#tora did such a wonderful job drawing them

[oikawapng]

oikawa and iwaizumi's ref sheets for my fic guardian's rebirth.

drawn by @flunflun

[feferipeixes]

Grapefruit Juice

For @skia-oura. You know what you did.

(on AO3)

It was a quiet morning when Bentley awoke, nestled in between Dipper and Torako. Dipper was curled up in the fetal position, forehead resting on Bentley’s shoulder, a clawed hand caressing his other shoulder, little Z’s floating above the demon’s head. Torako, on the other hand, was practically lying on top of him, spread-eagled and snoring loudly. A small smile spread across Bentley’s sleepy face. It felt so nice, in a weird way he didn’t know how to express. He loved waking up next to those two dorks. It felt safe to be with them.

Also, the fact that they were sleeping meant they weren’t wreaking havoc, which was always a plus.

A glance at the alarm clock -- it was early. Too early to really start the day, but too late to get back to sleep. He carefully extracted himself from the bed, making sure not to wake either of his roommates up. Tiptoeing out of the room like a cartoon character, he eased the door shut and then proceeded to the kitchen.

He opened the cupboard to look for something to eat for breakfast. The box of Moffios immediately stuck out to him -- he noticed that the sigil preventing it from being touched was almost worn away. Either Torako had been scratching it out or she’d made some sort of deal with Dipper. He quickly re-inscribed the symbol, and the box took on a glittery sheen indicating that it’d sting any fingers who tried to take it. That should keep her away from it for a few more days.

He grabbed his favorite almond-based caffeinated cereal and closed the cupboard. Setting the box of Nutty Tweaks down on the table, he fetched a bowl and looked through the fridge for something to drink. His usual box of orange juice was nowhere to be found. Bentley rolled his eyes -- no doubt his doofus brother finished it off and forgot to put it on the shopping list. Looked like he was eating dry tweaks that morning.

Except...

In the back of the fridge, he glimpsed a bottle of pink juice. He pulled it out and looked it over for a label. Nothing. It was probably the weird old-timey juice that Dipper would import from Australia, which was apparently the only remaining place where it was made. With a glint in his eye, Bentley poured himself a glass. If Dipper was going to drink all of his juice, he’d just have to return the favor.

His revenge at hand, Bentley sat at the table and started spooning crunchy almonds into his mouth. He considered the box’s promise to get anyone who eats the cereal “absolutely shredded” with “ham wild muscles” and “disgustingly feral abs”. He wondered if people really fell for that kind of marketing. At any rate, it didn’t affect him. He just liked almonds. And caffeine.

...although if he Did happen to get stronger from eating cereal, he wouldn’t complain. He’d be able to draw longer-lasting sigils if he could cut deeper into a surface.

Cereal consumed, Bentley raised the glass of juice to his lips. He briefly wondered whether it really was such a good idea to drink a demon’s juice -- for all he knew, it wasn’t actually juice but rather distilled insanity with blood mixed in (for taste). The promise of vengeance was too much to pass up, though, and he took a small sip.

And then downed the entire glass.

Whatever that stuff was, it was delicious. Weirdly tart with a sweet aftertaste. He’d never tasted anything like it -- no wonder Dipper went to such great lengths to obtain it. Before he knew it, Bentley had drunk the entire bottle. Surveying the casualties of his breakfast, he felt a small seed of guilt sprout within him, but he quickly brushed it away. It’s only what Dipper deserved for drinking all the orange juice.

Out of nowhere, the bedroom door slammed open with enough force to shake the room. Salt and pepper shakers spilled onto the counter. A clock fell off the wall and shattered on the floor. Bentley felt the chair he was sitting on jump a foot off the ground, and his arms shot out instinctively to grab the table so he wouldn’t fall over. Disoriented, it took him a moment to parse what was happening. Then he saw Torako standing in the doorway with a crazed look on her face, and immediately knew his peaceful morning was over.

“Bentley!” she yelled, gesticulating wildly. “You’re eating breakfast? Without meeeee?”

“You were asleep!” he countered. “I didn’t want to wake you.”

He shrank into his chair as she stomped over to him, hands on hips, hair matted and messy. She picked up the cereal box and broke into a mischievous grin. “Bentley’s Getting Buff, I see.” She cackled and tossed the box aside, sprinkling almonds across the kitchen.

“Stop! I just cleaned the apartment yesterday!”

Ignoring him, she picked up the empty juice bottle on the table and examined it while Bentley eyed her suspiciously. It was very likely she’d pick Dipper’s side if a revenge battle broke out because the two of them combined were an unstoppable chaos machine. He had to get her off the topic of breakfast, quick.

“Hey, Tora,” he said carefully. “I was thinking about re-dyeing my hair. Did you wanna...”

Torako cut him off by screaming at the top of her lungs. Bentley winced and clapped his hands to his ears. “What the hell are you doing?” he hissed. “You’re going to wake up the entire building!”

“Did you drink Dipper’s grapefruit juice????” she screeched.

Bentley shrank into his chair again. “Maybe. But he deserved it.” He glanced at the open bedroom door, curious about the fact that Dipper hadn’t come out yet to see what was going on. Maybe he’d been summoned.

“Oh NO Ben, this is BAD,” Torako continued to yell. “Holy shit holy shit HOLY SHIT!”

Bentley started edging away from her. “Is something happening right now? Am I missing something?”

She tore her gaze away from the bottle and stared him directly in the eyes, radiating such delirium that it was almost nauseating to look at. She hurled the bottle into the ground as hard as she could, and it broke through the floor into the next apartment down. Before he could object to this, she grabbed him by the shirt collar and shrieked, “BENTLEY you’re gonna DIE, that was GRAPEFRUIT JUICE, don’t you KNOW, it’s gonna make your ANTIDEPRESSANTS EXPLODE IN YOUR BRAIN!”

He gaped at her. “What are you talking abouuuu- !” He yelped as Torako effortlessly lifted him up and wrapped him over her shoulders. He tried in vain to wriggle free of her grip, but she was much stronger than him. “Let go of me!”

“Hello? Hospital?” Bentley stopped flailing to see Torako talking into a phone wedged between her head and her shoulder that couldn’t possibly have been there more than a second ago. “Yes, hospital! Please come quick! We have a serious case of genius boy brain burst! Oh stars, I can’t do this!” She dropped the phone and started sobbing, prompting Bentley’s anxiety to shoot through the roof.

“Tora? Are you okay? I’m really worried.” Not about himself, because he was pretty sure his brain was not about to explode from drinking juice, but even in her most trickster of moments Torako had never acted like this before and it was freaking him out. “Is this part of a prank or are you... really having some kind of breakdown right now? If this is real then I need to know so I can help.”

“You’re the one who needs help, you poor thing.” She laid him down on a stretcher and patted him on the head. “It’s gonna be okay! The hospital people will save you! They’ll take you to the juicer from Willy Wonka and everything will be okay!”

“What’s Willy Wonka?” Bentley yelled as he was pulled away on the stretcher. He watched Torako get smaller and smaller before finally fading away into the distance. Exhausted, he put his head down and stared up at the inky black ceiling of the ambulance. “This is so annoying. I don’t need to go to the hospital. I need to bust out of here.”

“Please don’t,” Philip said. Bentley’s eyes boggled at the sight of his father steering the ambulance. He gave his son a wink before turning back to face the road. “I’d have to chase you down or I’ll get fired, and I can’t do that. You’re so much faster than me now.”

“Dad?” Bentley breathed. “Why are you driving an ambulance? When did you -- you’re not supposed to -- isn’t it late?”

There was a sigh from the front seat. “Sorry, Bentley, I didn’t mean for you to find out this way, when you’re about to die from grapefruit overdose, but it’s true. I wasn’t making enough money doodling little hearts on pictures of your very handsome roommate. I had to pick up some odd jobs to make ends meet.”

“You what now?”

“It’s shameful, I know.” Philip’s head smacked down onto the steering wheel, and the ambulance started swerving wildly around on the road. “In a perfect world, we’d all be able to sit around and talk about demons all day without worrying about rent or food, but we don’t live in a perfect world and it’s my job as a father to break that to you. I’m so sorry.”

Bentley opened his mouth to respond, but faltered when he heard a hiccup. He flipped over onto his stomach to see his father weeping softly onto the steering wheel. Alarm bells rang in his head. “Dad, please don’t cry. It’s alright.” He attempted to undo the straps holding him on the stretcher, but they only seemed to get tighter. “We can talk about this. Please don’t cry.”

He reached out to him, his fingers gently brushing up against the driver’s seat, hoping that his father would sense his presence and take his hand. But it never came. There was a jerking sensation from beneath him as the conveyor belt activated, and the stretcher started moving away from the ambulance.

“Dad?” Bentley called, his voice heavy with reverberation. “Dad, don’t leave!”

No response. The sound of weeping faded away, and Bentley felt a pit settle in his stomach. He looked around and saw that he was rolling slowly on a track that ran through a landscape of stars. A row of doctors stared at him with blurry faces from behind a glass partition. Half of them gasped as he went by. The other half just looked disappointed, shaking their heads or crossing their arms.

“It’s… the Grapefruit Juice Boy,” one of them choked out.

“That doesn’t make any sense!” he yelled, scowling. “This -- okay, I’m getting suspicious now! Am I dreaming? Is this what a dream that isn’t a nightmare is like? It sucks!”

The conveyor stuttered to a halt and the doctors all vanished. Bentley blinked, and realized he was in a dentist’s office. A pair of hands pulled a paper bib around his neck, and his scowl deepened. “Now what’s going on? I thought this dream was about medication interactions! Why am I at the dentist now?”

“Grapefruit juice is really sugary,” came a voice from behind him. “Your teeth are gonna fall out.”

“Oh, yeah, definitely,” Bentley raged. “My roommates constantly pour sugar into every orifice on their faces, but I have a stress dream about the dentist because I drank a bottle of juice. I’d like to see Torako and Dip- hey wait a minute!” He cut off as the familiarity of the dentist’s voice hit him. The hands appeared again, putting a second bib on him, and Bentley noticed the fingers were tipped with claws. He struggled to tilt his head back, and caught a glint of light off the razor sharp teeth in the dentist’s grin.

“Hi Bentley,” Dipper said.

“Dipper? Why are you the dentist?” He collapsed back into the dentist’s chair and let his limbs fall limp over the sides. “Why are dreams like this? Is there some deep meaning behind all of this? I’d almost prefer the nightmares to Dipper cleaning my teeth.”

“Hey now,” Dipper pouted, putting a third bib around Bentley’s neck. “Maybe I’m really good at dental work. You know how hard flossing is with teeth like this?”

Bentley scratched his head. “Um, I guess not. But then why would I dream- hey wait a minute. Are you a dream Dipper or the real one?”

