#so many feelings about that Wataru card really

[starpros-sunshine]

I still think it's so funny how this card belonged to a Tori event. A kind-of Tori centric story that was about Tori having to come up with a dance for his class project and who gets the 5* card? Wataru.

"Well then Tori could've gotten the 4* card to this gacha thing in the story of which fine tries to help him do his schoolwork together."

WRONG!

Eichi got that one :)

Wataei hijacked the fine gacha about a story that should be about Tori nobody does it like them <33

[enconfess]

If im honest really (as a fan of enstars since EN first release and have caught up with a few JP events except for like the super recent ones), I found most of the event stories and main story stuff uninteresting or just overall a headache to go through. Most of the time (through both official and fan translated) they would get me shaking my head asking "what the heck is going on??",or the story drags around that it feels both frustrating and just too boring for my brain to be able focus even, and just as I thought its gotta get better they will usually have some lame conclusion monologue going on that either my monkey brain is unintellectual to understand what's going or maybe its the writers are like that idk Im happy to see the pretty cgs though.

I would very much rather have someone summarize the stories to me even if it sacrifice for inaccuracies and biases. Ok here's an example, Antique Legends? The only thing I remember from the story is the fun interactions within Hokuto and his dad, which may be due to my bias with Hokuto but really that was the only truly entertaining part to me.

Speaking of characters I really don't care about character depth at all all I wanna see is them being cute in those little idol stories cause idol stories (yes I mean those short stories that are mostly like one - two chapter long) and scout stories are really what I look forward to the most personally cause they aren't over the top complicated or draggy like event stories and main stories, its not to say they are boring no in fact they are way more entertaining cause they make things that may seem so simple and mundane to something fun and also I love seeing them in wacky events too.

Also yes I did mention being a HokutoP though I would say I'm more of an overall drama clubP with other characters I like such as Aira and Naruchan (love calling her that personally) (and also I love every character in their many uniqueness and to be fair its just the bias demons that posses me). Now what do these guys have to do with this post? well to bring point that I know absolutely nothing about their 'complex sides' other than that they are sweet angels to me and I love seeing them in cute and funny situations, and guess what I still appreciate seeing them and hell I own a Wataru nui (planning to get a hokke one too soon) because even though yaydadad the whole war thing and his 'masks' I personally find him super fun even if I'm aware that he may just be putting on an act (plus I also have a mini white party dress for him that I make him wear whenever I went to anything fancy like my when I went to see my cousin perform on a orchestra concert).

To bring my final point I personally think that enstars best strength or interest for me is the idol / scout stories because even with their cookie cutter like surface layer personalities they manage to even be more memorable and overall fun to read. Oh and stories aside I adore most of the cards although they get bland sometimes and most of the songs are pretty good in my opinion love trickster songs muah. Anyhow thats just how I feel like enjoying the game and to be fair I prefer to enjoy it alone rather than to have a mutual around cause ye I'm that those type people who enjoy being alone and find a lot of people to be a waste of a space personally, well I have a lot in my mind currently as per usual but they most aren't enstars related so for now imma really stop myself here right now though I may come back here for more confessions idk depends on me I guess (I will also be surprised if you read through this entire thing and if you do thank you and may God bless you my good friend).

.

[estakes]

Another question~!!

Thoughts on the Five Eccentrics group?

ohoho~ here we go!

as a whole, i don't really mind them much? eccentric party night is overplayed as hell though. it's been constantly in the top rankings of the yearly enstars song poll on twitter, and by god does it piss me off. just let of go... it's been years. twilight pentagram is the same, it's in the top 5 i think. ugh, enough already. and it doesn't really hit that certain spot for me. just not a fan of them or their music (which is just two)

individually though? i have many thoughts, especially about certain members

starting with rei. i think you already have an idea about what i feel about mr vampire mullet here. i don't outright hate him, but i don't like him either. i find him a bit annoying, to be honest. why's he always acting like a know it all wise guy? for the whole mysterious spooky vampire image? sir, you're 20, calm down.

and don't get me started with the obvious favoritism that the company has with him! gee rei, how come happyele lets you have two global exclusives?! why? what the hell, what is the purpose of it? imo, i think every character should be limited to one global exclusive card. again, how is this guy's happyele's best money maker?!

i don't have much thoughts on wataru though, i think he's fine. though sometimes, his voicelines irk me a little. i would be reading a story with wataru in it and all of a sudden i'm going to hear him moaning for some reason. wataru, what the hell.

kanata's fine too. i like his vibes. i think out of everyone in the eccentrics, kanata is the only one that i really have no problems with. good job, mr fish, you're not as annoying as everyone else! i guess i just like how laid back he is.

then there's shu. do not let the shu pfp fool you, i am no valkP, nor am i a shuP. ngl, when i first started playing enstars, i saw him on the loading screen and thought that he looks like the most pretentious and annoying bitch i've ever seen in a mobile game. and i think i was right. almost every story i've read with shu in it, he's snobbish and looking down at everyone else. while he does have some scenes where he's not like that, the whole bitchy attitude just stuck with me.

also i think i have such a negative perception of shu, because most of his producers are so, so irritating. there would be someone out there saying that they don't really have much positive opinion about shu or valkyrie in general, and you would have several valkPs there private quote retweeting. i would not be surprised if i hear about someone getting doxxed by a shuP.

now natsume, the eccentrics' "precious" little brother. i'm going to start out by saying that, absolutely not. i do not like him at all. along with shu, my first impression of natsume isn't really positive. lol, i think my first thought was "ew why is he ugly" and then went to, "looks like an asshole". i just really don't like him. i hate how he treats tsumugi. almost every interaction between them is natsume either insulting or berating tsumugi or just straight up hitting and throwing things at him. what the fuck? and no one in the cast calls it out, and it pisses me off! they just play it off as natsume being a tsundere or something.

the fact that some natsumePs just disregard how much of a bitch this guy is just irritates me. at least a few have a functioning brain to point out that natsume is a dick, but those guys? nope, would rather ignore the fact that natsume is just as flawed as every other character in this game.

[artemismn]

wowww an essay thak you !

im assuming you picked the last option, which is like You need to do more than fanfarm

i agree with that one too, and i do think reading stories and having an understanding of the character you produce matter more than what you have of the character in the game. overall.

when i think of producing wataru, and what i want of him, i want lots of itabags and a truck full of nuis and every keychain thats ever been made

i also want a deep understanding of his character, i want to know him more so so so bad. ive read maybe 1/3 of the wataru stories so far

in the game i have 70k fans and am only missing a couple of his cards

ive been crazy about wataru everu day for over a year too

i was seeking peoples opinions and views, thank you for delivering so well 🙂

Hello! i’m glad that i didn’t annoy you with that essay in the notes haha

I actually picked the 3rd to last option, that the only requirement to produce is to like and pay attention. it most closely aligned with my view point that all you have to do it engage with the character on a regular basis, even if it’s not as grand as having a full ita bag or having 10k+ fans. since even if it seems small to me, like i said in my reblog, there’s so many different ways to enjoy a media like enstars that i feel like i don’t really have a place to draw a line on what’s “enough” to be a producer! i mainly used hyperboles in my “essay” to explain my point. honestly, as long as someone isn’t claiming to be a producer of a character then consuming literally 0 content of said character, not participating in any events, not pulling in gacha, and not even talking about the character regularly (basically not engaging at all) then i’m not going to say they aren’t a true producer of a character ^^ though i do understand your perspective.

my perspective probably comes from my relationship to enstars throughout the years. i started playing in late 2016 at age 12 and now in 2023 i’m 19 lol. i’ve always been a fineP, with tori being my first fave then wataru turning into my number 1 fave shortly afterwards. over the years my level of interest has fluctuated, with there being times of obsession and times of hiatus, but i’ve always come back to the same characters, to wataru and fine as a whole, you know? even during the times of hiatus, there’s never been a time where i didn’t consider myself a wataruP/fineP. same thing with the friends i’ve met through enstars, i’ve watched them leave and come back to the game (perhaps come back more casually), but i don’t see their love for their faves leave them. in my eyes, i still see them as producers for those characters.

sorry for giving my whole enstars back story lol, your post/ask just got me thinking about my relationship to enstars! ^^ very introspective topic.

to me, wataru is a character that has always brought me happiness. when i think about what i want out of wataru, what i think of first the is comfort and happiness he provides to me. i want to see him and i want to understand him as a character. he’s someone i relate to very much. i want his cards and i want to get merch of him.

right now i have all but one of his cards on enstars!! music (i missed his 7th anniversary card during a hiatus waahhh). i only have about 43k+ fans though (going for rank B rn) because like i said in my “essay”, collecting fans wasn’t really an aspect i really considered much or cared about, at least not until recently haha. (he’s on all my main teams, but they all got maxed out so i didn’t progress far after that). i was planning on making an ita bag for him/fine a few years back (even bought the bag for it) but uhh yeah that adhd slump hit and ive ran out of spoons for it ^^; it’s fine though i’m happy with my nuis and scattered merch

anyway thanks for the ask 👍 i think your perspective is very interesting and i liked hearing about how you view your relationship with wataru! sorry that this turned into another, even longer, essay i love talking about things. have a nice night/day :)

[hakuoyuki]

Hi! Can you tell us the order of your favorite Ikemen games and why? I'm assuming your favorite will be Ikepri, but I am curious to hear your opinion about all the games you played in the cybrid ikemen world. I always find your explanation very in depth (even if I'm avoiding all spoilers for Ikepri so I'm not reading all your posts yet ;) )

Hello～ Yep, you guessed it! My fav is indeed Ikemen Prince

And since other anons also asked the same thing, I shall answer those here as well.

I've played all of Cybird's currently available titles under Ikemen Series (but that doesn't mean I'm active in all of them)

JP: All (excluding discontinued ones that can no longer be downloaded because it's taken off the appstores)

ENG: MidCin, DTL, IkeSen, IkeRev, IkeVamp, IkePri

TW: IkePri

TH: IkeSen (only did Yukimura's route), is waiting for IkePri

KR: None. (But is aware of IkeVamp 6 stars KR exclusive cards)

ーーーー

I’ll be focusing on the JP version for all titles and my opinion will solely be on that because of the differences and variations that come with the localizations (especially ENG). For all of the titles, I am much more a fan of the original than the localizations.

My favorites in order & personal opinions:

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1. Ikemen Prince - First of all, let me just say with how dark the story is considering all the triggering contents and how IkePri does not hold back with its narrative and word choices... IkePri is not meant for everyone. At a glance, IkePri may seem like it’s a “fairy tale” but contrary to how the ENG localization is promoting it to be, it is not like that at all and even the VAs says so themselves in the interview. That it is a realistic story for adult (mature audiences) rather than a story that is full of sweet wonders.

And if I may borrow Hatano Wataru’s words from his interview.... “At first the title Ikemen Prince gives out a very glittery sparkly impression but upon reading the story line, it's how do I put it, very human. Because the characters are princes, they carries many burdens, there's traumas related to that, and things they learn and grow after overcoming it together with MC. It's not a story of perfect handsome men, but it's a story about imperfect humane characters that's very realistic.”

Asanuma Shintaro also pointed this out in his interview.... “After reading through the story, it gave me this thought that this isn't a ‘classic’ like the title implies it to be. Contrary to the image from the title, this work is meant for adults and I feel that gap with the title image really is amazing.”

I had to borrow their words for this because they really hit the nail on the mark here and this is exactly what I loves so much about Ikemen Prince that it’s my favorite of all. Furthermore, in the JP version... one thing which fans in the JP fandom mutually agree on is the fact that unlike the other titles, each of the suitors’ respective MC has a unique touch / differences to her that makes her that specific suitor’s MC and not the others’. In addition, IkePri is super consistent with their stories. The route and event and birthday stories, pretty much anything that happened on the same timeline gets referred back to / build on and you really see that they actually planned this out before jumping into the writing (unlike many other titles that lack consistency entire). And last but not least, IkePri’s game interface is like a combination of IkeLive, IkeVamp, and IkeGen and personally I just find that very comfortable to ease into because of how IkeLive was my main title before Cybird stopped updating it with new content.

ーーーー

2. Ikemen Live - It’s honestly a shame that IkeLive is no longer getting any new content nor updates. IkeLive was my #1 favorite before IkePri was released (due to how IkeLive was announced to be put on an indefinite hiatus half a year before IkePri’s release, I have basically moved on but IkeLive still remain my top fav after IkePri). IkeLive’s story focuses on a “modern reality-based” setting set in Japan, in an era not so far into the future from now. However, due to it’s main conflict being all about “government vs rebel in modern society” “not wanting to be confined by the government / wanting freedom” with the medium used / limited being “songs with lyrics and instruments” (extremist groups, actual violence, and mentions of death of minor characters do exist in the story too though), the plot leans much more toward “slice of life” and there’s not the sort of “drama” you see with other more “popular titles” like IkeSen / IkeRev / IkeVamp / IkeGen / IkePri. I actually love the premise here and the slice of life aspect of it but unfortunately that doesn’t seem to be so popular with most of the audiences.

