#tomoko's translations

[maybetomoko]

Ryomen Sukuna (q&a official fanbook)

"I will give you a taste of my abilities". 

Level: cursed object 

Skills: ”◼️”, dissection (dismantle), gash (cleave); domain expansion: Demonic Reliquary (Malevolent Shrine); Reverse Cursed Technique 

He likes it/hobbies: eat 

Dislikes: nothing in particular (he doesn't care about anything except himself).

Q&A about Sukuna

Q: It was said of Sukuna that he was a real human. Was he by any chance a dark sorcerer when he was alive? 

A: To be sure, he was, but I think he was closer to a natural disaster. 

Q: Does he have memories of when he was a human? 

A: More or less, but it is not clear whether the people around him perceived him as “human” this also applies to Sukuna's perception of himself. 

Q: When he was human, was he feared like Gojo is today? 

A: He cannot be compared to Gojo. That doesn't mean he wasn't feared, the point is that in the past both dark sorcerers and curses were much more ferocious than today. It is as if they slowly calmed down and then started to heat up again after Gojo's birth. 

Q: When he was human, how was he treated by the people around him? 

A: They were all terrified of Sukuna. Both before and after he became a cursed object, he was always known as the “King of Curses”.

Q: What is Sukuna's greatest pleasure? 

A: Eating.

Q: What do his fingers taste like? 

A: Since they're from adipocere, it should be a taste similar to soap... 

Q: When Itadori died, was there any effect on Sukuna inside him? 

A: No. There was still time for Sukuna to resurrect him with the reversal technique. However, if a little more time had passed, Sukuna would also have died. 

Q: Is his field of vision connected not only with Itadori, but also with the curses that have absorbed his fingers? 

A: If a finger is sealed or absorbed by a cursed spirit, Sukuna can gather almost no information from the finger. He can only sense whether the finger is close or not. If a finger is not sealed, Sukuna has a general idea of the situation around it. That's why he commented “That's good” when Fushiguro fought against the curse at the Yasohachi Bridge.

Q: Did Sukuna have a wife and children when he was alive? 

A: No. He had only Uraume to serve him. 

Q: How much do humans know about Sukuna's technique? 

A: For those who have read the various testimonies, there is a lot about sharp attacks. However, it is possible that some do not know about the flames.

Q: Gojo said that Itadori is also a tracker of Sukuna's fingers. Is his statement correct?

A: The only thing he was wrong about was the fact that Sukuna was trying to regain his power by collecting fingers. 

Q: In some places in Japan, the real Ryomen Sukuna is considered a hero and is also the name of a local product*. Will this situation be reflected in your work? 

A: No. The character of Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen is as powerful as the real Sukuna, but has no other connection to the real Sukuna. 

Q: Did you intend to bring in Ryomen Sukuna when you made Volume 0? 

A: No, not at all! 

*The Sukuna gourd that grows in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. 

(maybe there is someone who might be interested in this: in the past I have also translated other official fanbook pages of some characters, for example gojo and megumi together with other characters. if you are interested in reading them, you can find them on my profile/blog)

[elmaxlys]

Tricolor window has an anime adaptation???

Yes and it's got the most beautiful ending song ever

The animation is not the best but the voice acting is godly and carries the whole thing (Shimazaki Nobunaga delivers, as usual)

[doizy]

Tomoko Yamashita's comment for her overseas fans!

[tsuiokuno]

ooc. i haven't done any writing these past few days bc i binge-read ikoku nikki by yamashita tomoko in 2 days and then needed 4 days to process it<3 anyway i'm gonna try to do some stuff tonight

[tofueggnoodles]

They’re Back! Araiso Private High School Student Council Executive Committee Vol. 2 Extra: Fairy Tale Characters the Cast Wish They Were

[vasconacho]

Katana fall apart by Accident but opened a mystery door.

Tomoko imagine if this was “The Lost Katana”!?!

Swords bro… I mean Samurai Sir.

Cool

[theirisianprincess]

Something that really annoys me is that whenever there's an ambiguous depiction of queerness in fiction is that whenever an alternative explanation is given, certain people will assume the alternative to be true despite queerness being just as likely. These explanations aren't even necessarily wrong, it's just that people will run with those if it means not acknowledging that characters might be gay.

Like, for example, they never outright say that Marcille loves Falin, but a lot of people (myself included) believe this to be the case. But the fact that an alternative explanation for their closeness is provided is often used as a reason why it couldn't possibly be romantic. The alternative explanation in this case is that learning that her best friend got eaten forces her to confront her fear of outliving her friends. And that motivates her to try to save her. The problem with this is that it doesn't actually disprove the idea that Marcille loves Falin. Marcille loving Falin is just more motivation for Marcille. And sure, Marcille could be just as motivated if she thought of Falin as her platonic bestie, but why do people use the possibility of that as a reason to discount romance as a possible motivation for her?

Anime fans did the exact same thing with Madoka Magica. They cite Homura's solitude as the reason for her obsession with saving Madoka. But once again, that doesn't contradict romantic attraction. And when it gets confirmed that Homura loves Madoka (and that Sayaka and Kyoko love each other) in Rebellion, people just claimed "fan pandering" and "translation error".

And when an alternative explanation isn't provided, some anime fans will provide one for them. Like, in Watamote, Asuka constantly tries to get closer and closer with Tomoko. Some people suspect that this means she has romantic interest in Tomoko, but others choose to interpret her interest as curiosity and intrigue. Except curiosity doesn't explain the lap pillows or the nude FaceTime or offering her boobs to her or wanting to go to the same college or saying she spends most of her time thinking about Tomoko.

Would this problem be fixed if characters just said they were queer? No.

Dungeon Meshi is complete, so they won't confirm or deny Marcille's feelings. And Homura, Sayaka, and Kyoko had all been confirmed queer, but people still denied it. And Asuka has good reasons not to admit her feelings for Tomoko. Most notably, the world of Watamote is incredibly heteronormative, so people generally won't admit to being queer. And despite Tomoko being in a glass closet, she still doesn't even admit her bisexuality to herself, so it makes sense for Asuka to hold off on telling her anything. I would like Asuka to admit her feelings by the end, but as we are right now, it's better that she doesn't.

Insisting that we must always immediately confirm queerness and that it can never be ambiguous because some people will run with any chance to deny it will greatly limit the kinds of stories that can be told.

[apieceofyoungcheese]

Tommy february6 Lyrics: I still love you boy

English translation and romanization below the cut.

Keep reading

[yurimother]

Yuri Manga 'I Can't Say No to the Lonely Girl' Released

On March 19, Kodansha Comics released the first volume of Kashikaze's Yuri manga I Can't Say No to the Lonely Girl (Ronriigaaru ni Sakaraenai).

