#kono shin

[arbitrarygreay]

AG mashups are BACK, baby, and better than ever!

Kono Shin this is a bit egregious! Dance Man gave a shout-out to Boogie Wonderland as a big influence on his work on Love Machine, but that's not nearly as obvious as it is here!

Meanwhile, the Tsunku composition magic is real. "What if Earth Wind and Fire but more chords" is, well, straight fire.

I decided not to switch mash configurations before the chorus, but know that I did explore both combos. Plus the obligatory BOTH AT THE SAME TIME MAXIMALISM!!! for the final chorus.

[greysfall]

[A story only Hachiko knows] long comic strip and birthday gift for @areiml​. This is my imagination of a story set during the 3 years between OG and Neo, featuring a short meeting between Eri and Beat as they talked about how everyone was coping with Neku’s disappearance and moving on with their own lives. 

This comic referred to several comic strips I made before, sorta intertwined between canon game lore, my thoughts on the unexplored potentials of Eri’s role in the story and my friend & I’s BeatEri fever dream. I imagined it would be set at around 3-6 months after Neku’s disappearance and shortly before the gang entered high school. I never thought it was gonna be this long as it all started out as a few whimsical panels. While the comic has mentions of NeShiki and BeatEri, you can read it as general friendship if that’s your preferred interpretation (save for the bonus piece below). 

I actually have zero confidence writing Beat’s dialogues, tho I’m pleased with his design - which I put together by imagining Beat without his knitted cap, plus changing to some of his favourite WildBoar threads. My friend joked that since I’m used to draw sparkly Composers, I made Beat so handsome that even his parents won’t recognise him. Eri is canonically pretty, so I wanted to depict her as TV-star-pretty. Another trivia is that Beat generally isn’t a dessert fan, he also tends to dislike fruit-flavoured desserts and only enjoys chocolate-flavoured ones so it was a surprise that strawberry is his favourite boba flavour lmao. Now who does strawberry boba remind me of? Guess.

With this done, I’m one comic strip away from having enough materials for an anthology. The “final” strip was already drafted along with the Composers strip. If we’re lucky, I might get to draw it next year.

There is a Japanese version of this comic on Twitter in case you need it. And lastly, here is the bonus piece which is a redraw of my friend’s comic strip. Happy Birthday! (have fun being at the same age as Asa while I’m Tougou’s, teehee)

[nono-c-wam]

[SPOILER : About the game NEO : The World Ends With You]

I just finished playing NEO : TWEWY yesterday, and was I the only who thought that Rindo was dead since the beginning of the game and was reincarnated as a sort of clone of Tsugumi (or maybe was reincarnated by her) ?

-The two literally looks alike (same skin colors, same hair colors, same eye colors, also Tsugumi mostly wears red colors and Rindo orange colors)

-He's hiding part of his face during the whole game, and the only explanation is that he likes to wear his mask that way.

-In week 3, Fret is talking about his bestfriend or maybe friend, I think that the french version translate it to bestfriend who committed suicide and in the game the only friend of Fret that we know is Rindo (also some stuff that he's saying about that friend can be linked to Rindo).

[oveliagirlhaditright]

Found Treasure - A NeShiki AU fic

Summary: An AU where Neku and Shiki are Ben and Abigail from "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets." Shiki loved Neku with all her heart... but when it became clear to her that, in some ways, he valued that big brain more than listening to her, she knew she had to end the relationship. But she gets pulled back into his world when he's bound and determined to clear his ancestor's name and needs her help to do it. And she might be starting to fall for him again, too. Because, after all, the adventure is fun. And even more than that, people DO change. Oneshot.

Found Treasure

Shiki's PoV

Shiki loved Neku with her whole heart. She did. But when it became more and more clear that in many ways, he valued his intelligence more than he did her—and would never ask her opinion on things, in being all assuming—she knew she had to break up with him.

And maybe in her heart of hearts, there had been a part of her hoping that he would change and they’d find their way back to each other—since he had touched her soul like no one else had—but she couldn’t waste her life waiting for a miracle. She had too much self-respect for that.

And so, Shiki had tried to move on. In fact, it was when she’d invited her new love interest over to her house for the first time that her and Neku’s lives would end up colliding again.

Neku had broken into her house with the key he’d yet to return to her… which surely would have been the biggest offense—if Shiki hadn’t noticed right away that he had Joshua working on something on her computer, and was trying to keep her from noticing it.

“Neku, are you kidding me?! You can’t just do these things anymore!” Shiki reprimanded her ex, stomping up to him in her little black dress and heels, and still one hundred percent being a force to be reckoned with even in this getup.

And Neku must have realized this, because he didn’t try to lie and pretend that he hadn’t tried to pull a wool over her eyes, or wasn’t at this very moment wasn’t using her government connections, but he just looked at her with despairing eyes and said, “Please, Shiki. You know how much my family’s name means me to me. And I think I found a clue to clear us. Just let me find it, and then I’ll be out of your way.”

Well, there was no way she could deny that, was there? Shiki had heard how Shiba Miyakaze had shown the world today that the Sakurabas had been part of the plan to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. And Shiki didn’t want to believe it for a second, so if Neku had found proof to show that he was lying… who was she to stand in his way? She knew that if it was her family that someone had said were linked to such an awful conspiracy, she’d be fighting it tooth and nail, too.

And, admittedly, she was curious to see how this turned out…

“Alright, Neku. Find this link. But then you really have to leave,” Shiki whispered, knowing that her date, Shuto, would be done looking at her collection from working in the museum any minute now, and would see that her ex was here and she was speaking to him.

Neku didn’t have to be told twice, and disappeared back into the den with Joshua after giving Shiki that heartbreaking smirk that had made Shiki fall in love with him in the first place. Though she refused to be pulled back in again, unless he changed. And she had yet to see that he really had. Though him being so thankful towards her again was definitely a start…

“Damn, Shiki!” Shuto exclaimed, as he joined her back in her living room, about just as soon as she’d assumed she would. And suddenly—despite how it would have ruined everything—Shiki found herself wishing that Neku would have seen Shuto, so he would have realized that she was on a date with someone else. She wondered if he would have been jealous. Or if he would have cared at all… “You weren’t kidding about the impressive presidential pin set that you have! I wish I had one like it!”

Shiki had to laugh at that, as she strode toward her current date and tried to put thoughts of her former love behind her.

“I also store all the best outfits that I’ve sewn right beside them, if you didn’t see that. I love my job as a curator. But sewing is definitely my favorite hobby, and I might have chosen a career there if things had gone differently.”

…

Shiki, in a million years, would have never thought that she would have ended up at Beckingham Palace—on another date with Shuto—at the same time that Neku happened to be there. Yes, she had once thought that the two of them might be soulmates… but seriously, what were the chances of this? Especially since Shiki thought she had done a pretty bang-up job of putting Neku behind her these past days, and she was actually starting to enjoy Shuto Dan’s company.

The museum curator would have been happy to pretend she’d never seen Neku and return her later, when he wasn’t at the location, if he hadn’t immediately recognized her and pulled her into a rather large argument that was completely out of character for him.

“Shiki… I just can’t believe you broke up with me and won’t even tell me why. And this coming from you: the girl who was always prattling on and on in my ear!”

Shiki was doing her very best not to react to this and create a bigger scene, but she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t irked. How dare Neku insult her for talking too much, like he had when they’d first met?! Didn’t he know how much saying such a thing would hurt her?!

And was he seriously saying he had no idea why she broke up with him? Wow: talk about even more proof that he didn’t listen to her and she was right in her decision.

“Oh, you are just so insulting,” Shiki shot back, trying not to be too loud, but still wanting him to hear her as she fought him, of course. “And if you’re still wondering why our relationship ended, then we never should have dated in the first place, Neku. You just don’t listen!”

“Oh, because I’m just always the wrong one in our relationship, aren’t I?” Neku spat. “Men always are... Kind of like how you think I’m wrong about my ancestor Isamu Sakuraba being innocent!”

Shiki was about to respond to that and remind him that she didn’t feel that way at all, because she’d let him use her computer for his ancestor’s sake, hadn’t she? When she looked Neku in the eye and it suddenly became very clear to her that this whole thing was an act. Oh. Was the next clue he needed to prove Isamu Sakuraba’s innocence here? Undoubtedly.

And if the way Neku was carrying on, it had to be in a place that was off limits to the general public… unless they made a scene. Well, if that was the case, Shiki found she definitely wanted to help him. But first she needed to get Shuto out of the way…

“Wow, you really dated this jerk?” Shuto asked incredulously, unknowingly giving Shiki the perfect excuse to send him away.

“Yes, unfortunately. And he- he seems drunk, doesn’t he? I’m afraid he’s going to do something stupid! Shuto, I left my purse in your car, that has my pepper spray in it. Do you mind going to get it in case I need it?”

