#i like that one moment when i think kakeru was kinda feeling out if yukinojo was into him

[prism-rush]

King of Prism Road to Shiny Seven Stars event 3 translation

Well Then, Let’s Creep the Night in Kyoto

Since this is the third event in the Road to SSS series, you may want to read the previous ones if you haven’t yet:

Road to SSS 1 Main Story Road to SSS 2 Main Story

Translator’s notes: Event synopsis: Kakeru has a new crush. But really though, even though Kakeru and Yukinojo headline for this event, it’s actually about a lot of characters. It touches upon Taiga’s relationship with Alexander, Leo’s insecurities, and it even has a long Shin/Louis tangent. If you feel like you have read the Shin/Louis part before, you probably have. I translated it immediately after it came out. (Which is also why the images are differently sized in just that part. I used to have a different method of resizing images...) I don’t remember posting much about the rest of this event when it was going on though, because I was busy or couldn’t figure out how to break it down or whatnot. (At the time, I had no idea things such as Shabadaba and the mysterious golden haired and silver haired boys which appear briefly would be important.....) So now I can finally make it up to you guys. This is what you missed!

(One day, in front of the entrance to Edel Rose...)

Shin: *yawn* ... For some reason I woke up before my alarm. I guess I’ll go running. 

...Huh? There’s something in the mailbox. A letter...? This is from Louis--

Yukinojo: Good morning, Shin. You’re up early this morning. 

Shin: Ah, Yukinojo-san! Good morning. Are you heading out already?

Yukinojo: Yes. I have a family matter to attend to. I’m going to stop by my parents’ house before heading to a performance at a theater in Kyoto. 

Shin: Kyoto!? Wow, that’s great! Take care then! 

Yukinojo: Thank you. Let everyone else know I said goodbye. 

Shin: No problem! (Yukinojo-san is always so busy...) Okay, time to get to running. 

(A few hours later)

Kazuki: Mornin’! Man I really had a blast with you guys at the Rainbow Hot Springs the other day.

Taiga: Kazuki-san!? Shouldn’t you be on the way to university.... !?

Kazuki: Hey, Taiga. I don’t have any classes until afternoon today. By the way, you guys, have you decided who you’re gonna pair with for the duo tournament?

Taiga: K-K-K-KAZUKI-SAN!!

Kazuki: Huh?

Taiga: (AH! It just slipped out!) 

Uh, um, I mean… n… not yet…

Kazuki: ??? What’s wrong Taiga? You’re face is like a ripe apple! 

Taiga: ……….. (I want to partner with Kazuk-san, but he’s probably gonna pair with Hiro-san and I don’t have the courage to ask him... What! No! I have plenty of that! That thing! Courage I mean!)

Leo: Um... not yet....

(I think I would be the happiest if I could get to pair with Yuki-sama, but... I haven’t seen him all morning. Come to think of it I haven’t seen Kakeru-kun either. I’d like to ask Shin as well, but... I haven’t been able to find him. And Taiga-kun... I’m sure he’s got someone else in mind.) ........*sigh*

Taiga: .............*sigh*

Kazuki: Hey hey hey now, what’s with this chorus of sighs. If there’s something on your minds I’m here to listen. So don’t look so glum, OK?

Leo: Kazuki-san....!

Taiga: Got it! Thank you!

Kazuki: Oh yeah I heard Minato’s gonna pair up with Kouji! Kouji told me about it. 

Leo: Huh!? Really!?

Minato: Yup! To think I’m going to be able to perform a show with Kouji... it’s like a dream! When I decided to just gather up my courage and ask him straight, he actually agreed...

 A flavor mariage with Kouji-san! I’m so excited!

Leo: Wow... wow wow....

Taiga: .............

Kazuki: Well I think that’s great! I think Kouji and Minato will make a perfect flavor combination! Yu, what about you?

Yu: Me?

Leo: *gasp* (Maybe I could form a duo with Yu...?)

Yu: I’m sure anyone would be grateful to pair with me, but when it all comes down to it I’m just not interested in the street-style! 

Leo: Huuh?

Yu: (There was a brief moment when I felt something with Hiro during the table tennis tournament at Five Star Hotel, but...) This is the age of rock! And I’m a rock song composer! I for live it! I breathe it!

Leo: Oh.... Yuki-sama, Shin-kun... Where are you!

Shin: Uh... umm... Well I’m right here. And Yukinojo-san is--

Leo: Shin-kun!? Where have you been!

Shin: O-Oh, I randomly woke up early so I went running. Then I got on a role and didn’t want to stop exercising so I came back to get a ball and went to go play some soccer. 

Leo: Oh, I see... I didn’t even notice you come back....

Kazuki: Oh ho! You’re really active this morning, Shin! That’s the spirit!  

Shin: Oh, Kazuki-san! Good morning! 

Kazuki: Yo! Mornin’! By the way, Shin. You were saying something about Yukinojo?

Shin: Oh yeah, that’s right. I saw him this morning. He said he’s going to Kyoto for his family. 

Leo: Kyoto!? Oh yeah, I think he did mention it earlier... He won’t be coming back tonight, then. 

Shin: I guess not? Sorry, Leo. I didn’t think to ask him how long he’d be gone for. 

Leo: No, no it’s not your fault. .....Um, Shin-kun......

Shin: ….Ah! Oh no, it’s already this late? I gotta go!

Leo: Huh?! Go where…

Shin: Sorry, there’s something I have to do! Kazuki-san, everyone, I’m heading out! See you later!!

Kazuki: Alright! Take care!

Leo: He only just got back but he’s gone already… Where is he off to in such a hurry?

Yu: Probably off to see his girlfriend.

Leo: ….?! S… Shin-kun… has a…. girlfriend?! B… but who…?!

Yu: Hm? Oh no, I was just kidding…

Leo: B… But he’s in senior high school now.

So, it’s probably only natural that he would…

Yu: Hey! Leo! Look, I didn’t mean it, OK? You can come back now!

Taiga: .............

…. U.. UM! K… K-K-Kazuki-san! Do you have…s… s… someone?!

Kazuki: Huh? What do you mean?

Taiga: I mean… A… Are you… with someone? Do you have a p-p-p-partner?

Kazuki: Partner?! Are you asking…

I…. I.. No I’m not dating anyone!

Taiga: *THUMP*

Minato: Kougami’s on the floor?!

Yu: ........ (Everyone’s so immature.)

Taiga: .....Ow.....

Minato: Are you OK? Here, let me give you a hand.

Taiga: ......kay... My bad..... (If I don’t get my act together soon I may not even make it into the duo tournament at all. At a time like this, there’s only one place to go.)

(A little earlier, at Tokyo station)

???: Oh ho ho! Well if it isn’t chan-Yuki!

Yukinojo: Kakeru? What are you doing here? And dressed to the nines... for work?

Kakeru: Yes indeed. I have sudden business to attend to in Kyoto. 

Heheh. I sure look sharp in a suit, don’t I?

Yukinojo: ...Heheh. Indeed you do. By the way, I’ll be heading to Kyoto too. 

Kakeru: No kidding? What time is your train? If you have some extra time, how about we get some tea?

Yukinojo: Let me see, my ticket is... ah, here it is. 

Kakeru: Lemme see ♪ ......Oh?

Yukinojo: Hm? What’s wrong?

Kakeru: This... is the exact same train I’m going to be on! And we’re even sitting right next to each other!?

Yukinojo: ....What? You’re right. But I guess....

Yukinojo & Kakeru: I guess it’s possible... / I guess such things can happen!

Kakeru: Ahah. Even our reaction is in sync. But this really is such a huge coincidence! 

Yukinojo: Indeed... it really is.

Kakeru: Well you know, I think everything happens for a reason. So, let’s use this fateful encounter as a chance to enjoy a trip to Kyoto together. 

Yukinojo: Yes. Surely things won’t ever get boring having you along. Sorry this is so sudden, but I’m looking forward to spending time with you. 

Kakeru: That’s my line ♪ Well, how about we start off by going ahead and getting lunchboxes to eat on the train. I’ll give you a special tour of the best eats at Tokyo station!

Yukinojo: That would be wonderful. And I’ll show you where to buy Japanese sweets. 

Kakeru: Yay! ☆ Well then let’s go! But man, it really took a whole chain of coincidences lining up for something like this to happen.

Yukinojo: You’re right. Perhaps all these coincidences had some kind of a purpose-- 

*grumble*

Yukinojo: ..........

Kakeru: .........

Kakeru: Heheh... I guess I’m hungry. 

Yukinojo: Okay. Let’s hurry to your favorite lunchbox shop.

Kakeru: Roger that! Let’s book it!

(Tokyo Station, lunchbox shop)

Kakeru: Oh boy! No matter when I come here there’s always people, people, and more people. 

Yukinojo: This place has lunches made with famous local delicacies from all over the country....

Kakeru: I know right? And they are all suuuuper delish!

Yukinojo: Hmm....

Kakeru: Ah-hah! ☆ Yuki-chan-sensei, such deep concentration! Now, I wonder which one I should get....

(At Edel Rose)

Minato: Sorry to keep you waiting! Lunch is here. Today I have made original-style, authentic carbonara pasta without heavy cream. Kouji taught me the recipe ♪

Kazuki: ....Woah, this is great! You’ve managed to copy Kouji’s recipe to a T!

Yu: *chew, chew* .....Delicious! Seconds, please!

Taiga: *chew, chew* ...... Mm. Seconds. 

Minato: Step right up. There’s more where that came from.

Leo: Wow wow... it’s so good ♡ (I wonder if Yuki-sama is enjoying his lunch right now too.)

(Tokyo station, lunchbox shop)

Yukinojo: Hmm....

Kakeru: Yuki-chan, I think it’s about time to make that decision! 

Yukinojo: Yes. Sorry for keeping you. I have narrowed it down to two selections, but the competition is steep...

Kakeru: ....Really?

Yukinojo: Hm?

Kakeru: Ah, it’s just that I’ve narrowed it down to two myself. By the way, the ones I’m considering are the light sushi lunchbox and the hearty beef lunchbox...

Yukinojo: What!? I was considering those exact two...

Kakeru: ...Ahah, I knew it! Something gave me that feeling. So how about we buy both and split them half and half? ♪

Yukinojo: Yes. What a great plan. 

Kakeru: Heyhey, do you think our level of synchronicity increased since that time we did karaoke together?

Yukinojo: It does seem that way. You know, I never noticed it before, but now that I think about it, we have always had somewhat similar taste haven’t we...

Kakeru: Heheh. You’re getting me all riled up ♪

Yukinojo: Riled up?

Kakeru: It’s just so neat discovering we have so many similarities all of a sudden. It’s like we’re two peas in a pod. For example, I think the best spot in Kyoto is Nanzen temple. What about you?

Yukinojo: I agree... gazing upon the canal really soothes my soul...

Kakeru: I know right!! It’s so relaxing... Oh, oh, and what else? You know what I love, that roasted green tea-flavored soft serve--

Yukinojo: Could you possible be referring to the small shop near Nishi Hongan Temple?

Kakeru: Ding ding ding! I knew you’d catch on ☆ That place isn’t even listed in any guidebooks! We really are tied by some kind of fate aren’t we ♪

Yukinojo: Indeed. Just talking about it really makes me want to go get some of that soft serve for old times sake...

Kakeru: Heyhey, do you also feel like this is the beginning of a new love story?

Yukinojo: About our love for soft serve? Yeah. I do. 

Kakeru: .......Well great ☆

Yukinojo: Kakeru?

Kakeru: ....Oh! I think we ought to start heading to the platform, don’t you think?

Yukinojo: Oh? Wow it’s already getting this late. 

(While Yukinojo and Kakeru began their journey to Kyoto, down by the river was...)

Shin: Hmm… I think it was around here, wasn’t it?

Louis: Hey.

Shin: Oh! There you are Louis! I’m so glad I was able to find you!

Louis: Eheh. Thanks for coming.

Shin: I was pretty surprised when I woke up and suddenly found a letter…

Since it said “I’ll be waiting for you where we first met” I figured I ought to come here.

Louis: You remembered. That makes me happy.

Shin: Louis…? This was really sudden! What happened? Is everything OK?

Louis: I’m fine. I just thought that…

I wanted to see your face again.

Shin: Really?

Louis: …Am I bothering you?

Shin: What! Of course not! I was just thinking I wanted to meet up with you too.

Louis: …Really? You… wanted to see me?

Shin: Yeah! I missed you! So as soon as I saw that letter I was really happy!

Louis: I see… I’m glad. So, shall we go for a walk? The weather is nice.

Shin: Of course! We might as well. Actually I’ve been exercising all morning.

Louis: You have?

Shin: Yeah. I went jogging because I woke up early, and then I even played some soccer!

Louis: I see. You’re so sporty.

Shin: Ehehe. You’re exaggerating. Oh! Look Louis! These flowers are so beautiful!

Louis: Yeah… they really are. …

…Hey Shin. Do you have a partner for the duo tournament?

Shin: Huh? Um no, not yet… When I think of “street style”, I think about super strong and cool guys like Kazuki-san and Taiga-kun… Oh yeah! And Alexander-kun from Schwarz Rose too! I don’t know if I can handle street style, or even a duo audition….

Louis: Eheh. Shin, you can do it. I know you can.

Shin: Really? Something about hearing you say that just gave me the confidence to start believing I can.

Louis: …Oh. I think I just saw a fish jump out of the water over there.

Shin: Really? Where where?

Louis: The water surface is shining…. It’s so beautiful. Being able to enjoy this scenery with you, Shin… I can’t think of anything better….

Shin: L… Louis… now you’re really exaggerating…

(…Huh? What is this feeling?)

Aah! I suddenly remembered!

Louis: …Shin?

Shin: (Before the Prism King Cup… Louis and I… )

(Meanwhile at Edel Rose)

Leo: Yuki-sama hasn’t returned my text messages.... I wanted to ask him about the duo tournament, but.... I guess he’s just too busy. (Minato-san said he’s going to pair with Kouji-san, and Kakeru-kun is busy with his job... Yu-kun doesn’t seem to be interested, and Shin-kun disappeared off somewhere....)

I guess maybe I should just give up on the duo tournament...

....YUKI-SAMaaAAA.....!!

(Back to the river)

Louis: …Shin? What’s wrong?

Shin: Yeah… Oh yeah! I think the two of us did a duo show together here one time!

Louis: …Wha.

Shin: Yeah!! But, it was just a dream I had…

Louis: ……. A dream……. …What kind of a dream was it?

Shin: Hmmm…. You know, it felt so real…. I was just riding my bike down this way. And you were here. And then…

You took me hand and invited me to do a show with you! It was really fun! But…

Then I was really… scared.

Louis: …Why?

Shin: Well. I noticed all of a sudden I couldn’t move. And then you… with a sword… right here…

You…. stabbed me from behind.

Louis: ……!

Shin: W… Well it was only a dream! I’m sorry, this suddenly got weird.

Louis: ….. ……..Hey Shin, do you remember anything else?

Shin: Anything else? Hmm… let me think… Oh! Now that you mention it! I think before you stabbed me, you told me something….?

Louis: *gasp*

Shin: You got up real close to me, and then…

Louis: A… And then?

Shin: Uhh… I feel like you did… something… But I don’t really remember!

Louis: ……….

Shin: Well, it was such a long time ago. I guess I forgot.

Louis: ……….

Well if you don’t remember, I guess I just have to make you remember.

Shin: What?! Um um, Louis?! You’re getting pretty close to me…?!

Louis: ………

Shin: Louis? W.. What’s going on…?!

Louis: ….Nevermind. Just kidding.

Shin: Huh? Huh?? (That scared me for a second…)

Louis: Ahaha. Sorry about that.

…But what I’m about to say next is serious.

Shin: …Huh?

Louis: Shin… Let’s be partners in the duo tournament!

Shin: Wha…. WHAAT?! Me! And you! Together?!

Louis: Sure. You said you don’t have a partner, right?

Shin: Well, um…

Louis: You don’t want to be my partner?

Shin: N-No no, it’s not that at all! I’d love to enter the tournament with you! But… 

Louis: But?

Shin: Um, well… I’m just worried that… since we’re from different organizations… do you think we can?