The publisher describes the series:

In this juicy yuri manga, the goody-goody high school girl Sakurai meets a lonely girl—and ends up entangled in a web of blackmail that might just lead to romance. It’s hard to keep up with school when you can never say no to a devious classmate!

The first volume begins when straight-laced high school student Sakurai asks her teacher to write her a recommendation letter. In exchange, Sakurai has to convince truant delinquent Honda to come to school. Sakurai agrees but soon finds that Honda has a deal of her own. For every day Honda attends school, Sakurai must grant her one "wish..."

I Can't Say No to the Lonely Girl was serialized in Comic Yuri Hime from October 2019 until its conclusion in October 2022. Ichiojinsha collected the series in six published volumes in Japanese.

Kashikaze released a follow-up one-shot doujin, Lonely Girl ni Sakaraenai dj—Kekkyoku Sonna Kimi ga Suki, in 2023, following side characters Wakana and Yuina.

The second English volume is scheduled for release on May 28. Diana Taylor translated the manga, with lettering by Belynda Ungurath and editing by Tomoko Nagano.

Check out the first volume of I Can't Say No to the Lonely Girl today digitally and in paperback: https://amzn.to/3TwEOCo

Reading official releases helps support creators and publishers. YuriMother makes a small affiliate commission from sales to help fund future coverage.

[danceofthephilos]

"Repent and Make Efforts"

Kaoru's calligraphy display in episode 5 is very obviously targeted, but between natural difficulties in translating idioms, changes made in the English dub, and misunderstandings of the general meaning of "repentance", exactly what he's communicating often gets lost in translation - which is a shame, because it's not only a very telling moment about Kaoru's own feelings about Adam, but one that ends up being very important to the themes of the entire show and many of the central character arcs.

To give some quick establishing information, what Kaoru is writing in this scene is a called a yojijukugo (四字熟語), or four-character idiom - set idiomatic phrases that are very similar to (and originate from) Chinese chengyu (成语), which you may be familiar with if you've read any linguistic analysis of danmei. Four-character idioms are very common subjects for calligraphers like Kaoru, and the ways they can be used in speech make them very difficult to translate concisely. The particular idiom Kaoru has written here, read from right to left, is 悔悟奮發, a real four-character idiom (though usually written 悔悟憤発 in modern Japanese - Kaoru is using the Chinese hanzi.)

Read kaigo funpatsu, both the Crunchyroll subs and the dub translate this as "repent and make efforts", which is... fine enough given the complexity of translating yojijukugo. It's quite a literal translation, looking at the phrase broken down into its components - 悔悟 can indeed be translated to "repentance", and 奮發 means "to exert oneself." As an idiom, it means "to regret one's mistakes, and work hard to recover." It generally refers to remorse, but can also mean coming back from a loss. In this exchange from a Japanese website explaining the use of the idiom, it's used to describe recovering after a loss in a competition:

Tomoko: You must be in high spirits, to be practicing on your day off. Kenta: Everyone was shocked when I was eliminated in the first round of that tournament the other day. Next time I'll get my revenge. Tomoko: Oh, so you're trying to make a comeback*, good luck!

(*in a perfect example of how difficult yojijukugo can be to translate when used in regular speech, a translation as literal as "repent and make efforts" would sound very silly in English here.)

And this idiomatic meaning is how Kaoru explains it - and where I believe some misunderstandings are originating from, both due to the overall interpretation of the word "repent", as well as changes in nuance in the explanation given in the dub. To begin with, let's look at Kaoru's dialog in Japanese. (Due to him immediately explaining the meaning, I chose to leave kaigo funpatsu untranslated, unlike the official subs.)

And the same dialog in the dub:

It should be apparent just from this that Kaoru in the original and Kaoru in the dub are saying completely different things. Originally, Kaoru makes no mention of making peace with people that have been hurt, because that isn't what kaigo funpatsu is referring to. Kaigo is personal, internal regret - kaigo funpatsu is about self-reflection, recognizing one's mistakes and striving to do better, considering your past in order to take your next steps in the future. That could involve making amends with wronged parties, but it's not part of it inherently - Kaoru's original dialog doesn't even allude to people being hurt at all, because it's not relevant to the idiom.

It's here that I believe the word "repent" is causing some trip-ups: it's being taken in the Christian sense of atonement or penance, an action done to achieve forgiveness from others or redeem oneself for sinning, but Kaoru is simply talking about realizing you've done something wrong and feeling remorse for it. (Or, specifically, about Adam realizing he's done something wrong and feeling remorse for it.)

And while his last line in the dub is at least a bit more in the spirit of kaigo funpatsu, it's still missing what is at the heart of Kaoru's feelings about this idiom, and about the man it's clearly targeted at - the idea of coming back from one's mistakes, something that does not come up in the dub at all. The first word Kaoru uses, bankai (挽回), does mean "to recover", but also "to regain what was lost" or "to return to the original state." Torimodosu (取り戻す), as well, specifically means to regain something that was lost - in fact, it's the very same word Tadashi uses when speaking of Adam "regaining his love."

Kaoru is not asking Adam to personally make things up to him, or to anyone - Kaoru, at heart, believes in Adam, and believes that he can, and should, still come back from everything. Even in the finale - after the Full Swing Kiss, after his naive hopes of simply returning to how things were in high school are shattered - his first concern is still for Langa to make Adam understand that.

Like with Kenta in the example exchange above, kaigo funpatsu isn't about Adam atoning for his sins - it's a call for him to recognize he screwed up and move forward without making the same mistakes.

And he does, or at least he's beginning to take those steps. He recognizes the mistake that matters most to the themes of the story, and that led to everything that happened in his life since - that he lost sight of the innocent love for skating he had as a child.

He finally admits what Tadashi meant to him;

he directly defies his abusive family's wishes by working against Takano rather than throwing Tadashi under the bus;

and he finally shows up as Adam in daylight, on someone else's "turf", to celebrate his own defeat - reaching out to his former friends and gracefully accepting loss, things he refused to do even an episode prior.

He may not be begging for forgiveness, and with this coming at the very end of the series there's a long road still ahead of him, but he's recognizing that he did things wrong and he's making an effort to move forward in a better way - and in doing that he's regained the most important thing he lost, his love of skating.

And Adam isn't the only one whose character arc kaigo funpatsu describes, either. Reki regrets his mistakes...

...and comes back from them.

Langa recognizes his mistakes and comes back from them - and is even able to help Adam do the same.

Tadashi, more clearly spelled out than anyone, recognizes his mistakes...

...and he's able to come back from them, too.