Dipper dropped the fourth bib he was holding and stepped back, bumping into a table of dental equipment. “Uhhhhh. Dream Dipper, definitely. Your brain just loves thinking about me. That’s it.”

The scowl returned to Bentley’s face in full-force. Sitting up, he tore the bibs off his neck and stared his roommate right in his dumb evil eyes. “It is the real you! What are you doing in my dream? This is all your fault, isn’t it?”

The demon smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of his neck. “Haha, well, uh, yeah sort of. Technically it’s Torako’s fault. This was all her idea, but I’m the one with the dream magic, so it just made sense, like oh who’s gonna keep Bentley in a weird dream so that he sleeps in today, Dipper obviously, and -”

Swinging his legs off the table, Bentley stood up for the first time in what felt like ages, and marched over shakily as Dipper backed away. “You trapped me in a crazy dream world??”

“No! Not really!” Dipper raised his arms, looking panicked. “I mean, okay, I made parts of it, but mostly all I did was stop you from waking up earlier! Sometimes people just have weird dreams, Ben! It’s a natural part of life for your species!”

“I’m putting wards all over the bedroom when I wake up. Why did you do this??”

Dipper shrank down to his 12-year old form and tried his best to look innocent. “No reason at all! You just looked like you needed some sleep! It definitely wasn’t that Torako needed time to break the sigil you made to prevent her from touching the box of Moffios!”

“Oh my stars Torako. This is ridiculous.” Bentley stared at his hands, picturing them each grasping one of his roommates’ hands, thinking about how that was definitely not going to be happening again for two weeks at minimum. “Does this at least mean you didn’t actually finish off my orange juice?”

Dipper giggled nervously. “Yeah, about that...”

Bentley facepalmed. “Wake me up. Right now.”

“Well, uh, you see,” Dipper replied, squirming, “it’s like, there’s a time limit on the deal I made with Torako, and yknow how it is...”

“If you don’t wake me up this instant, you’re gonna have a lot more to worry about than whether or not you’re getting cuddles ever again. I’ll have my dad over for dinner every single night and he’ll ask you every uncomfortable question under the sun! Do you hear me?”

Dipper blanched. “Yes sir, right away sir!” he babbled, standing up straight and saluting. He snapped his fingers, and the world fell away.

Bentley shot upright in bed, the sounds of squealing floating in from the kitchen. He jumped out from the covers, sprinting past the ashamed-looking demon at the door, to see Torako kneeling on the kitchen counter, jabbing at the box of Moffios with a dinner knife.

“Torako! No!” he hollered, racing after her. “I’m never buying Moffios again!”

Her eyes grew big as dinner plates and she took off with the box, running around the table to get away from him. “Bentley! You’re awake! Uh… this isn’t what it looks like!”

“It looks like I’m changing the locks is what it looks like!”

“Dipper!” she cried as she passed the demon, who was watching the scene looking half-concerned and half-amused. “You said you’d keep him busy! We had a deal!”

“He figured it out!” Dipper cried back. “I knew he’d be too smart to fall for this!”

“I’m coming for you next, jerkface!” Bentley roared.

The sounds of screaming and furniture toppling over filled the apartment. The people in the apartment immediately below them hesitated before calling the landlord to complain about the noise. It was, after all, not much worse than Saturdays usually were in the Pines-Lam-Farkas household.

----

A bright ray of sunlight beamed through a crack in the curtains and directly onto Torako’s face, waking her up. She shifted, trying to find a comfortable position amidst the lumpy couch cushions, but eventually resigned to her fate and opened her eyes. She was in the living room, of course, because Bentley hadn’t let her sleep in his room for a week now, which was just a little bit of an excessive punishment if you asked her! All of this and she didn’t even get any Moffios. The sheer injustice of it all.

Sitting up, she yawned and surveyed the room. She scratched her head as she looked for Dipper. He’d been sleeping on the floor next to her since they’d both been exiled from Bentley’s room, but the demon was presently nowhere to be seen, which was strange. He must’ve had an early morning summons. Oh well.

She headed over to the kitchen and opened the fridge. If she wasn’t allowed to have Moffios, she’d at least have something sweet to drink for breakfast. She grabbed the box of orange juice, flipped off the lid, and started chugging it directly from the carton. When it was all done, she collapsed into a chair with a large grin. Just what she needed to start the day.

“TORAKO!” Dipper yelled out of nowhere, blipping into reality directly beside her. “Did you drink my grapefruit juice?”

She yelped and fell out of her chair. “What? No, this is Bentley’s oran-” She lifted her hand, still holding the empty box of juice, but trailed off when she realized she was actually holding a clear bottle with a small amount of pink liquid left inside. She stared at it in shock, then at Dipper who looked equally as horrified. “What? But, I -”

“Torako, you’re gonna DIE!” Dipper screamed, suddenly wearing a nurse’s outfit and pushing her down the hall on a hospital bed. “Your MEDS are gonna EXPLODE in your BRAIN!”

“Noooooo!” she shrieked, flailing around as her parents jogged up beside the bed and waved at her while sobbing. “Bentley was right! This is awful!”

In the real world, Bentley was in the kitchen, applying the finishing touches on a new Moffios-protecting sigil that would last eight times as long. He heard Torako yelling in her sleep from across the room and smiled. “Yeah, it is,” he muttered, walking over. “Next time you’ll think twice before you try something like that on me.”

“Um… do you think she’s had enough?” Dipper asked from his position on the floor. He had his hand on Torako’s head, and when he looked up Bentley could see Torako’s dream reflected in the demon’s eyes. She’d somehow managed to wriggle free of the straps on the bed and was running down a highway in only a hospital gown, being pursued by a fleet of ambulances. “She admitted defeat.”

Bentley sat on the edge of the couch and seemed to consider it. “Yeah,” he said finally. “You can wake her up.”

Dipper nodded, and removed his hand from Torako’s head. She gasped and her eyes flew open, looking in all directions before making eye contact with Bentley. She leapt off the sofa and backed against the wall.

“Sorry, Ben! I’ll never Dip into your dreams ever again!”

Bentley sniffed. “Sounds about right. And you?” He turned to Dipper, who looked similarly panicked under Bentley’s purview.

“And I promise I’ll only side with Torako sometimes instead of all the time!” he offered, backing up beside Torako. “Also not to go into your dreams ever unless I really need to, which I totally won’t take advantage of ever!”

“Good. I’m glad we had this talk.” Bentley stood up. “Do either of you want breakfast?”

“NO!” Dipper and Torako both screamed, scampering away at full speed. They ran into the bedroom, dove under the covers, and clutched each other tight. “Never again!”

“Suit yourself,” Bentley said, trying out the shoulder up-and-down thing that Dipper always did to express indifference. He pulled the bedroom door shut and just stood there for a bit, reflecting on the day’s events. Then he walked over to the kitchen, poured himself a bowl of Nutty Tweaks, and took a seat by the window so he could watch the snow fall as he ate.

It really was a very peaceful morning.

(AO3 link)

[withered-rose-unbreakable-lotus]

An unpopular opinion

I don't want to be that girl but, I will be that girl. Found a little something on twitter about why the Gazette is different from other bands and I have a few words. It’s not bad seeing sth in a band you see in no other, but, in my opinion (aka you are free to disagree) it’s bad disregarding every other band in their genre just because they don’t fit your taste. And before some sixth gun jumps on me to scratch my eyes out, I’d like to clarify that I am a sixth gun myself who’s shed many many tears during happy or sad moments of the band, like the rest of you. They matter to me, their music matters to me, etc. I’d also like to mention I am well aware of the fact the Gazette is the biggest visual kei name of their generation but hear me out... Below are some of my answers to what I found on twitter and, while I bring examples of bands I happen to listen to (because I don’t know many things for every single band out there (seriously, they are more than 800+ including the disbanded ones) to bring them as an example and I like having something to back my opinions up instead of generalized views), my answers cover bands that I don’t listen to, too, because I am sure they are in the scene for more than a decade for a good reason.

Ruki’s voice. Ruki has one of the most beautiful voices in the scene and one of the strongest. And we also were lucky enough to see its evolution through the years and see it at times it wasn’t at its best and times it was impeccable. The thing is, Ruki is not the only visual kei artist whose voice can resound in a stadium even without mic so it really surprises me when I see fans saying that they know no other person with such a strong voice in the visual kei world. A few examples of such voices (I’ll keep it to guys who are not over 1,68 cm since it was brought up too, compared to ruki’s voice, not that this has anything to do with vocal ability for me) are Ikuma (REIGN), Mahiro (Kiryu), Yo-ka (DIAURA), Haru (DOG inThePWO) and many more.

Uruha’s & Aoi’s chemistry on stage and guitar-wise. If you are a musician maybe you know more than me to correct me but whether two people complement each other or not is reaaaally a matter of taste for most of us. Personally I see Uruha’s & Aoi’s chemistry on stage, but becoming one, musically, not much. Mostly because Uruha, as lead guitar, has his guitar louder? It’s easier to hear Uruha than Aoi, especially the last few years and I don’t know if it’s the dvd or they really have Aoi’s guitar set that low. In the past, both guitars could be heard quite loudly but I don’t hear it much now. If you’ve been to their lives it will probably look, sound and feel different, but with a critical eye on a dvd, I can no longer see that much. But guitar duos who often play as one are a thing in the visual kei world, a few examples again: Mitsuki & Takemasa (Kiryu), Hiroto & Tora (Alice Nine), Kili & Peco (ex. AND eccentric agent).

Changing style but staying true to yourself is also a big thing in the visual kei world but the problem is some fans didn’t stay enough to see it. An example could be Alice Nine, who, after leaving PSC I believe, did lose a few fans due to expirementing with new stuff, but they recently brought back their old name, explaining their roots’ significance to them and that nothing has changed, which was evident even during their expirementation. Not all their fans stayed around enough to see that these guys are still the same. They changed looks, tried different music but they are still the same people. But then again Gazette lost some fans during their TOXIC era too (which album I personally like a lot), but were lucky to have enough fans to bring those gone, back when new stuff came out. I think they had several complaints with Malformed Box too. Anyway, another band who has not changed is DIAURA. Have you seen them live? Yes Yo-ka might be standing out a bit more than the rest, whereas, as some might argue, in the Gazette’s case every single one is standing out, but that doesn’t make other musicians less unique. Staying true to yourself is a thing several of them visual kei artists have been doing and still do, but it goes unnoticed, because it usually doesn’t happen alongside the rest of the band. Other bands that have managed to draw attention on every single member are Kiryu and Screw, the latter of which unfortunately didn’t go on.