In IkeLive, MC is a piano instructor who want to follow her dream after coming across her father’s music collection when she was young and she wants to compose her own songs in a society which had imposed a regulation on songs with lyrics making it forbidden unless it passed through the government’s approval. Songs which do comply to the government’s regulation are songs which “lack the influence on human’s emotions” and are basically plain and lifeless, there’s no “freedom” to it. The regulation (and the Music Control Bureau) resulted from how 19 years ago, one of the suitor’s father, the lead singer of divineBEAST band composed a song that brainwashes people and caused the whole country (Japan) to fall into mayhem after people went insane from being brainwashed. Breach of the Music Regulation Law results in penalties as specified in the law (I actually have the whole thing translated in case anyone want to know).

And since IkeLive is all about music... we actually got character songs and various song releases for it too! Every character that get a route has a character song they sings (it’s the song that MC composes for them). I really really looked forward to the character songs for the character with routes yet to be released but.... it seems like that they will never come due to Cybird had announced that they’ve pretty much “discontinue” it but is still keeping the app around. 😢

ーーーー

3. Ikemen Revolution - Speaking of “a story that is full of sweet wonders”, IkeRev is one of them. I do admit that IkeRev’s MC really do act like the original child Alice in Wonderland’s Alice in a grown adult woman body at times and that the story really is ✨Power of Love TM✨ (and I hate that). But what I do love about IkeRev is the lore, the world building, and the characters especially their interactions! IkeRev really have this vast world building and history and lore for us to uncover. The best part about IkeRev is discovering these things through the story (but let’s ignore the limitation of magic and what it can do for now because so far in IkeRev they really went the .... is possible because magic. Magic of ..... basically just use magic to explain anything and everything despite “magic has limitations too”). On a side note, I no longer join events unless Dalim is in it because the battles are pain to do especially with Story Events that require you to tap through it one by one if you want a friend boost.

ーーーー

4. Ikemen Vampire - So to start with, it actually took my friend half a year of persuading me to download IkeVamp because I just didn’t like the premise and didn’t find the original 12 suitors appealing initially. Even after I did download it and gave it a chance... props to the game interface being appealing and user friendly, but the early routes weren’t so enjoyable to me until at least half way through their routes. This changed starting from Jean’s route onward and I felt that the plot became much more fun to read and follow along. But IkeVamp just has.... tons of plot holes.... many of which still need an answer to despite all 15 suitors already having their routes released. I actually no longer join the events unless I actually really want to know what happen because IkeVamp really lack consistency and I simply don’t have time for nor the desire to read it.

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5. Ikemen Genjiden - Honestly speaking, I have quite a hard time sitting through and reading IkeGen routes like I did with IkeVamp early routes. The story just.... proceed so slowly that I couldn’t get into it. I’m not saying it’s bad, I’m simply saying I don’t enjoy the way the stories were written out and I sat through “just to get it over with” until I’m over half way through the route that it actually got me excited to read and see how it ends. The suitors aren’t really my type at all either so there’s also that. But I do like IkeGen more than IkeSen because of two main reasons: MC behaves more maturely (partly because she was born in the era) and.... the BGM are so good!!!! I really love IkeGen’s OST and hopefully Cybird would release the soundtrack album for it one day like they did with IkeSen and IkeVamp.

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6. Ikemen Sengoku - I do find the suitors appealing (to a certain extend, I like their interactions together more than having a personal interest in the suitors as a love interest specifically) and the plot is enjoyable (out of curiosity for what will happen in the routes. the events... I don’t really enjoy at all); however, the thing about IkeSen is... I don’t like the game interface and the events are taxing to clear unless you’re really devoted and invested into it. For me personally, the suitors’ appeal and the story’s enjoyability simply doesn’t balance out over the effort (and cash) I need to invest into it. I haven’t been doing any new routes after Kennyo so I don’t know if this has changed yet but up to that point, IkeSen doesn’t really touches upon the “ugly side of war”

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7. Ikemen Bakumatsu (Destined to Love) - I actually didn’t finished all the routes here (lack of closet) so I only went for a few who piqued my interest. A much more mature story than MidCin. Although, I honestly couldn’t quite fully enjoy it as much as I hope to because I actually got into DTL because of how there’s Shinsengumi here and Toudou Heisuke was my fav from Hakuouki so DTL Toudou was the route I went for. They’re completely different to say the least (and yes, I like Hakuouki more when it comes to Bakumatsu era romance story with Shinsengumi involved). (Also complete bias here because I only finished Kirisato, Kyo, and Toudou’s route) But my fav route is indeed still Toudou’s. 

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8. Ikemen Oukyu (Midnight Cinderella) - MidCin (EN) was actually my first title and what got me attracted to it was the suitors. Right now I’m still on it in JP but I really don’t have much to say other than how it’s very fairy tales sparkly and “a story that is full of sweet wonders”

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9. the rest (100DP, Ikemen Celeb - Sleeping Beauty in the Suite Room, Ikemen Shin Ooku, Ikemen Yakyoku - Love Lies & a Heists) - I played them yes, but not really a fan. So I’ll opt for no opinion on these.

[miniaturestitches]

30-day seiyuu challenge/appreciation week 4 + 2 days

Finally got the time to post this!  Got really delayed because so many things got in the way...my computer decided to stop cooperating...tumblr also decided to whisk part of my draft away...

Anyway! here’s the last week for the challenge~ I don’t even know if what I typed makes sense.

Hey, if you guys want to do the 30-day seiyuu challenge (whether mine or someone else’s), can you please let me know? I want to read more appreciation posts for seiyuus~

If you want to see more posts filled with fangirling and my opinions, here is the link to week 3.

22. Seiyuu with fastest voice change

Shimazaki  Nobunaga

Just listen to his character Kaido Shun…

And this guy… 

You'll know what I mean.  The way he shifts in pitch is near instant.  

23. Seiyuu with best main character roles

Nakamura Yuuichi

He doesn’t get casted as those typical loud, heroic, shounen main characters, but you'll want to root for his characters.  (hmm, actually you'll like his characters even though they're support characters.)

He just… "owns" the character he voices.  Once I hear him voice a character, I can't really imagine that character being voiced by anyone else. 

 I feel that his voice really improves the character too; adding depth to the character.  

Special Mention: Hanae Natsuki I'm personally not a fan, but I have to admit that he is talented.  

He is given a lot of main character roles and he excels at it. He is given a lot of main character roles and he excels at it.

24. Seiyuu with best support roles

Kimura Ryohei

I don't know why, but I tend to like his characters more when they're not the main lead.  

His characters tend to make others shine and become more memorable.

25. Favorite seiyuu duo/ combination

Kimura Ryohei + Nobunaga Shimazaki

I'll go ahead and say it, I was very biased for this item.  They don't really get much projects together unlike other seiyuu duos (Kamiya Hiroshi + Ono Daisuke, Fukuyama Jun + Sakurai Takahiro)  but they're dynamics as theGreed pair just worked so well for me.

I just really, really love their tandem as Licht and Lawless!  

I loved it even more when I saw clips of the live Servamp event.

I hope to see more combinations like this in the future.  

Another duo I like is Nakamura Yuuchi + Fukuyama Jun.  Ratio and Birthday was a great tandem.

26. Seiyuus you always mistake for the other

Hatano Wataru and Konishi Katsuyuki 

The sound so similar to me.   

I actually thought these guys were voiced by Hatano Wataru until I checked the credits.

 Well, they were actually casted as son and father once (the Yaotomes in Idolish7)

I guess I'm not alone in thinking that they do have some similarities?

27. Underrated seiyuu

Kimura Subaru I don't think he gets much main voice acting roles.  (Well at least Hypmic got an anime now.)  He has this unique voice which sounds refreshing.    

I myself didn't really notice him before until someone pointed out to me how great he was in voicing Terasaka and Kanba.

Furukawa Makoto

Aside from Saitama (One-Punch Man) people rarely talk about his roles.

I think he deserves more recognition for his voice work. 

I was a bit disappointed when Taiju only got appearances in the earlier episodes of Dr. Stone.  I hope he gets a bigger role in the next season!

Did you know he did the narration in the Saiki Kusuo Psi-nan anime?  

I like his voice as Hatsuharu too.

28. Seiyuu who deserves better roles

Ono Yuki

His voice range is so flexible! 

I always get pleasantly surprised when I find out that he was the voice behind a character. He's one of those seiyuus who make you remember the character, not the voice actor.   

Sadly, I feel like everytime he is one of the main characters, he ends up getting outshined or forgotten...because other seiyuus are more popular.

Kawanishi Kengo

Really impressive work in 3an-gatsu no lion!

I think he deserves more leading roles!  He did get the lead role in Junjo no Magmell.  The anime had so much potential, but I felt that it could have ended better.

He was also perfect as Asagiri Gen in Dr. Stone!

29. Seiyuu who works well with other seiyuus

Miyu Irino

I can't really describe it well.  But Miyu Irino (both character and voice) just blends into whatever role is given to him.  

Classic example is Tachibana Chizuru from Kimi to Boku…like...he just established himself in their circle.

I guess he does get a lot of “outsider” characters who find their way in becoming a core part of a group.

One minute it’s “look at this wild card” and the next minute it’s “since when did you guys get all so chummy?!”

As expected of an experienced voice actor!  He can make his voice work in any genre, any character, with any cast.  

Hosoya Yoshimasa

He works so well with various tandems.

I have a friend who likes the Shimazaki Nobunaga + Hosoya Yoshimasa combi.

While I prefer the Miyano Mamoru + Hosoya Yoshimasa combi~

Whichever combi you like, there’s no denying his talent.  He has a good range of character types!

30. Seiyuus who gives characters life

Suzumura Kenichi

I'm not just talking about making the character lively. (like this adorable furball)

Whether the character is energetic or not, young or not, Suzumura Kenichi makes the character so believable and real.  

It seems to me that, no matter how minor, he makes each character memorable.

and that’s a wrap for the seiyuu challenge~ (for now ^ ^ ) I did have fun doing this and now have even better appreciation for the work they do.  I hope I can repeat this challenge in the future~ there are still so many impressive seiyuus out there!   

[seirity]

Chihaya 3 episode 23 reactions and thoughts on Taichihaya: Part 2 - The Confession

This is the second part of my post regarding episode 23 of Chihayafuru 3. If you would like to read the first part of the post please go here.

So after all that build up, it finally happens. Taichi finally gets his opportunity to confess to Chihaya right before the start of the new school year.

Honestly, I think it’s beautiful how meticulous Suetsugu-sensei was with Taichi’s confession. While Arata’s was short and sweet, but completely fitting for his personality, Taichi’s was incredibly detailed.

First and foremost, Taichi’s confession coincides with spring and is done with the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Spring is a special season in Japan, since it is a time of new beginnings, of change, of life, and for people to come together to celebrate the start of a new year. Unlike the west, Japan’s school year starts in the spring. It’s also a period of time that is associated with love and I’ve also seen many references of love blooming between couples during this time period. Coincidence? I think not.

For those of you that would like to learn more about this, here is a very nice blog entry regarding love and spring in Japan.

On the flip side, those of you that are being devil advocates are probably asking me:  But what about the fact that spring is also associated with the transience of life? Honestly, I think this meaning of spring is more associated with what comes after the confession and how it signifies that Chihaya took Taichi for granted. She took for granted how he was always a part of her life. He was always there for her. He was always with her.

Anyways, I digress.

To be honest, in my opinion, Taichi’s confession felt more genuine and more heartfelt than Arata’s because of the way he went about it. He actually confessed that he was the one who took and hid Arata’s glasses back then before telling Chihaya that he’s loved her all these years. Taichi didn’t have to, but he did it because he wanted to prove that he too has changed or grown as a person since his elementary school days. For him, this means he has to come to terms with the fact that he took Arata’s glasses back then, no matter how much Chihaya may possibly hate him for it or how it may change her opinion of him. It’s no coincidence that Suetsugu-sensei follows his revelation with this statement:

“I’ve always.. always... wanted to be someone who wasn’t a coward.”

Then he confesses to Chihaya that he loves her.