None of these resolutions involve big direct apologies, or any kind of penance to earn forgiveness. (Personal forgiveness isn't something SK8 takes much interest in dwelling on or making characters earn in the first place, and its approach to forgiveness could easily be a whole other meta in and of itself.) They don't have to, because in the end, Kaoru's idiom is not only a message to Adam - one that he ultimately does receive, if a bit later than Kaoru hoped - but a moment that spells out a big part of the show's thesis.

Everyone is going to do things wrong in their life, one way or another - but anyone who regrets their mistakes and makes an effort to do better should be able to recover from them and regain what they lost.

Only season 2 can show us what moving forward is going to look like, but when it comes to what counts to the core narrative, everyone's taken the first steps.

[aroaceineveryplace]

Explicitly Aspec Characters in Japanese Dramas

Japanese shows have been coming through recently with that aro and ace rep! Thought I would put together a list for anyone interested in seeing more aro, ace and aroace characters. Feel free to add on if I've missed any!

Koisenu Futari (TV series) - Takahashi Satoru and Kodama Sakuko

You've probably heard of this show. It has not one but two explicitly aroace characters with very different personalities. The entire show revolves around them figuring out life after identifying as aroace. Takahashi is also canonically touch-averse.

Kimi no Hana ni Naru (TV series) - Onodera Takara

I have not watched the show personally and so am not sure whether he's aro or aroace. Every time I see the translations, they are different, so will update as and when I watch the show for myself. But he does explicitly say he does not experience romantic attraction. This show is also written by the screenwriter of Koisenu Futari.

Cherry Magic (TV series and Movie) - Fujisaki Nozomi

Another gem from the creator of Koisenu Futari. Fujisaki is canonically aroace.

Konya Sukiyaki Dayo (TV Series) - Asano Tomoko

Again, I'm not sure whether Tomoko is aro or aroace but she explicitly says she is aromantic in the show and that she doesn't understand romantic attraction.

Raise de wa Chanto Shimasu (TV Series) - Takasugi Ume

The main character's best friend is explicitly aroace. She says she "isn't capable" of experiencing romantic attraction, admits to never having had sex, and is uncomfortable with people being attracted to her.

[maybetomoko]

Q&A about Gojo Satoru (Jjk official fanbook) 

Q: Who is the strongest character to appear? 

A: Gojo. 

Q: What was Gojo's business trip when Itadori and the others were sent to the juvenile detention centre? 

A: It was a business trip within the country. A first-level sorcerer had disappeared during a mission, so he had to go there to clean up the mess. 

Q: Why does he sometimes wear sunglasses and sometimes a blindfold? 

A: It depends on his mood. Maybe he wears sunglasses when he has to meet girls. 

Q: I can't imagine Gojo-sensei when he was a student, so I'd like to hear at least a couple of anecdotes about Gojo and Geto as young boys. 

A: You'll see them in action soon. 

Q: Is Gojo aware that Utahime Iori hates him? 

A: No, he thinks her bad answers are a joke. 

Q: Can he do household chores, like cooking? 

A: Yes. Since most sorcerers are single, they all know how to do (more or less) daily chores. 

Q: In volume 0, Geto says to Gojo: "At least in my last moments let me feel some curse, damn it!", will Gojo's sentence be revealed one day? 

A: It is said within volume 0.

[p5x-theories]

Dancer Kotone Montagne - Love-themed "Figure Skater" A second-year high school figure skater of Japanese and French descent. She once fell into a slump due to injuries and ruthless comments during the competition, but with the encouragement of the protagonist and Tomoko, she decided to return to the arena. In her first competition after her comeback, she challenged the choreography with the theme of "love", but was troubled by the difficulty in understanding it well. By asking the protagonist for his opinion on the performance, she deepened her understanding of "love".

If this translation is accurate (and it seems to be?), it sounds like they may have retconned her age, and made her a high schooler instead of an adult?

Also, kind of cool to see her Confidant seems to canonically take place after Tomoko's!

[skeletoncrevvs]

crossbeat magazine, aug 2007

translation/transcription under cut

Crossbeat - AUG 2007 - TRANSLATION

PAGE 30-31 (excluding cover and contents page):

Special feature on rock legends coming to Japan

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE

AKIRA, Tekkonkinkreet, Lupin III  - "I'm attracted to works that are innovative and take on new challenges. I love them. I can't stop thinking about them."

Welcome to MCR Theatre @Budokan!! A drama of destruction and rebirth explodes in a spectacular live performance!! Japan and Manga

Interview by Takuro Ueno, interpreter: Tomoko Katsuta

We take a look at Gerard's true personality and the band's latest vision as a huge fan of the band.

Pics: Tetsuro Sato

PAGE 32:

The explosion of "Dead!", the confetti of "Welcome to the Black Parade", the flames of "Mama", the fireworks of "Disenchanted", the explosion of "Famous Last Words"! My Chemical Romance's Budokan live show was a spectacular entertainment show with plenty of gunpowder and pyro. The first half was a live performance of the album in which they dressed up as the band The Black Parade, the alter-ego of "The Black Parade", and the second half was a performance of other songs. The set was almost the same as the US tour in the spring, and the live started with "The End", in which frontman Gerard Way appeared as a patient in a white coat.

What impressed me was not only the dramatic songs that quickly became anthems, but also the presence of songs that could be called excellent supporting actors that supported the main characters. The combination of explosive guitar and beats in "This Is How I Disappear" created a sense of intense speed. In the second half, Frank Iero (G) and Ray Toro (G) strummed their guitars with complete concentration in the raging ensemble. The heavy melody gradually changed its expression, and I was also excited by "Sleep," which had a cathartic surge along with a heavyweight groove.

Bob Bryar's (Dr) powerful drumming also really came into play in this kind of song. And what was most impressive was the glimpse of Gerard's "madness" for a short time. 

There's a fine line between madness and sanity. In his sane mode, he's a geek who loves comics and games with all his heart, while in his dangerous mad mode, he explodes with emotion on stage. I think that the album "The Black Parade" is somewhere between the two, and for those wanderers whose egos tend to become unstable because of their wandering, Gerard's message is absolutely real. What I thought after seeing this live performance was that "The Black Parade" is a work that reflects the current era, and it has an immeasurable appeal to stubborn adults.

After performing the album that they had pushed themselves to the limit and creating in a lavish manner on the Budokan stage, Gerard and the other four members shed their heavy costumes and appeared in casual clothes. Behind them was a backdrop with the word "REVENGE" written in large letters, and when the life-sized My Chemical Romance performed "I'm Not Okay" and "Helena," the audience responded with a chorus of their own. Unlike the first half, there was only one flashy performance using gunpowder, and there was no confetti raining down on the audience or flames rising up. At the end, the people who stood on stage were not emo charisma, but young music-loving men who grew up in the New Jersey punk scene.