Louis: Well… I don’t know.

(Meanwhile, at Schwarz Rose)

Jin: Alexander Yamato. Regarding the street duo tournament that’s going to be held soon... I’ll be having you enter with Louis.

Alexander: HUH!? I came all the way up here just to hear you spew that senseless nonsense? I’ll enter by myself--

Jin: I do not repeat myself. This isn’t a request, it’s an order. 

Alexander: .....Gah......

Jin: ...Hmph. It seems you have understood. You are dismissed. 

Alexander: Ugh. 

(At the practice rink)

Alexander: (Enter the street duo tournament with Louis Kisaragi...)

Joji: Oh oh oh! If it isn’t the muscle meathead! You’re looking especially terrifying today ☆

Alexader: GR!

Joji: So scawwy! You could stick a whole deck of cards in between those forehead wrinkles! 

Alexander: Hmph...

Joji: Hey. Hold on. 

(While Yukinojo and Kakeru enthusiastically enjoyed their lunchboxes on the train.)

Kakeru: Delish! ♪ This sweet and sour beef just melts in your mouth! 

Yukinojo: *chew, chew* Indeed... it’s very tasty! And the wonderful, non-fishy aroma of this this pressed mackerel sushi is like a symphony my nostrils...

Kakeru: You don’t say!? Heyhey, isn’t about time we trade ♪

Yukinojo: Ah, you’re right. 

Kakeru: ....Hey, Yuki-chan.

Yukinojo: Hm? If it’s about the lunchbox, just give me one more bite...

Kakeru: Ahaha! No I’m not that impatient. 

I was just wondering what you were thinking... about the duo tournament. 

Yukinojo: Oh, that. Well I... I don’t really feel I’m cut out for the street style...

Kakeru: You’re really not interested at all?

Yukinojo: No, that’s not it. To be honest I am quite interested. But it’s just not an area where I have any expertise, so... it’s difficult to come to any sort of conclusion.

Kakeru: ....I see. But hey! You’re sure into hard rock kinda songs, aren’t you chan-Yuki? If you ask me, I totally think “street Yuki-sama” could be a thing ♪

Yukinojo: I... I already told you to lay off the “-sama” once before. But now that you have breached the subject, what were you thinking Kakeru? When we were at the hot springs you seemed to show a hint of resistance. 

Kakeru: Woah woah! No fair throwing the same question at me when you haven’t decided yourself, chan-Yuki! But, did it really seem that way?

Yukinojo: It’s also not very fair of you to hide your true intentions. 

Kakeru: *gulp* 

Oh you.... I can’t take such a straightforward, pure-hearted approach. It’s not allowed.

Yukinojo: *staaaaare*

Kakeru: C... cut it out already! Okay, I got it! I got it already! I’ll tell you! I was thinking the same thing as you, Yuki-chan. I’m definitely interested, but... Hey! I’m a gentleman after all. The street just isn’t my style y’know ☆

Yukinojo: Oh really? I think “street Kakeru-kun” could be a thing.

Kakeru: Wha... how-so!?

Yukinojo: Well you’re always trying to be cool.

Kakeru: That didn’t sound like a compliment!?

Yukinojo: No, it was. I find myself in awe at your inquisitive nature and drive to take action. You have really helped us out a lot at Edel Rose. 

Kakeru: O..Oh.... But hey hey! You just snuck in a Kakeru”-kun” didn’t you!

Yukinojo: ....Mm-hm. This beef lunchbox is quite delicious as well. 

Kakeru: Ah! You changed the subject already! 

-----♪

Yukinojo: Kakeru, your phone.

Kakeru: Grr.... Okay, okay. Take care. ...........Hm.

Yukinojo: A business call?

Kakeru: Ah, yeah. My evening dinner meeting was cancelled all of a sudden. Oh well, it can’t be helped--Oh! Yuki-chan! What are you up to for dinner?

Yukinojo: Hm? After the performance I plan to exchange pleasantries with my family friends, but after that I don’t have any particular plans. 

Kakeru: All right ♪ In that case, come eat with me! 

Yukinojo: Sure, sounds good. I’ll make a reservation at Kawadoko. 

Kakeru: Yaay! I knew I could could on you! Well then, when you’ve finished all your this and that, give me a ring!

Yukinojo: Understood. I’ll go ahead and make that reservation first thing--

Hm? 

Kakeru: What’s wrong?

Yukinojo: It’s... I.... I can’t find my phone. 

Kakeru: No way! Should I try and call it?

Yukinojo: Yes, sorry to be a bother.

Kakeru: No prob, no prob. ♪ ....Hmm. It doesn’t seem to be around here does it....?

Yukinojo: It seems I must have forgotten it at the dorm. I might forget my head if it wasn’t attached to me....

Kakeru: Don’t sweat it, that’s just another part of your charm. No worries, no worries. For now, I’ll just plan to wait outside the theater this afternoon. Surely I’ll run into you ♪

Yukinojo: That would be fine. Thank you. 

Kakeru: No trouble. Oh yeah, shall I tell the Edel Rose home team that you don’t have your phone?

Yukinojo: No, I have already informed Shin and Yamada-san that I would be in Kyoto at the theater. So it shouldn’t be a problem....  If anything comes up they should be able to contact me there.

Kakeru: Okay! Then I’ll reserve the restaurant tout suite! 

Yukinojo: Kakeru.... 

Kakeru: What’s this? Did I just melt your heart with my gentlemanly ways?

Yukinojo: Ah, indeed. Earlier I said you were always trying to be cool. So I think I’ll add trying to be suave as well.

Kakeru: ...Uh... thank you.

(Back at Edel Rose)

Leo: *staaaaaare* 

Grr......... 

Wah..... Yuki-sama...... 

(I texted him hours ago and there’s still no response.... There’s no way he couldn’t have seen it.... Yuki-sama.... This can only mean he doesn’t want to pair with me.... The more I think of it, I may be not worthy of being Yuki-sama’s partner anyway.... ) ....*sigh*....

*footsteps*

Leo: Ah.... that sounds like...! 

(Downstairs)

Leo: Shin-kun!!!

Shin: Woaaaaah!!! L-Leo-kun!? What’s going on! You seem so frantic! 

Leo: Shin-kun! Have you decided your partner for the duo tournament!? 

Shin: EEEK! (W-W-What do I do.... Could it be, did he hear what Louis and I were talking about...)

Leo: Shin-kun? Is something wrong?

Shin: NO um! Nothing.... 

Leo: .........  If it’s OK with you, would you enter the duo tournament with me!?

Shin: Huh!? .....Um........ Well I........... 

(What do I do now. It makes me happy to hear Leo-kun wants to pair with me, but...) Umm, ummm! 

Leo: Please I’m begging you! I’ll work really, really hard!

Shin: (WOOaaaAAAah!!! What do I do!?)

Leo: Are you still listening..... Shin-kun?

Shin: I AM!! 

Leo: *sniff* .... Shin-kun, you hate me don’t you.....

Shin: What!? No of course I don’t! (Aaahhhaaaahhhh what do I do! Leo-kun looks so sad! I have to find some way not to mention Louis, and to not hurt his feelings either.. ahh....) 

O-Oh yeah! Yes! On that day I have to go to... a memorial service! 

Leo: ...A memorial service?

Oh, I see... In that case there’s no use. I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had something like that to do. I’m sorry for troubling you. 

Shin: N-No, it was no trouble! Don’t worry about me! Really! (Well now what do I do!? I just spit out a lie in the spur of the moment... I’m sorry, Leo-kun....! A-And now it’s only a matter of time before he finds out....!?) 

Leo: ....I’m going to keep looking for someone to pair with. Thank you for listening to me. 

Shin: O-Okay! You’re welcome. 

Leo: *gloom*

Shin: ..... He left. Aaah.... I’ve done something terrible.... *sigh* ... I’m really sorry Leo-kun.... 

(At the dance battle club, Nest of Dragon)

Taiga: ......I don’t even know if I have the strength to step into the ring here. 

???: I have no choice. Here goes.

Taiga: Huh? It’s you.... Alexander!

Alexander: Oh? Taiga Kougami....

Taiga: .....Why do you have to show up everywhere I go these days.....

Alexander: Hah. That’s my line. I think it’s a little early for a brat like you to be at a joint like this, no?

Taiga: WHAT!! What did you say!? Who are you calling a brat!?

 Alexander: ....Heh heh.... The person who is whining like one. ...... Hmph. Hey! How much longer are you going to follow me huh?!

Taiga: Oh shut up! You’re the one who’s following me!

(Inside)

Hiro: This place is....

Kouji: Hehe. It really seems to have piqued your interest. 

Hiro: Ahah, no way! Kouji, you’re kidding! Hey, Kazuki. I know Kouji could use some preparation for the street duo tournament, but why am I here too? I’m not entering, you know. 

Kouji: ...You heard him. Kazuki?

Kazuki: Oh just relax and enjoy it! It’s fun to check out some street battles every so often, isn’t it?

Hiro: ..........

Kazuki: Hiro, are you alright? You can leave early if you really don’t like it....

Hiro: No, I don’t mind. It’s not that I’m overly bothered, I just... 

Kouji: ....Heh.

Hiro: ...What. 

Kouji: Eheh, nothing. But anyway, this is really a collection of rough-looking fellows, I’d say. Just watching them really makes you feel the pressure.

Kazuki: I know, right? This tense atmosphere really makes you feel like the heat is on! 

Hiro: Hm? ...Hey, guys...... Isn’t that Taiga?

Kouji: It is. And the boy he’s with... it’s Yamato-kun, right?

Alexander: Huuuaaah! 

Taiga: Huaaaaaah! 

Alexander: Headspin Levitation! 

Taiga:  Festival! Celebrate! Flowers for a Fortune Boy!

Street Dancer 1: W-What’s with those guys....!

Street Dancer 2: They are battling each other continuously while squashing other opponents at the same time...! This isn’t something you see every day! 

Street Dancer 3: Hah! This is great! Let them have at it until one of them falls!

Taiga: I’m not done yet! 

Alexander: You really think you have a chance against me?

Taiga: Just you wait and see! 

Alexander: (....To think I have to use this much of my strength against him.)

Taiga: (Alexander... is really strong. I want to get stronger!!) Hey! You guys over there! I’ll take all of you on at once!

Hiro: ....That’s amazing. No regular competitors stand a chance against them....

Kouji: It’s like they are second to none. There are two of them, though. 

Kazuki: ......... 

You know, Taiga and Alec make a good combo.

Kouji: Yeah, I think so too. If only they would get along. 

Hiro: True. Right now the source of their energy is their drive to defeat each other.

Taiga: *panting*

Alexander: *panting* ....I think I’ll let you off here, for now.....

Taiga: ....What. You’re just making an excuse to run away. 

Alexander: I’m showing mercy by giving you an opportunity to run away. Be grateful. 

Taiga: YOU....!! 

Hiro: Okay, okay, settle down you too. I know you’re having fun together and all, but let’s take a break for today. 

Kouji: Yes, yes. I bet you’re starting to get hungry aren’t you. 

Taiga: Wha.... Hiro-san and Kouji-san!? What are you two doing here....

Kazuki: I brought them. You guys were on fire as always! Today’s battle was the best! 

Alexander: KA-KAZUKI NISHINA! 

Kouji: You did a good job keeping each other on your toes. Rather than a battle it looked more like a synchronized show. 

Taiga: Synchronized!?

Alexander: Show!?

Kazuki: I thought so too! I could feel your passionate emotions clashing against each other very clearly. You guys would make a pretty good combo, y’know?

Taiga: Hey, not you too Kazuki-san!? No way in hell!!!

Kazuki: But you don’t have a duo partner yet, do you?

Taiga: W...Well I don’t but... I... I want to pair with y....

Kazuki: Who?

Taiga: ...A... Anyway! Even if you say so Kazuki-san, the chance of me making a good combination with Alexander is negative 1000%! We belong to different organizations, anyway....

Alexander: Hmph. For once we agree on something. 

Kazuki Nishina! Don’t make me laugh! ....Pffft. I don’t have time for this. I’m out. 

Kazuki: Hey, wait a sec! Alec! Haha, he’s straight to the point as always. 

Hiro: But we really had a good time watching you two battle, whether you agree on forming a combo or not. 

Taiga: Hiro-san..... thanks.....

Hiro: But of course, I for one would like to see you two form an overwhelmingly powerful duo. But even if you pair with someone from Edel Rose, I’m sure you’ll be able to show us a well coordinated duo show!

Kouji: Yes, yes. Before you know it the time you have spent with someone becomes a powerful bond. Your bond with Yamato-san is a bit different, but I think the two of you have the potential to push each other to your limits.

Taiga: ....A partner.... Hm.....

Kouji: Taiga, you seem really troubled. Well. No matter who you pair with, I think it will open up a new world for you. Don’t you think?

Taiga: A new... world....

Hiro: I agree. Competing as a duo is in itself a new challenge. 

Kouji: Perhaps the true appeal of the duo tournament is the chance to try out a new method of performing. 

Taiga: ....Yeah. Thanks. (I guess you could put it that way...)

Kazuki: I think it would be great if you could find a partner you are comfortable around, without needing to to overthink things.  

Hiro: Oh ho ho! I’m really looking forward to seeing who you end up pairing with, Taiga! 

Kouji: Me too. If we end up in the ring together, please go easy on me!

Kazuki: I have never had an official battle with you, Taiga. But if we ever do, I’m really looking forward to seeing how it’d go!

Taiga: (.....! Kazuki-san’s looking forward to battling me....!) ........ (Someone I can be comfortable around, huh....)

(Shijo, Kyoto)

Kakeru: Ah, there he is.

Yuki-chuwan! All finished for the day? ☆

Yukinojo: Ah, Kakeru. You too? I’m glad we could meet up at the same time. ...Well then, we have still got some time before our reservation. Shall we go kill time somewhere?

Kakeru: Ah, about that. There’s somewhere I’d like to go. 

Yukinojo: Oh?

Kakeru: I just heard from someone at the company... What was it called... I’ll look for it on the map. Hold on a sec.... Ah! Yes yes, it’s here! Shabadaba!

Yukinojo: ...? Sha... ba... daba...?? It has a very... unique... name....

Kakeru: Apparently this is a place where they do street-style prism shows! You know, like that “Nest of Dragon” place Taiga-kyun talks about! 

Yukinojo: Oh really. So there is a place like that in Kyoto too...

Kakeru: And there are some suuuuper tough prism stars there too!

Yukinojo: I see. So we’ll be checking out the competition. You really are interested in being in the duo tournament, aren’t you?

Kakeru: Maybe so. You’re about half right. But let’s not dwell too much on having a reason. We came all the way out to Kyoto after all, so why not check it out?

Yukinojo: Indeed. You have my attention. I’d like to see it as well. 

Kakeru: Alright, “competitor Yuki-chan”. You really are interested the duo tournament too, aren’t you?

Yukinojo: Heheh. You’re about half right. 

(Kyoto, Shabadaba in Ponto town)

Kakeru: Wooowee! This really is quite the collection of rock-hard street stars, isn’t it? 

It’s such a sausage festival too. I can’t see any beautiful mademoiselles anywhere. 

Yukinojo: Well, it is where all the street ruffians gather. By the way, Kakeru. What are we wearing?

Kakeru: I borrowed these from the theater. This hair, make-up, and color contact getup is pretty sweet, isn’t it?

Yukinojo: Yeah. Not bad. 

....But that wasn’t my concern.....

Kakeru: It’s difficult to blend in wearing casual clothes. Besides, since I came for work I only packed suits. 

Yukinojo: ....Oh yeah. I’d already forgotten that this meeting occurred by chance. 

Kakeru: Exactly. I don’t have the courage to go to a place like this in a three-piece suit. 

Yukinojo: Heheh. I wouldn’t either. Okay. Let’s see if we can find the strongest prism stars. 

Kakeru: Roger that. ☆ Hmm hmm I see. So this is what a place like this is like. Where are those two I’ve heard rumors about... Oh! 

Yukinojo: It looks like there are two people performing a show on center stage.

Kakeru: Hmm... So could it be, those two are...? 