Taichi tells Chihaya that ever since they were children, he’s loved her fingernails that she never grows out, her fingers, her hair, her mouth that is always wide open like an idiot, and her smile. Yet before he even tells her this, he’s repeating, “Just kidding, Chihaya. That was a joke. Just a joke.” like a mantra in his mind. Almost as if he was going to give himself a way out before he takes the plunge and goes all in. It’s beautiful because the audience can feel the moment when he realizes he is at that tipping point: the point of no return. It’s heartbreaking and it pulls at your heartstrings.

It’s at this exact moment that Suetsugu-sensei chooses to bring up how Taichi doesn’t like the person Chihaya becomes when she’s thinking of Arata. Suetsugu-sensei chooses this exact moment to give the audience a look into Chihaya’s mind and reveals Chihaya is recalling Arata’s confession. It’s such a beautiful juxtaposition of how each of them have chosen to tell Chihaya how they feel about her.

I’ve always been confused about this ever since I read the manga, but it’s never made sense to me why there are two different version of Arata’s confession.

After the Meijin/Queen qualifying matches:

While Taichi is confessing to her:

The last part of the confession is completely different and it makes me wonder if what Arata says at the Meijin/Queen qualifying matches is what actually occurred, while what Chihaya recalls during Taichi’s confession was her own interpretation of what Arata said when he told her that they should play karuta together in college if she wants to.

Kana-chan did allude to this earlier in the series:

Anyways, it is this beautiful juxtaposition that makes it clear that there is a difference in the depth of their feelings for Chihaya. For me, Taichi’s confession is much more sincere, but honestly, this could also be because he had time to prepare for it. Arata simply blurted out his feelings for Chihaya in a spur of the moment kind of thing simply because of what she said at the moment. He didn’t have the time or foresight to really think about what he wanted to say in his own confession.

For me, Taichi’s confession was a lot easier to understand in the anime than in the manga, since I had the Japanese audio. I’m forever grateful for those who do the scanlations and I know they try their best, but sometimes things don’t really make sense since a translation is done based on the translator’s interpretation of the scene. Chihayafuru is a difficult manga to translate since the subject of the lines are usually not included and it’s not clear to whom some of the thoughts are directed at or from. Animating a series clears up the vast majority of the issues that arise from translating Chihayafuru, not to mention the amazing music and voice acting that comes with it. Speaking of which, both Miyano Mamoru and Seto Asami truly outdid themselves in this scene. The voice acting and the music were both superb and matched the scene perfectly.

Finally, we are now at the most controversial part of Taichi’s confession: Chihaya’s response.

Honestly, 「“感じ”悪いから、聞こえね－よ」or “’Kanji’ ga warui kara, kikoeneeyo” is a really hard line to translate. Kanji or 感じ here is in quotation marks because it’s not the normal definition of 感じ, which is feeling or sense. 感じ here refers more to the ability of being able to understand the flow of a match because you have extremely good senses, which in karuta’s case is hearing. So in this case, Taichi is essentially saying he was unable to hear what Chihaya said because his hearing isn’t as good as Chihaya’s or good enough to hear what she whispered.

For me, this just makes my heart break because it’s just another layer of misunderstanding between these two as their actions/lack of actions tear each other apart.

While this card did not appear in the manga, I will say I do like how it made an appearance here in the anime. It is the second part of poem #46:

‘Where, over the deep of love, The end lies, I do not know “

行く方もしらぬ 恋の道かな

The entire poem is actually this:

Like a mariner Sailing over Yura's strait With his rudder gone: Where, over the deep of love, The end lies, I do not know.

由良のとを わたる舟人 かぢをたえ 行く方もしらぬ 恋の道かな

It’s a beautiful poem and I actually really like how the translator for the anime chose to translate the last part as “I do not know where this love will take me.”

The English translation done by the University of Virginia is beautiful and echoes the same sentiments as a Japanese explanation for this poem that I found here:

由良の門を渡る船頭が、櫂がなくなって行方も知れず漂うように、将来どうなるとも知れない恋の行方であるなあ。 Yura no to wo wataru sendou ga, kai ga nakutemo yukue mo shirazu tadayou youni, shourai dou naru mo shiranai koi no yukue de aru kana.

Just as a mariner does not know where he is going as he drifts down the Yura strait without his oar, what will become of this love in the future and where it will go is unknown. (disclaimer: 将来 or shourai means future in the sense of what will happen soon and not in the far out future/long term.)

The poem is perfect for this scene because Taichi does not know how Chihaya will actually react to his confession or where his love for Chihaya will take him, just as the mariner does not know where he is going as he drifts down the Yura strait without his oar.

For me, the 「ごめん」or “I’m sorry” that Chihaya whispers isn’t a response to Taichi’s confession, but more her apologizing for never realizing his feelings for her were the reason why he couldn’t tell her everything and why he did things alone. This is due to the fact that the first thing she thinks of after hearing Taichi’s confession is this particular scene:

After her flashbacks, Taichi’s confession plays again in her mind and then it finally hits her: Taichi loves her.

I alluded to this in part one of my post, but I would like to reiterate the same sentiments here. I REALLY liked how they animated this particular scene and the timing of the close up has such a beautiful impact. The audience can really feel the moment where it hits Chihaya.

As Taichi leaves the room, the camera pans to Chihaya and we are left with this scene:

The way this scene was beautifully animated further drives this point home because she is shocked to learn that Taichi has been silently suffering all this time because of her. She feels she is the reason why he hasn’t been happy. or hasn’t been smiling. She’s also shocked to learn that the person who has always been a constant in her life loves her. Now for part 3: The aftermath.

[joyandeggs]

Hunter x Hunter for the Fandom questions! 💕😁

You have activated the trap card!!! 💓 As always, a warning for everyone because this is a very long post -

Top 5 favourite characters: Truthfully, my top five are Shoot, Knuckle, Hanzo, Kite, and Gon. The three uncles, the honorary father, and the son. ❤

Other characters you like: Too many!!! I do love Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio. Kastro I really liked from the Tournament Arc. Melody, definitely! She’s the best. And, of course, Morel. I adore Big Papa Smoke. Palm and Knov, as well. Along with Ikalgo and Meleoron. ❤ Too many good characters.

Least favourite characters: I’ll have to say Illumi and Hisoka. I like them to an extent.

Otps: I am a sucker for Nashuu. 💓 What can I say? I really like Kurapika with Leorio, too.

Notps: Don’t…ship the children with other people please.

Favourite friendships: Gon and Killua of course! They are such a good pair. Shoot and Knuckle are the bestest though. I love them too much. Honestly, I really love when Meleoron and Ikalgo get to be with Gon and the others, especially after the Chimera Ant Arc. It’s so sweet.

Favourite family: Oh, I love Gon and Aunt Mito. 💌

Favourite episodes: There are too many good ones, but you know I have to put 86. For reasons. ❤ The biggest ones for me…were 112 and…118 just becauae of how emotional they made me. Especially 112. That episode made me SOB. After I finished the episode, I had to step away from the computer to breathe, I was crying too much. Not necessarily in a bad way, but I did get really choked up.

Favourite season/book/movie: Favorite season is the Chimera Ant Arc, even though it’s also the absolute worst at the same time. Favorite book is…the very first one! I was about to say Vol 20 or Vol 25, but the very first one makes me so happy. It’s my favorite cover, too! 💚

Favorite movie I don’t have an answer for. The Last Mission was pretty good, and I know there are at least one or two more I believe? I’ve only seen one though.

Favourite quotes: I absolutely loved it when Knuckle said “Everyone has a heart. That’s what I want to believe.” And…Shoot’s whole inner monologue right before he fights. Even when Shoot explains to Killua how he doesn’t like to hurt people. I still can’t handle them, I get so emotional just thinking about them.

Best musical moment: Well…I know when Pouf plays his violin it is incredibly musical. That’s the only thing I can think of to say here! That scene is so out of place, but the music is lovely at least.

Moment that made you fangirl/boy the hardest: I actually remember when I first got into Hunter x Hunter, and I saw that Hanzo got four badges in the hunting exam, literally was just cheering him on like “Yay Hanzo!!! Good job!!!” 💞 I was so happy for him!! Oh…and when Knuckle was on screen, especially when he would throw off his jacket… 💘💘💘💘💘 Every. Single. Time. My poor, weak heart. At all that fanservice. And!!! When Shoot would fight!!! I would just be mush like! 💓 I just loved seeing Shoot any moment I got, and I still do.

When it really disappointed you: I’m not going to say it because I don’t want to spoil Meve by accident, but it is a huge disapointment for me that still leaves me upset.

Saddest moment: Well… 💔 I won’t say it.

Most well done character death: Uvagin, I guess? I mean, I don’t want to say that, but Kurapika at the time…oh it was rough. 💔 The scene was well done.

Favourite guest star: Hm. Guest stars? I would say Togashi, but I’m clearly thinking about how we’ll see ONE appear in One Punch Man every now and then. Not sure if Madhouse did the same with Togashi dog or anything. – Oh shoot read that question wrong as soon as I wrote all of this, LOL! Oh, now I know who to say!! Junichi Kanemaru! 💓💓💓 He only voiced Buharu during the first season, but ahhh I absolutely adore him! Just hearing his voice again brought back great childhood memories since I know he’s Sonic. 💓 Takaya Kuroda also! He was great as Razor, but you can never not hear him as Kiryu if you know the Yakuza/Ryu Ga Gotoku series. Listening to him as another character in a completely different thing was so funny. It was nice little cameo for my ears for both of them. ❤

Favourite cast member: Yuuji Ueda! 💓💓💓💓💓💓 Of COURSE. Favorite Japanese voice actor. (Can I just say how lovely Shoot’s voice is? It’s breathtaking. 💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞) Along with Wataru Takagi, who is literally one of the best Japanese voice actors ever. He is an absolute gem. 💓 And I love Megumi Han. She was always so into her character and voicing Gon, she was just so passionate for the series. She’s the best.

Character you wish was still alive: Kite. 💔 And Kastro too, he seemed like a nice guy.

One thing you hope really happens: Please just let Gon and Killua rest. Give all the characters a rest. Where’s the filler episodes where they’re all getting together and having a good time and nothing can go wrong? Where’s my dream beach vacation episode?

Most shocking twist: Kite’s death… 💔💔💔 It really makes me upset please stop I want to forget

When did you start watching/reading?: I started watching the anime around March! I’m not sure when I bought the first volume of it though. Maybe in the same month? But yeah, March 3rd is the official date! (Which I was actually trying to figure out when I was deciding a date. I watched the first episode with my love maybe a month or so before I did on my own? But March 3rd was when I started watching it from the beginning. I thought about making it March 5th because…that’s when I first watched Shoot and Knuckle be introduced. You know.)

Best animal/creature: I’m biased to Knuckle’s puppy. 😌 For creature, I like Ikalgo and Meleoron a lot. It took me a bit to warm up to them, but they’re my favorite out of the Chimera Ants.

Favourite location: Whale Island! It is such a beautiful place! If it were real, I would definitely want to visit it.

Trope you wish they would stop using: Nothing that I can think of.

One thing this show/book/film does better than others: A big thing is that…it shows no matter what you go through, no matter what happens, you can definitely try again. And “you can smile again~” 🎵 All of these things slowly go more and more downhill when you follow along the adventure, but after the events of the scariest arc of the series, things do try to get better despite everything that happened during the darkest of times.

Funniest moments: I really can’t think of any super specific ones, but I know there were a lot of little moments Gon and Killua shared that cracked me up so much. Oh, when Gon hit Hanzo during their fight, and Leorio called him a liar for saying he let Gon hit him on purpose!! Ahhh the way Leorio’s voice actor did that line was PERFECT. “LIAR!!!!” I was dying! I also giggled bad at ones Shoot and Knuckle shared, ahh they’re so funny together.

Couple you would like to see: Shoot and I love the thought of Aunt Mito with Kite, for some reason? I think it’s because someone wrote a fic of them meeting, but…it’s a nice thought.

Actor/Actress you want to join the cast: Could you imagine if someone like Hiroki Yatsumoto voiced someone? Or Masaya Onosaka? Ahhhh or even Takahiro Sakurai! Just get Makoto Furukawa to guest star a character along with some other One Punch Man voice actors! It would be a fun time I’m sure.

Favourite outfit: I would say Knuckle. How does he stay looking so good??? His clothes never get dirty. But I do love how Pakunoda dresses. She just looks so lovely, ugghgh

Favourite item: The Hunter cards! ❤ They just look so iconic. Definitely Hotel Raffelasia. Gon’s fishing rod. And Crazy Slots!! Technically not an item himself, but Kite’s scythe is definitely the coolest weapon.

Do you own anything related to this show/book/film?: I do now. ❤

What house/team/group/friendship group/family/race/etc would you be in?: I would love to be in the little family Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio have together. I do have to say I would want to be apart of the Extermination Team, too! What great groups of friends.