And the last thing that really got me is those people who say the Gazette don’t just have fun on stage, they live it, they feel it, it is their home etc. Not because it’s not true, let’s be real, the passion is on and contagious and they love being on stage, it’s part of them, but stating that this makes the Gazette different from other bands makes me furious. Because most band members who’ve been on those stages for over 10 years sure could have given up and have a normal job, unlike other countries, Japan gives chances to people to work even with just their Lycium paper, but they didn’t. I’ve seen so many musicians have huge ass emotional breakdowns the past 7 years and disregarding those people because you never even cared to listen to them, or you did but didn’t click for you makes me furious. So many people considered suicide because they wanted nothing but that fucking stage (and mind you, they are talented) and the ability to express themselves, make music not just for them but for others too, people who want to save people, people who lost so much or have nth else to give them joy but that very stage...you cannot tell me those people don’t LIVE up there. Ikuma’s spine is not doing well and he still goes on that stage until his body gives in. Remember that video that Kai collapses backstage with his hands in a bucket of ice. That. Almost every day. Ikuma sometimes can barely walk after lives, his body grows numb but he keeps pushing himself because he loves it so much he doesn’t care what will happen to him. Do I think that’s cool? No, there are times his fans beg for him to take it easy but he won’t. When shit came up in his fanbase he handled it himself. He refuses to give his rights to a company because of how companies screwed his previous band. You want another example? Yo-ka. Yo-ka is also a person whose entire body goes on frenzy on stage, who collapses often because of it and who laughs at its fuckin face due to how much he loves the stage. I am sure you have heard many bands say “Let’s die on stage“. Some mean it. Some won’t drop it until they can’t stand. Because they live for that moment. For the excstasy of that moment. Another example, of someone who doesn’t drive himself numb on stage but just can’t give up is Kamijo. Kamijo becomes one with the stage and his emotions while performing. Versailles members have mentioned before that Kamijo gets lost in his emotions on stage often, which was what lead to the many falls he’s had live. Dude must literally feel like flying on there. Another one...Chiaki of DEZERT. Actually it was that very passion of this guy on stage that made me check them out. When I look for favorite bands I look for soul and the bands I have chosen so far, even after disbanding, most of them are still around. No I am not flexing, I am just stating how hard it is for some people in the scene to give up all this, even though it’s hard on their daily life and sometimes even health. When I saw Chiaki on Yoshiki’s Visual Japan Summit, I was enchanted right away and I wondered why they don’t upload more of their live videos. I had never even wished to give a listen to their music before that. They don’t have extravagant looks to stand out in this sea of countless bands, but they sure have powerful performance and amazing music. And another thing I’d like to mention about passion and life on stage is the tears. I don’t know who’s fake or not but when I see someone cry on stage I know it means sth to them. Ryoga of Razor when he announced Born’s disbandment, K of BORN, Kazuki of Screw, Rui of Articlear, Ikuma of REIGN, Peco (ex. AND) and the list goes on. You want to argue some are more sensitive than others? Fine. Tora of Alice Nine went on stage on a wheelchair because he refused to lose a live because he was hurt. Tomo of Vistlip rushed to get back on stage after his lung operation so the band decided to go on hiatus all together to support him and show him they will wait until he is ready so that he didn’t feel he was holding them back. I can bring up so many things so...before you say which band lives for that stage, give a wider look around you.

Each band and each band member is unique. Saying that this is not true because you can’t see it and your heart found shelter in one band is a choice. The Gazette too have gone through some real shit. From broken bones, to arguments with each other, with their company, having stuff stolen from them, defamation, struggling to put their name out there etc. But the Gazette made it. Hard work was one, yes, but luck was big part of it too, and signing with the right company at the right time. I think even one of them once said it, sth like “we just happened to be lucky back then”, I think it was Ruki who said it. One moment can change a person’s life dramatically and from then on, other factors that need work every single day. You can say they combine all of those things I mentioned above and that is what makes them unique, but we’d still agree to disagree. And as for chemistry, it is hard to find such thing among so many ideals. The Gazette still have their rough moments because of that. Did you read the interviews around the time the Ninth was released? Even after so long, Ruki said he feels like he doesn’t have friends and that the time after their 15th anniversary show was tough on him. The other members of course believed in him so they didn’t sound worried in their interviews on the matter but they knew how he felt. Aoi also mentioned that none of his songs made the cut for Ninth. All this, of course turned around again, as we all saw in later interviews but I can still remember how worried I was after reading this stuff and realized how fragile can chemistry among people be, even after years and years together.

Some musicians have found a team they could work with and others still try. Please don't cancel out musicians who just haven't found their team yet or worse, lost it during a heated moment. I am sorry if anyone felt insulted but....i am tired of this. Some of you think that other bands have it easy or only care about spotlight and girls but honestly...there is still more than that behind the scenes. I am not saying there aren’t shallow ones out there, but some still give their soul for all this. The vkei scene is dark and difficult and things keep going on with everyone. No one has it easy. Some lose themselves, become shadows of their former selves. I fear that for my favorite bands every day. I have found shelter in 64 vkei musicians, each one for a different reason, and I am proud of them. Whether they went big or not, whether they chose to start their life over or not (cause that’s another struggle on its own, starting over)...these people keep me alive or did keep me alive for as long as they chose to share their dream with us and I owe them big time. And I am sure there are fans out there who found their shelter in smaller bands and they are proud of them too. So...in case you feel shouting to their world you are proud of your favorite bands, do it without cancelling out others. Scream why that band is precious to you, not why it’s precious compared to other bands. Cause the latter is largely a matter of taste. I mean yeah, you do you, I can’t tell you what to do but you know...basic kindness? call it what you may.

[oblio-k]

hh just realized i forgot to post this here lmao. anyways here’s a fic about my AU where Ziyal has an older bajoran half brother named Linaan who loves & supports her even though he’s terrified of her friends because she deserves a blood relative that truly cares about her and can be there for her when Kira can’t. past Dukat/Tora Naprem & Naprem/female OC

After All This Time

Ziyal could remember her mother quite clearly. Her memory wasn’t as great as the average Cardassian, but she remembered people very well. Her mother was tall, with a fire in her deep brown eyes. She was warm, much warmer than her father, and Ziyal recalled her jokingly referring to herself as a living heat pack on more than one occasion. She was kind, but passionate, and made sure to teach Ziyal all about Bajor, alongside her Cardassian studies. Sometimes, she would look sad, but always cheered up after focusing on her.

Sighing, Ziyal stared down at the cup of tea in her hands. She missed her mother. Although she’d had many years to get over it, it was still difficult, at times. To go from always being with her mother in safety and comfort, to watching the life drain from her and being dragged off to work in the Breen mines.

The station was lonely. Sure, she had Nerys, which she was very thankful for, and she was developing some sort of friendship with Garak, but other than those two, she didn’t have anyone she was close to. Her father wasn’t on the station, so there wasn’t anyone she felt like she could call family. Eventually, she hoped, she would be permitted to be Nerys’ family, but that would take time.

Her depressed mood continued, much to her dismay. Garak was busy in his shop, and Nerys had to cancel their springball practice due to some kind of minor station emergency. Something about security, and Nerys had sounded guilty about missing another opportunity to spend time together. Ziyal couldn’t help but feel miserable. Painting would clear her up, no doubt, but her quarters were so far, and she hadn’t touched her cup of tea...

She took a sip from it, frowning when she realized it had started to go cold. There was no use in forcing herself to drink it. It would just make her feel worse. Returning it to the replicator took barely any time at all. For once, the replimat was sparse. A Bajoran couple sat at a table far away from her, and a few Starfleet officers were catching a break at various tables. One of the shopkeepers was typing on a padd, a mug next to them.

Sitting back at her table, she lifted up her sketchbook and decided to try drawing something to distract her mind.

When she ended up with a sketch of her mother’s face, she sighed again and closed the book.

“Excuse me, miss, but are you Tora Ziyal?”

Ziyal looked up to see a Bajoran man standing a few feet away from her. Something about him seemed familiar, though she was sure she had never seen him before. He looked nervous, fiddling with his earring.

“Yes. How are you?”

“Good. May I sit here?” He gestured to the seat opposite of hers. A bit nervous herself, she nodded. He sat, and stared at her. “Hm, you really do look like her.”

Like who? “You look familiar, yourself. May I ask your name?”

“Oh, we’ve never met.” He lowered his hand. “My name is Tora Linaan. I... I suppose I’m your half brother.”

“My half brother?” she echoed, surprised.

“Through our mother, Tora Naprem. When I heard you were- well, that you existed, I had to come see for myself. You have her nose ridges, so I suppose the rumors are true.”

“You have her nose ridges too. And her family symbol.” She was suspicious. Surgical alteration was very simple, and it was easy enough to get a fake earring.

“Yeah. You don’t wear an d’ja pagh?”

“Ah, no... I don’t know much about the Bajoran religion. Major Kira has been trying to teach me.” It was the truth, and she hoped that by saying Nerys’ name, it would deter the man if he was a fake trying to hurt her in some way. “Mother didn’t teach me too much about it.”

“It was never very important to her, huh? My mum hated that about her. She’d tell me, ‘Linaan, your mother was a wonderful woman, but she was spiritually lacking. Don’t end up like that.’ I wish she’d gotten over that.” He looked down, sadness in his eyes. “After what she did for us...”

“Linaan?”

“Ah- sorry, I shouldn’t bring up bad things.” He smiled at her. “This is a blessed day, I’ve finally met my sister! I do hope you’ll accept me as family. You’re all I have left. It’s... It’s been very lonely on Bajor, since my mum died.”

He sounded so sincere, maybe he was telling the truth after all. Could that be why her mother sometimes looked so sad, remembering a son and wife she’d left behind on Bajor for a new, Cardassian family?

“I would love to continue talking to you, Linaan.”

“Great! Would you like me to go get some tea? I have so many questions for you, and I imagine you’ll have plenty for me.”

“No, I’m alright.”

-

Linaan seemed to get over his nervousness after telling her a few things about himself. He was twenty-eight years old, a research assistant in a university, and spent most of his time organizing things for the professors and scientists there. He lived by himself in a small house in Ashalla, and wasn’t on very good terms with his neighbors for reasons he chose not to elaborate on.

“Mother never mentioned living in Ashalla.”

“Oh, no, Mother never lived with us.”

“She didn’t?”

“Mother called me an unexpected blessing from the prophets. She stayed in her home province, but visited us often. Occasionally, we would visit her.”

“She said the same thing about me.”

Linaan tilted his head. “Oh, you don’t believe me, do you?”

“Well-”

He chuckled. “I suspected you wouldn’t. If you’d like, we can go to the infirmary and run a genetic test.”

Once again, she was surprised. “You’d do that?”