Street Dancer 1: Hey, hey you guys. I haven’t seen you around here before. Ya new?

Kakeru: ...Wow. You could sail across the ocean with that hair. 

Street Dancer 2: Hm? Nah, I think I have seen these guys before... 

Street Dance 3: ....Ah! Aren’t these those guys from that Edel Rose place in Tokyo!

Street Dancer 4: HAH! What are a couple academy-style worms doing in a place like this?

Street Dancer 5: Whatever. You’ll get what’s coming to you either way. 

Kakeru: ............

Yukinojo: How did they recognize us.... I thought our disguises were flawless....

Kakeru: I guess there’s just no disguising our aura. I’m a lover, not a fighter though...

Yukinojo: Understood. But that aside, we shouldn’t do anything that could cause trouble for Edel Rose. 

Kakeru: I agree. .... This is gonna take some improv, but follow my lead, OK?

Yukinojo: Improv?

Kakeru: YES! I’m counting on you, “princess”!

Yukinojo: .......! 

....Understood. 

Kakeru: Whaaa? What’s an Edel Rose? Never heard of it. Have you, “Hana-chan”?

Yukinojo: ....Me neither. I have no idea what they’re talking about, “Juu-chan”.

Kakeru: The two of us are nothing but a humble street duo. We heard there were some pretty tough guys here so we came to see for ourselves!

???: Well, good ta have ya here.

Yukinojo & Kakeru: ....!?

???: You guys came to gawk at our shows huh? Do we look funny ta you? Well, this is a good opportunity. How ‘bout we have ourselves a little match? What d’ya say, Yubacchi?

Yubacchi: I see yer point, Hamocchi. These guys think they can just waltz in here like they own da place....

Hamocchi: It’s like they are expecting us ta bow to them like gods that flew down from Kiyomizu Temple....

Kakeru: (The number of weirdos keeps growing...!) 

Yuki.. *cough* I mean, Y...Yubacchi-san and Hamocchi-san, huh.... 

“Hana-chan” what do you think....

Yukinojo: It looks like we’ve got no choice. ...We’ve got to defeat them. 

(And so Yukinojo and Kakeru became caught up in an unexpected battle...)

Hamocchi: Let’s do this, Yubacchi! 

Yubacchi: Right with you, Hamocchi!

Yubacchi & Hamocchi: Last one! Will you be taking that meal to go...!

Audience: They nailed it! O-BANZAI’S finishing jump! No one can win against that! 

Kakeru: Woah, those guys are no small potatoes. Welp, we’re up next. 

Yukinojo: Yes. But since whoever fires up the crowd the most is the winner... We are at a great disadvantage being unknowns. 

Kakeru: You don’t say? But you’re already all fired up, aren’t you “Hana-chan”?

Yukinojo: Oh, I am, am I? For someone who is a lover, not a fighter, you sure look as though you are looking forward to this, “Juu-chan”.

Street Dancers: What’s with those guys! How can they dance like that right out of the gate!? 

Yubacchi: They’re in total sync... Those guys may be pretty tough after all. 

Hamocchi: Maybe so. But they ain’t nothing compared to us.... huh!?

Kakeru: And here’s the finale! 

GINZA No. 1 Glamorous Heaven! 

I’m about to put you under my spell! 

Yukinojo: This is it! Like roaring thunder! Kunitachiya Secret Move!

 Hidden Moonlit Heavenly Lightning!

Audience: Woah...! I’ve never seen a show like this! Juu-chan is so cool! Hana-chan is so beautiful!

Golden-haired boy: ....!

Silver-haired boy: .....!

Yukinojo: (So this is the street-style...? So this is a duo show....)

Kakeru: (The duo tournament... is really gonna be off the chain....)

Yukinojo & Kakeru: This is so fun!

 Yukinojo: I want to keep performing duo shows for as long as time allows! 

Kakeru: Ahah. When we run out of time, we can always find more. Let me ask you one again, about the duo tournament...

(And so night fell...)

Yukinojo: We’re home. 

Kakeru: We’re home. ....But aren’t all good little children supposed to be in bed by now?

Yukinojo: Indeed. It’s gotten very late so I imagine nobody’s still up--

*footsteps*

Leo: ....I knew it! Yuki-sama you’re back! And Kakeru! Welcome back! 

Yukinojo: Leo! You were still awake?

Kakeru: ....Leo-kyun, what’s wrong? Why are you still up at this hour?

Leo: It’s because I wanted to apologize to Yuki-sama....

Yukinojo: Apologize to me? I can’t imagine why...

Leo: I’m sorry for sending you so many texts....! I made you mad, didn’t I....?

Yukinojo: Texts....? 

I’m sorry. The truth is I forgot to bring my phone. 

Leo: ........Huh? So.... so the reason you never replied to me wasn’t because you were angry...?

Yukinojo: Of course I’m not angry. I’m sorry for worrying you. 

Leo: Oh, oh I see! Phew, that’s a relief....

Kakeru: ....I guess we should have gave you guys a heads up after all. But at least we got that all cleared up ♪

Leo: ...Ahem, Yuki-sama!

Yukinojo: What’s wrong? You look so serious all of a sudden. Did something else happen?

Leo: About the duo tournament.... Please be my partner! 

Yukinojo: ........What?

Kakeru: Huh.......

Yukinojo: Leo, about that....

Leo: .........?

Yukinojo: The truth is, I have already agreed to pair with Kakeru.

Leo: Whaaaaaaat!? (Oh nooooooo!!)

Kakeru: Ah. Well, if you two would rather be together, I wouldn’t want to stand in your way...

Leo: No, no that’s alright! I couldn’t bear to break you two apart if you already promised each other!

(But... what do I do now....)

(And so, on a bittersweet note, a new partnership was formed.)

(What will become of our stars who haven’t yet found partners...!?)

Continue to Road To SSS 4.

[lunawings]

King of Prism SSS Episode 12 commentary (FINAL!)

Crunchyroll was awesome this time! 

No significant complaints on the subs!

You guys were awesome this time! 

So many people stuck around for the late viewing in the stream and even after just to chat! 

Now on to the actual episode. 

Once again sorry this is so long. But with this being the last one, can you really blame me.....?

.....As much I love this episode, this scene was just so painful. Worse than Shine’s show. Worse than that whole last episode combined. 

A lot of my predictions about Part 4 were wrong (will discuss later) but I was absolutely sure of one thing. I knew no matter what happened in Part 4 just one thing was FOR CERTAIN. And that was... I was going to have to see Shin cry. This precious boy who deserves nothing but love is going to suffer. And I tried to prepare myself. I tried. 

But somehow. Even though I knew. EVEN THOUGH I KNEW... It was way worse than I could have ever imagined.

I always assumed he would cry because he found out about something terrible about the past. But instead HE NEVER KNOWS THE TRUTH and we get him sobbing over something entirely NOT HIS FAULT... in front of everyone.... HOW.... HOW COULD THEY.... DO THIS... TO.... HI...M................ 

This scene upsets me so much I don’t know if I have ever even seen the whole thing. I always end up turning away at some point, or just curling up into a ball.....

Did anyone else feel like they were watching a totally different anime for a few seconds here? I’m having trouble telling if the style actually changed or if I.... just am not used to seeing Shin make expressions like this............. ba.....by..............

Leo always cries when anyone else is crying.

Even though everyone claps for him at the theater at cheering shows, it doesn’t make me feel better. AT ALL. Because Shin never knows the truth. NONE OF THEM DO. Okay we’ll talk about this more later but just..... gah it hurts........................................ So much that it actually hindered my enjoyment of what amazing thing comes next......

Back in the first movie era, the idea of a full CGI show of the Edel Rose boys with Shin as center was something that I could not imagine coming true even in my wildest dreams. And I love this show. I just wish it wasn’t proceeded by so much suffering. 

Shin being their center was something they decided at the Christmas live (before performing Dramatic Love for the first time) BTW. While it seems obvious to us that Shin would be center, it wouldn’t necessarily be as such in-universe. They had to decide at some point! And I’m glad it was a part of that story. 

I LOVE THESE OUTFITS. 

THEYRE PERFECT. The rainbows, the stars, the colors. Everyone looks AMAZING. And I know the rainbows are probably an homage to Over the Rainbow... BUT..

its just so gay

Prism stone beam???

This is orange I guess? It looks more yellow to me. A lot of the hand colors are kinda vague and I’m just like... WHO DID YOU TOUCH 

For anyone who read my I THINK I MARRIED ALL THE EDEL ROSE BOYS. OR THEY MARRIED EACH OTHER. ANYWAY EVERYONE IS MARRIED NOW shitty out of context spoiler I wrote in a comment obviously it was this ahahaha

I really do love this show, and like with the new Shuffle’s show last week I’m so glad I can finally watch it without the.... suffering. 

The first time I saw this in theaters, this exact frame right here was when I first started feeling any semblance of better after all that had happened. He looks so confident and gallant and his eyes are shining and he just.... Shin............... I love you so much....................................................................

Also this is a good spot to talk about their feathers I guess. So these are different from the other (male?) wings Shine had. Why? What does that mean? 

*throws hands in the air*

So, some folks may not be aware of this but the feathers from Rainbow Live were a feature of the arcade game. 

You could unlock them by raising the PairTomos, and even the night dream feathers look like they were available at one time during an event it seems?? I am not entirely sure how it all worked since I never played the game back in the heyday. (You can no longer obtain all the feathers now even if you bring a memory card to a currently running Pretty Rhythm machine since some just aren’t available anymore.)

But anyway, the actual point I was trying to make is that the feathers had a set  structure within Rainbow Live since it was grounded by the arcade game. But in King of Prism...... that just kinda do what they want.... s....o.............

The first time I went to cheering for this it was the premiere date, and it was also the first time I ever did cheering the same day. In between the morning/midnight showing a whole bunch of people had the idea to go to the 100 yen shop and get glowstick rings just for this scene. I was like daaaamn. 

But then...

Our first official non-Crunchyroll translation of prism no kirameki? 

Even the Juuouin group worships “the prism”. 

And I can’t help laugh at the irony that Crunchyroll abandoned using “the prism” but also just ignored the translation ALREADY ON SCREEN

I can’t take his scream here. It’s just like.... HE WAS ALREADY DYING, WHY DID THEY HAVE TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS. 

LOUIS. 

LOUIS NOOOOOOOOO. 

Even as late as it is, I am really, really grateful how they took a few seconds to establish for the new audience exactly how much of their shows are powered by prism sparkle. 

Note that they did not change out of their costumes though. But my headcanon on this is that Leo just prefers to make the real thing because he can. 

Singing at cheering shows is also everything I have ever wanted. 

I feel bad though since I pretty much always get tongue tied here every time. It’s hard to just sing acapella to a song you’re not that familiar with. Especially with the sparkely lyrics appearing and disappearing like this. I actually don’t hear that many other people singing in the theater, perhaps for that reason? But I always try my best. 

And now that this is finally out, I can finally practice at home and nail this down with confidence just in time for...... SSS to leave theaters..... um............ ye....ah........

I also mess this up like every single time ahaha. It’s just slightly too fast for me to read. 

Someday I will succeed in properly marrying all of the Edel Rose boys. Someday. 

(Also I don’t think this was rainbow-colored in the theatrical version.)

So Edel Rose and all their fans just up and created a prism goddess so we don’t need the prism gods anymore. Can they do that? Can we do that? I guess we can! 

WE DID IT GUYS

It’s oddly fitting that Hijiri is kind of an ugly crier. I mean, he’s just so beautiful the rest of the time. It’s only right. 

So let’s unpack this for a sec. Unbeknownst to them, because the Edel Rose boys all married each other they put a new seal on Shine. But this seal is entirely dependent on their marriage their bond with each other. 

How literal is that I wonder?

Because like.... Edel Rose won’t last forever. Kakeru, Minato, and Yukinojo are gonna be going to college in a year and a half.... ahah ha.....

I just imagine like. A couple of them meeting on the street in the distant future being like “Oh man I haven’t seen you in forever!” “Yeah! We really lost touch! Hey, have you heard from Shin lately?” “No, you?” And behind them is like a TV report of Shin become Shine destroying a city or something. 

.....................Reminder again that this commentary is coming from the place where I am after having a couple months to let this all sink in and get to the point where I am comfortable joking about it.... ahah ha........ 

This is one of my coping mechanisms for dealing with the idea that my favorite character basically has the devil living inside of him trying to take over at any moment.....

Another one is thinking back to older King of Prism media and wondering what Shine was doing at that time. Like, I imagine him floating there inside Shin all bored and pissed off making sarcastic comments at whatever the Edel Rose boys are doing. And I find this hilarious for some reason. I’d make a webcomic about it if I could draw.

ANYWAY 

So my understanding of this scene (which may or may not be totally correct) is: The Edel Rose boys’ rings put a seal on Shine which drags him down back into the depths of where Rinne first plunged him. But before he goes, he installs(?) his powers into Shin so that Shin is free to use Shine’s powers on his own now. (Up until now he was just like borrowing them?) 

If you also briefly wondered how they could have gotten a perfect score after failing a jump, my guess is the Prism System just wasn’t recording at that time due to the lack of prism sparkle ahah ha. 

They absolutely mopped the floor with the new Shuffle, and it did not matter.

What makes this so nuts to me is that even before I saw Part 4, like way back after I first saw episode 5 I was already comparing Joji to a twisted Hiro. (Elaborated on this in my episode 5 post.) And then this aha. 

So in the theatrical version I swear the crowd here has light blue lights. And I wondered if it was on purpose to be like inverted Hiro (who goes from light blue -> yellow in the Prism King Cup, so Joji went yellow -> light blue?) but nope, I guess somebody just forgot Joji’s theme color is yellow ahaha. In the TV version they just made it multi-colored. 

So to add more context to some things, you may remember I mentioned before that Part 4 premiered in Japanese theaters in the gap between when Taiga and Kakeru’s episodes aired on TV. So by the time Joji’s episode aired on TV... I already knew this was gonna happen. I already knew we were watching the number one prism show. THE CHAMP. The only 2D prism show.... SO MUCH IRONY. 

But you know what. Despite his show being what it was..... After all the time to let it sink in.. After all the dust has settled.... the one solo song which is my clear favorite..... The only one which has gotten stuck in my head WAY MORE than ANY other.... is Joji’s. 

(Well, Ace’s. But still.)

So. 

Congrats Prism Champ. 

Never thought I’d say this but poor Jin. Even when he ACTUALLY TRIES to do something fair for once...... still......

(Goddammit Shine.)

Poor Joji? Or not. It’s hard to feel bad for him when he’s THE PRISM CHAMP ahaha. Like. He made it. He has everything he ever strived to obtain. On the surface anyway. 

How Nori-kun feels about this though, who knows. Will we ever?

DOES IT REALLY NOT? Haha I really don’t understand this at all. Like. Was it really political pressure? Did Jin fold since he didn’t win in the way that he wanted to? Did Kakeru pull some strings behind the scenes again?

*throws hands in the air*

AND THIS

It’s framed to be this super significant scene but

WHAT DOES IT MEANNNNNNNN

I have already touched on this in separate posts, and this post is so long already that I’m going to kind of leave it hanging here but I consider Kakeru’s plot in SSS to be a loose end. He was the only boy who did not have a plot with some kind of resolution about himself. Instead Kakeru’s plot was only about other people.....

FINALLY, the ultimate conclusion to the infamous curry plot of Pride the Hero.

AND FINALLY

YOU

GUYS 

I WAS SO MAD 

The official King of Prism Twitter and such were actually pretty good at hiding Dorachi before Alexander’s episode aired. But Torachi was just EVERYWHERE and I was like COME... ON. REALLY.

So you may have noticed this but he was added to the opening too. For us seeing SSS in the theaters, we only get one OP per showing. So this means Japan actually got this spoiled before episode 10. 

But I didn’t. I didn’t even notice because I just wasn’t thinking to look for it. (Also I guess sitting in a terrible seat to the far right twisting my neck at an angle may have had something to do with it but.) When I first saw the reveal of Torachi in episode 12 it was TOTAL SURPRISE for me......