Most boring plotline: I honestly did get bored watching through the Phantom Troupe and Greed Island Arcs when I first watched Hunter x Hunter, but I really need to rewatch them. When I think back on them, I feel like I didn’t appreciate them enough. I might enjoy them more after I watch it from the beginning again.

Most laughably bad moment: Whenever Hisoka shows up and he’s just like that

Best flashback/flashfoward if any: The one during Shoot’s inner monologue, and the one of Gon meeting Kite for the first time. Definitely. Even though Gon meeting Kite was the opening for Hunter x Hunter in the manga. There’s also the one Knuckle has where my most favorite picture comes from. ❤

Most layered character: I jokingly say Shoot because my goodness that man wears layers of bandages, but he really is a layered character. There’s actually a whole bunch of layered characters throughout the series.

Most one dimensional character: I’m honestly not sure.

Scariest moment (and Grossest moment, I’m mixing both questions for my answer): When the Chimera Ants would kill people.

Best looking male: Knuckle. I love my Shoot, but…Japanese pompadoured delinquents make me swoon. They are seriously my biggest weakness. Especially him. 💘💘💘 My poor, weak heart. I can’t even look at him without melting.

Best looking female: Pakunoda and Palm. Both women are beautiful in their own way. And Melody is of course very warm and sweet, I adore how she looks. ❤

Who you’re crushing on (if any): …Shoot… ❤💍

Favourite cast moment: When Megumi Han got really emotional speaking at one of the panels for The Last Mission in front of fans. It was so genuine and sweet.

Favourite transportation: I always loved the shuttle train! When Gon and Killua used to get to the tournament, and when Morel and the others traveled together. ❤ It makes me wish I could go on long and cozy train rides to different places like that in real life.

Most beautiful scene (scenery/shot wise): When Gon was hiding out to watch Hisoka in the bushes, and the sun shown through the trees. Anytime a scene would be in a forest or in walkways of trees, really! The way the sunlight shines through the trees and leaves in patches over the vast green surrounding is just so pretty. I just love the colors, contrast, everything. Oh! And when Knuckle was punching Youpi!!! Like ahhhhhh Madhouse!!! Every once in a while in Hunter x Hunter that fluid Madhouse animation would just hit you!

Unanswered question/continuity issue/plot error that bugs you: I wish we could have seen what Kite’s other rolls (weapons) were. 💔 Along with Hanzo’s, Knuckle’s, and Shoot’s backstories! We know just a bit about Knuckle’s past, but nothing about Hanzo nor Shoot really. I would want to know why they all became hunters!

Best promo: Hm…I haven’t seen promos or anything at all for the series. This wouldn’t fit the answer I don’t think, but I loved the little “To Be Continued” ending scenes with Gon and Killua. They were so cute! I actually missed them during the Chimera Ant Arc.

At what point did you fall in love with this show/book: Honestly, I’m not sure. I just ended up really liking it just by watching it from the beginning. Watching the first episode over at my love’s house piqued my interest in the series, but then a few weeks or so later I started watching it all the way through, and the rest was history. Everything blurs together for me because I literally blew through episodes watching them, but I had fun watching them all. And…even though the Chimera Ant Arc leaves me heartbroken and sickened, characters like Knuckle and Shoot came out of nowhere, and I was so excited to see them in such an awful part of the story. They were a breath of fresh air. And, of course…I got to meet Shoot. A character I will cherish and keep in my heart for the rest of my life. I already talk about him to death, but he came into my life at the perfect time. He gives me strength. I truly am happy I found Hunter x Hunter and just got into it.

[bethygauw]

Enstars Magazine vol.2: Interview with Development Staff - Unit Concept

From Enstars Magazine vol.2 Knights, released in September 2016.

This segment writes comments from the staff on their image of each unit in Yumenosaki Academy. Includes 10 units, and Switch got a longer part because they just got recently introduced at that time.

Staff interviewed:

M.T: Chief Planner and Contents Director. Person in-charge of overall supervision for elements such as contents direction, world setting, scenario, outfit designs among others.

M.H: Art Director. On top of being the art director for illustrations, they are also in charge of the Live2D.

K.M: Lead Illustrator. In charge of character designing, copyright illustrations, and line art for 4* and 5* illustrations, among other duties.

Note: I had to take pictures quickly before I flew out and didn’t take proper ones for the post, so I will add more pictures when I get back.

1. Switch

Staff comment: We want to give you moments that become “switches” that bring forth all sorts of changes.

From M.T.:

For Switch, I look at the unit’s theme color, the number of members, and the image color of each member. I chose the color that won’t clash with any of the other units, green, and at first I thought of motifs such as plants and fairies. On the other hand, because there are three of them and they have traffic light colors, in the end I included their individual color into their unit outfits and made them into their hair color. Also, because we were also planning to include one of the Five Oddballs, we had their key motif to be something more fantastical than Wataru’s “magic tricks”, hence “magic”, and that’s how the unit’s themes expanded even further.

In the creation process, we had challenges and there were points we were fixated with. To a certain degree, I already had a fixed image when I passed the character description onto the person in charge of the character’s visual roughs. But we spent a lot of time in designing the unit outfit, adapting the word “sporty” into “idol outfits”. Valkyrie had a dark orientation throughout and their chuunibyou elements were easy to design, but we felt that it was hard to realize the opposite into shape, which is presenting something in a fresh and new way. For unit outfits, they have balanced elements to them, so for future event outfits we hope the different themes and motifs will demonstrate their charms from a different angle.

As for their personalities, like giving muscles to the skeleton, further depth was given to the character description by Akira-san. So for the details on their interaction and what they think of the other characters, we’d like the players to read the stories and see for themselves. Switch may give off a fresh feel as a newly formed unit like Trickstar and units with first-years focus, but I hope it becomes a unit that, more than anyone else, produces chemical reaction with all sorts of units. We want to give you moments that become “switches” that bring forth all sorts of changes. Maybe it’s amongst Switch themselves, maybe it’s from another unit towards Switch, maybe it’s from Switch to other units.

 From K.M:

I’d like to talk about things to note about in their visuals. To start off, Tsumugi. It would be his frizzy hair, and his sweater that has overly long sleeves*. We didn’t want his hair to make him look too gloomy, so we had his posture look sharp and his accessories neat. He wears glasses and has fringe, so his double eyelids tend to stay hidden. But we made the depression in his eye socket more pronounced so that his expressions are easier to interpret and his gentle atmosphere can be brought out. Only Sakuma brothers, Shinobu, Mika, and Natsume don’t have this depression, while everyone else’s shapes differ slightly from one to another.

*It’s something moe, also called moesode (lit. moe sleeves).

Next is Natsume. We have a lot of characters with slanted eyes, so I made sure to make a different shape. Hokuto and Souma have almond-shaped eyes that are typical of that of Japanese, but the area around Natsume’s eyes leave a showy impression closer to Wataru and Shu’s. To give him more of a magician’s vibe, the eyeline at the corner of his eye is thick and curved. His expressions were tuned to show confidence and staggering atmosphere.

Sora’s hair has an unusual clumpy feel for the game, so I made sure to fit him into the game without ruining the atmosphere. I didn’t want him to look too young, so I made sure that he doesn’t only feel fluffy but also cool. There are already a number of students who are wearing parkers, so I chose slightly thick material. The strings around the neck are also thick to bring out his individuality. His triangular eyebrows and acorn-shaped eyes are to be noted.

During character designing and creation of event CGs, we pretty much already solidified their unique traits in terms of outer appearances the moment we received the three’s character proposal. But we also paid close attention to ensure there are enough differences between them and the already existing characters, so that they blend into the series. Everyone has unique hairstyle, so we’re really careful about adjustments of things such as the thickness of the hair tufts and the way we draw the hair ends. Tsumugi has a heavy perm and dark hair colour, he wears glasses, and he has unique traits that are not what you’d call a hot guy in general. So I thought about how to make him likened by many while still keeping these individualities and adjusted the details quite a lot. As you may have guessed from his character description, Tsumugi is not your typical hottie, but he has a slightly refined touch, delicate and seems kind. That’s the image I was striving for, hence the visual’s end result. I want to hear people say, “I like this part of Tsumugi!” so I was fixated on things like the nuance of his hair, his big and sinewy hands that show anxious gestures, a posture that gives him a high-class impression, and his accessories. We made his event CG before the script was ready, so it was difficult to picture his emotions from a specific scene. His unbloomed CG is a tragic scene, but despite being in despair, he performs on top of the stage, creating something akin to a beautiful painting. I hope it can give you such impression. His pose too—so that I can create a shadow on his face, I lifted his arm. The sense of negativity is to attract your attention to his expression even more. But he’s still part of fine, so I kept in mind to keep the movement elegant and brilliant. Conversely, his bloomed CG pictures him casting a gentle magic that gives happiness to people, as if expressing Tsumugi’s original nature.

As for Natsume, finding the balance was difficult. For example, his hair is divided into fringe and the back side, and its asymmetrical sidelocks are its unique trait. I wanted to let out a mysterious feel so I made sure that he makes complacent smiles. For the event CGs, I first drew Natsume then Tsumugi, but it was difficult to come up with compositions and poses that express the feel of both idols and magicians. I watched magical girl shows for young girls and movies and I was able to grasp the image of scenes showing how “magic is cast as if they bestow dreams to others.” When the curtains are lifted, Natsume would face the audience and click his fingers and release the first magic. That’s my image for Natsume’s CG, while Tsumugi would spin* some magic with his fingertips. Even with Natsume’s 2☆ card, I wanted people to be able to tell at a glance that he’s mysterious and gives off magical feel, and I had a hard time coming up with the pose.

*”tsumugidasu” which is usually used for “spin a tale”; “weave a story”

2. Trickstar

A unit that is close by your side and genuine, a unit that’s very high school boys-like.

M.T.: I think compared to other units, the combination of the four in Trickstar is the closest to the feel of high school boys. All members are second-years, they clash with their true feelings, they make stupid jokes, their interactions are like skits between the silly man and the straight man. You don’t get to see that kind of thing from anyone else that often. Trickstar’s charm is that compared to any other unit they’re the closest to your side, and you can easily build a sense of familiarity towards them.

M.H.: In their key visual, each of them is riding on a star. During the creation process of the key visual, we the staff discussed among ourselves what kind of unit Trickstar is. I think Trickstar is a unit that would burst out into the open and is lively. They would ride on the stars and would probably say, “It may be an unstable [ride] but we’re going to challenge ourselves on various things.” I made their visual packed with vigor that is characteristic of them.

3. Fine

Their theme is rulers who have the position to command others.

M.T.: It’s a unit that rules from the top of Yumenosaki Academy, so I think they have a ruler-like personality and confidence. Hence, they may seem to stand on formalities, or rather, there is a certain distance between the members. Compared to Trickstar, the members may not have a single common thought.

Fine’s outfit has the motif of a ruler’s, at any rate, Eichi, the leader’s image is strongly brought out. We also added an element of music, and they also have a theme of rulers who are in the position to command others. Also, we use angel’s wings as a motif in their unit logo. The way they put pressure on other students from above is perhaps like them taking the role of angels who relay messages from God, in a sense. Their unit colors are white and gold, and an angel’s wings are also pure white, aren’t they? It’s also a color of nobility, brilliance, and purity, so I chose it as their theme color.

4. UNDEAD

Their charm is the gap between their on-stage selves and their usual selves.

M.T.: UNDEAD’s image colors are black and purple, and their charm point is their wild feel like that of a beast. They’re a unit where we can show off sexiness the most. They’re wild, but rather than lunging at other units, it’s more like the way they appeal themselves as idols is thorny. So the members are actually tender-hearted, to put it in another way, there’s a rather huge gap between their on-stage selves and their usual selves. The way they behave towards their classmates and their juniors or seniors is distinguished properly.

Regarding their outfits, we thought something rock and black would be nice after all, so we chose leather jackets. Fundamentally for leather jackets, long sleeves predominate, and when I designed it in an orthodox way, it felt like they were wearing so much (laugh). It was also because the game’s development period was not in summer, so even if they’re a sexy unit their skin exposure is on the lower side. If we had made it half-sleeved, maybe it would have been something like PirateFes.

5. Knights

The appearance of the absent leader, Leo, was undecided.

M.T.: With the models as the top batters, everyone in Knights have a pretty appearance and gives out the air that they would protect someone, just like a knight. We use chess as their motif, so “pieces” are reflected in their relationships and the way they act, in some way.

The fact that the leader was absent was part of the setting ever since we were at the stage of unit creation, but whether the leader would make an appearance or not was not clearly decided. It was like, if an opportunity arises as the game moved along [then we’d introduce the leader].