On this day, Frank joined the stage of the opening act, the melodic punk band Bouncing Souls from his hometown. Gerard asked the fans several times during his performance to give them loud cheers and applause. If you think about it objectively, you can see that Gerard's jumps and fist pumps are not cool, but I think that the attitude of "it's okay to be uncool!" is punk, and such objective opinions are not necessary for My Chemical Romance. Their performance, which was full volume and full force from start to finish, was unmistakably punk, and it is because of this blood that they are somehow hard to hate, even when viewed as a new-age rock band. My Chemical Romance, who graces the front page of this special feature on rock legends visiting Japan, have written another page in rock history with their live performance at the Budokan, but in this interview we also get a glimpse into the true face of Gerard, who loves Japan. He loves Japanese manga and anime, and when he came to Japan last time

Pic: Yuki Kuroyanagi

PAGE 33:

he even went to the cinema. When I explained the purpose of the photo on the front page, he cheerfully agreed to a two-shot with Mario, a character representing Japan.

----What kind of image did you have of Japan before?

"I was imagining the world of Ridley Scott's film, 'The Blade Runner.' I'm also a big fan of comics and Katsuhiro Otomo's work. I especially love 'AKIRA,' so I thought it would be something like the opening scene of that story, and I think that image was correct. But I ended up loving this country even more than I had imagined. I had no idea that Japanese people were people who respected others and their environment so much, and it was refreshing to be able to come into contact with such people and have such a variety of experiences before returning to America."

----You've toured to quite a few countries, but your first visit to Japan was in 2004. What were your impressions at the time?

"I feel like I've landed on Mars. And I mean that in a good way. It's completely different from any other place I've ever been to. The cityscape, the culture, everything I could see was different from any other country. I've had the chance to tour many countries, but when I went there, I was disappointed to see that there were many similarities to America, or even the same things. But Japan is original and amazing. I was fascinated by everything, from vending machines to key chains to TVs. I don't understand what they're saying when I watch TV, but there's a lot to absorb. I'm always looking for something to stimulate me, so this country is perfect for me."

----Your first live show was on the indoor stage at Summer Sonic. How did you feel about the audience's reaction? They were really excited about songs like "I'm Not Okay."

"It was amazing! I'm so glad to get such a reaction.

I never dreamed that we would get such a good response to "I'm Not Okay" in a country we visit for the first time. But it was especially special to have such a good response in Japan. The first time we played in the UK was on tour with The Used. We have a following in the UK now, but the kids who saw our show back then seemed confused about how to respond to our music. I think they liked it, but the reaction was surprisingly calm. After that, we played in a small club in Germany, and it was a big hit. Then we came to Japan and the crowd was so excited, right? It was amazing that we were able to play in front of such a large audience, but when we played "I'm Not Okay," it was even more amazing.

----After that, you did a solo tour in Japan. What is the most memorable episode from your live shows in Japan so far?

"Well... they're all great... let me think about it... there's just so much fun to be had in Japan. The last time I played at Summer Sonic (in 2006) was memorable, the day I was on the outdoor stage in front of Linkin Park. It was a big victory to be able to play at Summer Sonic again, because it was my second time playing at a stadium. At the first Summer Sonic, I was battling drugs and alcohol. So it was impressive to come back and play on that big stage and do a show in front of thousands of people. I remember being able to show a great performance."

----When you visited Japan in January this year, you apparently went to see the film "Tekkonkinkreet."

Pic: Tetsuro Sato

PAGE 34:

I love Japanese. I love the sound of it. I think it's a beautiful language. And it's especially beautiful when people are angry. Japanese is at its best when they're angry (laughs). [top quote]

"It was amazing, but unfortunately it hasn't been released in the US yet. I think it will be a hot topic because the drawing style and the content are very different from what people think of when they think of anime. It was my first time going to a Japanese movie theater. You choose your seat and sit there. And everyone was quiet. I don't know if the movie was boring or if people in Japan watch movies quietly, but everyone stayed seated until the end credits, so it seemed like they liked the movie. But the only one who was laughing was my friend who went with me. It was kind of awkward. I didn't understand the language, so maybe I was laughing at scenes I shouldn't have laughed at? No, I think I laughed at scenes I should have laughed at, but everyone was quiet, so after laughing a few times, I decided to watch quietly (laughs)."

----(laughs) What other Japanese manga and anime do you like?

"I like all the works of Matsumoto Taiyo, the writer of ‘Tekkonkinkreet,’ and I respect Otomo Katsuhiro, who I think is a genius. I also like Tezuka Osamu, the godfather of this world, who wrote ‘Astro Boy.’ I also like ‘Lupin III’ and ‘Science Ninja Team Gatchaman.’ I'm always discovering new things from Japanese creators, and they often surprise me. I'm attracted to works that are innovative and try new things. I'm not interested in anime where giant robots fight other robots. It's just a melodrama with big robots in it."

----After graduating from art school, you worked as an animator for a while.

"I was working on a cartoon called "Sheep in the Big City" (a TV series that aired on the American cable TV channel Cartoon Network). It was completely different from Japanese animation, and the creator, Mo Willems (a popular animation artist known for his picture books such as "Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale" and "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!"), was influenced by 50s limited animation (animation that simplifies the character's movements) such as "Gerald McBoing-Boing".  But I was too young to watch the works of that era in real time, so I didn't really understand them when I was working (laughs)."

----By the way, what kind of comics did you draw?

"I drew [a] really crazy black and white comic. It was about two brothers who work as piano movers. They're said to be the best piano movers in the world, but they’re really not that good. I was inspired by American directors like Terry Gilliam (the director of "Brazil" and "12 Monkeys") and [the] Fritz Lang's film "Metropolis." I drew a dark and eccentric world. It was so outlandish that I got a ton of rejection letters from publishers (laughs). People seemed to have trouble figuring out how to sell it.”

----So from your perspective, what did you think of this work, which was painted with a uniquely Japanese touch?

"First of all, I'm attracted to the art. Look at Otomo's work. Just a single character standing in ruins creates a certain kind of image. That image is burned into your brain. That's why I'm so attracted to Otomo's work. He sometimes puts a twist on it and depicts an unrealistic world. That's what I like about him."

----You've loved comics and video games since you were a child, and that hasn't changed at all.

"Yes. I like video games because they are simply fun and a great way to kill time. I think online games on the Internet are fun because you can play them with your friends. When you're on tour like this, it's hard to meet up with your friends back home. Being able to play with them is one of the attractions.

