass-kicking for them.

"Relying on weapons is the mark of the weak." This is a jab at Sasara and his mic stand, no doubt.

"From my perspective, everyone else is abnormal." Damn... We really do live in a society.

I don't know how I feel about Hifumi attempting to understand Honobono's perspective. I am...very torn. And this scene is very anime.

"Do you remember when I used to make you miso-stewed mackerel?" OH... HIS FAVORITE FOOD...

The Rei/Ichirou showdown is very NGE.

Hell yes, Roshou and Sasara becoming a duo again on their own terms. You love to see it.

"Ichiro: And mom was killed in the midst of that, right!? Rei: I wanted to crush them right away…But as a fugitive, I couldn’t make any overt moves." I love how he doesn't answer.

"So, if three individuals, who share such a resilient connection in their spirits, were to truly understand each other…  Ichiro:  Don’t tell me, the true purpose of the Division Rap Battle is… Rei:  After experiencing the 2nd Division Rap Battle, I became certain. The six teams that made it to the championship tournament have strong enough bonds to master the True Hypnosis Mic." HAHAHAHAHA. HELP. God bless. I love contrived shit. Well, this explains how Jakurai'll wake up Yotsutsuji, I guess.

As a side note, I'm curious as to if Roshou and Sasara "truly understand" Rei well enough for the three of them to Pacific Rim pilot a True Hypmic.

Get in the True Hypmic, Shinjichirou.

"Rei: I’ll shut down the True Hypnosis Mic factory. So, no more complaints, right?" I do not trust this man to follow through on this for an instant.

"Sasara: And that’s when I woke up." If this was an ARB event, that's how this drama track would end.

"Sasara: It’s him we’re talking about, he’s probably somewhere out there watching us, right?" Man is getting his ass kicked by his eldest son....... I love how they're talking about Rei like he's dead and watching over them from heaven and not just getting fucking bodied in an abandoned lab somewhere.

"Ichijiku: Now, we need to think about how to recover our approval ratings." Ma'am, I think you have bigger issues to take care of first.

"Otome: I will be stepping down from politics." Good! First rational action of hers in this story.

What a goofy hell of a ride this was. I love Hypmic.

Hi Slug! If you've listened to the full songs in the new EP, have your opinions of the trailers changed? Also, the new dramas are HEAVY, so if you've listened to them, I'm curious to know what you thought of them. As always, thanks for the translations!

I like listening to Hypmic music on shuffle during workouts, so I've most of the new songs in full by now. I don't think my opinions have changed majorly. I really enjoy Black and White, and Move Your Body Till You Die is a phenomenal work of art.

As for the drama tracks... truth be told, I haven't even listened to the one that came out in April, so I'll read through some TLs now and record thoughts below the cut:

No One Lives Forever, translation courtesy of shinseimcd on Twitter

"Anti-Party of Words faction" Huh, like a government faction? I'm surprised the PoW allows other political parties or at the very least open dissenters. There was talk in some chapters of the manga of them punishing protesters, not to mention the way they crushed the TDD rebellion in its primacy. Either way, interesting, and I hope we learn more about this as time goes on.

Ichijiku and Nemu baking together is really cute lol

I love the way Ichijiku's whole personality shifts around Otome. Gap moe (????)

It's a cool tidbit that Nemu tends to prefer plainer outfits, as that tracks with how she dresses in TDD. Also, Nemu and Ichijiku shopping together is kind of bittersweet, since Ichijiku is clearly using Nemu as a replacement figure for her deceased sister...

Ichijiku secretly wanting to fall on the cute side of the cute/elegant spectrum is a pretty classic trope but a fun detail that's been hinted at already, since we've seen that she keeps a bow collection.

??? Rei's lab is on Battleship Island? Ohhhhhhhhh this is why Twitter was blowing up with controversy right after this track released... The IRL Battleship Island was home to forced labor of Korean and Chinese citizens during the twentieth-century push of Japanese imperialism which was later, iirc, denied in part or totally by the Japanese government to immense international backlash. Using this as a setpiece for Hypmic is oddly provocative, and I can't think why the writers would want to do that. On a much lighter note, this is also a headscratcher to me because isn't this a UNESCO World Heritage Site? The whole point of that is conservation, and I don't think building a clone lab counts as conservation... Unless they're implying the clone lab was built prior to the 1950s? Hm. Let's not go down this rabbit hole.