When Leo was introduced as a new character, I wondered about what kind of position would an idol get the most attention. In the end, I thought it would be the moment the absent leader comes back. Originally, Akira-san’s suggestion also became the trigger of how he was created, “It would be interesting if there’s this kind of character.” He’s a character that lets you feel the connection in the Ensemble series.

6. Ryuseitai

M.T.: As a sentai group, each member of Ryuseitai is doing whatever they want, so compared to the usual sentai group they have a bond that is somewhat different and I think that’s interesting. There are no second-years, only first- and third-years. So there is somewhat distance in their relationships, which is also unique to them.

Every position has their own color, so I don’t have too much trouble figuring out their event outfits, however transformation suits like in Supernova was tough. I asked myself if this design would let them move as I created it.

M.H.: For Ryuseitai’s key visual, I wanted to make it so that their unique traits can be spotted with just one picture. We were told that their part in the main story was like a comic band, so I wanted to bring out not only hero-like feel, but also a little bit of them joking around. In the first proposal of the robot, Midori was the son of the grocery store so we were going to make the cabbage transform, but in the end we decided on eggplant and thus it became what we have now (laugh). To tell the truth, we were also thinking of another form where the robot is separated into pieces.*

*I’m actually not sure about the reference to this whole part, please let me know if I made a mistake.

7. Ra*bits

Nazuna is the one who pulled the other three along, who doesn’t know left and right yet.

M.T.: Ra*bits is also a unit composed of first- and third-years, just like Ryuseitai, but they have a different kind of relationship. The only third-year, Nazuna, demonstrates proper leadership, but he also has cuteness that blends in with the first years. A point to be noted is that everyone is “cute”. There are no less than three first-years who are starting out to become idols, and they don’t have a vision of what it’s like to be an idol just yet, so something to highlight is their development within the stories. Each of them would sell themselves in an adorable way while bringing out their own individuality—as a boy, they may be against it, but I hope we’ll be able to illustrate that kind of conflict. Their first-year peer, Tori, would use his cuteness on purpose (laugh), but those three are not so self-aware—it’s more natural.

I designed their outfit by making a sailor’s uniform become idol-like. The only ones who get to wear knee-length pants are Ra*bits (laugh).

8. 2wink

They shoulder a dilemma only twin brothers would have.  

M.T.: 2wink are twins so the bond between them is strong, but what they think and what they aim for is different… They disagree and are unable to fit into each other, and they shoulder a dilemma only brothers would have. From the start they're already experienced in street performance, so they’re not shy in front of people, and they understand how to show themselves off. I think a little bit of that mastery is their unit’s charm. They would guide other units and give them advice. They are dependable first-years.

M.H.: Among all Yumenosaki Academy units, I think 2wink is the sportiest. The hue on their outfits somehow gives of a feel of pointedness, which becomes their theme*. They are a duo, so they present a challenge different from other units. How far should they match and where should we make them different is a point of consideration that always puts us at a loss every time. But that being said, if you just look at their expressions, I think we are able to make it so that you’re able to tell which one is Hinata and which one is Yuta.

*I’m also unsure about the nuance for this, sorry. I think it’s the way they’re being sarcastic, but not so spiteful inside. Most of the time. The original word used for “pointedness” is 毒っけ.

9. Akatsuki

They have masculine toughness and grace, but the three’s distance are that of a family’s.

M.T.: Akatsuki is the only unit with traditional Japanese elements, so their unique traits are the least blurry. Their theme color is red, and while they are substantial and solid as the academy’s number two, there’s also passion hidden within each member. They have that kind of image. During the initial stages, they were powerful people with masculine toughness and grace, but after Akira-san had a hand in them, their role became very clear. The distance between them are close, and I think you can see their strong bond like that of a family.

As for the outfits, it’s a combination of kimono, pants, and boots, which makes a good seasoning comprising traditional Japanese elements and idols.

Also, in their key visual, that becomes their first illustration, they used fans and traditional umbrellas instead of mics which bring out their showiness. This can only be done by Akatsuki. As for Souma, it’s very like him to bring around his sword during his idol activities as well.

10. Valkyrie

The unit’s motifs are “dolls” and “strings”.

M.T.: I think there’s still a lot of mysteries to unveil about Valkyrie’s relationship with other units. We will create more as we discuss with Akira-san, so please look forward to it.

Valkyrie’s motifs were already decided since the beginning: dolls and strings. “Pulling the strings” also connects to the relationship between the members. The antique motif is not really used in regards to other units, but the colors red and black are used a lot, so when I was thinking how I can bring out a different mood, I thought steampunk would make a good compatibility, so we decided to go in that direction. It’s a unit that was created later, so I included motifs that carry a meaning from the get go.

As for their outfits, Shu is the handicraft club’s captain so we chose laces and so on. So elaborate ornaments predominate.

[shorilicious]

Sexy Zone Q&A – 14 honest answers

Q1. What’s your favourite fashion coordination?

Shori: I like a clean, smooth and simple style. When winter comes I don’t really use small things like scarves, I rather combine my outfit with a cute coat. Kento: Recently, I like a refreshing tuck in around the waist. Fuma: From oversized tops and skinny jeans with sneakers to a formal style with a shirt and tuck in, I like wearing various styles depending on my mood. Marius: I think L.A. fashion. It feels casual but also trendy. A t-shirt with shorts and then just a shirt on top, I like a rough style like that. Sou: Guys in Harajuku do that a lot, they often wear genderless fashion that is also okay for girls to wear. I’m getting into that kind of style, I wonder if that’s Masuda-kun’s strong influence~

Q2. In private, which item do you want to purchase?

Shori: A new compass to attach to my bicycle. Although it’s working together with my navi, I don’t need detailed routes to know my direction, so I can enjoy nature while cycling. Kento: Coloured sunglasses. Maybe with blue lenses. You can see better through them than through black lenses. Even when I attach them to my chest it will be on point. Fuma: To change my image a little, I want to collect various types of hats. Marius: The mobile phone I’m using right now is a little old. Because I want to replace it soon, I want to buy the newest model that’s rumoured to be released this autumn! Sou: Since I sweat during concerts, I want to buy a fancy designer towel that’s a little rough on my skin. There are many simple ones but there aren’t any stylish ones of that type!

Q3. Do you specify it finely when you go to cut your hair? Shoi: Relatively. Because I’m a public figure I have to worry about things like that (laughing). Kento: When they finish it to a certain extent, I go like „Shouldn’t it be to the nape of my neck? Cut it a little more“, I will instruct them in details. Sometimes I also show them pictures of foreigners. Fuma: Of course. I never just leave the decision to someone else. The image that I want to portray in myself, I have to firmly tell them in words.   Marius: I will leave them do the basics, but occasionally I’ll say „don’t cut here“. Sou: „How much centimetres is about here?“, I’ll say it like that. I have my own image of what it’s supposed to look like. I try to tell my hairdresser exactly how I want it.

Q4. What’s the most addicting food to you right now?

Shori: If you eat too much of something that’s bad for your body, you start feeling like you’re not healthy, so I’m not biased towards what I eat. As of now, I don’t have any health problems at all! Kento: Fruits in general. Especially cherries and Bing cherries. Fuma: I don’t eat a lot of sweets but I like to eat only gummy candy when I feel a little hungry. The soft types with grape or orange taste are my favourite. Marius: Chinese food! Any Chinese food is delicious. I also really love the flavour of Chinese cuisine. What I’m addicted to especially are their sauces! Sou: Grilled fish such as Okhotsk mackerel or salmon. I always make sure to ask if they serve it when I go for dinner.

Q5. Which restaurants do you often go to?

Shori: Japanese ones. There aren’t many that I go to by myself but I really like creative dishes that are based on Japanese cuisine. Kento: Something like a cafe bar. I like places where I can spend time with adults and seniors, and where I can eat my favourite omurice and carbonara, sometimes also pork belly with rice. Fuma: Tonkatsu restaurants. From simple shops to a little expensive ones, I’m always going to various tonkatsu restaurants. Mixing the sauce and mayonnaise in mustard, I like using that as a sauce. Marius: Italian. Because it feels casual, it’s easy to enter the shop. There’s also many menus and everything sounds good, so I’m relieved. Sou: I wonder if I often go out for meals. I like set menus because the balance of the food is just right. I try to gather as many points on my point card as I can (laughing).

Q6. What would you want to eat if you were to have your last dinner?

Shori: Definitely not my mother’s home cooking! But I would dislike anything to be my last~ If you don’t know that it’s your last if would be different but knowing that, I think it would be painful to make anything. Kento: My last day won’t come! I was asked the exact same question by an acquaintance before, so I replied „Why are you making the assumption that my last day will come in the first place?“ and instantly striked back (laughing). Fuma: I guess my mum’s stew of cubed fish~ It’s not very tender but super delicious! It’s my favourite thing ever since I was a child. Marius: Salad. If I eat it at the end, I want to make something with vegetables instead of meat or fish like in the main dish. I want to eat it with my dad’s special dressing. Sou: Miso soup! After that white rice, dried plum and it would be perfect if there’s natto.

Q7. What does your family call you?

Shori: It’s pretty simple, they just call me „Shori“. When I was little I was also called something different but it’s embarrassing so I don’t want to tell (laughing)! Kento: It’s „Kento“. Only my grandma calls me „Ken-chan“. Fuma: My little brother and sister call me „Fuma nii-chan“, but mostly I’m called by „Fuma“. I noticed most people around me call me „Fuma“, I guess I have a pretty simple name. Marius: My mum says „my treasure“ in German to call me. Sou: Normally I’m called by „Sou“. Since people often call me by „Matsushima“, it feels refreshing. Kenty calls me „Macchan“ (laughing).

Q8. What is the most relaxing place in your house?

Shori: It’s on my bed. Because I don’t have a sofa in my room, it’s normal that it’s my bed. Although I’m not picky about my bedding, I chose a good pillow since my shoulders are never stiff! Kento: It’s a place where I can dream, whether it be my bed or sofa. What I dream about? Of course I dream about spending time with you ♪ Fuma: My bed. Although I feel a little guilty about lying down on our family living room sofa, if I lie in my own bed to whine I will be excused (laughing). Marius: The living room sofa. Because it’s huge so I can sleep on it, I often take a nap there. It’s the best because there are many big fluffy cushions! Sou: The toilet! I like narrow spaces and if the seat is warm as well I feel relieved (laughing). I play with my phone there and just take things slowly without even noticing.

Q9. Do you have any habits before sleeping?

Shori: Watch movies and foreign dramas. I just waste my time away until I fall asleep. Kento: I charge my phone. I would feel uneasy if I don’t charge it until it’s completely full. Actually it seems like my battery lasts longer if I only charge it until about 94% (bitter laugh). Fuma: I don’t have any. I don’t even prepare for tomorrow. I think tomorrow about tomorrow (laughing). Marius: I take care of my skin. I don’t do too much, after taking a bath I just apply face lotion and a serum, but it’s also a habit to put on body cream before I go to sleep. Sou: I don’t have any. After doing muscle training and taking a bath I crave to drink milk though (laughing)!

Q10. Do you believe in ghosts?

Shori: I feel that compared to the past I believe in them about 40% now. Kento: I believe. Unfortunately I haven’t seen any though. I believe that there is a superior guardian deity following us but because it rejects ghosts, you cannot see it (laughing). Fuma: I don’t believe. I don’t have anything against people who do believe in it and I indeed think that there is something like a „spirit“ but it’s hard to believe that they come in the form of a ghost. Marius: I believe. There have been a few times when I felt them as a child, I have also seen them. That’s why I don’t feel like they’re „scary“ anymore! I’m used to them (laughing). Sou: I believe. In a popular place where „ghosts appear“, my family has seen them but only I didn’t. I don’t want to be scared but I would like to meet my pet dog Muku who went to heaven...

Q11. Which junior are you paying attention to at the moment?

Shori: Tokyo B Shounen’s Sato Ryuga! Since we have the same last name I wonder if he will follow my path~ (laughing). I’m just joking but I feel like he will be good in the future. Kento: All of Johnny’s Jr. Since everybody is always working hard and because we’ve walked the same road, I totally understand their efforts. Fuma: Kishi (Yuta). Even if he makes mistakes I cannot hate that guy, he’s just genuinely cute (?). Even though he has a comedic character (laughing). But his face is also turning cool so I look forward to the future. Marius: Vasayegh Wataru who’s a hafu like me. I wonder how tall he will grow? Sou: Two juniors that look like my little brothers! They were also backdancing for Summer Paradise, it’s Murakami Maito Raoul and Miyazaki Emirio. They’re so cute! I was playing a lot with them in the dressing room (laughing).