But as much as I love Taiga though, Dorachi is my clear favorite. My Dorachi merch collection will start as soon as I can get my hands on ANYTHING

Also I wonder at what point Alexander figured out that DJ COO was Rei, because he sure knows now ahah. 

But anyway, speaking of spoilers....

I know I said at one point Nikkanen and the twins didn’t have any significant appearances in SSS, but that was before Part 4 and I just decided not to correct that and let you guys be surprised AHAHAH you’ll just have to hate me *BLASTS OFF INTO THE SUNSET*

(I’m so glad they seem to have cleaned up Nikkanen’s face a little. He looked so weird in the theater. Or like.... weirder at least.)

(If you don’t know these boys they are already established characters introduced on the Prism Rush mobile game.)

And what do THESE feathers mean..... 

LOUIS ISN’T DYING ANYMORE DONT CARE *NYOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM* 

By the way I can’t believe the prism sparkle disappearing and Louis becoming the protector of the world WAS FORESHADOWED IN ROAD TO SSS 9. That’s why I reblogged this post the other day.

It’s so funny how much of Road to SSS didn’t matter. Then you get to event 9 and LITERALLY EVERYTHING MATTERS. 

And again.... speaking of spoilers............

The week before Yu’s episode aired I AGONIZED about whether to put in some kind of vague hint that the Edel Rose boys new unit name was revealed in that episode (as part of Yu’s prism jump). Ultimately I decided not to. Because even though I didn’t figure it out at the time, I think with even a vague hint I probably would have. Because even when I saw it back then I was like.... “...... huh........” 

So you’re just gonna hafta haaaaaaaaate ahahaahah ha sorry

But anyway! Now I can finally stop referring to our seven stars as the “Edel Rose boys” and from now on call them SeptEntrion! Since calling them just the “Edel Rose boys” isn’t really accurate anymore since it would also include the twins and Nikkanen, etc. I’m happy that the main seven finally have a good name to distinguish them. 

(Now I need to learn to remember how to spell SeptEntrion....) 

Also

You guys in the livestream ruined this for me so I’m ruining it for everyone too.

Look at the red letters. 

Then flip over your desk and storm out of the room like I almost did when I noticed. 

WHY

THERE IS NO WAY THAT IS NOT ON PURPOSE

WHY 

So, a few weeks ago I was in Tokyo and I decided to stop by the Yotsuya station area.

I found the site of the supposed Yotsuya Credit union  (which is actually a lottery ticket stand) and the KPO KFC almost immediately. 

I also found out there is a Catholic university in the area, and although it doesn’t look anything like Edel Rose that seems like not a coincidence. 

So I started to walk around that area, but try as I might I could not find any little  shopping streets like the one in the anime. The area didn’t look like it would have that sort of place at all. Also it was POURING RAIN, I was just at Aqours 5th live the previous day, I had at least 6 hours to get home, and I was anxious to make it there with plenty of time for the stream of Alexander’s episode which we were doing that night. I decided to give up and head to the KFC to console myself over chicken, coleslaw, and biscuits before beginning the journey home when LOW AND BEHOLD 

RIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE KFC

WAS THIS 

IT DOES EXIST 

And there is not nearly enough room for SeptEntrion to perform here ahaha. 

I can’t help but notice that while they used Prism One performance snapshots for all the other boys, Shin is in his old Over the Sunshine outfit. Well I mean. OF COURSE HE IS. But.....

But I really can’t help but wonder what the boys are thinking nowadays in retrospect about what happened. 

I mean, not that they shouldn’t love and trust Shin. Of course they should. 

But if my friend turned to pure evil for a solid 15 minutes I would be.... CONCERNED for him? ?? To say the least. 

The fact that THEY DONT KNOW AND MAY NEVER KNOW really just eats at me

I suppose Louis or June could tell them. But I don’t think Louis ever will since he just wants to protect Shin, and June..... where would she even start. 

Not to mention what does Yamada-san think about how Shin just BECAME Wataru Hibiki like I.... I just have several questions but......

The cheering audience for the half second we can see Torachi here: “..............................................................AHHHHH!..................................................”

I wondered for weeks what the TV ED would be for this episode, and as soon as Boy Meets Girl started playing I was like...... OF. COURSE.

Hahah I’m glad though. So far the only SeptEntrion version Boy Meets Girl we’ve had was live (at MRS) and I often thought of ripping the audio from the DVD just to have it, but now I won’t have to. The TV audience never got to hear the theatrical ending 366 Love Diary though, which is kind of a shame. That song is such a big part of SSS to me.

So when we do the livestreams, I often have the live episode playing on my actual TV with the sound off. The stream is delayed by a few minutes so it’s been great for cues to help prepare stuff to type into the chat about things coming up.

While you guys were still in the meat of this episode, I casually glanced over my shoulder and saw THIS on my TV

Shin in the outfit Leo originally made him for the Prism One.

And just started having a seizure that lasted until the credits ended BECAUSE THEN THIS. THIS RIGHT HERE.

Playing to the left is the theatrical weekly video we got in the third week of Part 4. 

(It has actual dialogue in the theaters, but here they just muted it and laid it over the credits. I went to the theater yesterday JUST to take notes on this for you guys ahaha. Glad I didn’t need to though.)

But like. When I first saw this in the theaters... 

I was so SO sure this was a joke. I mean Prism 2!?! Seriously!? 

But now I don’t know WHAT to think. 

ESPECIALLY ABOUT THIS

But um. Someone tell me the anime references I’m missing here:

And which of these are newly revealed YMT29 boys ahah:

And..... that’s it....

This is Louis’ coded way of telling Shin he’ll love him forever I guess. 

Aw man

you guys

we made it

ROUND OF APPLAUSE 

Ahhhhhhhhhh

ITS BEEN A JOURNEY

So Part 4 turned out way differently than I predicted. When the episodes were first announced and episode 12 was “Unknown”, my immediate thought was “it’s gonna be Shine.” Especially since the quote for Shin’s episode was something like “what have I done,” I assumed he would gain some memories of the past in episode 11 and was talking about something he/Shine did in the past. Then I thought Shine would perform in episode 12 and cause a bad end. Even though we knew Edel Rose was scheduled for a unit performance, I was skeptical if it would actually happen or not as I doubted Shin would be in any condition to perform in episode 12. (I also wondered if maybe we already HAD already seen their unit show in the OP and thus wouldn’t be getting a new song.) 

But when the CDs were announced and I saw the last one said “unit song” I was like.... ohhh.... I guess they will perform as a unit after all? That’s good? 

Turns out I was right at least in predicting that Shine would get a show, but not that he would STEAL SHIN’S SHOW, and that Shin’s “what have I done” quote was about THE PRESENT DAY and something that Shin DID NOT DO. AHHH THE PAIN. 

Although it really cuts me deep that Shin never learns the truth, I am grateful we got that unit show and a happy ending. 

But.... 

OR IS IT? 

says a voice in my head.

Shine’s coming back someday. And we can’t kill him without blanking Shin. Hghkhgkdhlkdh.

If I didn’t know any better I’d say the grand endgame climax of King of Prism would be SeptEntrion teaching Shine to love. But we already know from director spoilers that supposedly the grand climax is about saving Jin. I have a sinking suspicion Shine and Jin may be connected in some way though. 

Who fucking knows where we’re going from now. 

Other than WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON with Jin, another one of my big questions is does the Prism King Cup even matter anymore? Since the Prism One was supposed to replace it, but that didn’t go so well. HAHAH are we REALLY doing the Prism Two come on now..........

But anyway. I suppose there is no point in drawing this out it any further

for now

this is THE END

Thank you all SO MUCH for coming on this journey with me

It’s been such a joy sharing all this with you

And I hope to see you around

SHINY SEVEN STARS FOREVER

EDEL ROSE SPARKING

[lunawings]

King of Prism SSS episode 7 commentary (Leo)

So this episode is the opener for what I know as the theatrical “Part 3″ ... and boy what an opener.... By the time it was over I was like “T-That was only the first one... BUT IVE ALREADY FELT SO MANY THINGS..” 

Having this as the first episode of the three has been pretty difficult because it’s just such a rollercoaster. I’ve actually been hesitant to see go Part 3 more just because I know I have to get through this episode right off the bat. And not because I think it’s a bad episode OH NO ITS JUST... SO MANY... FEELINGS.......... 

I got to go to the midnight showing for Part 3, and I honestly think that has an unfairly high influence on how I feel about the episodes. Part 1 and Part 3 I saw at the midnight showing and I loved them. Part 2 and Part 4 I saw at 8 am when I was exhausted and miserable and I ended up thinking Part 2 was weaker than the others, and Part 4....................... uhhuhh we’ll get to that later, anyway--

So when I translated the original story about Over the Rainbow crossdressing for Miss Kakyoin, I honestly did it just for that two second reference in episode 3. I had no idea this was also going to happen. So when the first second of Part 3 opened on the theater screen with this I was like OH. MY. GAWD. YES. YESSSSSSSSSSSS. I’m gonna cry already. (Little did I know what was coming up later in this episode....)

Also this was the point where I began to realize some of these episode are taking place in the past/out of order. Because SSS starts off in the summer, but the Kakyoin Fest usually takes place in May. So either this is a Rainbow Live retcon, or this episode is taking place in May. (But I suppose there’s no particular big reason that can’t be possible. Well one small one maybe...) 

So this is Rinne’s first appearance in SSS, right? (Outside of her silhouette in the OP.)

So... I don’t really think it’s a spoiler to tell you she will appear again, under.... vErY DiFfeRent CircumStanCes........ 

And I just wonder if like, when we get to that moment, someone who is watching only SSS who has never seen Rainbow Live or Pride the Hero is gonna be like “Oh that’s the girl from the beauty contest.... wait..... WAIT WHAT IS HAPPENING.... “ 

Oh lord. 

Anyway. 

This scene is a whole lot of fun in cheering because we all have our green out and are cheering to Freedom, then it... stops.... then it starts again ahahah.... 

I love Taiga in the background here. It’s clearly intentional. 

I wonder if he actually believes what Kazuki says here or not. But you know what. I don’t think it matters because I think this scene has about zero influence on how he reacts next. I mean, if Taiga actually realizes Kazuki’s just doing this to save face, well then.... hell yeah he’d want to help defend Kazuki-senpai’s honor! And if he believes him and thinks crossdressing and winning a beauty contest is an honor for Edel Rose.... hell yeah he’d want to follow in Kazuki-senpai’s footsteps ahah ha.......... yeah see it literally doesn’t matter........... For Kazuki-senpai!!!

Yeah see this is definitely post-episode 3 Taiga. He definitely changed in that episode after becoming honest about his feelings for Kazuki. So this is the only stupid little thing that makes me question when this episode is taking place since the Nebuta Festival is in August ahahah ha.... (Well maybe he realized long ago.)

Wait woah woah what’s going on here with the subtitle. I thought I saw someone else’s screenshot of this and it was an upside down “A”? Is it just my computer? Is it really like this?

BTW I actually never had any idea what they were saying here before, neither did I pick up that it was probably a reference to μ's because in the theater you just cannot see anything on that newspaper because it’s on screen for like half a second.

If I had, maybe I would have realized that..... 

......Both Kakeru and Shin’s outfits seem to be a reference to the original Love Live! I had a little subconscious inkling in the back of my mind that I knew where Kakeru’s outfit was from and it probably wasn’t Pretty Series. But Shin..... Shin..... for the longest time I kept trying to think what coord this was. Because it does look like it could easily be a PriPara coord, doesn’t it? But after other folks started pointing it out, yeah it does look like they were trying to rip on the “Bokura wa Ima no Naka de” outfits goddamn it hahaha.... Well, it makes sense because there are people who worked on both Love Live! and Rainbow Live. 

But yeah I swear if they had only made the skirt plaid I would have gotten it. The plaid skirts are such a big point of that outfit for me. 

But still anyway, if anybody can think of a Pretty Series coord which is similar to this (or can make one on the 3DS).... um.... hit me up................ now..........

OH COME ON MINATO you can do so much better than this.... For Miss Schwartz you actually found a look that worked for you.... 

I mean sure he looks like someone’s mom but isn’t he. 

The moment when I was like “Welp, maybe Taiga’s straight after all.” Such a mystery, this kid. 

MINATO AND YU OMG

This moment goes by so fast I literally missed it my first two showings but OMG it’s my favorite joke in this episode and one of my favorite visual jokes overall I crack up uncontrollably every single time. Ahhhhhh you poor boys....  

Welp someone hasn’t watched PriPara but I think we already knew that from Kakeru’s “Glowstick Cage”. Still, I really think you’d be able to figure out this is clearly a catch phrase but WHATEVS

I think my reaction echoes most of the community’s reaction as being “are they gonna say the thing--THEY SAID THE THING” 

As much as I want to feel bad that Leo feels like he has to do this, it’s just too funny. And not to mention adorable. 

How “masculine” Leo somehow ends up being EVEN CUTER than natural Leo, I will never be able to explain but OH LORD HE IS. (I guess just, the more he tries to fight it the stronger it is....)

He’s not lying. 

................ no..... noooooo.......... *buries face in hands*

So. Okay. Okayokay. Sorry we gotta pause here oh boy. 

Ever since the Pride the Hero era, Tsurugi was always my favorite member of The Shuffle. Especially since I realized that even though we could see him failing the training machine in the first movie, he still made the group. It was my headcanon that it was because Kokoro, Mondo, and Mitsuba helped him rise up and overcome his challenges until he finally made it. I saw him as the Otoha of the group. A sweet lovely boy who somehow got mixed up in all the corruption of Schwartz Rose AND SOMEHOW he survived. 

And then this happened. 

His feminine personality. It was all an act. IT WAS A LIE. Just created to add the right appeal to The Shuffle. AND I FELL FOR IT. 

...............

I guess Joji isn’t the only liar in Schwartz Rose. I guess, Schwartz Rose just naturally attracts that kind of people huh. 

Well, from this moment on Tsurugi was not my favorite anymore. 

For the record, my favorite member of The Shuffle nowadays is Ace. And probably subconsciously has been since episode 5? But I actually didn’t come to realize that for.... a few more episodes...... So we’ll talk about it then.

Right now we have to talk about.... wait... wait no no no no no no no

You ever have one of those moments when time just kinda stops and everything just kinda... spins around you........... that was this moment for me at the midnight showing....................

Sorry I have to interrupt again to mention this. They revealed here Leo’s dad supposedly designed all these characters.

Well OK, but the thing is in this universe supposedly PairChams and stuff are actually real. 

So how can they be designed by Leo’s dad?

Welp, my theory on this is Leo’s dad either was a prism star, or just has a lot of prism sparkle in him, and he secretly just draws exactly what he sees. 

I think the phrasing is a little weird here. It’s more like Leo didn’t even particularly realize he was a boy. (Or what his gender was at all.)

(Yes they are wearing mini-Fortune Party CRs.)

(Yes this is also our Young of Prism reference.)

.......I really like this episode but...... this part is just so hard for me..... it’s just...... a bit too real............. but I applaud them for it the same time but.... it’s just.... it’s hard.............

People take out yellow and cheer for Otoha here, but at first I was just so distraught after the proceeding scenes it took me until maybe my 4th or 5th cheering show to actually join them.... just trying to get the energy and to come out of it and like oh it’s Otoha.... oh where are my concert lights.... oh where is yellow..... oh it’s over...... ................. (ahh it’s just.... so sad........)

Okay so now that we’ve gotten this far, I can finish my train of thought about the order that the boys joined Edel Rose.

I think it’s safe to assume Yukinojo was probably first. His episode revealed that he liked prism shows since he was really little, so he probably entered his first year of junior high? I think Kakeru was already in junior high when he found out about prism shows so he probably transferred in anywhere from 2012 - 2014.

Yu and Minato I think probably joined at the same time in April 2015. Because when we meet them in the first movie they are both 1st years (in junior high and senior high respectively) and we know from Minato’s episode he was never in the junior high division. 

Then Leo joined sometime not too long after that, and finally Shin.

Taiga is the only mystery, because his flashback only features Kazuki and there is nothing to particularly date it. In my head I’m gonna throw him in there after Kakeru but before Minato/Yu though. 

......Anyway.