“I-I guess,” Shuto said reluctantly, though it seemed to Shiki that he really didn’t want to do this and there were a lot of things he would have rather said here instead. But nonetheless, he was a gentleman and left to fulfill Shiki’s request.

“Alright, that’s enough you two,” a guard said as he took Shiki’s arm and then Neku’s. “We’re not having a confrontation like that in public. And we’re not having it get violent. If you’re determined to have an ex-lover’s spat, do it in private.”

“Hey, get your hands off of me! I have a right to defend myself!” Shiki protested, as she was led away, half-hamming it up and half-serious.

“You see? You see what I deal with? Thank you for defending me, at least,” Neku gave his own piece, as he was pulled away right behind her.

“Neku, go screw yourself!” Shiki bellowed, when they were both finally slammed into a cell.

“Not when you do it so well, honey,” Neku zinged.

Shiki stuck her tongue out at him. And though she knew Neku was really acting here, she was tempted to do much more. But she knew that would just make things worse for them and ruin their plan.

“Wow, do you two need couple’s therapy,” one of the guards said, shaking his head at them. “I’m going to give you two a minute to think things through, work it out, and if you don’t do that, I’m calling the police. If I were you, I’d really think about if whatever he or she did is worth time behind bars.” And then all of the guards were, miraculously, gone. That had to be a mistake… right?

But once they were, Shiki turned to Neku with a raised eyebrow. “Okay, Neku. What the hell is going on?”

“I have to get to the queen’s resolute desk…”

Shiki nodded her head, acting like this was the most natural thing in the world, even though it was of course anything but. “And you didn’t think you could try to tell me that through, I don’t know, Morse Code or something, before you gave me a heart attack in thinking you lost it?!”

That seemed to embarrass Neku for a second, that he didn’t think of that, and he hid behind his collar for a second before shrugging. “Didn’t really think about it. ‘Sides, it might have affected your acting, and I wasn’t sure if your new beau knew Morse Code or not. And things worked out well enough.”

“Sure they did, Neku. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re locked up! How are we supposed to get out of here, to-”

But before she had finished the sentence, the door to the cage swung open and Neku grabbed her hand and was leading her along.

“Sometimes, I hate that you and Joshua are friends,” Shiki complained. “He’s part of the reason you don’t put others first and think you’re infallible. But whatever, I guess. We’ll once again save this conversation for another time. Lead the way… Since I’m assuming we’re on a time crunch here.”

“Naturally, Chic. Is it fun in any other way?” Neku asked as he turned back to look at Shiki and offered her a small smile.

Despite herself, she couldn’t help but return it as the two of them began running together. “No, I guess not.”

And their maneuver to find the item that would help Neku proved to be fun in its own right, too. It turned out the queen’s resolute desk was half Japanese puzzle box, half desk. And Shiki and Neku ended up having to maneuver every which way to solve it. As a very clever girl, Shiki had to say that she enjoyed the brain tease and doing this sort of thing with Neku again. And she would even admit she liked this one moment where she had to be under Neku, so she could dial in a number via a tumbler as Neku told her the correct combination from above. She was only human, after all. The intense car chase they ended up in with Shiba in his men afterwards helped to make Shiki feel alive again, too.

So all of this was how Shiki once again found herself pulled back into Neku’s world, completely forgetting Shuto, and going with him to his last destination that seemed like it would take them to the City of Gold (the whole point of all of this, it seemed. Shiba had framed Neku’s ancestor just so he would help him find this), but Shiki didn’t want to get her hopes that it was said city just yet…

Except the moment that Shiki, Neku, his parents Koki and Uzuki, and Shiba were all trapped in a room filling up with water together, Shiki found herself wishing she’d never hoped that this was Eldorado. She was now certain it was, but at what cost? They were all going to drown for their knowledge of it!

“There’s no way we can all swim to the exit in time,” Koki said far too calmly, as far as Shiki was concerned. “The way this trap is designed, someone’s weight has to hold the lever down to keep the door open. And, yeah: the door stays open for a few seconds it looks like. But not fast enough for the person holding the door open to swim out. It’s meant for someone to sacrifice themselves.”

“Ugh!” Uzuki screamed, ripping her hair out before looking at everyone in turn. “Koki, swim over there and sacrifice yourself for your son, his lovely girl, and moi, your lovely ex-wife,” Uzuki cajoled, but Shiki could tell her heart wasn’t really in it. Whatever issue the two of them had been having, they’d since made up on this journey. And no doubt, she really wished Shiba would do this, but knew that he wouldn’t.

“No way, Mom,” Neku protested, immediately gaining Shiki’s attention as she turned to him with a sharp glance. “I’ll stay. I’m closest to the lever, anyway. And the longer we stay in here arguing, the room is filling up. Go.”

“Neku, absolutely- absolutely not!” Shiki protested, whilst she tried her best to swim to him. But it was getting hard to do so, as a wave rose up and tried to take her under: Neku was right. It was getting way too deep in here. “I- Okay, so I don’t regret my reasons for breaking up for you, and those are things we still need to work on, but I do regret that I ended the relationship. We could have tried to deal with it together. I love you, Neku. I just got you back. And I- I won’t lose you.

“And, damnit! You’re being sexist! I could totally sacrifice myself too, you know!” Shiki protested, having finally made it close enough to Neku so she could lean her forehead against his and press a hand to his cheek. She very much wanted to kiss him, too, but their lips were so close to being underwater, anyway, and unfortunately, there really wasn’t enough time for it.

“I bet you could, Chic,” Neku laughed, rising up and kissing her forehead. “But unfortunately, you really aren’t close enough. So go.”

“Neku,” Shiki whined, looking at her partner with tear-filled eyes. She didn’t care what he said. She didn’t. She would not leave him here. She would die with him, if she had to.

Except that Koki was already beginning to pull her away. Shiki shouted and tried to fight it, but it was no use, until-

“Now hold on, sheeple!,” said Shiba unexpectedly, as he pulled Shiki out of Koki’s arms and somehow sent her sprawling into Neku, so he was spinning away from the lever now.

“Shiba, what the hell are you doing?!” Neku protested. “If we keep this up, the weight of the water will be such that the door won’t even open! Do you want to drown?”

“Yes.”

“What?!” Everyone said at once. Shiki had not seen that coming, but perhaps she should have from someone who had already gone to these lengths to be famous. But to die over it?

“Well… no,” he swiftly corrected. “But I have no choice. Let’s be honest, Sakuraba. Your dinky arms could have never held the lever down to keep the door open long enough for your precious family to get out, and I’m the closest to it beside you. I will sacrifice myself for all of you. On one condition: When you tell the press who made this discovery, it was me.”

“Of course,” Neku said, looking at Shiba with nothing but respect in his eyes, Shiki saw. She might have tried to gauge even more then, but there was simply no time. Shiba made a soul screeching cry as he tried to press the lever down, the door opened once more and then Shiki found herself rocketing out of it into… some golden area if her eyes could be trusted?

Koki and Uzuki were just in front of Shiki, and she was so thankful to see that Neku’s parents had made it out, but then she was desperately looking behind her to see if Neku was there. Shiki didn’t have to look far. As she continued to glide on the water that was finally starting to slow down, she felt a hand slip into hers on her right side: a hand that Shiki had never been so glad to feel in her life. And the seamstress knew that if she hadn’t been afraid of finding more booby traps, she might have tried to tackle hug him right then.

Finally, the two of them got to their feet and took in the City of Gold, and it truly was a marvelous sight. Don’t get Shiki wrong. But she still didn’t really think it was worth everything that had happened to get here. And she thought she’d probably appreciate it more in the morning, when she was looking at it with the press and police, surely. Right now, she just wanted to sleep…

And Neku seemed to understand that sentiment, bless him, because he and his parents took care of most things for the moment: like finding an exit and calling said police to get them out of here.

…Though, unfortunately, the latter didn’t end up happening right away. Surely because Neku had told them about Shiba and because it wasn’t every day one found a City of Gold, after all.

But the police had been so kind as to get Shiki some coffee, and she was feeling much rejuvenated now, as she sat on a railing and talked to Neku who stood below her.

“I really do want to give us another try, Shiki… But I’ll always be me. I’ll still jump to assumptions, and that sort of thing.”

“That’s not a bad thing when it comes to figuring out puzzles, and whatnot. But with people… you still need to ask, Neku. Yes, you know I’d love to go to a dance with you know… but it still feels nice to be asked and cherished that way, you know? To not feel taken for granted?”

“I think I get it…” Neku smirked up at her. “So, how’s this as an example of me asking? Shiki Misaki, will you marry me?”

Shiki gasped. She was pretty smart, herself (book smarts and in reading Neku) and she had not seen this one coming. And yes, Neku was pretty suave at times, but damn had he knocked this one out of the park. Shiki didn’t think he’d been planning this when they’d been together before. So that meant he must have decided this recently: during the up and down rollercoaster when they found their way to each other again, and that somehow made it all the more special to her.