Q12. Where do you want your first date with a girl to be?

Shori: Although it’s clichéd, I want to go to an amusement park. The attraction I want us to go to together is the haunted house! When my partner gets scared...I want to see that (laughing). Kento: First I want to see a movie. While watching, I can stay next to her the whole time, then since we’ve seen the same movie, we can have a conversation about it that will blow us away. Fuma: A festival with a wide space and great view, I think it will be easy to hold a conversation there. Marius: I want to go to an aquarium. There’s a romantic mood and it’s perfect for a first date? I want to see the jellyfish together! Sou: The amusement park is a place where we can have the most fun. While we’re waiting in line and she says „ah it’s so hot“, I can go and buy her juice!

Q13. How far can you do matching clothing with your girlfriend?

Shori: If I’m told to do something I would do everything but I would not walk around the city in matching clothes! Although if there’s something like an event it would be fine, we can become twins (laughing). Kento: To go out in a matching outfit, I wonder if I have a little courage to do that (bitter laugh). But I don’t dislike it, I’d enjoy having a cute matching sweatshirt to wear at home. Fuma: It’s impossible for me when it comes to clothes! About accessories... I can’t do that either. Thinking about it, I guess I can only match our phone models~  But of course we can’t match our phone cases (laughing). Marius: I think if it’s a hat or pants. It might be nice if we choose our shoes’ brands and design together. But wearing matching shirts might be a little embarrassing (laughing). Sou: I’m okay with anything. Clothes and shoes and even the whole outfit! When I did the concert with Marius, I saw some fans in matching outfits and thought it was really cute.

Q14. Tell us some kind words so your long distance relationship girlfriend doesn’t feel lonely!

Shori: (I don’t want a long distance relationship...) I’m sorry for making you feel lonely. Kento: I will teleport to your place right away. Fuma: Next time let’s go to **. Until then let us both do our best. Marius: It’s okay because you’re always in my heart! Sou: (very manly) You will always be in my heart, okay?

Keep in mind I am not a native speaker therefore there might be mistakes in my translations. Also I’m not exactly translating word for word. Feel free to correct me in my ask box any time you want, I’d appreciate it! I apologize if someone already translated something before me and I didn’t notice, I hope you don’t mind.

Credit goes to yoshiko_mama @ LJ for the scans, thank you!

[swordboiis]

Congratulations on your one year anniversary~! Man I can't believe looking at that 1 post of yours led me to creating a Tumblr account just to follow you I think at the time it was 3 months old? And now much later you're still my favourite blog~ I wish you lots of luck and happiness for the future and onward! Ah anyways Pro questions! I'm aware that you're a fan of Idol games so including all the idol games that you play who's your top 5 idols? And is there anything that had you sold for them?

Thank you so much anon aa I’m so happy to hear you’ve been supporting me for so long I hope I can continue to keep entertaining you!!

But idol hell and sword boy hell are the hells I suffer from most yes. If you’re really asking me to pick five from all the idol games combined I have to say you’re the cruelest anon I’ve ever met. Just to make it clear I play Love Live, Ensemble Stars and Idolish7 regularly. I’ve had I-chu and Tsukipara around on my devices and downloaded Utapri yesterday or something but don’t know the characters well enough to include them. Even so just between the three games I’m really into this is still really cruel but I’ll try.

To do it countdown style, 5 has to be Yohane from Love Live, she’s a queen. I love her cute character, I love how adorkable she is. Her voice is probably my favourite from Aqours too. Honestly her being a chuunibyou is what made her stand out to me and endeared her to me. She’s obviously best Aqours girl and has blessed me with many great cards it’s hard not to be in love.

4 is Shinobu from Enstars, he’s honestly my best boy from it but he’s a precious son so he ends up a little lower. Again, chuunibyous are super cute. Shinobu especially is a crybaby so I want to see him happy and succeed! Ryuseitai is just one of my favourite units of the game (Akatsuki and Fine are my other favs for reference), all of them manage to bring me joy and encourage me but Shinobu has just always managed to be a stand out to me?

3 is Nagi from I7, another character who is a big dork I just want to support. He stood out because of his unique way of speaking and is my second best boy of the game. He’s just so pure with how much he loves his friends and group members I care about him and his happiness. It’s literally just joy, he makes me feel so much joy. If I open up the app and hear him greet me I know the day is going to be a good one.

2 is Wataru from Enstars, I was drawn to him because of how gorgeous he is. It’s not unusual for me to suddenly start crying because he is so beautiful. His heart is just as beautiful, I love his oddness and his confidence. He’s the reason I fell for Takuya Eguchi’s voice. Also, dance floor Wataru Hibiki 5* WHICH I NEVER SCOUTED BUT IT’S STILL A BLESSING.

1 is Yuki from I7, one of my absolute strongest fictional crushes, truly great husbando material. Again, a little of what made him catch my eye is that he’s gorgeous, but more than that I was quickly interested in him. Such an aloof idol just made him stand out so much. Without rambling on too much and talking about story spoiler stuff I grew to love him, reading on in the story really made me feel for him and damn he’s my type. Plus just with how cute and funny re;vale is it’s hard for me to not adore him.

If anyone thought I was going to name five megane idols shame on you wearing glasses doesn’t guarantee a spot as my fav.

[sambart93]

2017.08.18 KamiGami no Asobi Review!

I have to admit I was super, super pumped when they announced this but when the casting came out and saw they were only doing like HALF the characters, my expectations just went to the bottom of the bottom.

Official Site here Official Twitter here Press Coverage 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

CAST and CHARACTERS

Yajima Yakumo as Apollon Shiokawa Wataru as Hades Motokawa Shota as Thoth Tanno Enichi as Dionysus Sekine Yuuna as Kusanagi Yui Kim Sung Ra as Zeus Ensemble: Yamashita Masaki, Sekuguchi Yuya, Kakihara Koki, Tada Satoshi, Sawaken Taro and Hamada Takuto

STORY

This stage doesn’t follow the anime at all, I assume it’s closer to the game’s story. The main triangle is Apollon vs Hades while Zeus and Thoth are watching over Apollon and hoping something bad doesn’t happen. The plotline of Apollon and his long-lost love is pretty important to the story. Dionysus is basically just there to help lower tensions or be the comic relied. It’s very heavily Yui and Apollon scenes -- but that could be because I watched the Apollon route stage and not the Hades route stage -- there were too, unfortunately I couldn’t see Hades’.

NON-SPOILER REVIEW

Overall: I went in with pretty low expectations and came out entertained. I enjoyed this. It had some really good parts, and then some not so good parts. I was super impressed and surprised at Apollon’s actor Yajima, and I thought Motokawa was THE perfect Thoth. I also really enjoyed Shiokawa’s Hades. There were some higawaris and some comical moments which got everyone laughing. Melissa was definitely funny to watch. It’s definitely not the most amazing play I’ve seen but it was decent enough. If they ever do a second stage, I’m excited to see how they step it up or which characters get added and such. Rating: 6/10

SPOILER REVIEW

So I went into this with literally no expectations; just that I had a good seat and that the seats are comfy – that theatre is super comfy! I ended up being smack in the middle of 5th row! I thought my view was pretty spot on. With the projection mapping and sometimes they act from high up in the tower like parts, I had a good view of everything and didn’t have to crane my neck up to see them.

I really, really like the opening and what they did with the projection mapping in that scene. It had all this cool music and special effects. It was a good, solid introduction/opening.

I honestly walked out of the theatre thinking “that could've been a lot worse.... it was actually pretty decent” and I was surprised I ended up enjoying it -- that’s not a good thing is it! But what with Kamigami being such a popular game and anime and then when they announced the stage everyone got excited but then, they got actors that literally no one had heard of (I only knew one of the vaguely) and I started seeing lots of people trying to sell their tickets on twitter; it was all a bit disheartening. But then I got there, almost a full room, it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed it a LOT more than I expecting. The row behind me was interesting; there were a lot of guys which made me think two things ‘kankeishas’ OR their girlfriends had dragged them all to it >.<

I enjoyed quite a few scenes in this, although at first it went a long time without any comedy in it that I wasn’t sure if it wanted to be a serious play, but very soon we got some comedy scenes and so higawaris (daily changing scenes). Unfortunately, a lot of the comedy scenes, other people didn’t find funny so I had to stay quite and laugh inside most of the time; which is a shame because it was difficult for me to hold it in. I giggled a lot, as did the girl next to me, throughout the play; so it definitely had it’s charm.

One of the higawaris was; they (Apollon, Hades, Dionysus and some of the ensemble playing students) had a sports competition where they picked a card off the floor, and whatever was written on it, they had to go and find that item. So Apollon’s team had ‘sensu’, whereas Hades/Dionysus’ team had ‘iPad/tablet’, and they had to run into the audience to find and take one! After they got the items, they had to appeal and give reasons about what’s good about the items. The lucky girl who gave them her iPad and password; they took a pic of Apollon on it for her! Apollon won the competition though - I call bullshit and it was completely bias voting towards Apollon! xD

We also got the scene where Zeus is a dick and decided to change the seasons before they could go to the beach and obviously everyone is very upset and Apollon tries his best to cheer everyone up, so he jumps into the sea (which ends up being off stage and in the audience area) and you see him clinging to himself like ‘hey guys! It’s fun! You should join us!’ and everyone else is like ‘you’re shivering!’ it was adorable!

Shortly after that scene, one comedy scene that stuck with me, Yui and Apollon decide to get fireworks to cheer everyone up, before they go, they tell Hades and Dionysus to wait for them, BUT when they come back, they made Hades and Dionysus wait so long that they were practically stood frozen cold in the snow xD And then to warm them up, they gave them both a heat pack but Hades’ wouldn’t work so Dionysus swapped with him. It was adorable because OF COURSE Hades gets the bad luck and it wouldn’t work for him >.<

Anyway, now for the cast/character break down!

Yajima Yakumo as Apollon: Yajima impressed me a lot in this! As we know, I wasn’t expecting much but he did a damn good job! I really felt like he was Apollon; he did it very well! Also I really like how much DARKER Yajima made Apollon in this. There’s moments where Apollon has like a flash of his lost love and he’s cling to Yui and be like ‘you will never leave me’ in a very possessive manner and will grab he arm and be like ‘why did you leave me! You’re not going anywhere!’. There was this split personality thing going on with Apollon and I loved it. Yajima is NOTHING but bone and muscle though. He is way too thin!! BUT not that I’m complaining all that much because he was half naked on stage towards the end there.... it was a nice sight....

Shiokawa Wataru as Hades: I was in love with Hades, and I really wish I could've seen Hades' ending! I really wanna see sexy Hades!!! Let me show you:

Not only was the costume beautiful, but, just like the anime, I loved this Hades too! I hope both endings are put on the DVD so I can see it! Shiokawa was a very soft and timid Hades; it was totally adorable!

Motokawa Shota as Thoth: Motokawa was the perfect Thoth. They casted this character perfectly! I think he did an amazing performance and so accurately too! Thoth's actor did not disappoint. I feel like he was the most accurately cast. He was completely and totally Thoth. Perfect! 

Tanno Enichi as Dionysus: I didn’t give him as much attention as I did other people but I do remember that I thought he did a decent job. Dionysus has never been a favourite of mine within this series but in this one Dionysus was sweet. Which is the complete opposite of what Dionysus should be right? We should be getting this loud, drunk guy who’s obsessed with wine; I think that would’ve helped add more comedy to the stage if they’d kept those parts of his character. All in all, his character had only like 20 minutes on stage, and most of that was just being support for Hades or just being there. He didn’t really leave much of an impression and just did...alright.

Sekine Yuuna as Kusanagi Yui: Sekine has got to be new; she was not good and the weakest of them all. It all felt so fake and forced and so... ridiculous from her. For example, her acting when she got struck by lightning was not good and the timing was off -- it looked very, very silly. It just wasn’t good.

Kim Sung Ra as Zeus: I really, really liked his Zeus. He played him just right; the right amount of dickness. He was pitiless. He wasn’t in it as much as I hoped he would be, but when he was on stage, he had this strong, powerful voice and his posture was great too. He was a good Zeus ^_^

Ensemble: Yamashita Masaki, Sekuguchi Yuya, Kakihara Koki, Tada Satoshi, Sawaken Taro and Hamada Takuto

The Ensemble were absolute gold though! They made this play so much more enjoyable, and they had a lot to do in this also. I especially loved the guy playing Melissa; he had NO shame! He basically worn a black outfit, to cover himself up and then used a teddy bear of Melissa and had little sticks on his legs and arms so he could move him like a puppet. He was really good, one example where the guy himself had no shame was, at one point Melissa couldn’t pick up the flowers with his puppet hands, so the guy went ‘gomennasai / I’m sorry’ and used his own hand to grab it and ran off stage. Melissa / the guy covered up was rather funny!