“Of course. I want you to see me as family. Then we can really talk, instead of you listening to me rambling on about my life.”

-

Doctor Bashir had a moment of free time, and was happy to run the test for them. Linaan didn’t look worried at all, and Ziyal started to wonder if he really was telling the truth. It would be nice to have a relative living on Bajor. He seemed to really want to connect with her. Perhaps he could visit often, or call her whenever he wasn’t too busy at the university, if he was being honest.

As the computer ran through its scan, she began to feel hopeful. This could be the solution to her loneliness. Maybe the station wouldn’t feel so isolating anymore, with a family member just a few hours, a video call away.

“Results ready,” the computer announced.

“It’s a match,” Doctor Bashir said, shocked, looking at the screen. “You’re really half siblings.”

Linaan gave her a wide, tilted grin, just like their mother’s, and she beamed back. He put an arm around her shoulders. “We have a lot of catching up to do, Ziyal! Should we go back to the replimat? I’m afraid I don’t know the station at all.”

“I know a quiet place in one of the pylons we could talk.” She bid Doctor Bashir a quick thanks and goodbye, and then started walking. Linaan followed her. “Oh, then I want to introduce you to Major Kira! She’s the one who brought me here, and has been looking after me.”

“Do you have many friends on board?”

“Not really... Most people only see me as Cardassian, or avoid me once they know who my father is.”

“I was very surprised when I found out Mother had promised herself to him. But I figured that she probably raised you mostly by herself, so you would be a nice person.”

“We lived on the station during the Occupation, in my father’s quarters.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Was your father good to you?”

“He was, and is. He loves me very much.”

“That’s good. So, do you have any friends at all? Besides Major Kira. If you don’t, I’ll help you find some friends at the university. One of my coworkers is a hybrid, like you. I could introduce you to her.”

Kira had suggested finding friends for her, but Ziyal didn’t want people to feel obligated to befriend her. “No, it’s alright. The senior staff is very kind to me, and I’m friends with the tailor on board. He and I eat lunch together with Doctor Bashir and sometimes go to the holosuite.”

“A tailor? Did he make this dress for you?”

She nodded. “Do you have many friends?”

“Oh, um... Not nearly, actually. Not after... Well, my reputation took a bit of a down turn recently, and I had to cut a lot of people from my personal life. The hybrid I mentioned, though, we’ve become good friends.”

“Did something happen?”

“Well...” He looked a bit guilty. “I’ve been trying to figure out what happened to Mother, and when it got out that you existed, uh... Everyone around me called Mother a collaborator, and shunned me for defending her. I’ve always been kind to Teya, as well, and any of the war orphans I saw, so they called me a Cardassian sympathizer.”

“Oh.”

“Ah, it doesn’t matter. Well, I don’t like them saying bad things about our mother, but I still have my job, and the professors can’t find fault with my work. Enough about me. What do you do on the station?”

“I’m an artist. I do paintings.”

“That’s amazing! I don’t have an artistic bone in my body.”

“That’s what Nerys says. Major Kira.” She couldn’t wait to introduce them. “You guys have something in common already, I’m sure she’ll like you.”

“Perhaps I could meet your tailor friend too. I could use a new shirt.”

-

They sat down by a viewport and talked for what had to be hours, exchanging stories. Linaan was uncomfortable talking about his time in various work camps, and Ziyal avoided too much discussion about her time in the Breen mine. She didn’t even talk about that with her father, and she had a feeling they both shared the desire to forget their time in those places.

Linaan told her how her mother had been transferred to Terok Nor after they were all captured for the work camp while visiting her, how after a while they began receiving better rations than the other workers. “They wanted to take Mum, but Mother begged the soldiers to take her instead. She told me she was doing it to protect us, had heard that the Bajoran women who cooperated got special treatment for their family.”

“Nerys told me about that, too.”

“We worried about her. Mum thought it was a stupid idea, because they weren’t married, and it wasn’t actually on the records at the time that I was Mother’s son. I had to go register myself after the Occupation ended. All I had to prove it was my d’ja pagh.”

“I wonder why Mother never told me about you...”

“How would have you felt if you’d known, then?”

“Guilty, I suppose.”

“She wouldn’t have wanted to upset you. And don’t feel that way now. I don’t blame you for her never coming back. I’m glad that we have each other now.”

“Do you think she ever told my father about you?”

Linaan shrugged. “She did whatever she could to protect us. I suppose you could ask your father, but, ah...”

“What is it?”

“Well, if you choose to ask him, please ask over video. I don’t want to be introduced to him in person.” She could understand that. “I still haven’t gotten used to the idea that Mother sired a child with the Prefect, of all people.”

She smiled. “But the Cardassian part you got over?”

“Mostly. I’m still wrapping my head around that. Cardassians never seemed the type to like submitting to Bajorans.”

“My father has different tastes than most Cardassians.” And it got him in so much trouble. She sighed when she thought about how much effort he put into trying to charm Nerys and Captain Sisko. “It’s embarrassing, really.”

“How many siblings do you have, again? Six?”

“Seven.”

“Are you sure?”

She buried her face in her hands. The thought had admittedly occurred to her many times. When she’d been introduced to her father’s family, his wife had asked if Ziyal was the only one. She couldn’t be sure it was true when he had promised that Ziyal was the only child outside of their marriage he’d had. Sure, she believed she was the only one he’d carried himself, but had he fathered any others? “I don’t know,” she quietly bemoaned.

Linaan patted her shoulder in comfort. “I’m sorry I brought it up.”

Sighing, she uncovered her face and said, “At least out of eight half siblings, I have one that didn’t hate me on sight.”

“And I’m glad to have one of one half siblings that gave me a chance to prove myself as real. Shall we go find Major Kira? I’m getting hungry, we could invite her to lunch. Or dinner. What time is it?”

-

They found Nerys near the security office. She was frowning at a padd, no doubt some criminal activity report she’d picked up from Odo. Ziyal took Linaan’s wrist in her hand and waved to her. “Nerys!”

“Ziyal.” She eyed Linaan warily. “Who is this?”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Major Kira. My name is Tora Linaan.”

“Tora?”

“This is my older brother. We have the same mother.” Nerys looked suspicious. “Doctor Bashir confirmed it earlier.”

“How long have you been on the station?”

“Since 1100. Ziyal has told me much about you. Thank you for looking out for her all this time, and being such a good friend.”

“I’m just doing what’s right. Where do you live?”

Ah, her brother was being interrogated. She supposed she should have expected it. At least Linaan didn’t seem to mind her wariness. “Ashalla. I work at the university. Would you like to come eat with us? I can answer all the questions you like over dinner.”

“Sure. Ziyal, do you mind if I ask Odo to come with us?”

Goodness, it really would be an interrogation. She nodded anyways.

-

“So, you’ve never met Gul Dukat?”

“No. I wasn’t even aware our mother had met him until last week. Ziyal is going to ask him if he knew about me. I’m rather curious as to whether or not Mother mentioned my mum and I to him.”

Odo huffed. “I imagine he’ll drop by for a visit to make sure you’re really Ziyal’s brother, regardless of the answer.”

“I’ll mentally prepare for an interrogation.”

Nerys poked at her hasperat. “You keep mentioning that you have two mothers. Was your mum your real sire or just adoptive?”

“Oh, no, Mum is my biological bearer. I look more like her than I do to Mother.”

“Wait- Naprem is your sire? But, Ziyal-”

“My father carried me.”

“What?”

“Cardassians don’t have the same reproductive system as Bajorans. Any Cardassian, provided they’re fertile, can bear children.” Linaan answered.

Ziyal nodded. “It’s more difficult for some than others to conceive and give birth naturally depending where they fall on the spectrum. Father is on the ‘male’ end, while I’m more on the ‘female’ end. Male being easier to sire, female being easier to bear.”

“Wait, Linaan, how did you know that? I didn’t even know that.”

“One of my coworkers is a hybrid. She mentioned it to me when we volunteered at the orphanage.”

“Odo, did you know that?”

“Certainly not.”

“You really didn’t know that? Ziyal, did you ever say anything?”

“I’ve mentioned where I fall on the spectrum to Doctor Bashir, but he already knew about it.”

Odo had had enough of discussing Cardassian biology and changed the subject. “Linaan, where were you during the Occupation, if your mother was on the station?”

“In work camps. None that got liberated, unfortunately. I was working until the day the Cardassians withdrew.” He prodded at his food. “Well, I’d rather like to forget what the camps were like. Major, Ziyal told me you and her play springball together? Perhaps I could watch, one day.”

“I told you, I’m not very good at it.”

“Springball takes practice, Ziyal.”

-

“Garak!” Ziyal spotted Garak the next day, and pulled Linaan over to him. “Garak, I’d like to introduce you to someone.”

He turned when he heard her voice, and gave the two of them a polite smile. “Ziyal. How are you this morning?”

“I’m doing well! I’d like you to meet my older brother, Tora Linaan! Linaan, this is my friend, the tailor.”

“Oh, you didn’t mention he was Cardassian.”

“That isn’t a problem, is it, my dear boy?”

“No, I just... Have had a lot of Cardassian surprises this week. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Garak.”

“Please, just Garak.”

“Garak. I’d like to thank you for looking out for my sister. She speaks very fondly of you.”

Ziyal noticed something. “You don’t look very surprised.”

“I admit, my dear, that Doctor Bashir told me the news yesterday. No doubt the Major interrogated you all night, so I’ll spare you the same treatment.”

“Did you do a background check on him?”

He raised a hand to his chest in mock offense. “My dear, I would never break into someone’s personal records! That’s quite illegal.”

“Yes, but you did it anyways, didn’t you?”

“Oh, it’s alright, Ziyal,” Linaan assured. “I’ve had my records picked apart by the university, having them checked by your friends doesn’t make any difference. I’m glad they care so much about you to do that.”

“I’m sure your records prove that you’re a good person.” He looked away, nervous again. She frowned. “Linaan?”

“Ah, well, I don’t have a criminal record or anything, it’s just... You know how I said it wasn’t on the records that I was Mother’s son?”

“Yes.”

“There aren’t actually... any records of me before I walked into a government building and asked to be registered. Legally, I didn’t exist until after the Occupation. Any record of my existence in the work camps was erased during the Cardassian withdrawal.” He reached up to fiddle with his earring. “It’s pretty suspicious, really.”

Garak nodded. “If it wasn’t for Doctor Bashir’s genetic test, you would have no real evidence of being Tora Naprem’s son. Ziyal, I imagine your father won’t take that well.”

-

“Father, no!” Ziyal was impressed at how well Linaan was handling being accused of being a fake while being slammed against a wall. “Linaan isn’t lying!”

“Naprem would never have kept a child hidden from me!”