The appeal of comics is... I love classic science fiction. I'm a big fan of the original Star Trek and The Twilight Zone. Planet of the Apes is good too. The appeal of comics is that anything is possible. You can express anything." 

----You also said in a 2004 interview with this magazine you also check out Japanese bands on YouTube. You mentioned Guitar Wolf, Cornelius, and Michelle Gun Elephant. What attracted you to them? 

"Their intensity. And the way they take music from a certain era and make it new with their own interpretation. Guitar Wolf is especially crazy! Their interpretation of rock and roll is amazing, and that's what makes them great. Their recklessness, that off-tune sound, that craziness! It's like they're playing a cheap tape recorder.”

PAGE 35:

There is an album with a sound that makes you think they just recorded it in a live recording session. But when you get down to it, it's not the sound or the songs, but their unconventionality that gets to the essence of rock and roll. I don't understand the lyrics, but the language difference doesn't matter. The energy of the vocals conveys everything. I love Japanese. I love the sound of it, I think it's a beautiful language, and it's especially beautiful when it's angry. Yes, Japanese is at its best when it's angry (laughs). That's why I love Guitar Wolf."

----I see. That makes sense (laughs). This is your fifth visit to Japan. What does Japan mean to you?

"Japan is a place that continues to inspire me. The more I come to Japan, the more I learn.

You get to know more places, and you get to meet new friends. The record company staff are my friends. The more people I know, the more I get to know Japanese people. I get inspired by them. I think the respect Japanese people have for each other is amazing. I like how they take pride in everything they do. And it's human. Even in things that seem impersonal, like computer manufacturing, you can feel the handcrafted attention to detail and craftsmanship. Japanese people value tradition and history. People from other countries are always thinking about the future and forget that the past is just as important as the present and the future.

----You've probably been to a lot of different spots, but have you been to Akihabara in Tokyo? 

"Hmm? What's it like there?"

----Home electronics have always been popular. There are lots of computers and electronic parts.

"Well, I guess I haven't been there yet. I heard there's a place in Tokyo that sells a lot of comics and manga? I'd really like to go there this time. I've mainly only been to Harajuku and Shibuya."

----That place is probably Akihabara. Personally, I also recommend Broadway in Nakano, but Akihabara is not only a comic book town, but it's also a crazy town where you can see adult women dressed as maids these days, so I definitely recommend you go there at least once!

"Oh, I've heard of it! I read it in a book. Also, a book called "Love Hotel" was recently published, so I'm thinking of reading it. It's a book about love hotels in Japan. Usually, foreigners can't enter those kinds of places.

Pic: Yuki Kuroyanagi

PAGE 36:

It's only recently that I've felt like I'm growing steadily. Before that, it felt like everything was moving so fast, and I wasn't able to cope as a person with that. Now that I'm moving forward at a steady pace, I'm adapting to the changes. [top quote]

Apparently, they were not allowed to take photos, but the author's female photographer was allowed to do so. The maid cafe also looks interesting. What place was it called again?

----Akihabara.

"There are comics there too?"

----Yes. Now, please tell us about this memorable Budokan live. Will it be with the same set and production as the US tour that was just recently?

"Yeah, we brought as much of the same set as possible. The Budokan has strict rules about pyro, but we're using the same equipment that Kiss used in Japan. So it's different from what we use in the US, but if Kiss gave us the OK, we thought we could accept it. In fact, we found that some of the things we use in the US set were unnecessary. For example, we didn't bring the ruins of a big building that we had at the back of the stage this time. It would take too long to send it to Japan. But the costumes and backdrops are all the same... and we'll use confetti, too. It's pretty much the same. But the most important thing is that the band is in top condition. We've been doing the set we're doing now for almost six months, and the composition of "The Black Parade" is perfect. That's the most important thing."

----The set list is divided into two parts, the first half is The album "The Black Parade" by The Black Parade, which can be said to be the alter ego of My Chemical Romance,and the second half is a return to My Chemical Romance and performance of other songs.

"That's right. I wanted to play all the songs on the new album. I wanted to do it in a big way. I didn't want to do it in pieces, so it just naturally came out like this. I also wanted to do something that would change from the beginning to the end of the show. So in the first half, we played a big performance with a big production, and in the second half, we stripped everything away and played our original selves. We wanted to show the core of the band. It was natural that it would be structured like this. The album is about an hour long, so it's not something that you normally hear. That's the length of a standard set. And then we do an encore in the remaining 30 minutes. But we don't like encores. We think it's arrogant to wait for the audience to applaud before going on stage, so after the first part, we go back[stage] and come out again at our own pace to show our support. [our appreciation (?)]"

----For some musicians, the stage is a place where they feel alive and can become their true selves, but what do live performances mean to you right now?

"It's a place where you feel alive. At the same time, it's a place where you can have a control that you don't have in your everyday life, and you can lose yourself. In other words, anything is possible. You can be very honest and let everything out. You can't experience that in your everyday life. From what I've seen of Japanese culture and what I've heard from Japanese kids, it's hard to express yourself with words in this country, so Japanese people express themselves through the clothes they wear. That's the case in America too, so for me, the stage is a place where I can say anything. Even if I'm opening for someone, once I'm on stage I can do anything. As long as I respect the band that's coming up after me, I can do anything."

----This summer you'll be touring with Linkin Park. How did this tour come about?

"They asked me to be their opening act. I was honored and really surprised because I'd never thought about it like that. They said, 'We're releasing a new album. We're going on tour soon, do you want to join us?' Of course I accepted."

----They're bands that have been active in a different scene than you, but there are some similarities between you and them, like the enthusiastic support of your fans and your commitment to art outside of music.

"That's right. The commonality between the two bands is that they have passionate fans who love music. Their new work is also very challenging. I think their fans are very smart because they can understand that. That means their fans could become our fans too. We like to tour with intelligent bands. That's why we toured the US with Muse recently. To really understand their music, you have to love it from the bottom of your heart. Of course, their songs are often played on the radio and are hits all over the world, but to really understand their music, you have to be sensitive. We like to tour with intelligent bands, and that's why we decided to tour with Linkin Park. I think they're very smart people.

----They have had successful arena tours in the US and the UK, and have conquered the Budokan in Japan.  How do you feel about the band's current state as it continues to grow?

"I feel great. It was only recently that I felt like we were growing steadily. Up until then, it felt like everything was moving at an incredible speed, and as people, I wasn't able to cope with that situation. But now we're moving forward at a steady pace, so I'm adapting to the changes."

----What direction do you want to take the band in the future?