“I think you get an A+, you genius, you,” Shiki said, before pulling on Neku’s collar to bring him in for a sweet kiss. But when they broke apart, he still seemed confused, proving that even geniuses needed help sometimes. Somehow, the thought thrilled her. “And yes, I’ll marry you.” This time, it was Neku who kissed Shiki. And was it hot in here or was it her?

She was definitely seeing fireworks with him again… though part of that might have had to do with some of the policeman setting some off in their excitement in seeing the City of Gold. But the couple were none the wiser of that, and continued on happily kissing to the news of their engagement.

Author's Note: For BlueRosesBurnBlue/Liz, as I’ve been meaning to get this story to you for, like, two years now. I am SO sorry it took so long. I guess now it can be like a Christmas gift to you?

I also meant to get this story done for NeShiki Day back in August. But better late than never, I suppose:)

I may do more in this universe in the future, perhaps. This was actually a lot of fun!

[composereggwrites]

Oh insomnia, seems we meet again (won’t you bring this waking nightmare to an end?)

Ao3

@subasekabang

Rating: T

Warning: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Fandom: Subarashiki Kono Sekai | The World Ends With You (Video Games)

Characters: Sakuraba Neku, Kiryu “Joshua” Yoshiya, Mikagi “Haz” Hazuki, Misaki Shiki, Bito “Rhyme” Raimu, Bito “Beat” Daisukenojo, Eri (TWEWY), Ono Kaie, Shibuya (TWEWY), Shinjuku (TWEWY)

Relationships: Kiryu “Joshua” Yoshiya/Sakuraba Neku, Beat & Eri & Joshua & Neku & Rhyme & Shiki (TWEWY)

Additional Tags: Shin Subarashiki Kono Sekai | NEO: The World Ends With You Spoilers, Sakuraba Neku’s 3 Years in Shinjuku (TWEWY), Sakuraba Neku-Centric, Families of Choice, Post-Shin Subarashiki Kono Sekai | NEO: The World Ends With You, Dissociation, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Grief, Isolation, Overstimulation, They/Them Pronouns for Bito “Rhyme” Raimu, TWEWY Bang 2022

Summary:

Three years.

Three years is a long time to spend isolated, alone. Ghosts and tenuous connections to keep him company. To keep Neku grounded enough to be himself.

Three years is a long time to come to care for echoes of a city he won’t get to keep. He has Shibuya. He has his friends, his home. 

He survives. He lives. 

(How does he do it? How do Neku’s friends cope with his disappearance? And is it a hopeless daydream that Shinjuku might live, too?)

Chapter 1 excerpt:

When he opens his eyes next, Neku is standing in a street, and the sun hasn’t shifted at all. The clouds obscuring it are static in position.

The last image in his head is Joshua pointing a gun at him. Again. And yet he knows, he knows, that this death was not Josh’s fault. Wherever he is, on the other hand. However he got here, probably is.

Scratch that probably. Definitely. Given what hangs at his neck.

There’s a soft hum from the feather as he reaches up to touch it. Grounding him. Giving him room to breathe without risking shattering.

Not that he needs the air.

(Not that the air here means anything).

Neku knows that a new scar on his back will be joining the other two. Matching the one on his head (hidden by bangs), and the one over his heart. He’d check, but that would mean finding a mirror. Revealing more skin than he’s comfortable with, in this ghost town.

And that’s when the people appear.

Ao3

[cave35]

Yoko Takahash

高橋 洋子 is a Japanese singer, composer and songwriter who creates popular music, jazz and anisong.

Music has accompanied her throughout her life. She began her adventure at the age of two, learning to play the piano from her father. While in elementary school, she attended the Takinogawa choir. At the age of 10, she participated in an album depicting the works of Osamu Tezuka. In high school she was a member of a band. At university, she was active in a music club and aspired to become an opera singer. Together with members of the music club, she founded the band Yau Power. In 1986, the band participated in the first CSPC , a competition organized by Kitty Records, and won a prize. In 1987, she won an audition for the choral group "LOVE MACHINE," which supported Toshinobu Kubota's "Groovin'" tour.

Before her major label debut, she performed as a chorus singer who accompanied artists such as Toshinobu Kubota, Yumi Matsutoyi, Wink, Miki Imai and Yuki Saito. During this period, she began working on her career as a singer. As a studio musician, she created music for commercials and soundtracks.

In 1991, she made her debut as a ballad singer with the song "P.S. I miss you."

In 1992, she won the 34th Japan Record Award for Best Newcomer for her song "Once more I miss you." That same year, she also won the Rookie of the Year Award at the 25th Japan Cable Awards for her song "P.S. I miss you."

In 1995, she studied music in Los Angeles, USA. After returning to Japan, she teamed up with Toshiyuki Omori, who decided to participate in a cover project of the theme song "Fly Me to the Moon" for Neon Genesis Evangelion. Thanks to the suggestion of Toshimichi Ohtsuki (King Records), she sang the song "Cruel Angel's Thesis."

Her voice will be heard not only in the Evangelion series, but also in "Ranma 1/2" (where she created under the pseudonymYAWMIN) and "All-powerful Culture Catgirls" ( YAUMIN).

In 2000, she became an freelancer. In the meantime, she worked as a caregiver. The artist recalls this time as a period when she withdrew from the entertainment industry. However, she did not completely suspend her entertainment activities. When invited, she appeared on television, recorded and performed live.

official site

Anisong lilst

[movienized-com]

Hokage (2023)

Hokage (2023) #ShinyaTsukamoto #Shuri #MiraiMoriyama #OugaTsukao #HirokiKono #GoRiju Mehr auf:

Shadow of Fire / ほかげ Jahr: 2023 (November) Genre: Action / Drama / History Regie: Shin’ya Tsukamoto Hauptrollen: Shuri, Mirai Moriyama, Ouga Tsukao, Hiroki Kono, Gô Rijû, Tatsushi Ômori … Filmbeschreibung: Ein menschliches Wesen wird unter extremen Bedingungen des Schlachtfeldes transformiert, und “Zan”, der sich der Essenz des Lebens und der Gewalt annähert, spielt im Tokugawa-Shogunat, als…

[nialldeleon231]

Los 20 mejores animes de Góticas Culonas

Los 20 mejores animes de Góticas Culonas

Ha habido una pequeña tendencia que favorece la estética de las chicas góticas culonas durante los ultimos años. Es mitad meme, mitad real, las chicas góticas atractivas siempre han estado presentes. El problema es que, por lo general, solo existen en la televisión, memes, animes y cuando las interpretan las actrices. Por lo que, no se ve mucho en la escuela secundaria que digamos y mas cuando de…

[apparently-artless]

UPCOMING 2024 ANIME WITH NEW SEASON

Looking for anime to watch/rewatch? Try these series as you wait for the new seasons this year!

SPRING ANIME 2024

Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! Season 3

Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hashira Geiko-hen

Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken Season 3

Mushoku Tensei II: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu Part 2 [Genre Warning: Ecchi]

Boku no Hero Academia Season 7

Maou Gakuin no Futekigousha Season 2 Part 2

Date A Live Season 5

Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei Season 3

Yuru Camp Season 3

Hibike! Euphonium Season 3

Kuroshitsuji: Kishuku Gakkou-hen

Shinigami Bocchan to Kuro Maid Season 3

More series under the cut!

SUMMER ANIME 2024

Oshi no Ko Season 2

Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest

Kami no Tou Season 2

Shy Season 2

FALL ANIME 2024

Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu Season 3

Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou Season 3

DanMachi Season 5

Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online Season 2

Kamonohashi Ron no Kindan Suiri Season 2

Shangri-La Frontier Season 2

Natsume Yuujinchou Shichi (Season 7)

Ao no Exorcist: Yuki no Hate-hen

Love Live! Superstar!! Season 3

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Kyoto Douran (Season 2)

Nanatsu no Taizai: Mokushiroku no Yonkishi Season 2

Shin Tennis no Oujisama: U-17 World Cup Semifinal

[ultra-violet-heart]

THE 2018 DENGEKI BUNKO INTERVIEW WITH 86--EIGHTY-SIX AUTHOR ASATO ASATO

Disclaimer: This translation is made by me for fandom purposes only. This interview, conducted in 2017, gives major insights on how the sci-fi mecha series 86--EIGHTY-SIX was conceived and written before it eventually won the Dengeki Novel Prize back in 2016.

Please ask my permission and credit me+this post if you will be re-translating this to other languages. PLEASE DO NOT REPOST ON YOUTUBE AND TIKTOK AND PLEASE DO NOT REPOST THE IMAGES ON THIS INTERVIEW. Please take the fan translations here with a grain of salt. 

Credits to @Yashamise from Twitter for copies of this Dengeki Bunko Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi magazine.

Erratum: This interview was conducted and printed in 2017, but this Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi magazine is dated 2018 as an advance issue of sorts. This interview has been summarized here. My apologies for the title.