"I would like all of the True Hypnosis Mics. As well as all the Amemura clones." Oh? Are there more still alive? I thought Honobono ordered the death of the last remaining three... Well, that scraps a piece of writing I was working on LOL

"Your biometric data is required to access the mic storage facility" So how did the PoW get in?

Her? Heart stop beating? Oh for fuck's sake, is Rei's wife also in a coma? How many fucking characters are in a coma in this series... Whichever mfer invents a device that restores people from comas with no significant brain damage will make a fortune in this universe

"And I won't try anything funny." I do not believe this for one instant

Hmm, the framing of Otome planning this and the way she brushed past talk of countermeasures for the anti-PoW faction implies that Rei is heading this faction.

Oh, so they couldn't get past the biometric locks after all, I see.

I strongly dislike the idea of thirty clones for thirty mics and the nonchalance in which Rei goes, "Yeah, I'll ship them off to Chuuouku" like they're a parcel and not human beings, but that's my personal bone to pick w/ this character and setting.

I was intrigued by the notion of the PoW holding caucuses, implying there's some sort of democratic process in terms of choosing their own party members or positions, but the JPN audio doesn't specify that exactly.

"We no longer require the cooperation of Jakurai Jinguji." I know that this took like four years in real time, but in terms of the Hypmic universe... I mean, Jakurai didn't even do anything for them, did he? He went through all that moral dilemma for nothing, as far as I can tell. (I get that it sets up the reconciliation with Ramuda, but that's it? Seriously?) That's disappointing to roll it back so quickly.

"During the Division Rap Battle, the people of our nation will be focused on the tournament, giving us the opportunity to use the True Hypnosis Mics to mind hack the Anti-Party of Words faction who stand in our way, ultimately pulling them over to our side." Otome always has the most batshit plans. God bless. A consequence of her needing to drive the plot forward is that she'll say some of the truly silliest things I've ever heard. What a complete misappropriation of government funds lol. Also... is this stating there are only 30 dissidents (????), or can the True Hypmics brainwash more than one person at a time?

"Once that is complete, we will move on to other countries. And when we have taken over the world, then, in the true sense of the word, peace through the power of words will be achieved." LMAO? I'm sorry, this isn't very considerate of me, but in my initial impressions of this, I am well and truly gobsmacked. What in the actual fuck. How many clones will die for this? How much money will it cost? How does she think she stands any chance at governing so many people across such an area, even with a downsized population after WWIII? Homie... Never change, Hypmic, you are the wildest.

I can't believe Ichijiku is so whipped she's willing to go along with an absolutely nonsensical plan for world domination. Ma'am, Otome is not going to fuck you, and even if she is, it's not worth it! Ma'am!!! I'm sorry, I'm being petty and not giving this a lot of in-depth thought but LORD this is a trip on first read.

A FUCKING CLONE UPRISING AT THE HANDS OF REI? HAHAHAHAHA.

"World domination, huh, what a joke." Man after my own heart.

I'm actually quite interested in how this "mics are disabled forever" thing works. I guess the mics have a kill switch in them? I vaguely recall someone saying that in the manga years and years ago... Oh yeah, it was Ramuda in TDD 12. Huh, interesting if that was intentional foreshadowing (I'm not sure if I want to be that charitable). At any rate, can't everyone in the room just get new mics? Or does it affect their speakers and such too? I'm curious how that works, like if you build an affinity with a certain mic or some nonsense.

"looks like we won't be having any Division Rap Battles from here on out." Ah, and this is why the other half of Twitter was up in arms like "No more DRB??? End of Hypmic??" I guess.

The Block Party tracks are quite long, and since it's getting rather late for me, I'm going to leave off here for the moment. I'd like to continue this at my next available opportunity... WHAT a ride. Not sure when that will be, but I will add to this with a reblog when I can. And I know it's been months since this track came out, but I would love to hear other people's thoughts. I wasn't around much when it first launched, so I missed most of the commentary on it.