"Well, I'm not sure if we want to get bigger. There are already people who enjoy our music. I'm happy to be welcomed by a larger audience, but we're not struggling to survive in this world. Actually, I miss playing small venues these days. At the same time, I want to play shows at legendary places, and I want to think about where I'll play in the future. Maybe it's one way to stop playing shows like we do now, and make the days we do play very special. I don't know if the band needs to get any bigger. I'm very happy with the situation. But I think we need to explore more creatively. ■

Pic: Tetsuro Sato

------

OP NOTE: this translation is ROUGH from google - i tried my best to make sense of some more of the questionable parts. please feel free to message me if i made any mistakes!

[dccg-en]

Translations of all Kid starter deck cards!

Partner: Kaitou Kid [Resolution Phase] [Case Closed] [Sleep⤵] If your number of Evidence is greater than or equal to your Case Level, you win the game. [Assist] [Sleep⤵] : Move into your File Area. If there are 7 or more cards in your File Area, the case enters its Resolution Phase. LP: 1

Kaitou Kid Character (8) [Phantom Thief] [Partner: White] [When Played] You may remove 1 card from your hand. If you do, select up to 1 Character and stun it, then obtain 1 Evidence. (When a stunned character would become active, sleep it instead) AP: 7000 LP: 2

Kaitou Kid Character (7) [Phantom Thief] [Partner: White] Haste (Can deduce or take action the turn it is played) AP: 6000 LP: 1

Kaitou Kid Character (4) [Phantom Thief] <During Opponent's Turn> [When Removed From Scene] Select up to 1 Level 5 or lower character in sleep mode and stun it. (When a stunned character would become active, sleep it instead) <Spark> (Activates when removed from Evidence) Draw 1 card. AP: 4000 LP: 1

Aoko Nakamori Character (2) [High Schooler] <Cut In> AP+2000 (Use by removing from hand during a contact) AP: 1000 LP: 1

Ginzo Nakamori Character (5) [Police, Metropolitan Police Department] [Partner: White] Rush (Can take action the turn it is played) AP: 5000 LP: 0

Saguru Hakuba Character (6) [Detective, High Schooler] <Turn(1)> When this Character deduces or takes action, draw 1 card. AP: 5000 LP: 1

Saguru Hakuba Character (3) [Detective, High Schooler] <Cut In> AP+2000 (Use by removing from hand during a contact) AP: 1000 LP: 1

Sonoko Suzuki Character (4) [High Schooler, Suzuki Group] [When Played] Look at the top 4 cards of your deck. Reveal up to 1 White card from among them and add it to your hand, then return the remaining cards to the bottom of the deck in any order. If you added a card to your hand, remove 1 card from your hand. <Spark> (Activates when removed from Evidence) Draw 1 card. AP: 4000 LP: 1

Sonoko Suzuki  Character (3) [High Schooler, Suzuki Group] Mislead 1 (When your opponent deduces, sleep this to give it LP-1) <Cut In> AP+1000 (Use by removing from hand during a contact) AP: 2000 LP: 1

Makoto Kyogoku Character (6) [High Schooler, Karate User] When your turn ends, you may remove 1 card from your hand. If you do, this Character becomes active. AP: 7000 LP: 0

Tomoko Suzuki Character (4) [Suzuki Group] <Cut In> AP +1000 (Use by removing from hand during a contact) AP: 4000 LP: 1

Jirokichi Suzuki Character (5) [Suzuki Group] <During Opponent's Turn> [When Removed From Scene] Draw 1 card. <Spark> (Activates when removed from Evidence) Select up to 1 Character and sleep it. AP: 5000 LP: 1

"Ladies♡ and… Gentlemen!!" Event (1) Look at the top 3 cards of your deck. Reveal up to 1 White Character from among them and add it to your hand, then return the remaining cards to the bottom of the deck in any order. Play up to 1 White character from your hand with a Level less than or equal to the number of cards in your File Area.

"I wrote April Fool…" Event (5) [Partner: White] (This ability or effect can be used if your partner meets the condition) Select up to 1 Character with AP8000 or less and remove it.

Chance Encounter Case (White) First: 7 Evidence Second: 6 Evidence

[furinana]

Brief interview with the JPN voice cast of SMT IVA

Some fun VA talk alongside localization tidbits.

Taken from the official website. Translated by furinana

Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse – TOPICS

Special Project for Voice Actors

Hiro Shimono, who plays the main character, talks about his thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as the main character this time I personally love the Shin Megami Tensei series... and of course I also played IV (laugh)! So, I'm overwhelmed with emotion for being able to play a main character of Megaten!

[2] The main character's lines that left an impression on me The main character generally doesn't speak, but this time we recorded some lines (I can't go into details yet...). The one line that stuck with me was, "I want to be neutral"*. Megaten fans definitely feel an indescribable charm in the word "neutral".

*[TN: Originally "僕は、ニュートラルでありたいんです" In the interview, neutral is spelled as ニュートラル however in-game it's written as 中庸 chuuyou (lit. middle path)​ but still pronounced as "neutral". I added the ENG localization for comparison]

[3] A message to everyone waiting for the release I don't know how things will turn out, but I hope you enjoy the world of Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse. As a fan myself, I'll be waiting with my 3DS fully charged!

[Note: Hiro Shimono is well-known for making roles of young boys (usually the bratty types), is a recurring duo with Flynn's VA Yuki Kaji and even at his age is considered to be "cute enough to be a girl" thus often crossdresses for the audience. On top of that, Shimono loves fried chicken. Nanashi eats fried chicken made of demons...]

A message from Shuichi Ikeda, who plays Dagda, regarding this work.

[Q] A message to everyone waiting for the release I eagerly antecipate the day when I can meet you all as Dagda. Please look forward to “Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse”.

Tomoko Seike, who plays Asahi, shares her thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Asahi this time She is a simple and straightforward girl who doesn't lie. The more I acted, the more I fell in love with her. Meeting Asahi has allowed me to learn and grow a lot, and I would like to sincerely say "thank you" to my family and friends that I cherish so much.

[2] Asahi’s lines that left an impression on me "Muu." It 100% expressed Asahi's cuteness but it's a word I don't normally use, so it was very difficult.* *[TN: in the JPN version of the game, whenever Asahi feels displeased with something she goes muu. A close ENG equivalent would be a cutesy "grr"]

[3] Message to everyone waiting for the release Each and every character in the series is an indispensable presence, and the feelings of all of them come together to create a work that shows off a beautiful landscape filled with love and hope. This is my first time trying out voice acting, so it's a work that I became very attached to. I hope everyone enjoys it.

[Note: Tomoko Seike was originally a stageplay actress with Asahi being her very first role as a VA (however she's been inactive since then). She considered her favorite color sky blue and her biggest wish was to provide healing and power through her performances]

Shintaro Ohata, who plays Navarre, talks about his thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Navarre this time

I never thought the day would come when I'd get to perform as Navarre again! Specially after what happened to him (laugh). I had a lot of fun playing him as a green-something this time. My first role as a green thingie.