I’m posting my Ko-Fi here as currently, I’ve been having financial trouble regarding my medicine, so if anyone can donate, I would be much grateful for the help, thank you very much.

AN INTERVIEW WITH 86--EIGHTY-SIX AUTHOR ASATO ASATO

“I wrote what I liked, in the way I liked them,” this author says. This tale is filled with the grief from war, the ugliness of racial discrimination, as well as the romance of mechas and of garter belts! In this interview, she reveals to us everything about its roots and its appeal! 

Text and Composition: My Street 

Illustrator: Shirabii

Translator’s Note: For purposes of this interview translation, the interviewer will be labelled as “MS” for My Street, since they layouted and probably conducted this transcribed interview. Also, for words that have brackets or parenthesis:

{} = implied by context                             

() = given emphasis/given parenthesis in the interview itself

[] = included in the footnotes/translator’s notes

A robot lover as far as she could remember

MS: Thank you very much for your time today for this interview. It was surprising to learn that the author {for 86--EIGHTY-SIX}, Ms. Asato, is a woman.

ASATO: I get that a lot (haha). My family says the contents of my work is just “the usual {for Asato}” though. I think my Afterwords have the impression they’re written by a woman, and I never hid that in particular (haha).

MS: This year {2018}, 86--EIGHTY-SIX placed first in the New Works category and second in the bunkobon {paperback} category overall. How do you feel about this now?

ASATO: I’m very happy. I knew of KonoRano’s existence [1], so I was hoping {86--EIGHTY-SIX} might be listed there somewhere, but it was a surprise that it placed higher than expected. As I said in this interview’s foreword: “I wrote what I liked, in the way I liked them.” I’m thankful that many readers found it interesting.

MS: For readers who haven’t heard of 86--EIGHTY-SIX, can you give us a summary of this work?

ASATO: It’s a lively, filled-with-clanks story of the protagonist Shin, his merry band of thieves, and their remotely-working-class-president Lena. [2] (LOL)

MS: 86--EIGHTY-SIX is your debut work. Can you tell us about the time you started writing this work?

ASATO: I’ve been writing ever since I can remember, and I started with writing manga {scripts}. I switched to writing novels around before I started junior high school and have been writing them ever since.

MS: You’ve been interested in robots and military-related things ever since elementary school, is that right?

ASATO: Yes, that’s correct. My mother liked {Space Battleship} Yamato [3] and Gundam, and as I have a younger brother, I got into watching and reading anime and manga targeted at boys. I was rarely exposed to anime and manga targeted at girls. We had the Mobile Suit Gundam movie trilogy [4] at home (which I’ve seen many times), and I also watched The Brave Police J-Decker [5] and The Brave Express Might Gaine [6], as well as other shows in The Brave [7] series. The only anime I had watched that is {targeted at girls} is Magic Knight Rayearth [8], which is another story with robots fighting in it (haha).

MS: I reckon such an environment led you to writing 86--EIGHTY-SIX. Can you tell us about your writing process?

ASATO: I originally submitted {works} to the Kadokawa Beans [9] Bunko Newcomer Awards. I avoided the Dengeki Novel Prize as it was rather {too hard to enter} due to the large number of entries [10] there. The novel entry I made on the 21st year of the Dengeki Novel Prize (2014), however, was totally not aimed at women at all, so I didn’t have any other choice but to submit that to said contest, as it has the closest deadline. It was a sci-fi fantasy work, with a theme of redemption, set on a time before and after {a} revolution. At that time, I thought, maybe I can go past beyond the 3rd round of screenings and unexpectedly, maybe placed on a good spot? However, the evaluation I got from the judges were “This is a 100% a work targeted at girls” and “Next time, we hope you will submit a work that should be Dengeki Bunko-like”. As Dengeki Bunko [11] is an all-kinds-of-genre publication, I didn’t know what ‘Dengeki Bunko-like’ even meant. I thought about it a lot but couldn’t figure it out, so I just kept on writing and finished my next entry, which is 86--EIGHTY-SIX.

MS: How did you come up with the idea and structure of 86, a war drama where unmanned drones and “unmanned manned drones” battle each other?

ASATO: I once read a newspaper article whose main message was “It won’t be good if a country sends its citizens to war, but it shouldn’t be a problem if they made an army of foreigners fight in their stead.” In that case, I felt very afraid that other people will be forced to fight instead of us, with the idea of “those aren’t people, but drones” justifying this and everyone just allowing it {to happen}.

MS: As written in Volume 1’s Afterword, looking back at history, it. is true that racism and racial exclusion existed to no small extent. So, why did you decide to incorporate “racism” into your work?

ASATO: Ever since I started writing novels, I have repeatedly written about boundary lines between “human beings and those who are human but not treated as human beings”, with 86--EIGHTY-SIX being in a similar vein. One of the bases for this is probably the class discrimination found in Final Fantasy Tactics [12], for example. A character there, Argath, who is an aristocrat, tells a commoner character: “But the gods have no eyes for chattel! [12]” This line has stayed with me ever since. After that, I continued to write with the motifs of “human beings and livestock in human form” and “human and those considered not humans”. I think BLACK/MATRIX+ [13] influenced me as well. This game deals with ethnic discrimination, set in a world where black-winged people are ruled over by white-winged people. In there, those who were discriminated against were treated harshly. They were treated like livestock, with the game having this line of, “Why is a mere slave like you wearing clothes?”

MS: Do you often play games?

ASATO: When my gaming consoles weren’t connected yet to the Internet, I used to play a lot of RPGs. I’m not good at action games. I did play a lot of Final Fantasy, like Final Fantasy VI, Tactics, VIII, IX, and X [14].

MS: Are there other works which influenced you? I wonder if there’s something similar like the war situation in Knights of Sidonia [15], which was mentioned in Volume 1’s afterword.

ASATO: I often watch a lot of robot shows, Knights of Sidonia included. In addition to the Gundam series mentioned earlier, I also watched Full Metal Panic [16] and Gunparade March: A New Song for the March [17]. It’s not a robot series, but I also have read Battle Faery Yukikaze [18] over and over. I like {literary} structures where the protagonist side is overwhelmingly inferior while the antagonist side is the superior one. I want to see the flow of emotions from the characters more than the fight scenes themselves. I think emotions such as fear, resignation and desperation show more in situations where {characters} are hopelessly in a big disadvantage. Winning a battle by domination can be exhilarating, yes, but those other emotions don’t show as much during that. That’s why I prefer for the protagonists to win through unrefined and tenacious means, rather than them winning by outsmarting {enemies}.

The work’s influences from horror films and in-depth military research

MS: The Legion are getting more ominous, and the deteriorating situation for Shin and his group is putting them on a very big disadvantage, if I’m not mistaken.

ASATO: 86--EIGHTY-SIX has been influenced more by horror movies than robot anime, with it being based on movies such as The Mist [19] and Screamers [20]. Mist is a horror story where the protagonists get trapped in a supermarket due to a mysterious fog and monsters, and the people gradually lose their ability to make rational judgments as they are unable to defend themselves or escape, without any rescue in sight. This horror movie has a great ending, so I’m inviting you all to watch it without further spoilers. 86--EIGHTY-SIX was initially set as a novel about a fog of nanomachines covering the walls outside of the Republic, and the “Legion” being an aggregation of said nanomachines. However, that kind of thing couldn’t exactly be defeated by conventional weapons, so it was rejected at the setting phase. These elements from this setting, however, were retained in the form of Volume 1’s final boss character and the appearance of those electromagnetic jammers clouding the sun.

MS: It’s rather surprising this came from a horror setting.

ASATO: The other {inspiration mentioned earlier}, Screamers, is a sci-fi horror film where autonomous war weapons evolved on their own and went out of control. In 86--EIGHTY-SIX, the Self-Propelled Mines, which look like wounded soldiers, are based on Screamers. The work is rather interesting as one has no ideas who their enemies are and everything else looks suspicious.

MS: So you have a situation like this, and you applied what kind of emotions you want to be shown in that situation, correct?

ASATO: Yes. Looking back, I think I was strongly influenced by the novel Chaos Legion [21] {in this regard}. Shin’s Personal Mark, which has a shovel on it, was influenced by his special ability as well as his role being the “Undertaker” responsible for collecting the fragments of his comrade-in-arms’ {Feldreẞ} units.

MS: The more I hear about it, it seems this work is really packed full of things {you} like.

ASATO: While I was writing this, I played the Black Hawk Down [22] movie repeatedly instead of just background music. It’s also a favorite {movie} of mine.

MS: I would like to ask you about military-related matters. What kind of material did you use for your research?