Leo’s reactions as he meets each of the boys, and vice versa, are just... SO INTERESTING to me and reveal so much about him and the other characters. So I’m sorry but. We’re basically gonna take this frame-by-frame....

Oh gosh oh no oh to think that because of his experiences in life, Leo is just so conditioned to the point where this is the first thing he says directly to any of his new friends I just I.... *chair squeak* excuse me I need a moment.

*walks out of the room*

*comes back after several minutes*

Oho gosh okay okay sorry where were we

AND HIS FACE when he realizes Kakeru called him cute and clearly meant it as a compliment I just I *chair squeak* I may need another minute we’re like ten seconds into this scene and it’s already just--

OHHHH MANNNNNN

I’m pretty sure Leo’s extreme reaction here isn’t because he’s upset at not being called cute. It’s because, once again, Leo is just so conditioned because of everything he’s been through. He took one look at Taiga and probably saw him as the exact archetype of a person who usually bullies him. 

But he was wrong. 

Taiga, the actual purehearted softie that he is, had absolutely no idea his words would have such an effect on Leo. And once he realizes, he PANICS, and says absolutely anything he has to in order to fix it as fast as possible.

TAIGA

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH 

I’d also like to note what makes this scene even funnier is that Taiga is using a Tohoku slang word for “cute”. (This is a younger Taiga who hasn’t quite lost his northern dialect yet. Also sort of a northerners bonding moment for the two of them maybe?) 

So Taiga being attracted to Leo is a thing I guess. But.... but does it really count as being gay with Leo, like I mean.....?

Well.... Taiga being asexual is probably ruled out at least.

Anyway.

Out of all of them, Leo’s encounter Minato might just be my favorite.

First, Minato reaches out his hand intending to shake Leo’s. 

But Leo, probably being just.... so desperate for human contact at his point, sees this and actually reaches up and grabs Minato’s hand with both his hands instead. 

If you remember, Leo being too touchy-feely with other boys was one of the reasons he was bullied. Probably moments exactly like this.

But Minato....

He doesn’t flinch. His expression never changes. Instead he’s just like, oh you remind me of my sister. Like it’s the most normal thing in the world. 

And he probably thinks that’s kinda nice that it will be like having his beloved sister around. 

shfsfshl;dsaSDJGSOGSAG+J

Yu doesn’t care who Leo is as long as he thinks he’s cool. 

Sounds about right. 

Gonna say the obvious here but YUKINOJO WHAT ARE YOU DOING 

How he just immediately powers down and goes into kabuki practice mode when nothing has been happening for 30 seconds..... 

I have things to say about this encounter too but we’ll get to it later. 

My favorite comedic line in the episode. 

Yukinojo is somewhat oblivious about gender norms himself eheh. 

I love the juxtaposition of this line with this scene. It’s not a coincidence surely. 

Leo kind of just made a fool of himself here, but the other boys had almost no reaction. They were all just kinda like “huh”, and instead of “this Leo kid is a weirdo” it’s “Yukinojo what did you do” hahahah. That, is acceptance. That is Leo finally finding a place where he can belong.......... Until.....

Oh boy I’m sorry we gotta go on another tangent here. A dark one. 

Throughout SSS it’s pretty clear that Shin’s arrival had a big impact on everyone, but it probably had the biggest impact on Leo.

Edel Rose was the first place in his adolescence where he was able to find acceptance. 

And I think it’s safe to say, that without Shin to bring everyone together, Edel Rose probably would not have survived.

And if that happened.....

Leo would have nowhere to go. 

I really shudder to think about what might have happened.

And I don’t think it’s a huge exaggeration to think that Shin joining Edel Rose... may have actually saved Leo’s life. 

So when you really stand by and take all of this into perspective. 

All of a sudden how attached Leo is to Shin. His over-protectiveness, his jealousy. It.... it starts to make a lot more sense. 

So from this moment on I decided I won’t fault him for it anymore. I can understand.

Oh gosh okay I know it’s hard to come out of that with this, but....

Y.. yay Christmas Party! This is going to come up again in SSS, but since people are going to be talking about it now I’ll talk about it now. 

The Christmas Party is an event which happened in detail on the Prism Rush Main Story and was the first time the boys all performed together as a group and debuted Dramatic Love. 

And yes, at the same time it is also an analog to the real live Music Ready Sparking concert, which was the first time the voice actors all performed  together in real life. Those are the outfits they wore in the real concert, and the same pose they used for promotional materials.

They actually re-drew it for the anime in the performance outfits instead of the concert T-shirts. 

(The outfits aren’t a secret anymore, and no need to sell T-shirts ahah....) 

WHAT. THEY FIXED IT. Okay I SWEAR in the theatrical version of this there is a continuity error here where Leo has his pigtails in this back shot, but his hair is down from the front. I paused here to take a screenshot so I could mention it then I was like wait whaaaaaaaaa. This is the only time I have noticed a blatant change between the theatrical version and the TV version. (Other than the new endings.) It makes me wonder if there’s anything else I missed. 

PFFT. 

I guess “yes” isn’t the worst translation, and who am I to talk since I don’t translate “IIZE” at all. But it drains the flavor out of it whenever I try. 

If you’re not aware, “IIZE” was the scoring system in the boys’ PriPara from Idol Time, DanPri. The joke is that it’s like a masculine version of “iine” which was the scoring system in the regular girls PriPara, and still is in PriChan. Probably the most literal translation of “iine” is “likes” since that’s what they call the like button on Facebook/Twitter. But yeah it’s a bit of a journey to understand this I suppose.

Iize = burly likes 

? ? ?

He’s just.... he’s just so weird........... Tsurugi why...............

(Yes, Mirei hair and Bunny Magician coord from Prism Tours. Sorry I’m skipping over pointing out some of the PriPara references on purpose since this post is just so long as is.)

PFFFFFFT okay okay. Okay. OKAY. Okay. 

I know this is probably just in here for a throwaway joke but OHHHH lord.

We saw Alec compete in a beauty contest on Prism Rush before in the Street Beauty No. 1 event, but not on purpose as Louis basically tricked him that time. To think he’d come this close to doing it on purpose, and in his Mom’s clothes?...... ohhhhhhhh wow

If this really almost happened, then I guess Alexander’s riding the same train as post-episode 3 Taiga nowadays isn’t he ahah. 

And finally we get to the prism show. But oh gosh, I have to say I do not like his initial outfit. First of all it’s supposed to be a boys’ outfit but it’s.... not.... I guess they were trying to go for a Peter Pan thing or something, but it just registers strongly in my head that Peter Pan is usually played by a woman and like. I just wish they would have made this outfit a bit more masculine to highlight the change that’s gonna happen. The least they could do is take off the earrings. 

Not to mention form-fitting stuff does not work for Leo. It highlights how small and child-like his body is, and they even do a butt shot and just NO no please no why. STOP. Okay, my only criticism against this episode is that. Had to say it. 

When you need a character to clarify this you’re doing it wrong. 

But anyway, moving on. 

This. 

When we got to this moment, I just.... I felt.... such a great vicarious weight lifted off my shoulders. It just felt so good to finally, finally see this. It’s been a long time coming. 

Okay, let’s go back. Way back. 

During the first movie, when we first met Leo. In the bath scene he introduced himself using “boku” (a male pronoun). He was presented as wanting to be more boyish, and Yukinojo’s little protege. And I said OK, and I accepted this for face value. For a while. 

But then about a year passed, and this CD came out. 

And I went woah. This was the first point when I began to realize things might not be quite as they seemed. Leo is just straight out wearing girls’ clothing here. As oblivious as he is, nobody can be quite that oblivious. 

So the whole theme of their duo song is mutual respect, and it clearly introduced for the first time the irony of Yukinojo and Leo’s relationship in that although Leo looks up to Yukinojo, in truth Yukinojo wishes he could be more like Leo because Leo is the feminine ideal he’s striving for as a kabuki actor who does female rolls. 

Well okay, but the thing is. 

Leo supposedly wants to be more masculine, but... but....

When he first meets Yukinojo, that’s not the reason he attaches himself to him. 

Leo picks the most feminine member of the group to model his ideal after. Not someone rough like Taiga, or built like Minato. He picks Yukinojo. Yukinojo. 

And that’s when you start to realize.... Nothing Leo has said has ever matched up with what his actual actions are. 

Sure, he talks a lot.... but....

What has he actually done to try and become more masculine since King of Prism started? 

Even when he purposely sets out to dress masculine in stories on Prism Rush (like in his initial PR story for one), he always ends up picking out feminine clothes somehow. 

Although he once introduced himself using “boku” to Shin, it’s pretty much exclusively become “watashi” over time hasn’t it?

His Pride the Hero subplot was enjoying his (arguably) feminine hobby of clothing design. No masculine quest subplot there. 

And we even got to the point where SSS opened with him wearing a frilly pink shirt in one episode and pigtails in the next. 

The more time Leo spends at Edel Rose, a place where he is accepted, the more he slowly opens up and starts acting like himself again. 

So if you’re thinking this came from nowhere, you haven’t been paying attention. 

Still, I was really worrying about what was really going on inside him a lot before this episode came up. And then. Finally. FINALLY. 

This episode should be seen by not just King of Prism fans. Not just Pretty Series fans. This episode should be seen by everyone. 

GAHHHH I’M JUST.... SO HAPPY.............. 

I LOVE YOU TOO

I think just looking at these screenshots and taking it all in is making me tear up more than in the theater. 

Okay so. When I saw Leo’s coord for the first time, my immediate thought was Laala’s first PR....

If you think maybe something else is a better fit though let me know. 

So I actually think this score for Leo is fair. He only did two non-connecting jumps, and as this episode revealed he is the least experienced member of Edel Rose. (...Like I said before Shin... Shin is a special case........) I really like how their shows are actually accurate to what their skill level would reasonably be. 

But it also just makes Minato’s higher score more of a mystery. 

I love, love how this contest has progressed from year to year. Rinne -> Kazuki -> Leo -> ??? 

It may take us until we get to the next generation to get another winner, but someday I hope we see one.... 

YES this is obviously PriPara ahah but in canon it might be “Prism Land”? Ahah.

Okay, the end! 

The post is over!

The end!

Why are you looking at me like that?

It’s over!

Thanks for reading!

.............

.....................

Okay. Since you’ve somehow stuck with me THIS FAR, I’m going to talk a little more about how this episode effected me personally and why it’s important to me. 

The depiction of bullying was just so frighteningly accurate, and I feel like other people who have been through something similar would probably agree.

5th grade really is the year. 

It’s right around that time when gender rolls really seem to solidify. All of a sudden lines are drawn. The girls become more girlish and the boys become more boyish. 

It was around that time that I also noticed, that I didn’t like the same things that other girls my age liked. Other people noticed too. 

My gender issues weren’t as profound as Leo’s, but I just wasn’t interested in things like clothes or boys yet. I still wanted to watch cartoons and play in the dirt and stuff.

Going into middle school, I also tried to pretend. But it didn’t work. 

And I didn’t have any friends for a long time. 

But then something happened to change that. I got more involved in music. Specifically marching band. Music and performing brought me together with a rag-tag group of people from different grades who didn’t know my past, all working together to put together a performance. That sort of activity (music, sports, etc.) builds bonds between people that surpass normal friendship. And eventually, through those sort of bonds, I found myself around people who accepted me even though I was a bit different. Gradually, I learned it was okay to be myself. 

So just watching Leo make friends though prism shows.... just oh my god.... that’s me. 

I kinda joked about Leo being my self insert character in King of Prism before, but man. Watching this episode. It just got so... SO much more real.

*deep breath* 

*exhale*

Wow. Okay.  

[lunawings]

King of Prism SSS Episode 6 commentary (Minato)

The final episode of Part 2!

This was originally my favorite of the three episodes we are shown in the theatrical “Part 2″. But it was also the one I was most awake for at the time haha. Nowadays I think Joji’s is probably my favorite of the Part 2 episodes, but this one still has a very, very special place in my heart......... AS BIG AS THE OCEAN.......... 

And right off the bat we’re referencing the hidden curry subplot in Pride the Hero. Well, maybe it was obvious to some people, but I definitely wouldn’t have fully known about this subplot without reading about it. Basically early on in Pride the Hero there is a scene where Hiro casually refuses to eat Minato’s curry. Minato can be seen working on his recipe during the movie, but in the end it’s Kouji’s honey/apple curry recipe which gets Hiro back on his feet. Minato sees this as a failure on his part. 

If there is ever a scene where anyone is crying (there will be a few more examples of this before the end of SSS) take a look at Leo. If anyone else is crying, it’s basically guaranteed that Leo is also crying too. He doesn’t even know why Minato is crying here!!! LeoooooOOO..............

Everyone always cheers for Taiga here! Good job.

Okay, according to the Part 2 pamphlet, from left to right...

Misaki, Nagisa, Gen, Kou, Shiho. 

They all have sort of marine-related names. (cape, shore, broadside of a ship, sailing, saltwater...)

And these two we already met in Young of Prism. 

(Ushio means tide, Tsubasa means wing....)

I really love the voice work on Shiho here. She really sounds so natural. So cute. Favorite Minato sibling.

I know I said Yukinojo’s grandpa was best King of Prism old man, but I’m not sure anymore. Minato’s grandpa is also in the running ahah. I love his intense drama and yet down to typical old man-ness at the same time. HAVE A FISH.

OVER RAIN

Okay this one is forgivable because he says their abbreviated name “O-Ba-Re” which I always struggle to translate. Usually I just spell it all out or put OtR.

It was established in this episode that Minato can taste when something has been made with love. 

This means that Yamada-san’s ramen noodles were clearly MADE WITH LOVE at least.

I think at one point I posted a shitty out of context spoiler about the DARK HISTORY of Edel Rose. Here you go ahah. 

The cheering audience loves Yukinojo’s reaction here. Everyone be like.... nu nu nu nu nu nu..............

This is the only time I know Taiga has been associated with soba except for when they just kind of decided to make it his food item on Prism Rush........ (because I guess pudding a la mode wasn’t a thing back then..............) 

Minato’s reaction is notably a bit more low key than the other boys during Kakeru’s turn.

Kakeru’s catering WASNT MADE WITH LOVE 

Every time I see this I think to myself that I have got to figure out where this is and go there. But I haven’t yet. 

Shizuoka isn’t that far from me and I go there every few months or so for Love Live stuff or to visit Shizuoka Prism Stone, etc. A few days before Part 2 premiered I was actually in Shizuoka and actually spent a good amount of time thinking of things I might see from Shizuoka in Minato’s episode. I was at a tourist attraction (Izu-Mito Sea Paradise) where I went to the snack bar and noticed they had Mishima croquettes. It was the first time I had heard of them. But I decided on something else instead. 

So every time I see this, I think......... should have got the croquette....... 

(and now I must live with the regret.............. forever......................) 

I talk a lot about how this or that is art in SSS. 

But Minato meeting Kouji REALLY IS ART 

In the stream someone called this a “prismgasm” and now I can’t get that out of my head thanks.................................

I love how Minato is not the first, but SECOND Edel Rose boy just entered into Edel Rose against his will by a family member ahaah. (After Taiga by his sister.) 

Okay so, let’s pause for a minute. 

As you can see here this is a senior high school application. So this means Minato was never in the junior high division of Kakyouin Academy and went straight to senior high. 

If we rewind back to Kakeru’s episode, you’ll remember that there was a flashback where Yukinojo met Kakeru back in the heyday of Edel Rose, and they were both wearing junior high uniforms. So this means that a.) The first member of the seven to enter Edel Rose was probably Yukinojo and b.) Kakeru and Yukinojo are the two who have known each other the longest. 

I don’t think you can make an exact timeline of who joined when, but it’s possible to piece together a rough estimate of the order everyone joined by the end of SSS.

So this actually destroys my headcanon that the reason Minato calls Kakeru “Kazuo” is because they have known each other the longest and he knew him before he was Kakeru. So now I don’t know what to think about that anymore ahah. 

Anyway Minato why are you taking the Shinkansen to Tokyo. It’s only like 3 hours from Shizuoka!!! That is insanely close (...... from my perspective...............) what a waste of money haha. 

Favorite Minato face of all time by far. 