“She did- My bearer and I received extra rations, she must have lied about who we were. Did she ever ask you to help a woman named Aako Ceri?”

Her father paused to think. “She asked to give better rations to her friend Aako and her family.”

“Mum hated her, because she didn’t have faith in the Prophets. They couldn’t tell anyone about me, because Mother was from such a low d’jarra.” Linaan gasped for breath. “Why would I lie about this?”

“To hurt my daughter in order to get revenge against me, the head of the Occupation.”

Linaan looked over at Ziyal, and she couldn’t believe he was taking the time to acknowledge that that was a good point. “Linaan... Really?”

“I told you my record was suspicious, sister.”

“Don’t agree with him!” Goodness, it was like he was trying to get himself strangled.

“Well, you have to admit that it’s a good plan.” Linaan frowned at her. “You really were too trusting of me when I approached you. I’m worried, now.”

“Stop talking to my daughter!”

Ziyal grabbed her father’s arm and tried to tug him away. “Father, please! Doctor Bashir did a genetic test- he’s really my half-brother!”

“That was a Federation test, sister, why should he believe it?”

“You’re not helping, Linaan!” she scolded. To her father she suggested, “Why don’t we go onto your ship and perform a test there?”

Scowling, her father reluctantly agreed. Linaan gasped for breath when he was released, and winced as her father grabbed his arms and pushed him forward. “Let’s go.”

-

“This can’t be real!”

While her father had some sort of crisis at the positive match the computer was displaying, Ziyal found a dermal regenerator and brought it over to Linaan to heal the bruises that were beginning to form on his arms and neck. Bajorans had sensitive skin like humans, so his skin was already turning all sorts of different shades.

The bruises faded with a few swipes of the regenerator, and Linaan rubbed the spots they’d been. “Thank you, Ziyal.” He gave her a small smile, and squeezed her hand. Then he looked past her at her father. “I’m willing to answer any questions you may have, sir. If you’re still worried, you can check my answers with Major Kira and Constable Odo. They questioned me as well.”

“Why wouldn’t Naprem tell me about you?”

“Mother always wanted to protect us. I’m certain she believed that keeping my mum and I a secret from you was for our own good.”

“I wouldn’t have hurt you. She should have known that, after I promised to protect our daughter.”

Ziyal decided not to bring up the fact that he had intended to kill her when he found her in the Breen mine. Now wasn’t a good time for her to say anything.

“I don’t really know, sir. Whatever her reasoning, I know she never meant to hurt you or Ziyal. Tora Naprem wasn’t that kind of person.”

“No, she wasn’t.”

[kuuxkat]

[EN]LoveLive! Sunshine!! TV Animation Official Fanbook - Interview with Director Sakai Kazuo

Credits:

Original TL: Here

CN Weibo: Here

Original TL： Nyamazing’s  zegao and 南條小鹿

Disclaimer: This is a Chinese to EN TL, there would be things that would be lost in translation between the languages. I REALLY TRIED MY BEST!!

Please refer to my policies for more details and do not use the translations for commercial use.

The contents are under the cut.

I highly recommend everyone to read this.

Lastly, huge thanks to @yujachachacha for her hard work with the QC for this article and astrobunny for some additional TL.

A “pure desire” is the engine for the soul. It’s akin to letting one’s passion run freely… if it weren’t for this, we wouldn’t be able to talk about the story.

Director Sakai Kazuo

​Born in Kumamoto. Both an animation director and an assistant director. In the “Love Live!” TV anime series, he took on the role for each episode's performance and scenes. In the TV anime “Love Live! Sunshine!!”, he took on the role of director. Outwardly he appears to be tough and serious, but in reality he likes interesting jokes. As an assistant director, he is often entrusted with scenes needing very expressive emotions.

(TL Note: The term "演出” that is used to describe Director Sakai is a term unique to anime production where his role is equal to that of an assistant director. His role is to take part in the storyboard and production for a particular episode while following the directions of the overall director. This TL will use “assistant director” for all related roles.)

​

If you diligently depict the activities in your heart, you’ll be able to nurture scenes filled with tension even more than before.

There’s smiles, there’s tears, there’s anger, there’s admiration, there’s thoughts, and there’s dreams...

Experiencing the emotional ups and downs of the young girls,

Director Sakai Kazuo held on to the entire story until the end.

Using everything he had, from the initial soul-searching phase on Chika’s “pure desire” = “soul”,

To Aqours taking their first real step in Episode 13,

Taking on the role of the one right at the front lines of directing “Love Live! Sunshine!!”,

what kind of experience was it...? And what brand-new future does he see?

From now until the TV anime second season begins airing,

Let us return to those days.

Hoping to depict people’s feelings

The recollections of learning from a renowned script writer

Q: First of all, could you talk about your “backbone” - that is, what works have influenced your projects? You can treat it like you are introducing yourself.

Sakai Kazuo: Sure. I was influenced by shows like “Urusei Yatsura” during my childhood. I really like slapstick (plotless comedy shows), after all. When I was still a child, at my home in Kyushu the TV would always broadcast dubbed versions of family comedies. After that, there was a Sunday comedy movie called “Acchi Kocchi Decchi” that I really loved by Shin Yoshimoto Comedy. There was also Kamogawa Tsubame’s gag manga “Macaroni Houren Apartment”, and I was greatly influenced by that show. During my childhood, there were lots of unreasonable and inexplicable things going on throughout the world as well. In addition, I have a sister who is two years older**, so I did read shoujo manga series like “Crest of the Royal Family” with much interest. These experiences from my childhood had lots of influence on the projects that I have created. **(TL Note: This part might have some inaccuracies)

Q: That is to say, rather than mecha action anime, you were more interested in stories that had human ties?

Sakai Kazuo: That’s right. I would still prefer to see the up and downs of human lives. I am very interested in works that involve the interactions and emotions between people, as relationships become a tangled mess due to minor things, don’t they? After I entered the professional world, I still had to closely observe the works of famed anime director Sato Junichi, who is famous for his depictions of characters… The method of creating anime is different from works where they use actual actors. I would like to take the liberty to say that, in grasping these miniscule differences, I learned a lot.

(TL Note: Sato Junichi is a famous anime director that took part in the production of shoujo anime where girls are the main characters. Examples of his work include “Sailor Moon” and “Kaleido Star”.)

Q: Director Sakai, you started off as an director, right?

Sakai Kazuo: That’s right. I started off as a director. In the very beginning, I worked under the supervision of Sato Junichi-san in the original anime “GATE KEEPERS” that was broadcast in 2002, and also in the TV anime “Kaleido Star” which aired in 2003. I was responsible for the original art, or the art director, and at that time the most fun I had was in drawing and reading the storyboard analysis of Junichi Sato-san. And I was the first person in the world to be able to read it (laughs). At that time I garnered a lot of experience, and this was something that influenced me the most in the professional field. It was also the start of when I began to direct things myself.

Q: So, could you talk about how you landed the role of director for the TV anime “Love Live! Sunshine!!”?

Sakai Kazuo: Although I did take part in performances and storyboard work, I really didn’t think that I would become a director. At that time, I was helping out as an assistant director in the movie “Doraemon: Nobita's Space Heroes” for Director Yoshihiro Osugi. Lantis’ Producer Hirayama (Tadashi)-san called me to a cafe near the production studio and said, “Sakai-san, I need to ask you for a favor.” He didn’t talk about what kind of project or what job it was. At the start, I guess that it was a production work or storyboard about “Love Live!” or something similar, but in the end he said, “Actually, we decided to create a sequel to ‘Love Live!’”. And so I replied, “Is that so? Then let me work on some production work or something like that.” “No, this time I would like to make you the director.” — On one hand I was shocked, and on the other hand I felt that this challenge was just too huge. Honestly speaking, at that time I was preparing to turn this down. This is because when you look back, the TV anime “Love Live!” can be considered a completely finished work. To make a sequel out of something like this was not something I could do. Furthermore, I couldn’t understand why making a sequel meant changing the director as well. “Love Live!” was an exceedingly popular project. To create a sequel would definitely result in huge pressure along with the expectations of the audience. Honoka and the rest have already created a miraculous feeling that has sucked reality along with it. Can such a feeling really re-emerge in this reality once more? …... At that time, the world of μ’s had been created fully. At that particular timing, to ask me to take up a new title, a project where the story and the cast had not even been set, to direct starting from zero — I just couldn’t agree like that.

In the end, I couldn’t accept it on my own, so I sought my wife’s opinion. She told me, “It would definitely be very difficult, but participating would definitely be very interesting, right? As that project is great, right?” She also said, “The more difficult it is, the more fun it would be.” These exceptionally positive words enlightened me… I really have to thank my wife for her encouragement. If it was just up to me, this job would have been turned down - as in my heart at that time, this proposal was that difficult.

Q: If the offer to be director wasn’t what you expected, then did you wonder why were you nominated?

Sakai Kazuo: Speaking frankly, I have no idea at all why they chose me. I felt that perhaps it was because the episodes that I was in charge of were more well-received? It is my opinion that creating a project or story is a job where one “finds something out of the ordinary and boring daily life”. Using the eyes of the characters, you find something particular that you would normally not notice and make that into a story. The morals and principles within the girls’ hearts, as well as their points of view, are the bedrock of the story. As for growth, I feel that regardless of it being live-action or animation, that is where the fun lies. Or perhaps, that was one of the reasons that made them nominate me as the director?

The world hasn’t become kinder; rather, it’s Chika and the rest whose worldviews have changed, their ways of looking at Uchiura have underwent a change.

Deciding on Uchiura as the Stage

The reason for it was the scenery around the junior high school that was  the prototype for Uranohoshi Girls’ High School.

Q: Next up, please share the things that happened after joining the project. It was said that the story of “Love Live! Sunshine!!” was deliberated together with the series creator Hanada Jukki-san. Why was Numazu, Uchiura chosen as the setting of the project?

Sakai Kazuo: At the very beginning, there was the suggestion that it be set in Izu-Oshima. The original creator Kimino Sakurako thought of an idea where there was “a southern island where there are only 9 students”, and we felt it was very interesting, and said that it would be great if only we could actually go there for fun… And thus, we navigated the Tokaido Line, and went to the area around Manazuru and surveyed it for a while. Numazu, Uchiura was one of those areas. Uchiura by itself already has many movie productions going there to film scenes, like the “Tora-san Stories / Otoko wa Tsurai yo”, and so on. So I knew there were mountains and seas, and we could see Mt. Fuji, thus the scenery was spectacular. However, whether it could be a place where 9 girls could form a strong bond with each other like in “Love Live!” was a totally different matter. But the biggest reason we made the decision to produce there was the original prototype for Uranohoshi Girls High, Nagaisaki Junior High School. That school was situated in a cape where you need to climb for a small amount of time. I still remember the feeling and atmosphere there — I could feel the distance between the surrounding homes, and looking at the tranquil scenery, all of us said, “Uchiura is really suitable, right?”. For “Love Live!”, the school is the center of the world, so the school’s location is really important.