ASATO: I borrowed all relevant materials I use from the library, so I don’t have any specific references… About racial discrimination, I read materials about Nazi Germany [23], the internment camps in US as well as the 442nd Infantry Regiment [24] and Scroll of Agony: The Warsaw Ghetto Diary [25]. As for the weapons, the Juggernaut and the Legion are based and patterned from tanks, so I’ve read materials dating back from World War II [26] as well as the Gulf War [26], where 120mm tanks were the main weapons used. The Juggernaut’s 57mm cannon wasn’t used very often, so I had a difficult time finding research material for it. The unit itself is based on the M551 Sheridan [27]. This airborne assault tank has aluminum alloy armor, but the Juggernaut reflects the pitiful aspect of said flimsy armor which explodes upon impact by any stray attack.

MS: Why did you make the Juggernaut and the Legion multi-legged tanks?

ASATO: Because it’s romantic! I love multi-legged tanks! My first exposure with them is the X-ATM092 [28], a spider-shaped mobile unit from FFVIII. The loud, resounding footsteps it produced as it chased you away was very scary, and it left this impression of being a symbol of a very powerful weapon. I also like Ghost in the Shell’s Tachikoma [29] and the Tobigumo from the Swallowtail novel series [30]. In reality, multi-legged tank units aren’t really fast enough, and there is too much ground pressure for those to actually carry a 120mm cannon… but I make up for it with my imagination (LOL)

A character that embodies the idea of “to be human” walks alone

MS: Concerning those people called “Eighty-Six”, what do you think it means “to be human”, which you tried to depict in Volume 1?

ASATO: What I tried to depict in this work is “to respect other human beings, and to live without regrets.” However, I don’t think everything I wrote in this main part is actually correct. I think this is the answer the “Eighty-Six” came up with due to the environment they lived in. In Volume 2, the stage now shifts to the Federacy, so the theme there is now what will happen if said environment has changed.

MS: In Volume 2, I see this as a story where the “Eighty-Six”, who managed to get safety for the time being, nevertheless still returned to the battlefield. I think this sentiment was portrayed very well.

ASATO: Volume 3 will focus on what happens inside {Shin’s head} after he made that choice, so please look forward to that. After all, they don’t feel safe even after coming to the Federal Republic of Giad. And the war against the Legion isn’t over yet. Since the Eighty-Six think they will not survive if they don’t fight, I think they will continue to fight until the Legion disappeared. Then… what will they do after the Legion are eventually gone? …They will certainly have to think about that in the future as well.

MS: Do you have a favorite among all the characters?

ASATO: It’s Raiden. Of course, I love the two protagonists, Shin and Lena, but Shin isn’t really a very cooperative character with me, so I have a certain attachment to Raiden, who provides much support. Instead of simply just crafting the plot, I write in a way that captures how each character would act in line with {the type of} world I've created. That’s why I do not know what the characters think, what goals they have, or what pasts they bear unless they “talk” to me. Shin is not the type {of character} to talk about anything in particular, and he doesn’t even say anything much except for his name. It wasn’t until I finished writing that climax of a battle in Volume 1 that I realized what he was fighting for. After I wrote it, I was like, “Huh?! So, this is it?!” and was surprised as the author (LOL).

MS: So, you didn’t think about Shin’s background at first?

ASATO: Yes, that’s right. During that climax, I finally understood {everything} concerning Shin, so I went back on that part and wrote the details that I then added. 

MS: So even at the plotting stage, you haven’t put together the {setting and background} for each of the characters?

ASATO: To begin with, when I wrote Volume 1, I haven’t even made a plot. I didn’t even have a story structure in particular, and just wrote while letting the characters act. The first time I finished this volume, the last two pages were still missing, but Shin brought them to me, saying, “Sure enough, write up to this far.”

MS: What happened after Volume 2?

ASATO: I have submitted the plot… but stressed on the important scene that “I won’t know everything until I write it” then submitted it. As a result of this, only the boss character from Volume 3 remained in that plot I submitted. {I caused} my editors a lot of trouble.

MS: How did Frederica (the character) come to be?

ASATO: Frederica is a character with a part further on in the series, so I intended to debut her in Volume 2. As I was writing her, however, it seemed she and Shin have similarities on what they carry on their backs. Since then, she acts as a mirror to Shin. As Shin is a character who is not very good at grasping his own emotions, {I had Frederica} serve as the one who verbalizes those emotions. I wondered then, what does it mean to have a 10-year-old verbalize {another person’s feelings}? (LOL) I simply wanted to show a little girl. In Volume 2, the heroine, Lena, is absent, but I can’t have another girl the same age as her as this volume’s heroine… and so, under this pretext, I brought out {Frederica as} the little girl heroine.

MS: For some reason, I thought there’s other many works featuring little girls in the battlefield.

ASATO: If this were about a real battlefield, it would have been filled with old men. I like older men soldier characters, so that would have been fun to see, but I don’t think readers would find that interesting. Cute little girls adding a touch of color {to a work} is important (LOL).

MS: Did you decide on the setting from the start?

ASATO: The setting was generally decided from the beginning. The scenes were written out as needed. For example, regarding the battlefield, the Legion are ground-based weapons, and it would be troubling if they’re easily eradicated by aircraft weapons. That’s why {I had} the Eintagsfliege, a Legion unit which has jamming, and restricted the use of aircraft and communication devices. This, however, would have prevented Shin and Lena from communicating with each other, so I then devised the special communication device called the Para-RAID.

MS: How deeply did you think about this world’s setting on itself?

ASATO: The necessary scenes have been chosen in detail, otherwise, the rest of the details aren’t fixed. For example, it’s not in the main story, but the Republic’s population has already been decided upon. It’s the reverse with the countries on the edge of the continent that aren’t scheduled to appear, as they might have a Chinese-like culture… that’s all I thought of it right now. There’s also this “sensory tuning”, which hasn’t been written in the setting yet, but is scheduled to be involved in the future part of the plot. However, as I said just a short while ago, the story {as a whole} is influenced greatly by how the characters act, so it depends on them to make the best use of the setting. From this point on, who will survive and who will die… is something that I still don’t know.

MS: Is it still unknown how the war against the Legion will move forward?

ASATO: The basic points {for that} have been decided, with the foreshadowing being built onto step by step. However, it is up to those two, Shin and Lena, if they will follow suit. (LOL)

MS: What about the Legion, then?

ASATO: About the Legion, the setting about them has been solidly established, including the future boss characters. However, I can’t say anything about them yet. Details about them have been foreshadowed little by little. I write hoping the readers will be surprised by this later.

The love for garter belts explodes! A talk about eroticism

MS: Changing the subject, what it is about your particular fixation towards garter belts [31] and pilot suits [32], both of which you spoke so passionately about in your Afterwords?

ASATO: About the pilot suits, on the outline for volume 2, I wrote "I don’t want men’s pilot suits paired with ground-based armaments!!!" using half of the A4 outline paper and submitted that (LOL). I’ve wondered whether pilot suits are really necessary, apart from space or aircraft or even ground battles. I’ve my doubts about it, and with said doubts I don’t want {characters} just wearing pilot suits, even in a robot thing. I do agree with the editor-in-charge about “Female pilot suits are justice!” so Lena wearing a pilot suit is scheduled to appear in the future [32]. After all, the garter belt shows a good place between sexy and cute. I think the eroticism {from the garter belt} dwells in its self-contradictory element: it’s just one additional item {in a set of clothes}, and somehow manages to show more skin―I think that’s the charm of the garter belt. In particular, if the color {of the garter belt} contrasts strongly with the skin color {of the wearer}, the impression of bare skin is more emphasized in spite of the wearer. Because of this, I think it’s wonderful that Shirabii colored the belt part {of Lena’s garter belts} black.

MS: It’s amazing the garter belt drawn by Shirabii has the functions of both a belt and a ring, isn’t it?

ASATO: Furthermore, Lena’s military uniform, a garment that is very much seen in public, has garter belts, which are usually private items, and I think that adds further to her ambivalent charm even more. As a matter of fact, at first, I argued that it would be better if {her} thighs were not visible all the time but could be glimpsed at occasionally, but after a 2 AM discussion with the editors-in-charge while looking at the rough draft of the cover art, they convinced me that “That ‘occasionally’ should be now!”, and we settled on its current form. The ideal situation {we have} was when {Lena} lifts her legs up and a glimpse of the black lace garter can be seen through the slit of {her} dress. However, as Lena is a prim and proper lady, the only situation I can think of where she lifts her legs while wearing a dress is when she is about to wear heels… I’ll have to ask Shin to do his best on this one.

MS: Rather a difficult situation, isn’t it?

ASATO: It’s Shin, after all. Also, a military uniform with pretty boy shorts + sock garters is also cute, and as Theo hasn’t appeared with his military uniform yet, I’m thinking to add that to his outfit now… (LOL). However, middle-aged soldier uncles shouldn’t show their bare legs with shirt garters! (Editor’s note: Please Google “shirt garters” for more info)

MS: Are there any {role/inspiring} models for your characters?