Oh gosh this scene. This scene. Where do I even begin. I love, LOVED seeing this side of Minato. He’s always everyone’s rock (excuse me harbor) so it’s really mindblowing to actually see him all nervous and flustered and just oh gosh it made me love him so much more. 

And not to mention Kouji just dragging a boy he’s known for three seconds to eat a children’s lunch......

Everyone goes nuts for this at cheering and agrees they still want to eat this kind of lunch as an adult. I guess I don’t quite understand because I was never a child in Japan haha. But this was the only moment at the mostly quiet 8am showing (when I saw it for the first time) where I could hear people laughing/freaking out.

I have mentioned this already but I just have to say I really love this line. This moment. This whole concept. Minato can taste love. 

I didn’t think it was noticeable from Young of Prism, but when we actually met all of Minato’s siblings and saw that Tsubasa is basically the only one who doesn’t have a marine color scheme or a directly marine-related name.... Even before this scene in the back of my head I was like..... hm...... 

The least they could have done was given her a marine-themed name geez

I had to go back and slightly change some wording in my Young of Prism translation because of this reveal.

I WAS REALLY EXCITED WHEN I SAW THIS, AND THEN ACTUALLY DISAPPOINTED WHEN KOUJI CAME

I WANTED TO SEE SHIN’S COOKING

SHIN BABY WHAT WERE YOU GONNA COOK

Also his face

It’s not “a” new dorm, he’s probably talking about the new dorm that the new boys still live in (but our seven moved back here by choice in episode 1 remember........)

This is another scene where I’m kinda wondering if this plot thread seems sudden or out of place to people who don’t know the side materials. 

Minato’s confidence issues have come up on Prism Rush several times before, and I was actually waiting the entire episode for it to come up here. 

This episode in particular really requires a lot of extracurricular homework doesn’t it....

I believe this is mistranslated. He used ~すら which I think should be “All I could do is watch......” JLPT N1 textbook grammar Minato why......

The least they could do would be to leave a note that says “Minato” means “harbor” but that’s TOO MUCH TIME I GUESS GOTTA GET THOSE EPISODES OUT IN AN HOUR CHOP CHOP

I really like this speech. It’s shockingly down to earth and refreshing. Especially compared to Kakeru and Yukinojo’s episodes. 

Like the other members of the old dudes club, Minato’s family has a tradition too. But Minato is not particularly expected to carry on that tradition since his family realizes it’s no longer viable 

Instead they encourage Minato to enjoy his youth, find himself, and if he doesn’t become a star that’s OK.... of course he can come home anytime. 

Nrrrgggghhaaaaaa such good supportive parents ahhhhhhh

Been waiting a couple months to read this. In the theater all I can ever catch is Shin’s message. (But still the point comes across.) 

“Well that was fast” - the cheering audience (about the sunrise, ruining this beautiful scene lol)

THIS.... SHOW.........

So, a while back I casually mentioned that Kakeru and Taiga’s prism shows were in my top three. Nobody ever asked what the third one was. But. It was this one. I LOVE this show.

From the very moment Minato looks up at the camera here I just get goosebumps from head to toe, and it just stays throughout the entire show. No other prism show has ever made me feel quite this way. 

So towards the end of the Prism Rush Main Story, there is a chapter where the boys are talking about what they want to accomplish in the Prism King Cup. (This is before they know who will be in it.) Minato has a line where he talks about wanting to perform a show like warm soup or something, and as soon as I saw this show I just immediately remembered that line and thought THATS IT. 

THAT’S IT

ITS SOUP 

Even though there are so many cool colors, somehow, it just makes me feel so.... warm. 

Although it didn’t stay for as aggressively long as Joji’s did, this was the first song from Part 2 which got stuck in my head and it’s just... it’s so nice........

Also, even though I have complained about Minato always getting stuck in chef uniforms for his performance outfits I do kinda like this one. It’s the floating jellyfish scarf thing at the back that makes it I think. (I have no idea how else to describe that.) 

I hope he gets a sailor suit next time though eheh. (I like how Minato has a marine theme now too, not just food. Well, he probably always did but it’s more prominent now.)

So Minato technically lost to Joji, but the individual match-ups mean nothing in the long run. (Except for you know..... the last one...... when it’s down to the wire and each side has put up their strongest member...............if you remember who that match-up is--)

It may not be obvious at first, but Minato’s prism show was pretty low leveled compared to the other boys. 

(He did start doing prism shows later than most of them after all... Um Shin being a special case.) 

He only did two jumps and they weren’t even connected. So that being considered, this score is pretty amazing for him. It makes me think the Shuffle members must only be doing like one jump per show to be scoring in the 7000s geez. 

And thus the curry plot goes full circle. Minato, good for you. 

Thus ends what I know as the Part 2 episodes, and also the halfway mark of the series. (There are 12 episodes in all.) Ready or not, on to Part 3.

I really like and have been looking forward to the Part 3 episodes. I think they are a little better than Part 2, but maybe not quite as good as Part 1. I also think Part 3 is possibly the most heart-wrenching collection.... Leo’s episode in particular, which is coming up next week, I have a very strong and personal reaction to. That combined with feeling the need to point out all the PriPara references may mean my post for next week may take some extra time and be frighteningly long ahah..... ha....... 

[lunawings]

King of Prism SSS Episode 2 commentary (Yukinojo)

Watched this episode live with you guys at 1am, stream froze right at the ending. That was the tipping point I needed to stay up to watch it again as soon as it was released on Crunchyroll at 3am, with the few folks who stayed in the chat. And of course after all that extended King of Prism woke me up, now look who can’t sleep and is watching it a 3rd time tonight at... 5am... aha ha... ha...... don’t look at me like that I don’t have work until 4pm it’s fine

So like most folks in Japan I experienced this episode as part of a three pack bundled with the prologue and Taiga’s episode, which makes up the theatrical SSS Part 1. 

While the theater experience is great, it’s also kinda bizarre since the tone in this episode is drastically different from the other two. After the dinner scene ends there is no basically cheering until the end of this episode. What can we say! I just kinda fall into a prism coma until the Prism One show when I am suddenly like wha... WHAAA OH YEAH knocking my concert lights on the floor trying to quickly grab them in time and all that. 

But not because this episode is bad or anything. Quite the opposite. It’s just....

Mesmerizing.... 

Anyway.

ITS ABOUT FRIKKIN TIME 

Renjishi is a pretty famous Kabuki show, and I think “Two Lions” is an accepted English translation so I don’t know why they didn’t bother to translate it? 

 This translator couldn’t figure out what to do with the “18″ either... I would definitely be confused why there is so much 18 this and that in this episode if I hadn’t looked it up for my own translations. It’s a reference to a certain collection of best kabuki plays.

And if you’re wondering why Yukinojo is the 7th generation while his father is the 3rd.... well... hell if I know, because that actually not a mistranslation. 

*throws hands in the air* If someone can explain it to me let me know.

In the theaters sometimes people will hold up two red lights and break them apart here and I always want to do it but I ALWAYS FORGET AHHH. My brain just isn’t in cheering mode during this episode. 

Also it took me like eight viewings before I noticed there is a continuity error where Shin’s chopsticks fix themselves ahah.

FACE

(Also someone in the livestream pointed out his earrings. Not sure if we have seen Yu with earrings yet.)

One of the many things that makes SSS so amazing is how much it changes the first two movies. Just when you thought you were done with them, all of a sudden you want to watch them all over again to see them in a new light. While the movies largely follow Shin’s perspective, for the first time we finally get to see things through the perspectives of other characters and it just adds layer upon layer upon layer and it’s just.... ahh..... 

THE PRISM

THE ONE SPECIFIC PRISM

The way the translator phrased this I imagine them all worshiping a giant stone in the back somewhere. ALL HAIL.... THE BRILLIANT PRISM....... 

This line is super weird out of context. When I translate King of Prism stuff I put in “prism jump” just to add context when it’s not there. But that’s.... just.... m...eee..............

This is my favorite damn Kakeru line in SSS and he doesn’t even say anything. 

Eeeeyaah... ....

Taiga is amazing in this scene too. BE TRUE TO YOUR EMOTIONS YOU’RE  RUINING DINNER DAMMIT 

I thought when I paused on this scene I’d be able to read some of these posters but not really. Wonder if these are a reference to Yukinojo getting into Japanese rock like he did during the curry event on Prism Rush? Maybe they just wanted to show he has typical teenage boy stuff in his room too. Also, of course, cameo from Andy! 

A translation I actually liked. This is basically exactly what he says ahha... the old men group of Edel Rose (2nd year high schoolers).

For anyone who read my shitty out of context spoilers during the first weekend and thought I was kidding when I said Kakeru almost got murdered by Yukinojo but he kinda deserved it.

I’m still reeling from how fucking real Kakeru gets here...... damn........

Someone in the livestream pointed this out, but we almost never hear Kakeru call Yukinojo “Tachibana” do we?

I jumped an inch in my seat when I saw this at the midnight showing. It was the moment where I was like holy moly we’re not in Kansas anymore and started to realize exactly what we were getting into in SSS. This is a whole new King of Prism. 

When you watch the episodes all strung together in the theater, the first episode runs at the same pace as the movies (in my mind I kinda of think of it as a shorter 3rd movie in itself), so it’s not until you get about here where things first start to slow and deepen and it’s you realize wow.... this really is an anime now..... 

I thought Nikkanen mentioned this superhero on Prism Rush, but he said Yossha-Man haha. Well they are both parodying the same series. (Yattaman/Yattawan?)

I really like Yukinojo’s grandpa. He just has the best old man voice. 

WHOOOOOOSH

This scene is foreshadowed in the first episode of SSS. While Shin is introducing everyone you see Yukinojo’s mother look down at her wrist. 

So it was kind of weird to be like is that gonna be a thing--OH THATS A THING right after haha. The theater experience is great, but these episodes are probably better paced week-to-week like this instead of in odd chunks the way they show them in theaters. 

I think this was foreshadowed in Pride the Hero too isn’t it? (His hairpin shines when he looks at his Mom?)

Perhaps something more shocking happened in the next scene though.

At least to me anyway. 

So ages ago, maybe first movie era, I was reading a profile of Yu in a magazine. Specifically this one:

It mentioned that Yu wears Bell Rose pajamas. 

And I always remembered that. Because hey that’s pretty hilarious. 

YEARS PASS

King of Prism SSS episode 2.

Yukinojo just had a breakdown 

AND THERE’S YU

IN HIS GODDAMN BELL ROSE PAJAMAS

AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Seriously my mouth fucking dropped open when I saw this. If only I was at cheering I really would have shrieked and ruined this serious scene ahah.

AND THEN THERES THIS 

This scene just gives me goosebumps everywhere. Yukinojo’s first prism jump. The way Shin screams. AHHHHHHHH--

This scene actually gives me goosebumps too. It’s such a mood. This whole episode is such a mood. 

Kakeru and Yukinojo really have a lot in common. I understand now why they made such good duo partners on Prism Rush. Not only do they both have a lot of weight on their shoulders from their families, but the both inherited it from their mother’s side. Just like Yukinojo’s father married into kabuki, as we learned in Young of Prism it was Kakeru’s father who married into the Juuouin group. Don’t mind my random fact, I just thought it was super interesting.

So. This line kind of confused me a bit. Because I thought a major theme in this episode was about how Yukinojo couldn’t escape his blood. Yukinojo’s mother made that clear.

But then again Yukinojo’s mother also knew his father had this experience where he learned his fate wasn’t controlled by blood at all. 

Maybe that just served for a reason as to why she can see Yukinojo’s soul is in prism shows? I don’t know. 

I’m also really confused by how differently she treats Yukinojo in this scene compared with the flashback. I’m glad she came around, but I feel like we missed something in between. 

I don’t need to say how awesome Yukinojo’s prism show was. It just keeps building more and more tension as it goes on and just ahhhh....

I was really sad the stream froze before you guys found out Yukinojo beat Shin’s score (in sparking). 

Also I feel super dumb because I said something about Yukinojo being only the second male star to do four jumps in a row. I FORGOT ABOUT HIRO

So Louis -> Hiro -> Yukinojo, the first three male stars to successfully do four consecutive jumps. The top male stars by pure skill. 

So this ending.... is NOT the ending we see in the theater. The song and visuals were all new. (Well except for assets reused from the episode well you know what I mean.)

I’m a bit town about this. On the one hand I was REALLY REALLY REALLY looking forward to hearing 366 Love Diary.... But on the other hand it’s cool that they are doing something so special for the TV showing by having different endings every week. And after all, the CD for 366 Love Diary is coming out literally tomorrow.... but....

Okay so clearly I loved this episode but part of me is just really glad it’s over because next week is TAAAIGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA and I cannot fucking wait to share it with you guys. 

(My favorite episode of the show.)

(I don’t even know if I can fit all my thoughts on it in a post how long is the limit on Tumblr srsly)

[lunawings]

King of Prism SSS Episode 3 commentary (Taiga)

I am SO RELIEVED that this episode is FINALLY out. 

I finally get to show you guys what the inside of my head has been like for two months. 

THE FESTIVAL THAT HAS BEEN INSIDE ME

GET BUCKLED IN

Taiga’s room is divided into half Kazuki worship, half Aomori. Seems about right.

Let me start off by saying it brings me SO MUCH JOY how much Taiga loves Aomori. Aomori is way far removed from Tokyo, on the northernmost tip of the main island, and pretty much in the countryside. I went there 4-5 years ago before King of Prism existed AND I. LOVED. IT. There was a cool breeze even in the brutal Japanese summer, the atmosphere was refreshing and wonderful... and the festival. Two of the biggest things Aomori is known for are apples and, of course, the Nebuta festival which I’m convinced has to be the best festival in all of Japan. Those giant festival floats are just fucking amazing and I will be inter-splicing this post with my travel photos from that time. 

But even so, I’d think a boy at Taiga’s age would still think Tokyo is a lot cooler and want to be in the big city. BUT NO. NOT TAIGA. And since I also CANNOT FUCKING STAND TOKYO either, every time Taiga in this episode says Aomori is better than Tokyo I just want to stand up and be like 

FUCK YEAH IT IS 

Okay moving on, sorry this post is gonna be long enough as it is. 

When I first heard this line I swore it sounded like he was saying something about “Las Vegas” ahah... ha...

I am very happy with this screenshot. 

*ahem* Anyway. I looked up “rassera” ages ago because I had no idea what that was about and apparently it’s a phrase that lost it’s original meaning over time as it got muddled together, and is now only used as a festival chant. It used to mean “bring out the candles” or something?

The “us” in the sub kind of annoys me because Over the Rainbow isn’t a part of Edel Rose anymore but maybe that’s.... just.... meeeeeeeeee..............

I took the night bus from Tokyo to Aomori before. It was 10 or 11 hours. It was... unpleasant.

Old dude club in the back row.

I really wonder what people who have never seen Pride the Hero are gonna think of this exchange. If you have not seen Pride the Hero, sorry to disappoint you(?) but taxi is actually not a metaphor. 

I wonder if Kakeru would have really kept hounding Taiga if he didn’t pay him back. It’s not like Kakeru needs the money. I think it’s more that Taiga just has his pride and wants to do right by Kakeru and not take advantage of him. Or at least I like thinking that way. 

My second favorite line by Taiga in SSS. 

People at the cheering shows are like “Gimme the apron!!”

No, I have no idea why they decided to design Taiga’s cousin(s) to look like Ann and Wakana. 

My third favorite Taiga line in SSS. I just love how perfect the timing is. Taiga just watches everyone walk past him trying to debate if this is really happening or not and then just HOLD ON WAIT--

Behold Yukinojo examining what I think is supposed to be the armor that made Taiga pee his pants in Young of Prism. This is the Easter egg I was talking about. 

I LOVE OZORA. 

Another great thing about SSS is learning how all of the boys have these amazing female characters in their lives. 

The first/only anime reference to Taiga’s distaste for apples. In side material it’s been explained that Taiga can’t stand apples because they are everywhere in Aomori. Even the sound of someone biting into the skin of an apple drives him nuts. Minato has used it as punishment before in Prism Rush. 

People in the theater like to say “Don’t forget the apple!” 