[2] Navarre’s lines that left an impression on me

I said "gununu…" a lot* (laugh). *[TN note: Navarre's personal onomatopeia for when he's in a pickle. It's like a "nghh"]

[3] A message to everyone waiting for the release

This work felt both new and similar to the "Megami Tensei" that I played when I was a child. I hope you all enjoy it! Please join us in welcoming this green guy.

Kenjiro Tsuda, who plays the role of Krishna, talks about his thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Krishna this time

It was a lot of fun to play such an impactful character!

[2] Krishna’s lines that left an impression on me

His difficult lines were remarkable (laugh).

[3] A message to everyone waiting for the release

We hope you enjoy it to your heart's content! Thank you!

Yuki Kaji, who plays Flynn, talks about his thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Flynn this time

Last time, since I was the main character, I hardly had any lines… But after the release, I actually played the game myself and now I've grown quite attached to the character, so I was happy that I was able to speak a lot this time.

[2] Flynn's lines that left an impression on me

How do I say it... I was mesmerized by the fact that I had the privilege of playing many different types of Flynn. I can't go into details because I don't want to spoil the story, but I especially enjoyed playing "Flynn who is Flynn but isn't Flynn" (laugh). I hope you'll all listen and find out for yourself!

[3] A message to everyone waiting for the release

Shin Megami Tensei IV is back in a new form! I think it will be enjoyable not only for those who have played the previous game, but also for those who are starting a new game…but! There's still time! Please do your homework and review the game thoroughly until the release date! Thank you!

Hiroshi Kamiya, who plays Jonathan, talks about his thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Jonathan this time

I was very happy to meet Jonathan again after a long time!

[2] Jonathan(Merkabah)'s lines that left an impression on me

All of Merkabah's lines are devilishly inflexible and extreme, and however correct they may be, they are difficult to empathize with, so it was challenging to make them sound good!

[3] A message to everyone waiting for the release

A world beyond Shin Megami Tensei IV is waiting! Those who played the previous game will have a deeper experience, and those starting with this one will enjoy it as something completely new! Please give it a try!

Katsuyuki Konishi, who plays Walter, talks about his thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Walter this time

I'm happy to be playing Walter again. I never thought I'd get to see a continuation of their world, so it was fun.

[2] Walter’s lines that left an impression on me

I'm in a different position than before, so I hope you'll take a look at that as well.

[3] A message to everyone waiting for the release

This is the follow-up to Shin Megami Tensei! That world will be returning once again. Have fun with your favorite party.

Miyuki Sawashiro, who plays the role of Isabeau, talks about her thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Isabeau this time

This was the first recording in two years, so it felt nostalgic, but it was also refreshing to portray Isabeau as a more grown-up and unhesitanting character.

[2] Isabeau’s lines that left an impression on me

Her reaction when she is overwhelmed by Asahi, her junior (?). It was unlike anything we've seen before coming from her.

[3] A message to everyone waiting for the release

This will be our FINAL* (as planned)! Please stay with us until the end!

(TN: reference to how the title is known in Japan, Shin Megami Tensei IV FINAL)

Michiko Kaiden, who plays Maitreya (Miroku in JPN), talks about her thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Maitreya this time

Despite being a human, I had the opportunity to play a Bodhisattva. Although Maitreya is a Bodhisattva, he* is a frightening character who you wouldn't want to meet or fight. Although I struggled with the lines that were full of Buddhist terminology, it was a rewarding and interesting role to play.

*[TN note: Maitreya's gender is sort of ambiguous considering 1. Aside the female VA, Maitreya uses gender neutral speech 2. Doi intentionally designed Maitreya with a feminine, motherly even androgynous image 3. Maitreya's design resembles famous TV personality Matsuko Deluxe (a female persona of a crossdressing gay man) which is sort of a meme between Japanese fans]

[2] Maitreya's lines that left an impression on me

Maitreya's are more like "sermons" than lines, and every one of them is filled with teachings… It's difficult to narrow it down to just one. I hope you'll also enjoy his unique way of speaking.

[3] A message to everyone waiting for the release

The long-awaited sequel! The unexpected developments and depictions had me constantly reading the script, and my heart just kept pounding. I hope you all will experience this excitement too!

Atsushi Miyauchi, who plays Odin, talks about his thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Odin this time Odin has a variety of emotions and ulterior motives existing alongside each other, so it was a very rewarding role to play. Although he was a demon, I felt a melancholic human quality to him, and I loved how indescribably heartbreaking it was. [2] Odin's lines that left an impression on me “…Only one can be the real deal, and the winner is always by their own.”*

I love this line, which is filled with Odin's nobility and pride.

*[TN: Originally "...本物は一人で良い 勝者は常に独りだ"]

[3] A message to everyone waiting for the release This was my first time participating in the series, and I was fascinated by the worldview it offers. It's a very interesting game! I hope you all enjoy it!!

Junpei Morita, who plays Fujiwara, talks about his thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Fujiwara this time He has a hidden passion inside him, and interacts with people with a carefree demeanor. I played the role hoping to express that kind of charm. I perceived him as a likeable character with a relaxed attitude. [2] Fujiwara’s lines that left an impression on me

"We'll definitely… stand under the sun together while looking at this blue sky again."* A line that speaks about hope of reaching the surface.

*[TN: Originally "必ず…また一緒に太陽の下で、あの青い空を見上げよう"]

[3] A message to everyone waiting for the release

Humans want to be human. And what exactly is to be human? Try to find out through Fujiwara and this game.

Mie Sonozaki, who plays Nozomi, talks about her thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Nozomi this time When I voiced Nozomi previously, her visual image wasn't completed by then. So I was free to voice her however I wanted, and even though she only appeared in challenge quests in the previous game, she's now been promoted to a main character! I'm really happy that Nozomi is loved by the players. Thank you. [2] Nozomi’s lines that left an impression on me "It's okay for humans to get lost."* Nozomi is the type of person who casually says important things, but I may have become a little too emotional when recording the lines...

*[TN: Originally "人間は、迷ってもいいんだよ".]

[3] A message to everyone waiting for the release “Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse” is even darker than the previous work! Take good care of Nozomi who will be joining your party.

This time, there's more than just a standing sprite! Please play the previous game again before the release and look forward to the new one!

Miki Ito, who plays the role of Danu, talks about her thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Danu this time

The one known as Mother Goddess was a difficult role. I tried to portray the character with a sense of tolerance, but also wanted to incorporate a cold dignified atmosphere. [2] Danu’s lines that left an impression on me "Wield ●●●●●. Pierce the very heart of ●●●●"* (Note) Important story information has been omitted.