ASATO: Basically, none. However, as mentioned earlier, Shin is partly inspired by Sieg Wahrheit [33] from Chaos Legion, while Lena is partly inspired by General Garrison [34] from Black Hawk Down. In the film, {Garrison} is placed on a situation where he could do nothing but only communicate with his subordinates in adverse circumstances, and this inspired Lena’s position {in the series}. In Black Hawk Down, many characters died before we even understood them, and I think that influenced 86--EIGHTY-SIX as well.

MS: That’s right. They die when the chapters change. When you are writing, you’re writing without knowing who is going to die, isn’t it?

ASATO: There are some characters whose manner of death came to mind as I was writing them. I think they’re good kids, but I have no choice but to let them face their fates (oops).

MS: If the names of the Eighty-Six characters were names of Japanese people, would they still make good names?

ASATO: Yes. All their names can be written in kanji. For example, Shin’s surname, “Nouzen” is from the kanji of the Chinese trumpet creeper (凌霄花) {pronounced as “nouzenkazura”} [35].  I actually like the arrangement of the kanji {from that plant} within the kanji for “surpassing the sky” (霄を凌ぐ) {pronounced as “sora wo shinogu”}. If you use the same kanji and put the honorific (君) {pronounced as “kun”} on it, you can form the characters for the Eurasian goshawk (凌霄君) {pronounced as “ryoshoukun”} [36]. This is also a reference to Shin’s image, as he does resemble a hawk.

What’s next for this series? There’s so much more to write about!

MS: What will happen in Volume 3 of 86--EIGHTY-SIX? [37]

ASATO: It will be properly connected to Volume 1’s Epilogues, so please don’t worry about that. The battle scenes, which were limited in Volume 2, will be much increased here. It might be even tragic.

EDITOR KIYOSE: This paperback series will, of course, continue to be serialized, and the series will also be expanded into various adaptations such as comics [38] and other various media. This work will have a lot of side stories, so we hope you will all appreciate this series as a whole.

MS: Can you please tell us about the future developments of 86--EIGHTY-SIX?

ASATO: The stage has shifted to the Federacy from Volume 2, and as the war situation gets more violent, the environment surrounding the Eighty-Six and the others is about to deteriorate further. There will be new enemies for mankind to face, and their own numerous personal conflicts standing on their way one by one. However, they have survived far difficult circumstances up until now, and since Lena will join them in earnest by Volume 4, I think they will still survive, stubbornly, shamelessly, and boisterously. However, I really wouldn’t know what would happen unless I write them. (LOL)

MS: How many volumes does this series will have?

ASATO: Currently, I'm thinking of around 13 volumes. The war against the Legion has a general flow and an ending in sight already, so I'd like to get to that point first. In addition to that, I’d like to like to write a side story about Raiden and Shin when they just first met, if I have the opportunity [39]. There’s so much more I want to write about. From Volume 4 onward, countries other than the Federacy will be related, and there’s plans to stretch out the stage even more. The Queen's Knights [40], led by Lena, will also make their appearance. I think there might be some slight surprises about Shiden, who first appeared in Volume 2.

MS: Lastly, any message for the readers who have supported you and the series?

ASATO: I was never active on the web at all, and I was totally an unknown newcomer writer. I believe the reason why I and the 86--EIGHTY-SIX series have come this far is due to the readers who picked up the books and supported us. So, everyone, I will do my best to write bringing Shin and Lena and the Eighty-Six’s battle to conclusion, so from this point on, I look forward to your continued support!

{End of Interview}

Translator’s Notes (Most of the blurbs here are taken from respective relevant Wikipedia articles, and the notes also include the Magazine Notes from the actual interview):

[1] Kono Light Novel Ga Sugoi: Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! (このライトノベルがすごい!, lit. This Light Novel is Amazing!) is an annual light novel guidebook published by Takarajimasha. The guidebook publishes a list of the top ten most popular light novels according to readers polled on the Internet and votes from critics, influencers, and other people related to the light novel industry. 86--EIGHTY-SIX ranked 2nd and 5th in the bunkobon category here in 2018 and 2019.

[2] Lena is the class president of Class 2-E in the 86--EIGHTY-SIX Operation High School spin-off side stories and the manga. This is probably among the first references to said spin-off.

[3] Space Battleship Yamato: one of Japan’s most influential sci-fi/mecha series, a Japanese science fiction anime series produced and written by Yoshinobu Nishizaki, directed by manga artist Leiji Matsumoto, and produced by Academy Productions.

[4] Mobile Suit Gundam: The first series in this very popular Japanese military science fiction media franchise, it was re-released into a film trilogy in 1981.

[5] The Brave Police J-Decker: The fifth installment in the Barve series.

[6] The Brave Express Might Gaine: The fourth installment in the Brave series.

[7] The Brave mecha and sci-fi series: a Japanese toy and anime franchise Brave series made by Takara and Sunrise, and currently owned by Bandai Namco.

[8] Magic Knight Rayearth: a mecha, fantasy and isekai shoujo manga series made by the all-female manga artist group CLAMP.

[9] Kadokawa BEANS Bunko Award: The contest launched by Kadokawa’s female-focused light novel imprint, Kadokawa Beans Bunko.

[10] Dengeki Novel Prize: a literary award handed out annually (since 1994) by the Japanese publisher ASCII Media Works for their Dengeki Bunko light novel imprint, spearheaded by parent company Kadokawa. It is among Japan’s largest light novel contests, with more than 4500 entries submitted annually. 86--EIGHTY-SIX won 1st place in the Rookie Awards category in 2016, launching it to the spotlight.

[11] Dengeki Bunko: a publishing imprint affiliated with Kadokawa’s ASCII Media Works. Many anime adaptations from light novels were published by Dengeki Bunko, including 86--EIGHTY-SIX.

[12] [Magazine Note 1] Final Fantasy Tactics: A tactical simulation RPG released in 1997. The socially conscious storyline, which tackled friction between nations and the gap between the rich and the poor, became very much a hot topic during its time.

Please take note I used the Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions translation here as contextually I believe this translation has more in line with EIGHTY-SIX than the translation of the actual game Asato played, which is the original Final Fantasy Tactics. Also, Argath vs Algus :3

[13] [Magazine Note 2] BLACK/MATRIX+: A tactical simulation RPG for Sega Saturn, with the PlayStation port released in 1998. It has a unique setting where virtue and vice are said to be reversed.

[14] Final Fantasy: a fantasy anthology media franchise, first and mainly developed as RPGs, owned, published, and distributed by Square Enix. Currently this franchise has 16 main series game releases. One of these games, Final Fantasy VIII, has its main soundtrack (“Eyes on Me” by Faye Wong) featured on the Afterword of 86--EIGHTY-SIX Volume 7: Mist.

[15] Knights of Sidonia: A sci-fi/mecha seinen manga, made by Tsutomu Nihei and ran from 2009-2015 in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon magazine. Its anime adaptation, which ran for two seasons, was produced by Polygon Pictures and aired from 2014 to 2015.

[16] Full Metal Panic!: a series of mecha light novels written by Shoji Gatoh and illustrated by Shiki Douji, published by Kadokawa’s Fujimi Fantasia Bunko and ran from 1998-2011. Its anime adaptations were produced by Gonzo, Kyoto Animation and Xebec respectively, from 2003 to 2018.

[17] Gunparade March: A New Song for the March: The anime adaptation for the Playstation video game Gunparade March, produced by J.C. Staff and aired in 2003.

[18] Battle Faery Yukikaze: a Japanese military science fiction novel series written by Chouhei Kambayashi. Its five-episode OVA adaptation ran from 2002-2005.

[19] [Magazine Note 3] Mist: A 2007 film based on the award-winning science fiction horror novella by Stephen King.

[20] [Magazine Note 4] Screamers: A 1995 futuristic science fiction horror film, based on Phillip K. Dick’s novelette “Second Variety”.

[21] [Magazine Note 5] Chaos Legion: A mixed-media action RPG released in 2003, getting a novelization by Tow Ubukata.

[22] [Magazine Note 6] Black Hawk Down: A 2001 war movie. Based on a non-fiction work about an actual urban war between international forces and guerillas that occurred in Somalia. The film depicts how a UH-60 Black Hawk​ gets taken down and this being dragged into a war situation.

[23] This is a very extensive subject, so please feel free to check out Nazi Germany on Wikipedia to get at least an overview.

[24] Another extensive subject, so feel free to check out 442nd Infantry Regiment on Wikipedia to get an overview.

[25] [Magazine Note 7] Scroll of Agony: The Warsaw Ghetto Diary: A diary kept by a Jewish teacher, {Chaim A. Kaplan}. It described the persecution and pillaging by the Nazis, as well as the three harsh years of {Kaplan’s} life.

Printed in Japan as (ワルシャワ・ゲットー日記―ユダヤ人教師の記録 or “Warsaw Ghetto Diary: A Jewish Teacher’s Record”), with Kaplan implied to have died in 1942 when he was sent to the Treblinka death camp along with other Warsaw Jews.

[26] Another extensive subject, so feel free to check out World War II on Wikipedia to get an overview. Feel free to also check out Gulf War on Wikipedia to get an overview on this topic.