Q: A school built on the cape besides the sea… the scenery is indeed beautiful, that’s really surprising.

Sakai Kazuo: I was shocked, too. As you can see a great view of Japan’s Mt. Fuji from the windows of the school every single day, for us it literally is something that’s just too incredible (laughs). Seeing that junior high, in my mind there was a scene of a girl running up the slope with all of her might, which I then used in the initial animated PV**. People frequently say, “Aqours seems to be running all the time, huh?”; well, since the bus only occasionally makes its rounds, they have to run, right? (laughs) Near the school was a convenience store, and for everything else you have to go over the mountain. If you go a little further, Izu-Mito Sea Paradise and Awashima Island are full of charm too. So after we decided on Uchiura as the stage for this project, I too could gradually feel the energy from the 9 girls who live there.

**(TL Note: For the 1st Aqours single “Kimi no Kokoro wa Kagayaiteru kai?”)

Q: It feels like compared to μ’s, Aqours is closer to the townspeople. Is this because Uchiura was chosen as the stage for the series?

Sakai Kazuo: That’s right. As the residences in Uchiura that they grew up in are built close together, it would be natural for them to take part in activities organized in the district. Conversely speaking, it’s also easy to imagine that the residents of the district would come and see performances by Aqours. As the 9 members would mostly know each other from a long time ago, compared to μ’s, the gap between the seniors and the juniors would initially be very small. Speaking of which, the prototype for Uranohoshi Girls, Nagaisaki Junior High, has a very small population of students: it has roughly 70 students. It’s precisely because I took part in the production of this project that I could encounter such a beautiful school built on a hill overlooking the sea… With regards to the children who grew up here, their character, their passion, their atmosphere, their reality - when I was storyboarding, I hoped that I could do my utmost to make it all appear in the project. Actually, when I went to collect inspiration at the very beginning, every time we met the students they would greet me and say, “Hello”. Perhaps that was something quite natural, but that was the kind of place where Chika and the rest live.

Q: So, in the progression of this project, what were your relations with the series creator, Hanada Jukki-san?

Sakai Kazuo: Hanada-san really helped me a lot. What we first discussed internally was Chika’s “pure desire”. When the producers first met face to face, I spoke about this with Hanada-san and the rest: we had to finalize Chika’s motive in “Love Live! Sunshine!!” first, as that is the engine of the story, since otherwise the plot wouldn’t have a thorough sense of nervous tension to it. In summary, I felt that if we couldn’t decide on this point, we ourselves wouldn’t be able to run either. With regards to the previous work’s main character, Honoka, her “pure desire” was “to let this small theater be filled with seats”. If that desire was a falsehood, the story would lose its sense of reality. Regardless of who was in the cast and no matter which corner of the universe it’s in, as long as there’s a desire (soul), the existence would have flesh and blood rather than being hollow. Thus, the key is that this thing that can be said to be the soul’s “desires” - could it be found in Chika’s body? So all of us producers debated vocally about it for a long while, so you could say that the journey to find this part was the most difficult one. To not let the characters fall into the thousands of tried and tested models of anime characters, I spent a lot of effort on her. I remember that after Chika’s seiyuu was decided, I went to meet Inami (Anju)-san face to face, and slowly, bit by bit, I drew out Chika’s charm naturally. The phrase “From Zero to One” was the same, the yearning for μ’s was the same...in that way, Chika’s motive was finally finalized. The series creator, Hanada-san, used a very solid base and wrote a definite “Love Live!”-style story, and the foundation of this project was finalized.

The child that Chika and the rest met at Otonokizaka is a materialization of something that only this generation can hear, something akin to a “sound”.

On the main characters in “Love Live!”

The root of one’s individual and their motives cannot be falsified.

Q: Before Chika’s motive was confirmed, there was so much pressure on you that you couldn’t write the story, right?

Sakai Kazuo: That’s right. I feel that the nature of “Love Live!” lies in how “emotions aren’t faked”. The motive at the root of one’s origin, this must definitely be “real”. The dreams and thoughts of Chika and the rest, along with the wishes of Inami and the others, must be one. I feel that to express those things on film is really a charm point that has carried on from the time of μ’s to now in this current project. In my heart, I feel that the exploration of this topic continues, and will continue to do so, for me from now on.

Q: Next up, let’s talk about this project’s story. We talked about the secret stories behind several episodes in the story’s introduction. From here, could you please go through the story in full, and bring up some parts worth a special mention?

Sakai Kazuo: I paid special attention to the way Chika and the rest created bonds. With Chika and Riko at the forefront, among the members there would be some signals that only the two of them would understand. My hope was to be able to express these things properly. I was not standing in the viewpoint of a man; rather, I felt that for girls in their teens, there should be ways that they create “bonds” that only they know about. So when depicting the interactions between the members, I was especially meticulous. And there’s something else I paid close attention to: regardless of what Chika and the rest do, the world might not ever change. However, as long as there are changes in the things inside of them, the world will change along with those things. The world has not progressively become gentler; rather, it’s Chika and the rest whose mental states change as they group up, and it changes the way they view Uchiura. It is my opinion that this way of thinking has been firmly entrenched in the producer’s consciousness. Although μ’s is a legend right now, at the very beginning, they were just ordinary girls. There is just one huge difference between them: for μ’s, they gathered fans slowly when they started off in real life, and were able to shine after that final performance. Regardless of whether it was in the anime or in reality, they truly created a miracle. Then, what about Aqours? What will they be creating? At that time, everything was a “Zero”. Of course, that includes me as well… but, “from nothing” itself is something that belongs to them. Aqours was born from the vision of the group. From the theme of the first single, where does the light comes from? I will always keep this question in mind at all times.

Q: In this project, Aqours grew while in the process of chasing after μ’s, right?

Sakai Kazuo: That’s right. The story begins with them seeing μ’s shine after all, along with their vision of “I want to shine too”. So I pondered, rather than making them become like μ’s, what was it that they saw? … Then, I thought that “to be at the angle of μ’s, and to see what μ’s had seen” was a type of growth. The result of depicting that growth is in Episodes 12 and 13. I hope that in the story, Aqours can use it as motivation to take a new step forward. In Episode 12, there’s a line for Chika that goes something like, “We shouldn’t compare, we shouldn’t chase - whether it’s towards μ’s or towards the light.” And in Episode 13, they announced the answer they found on stage. To spend an entire 13 episodes to achieve this mental stage expresses the importance that the existence of μ’s has in the member’s hearts.This is because in the anime, μ’s is the top school idol group that everyone looks up to, and in reality, many seiyuu were also affected by μ’s.

Q: For μ’s to be loved so much, the existence of Honoka and the rest was as important as expected, right?

Sakai Kazuo: The more you create TV anime, the stronger this feeling gets. This was particularly true for the 12th episode, where they took the first step from looking up to them; producing it was especially difficult. Chika became aware of the truth, that chasing after μ’s wouldn’t make them closer to them. The girl that they met at the front of Otonokizaka was indeed in the style of “Love Live!”. It’s like your feelings themselves went through time and space, and appeared in front of everyone’s eyes. (TL Note: In “Love Live! The School Idol Movie”, there was a mysterious singer who appeared in front of Honoka and gave her advice. Was this actually real, or...) Perhaps only they can see it, so I tried using something that feels like a “sound” that I feel only the teenage generation could hear. This doesn’t really count as a reason, so it is difficult for me to explain in detail clearly (laughs). In Episode 12, we were finally able to see one of the defining motifs of “Love Live!”: the white feather. Before this, Chika had never paid attention to this feather. One such case would be in Episode 1. If this feather was something that μ’s had seen, then that scene in Episode 12 would have been the first time that Chika saw it, which is why she felt that she could grab it herself. But, searching for it, discovering it, grabbing it… is really the true beginning.

Q: There were feathers falling at the end of “Love Live! The School Idol Movie” as well. Did someone ever think, “This is echoing that scene, isn’t it?”

Sakai Kazuo: My personal interpretation of it is that if the “dreams” that μ’s grants exist in the feathers, then these feathers would be carried by the wind and drift everywhere. There would probably be many school idol groups just like Aqours throughout the country, and the feathers should evenly land among them. We might never see when it actually happens, but there would be that one instant where it would get them all eager to try, to start feeling that “I need to do something! I want to do something too!!”, and that motivation is those feathers. “To not chase after μ’s, but rather to see what μ’s saw!” Chika said that as she raised her head up, and finally discovered that feather. I feel that it isn’t limited to just one feather - for however many dreams there are, there would be that many feathers. Even in Uchiura, a place far away from Akihabara, there was one that landed. However, if I gave such an explanation, I’d limit the thoughts of the audience, and this made me feel very uneasy.

Q: In other words, you want the fans to freely interpret the story??

Sakai Kazuo: That’s right. Many of the products that I mentioned in my childhood were interpreted by the audience itself. So I feel that everyone’s discussions of “I like this part”, “I dislike this part”, “That scene is quite interesting”, “That line doesn’t mean this way?” are the most interesting when they have the freedom to imagine.

I feel that it isn’t limited to just one feather - for however many dreams there are, there would be that many feathers. Even in Uchiura, a place far away from Akihabara, there was one that landed.

Cheers for the just-departed Aqours!!

In Episode 13, the final lines were injected with precious emotions.

Q: In the full 13 episodes, we heard that the most difficult in terms of directing was Episode 13. The particular scene where Chika briefly started running from the stage left a very deep impression - was that a metaphor for the start of their journey?

Sakai Kazuo: My personal opinion is that if Chika and the rest, who were born from the light from μ’s, had to embark on a new journey from then on, they would have to first leave the stage of “Love Live!”. What I emphasized was the mental aspect of Chika, where her “thoughts” were that she was going to rush out of “this place”. Since they couldn’t walk on the path that μ’s had paved, they instead had to walk on a road that Aqours themselves created towards the future. Using a metaphorical example, running out through that large door had a similar meaning to: “Next up, we’ll be jumping to a story that’s beyond the current ‘Love Live!’”. It is hard to say where it is starting from, but at the latter half of the live, it was going further and further from reality. For the fans who were immersed deeply in the story and who sent their warmest support, there would be those who felt let down that the results of the “Love Live!” preliminaries were undisclosed. What I did in Episode 12, at the scene when the members of Aqours thought about μ’s, was have the girls consider that perhaps in the hearts of Honoka and the rest, they didn’t want to be number one, nor did they want to triumph over anyone… For Chika and the rest, their feelings of wanting to shine shouldn’t have been this, either.