--

This play ended up being very enjoyable and had me giggling at a lot of parts, but I can’t deny that there were some dodgy moments, such as Sekine’s acting, there were too many quick switches between scenes, the first part goes a long time without any comedy so it was difficult to grasp what it wanted to be, and the biggest problem (in my opinion) was that the cast itself wasn’t very large; I really wanted other characters such as Loki and Anubis, BUT hopefully they’ll come next time if they decide to do a second stage. I am really impressed with Apollon and Thoth, and the ensemble were gold, and I fell for Hades all over again. So yes, I was entertained and look forward to a second installment and to seeing how they improve the next time around too.

[despairingvacation]

EXECUTION [2]: HIBIKI WATARU

A body has been discovered, and it has soon come clear that none other than the Ultimate Magician, Hibiki Wataru, is the one guilty of committing such a crime. The monitors behind Monokuma flashed and showed everyone’s votes, and although some had voted for a completely different people: the majority of votes still came to Hibiki Wataru. 

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE FOUND THE KILLER! 

The trial room grows silent, as it dawns on everyone that no matter how hard they try to convince themselves otherwise - Wataru, the one who had gone on an angry tangent just a few weeks ago over Goro murdering Noah, had gone and murdered himself. It’s ironic, isn’t it? Ah, it must be the lack of sleep...

Try as hard as he might to show that everything was going to be okay- that everyone should hate him, Wataru’s act just wasn’t enough to get past our Ultimate Actor’s head. 

Speaking up from his long moment of silence, Bendy takes in a deep breath and looks up towards Wataru. “...Wataru, aren’t’ya scared?”

The question seemingly catches Wataru off guard. But he smiles nonetheless,giving nothing but assurance to his fellow classmates and teachers. He turns his attention up towards Monokuma, and through a smile, speaks up. 

"Well? They have voted. Is it not time for my final performance☆?"

To this, Monokuma laughs. It seems that there’s something off about the way he laughs, but nobody has any time to question it before he speaks up.  "You're right! This goopy waterworks stuff is really boring me, you know.. And!" He pauses for that dramatic effect.

"You wanted a final performance, huh? Sure. I'll respect that wish of yours. After all, I've already chosen the perfect assistant for you!"

Monokuma’s statement is one that catches everyone off guard, including Wataru. Wataru’s expression turns to one of confusion, as he begins to speak up. "...What? I-- do not have assistants, you see...☆!"

“But, of course you do!” Monokuma raises his mallet, spinning in place. He’s definitely showing it off, to nobody’s surprise. He stands up in his seat, his voice booming. 

“Let's give a round of applause for Wataru Hibiki, the Ultimate Magician, and his reluctant, unwilling bastard of an assistant, Bendy, the dancing demon!”

Wataru’s eyes widen and his smile immediately drops upon hearing the name of his chosen assistant. His once calm and solemn look turned to one of fear, and the most he could bring himself to say was, “...What?” 

Bendy could only perk up upon hearing his name. Feeling his inky heart pound against his chest, it took him a second to realize that he was indeed being talked about - that he was chosen to be Wataru’s assistant. This-- this couldn’t be because he refused to vote on his own terms, was it...? Try as hard as he might, Bendy couldn’t find the right words to say. 

“Besides, ain’t it perfect? You two wanted to put on a grande performance for everyone, anyways!” Monokuma slams his mallet down on the large, comically sized button in front of him, his signature laugh filling the room.

Wataru and Bendy’s eyes both widen in fear upon hearing this. Of course, they had wanted to put on a performance for everyone- but it was to lift up the spirits of everyone after the events of the previous trial. Not this, please, for the love of god- Not this. Wataru slams his hands down on his podium, his voice now raising at a volume nobody ever expected out of him. "No! You-- you cannot drag anyone else into this, see? This is my punishment! You--"

It’s too late, Wataru. 

tw: impalement and blood.

> GAME OVER. 

> WATARU HIBIKI HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY. 

> TIME FOR THE PUNISHMENT!

Before your eyes is a stage, something not unlike you’d see some magicians looking to get their name known performing on back home. Nothing seems amiss about it at first, but you notice the bright red curtains drawn tightly together, and looking a bit closer to the front of the stage than they normally would be. Ah, but you don’t have much time to dwell upon that--for the show is about to start! 

 > BEGIN THE FINAL PERFORMANCE.

 Hibiki Wataru stands tall upon the stage in front of the tightly-drawn curtains, with Bendy poised alongside of him as the magician’s ‘assistant.’ The crowd consists almost entirely of Monokuma copies (save for you, their peers, who can do nothing but watch from the very back of the room), and all eyes are upon Wataru as he attempts to start by performing some of the simpler magic tricks--card tricks, and pulling things out of a hat! ...But each and every one he tries, oddly enough, somehow fails to be properly executed. Almost as if he were rigged for failure. 

 Regardless, with each failed trick the dissatisfied jeers and objects thrown from the Monokuma crowd grow louder and more intense. It seems as though Wataru is visibly forcing himself to keep smiling as the protests thrown his way grow more violent. After one too many desperate attempts to get something to work, it seems the unsatisfied crowd demands something more, they came to be astounded, after all! Bendy feels something tug at his wrist, urging him to pull the curtains much to his dismay, revealing behind them a setup that might seem familiar only to anyone knowledgeable enough about famous magician’s tricks.

Set up behind the curtains is a table--steel and sturdy, though you can immediately notice a number of restraints attached to it at each of the elongated legs holding it just above the stage. It all seems to be the perfect size for a certain magician, doesn’t it? A little ways above the table is what seems to be a curtain raised up high, with some sort of lever meant to lower and raise the thing as needed, it appears. And what’s behind the curtain--well. Most of what the contraption is has become silhouetted by the curtain, but you have no doubt about what you see. There’s some rather deadly looking spikes protruding from the steel sheet that hangs ominously above the table. 

 The Monokuma crowd has waited--only long enough that both you and the magician standing upon stage can get a look at what’s in store, before they grow impatient with anticipation and start to cheer for the next act to begin. His lovely inky assistant begins to move; though it’s clear he doesn’t want to, visibly struggling to keep himself from progressing the inevitable. But the shock band is once again around his wrist, and it seems that the more he struggles, the more pained he appears to be. Bendy has no choice but to push Wataru back, back onto the table, all the while the magician attempts to keep that same smile upon his face. Is he trying to make this better? Certainly that’s not going to change anything… 

The magician’s assistant again has no choice but to proceed with attaching the restraints to his body. There are cuffs binding Wataru’s wrists to two of the contraption’s legs, and two more binding his ankles in a similar fashion. They almost appear comically oversized, but that’s probably the intention here. After all, Wataru loved to amuse people, didn’t he!

Once it seems the magician is certainly and securely restrained to the table, his assistant seems to be almost pulled aside, as Monokuma briefly appears to place something next to him--a ridiculously large timer that he sets up next to Bendy at the base of the contraption, right by the lever. It’s easy to tell that Bendy’s visibly uncomfortable, with the way he’s doing his best to struggle against Monokuma’s orders. Cackling to himself, the Monokuma assistant starts the timer before he scurries right back off--only a minute long, but at this point you’re fairly certain you can guess what comes once it reaches zero. And from the looks of things, Wataru and Bendy are both aware themselves. The moment the timer starts, Wataru begins to struggle in place, pulling as hard against the restraints as he possibly can; how odd, that you can’t ever recall him looking as desperate as he does now. Seconds tick away almost dreadfully slow, as you continue to watch Wataru trying his damned hardest to pull away, as Bendy is forced to stand there to witness first hand, all the while the magician relentlessly tries to slip his wrists out, release his ankles, something, anything--until the countdown reaches fifteen seconds. Suddenly, his struggling stops, as he relaxes himself against the table and he almost seems to be laughing… no. He isn’t laughing. 

The timer ticks down--ten seconds left, and he tilts his head away from the crowd, and for a second you’re not sure what he’s looking at. But then you understand. 

Five seconds left--it seems he’s smiling sadly towards Bendy, perhaps an attempt at reassurance, but nothing about this scenario is reassuring in the slightest. 

Two seconds--you can just barely see a tear falling down his cheek. Is he…?

One second, then zero--the timer rings, and it almost feels like what happens next is a nightmarish blur. 

Bendy’s body moves unwillingly to pull down hard on the lever, and the curtain slides down to turn your view of Wataru’s body into nothing but a silhouette; then, barely even a second later, the contraption that had been hanging ominously above the table falls too. You understand what the curtain’s purpose is, now. 

 When the contraption releases, the spikes fall down, and the curtain is immediately painted with a horrendous, vivid color that you seem to recognize all too well by this point in time. 

 It’s certainly a good thing that curtain is there; though even then, you can still slightly see the silhouette of that magician’s body limp against the table, pierced through and through, now devoid of all life. 

For the first time in what feels like ages, Bendy’s able to move on his own free will. He finds himself staring up at the silhouette of the magician he had grown so accustomed to, and he falls to his knees. He’s unable to form any words, only able to stare at the silhouette in dead silence as the shock band around his wrist falls to the floor.

[oinkgms]

The component design of „Modern Art“

Hier klicken für den deutschen Text.

※ This game is only available in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

We are very proud that we can present you a totally new remake of Reiner Knizia’s famous game „Modern Art“ at the Spiel in Essen this year. As you might know there are already several versions of „Modern Art“ available on the market and you might wonder: why a new version again?

We at Oink Games always loved the game a lot and it was our dream to redesign it in a way one could call it finalised. Some years ago we already made another version of „Modern Art“ - our older game „Stamps“ (which we couldn’t produce again due to copyright reasons). „Stamps“ is very different from what we created now though. What we wanted to do now, is make a game that can be seen as a final version of „Modern Art“ and we put all our spirit and technical knowledge, especially about component design, into this new version.

This article is about our thoughts while designing the new Oink Games version of „Modern Art“ and after reading you will know all details of what we want to achieve through this redesign. 

The Size

This is the size we were aiming for from the beginning. It may look like a big box like the one of „Catan“ for example, but in fact this is exactly the size of two small Oink Games boxes put next to each other.  

We think that a compact size is a real virtue when talking about board games. You can easily bring the game wherever you want and you can also play nearly wherever you want.

It is actually not easy to fit all game components into such a small box. The game would not be a good game, if, because of it’s small size, the components would be cheap looking or hard to play with. We can present you this new high-quality design, because we have many years of experience about how to make components fit into such small boxes.

The Easel

The wooden easel is a new component of our version of the game. It is always placed in front of the current auctioneer who can place the picture they want to sell on it to make it stand out.

To tell the truth, to have the easel as a new component was a real challenge because of the small sized box, but in the end it gives the game a completely new vibe and it also becomes very clear whose turn it is. We really hope you like it, since we ourselves find it very marvellous!

The Screens

The screens are very important components of „Modern Art“. On the backside of the screens you can find an overview of the different kinds of auctions and other vital information.

In the Oink Games version we put information about the different kinds of auctions, about the number of cards the players get in each round and about the starting balance each player gets on the backside of the screens. Even if you haven’t played „Modern Art“ in a long time, you won’t have to open the rulebook anymore.

There are five screens - each is traditionally designed after a world famous art museum. We followed that lead and made the screens look like modern art as well. We hope you will have fun being a buying agent of one of the five famous museums. 

  The money

We decided not to use coins in this version and made the money look unitary. We hope you will get a feeling for how it is to trade paintings of extreme value.

All banknotes have a different size and thus are very easy to distinguish. We tried to make the higher amounts look like bundles of banknotes!

Also the thickness of 2mm makes the money easy to hold. Both sides have the same layout which makes finding the right money chip easier. Even if it is very small, we focussed on making the money very easy to play with. Another good thing is, that there will never be too little money chips while you play, since we tested what should be the minimum of each amount and arranged the number of chips according to that.

And there are more tiles in the game - the scoring tiles. The scoring tiles and the money have a different form so that you won’t confuse them while playing.

The cards

There is much to say about the cards.

What we focussed on the most are the top corners of the cards. While you have the cards in your hand you can easily see which kind of auction you will have to use and also which artist’s picture you have. Universally designed, you can see the initial of the artist’s surname and a pictogram explaining the kind of auction in both top corners, so that you can hold the cards like you want to. 

The five different auction pictograms are easy to understand which is another plus. Even if you forget which auction requires which action, you should understand by looking at the pictograms!