[27] [Magazine Note 8] M551 Sheridan: an American tank developed to be amphibious, airborne tank. Its body was made of aluminum alloy to help reduce weight, but this made it vulnerable to anti-tank weapons and land mines, and it could explode when the shells it’s equipped with are triggered.

[28] X-ATM092: A spider-like robot boss enemy found in Final Fantasy VIII.

[29] Tachikoma: a blue-colored AI walker/roller tank that looks like a spider in the Ghost in the Shell cyberpunk media franchise.

[30] Swallowtail series: The sci-fi novel series written by Chitose Touma and published by Dengeki Bunko in 2008. The series is about artificial fairies, androids created in the form of humans, to be companions to still-living humans after parts of Tokyo’s population were wiped out in a pandemic, and one of these fairies, Ageha, is investigating a serial killer causing destruction. The work also has this multi-legged armored tank called “Tobigumo”. So far as I know this mecha doesn’t have official art, however, a fanart can be found in Pixiv here.

[31] [Magazine Note 9] Garter: They’re suspenders of sorts. “Garter belt” is the term for {a fabric strap which} which is clipped on over-the-knee socks or stockings. Having no shorts above garters is righteous! between the rich and the poor, became very much a hot topic during its time.

Asato’s interest in garter belts is not only shown in the novels, but also in the anime, which is noted to have a lot of thigh shots of Lena wearing said garter belts.

[32] [Magazine Note 10] Pilot suit: In this case, this is the type of suit that sticks really close to the body. As it shows the body lines quite clearly, it’s considered quite fetishistic. 

In the current time, 86--EIGHTY-SIX Volume 5: Death, Be Not Proud, has already been published, and Lena did wear the Cicada, which is Asato’s homage to pilot suits.

[33] Sieg Wahrheit: the protagonist of Chaos Legion.

[34] William F. Garrison: a retired major general of the United States Army who commanded United States forces during Operation Gothic Serpent including the Battle of Mogadishu, which served as an inspiration for the novel Black Hawk Down.

[35] The Chinese trumpet creeper, a native flowering vine species found in East Asia, usually in China, can mean “fame”, “honor”, “glory”, “abundant love” and “life filled with flowers” in the flower language.

[36] Eurasian goshawk: a medium-large bird-of-prey found in Europe and Asia and is among the species considered as “true” hawks. The kanji used in the article actually just refers to how Shinei Nouzen looks like a hawk, but upon further examination of said kanji in this reference, it pertained to that goshawk as well.

[37] Volume 3 of 86--EIGHTY-SIX was just about to be released in Japan around the moment this article was published, serving as a promotion of sorts.

[38] Several manga adaptations of 86--EIGHTY-SIX have been published as of current time. For more information, please check out this 86 Reddit Manga FAQ for further details.

[39] Besides Volume 1, Eighty-Six’s Interlude: Headless Knight II, Asato has managed to write this in the side stories Volume 10, Fragmental Neoteny Chapter 8: The Banks of Lethe and Alter.1: Claymore Squadron.

[40] The Queen’s Knights, formally known as the Brísingamen Squadron, was the squadron Lena became the Handler with after the Spearhead Squadron was sent on the Special Reconnaissance Mission. It was led by Shiden Iida and was pivotal in the Republic of San Magnolia’s defense during the 1st Legion Large Scale Offensive.

[arbitrarygreay]

Man, Tsunku's style really is so recognizable, isn't it?

[morimyulyrics]

This track made me go... ayo?👀 The song shows us how Ms Hudson truly feels about Sherlock. I personally think this has been something hinted since the first musical. And I think it's fun how they never put a name to it. Even in this song itself, you can see all the ways she cares for Sherlock, but she never labels her feelings. Just a "..." in the lyrics. And it's all up to everyone's interpretations what they think she really feels. It's genius.

More than you know

あなたが思うよりずっと | Anata ga omou yori zutto Character: Ms Hudson, ensemble

Kanji ホームズを（ホームズを） ホームズを（ホームズを） シャーロック・ホームズを！

ホームズさんは　まだ戻らないの？ ええ　まだこちらには　戻っていません 留置所にいるって　本当なのか？ ええ　どうやらそのようです　ハイ この状況　救えるのは シャーロック・ホームズしか　いない！

ホームズを（ホームズを） ホームズを（ホームズを） シャーロック・ホームズを！ もし戻ったら　伝えておきます これで失礼　いたします

ホームズを（ホームズを） ホームズを（ホームズを） シャーロック・ホームズを！

我がまま放題　デリカシーもない 銃は撃つ　ヴァイオリンはかき鳴らす 挙句の歯てに部屋ごと　爆破する あり得ない非常識男　シャーロック！

でもなんで…　何で私は… こんなに　あなたを…

あなたのいない　部屋は 灯りのない　暖炉 夕焼け色の　チェアが ぽつんと　待ちぼうけ

気難しい　足音が 聴こえない　夜は しんとした胸　この心が あなたを　探してる

あなたは謎を　見つめて 人のこころ　救ってる あなたしか　できない　シャーロック みんなを　助けて

あなたが　いないと さざめく　このこころ いつか　この謎も 解きあかして　みせて

私はあなたを 信じてる あなたが思うより ずっと

私はあなたを ……… あなたが思うより ずっと

Romaji Holmes wo (Holmes wo) Holmes wo (Holmes wo) Sherlock Holmes wo!

Holmes-san wa mada modoranai no? Ee, mada kochira ni wa modotte imasen Ryuuchijo ni iru tte hontou na no ka? Ee dou yara sono you desu. Hai Kono joukyou sukueru no wa Sherlock Holmes shika inai!

Holmes wo (Holmes wo) Holmes wo (Holmes wo) Sherlock Holmes wo! Moshi modottara tsutaete okimasu Kore de shitsurei itashimasu

Wagamama houdai derikashii mo nai Juu wa utsu violin wa kaki narasu Ageku no hate ni heya goto bakuha suru Arienai hijoushiki otoko Sherlock!

Demo nande.. Nande watashi wa… Konna ni anata wo…

Anata no inai heya wa Akari no nai danro Yuuyake iro no chea ga potsun to machi bouke

Kimuzukashii ashioto ga Kikoenai yoru wa Shin to shita mune kono kokoro ga Anata wo sagashiteru

Anata wa nazo wo mitsumete Hito no kokoro sukutteru Anata shika dekinai Sherlock Minna wo tasukete

Anata ga inai to Sazameku kono kokoro Itsuka kono nazo mo Tokiakashite misete

Watashi wa anata wo Shinjiteru Anata ga omou yori Zutto

Watashi wa anata wo …… Anata ga omou yori Zutto

English Holmes! (Holmes!) Holmes! (Holmes!) Let us see Sherlock Holmes!

Ms Hudson: Everyone, please, calm down…!

Is Mr Holmes not back yet? Yes, he’s not home yet. Is it true that he’s in jail? Yes, it appears to be so. Yes. But the only one who can save us now is Sherlock Holmes!

Postman: Ms Hudson! Here is Mr Holmes’ mail for today. Ms Hudson: Y-yes, well, thank you…

Holmes! (Holmes!) Holmes! (Holmes!) Let us see Sherlock Holmes! I shall let you know when he comes back For now, I will take my leave

Holmes! (Holmes!) Holmes! (Holmes!) Let us see Sherlock Holmes!

Ms Hudson: Oh, Sherlock…

You’re so selfish, and insensitive Whether you’re firing your gun, or plucking your guitar And on top of all that, you even make things explode in your room! Such a man lacking in common sense you are, Sherlock!