At the midnight showing I think the girl next to me had a brain aneurysm when she saw Wakana here. And I might of as well. 

At this part I always yell “WAKANA DON’T GO!!!!”

Just.... ahhhhhh Taiga being seamlessly inserted in the Rainbow Live continuity like this is just... kjlfjfkljfls.......

Even though I know in the logical part of my brain that Taiga did not exist when Rainbow Live was made, I still kinda want to go back and look for him in the background of that episode anyway. But I hesitate because I know I won’t want to be disappointed with not finding him. 

Still, the idea that Wanana, Ann, and Kazuki all supposedly knew him from way back when is crazy and makes my heart warm. 

(Oh but WAKANAAAAAAA so sad)

So. “Gaudy” huh. We’re goin’ with that huh. HUH. “Gaudy” I know for a fact is the literal translation you get when you look up “charachara” in a Japanese-English dictionary. I have used it too... AS A PLACEHOLDER....................

Seeing this and trying so hard not to FUCKING SCREAM at the midnight showing was a moment for all of us. Taiga.... Taiga.................. Taigaaaaa................. I can’t see this without feeling it travel through every nerve in my body. 

WakanAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Accurate description of summertime in the countryside of Japan. Everyone hangs out and eats copious amounts of fruit probably from a neighbor’s farm. Just go out and walk down the street and you’ll come home with fruit. 

So this is Aomori city, the area not far from the station. When I saw this in the theater I was like, that looks.... kinda familiar. Then the next day I went searching for photos from my sideblog @mdawnjpn and....

I found this and I just immediately started tearing up, like hand over my mouth trying not to cry on the bullet train from Tokyo back to Nagoya during that first weekend. I was there I WAS THERE. 

So I mentioned previously I got to Aomori after a 10 or 11 hour night bus. And I didn’t sleep for almost any of it because I just can’t sleep on buses. And I felt LIKE. DEATH. But I couldn’t find an internet cafe or anywhere to sleep for a while because Aomori city just doesn’t have a lot of things. So I ended up literally just sleeping on a park bench by the ocean for a couple hours. Like around here.

And I remember seeing them starting to set up the festival when I woke up and being like woooah where am I this is amazing. But.. Just like, since Over the Rainbow performs here every year I guess I must have slept through their show. Oh NOOO ahaha

Anyway

And here it is. My number one favorite Taiga line in SSS. Just like the way he says it

OVER THE RAINBOW

THE FUCK IS THAT 

Ohhhh Taiga you’ll know very soon......

Also notice the different colored tie. I wonder if this was his legit school uniform at the time. 

People hold up two concert lights and break them apart when Hiro’s pride is broken in the first movie, and they do the same here.

Oh Taiga...... why is your pain so hilarious.........................

Sometimes I ask myself the same thing.

I love the contrast here between the overly realistic uncomfortable crowd, overenthusiastic Ozora, and poor Taiga. I love it. I LOVE IT. I WAS NOT KIDDING WHEN I SAID EVERY FRAME IN THIS EPISODE IS A FUCKING MASTERPIECE 

It took me two or three viewings to realize that Taiga is actually crying here. Or rather trying really hard not to cry. 

I’m not sure if I’m counting favorite Kazuki lines or not since he doesn’t have a big roll in SSS, but if I am this little “Huuuaah” might be it. 

Poor Kazuki. He does nothing on purpose to incite the storm that has brewed around him with both Taiga and Alexander.

Taiga’s Mom is the fucking best. Like I said, I love SSS for bringing out all these amazing, supportive, strong female characters. Everyone’s Mom is great but Taiga’s Mom might be best Mom. 

Or at least I thought so until I met Alexander’s Mom but the jury is out right now. 

It took me like five viewings to realize their watermelon switched to corn and I laughed way harder than I should have. 

OTSUKARE TAIGA

I loved seeing him be a big brother here eheh. 

Taiga why did you even ask. You know how Edel Rose works.

Shin just looks so happy. He’s a puppy. 

My goal in life is to enjoy everything the way Shin enjoys things.

Yu’s AHHHHH MOOOOUUU in this scene might be my favorite Yu line ahaha. 

I don’t know why, but I the more he whines the more I love him. That’s just how you know Yu is having a good time.

RIGHT

RIGHT

FUCK TOKYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

AHHHHH I WANT TO GO BACK TO AOMORI RIGHT NOOOWWWW

I’m like 40% considering going back this summer. 

I live in Aichi not Tokyo by the way so if I don’t fly that’s about UMMM 16 or 17 HOURS ON TWO BUSES BUT

Okay okay okay. So NOW it’s “street style” huh. Well what the fuck was with that whole “Solid Style” thing in episode 1 then? I guess the translator didn’t realize they were literally talking about street dance? Like WHAT? Or did they just forget?

And you know what actually this kinda pisses me off more, because the least they could do is keep it consistent. 

Because now that whole important line where Shin actually explains it for the first time in the main canon MAKES NO FUCKING SENSE ANYMORE 

ALSO

WHY IS ACADEMY CAPITALIZED AND STREET NOT

WHY

FOR FUCKS SAKE IM GONNA K--

Taigaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

(I’m OK now.)

Giving him a shojo reaction here was a choice. They didn’t have to. It was a deliberate choice. To portray Taiga’s feelings for Kazuki. Ahhhhhhhh

So remember when I stayed up translating this all of a sudden after I watched SSS Part 1 for..... reasons..... 

No I do not know why he’s an apple. Well I assume it has to do with the job he’s doing. And I do have a hunch from a creative standpoint but I’ll talk about that later. 

First timers in the theater always be like “R... RINGO..?????”

NO YOUR ASS IS BIG

....Is one of my favorite callouts of this episode. 

AND WHY IS JOJI EVEN IN THE CAR ANYWAY 

At this point during the midnight showing I was like.... is the real villain of SSS just gonna be Joji going around casually inconveniencing everyone? ....I’d watch that. 

This is the storage area near the main festival stage where you can go and see the floats before the festival starts. 

Here’s what it looks like in real life: 

One of the few instances where I can assure you real life is just as good as the anime. 

For people who read my shitty out of context spoiler about how a character beat Louis for the amount of skin showed in a prism show. Wasn’t kidding. 

Tasuku kinda spoiled this outfit in the first day greeting show by saying something like how it was an outfit which fit Taiga’s tastes well (festival wear) and everyone else was like NO STOP--

But yeah. This show. This soonggggg

Taiga’s voice is just SO. BEAUTIFUL. He has my favorite singing voice in all of Edel Rose. 

So after the first weekend I made a post to Tumblr about how I thought I had avoided getting any of the songs in my head, but then a certain one started CREEPIN IN...

IT WAS THIS

Taiga’s song is both the first one to get stuck in my head, and the one that keeps getting stuck in my head the most often to this day.  

I just love how he makes Nebuta floats of all his friends ahhhhhh 

Here are some more photos of the real thing..

It was raining the year I was there, and when it rains they put plastic over them so they look like snowglobes. That’s kinda cool in itself though.

I’ll never forget seeing this for the first time, realizing what was about to happen and being like NO... NO WAY.... IS THIS REAL LIFE NO WAY IS WHAT HDHFKHFDFH;LSFHDLSHFDS 

I’ll never forget it because I basically still feel the same way every time. 

They didn’t have to set this up like a confession scene. But they did. It was a choice.

But during this scene at cheering shows, I am much less concerned with what Taiga was trying to say and much more concerned with prepping blue and green lights for..... 

Words cannot express how happy this made me. If you haven’t picked up on it already Wakana is my favorite girl from RL. MATTE NYAAAAAAAAAA

Oh look here. A GOOD translation for “charachara”. One that I might actually steal from now on. Usually the best I can come up with is “flirty”, “carefree”, or “showy” depending on the situation.

So it seems at this point the translator finally understood what “charachara” actually means in the context of King of Prism. So of course, the logical thing to do here would be to go back and correct the previous wonky line where they used “gaudy” to make it consistent... right.... RIGHT??

Does Crunchyroll actually translate line-by-line as soon as the episode comes out in the hour before they post it? 

They don’t even get any time to edit it?

ARE

YOU

FUCKING

KIDDING ME

I dunno about you but I would wait a few more hours for fucking slightly more decent consistency in the translation BUT MAYBE THATS JUST ME 

OH LORD Kakeru’s episode next week is gonna be A SHITSHOW. 

The sitcom ending to this episode is so dorky but I love it. 

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT

FRAME IT

DIP IT IN COPPER

SEND IT TO SPACE 

DONE 

It was really cool to finally see the details in these festival floats in the ending since they go by so fast in the episode. Shin’s has a rainbow! I wasn’t expecting Masquerade, but I suppose it fits Taiga as well. And it’s not that the Taiga version isn’t good but...  

It’s just that... I.... I want the CD but I..... I already have three different King of Prism covers of it on my phone........... nnnrhg

So. 

I dunno about you guys. 

But basically my interpretation of this episode is that no matter what Taiga says....

Everything he’s done...

It was never about the street style.

It was always

ALWAYS

about Kazuki

And that makes a lot of sense.

Kazuki spends this entire episode being an apple. Taiga hates apples. Kazuki is a personification of something Taiga hates. But it changes nothing. He loves him. HE LOVES HIM. 

I always questioned whether Taiga’s feelings for Kazuki were pure admiration or true love. And now I know the answer. Probably both. 

So this ends what I know to be King of Prism SSS Part 1, as per the theatrical release. 

Next week is Kakeru and also the beginning of what I know as SSS Part 2. 

I don’t want to de-hype you guys that much, but I actually feel the Part 2 episodes are a good deal more low key than Part 1. But then again that doesn’t say that much for the King of Prism standard.  

I have been looking forward to Kakeru’s episode being released with subs for the sole reason of finally being able to clarify a lot of things I didn’t understand about it. But after seeing the subs this week. HMMM. 

[prism-rush]

Road to SSS 8 Summary! Hiro vs Kazuki?! The Duel of Destiny on Ganryu Island.

As promised, this is quite long because I thought it deserved it. 

Everyone goes to Kyushu! By coincidence! 

But before that (according to Sakyo’s card story) Sakyo and Ukyo go and see their first Over the Rainbow show in Kyoto after Ukyo picks up a flier... 

Sakyo is basically smitten over Kazuki at first sight and becomes obsessed with him and how awesome the show was. Later he tries to copy Kazuki’s moves but just can’t seem to get them right. (Just before this in Sakyo’s card story it was established that Sakyo can usually copy anything after seeing it once, as he wins a game of nine-ball on his first go.) Sakyo and Ukyo realize that Kazuki’s moves must be way more complicated than they initially realized. Sakyo says he wants to go see Over the Rainbow again and Ukyo agrees. 

Skip forward to Over the Rainbow in their dressing room before a show in Kyushu. Hiro, Kazuki, and Kouji are about to enjoy Kouji’s cooking together when Kazuki brings up the duo tournament again. Hiro says it’s just not his style and tries to brush it off, but this time Kazuki is having none of it. (His card story reveals this came up because just earlier Kazuki watched Hiro give a solo interview in which he described street-style as “barbaric” and his blood has been boiling since then.) Kazuki presses Hiro for a clear answer, but Hiro replies that not giving an answer is his answer. Hiro goes on to say that by being the Prism King he has a responsibility to his fans and can’t do anything that might ruin his reputation. Kazuki then accuses him for talking down on the street-style, but Hiro denies that too. Finally, sick and tired of Hiro avoiding the conversation, Kazuki challenges Hiro to a duel. Hiro attempts to get Kouji to mediate the situation, but at this point Kouji has come to believe that the two of them need to work this out on their own. 

Over the Rainbow perform their concert as normal, being the professionals that they are. However, after the concert Hiro finds that Kazuki is gone, leaving only an official letter of challenge to Hiro in his wake. 

(Kazuki’s card story reveals that Kouji actually helped Kazuki write the letter. Kouji asks if there is anything he can do to help them, and Kazuki tells him the best thing to do is to just keep being best friends with the both of them.) 

Meanwhile, Sakyo and Ukyo have actually come all the way out to Kyushu intending to see Over the Rainbow for the second time. Although Over the Rainbow’s performance may have fooled most of their fans, they actually didn’t fool the twins. Both Sakyo and Ukyo notice something is off between Kazuki and Hiro compared with the last time they saw them. 

Still, being the diehard fanboy that he is, Sakyo decides to wait outside the venue with Ukyo hoping to get a chance to talk with Kazuki after the show. Ukyo warns him that there is no guarantee they’ll get to see Kazuki, but still Sakyo frantically practices what he will say to Kazuki if he does. And to their surprise, they do see Kazuki. But any plan to approach him is quickly put to a halt when they see the raw anger on his face as he storms out. The twins now fully realize something is wrong and decide to follow him instead. 

(Note: The dialogue for this scene in Sakyo’s card and the main story dialogue are completely different. In the main story Sakyo drags Ukyo after Kazuki, but in Sakyo’s card story they discuss it together before deciding to follow him. Usually there aren’t discrepancies like this but...)

So the twins follow Kazuki, even after he takes a bus, goes all the way to the ocean, builds a raft, and sails to Ganryu Island. 

(Ganryu Island is an island between Kyushu and Honshu and is apparently where a historical duel once took place back when it was called Funajima. Yukinojo’s card story is actually a history lesson about this.)

Kazuki waits an entire day on Ganryu Island without moving, and so do the twins. (For the most part. I think it’s implied that they went to get some snacks at one point but ran out.)  Just when Ukyo is worried Sakyo will disturb Kazuki with his stomach growling, Hiro finally shows up. 

(Without scouting Hiro’s card I’m uncertain what took him so long. But it should be noted in the historical duel one of the members was late as well.) 

Hiro asks Kazuki if he’s changed his mind, but Kazuki replies that he wouldn’t be still waiting here if he had. So the duel begins. 

At first Kazuki is just showering Hiro with attacks as Hiro just lays back and takes it. But Ukyo notices that Hiro is watching, waiting for an opportunity. Finally, Hiro deals a savage blow against Kazuki only to have Kazuki... not be effected at all. Kazuki thanks Hiro for finally getting serious, and from here on the real battle begins. The two fight it out at full strength until neither of them has the strength to fight anymore, while all the while the shocked twins watch the entire thing from the bushes.  

Kazuki seems beat, but Hiro tells him that he’s the real winner since he actually waited an entire day for him. So Hiro can’t call this a victory when Kazuki hasn’t been eating and sleeping properly. But Kazuki says he doesn’t actually care who won or lost and thanks Hiro for the battle. 

Hiro says that Kazuki was able to reach him with his true feelings through their fight. But now it’s Hiro’s turn to do the same. The two head off somewhere else. 

Hiro takes Kazuki to the church in Kumamoto where he grew up. 

(Note: It was night at Ganryu, and all of sudden it’s daytime again. So I guess they were fighting until sunrise? But wait, Amakusa in Kumamoto where they’re going and Ganryu Island where they were are pretty damn far apart. So I hope Kazuki got some sleep in between. But like. Somehow the twins are STILL following them so...? ??? Anyway. I’m just gonna hope they all slept on the train maybe...)

Hiro goes up to talk to a sister who immediately recognizes him and is ecstatic to see him again. Both the sisters and the kids at the church have all been following him on his path to becoming Prism King. While Hiro is distracted, Kazuki takes a moment to speak directly with the twins. Much to their shock. 

Kazuki says he noticed them at the show and has known they’ve been following him the whole time. He let it go since they weren’t hurting anyone. But sensing that Hiro has something important and personal to tell him, Kazuki politely asks the twins to leave them alone. Ukyo had began to realize that same situation was happening as well, and agrees that he was about to suggest the same to Sakyo. But before they go the twins get the opportunity to introduce themselves. A very flustered Sakyo asks Kazuki to battle him someday, and Kazuki agrees. 