Q: I see. So that is to say, this became their emotional support? Could I interpret it like that?

Sakai Kazuo: That’s right. And the performance in Episode 13 would encompass the celebrations that we would give all the Aqours seiyuu who had grown together with this project. This is especially so for the lines that Chika said at the beach, as they would definitely be the actual thoughts that Aqours carried with them at that time. The members and the seiyuu… I added this portion in the storyboard while praying for the future of the 18 members of Aqours.

Q: Yes… 18 people?

Sakai Kazuo: That’s right. Those lines were made after interviewing the nine seiyuu, gleaning their state of mind and listening attentively to their inner thoughts. The nine seiyuu who are the closest to Chika and the rest, and who had grown together with them, had their “feelings of that moment” added into it too, and became that statement. I feel that a culmination of everyone’s feelings could then be called “Love Live!”.

Q: Adding on lines that Chika originally didn’t have - was it due to you feeling that “something is lacking”?

Sakai Kazuo: I feel that this even if the product “Love Live!” has some changes, there would be huge criss-crosses between reality and the animation. We ended the the story with the tiny, tiny miracle of the number of school applicants changing from “0” to “1” at the very end on the computer screen of the director’s office. It should have ended like this. But, is it all right to make this their ending? After a long deliberation, I added that scene together with that set of lines at the very end.

Q: The seiyuu and the members in the script having a resonance, writing the story together, is also the fun that comes from inheriting the previous “Love Live!”, right?

Sakai Kazuo: Well said. I really am filled with thanks for all the seiyuu. “Love Live! Sunshine!!” drew open its curtains while the fever from the previous project hadn’t subsided. For all the individuals taking part in this project, not a single one was spared from pressure. While under this pressure, they put in their all to understand the characters, and went all out in the voice-acting process. I myself lost count of how many times I was saved by that wholehearted passion of theirs.

More so than the injection of life, there should be “something” else that exists. And that “something” should be expressed in the last lines in Episode 13...  That is also what I put in my all to express.

Next up, the second season is beginning soon, which I hope is eagerly anticipated due to its continuation of the 1st season’s story, and finally satisfy all the fans at its end.

Walking closer to the emotions of the cast,

The thanks that should be expressed to the composers who supported the universe of the project with music!

Q: Let’s change the topic here and talk about things related to the accompanying music. Director Sakai, in your eyes, the dialogue portions were very appealing, and after adding the accompanying music, it would highlight the casualness even more, right? The method of adding the music was really something that was worth applauding….

Sakai Kazuo: That was all because Kato (Katsuya)-sensei was able to understand my direction. Usually, the music recording teams wouldn’t really meet with the composing teams, but after I told everyone, “Let’s have all the members play baseball!”**, we sat together from the beginning to the end. We carefully studied the directing and the intent of the scenes, and we deliberated on the appropriate matching music… this time we created music that matched the moods of the cast. This was especially so for Hanamaru and Ruby in Episode 4. The feelings of those two were revealed through the BGM alone, so it really was a tearjerker. To be able to obtain such an extravagant work, I am deeply thankful to Kato-sensei. It is the same for the music director, which had started with the previous project Nagasaki (Yukio)-sensei. The timing where the BGM of “Love Live! Sunshine!!” was added in was simply amazing. As expected of the famous “Nagasaki Timing”, huh? During the dubbing, he would also graciously listen to my selfish comments, and was very responsible for the work he was tasked to do himself. Including the two of them, it is because of the sound production teams supporting the project’s universe with their music, that the animated project was able to be showcased in such high quality. I am deeply thankful.

**(TL Note: This is a metaphor for cooperation.) 

Q: Speaking of feelings, there are lots of close-ups in this project. Was it your intent to express feelings through the eyes?

Sakai Kazuo: That’s right. This project intentionally added a lot of close-up sequences. The saying goes, “The eyes are the windows to the soul”. I would like to properly draw and animate the sequences of the eyes… In an animated project, the “eyes” are really very important. In a single instant, an expression wouldn’t be simply expressed with the four emotions of happiness, anger, sadness, and joy, but rather how close it is to the character’s emotions. This is what I thought of during the story boarding process. Looking at it on a certain level, how the eyes are handled in animation, including the interpretation of the line of sight, is very important. What did that character see, what is she thinking, what is she worrying about? I would consider all of these things and work it out on the face. This is totally my personal preference, so I would push aside a lot of other additional messages or viewpoints. Although using only the facial close-ups to depict the imagery of the 9 characters was a huge challenge, I believe this was the interesting part of “Love Live! Sunshine!!”.

When Chika ran out those large doors, it did carry the intent of: “Next up we’ll be jumping to a story that’s beyond the current ‘Love Live!’”.

“Something new” compared to before,

Is truly the nature of “Love Live!”—

The one that let me notice this is Kyogoku Takahiko sensei

Q: Next up, let us ask about the Live portions. Using dance sequences with a different method from the previous work filled with charm.

Sakai Kazuo: The storyboarding for the dance and live portions were directed by me. Something worth taking note of in Episode 3, “First Step”, is the initial live footage. Facing the pressure along with how the art team bogged us down, we put in a lot of difficult hours into it. What was great was that the A-Team of Sunrise’s number 8 production studio was there. We frequently depended on Takahiko (Kyogoku) sensei to direct the dance portions in the TV animation.**

I have deep admiration for him. To describe it in a positive manner, his storyboard could be said to be risky. I myself started off by directing, so in the storyboard I would have a certain degree of damage control. But in normal animation projects where they would avoid using 3D imagery, in this you’ll actually use even more. I feel that this is what makes “Love Live!” really amazing. If I can hand this over to seasoned animators, I would be able to take this risk, but as I was on a site where I did not know who could take on this role, I would avoid making a very complex storyboard. I would become timid, and afraid of the results….

I had to not feel afraid, but rather force myself to once again reproduce a scene that I wished to create again. While in that same situation, I would become unable to start from a base again, and would rather switch naturally to an established model. But to the fans, this would definitely not be a surprise because “simple things would only become bland”. Having “new things” that were different from those before was the core of “Love Live!”. I had to spend quite a long time before noticing this truth. I guess I am able to say these words because I finished the production of the first animated PV… In 3D as well as direction, we used an art style that was never seen before. For me, I wouldn’t want to forget the core of this and continue on.

**(TL Note: He is the director for “Love Live!” PV portions in the singles, Seasons 1 and 2 of the anime, and the movie as well).

Q: With Murota Yūhei-sensei as the lead, including the many capable artists that had joined from the previous work, if there wasn’t an illustration team that understood “Love Live!”, this project wouldn’t be completed, right?

Sakai Kazuo: Very much so. And in the TV anime “Love Live! Sunshine!!”, we added the chief animation director Tomoyuki (Fujii)-sensei, and in Episode 9 we were able to obtain new strength with arts director Miyazaki (Hironori)-sensei and Nagatomi (Koji)-sensei, so I am very thankful for them starting a new trend. Actually, if you compare it with the earlier work, the composition of the art style is a little different, so I hope that everyone notices this part.

Q: The Live portion has even more 3DCG scenes as compared to the previous work. Were there differences in the CG quality as well?

Sakai Kazuo: You can see see this from this project’s ambitious performances. Compared to switching camera angles, I much prefer shots where I pull away…. Like the types in Episode 9’s “Mijuku DREAMER”, we used lots of techniques like those. We only used the movements of going up and down when 3D was utilized, so I think that the fans too would definitely like to see scenes unique to Aqours. We thought about the plans of the filming angles at the same time that we were trying out new things. The sublimation studio who was in charge of the CG for Episode 9 was very patient - they produced high quality products, and made the Live portions appear even more attractive. In the previous work, there were many areas where they used celluloid to replace CG, but the current work hasn’t had much areas where we did so, so I guess this portion should be the biggest difference? If I wanted to use CG to do a close-up scene on the face, the CG designers would follow my train of thought to design a “model which would be able to hold up in a close-up”, so even when on a big stage, a close-up on the face would also have it’s own aesthetics that would not lose to celluloid. It is the same for the scene where I really wanted to design as well: the changing of the costume for the third years, the facial close-up scenes of Dia were made with CG. At the very beginning, when I said that the third years would be wearing the clothes that they were wearing previously for the performance, the CG-ers were very surprised. It wasn’t possible to change clothes, and so on and so forth - there were many different kinds of reasons. Because of this, they needed to make new models, which is not suited for a TV series with a shorter production time. But if we do not think outside of the box, “Love Live!” would become bland and uninteresting. All the while until Episode 9, we seemed to be asking ourselves along the way, “What exactly is ‘Love Live!’?” as we put in our all into the production, and what was expressed through Episode 9 should be the answer that we have inside our hearts.

Q: So with regards to Episode 11’s “Omoi yo Hitotsu ni Nare”, what are your thoughts on it?

Sakai Kazuo: Episode 11 was created to express in full for everyone the emotions that had been building up ever since Episode 2. The artist was drawing as if possessed, and completed scene after scene of moving artwork. The dance movements were also completed by Yumi-sensei only after she had learned what her own requirements for it were. Like the movements from playing the piano, and while singing the lines “Doko ni itemo onaji ashita o shinjiteru” (No matter where we may be, we believe in the same tomorrow), the idea where Chika and the rest stretched behind them towards the direction towards Tokyo, where Riko would be, were all Yumi-sensei’s ideas! It was just spectacular to the max. No matter which episode it is, the Live portions were all done thanks to the staff who put in their all to complete it. It’s all thanks to this song (“Omoi yo Hitotsu ni Nare”) that I was allowed to once again understand how wonderful it is to create a product that gathers so many feelings into it.

Q: In terms of completion, the Live portion at Episode 13 was very exciting too!

Sakai Kazuo: Thank you! The Live portion of Episode 13’s “MIRAI TICKET” could be said to be a huge production, and I think the 3DCG staff who took part in that portion’s production had a very hard time. I was even worried that if we added too much aspects to it, we wouldn’t be able to make it to the broadcast. The animation and Live portions would be completed, on average, 3-4 weeks before. However, the progression of the story up until the halfway mark for this project was only completed roughly a week before (the broadcast). As the episode numbers started moving, the production date line became even tighter, sowe ended up having to engage a battle with time itself. Although this was due to me… the closer it was to the deadline, the more my nervousness would increase, until even the max. I lost sleep due to the worries about the job; rather, it was easier for me to put in my all into the work instead. Also, after going to the studio I would have a feeling of, “Now I’ll be able to continue my work”, thus I would be able to sleep peacefully (laughs). The storyboard of the dances will be recreated by the seiyuu on a real stage in a live performance. During that time at that scene, if not for Producer Hirayama and Music Producer Ookubo-sensei (Ryuuichi) making a wise decision, the performance of “MIRAI TICKET” at the Aqours 1st Live performance would never have been achieved. I am very thankful for that.