And yet… why do I… Why do I, towards you…

Your empty room with the fireplace unlit, and your sunset-colored chair idly wait for your return

And when I don’t hear your grumpy footsteps This heart, my heart somehow searches for you

You save people’s hearts through the mysteries you solve It’s something only you can do, Sherlock Please, save everyone

When you’re not around my heart beats frantically Please help me solve this mystery someday

I believe in you More than you could ever know

I… you more than you could ever know

[trueromajilyrics]

Ironina - Niru Kajitsu / NILFRUITS (Vocaloid)

★ True Romaji Lyrics ★

Ikiru no ni jikan ga tari nai Kyou asu mo jouhou kata na omori wo te ni totte Miku-dashite Tappu Tappu nan ni mo nai asa wo aruku Mawari no me ga kyouki mitaku omoete

Kajika suru haato wo kase ide Jison-shin ni tejou wo kakete Me-kubase shite ikiteku mainichi Akogare teta seikatsu ni zuibun to Itaku kira wareta mon da yo na

Shinji tain da yo shinji tain da yo Kono sekai igai no ibasho ga aru koto wo

Ai ga sameru koro ni Boku wo hanasa naide oite nee Migoto nige-kitte iki-nokotta akatsuki ni wa Sou sa yuuetsu-kan de yuuetsu-kan de obore tai ya

Toumei na asu ga owareba Boku wo kowashite kure yo aironii na Sore ga donna ni munashii koto na no ka wo Mada shira naide shira naide Nure-sobotta me wo nugutta

Musabonna sunakku kankaku Uwa-ttsura-ppera no ai de nounou to “Kome rareta omoi nante, hitaru dake muda muda muda!” Odorete utaete mina ni ukeru ka Kyouhaku kannen ni karare Aji no nai furuutsu ga fueru kedomo sa

Shinji tain da yo shinji tain da yo Nani ka wo nashita jibun ga aru koto wo Shinji tain da yo shinji tain da yo Dou ka kono airo ni naru hibi ni sayonara wo

Ai ga sameru koro ni Boku wo hanasa naide oite nee Migoto nige-kitte iki-nokotta akatsuki ni wa Sou sa yuuetsu-kan de yuuetsu-kan de oboretai ya

Toumei na asu ga owareba Boku wo nuri-tsubushite aironii na Sore ga donna ni munashii koto na no ka wo Mada shira naide shira naide Ii yo zutto

Yoi ga sameru koro ni Boku ga ikiteru koto ga aironii da Migoto nige-kitte iki-nokotta akatsuki ni wa Sou sa yuu-utsu-kan de yuu-utsu-kan de obore tain da

Toumei na kotoba de boku wo Zutto sukutte kure yo aironii na Sore ga donna ni kanashii koto na no ka wo Mada shira naide shira naide Nobita te wo gyutto tsukan da

Kono uta jitai ga aironii da

★ Song link || Base romaji || Resource 1 || Resource 2 ★

[hanaerize]

[IDOLiSH7]

I believe in... / Kujo Tenn & Yaotome Gaku (Nanase Twins Birthday 2024) - Kan/Rom/Eng

(Ask permission first before using my translations!!)

- Tenn

- Gaku

🎵

吹き込んだ風は ふいに新しい季節の匂い

振り返れば鮮明に僕が残した足跡

あの日描いた夢はまだ

身体の芯を今も熱く焦がしてゆく

変わらない どんな時も

僕が生まれたこの世界は

誰かが作った世界じゃない

踏み出してきたこの一歩が

この信念が生んだ世界だ

風のはじまりはいつも

この胸の中にある

I believe in...

どこへだって そう 僕なら

いつもなら照れ臭くて

伝えられない言葉を...

目を閉じれば溢れる

この想いを歌にのせて

いつか臆病風に吹かれて

軸が揺らぎそうになる時も

決して立ち止まらず

信じる強さに変えていこう

時に泣いて また笑って 繰り返しながら

さあ 心誓った 眩 (まばゆ) い未来へと

ほら 新しい一歩をまた踏み出そう

Wow Wow Wow...

そうさ まだ旅路の途中さ

だからこそまた明日が来る

足りないものを探しながら

かけがえのない「今」抱きしめて

僕が生まれたこの世界は

誰かが作った世界じゃない

踏み出してきたこの一歩が

この信念が生んだ世界だ

風のはじまりはいつも

この胸の中にある

I believe in...

どこへだって そう 僕なら

I believe in...

🎵

Fukikonda kaze wa fui ni atarashii kisetsu no nioi

Furikaereba senmei ni boku ga nokoshita ashiato

Ano hi egaita yume wa mada

Karada no shin wo ima mo atsuku kogashite yuku

Kawaranai donna toki mo

Boku ga umareta kono sekai wa

Dareka ga tsukutta sekai janai

Fumidashite kita kono ippo ga

Kono shinnen ga unda sekai da

Kaze no hajimari wa itsumo

Kono mune no naka ni aru

I believe in...

Doko e datte sou boku nara

Itsumo nara terekusakute

Tsutaerarenai kotoba o...

Me wo tojireba afureru

Kono omoi wo uta ni nosete

Itsuka okubyou kaze ni fukarete

Jiku ga yuragi sou ni naru toki mo

Keshite tachidomarazu

Shinjiru tsuyosa ni kaete ikou

Toki ni naite mata waratte kurikaeshi nagara

Saa kokoro chikatta mabayui mirai e to

Hora atarashii ippo wo mata fumidasou

Wow Wow Wow...

Sou sa mada tabiji no tochuu sa

Dakara koso mata ashita ga kuru

Tarinai mono wo sagashi nagara

Kakegae no nai "ima" dakishimete

Boku ga umareta kono sekai wa

Dareka ga tsukutta sekai janai

Fumidashite kita kono ippo ga

Kono shinnen ga unda sekai da

Kaze no hajimari wa itsumo

Kono mune no naka ni aru

I believe in...

Doko e datte sou boku nara

I believe in...

🎵

A wind suddenly brought the scent of a new season,

As I look back, the footprints I left behind are vivid.

The dreams I once painted on that day

Is still burning intensely within the core of my being,

Unchangingly, no matter the time or place.

The world I was born into

Isn’t one crafted by someone else.

It's a world that was crafted,

When you took a step forward with conviction.

The beginning of the wind is always

within this heart.

I believe in...

No matter where I go, in myself.

Usually, I’m too shy to express

These words directly.

But as you close your eyes, they overflow,

And these feelings turn into a song.

Even when I’m buffeted by the winds of fear

And your resolve wavers,

I'll transform that doubt into strength

As I keep moving forward.

Through crying times and laughing times, I’ll repeat these cycles.

Now, let’s take another new step forward

Towards the dazzling dream that we vowed to in our hearts.

Wow Wow Wow...

Yes, I’m still in the midst of my journey,

Which is why tomorrow will come again.

While searching for what I lack,

I’ll embrace the irreplaceable “now.”

The world I was born into

Isn’t one crafted by someone else.

It's a world that was crafted,

When I took a step forward with conviction.

The beginning of the wind is always

within this heart.

I believe in...

No matter where I go, in myself.

I believe in...

[composereggwrites]

Insomnia, Chapter 4

Rating: T

Warning: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Fandom: Subarashiki Kono Sekai | The World Ends With You (Video Games)

Characters: Sakuraba Neku, Kiryu “Joshua” Yoshiya, Mikagi “Haz” Hazuki, Misaki Shiki, Bito “Rhyme” Raimu, Bito “Beat” Daisukenojo, Eri (TWEWY), Ono Kaie, Shibuya (TWEWY), Shinjuku (TWEWY)

Relationships: Kiryu “Joshua” Yoshiya/Sakuraba Neku, Beat & Eri & Joshua & Neku & Rhyme & Shiki (TWEWY)

Additional Tags: Shin Subarashiki Kono Sekai | NEO: The World Ends With You Spoilers, Sakuraba Neku’s 3 Years in Shinjuku (TWEWY), Sakuraba Neku-Centric, Families of Choice, Post-Shin Subarashiki Kono Sekai | NEO: The World Ends With You, Dissociation, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Grief, Isolation, Overstimulation, They/Them Pronouns for Bito “Rhyme” Raimu, TWEWY Bang 2022

Summary:

Three years.

Three years is a long time to spend isolated, alone. Ghosts and tenuous connections to keep him company. To keep Neku grounded enough to be himself.

Three years is a long time to come to care for echoes of a city he won’t get to keep. He has Shibuya. He has his friends, his home.

He survives. He lives.

(How does he do it? How do Neku’s friends cope with his disappearance? And is it a hopeless daydream that Shinjuku might live, too?)

Chapter 4: Neku is having a time in Shinjuku with the echoes of people, Shiki is trying something new, and Beat has a conversaiton with Joshua

Ao3: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

[yuurei20]

Meet the Seiyuu: Sebek Zigvolt

Sebek’s VA Ishiya Haruki was a track-and-field athlete who had to give up his athletic ambitions after becoming injured during a competition. In a 2017 interview he explains that he watched a lot of Crayon Shin-chan while recuperating in the hospital and, impressed by the performances, he decided to become a voice actor. 

Ishiya says he would work as many as three part-time jobs simultaneously—mostly in restaurants—to support himself while attending university in Tokyo, sometimes visiting riversides to look for edible plants such as wild leeks, clovers and dandelions to eat.

His first lead-character role was in 2015’s Sound! Euphonium. He also voiced Denkigai Tamotsu in Akiba's Trip -The Animation- and had lead roles in Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life, On Air!, Hypnosis Mic - Alternative Rap Battle-, Sengoku Basara and in Tantei Bokumetsu for the Nintendo Switch.

He has a YouTube Channel where he uploads videos of food, ducks and livestreams of his own show, "Haruki’s talking place”, where he talks about Idoly Pride, FGO and recent things in the industry. It is very cute.

A livestream show Ishiya did three years ago with Crewel’s VA Ito Kent can be seen here:

A video of Ishiya modeling for Jade’s VA (and professional photographer) Komada Wataru:

In 2020’s Halloween event Ishiya explains that his oshi character in Twisted Wonderland is Malleus, much to Malleus’ VA Kato Kazuki’s embarrassment.