With the twins gone, Kazuki goes back to join Hiro and the two enter the orphanage in the church. It’s here that Kazuki finally learns the story of Hiro’s past (the one we originally learned in Road to SSS 4). About how Hiro once used street-style prism shows as just a way to hurt other people, so he can’t help being reminded of that time of his life when he encounters street shows again. After hearing this story, Kazuki apologizes for pushing Hiro so hard and says he won’t bother him about the duo tournament anymore. But Hiro says he’s not done with his story yet. He goes on to say that his battle with Kazuki just now was the first time he’d ever enjoyed street-style battling, and he learned how truly fun it can be study your opponent’s tactics and figure out how to attack. He asks Kazuki to be his partner in the KIZUNA BEAT CLIMAX after all. Kazuki is over the moon, but Hiro has one condition...  

So there was actually a B plot to this event that I haven’t mentioned yet. All of the Edel Rose boys are in Kyushu too. They were invited by Yamada-san to do an event in his hometown of Hakata. They arrive to find they have been called to do a show at a local skating rink which has been struggling due another bigger skating rink. And what’s more, that other rink is controlled by Schwartz Rose and when people show up for lessons they are shocked by how difficult they are and stop enjoying prism shows. So the boys both have to save the rink and get the local kids to remember prism shows are fun again. At first it seemed like Kakeru and Yukinojo couldn’t join them because they had other commitments (Yukinojo had to see a performance and Kakeru had work) but it just so happened they were both going to be in Kyushu anyway (...what a.... coin... cidence.....) so they just meet up later. 

So the Edel Rose boys are about to perform their show at the rink, when all of a sudden a whole bunch of kids from the church orphanage show up to see them, having been invited by a mysterious person named “H”. Kouji is there too, but when the boys ask where Hiro and Kazuki are he avoids the subject and starts talking about the KIZUNA BEAT CLIMAX 3rd round instead. (Which is taking place in Kyushu of course how conv...) They all agree to go to the tournament after their show is finished. 

So everyone shows up at the KIZUNA BEAT CLIMAX in Kyushu. Everyone except for Alexander, Louis, and the other members of the Shuffle I think? Joji is there because Jin sent him to spy on the competition or something. Even Nikkanen is there, because he’s still on his journey to see all the KIZUNA BEAT CLIMAX shows. It’s unclear whether he’s able to meet up with Leo or not. I guess the Edel Rose boys heading to Kyushu was kinda last minute, and/or maybe Nikkanen doesn’t have a phone in Japan. (I would believe that.) Of course the twins are there too, taking the opportunity since they came all the way out to Kyushu anyway. 

The show is almost at its end when the last pair takes the stage, and to everyone’s shock it’s Kazuki! But even more shocking is his partner.... the mysterious masked man Two H!

(Even though he was mostly using it as an excuse to hide the real reason, I guess Hiro’s image actually was a legit concern for him. So that’s how he solved that problem.)

And so all the boys watch in awe at Kazuki’s amazing duo show with this mystery man who is somehow very in sync with him. (It’s actually implied that, except for Kouji of course, the only person who realizes that’s Hiro is Yu ahah.) The 3rd KIZUNA BEAT CLIMAX win goes to Kazuki and Two H! 

Back in the dressing room, Kazuki tries to congratulate Hiro but the very stubborn masked man insists on staying in character. They share a handshake on a job well done, with Hiro excuse me Two H gripping a bit harder than Kazuki as he thanks him for not giving up on him.

The end. 

[prism-rush]

Prism Rush Main Story Episode 5 Chapter 3

Battlefield Tokyo?! Rumble in Roppongi-Aoyama! #3

First Previous Chapter

Translators notes: I feel like I have to give a brief catch-up since I have been posting these at such large intervals ahhh sorry (especially with that long break I took for Young of Prism). Anyway! Kakeru and Yu have been in America for months like a week. While they were there, they did their first prism jumps (after Kouji beat them up a bit, as he does), and while they were gone Minato did his first jump after an encounter with Alexander. Yukinojo and Taiga have been fighting over what is (actually) their own insecurities. Shin and Leo are doing a fashion show together although their clothes are missing some sparkle where we last left off. This chapter is interesting, if nothing else, because of all the talk about prism jumps. 

Shin: Leo-kun! You have a plan?

Leo: You wanted to add radiance to these clothes, right? 

Designer: Y... Yes... 

Leo: Then the radiance you need is... right here! Within our hearts!! 

Shin: Within our... hearts?!

Leo: The hearts of prism stars are made of excitement, thrills, and lots, and lots of radiance!! We can infuse that into these clothes you put your heart into! 

Shin: Are you talking about.. doing a prism show at the fashion show?!

Leo: YOU BET!!!! 

I know what I’m saying is probably a bit reckless, but... I can just feel that these clothes are saying they want to be seen! ....Can we do it?

Designer: Of course!!! Leo-kun, thank you so much! I’ll start preparing immediately! 

Leo: All right!! Thank you! I’ll do my very best! 

Shin: Wow..! It’s as thought both the designer and the stylist are suddenly... sparkling!? 

Leo: Oh gosh! Do you think maybe I went too far?

Shin: No of course not! You inspired me too! 

Leo: It was only because you were here with me, Shin-kun.

Shin: Huh? ...But.. I didn’t do anything.... 

Designer: Well! We’re all ready! Got ready to standby! 

Leo: Okay!! Let’s head to the stage! 

Shin: Yeah! Let’s do our best, Leo-kun!! 

Audience: EEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Hijiri: Oh ho! To think they would do a prism show at a fashion show! I guess this is all thanks to your special lessons, eh Yamada-kun? 

Yamada: No, I don’t think I had anything to do with it. Those two sure are something else. 

Leo always looks so timid but he actually has a lion’s heart. As for Shin Ichijo.... Well, to be blunt, he’s a bit naive. But in a strange way I feel like I have such strong expectations for his future. They are those kinda stars alright. 

Hijiri: Indeed. They are both a bit awkward, but they more than make up for it when the strength of their hearts light up the stage like true prism stars. 

Yamada: Well, I do think it’s a good quality for newbies to be so blatantly pure-hearted. Heheh. .....They really are something. Damn. 

Leo: Woah woah woah! Everyone is looking right at me! 

Shin: Well of course! We’re on stage after all! 

Leo: Wow wow wow.... my heart feels like it’s gonna burst from my chest.... 

Shin: Leo-kun! Calm down!! 

Leo: My heart is fluttering!! Everyone’s cheers are recharging the sparkle in my heart! 

Shin: Leo-kun’s aura is amazing!! He’s shimmering!!

Leo: I have never had much confidence in myself.... I don’t have any street smarts nor a long-standing family tradition.... and I’m not boyish at all... but...  I have all these people feeling my radiance returning it by cheering for me! And a friend to stand by my side on stage with me! So.... I think that I too can believe in my own radiance, even if it’s just a little! HUAAAAAAAAH! 

Yamada: Leo?!? Could he be... he’s going to jump!

Leo:  Heartpounding ♡ Pink Swirly Lollypop! Ta-daaa! Ehehe! 

Shin: Woooooow! Leo-kun!! That was great! Your pink-colored radiance is illuminating our clothes!! 

Amazing! Amazing!!! Leo-kun’s radiance is flowing into me too!! HUAAAAAAAAAAH!!!! 

Hijiri: Could it be?! Shin too?! 

Shin: Our future will be paved with our gratitude for meeting our great friends! Here it comes, with a bang! 

Sparkling Future Star! Shine! 

Audience: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! 

Hijiri: ...They both.... landed prism jumps!! 

Yamada: I guess they had some kind of a breakthrough.... 

Hijiri: Yeah. Perhaps by opening their hearts to each other they were able to open the door to a new world! Bravo, bravo! 

Yamada: You guys really did great.... All right! I’ll get the bath warmed up for you as soon as you get home! 

(Later)

Shin: Aaaaah! I was so nervous! 

Minato: Ahaha! That was amazing! Ichijo and Saionji, you really did a great job! 

Shin: Woah! You didn’t need to dump a bucket of water on my head! Ahaha! But today was sure fun! The designer was really happy too! 

Leo: Yeah! She even said she wants us to come back for another fashion show! Yuki-sama!! I really wanted you and Taiga-kun to see our show too! 

Yukinojo: Yeah... me too. 

Taiga: .......

Shin: Leo-kun’s jump was amazing!! 

Kakeru: I see, I see. So Shin-chawan and Leo-kyun here both landed prism jumps too! 

Shin: WHAAAA! KAKERU-SAN?!

Yu: Well, they probably couldn’t compare to the irrefutable perfection of Zeus’ prism jump, but.... !

Leo: Yu-kun!? Since when did you get back!? 

Kakeru: Just a little while ago. To think all of you would grow up so much while we were gone... But you were sure lonely without me little ol’ around, weren’t you? Hmm? HMMMM?!

Taiga: ......Not really. 

Kakeru: WHAAAAT?! ...OH come on, not even a little?! How about I if give you a welcome back kiss?!

Taiga: Ew, cut it out!! I just got cleaned up! But... hold on, Yu.... did you just... 

Yukinojo: ....Say that you landed a prism jump?

Yu: Heck yeah! And it was a beauty! I even worked out the theme for my solo song too! 

Taiga:  .....Kazuo, and you..... 

Kakeru: Yup, you bet ♪ And a super party time, exciting ♂  prism jump, it was!

Taiga: ............I see. 

Shin: And Minato-san landed a pretty sweet prism jump as well, right? 

Minato: Yeah.... But the thing is, no matter how many times I try, I haven’t been able to do it again.... 

Yu: Huh? You too?! Leo and Shin, what about you guys.... 

Leo: Me neither... once I got back, I tried to practice but.... 

Shin: Once again, it’s like we’re back to square one. 

Minato: Yeah. I’m wondering if that sudden burst in power I felt was just for a fleeting moment... 

Yu: You guys too, huh... *sigh* Being Zeus I want to be able to pull off a jump but... 

Kakeru: Well! It may have just been dumb luck, but at least we were still able to pull off a jump even if it was only once! Good for us, right-- 

Yukinojo: .................

Leo: Yuki-sama?! Hold on! You shouldn’t stand up so suddenly....

Yukinojo: I seem to be feeling a bit dizzy.... I need to get some fresh air....

Taiga: ......Me too.

Shin: O... Okay.... 

Minato: Kougami.... Tachibana..... 

Yu: Wait a sec, could it be that those two haven’t jumped yet...?

Minato: Yeah. And they’re both really troubled. It seems they haven’t worked out their solo songs either.... 

Shin: I’m worried.... 

Leo: Don’t be!! Yuki-sama isn’t the type of person to lose the radiance from his heart over something like this!! 

Kakeru: Taiga-kyun either. He just can’t help being moody since he’s just a bundle of teenage hormones after all, so... 

Minato: Let’s just take a step back and have faith in them. And if they need our help, we’ll be ready to lend a hand.

Shin: ....Okay! Taiga-kun, Yukinojo-san, you can do it!! 

(Outside.)

Yukinojo: Tokyo.... at 7pm.... the streets are flickering with neon lights.... the skyline of... Aoyama.... I can’t hear anything.... I can’t feel anything.... why..... Am I.... losing it....?! Yukinojo Tachibana, is this as far as you go?! Is this really all you are made of?! ....Ugh....

Alexander: Well don’t you look pretty. 

Yukinojo: !!?? Who said that! Alexander Yamato?!

Alexander: Crossing a footbridge in the twilight all alone, that long red hair flowing through the night air... just like a naive princess.... ! 

Yukinojo: Why are you here....

Alexander: Isn’t it obvious? 

I came here to... tear you to shreds! 

Next Chapter.

[prism-rush]

Road to SSS Event #2: Good Afternoon! Steamy Onsen Tag Battle! A Summary

Okay, sorry guys like I explained before I don’t know how much more of this event I’m going to directly translate because I am having a really, really hard time with the Tumblr App lately. 

But this event (like all the SSS ones) is pretty important and I really want to talk about it so here we go. (Or at least, here goes as much as I know about it because I didn’t go all out on the gatcha this time.)

It all more or less begins when Leo happens to notice Taiga acting a bit strange. He’s sneaking around and leaving the dorm early in the morning carrying some luggage. Convinced that Taiga must be running away, Leo decides to follow him (and brings the rest of Edel Rose as well). They all somehow manage not only to ride the same bus as Taiga, but to sneak on after him without him noticing them at all. (Taiga has his anti-social shield up to max, says Kakeru.)

I’d like to take a second to point out that during these scenes, everyone is  legitimately worried about Taiga running away except for Kakeru, who spends the time cracking jokes and tagging along for the fun of it. (Because he knows Taiga wouldn’t do that. Heart.)

So of course Kakeru was right. Taiga was just trying to sneak away to the Rainbow Hot Springs to do some training (the same hot springs also featured in Rainbow Live episode 39) and he was just embarrassed about only going there just because Kazuki did or something like that. 

So, being that they are all out here anyway, they decide to make the most of it and head to the hot springs together. And of course, Over the Rainbow is there too. 

Now. Here’s where the event suddenly takes a sharp turn. 

After the bath, the boys turn on the TV to see Tanaka-san making an important announcement. 

There will be a Street-style Duo tournament! 

(It seems like this will be... kind of a big deal? I mean there is suddenly also a real world event themed to street style?! Not sure how far it’s going to go....)

So, for the rest of the event the boys silently begin to think about if they will enter the tournament and who they would want to enter with. 

Taiga asks Kazuki right away who he wants to enter with and Kazuki gives a vague answer which suggests he does have someone in mind, but it’s not Taiga. 

If I read it right, I think there were a couple of hints thrown in that Kazuki wants to pair with Hiro....?

But in the scenes that follow seem to foreshadow Hiro and Yu becoming a pair instead. 

After their rainbow meal, Hiro, Kouji, Kazuki, Yu, Leo, and Taiga go to play table tennis only to discover there is only one table. So they decide to form 2 x 2 teams with Kouji and Kazuki sitting out as cheering/referee. The teams, chosen randomly, are: Hiro and Yu vs. Leo and Taiga

Yu of course sulks a bit when he realizes he’s with Hiro since the whole reason he agreed to play table tennis in the first place was to beat Hiro. But as the game starts Yu soon realizes he actually has a pretty good connection with Hiro. The two are able to anticipate each others moves and beat Leo and Taiga easily. Yu thinks to himself that being with Hiro in the Duo Tournament wouldn’t be so bad after all. 

Meanwhile Kakeru, Yukinojo, Shin, and Minato decide to dust off an old karaoke machine. (Kakeru comments that the songs labeled “new” are from around when they were all in elementary school.) So they have no choice but to sing some oldies, and Kakeru invites Yukinojo to an enka duet. (Look that up and imagine Kakeru and Yukinojo singing in that style. Then be impressed that it actually would kinda work.) They sing together so much that Minato falls asleep, and Shin slips out unnoticed to use the bathroom and then take a walk because it’s a nice night. 

Shin stumbles upon a shooting range which seems like it might actually be a legit reference to this story. Especially because just when Shin begins to idly think about the last time he did shooting, Louis appears. 

Louis explains that he’s doing a nearby job with Alexander, and the two compliment each other on their yukatas and decide to try some shooting together. How it ends up after this, I think you need to scout Louis’ card to find out. But before this scene ends in the main story Shin thinks to himself about how even though Louis is from Schwartz Rose, it would be great if they could be a Duo.... 

After losing the table tennis match, Leo wanders off feeling sorry for himself about not being manly and holding Taiga back and all that. He happens to find himself at the waterfall where Kazuki trained during Pride the Hero, where Alexander is now training. He also just happens to find himself there at the exact moment when Alexander falls into the bottom of the pool and he’s not coming up. 

Quickly Leo runs down, jumps in, and manages to pull Alexander out to safety all on his own. (Once again Leo truly is the manliest of them all.) 

Just as Alexander is waking up the all the others come to find them too, as they noticed Leo was missing and Taiga became worried since he saw how Leo was feeling down after the table tennis match. 

They hear the situation, Alexander asks them what they are laughing at, and that’s basically the end. 

So it seems the whole street-style Duo Tournament will continue in the next event or over a few events. (Or it might even be a plot point in the actual SSS anime?) 

If I read things correctly, it seemed like the pairs they were hinting at were....

Hiro/Yu

Yukinojo/Kakeru

Shin/Louis

L... Leo/Alexander.....? (N... No... or maybe....) 

If any of the others were paired off I missed it due to not having read all the card stories. If you know something I don’t, let me know.