*[TN: The full sentence is "Wield Ame-no-habakiri. Pierce the very heart of the Cosmic Egg"] [3] A message to everyone waiting for the release Hello everyone. I'm Miki Ito, who plays the role of Danu. It's a game with a mysterious and interesting worldview. Please enjoy it thoroughly! See you again somewhere ♡

Rei Matsuzaki, who plays Napaea, talks about her thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Napaea this time She was very cute and since they told me I could act however I wanted, I performed without any restraints ♪ [2] Napaea’s lines that left an impression on me There isn't a particular line that stuck with me, but I remember Napaea having a unique accent because she has a peculiar way of ending her phrases*. And that's what makes her so cute!!

*[TN: The tic is the のよさ noyosa part. It's an intensifier similar to Naruto's dattebayo. An ENG equivalent would be the character constantly going "(something), you know!"] [3] A message to everyone waiting for the release

I'm so happy to be part of this series again! I've played many other characters besides this girl, so please enjoy the game and try to find them!

Toshiki Masuda, who plays the role of Hallelujah, talks about his thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Hallelujah this time A man among men! This character truly depicts the kind of lifestyle that any man would aspire to. It was a great experience that made me think, "I want to grow into a person like that!" Thank you! [2] What lines from Hallelujah left an impression on me

None! Or rather, I want to say there are so many that I can't decide on just one!

Through the second half of the game, Hallelujah’s lines become more determined, resolved, and responsible! I want you to listen to those! [3] A message to everyone waiting for the release

I was both happy and nervous when I heard that I would be appearing in the latest installment of the long-running Shin Megami Tensei series. I look forward to the release together with everyone!

Takeshi Maeda (miscredited as Tsuyoshi Maeda), who plays Gaston, talks about his thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Gaston this time

It was a lot of fun. As the younger brother of the eccentric and short-tempered Navarre, I was hoping to be able to subtly sense the unique atmosphere that Mr. Ohata portrayed while playing the role in my own way. Gaston was a character that underwent some pretty drastic character development, so that was interesting as well. [2] Gaston’s lines that left an impression on me "You really never learn, it’s SIR Gaston! Respect your elders!"* Sorry for the weird scene. *[TN: Originally "君は全く学習しないな。ガストンさんだ。年上を敬いたまえ!"]

[3] A message to everyone waiting for the release I'm Maeda and I played the role of Gaston.

The Megami Tensei series, which I've been playing since I was a child, is getting more and more interesting. Many people with different points of view engage in a fierce battle this time as well.

Please come and watch the struggles of the main character's team and Gaston, who are all at the mercy of the situation.

Thank you for your support.

Misaki Kuno, who plays Toki, talks about her thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Toki this time Toki, who was raised as an assassin by the Ring of Gaea, was difficult to play because she was a child who rarely showed emotions. However, the scene where she gets tempted by many different colors of the Aether was really fun!! [2] Toki’s lines that left an impression on me I put great care in the lines when Toki, who was only thinking about completing her mission until then, gradually started opening up to the protagonist. [3] A message to everyone waiting for the release I did my best efforts on playing Toki, so I hope you'll look forward to her. Thank you very much!!

Chafurin, who plays Mido, talks about his thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Mido this time Well, I'm a Synthesis Pot*, so to speak. Wahahaha...

*[TN: 合成の壺 seems to be a reference to the most valuable pot you can find in the Shiren the Wanderer series. You insert pieces of equipment inside it and the end result is the strength of the materials combined.] [2] Mido’s lines that left an impression on me

"Welcome to the Cathedral of Shadows, where demons gather…"*

*[TN: Originally "悪魔が集いし邪教の館へようこそ…" Cathedral of Shadows in Japanese is 邪教の館 which can be something like Mansion of Heretical Religions] [3] A message to everyone

I'm also looking forward to the release. What is this feeling? I'm so excited! ♪ (Note) This comment was received in the summer of 2015.

Junichi Suwabe, who plays the role of Abe, talks about his thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Abe this time I couldn't help but be like, "They had that kind of relationship!?" [2] Abe’s lines that left an impression on me It would be a spoiler, so it's a secret. If I had to say, it would be "everything." [3] A message to everyone We hope you'll give it a try. Thank you!

Yuko Kaida, who plays Burroughs, talks about her thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Burroughs this time I'm happy to meet you all once more as Burroughs. [2] Burroughs’ lines that left an impression on me "It's no good. I'm getting an error"* This time, Burroughs's only appearance looks somewhat human. Actually, alongside this one I played another role where I was able to give my all, so I had a lot of fun. *[TN: Originally "ダメ、エラーが出ちゃう"] [3] A message to everyone We have an astonishingly gorgeous cast of voice actors this time too! I was so surprised. We hope you enjoy this voiced Megaten the fullest once again!

Cho, who plays Dr. Matsuda/Stephen, talks about his thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Dr. Matsuda/Stephen this time Hey folks! Dr. Matsuda and Stephen were completely different characters, so I had a lot of fun. I wanted to expand the role of Dr. Matsuda more. Next time I'm asked to perform as Dr. Matsuda, would it be okay if I change the dialogue to suit my own taste? [2] Lines that left an impression on me Matsuda is like, “Hey folks” Stephen is like, “Hello there”*

[3] A message to everyone Hello there, my name is Stephen. Thanks to you guys, we can meet again. I am looking forward to it…. For pete's sake!

*[TN: Originally "どもっす" for Matsuda and "やあ" for Stephen. Matsuda speaks with the polite auxiliary verb -ssu used in colloquial speech, which shows slight respect for the listener but doesn't convey an intellectual image. There's no way to closely convert those to English so I just used what the localization came up with]

Atsuko Tanaka, who plays Gabby/Gabriel, talks about her thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as Gabby/Gabriel this time It's an honor to play Gabby/Gabriel again! [2] Lines that left an impression on me "Our Lord, the most merciful and gracious, has deigned to give you a chance"* *[TN: Originally "寛大にして慈悲深き我らが主は 貴方たちに機会をお与え下さいました"]

[3] A message to everyone I played Gabby/Gabriel in this title as well. I cannot wait, but please wait. (Note) This comment was received in the summer of 2015.

Mugihito, who played the role of ●●●●, talks about his thoughts on this work

[1] Acting out as ●●●● this time It's best not to say too much about the character I play. I'm looking forward to meeting you all in the game. [2] A message to everyone Sure enough, when I got requested for the role, I became worried that a human being would get punished for playing it (laugh).

That's why I put a lot of effort into my performance, so please come and check it out with your own eyes and ears.

-

DOWNLOAD LINK (includes original text and translation)