Between the top corners you can find the artist’s name, the amount of cards there is of each artist and the value of each artist represented by 1 to 5 little dots (this becomes important in the case of a draw!). We implemented this so that you don’t have to look at the board all the time.

What was also very important to us, is the choice of artists. In the end we chose artists whose drawing styles differ and who also have a strong specific usage of colour. We tried not to include artists whose pictures could be easily confused style-wise. You may have already noticed, but one of the artists is Piet Mondrian! All five artist have different drawing styles, very exceptional each in their own way. We hope you, as a buying agent, will take a very close look at every single picture while guessing their future value. You might want to buy some pictures regardless of their value sometimes…

The pictures of KAMINSKI and IVORY are pictures of two artists of an organisation called „AbleArtCompany“. This organisation tries to bring the art of people with disabilities to a larger audience through serving as a conduit between the handicapped artists and the commercial end users interested in incorporating their art into their designs and products. We strongly support this idea and wanted to help letting the world see these wonderful paintings. 

The size of the playing cards is very important. If they are too small, it is not easy to hold them in your hand. If they are too big, it will be hard to shuffle them. We think we found an ideal size - not too small and not too big.

  The board

We designed the board in a way that will let the players know everything they have to know at a glance. Like on the cards, you can find the names of the artists, the number of the cards there are of each artist and their level of rareness on the board. Even if you don’t have any picture of a specific artist in your hand, you just need to take a look at the board.

In the former versions of „Modern Art“ the five columns for the five artists were always clearly separated and thus easy to look at. The rows that indicate the rounds of the game were not always clearly separated and sometimes hard to differentiate. We tried to make getting an overview easier through putting the round numbers on the board and through connecting them to the scoring areas. 

We also put a „+“ between the scoring areas to make the final scoring clearer. 

Conclusion

„Modern Art“ is a game we thought about a lot and we are very happy with the result. We really hope this article made you interested in what the game actually looks like and that you will drop by our booth in Essen this year to take a look at it! We are located in hall 6, stand number D101. 

Game Design: Reiner Knizia Direction: Jun Sasaki Design: Hiroko Izumida, Jun Sasaki Art: Wataru Hikichi, USHIKUBO Ivory/AbleArtCompany, Kanako Okamoto, Piet Mondrian, KAMIJO Mika/AbleArtCompany

[fuckyeahliphlich]

[2017/07/08-13, Koba's twitter]

Good morning. Being told at the front desk of the tanning salon, "This is an exclusive-use skin cream", but the inside they have put really strong sunscreen...

So the guy almost hasn't tanned at all, and comes back... ______ The priority on the oneman tour is only until tomorrow! It's gonna be a different form than usual. I'll play a drum while standing. The feeling is different from the usual acoustic lives... _____ No, you end up sounding like a credit card commercial!

RT @LIPHLICH_WATARU: It's better to have many life choices.

_____ Mr. Shindou Wataru boasts about making life choices for people, there are only very few tickets left for Wataru-san's birthday performance "nude". On this day Wataru-san will show us his way of life. He will force this-... I mean bestow life choices upon the members, this year only at Shibuya Mr.RAINIER HALL! _____ It's about time that a bulletproof smartphone case came out, so that it would not be strange if there was an incident where somebody was saved by putting it in their breast pocket. (of course smartphones crack) _____ Although it was like that last time at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM, we'll be re-arranging the songs that we'll be using for this performance. This time also. Come see a LIPHLICH live once! This time it's "Noir Spectacle", we'll definitely make it amazing. 7/23 at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM.

*****

[x] [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

[momobage]

Ensemble Stars Review: Pretty idols, pretty cards. There’s no going back.

Ensemble Stars (あんさんぶるスターズ!) is a Japanese card collecting mobile game made by Happy Elements. The goal of the game is very simple: collect the cards of your favourite characters through events and gachas. As the only producer student at Yumenosaki Private Academy, you try to complete lessons by choosing the right responses and unlock stories that reveal the humorous and dramatic relationships between each idol unit and members.

I started playing Ensemble Stars in late December 2016 because a friend recommended it to me. I didn’t know much about the game except two characters’ names (Adonis and Izumi). It was an idol game with no rhythm game aspect, and they did a crossover with Yume100 (which I played). Other than that, I was going in blindly; I didn’t even know how to play properly. But right now, I can confidently say that this game really changed my life. I’m not sure if it is for the better… but it greatly increased my addiction for mobile games.

Main gameplay: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥♡  

The gameplay for Ensemble Stars is simple, straightforward, and very addictive. Although it is only available in Japanese, it is quite easy to navigate through when you get the hang of it. You train the characters by tapping on the coloured squares to collect gems, which increase their skills: Dance (red), Vocals (blue), and Performance (yellow). Each lesson and event have different missions you need to complete. For example, you may need to get ‘High Luck’ throughout the lesson, collect a hundred of each coloured gem, or get a double ‘Fever’. After you accomplish each mission and unlock each story, you win a diamond.

As I mentioned before, you must choose responses to complete lessons and events. None of the answers are right or wrong, they just trigger a different reaction from the character (image above). So, if Adonis says, “So transfer student and the others in the middle of training... I am too. I like music. I find singing very fun. What about transfer student?” You can either reply or “singing by myself is…” or “I like music too.” Depending on which you choose, the Adonis will either respond positively and raise your ‘fever’ or give you a small red gem. Or he will respond negatively and lower your luck. The outcome is random, which can be frustrating but the challenge makes it fun. I usually pick randomly since I can’t read Japanese very well, but I still feel accomplished when I get a 100% complete. Although, these responses aren’t critical in unlocking the stories, they are important when completing lesson missions and collecting gems. With the gems, you can complete the idol road to bloom characters to make them stronger, and collect special outfits and background images (image below).

Sadly, Ensemble Stars is only available via the Japanese app store and Google play store. However, if you are really dedicated, there are many tutorials on signing up for a Japanese iTunes account or downloading a separate Android Game Platform that provides easy access to many popular Asian games. I would recommend looking at Ensemble Stars! Wiki since they also provide other tutorials for beginners and offer basic information about each character, idol unit, and event/gacha details and translations. Enstars Tumblr is also a great place to find helpful tutorials, beautiful fan art, and information on events, updates, and notifications. I use to really struggle with completing the beginner lessons since I couldn’t read what the missions were or where to press to get a reward. So, these tutorials and other people in the Ensemble Stars community really helped me feel welcome and understand the best and most effective way to play and have fun.

However, once I started understanding how to play, I became obsessed. It’s no surprise that the game is free to play and has in-game currency. By now, it’s also not surprising that I have no self-control and spent even more money on Ensemble Stars than I did on Yume100 and Mystic Messenger… combined. I’ve spent a little over $1,300 on in-game purchases and official merchandise and visual books… trust me, I am not proud. Most of my money went to gachas, which I explained before are randomized, lottery-like functions that are in most Japanese mobile games.

(This card ruined my life…I’ll never forgive you Koga…just kidding I still love you)

Most recently, the five star gacha card was Koga (my favourite character) and I tried so hard to get him (above image). I just kept buying more and more diamonds until I could at least get one copy of him… but sadly he didn’t show up at all. I think I spent $300 on that one gacha alone. I pulled a ten character gacha fifteen times and still he didn’t show up! Now, I feel forever haunted by that card and that I will never get it. But, for now, I really hope that next time it doesn’t happen again.

Overall, the gameplay for Ensemble Stars is quite simple and straightforward. Other aspects of the game include special events and gachas, revival events, and Lives. Luckily, there are plenty of tutorials and helpful people in the community on Twitter, Tumblr, and Reddit that can explain those in detail and give fantastic advice. I think the only bad thing about this game is the special events and gachas because they can be difficult, especially if your cards aren’t high ranking or strong enough. However, that doesn’t make the game less fun, just a bit frustrating and nerve wracking. I don’t regret any purchases I made… yet. I just really hope my luck is better in future events and gachas.

Characters: 5/5 ♥♥♥♥♥

There are a total of thirty-nine male characters in Ensemble Stars, including teachers, who each have unique personalities and qualities that make them loveable and relatable. As I began playing and getting to know the characters more, I started to feel emotionally attached to some of them based on their appearance and profiles alone. Like Shinobu (the right photo above), he is like a little brother who cries a lot but works hard to become a hero and a ninja. He is quite silly and weird but I think he is extremely precious because of his innocence and smile. At first, I didn’t like some of the characters because I thought they were annoying or not my cup-of-tea. But after getting to know them, I realized that they were quite cute and just a bit eccentric. I can’t hate any of the characters, they’re all so sweet.

Like any mobile game, I am immediately drawn to the artwork and characters. The artwork for Ensemble Stars is really cute but still shows a lot of details. The style is clean and simple but still very pretty. Since the cards are ranked by number of stars, the four-star and five-star cards have the most detail especially after blooming. You can tell the difference even in terms of how dynamic the poses are and accessories they’re wearing (photos below).

(Left: Unbloomed card, Right: Bloomed card)

Besides the design, I love the characters’ unique personalities and voices. Each voice actor brings a unique sound that matches the character’s personality and is easily recognizable. Many of the voice actors are famous in other mobile games or animes such as Eguchi Takuya (Hibiki Wataru), Kaji Yuki (Isara Mao), and Hosoya Yoshimasa (Hokuto Hidaka). As for my favourites, most of them have deeper voices that are smooth and comforting or have medium/higher voices that are more bubbly and happy. Kakihara Tetsuya (Akehoshi Subaru), Oosuka Jun (Kagehira Mika), and Nitta Anjyu (Sengoku Shinobu) have cute and energetic voices. The characters are also usually very cheerful and want to get along with everyone. Within the fandom, it is popular to call certain characters your “son” because you feel like a proud mom watching them grow up. It’s quite odd but that’s generally how I feel with these characters. When I listen to these voices, I feel more encouraged to smile and not worry about troublesome things in my life.

In contrast, Hatano Wataru (Otogari Adonis) and Kamio Shinichiro (Kiryu Kuro) have lower romantic voices. I feel warm and comforted listening to their calm and husky voices. If I was scared or stressed, I think their voices would reassure me that things were going to be okay. Similarly, Ono Yuki (Oogami Koga) and Hosogai Kei (Hakaze Kaoru) can have relatively low soothing voices when they speak seriously. But due to their personalities Koga usually speaks with a very rough and informal tone, while Kaoru speaks with a flirtatious and mischievous tone. I like these voices because of the range the voice actors have. Although, I really like when Koga speaks like a delinquent, his voice changes to a shyer voice when he’s embarrassed. While Kaoru is the opposite. His voice is normally light and silvery, but when he speaks slowly in a lower romantic tone it makes me feel a bit embarrassed.

Although Ensemble Stars doesn’t have a lot of fully voiced story chapters in the game, they do have character voice clips and idol unit songs. The unit songs are very well produced and catchy. Each suit the style of music that each idol group represents: punk rock, traditional Japanese, cute pop, etc. My favourite songs are: Knight’s “Fight for Judge” and “Silent Oath”, UNDEAD’s “DESTRUCTION ROAD” and “Melody in the Dark”, and Akatsuki’s “百花繚乱、紅月夜 (Wild Blooming Flowers, Crimson Coloured Moon’s Night)” and “花燈の恋文 (Love Letter of the Brilliance of Cherry Blossoms).” I like listening to these songs when I do design work to keep me motivated and awake.

Story: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥♡

The overall story for Ensemble Stars is quite complicated and dramatic. As the player, you are a transfer student so you do not know much about the history and rivalry with each idol unit and members. The game heavily relies on the story and continues to build it through events and gachas. Usually, relationships between characters, backstories, or explanations slowly reveal themselves in event and gacha stories. For example, recently a new character named Madara entered the game. Since he is new and the only solo idol, his event explained his past relationship with some of the members of Ryuuseitai. Although the event didn’t explain too much about the other characters’ backstories like fans were hoping for, it did reveal some facts that we could debate and speculate about within the fandom. As I mentioned before, the Ensemble Stars! Wiki provides all the translations of the main, sub story, and past events and gachas. I haven’t read all the translations yet since there are quite a lot, but I’m sure when I do, I will create an even stronger emotional connection towards the characters I love.

Overall: 4.33/5 ♥♥♥♥♡

Ensemble Stars is an easy, fun, and addicting game that has easily become my newest obsession. The artwork is amazing, the characters are interesting and the storyline is worth reading. Although, it can be difficult to collect gems and cards since it is all based on luck and how often you play, I would still recommend it to beginners if they want a challenge and are determined enough to get their favourite character’s cards. Again, I don’t regret starting this game or throwing my money at it because it is an experience and an adventure I’m willing to make sacrifices for. I’ve created such a strong emotional connection with the characters that I wouldn’t want to just stop and throw it away.