Q: Next up, we would like to talk about something that is irreplaceable during Lives: the costumes. Is there any costume that left a deep impression on you?

Sakai Kazuo: Mm… all of them were paid for in blood, so to choose just one is a little difficult. If I had to choose, it should be Episode 6’s “Yume de Yozora o Terashitai”? A dress just like the sunset, and the lanterns that gently float up into the sky, it’s akin to them depicting the feelings of Aqours. The color was chosen to have a feel to ease and integrate with the lights of the lantern. The one responsible for the costume design was Kawake Masaki-sensei. The costume design of “Aozora Jumping Heart” was also done by her. Kawake-sensei finished designing the outfit with a feminine touch.Through things such as the positions of the waist, along with the length of the skirt and so on, you can really see the personality of the original designer. Morita-sensei also has his own unique design style, and he and Nishida Asako-sensei have slight differences as well. Speaking of which, to find styles and designs that μ’s hadn’t used before while still being attractive was quite difficult. Basically, we had to take suggestions for the costumes from Nishida-sensei (laughs). So, we would often go to idol costume exhibits to research, and we drew directly from clothes in the real world for inspiration.

Express your feelings fully in its original state, even if you got the delivery wrong it’s fine, do something that you wish to do!

The Charm of Aqours

Isn’t “staying inside the lines” -

Rather, it’s going outside those lines!

Q: The interview is almost over, so please do say something to the fans of “Love Live! Sunshine!!”

Sakai Kazuo: I was very fortunate to be chosen as the director, and it was only with everyone’s support, and help from the reliable production team and the seiyuu, that I was able to smoothly complete the story of Season 1. I am really thankful for everyone. At the same time, I would like to thank the friends who finished watching all 13 episodes even more. There’s nothing happier than having you willing to watch the animation. In the second season, it will be about the story of Aqours as they take their steps forward. From now on, they will be going ahead with all of their might, please do look forward to it. “Everyone, let’s shine together” is one of the main themes as well. I ask everyone to run through this period of youth together with us.

Q: In summary!! At the time when the 2nd season of the TV anime is almost upon us, what do you, Director Sakai, think is the charm point of “Love Live! Sunshine!!”?

Sakai Kazuo: As expected, I guess it would be its “live feeling”? It’s something that you can only experience right this instant. This includes the characters in Aqours along with the seiyuu: to express one’s feelings as they are. Even if the method was wrong, it’s fine as long as you finish something that you wanted to do. This “live feeling” is everything. All of us would be able to feel that in somewhere, and you would have seen this before. It’s exactly because of this that there are places where you wish to support, and would wish to go against, and places where you’ll worry… I admire the fact that the nine of them do not follow the rules. After one grows up, every action would need to have a reason; the rules of society are as such. However Chika and the rest do not search for reasons, nor do they seek rewards - they are just doing what they wish to do!! They would not look for excuses for themselves, so the fact that they are not boxing in themselves themselves is very appealing. I feel that this is the face of reality. Since they found the light, and a wish of “I want to do something!” grew in their hearts,regardless of distance and time they would act on that wish. I myself wish to do that too, and if I succeeded in changing, that would be great. Although expressing it is a little difficult, every fan would have the charms that each of them feels “Love Live!” has, so they’ll definitely have many different answers.

[quincette]

SUMMARY AND COMMENTS ON HOTARU’S SECOND TENKA TSUKI EVENT STORY AS YOUR LOVE INTEREST.

LINK TO THE FIRST PART HERE

So this story event gives us a glimpse into Hotaru’s psyche. Poor boy’s been living in a bubble and is all shades of fucked up inside but there’s that childlike innocence to him that draws the MC. I am 100% sure Tsuki MC is slightly older than him. Anyways, SPOILER ALERT, summary and comments after the break.

So the story starts in Mitsuba Clan’s village. The whole clan is on the run because they have broken ties with Iga. Kaede has just returned from liaising with Oda Nobunaga and she is worried that war between Nobu and Iga will start soon and that Mitsuba will be caught in the middle - they need to evacuate somewhere safe.

Echigo comes to mind as Nobu has no power in Uesugi’s domain. Then it was decided that MC is to go to Echigo to find out the living conditions there and what kind of a ruler Kenshin is.

MC: Kaede you’ve been to Echigo, what kind of a place is it?

Kaede: Cold, snowbound place. But Kasugayama town is warmer somewhat… I think it’s the people there.

After walking around the town for a bit. MC notices a dango shop and it takes her back to the time she took Hotaru to a dango shop. She wondered if he’s alright when she heard his voice, calling her name.

It is Hotaru. She was both happy and a little caught off guard because she doesn’t think it’ll be a good think if people know who she is.

Hotaru is with Kagetsugu, who chides him for not immediately eating the dango he bought him and now they have hardened. Kagetsugu sighs (no, really, he pouts and that’s will never be not cute) and says that he would buy him some more but Hotaru had better eat them immediately. Hotaru smiles smiles smiles.

(these two together are LETHAL)

Kagetsugu notices MC and Hotaru introduces them. 

Hotaru: This is the person who has shown me many things (lol)

Terrified that he might give her identity as a shinobi away, she admitted that she’s in Kasugayama to find work as a pharmacist/healer. Hotaru concurs, saying that MC’s medicine is the best.

Then Kenshin breezes through, all sparkly and smiley and sandalwoody and admits to the boys and MC that he is escaping the castle, then after a brief exchange of pleasantries with his people, runs away.

Hotaru calls Kenshin just “Kenshin”, without honorifics whatsoever, and they were really casual MC wonders if this Kenshin is that Uesugi Kenshin.

When they had parted ways, MC was about to go back home when she heard a scream from the woods. She followed the sound to find blood-spattered Hotaru killing a man. She was both surprised and not so surprised seeing this - Hotaru is an Iga shinobi afterall.

There are three people with him. She recognises Kagetsugu, who is talking to Hotaru, but not the other two. When she was about to go away, she’s caught by Kageie (who accuses her of being a Hojo spy) and Kanetsugu and taken to Kasugayama.

They decide to wait for Kenshin to pass judgement since no one can prove if MC is or is not a spy. Then Kenshin, recognises her.

Kenshin: Oh, I met her before. You are the medicine girl in town, right?

Kanetsugu: What?

Kenshin: Yes, she was with Hotaru.

Kanetsugu: In town? You said you were in the castle the whole day.

Kenshin: Well, that’s…

(Kenshin is so busted, he got an earful from Kanetsugu)

Hotaru arrives with Kagetsugu and Yoshichi and immediately corroborate Kenshin’s story. But it still doesn’t prove MC’s innocence, says Kageie.

Yoshichi: But Hotaru doesn’t tell lies.

Kagetsugu: Doesn’t mean he tells us the truth all the time.

Hotaru: MC is not the enemy.

Kageie: There’s no way to prove that, though.

Hotaru: Don’t hurt MC.

Hotaru shields MC from everyone else. MC is both terrified and doki-doki. Kenshin diffuses the situation by saying that he believes MC (because of course he does, the wind tells him so) and since Hotaru vouches for her healing ability, he gives her a job as the castle’s medic/pharmacist.

So MC spends the night in a new room with a new job and falls asleep while still trying to make sense of what is happening.

The next morning Hotaru calls her out in front of her room. He was with Kenshin (ever so sparkly) and Kenshin invites her for a walk out of the castle. MC prefers not to attract attention lest her cover was blown.

MC: Why?

Kenshin: Why? Do you need a reason to take a walk on a beautiful day?

Hotaru: *smiles smiles smiles*

So MC agrees to join their little excursion.

Then Kanetsugu appears.

Kanetsugu: And where, do you think you’re going?

Kenshin is dragged back by his scruff (lol) and he wails, you two, carry on the mission without me~~~~

So Hotaru takes MC to a field where small white flowers bloom. He said that Kenshin brought him the place and he thinks it’s beautiful that’s why he wants to show it to MC. MC is touched seeing him so happy, like the cold-blooded killer in him is just a nightmare.

Afterwards, they have dango and Hotaru licks the side of MC's lips because she has tasty dango morsel on his face (if this is the side effect of growing up only accompanied by a cat then I am all for it!!!) and go back to the castle. The castle is a rustle because the Hojo is going to attack. Kenshin mobilises everyone to the war  council but he asks Hotaru to stay out. Hotaru is sad.

Hotaru: Why?

Kenshin: Hotaru-kun, what do you think about taking someone’s life?

Then he just smiles and leaves to his war council. They left shortly after, leaving the castle rather quiet. MC is trying to console the forlorn Hotaru.

Hotaru: Did, I do badly? (he phrased it as if he thinks Kenshin was disappointed with his performance/ability)

MC says nothing because one one side she understands what Kenshin is trying to make Hotaru learn and on another she has ideas about how Hotaru was raised and how that had shaped him into a ruthless killer - lol, all thinking and no talking or doing - are you an INTP, MC?)

So she tried small talks.

MC: Ne, Hotaru-kun, are here on a mission from Iga?

Hotaru says nothing. So MC swtiches subject.

MC: What do you do with your spare time in Iga?

Hotaru: Read books, play toys…

MC: Oh, with your older brother? or friends?

Hotaru: No, just… with myself.

MC HAS FEELS. I HAS FEELS. MY POOR BABYY FIREFLY.

Hotaru: Oh, but Tora is there.

MC: Mmm, Tora has always been there, hasn’t he?

Hotaru smiles.

MC: Do you, like it here?

Hotaru’s smile widens.

Hotaru: It’s warm here. Everyone plays with you - sometimes all of them at the same time.

(he used the word “fuwafuwa” to describe the warmth of the clan - that steamy warmth you get from hot food and fluffy steamed goodies - I cried)

Then, suddenly, Hotaru is back on asking MC why Kenshin didn’t take him with the others. MC still has no answer. So she’s trying to dstract Hotaru by playing with him.

Then one day as she’s feeding the carps, Yoshichi is running around to find him and asks her help in calming Hotaru down (by distracting him some more) because he is going to go after Kenshin.

It doesn’t work though and Hotaru takes off. MC went after him.

One battlefield, the Uesugi has the upper hand and the Hojo are retreating. Kanetsugu asks Kenshin if they should pursue. Kenshin orders Kagetsugu and Kageie to drive them away, and to do just that.

When MC catches up with Hotaru, it was in the forest splashes red with blood. Hotaru has decimated the retreating enemy. The white flowers on the forest floors are now red and dirty.

The Kages were shocked. Kenshin says flatfly “We’re gong home.”

Hotaru: Did I do badly?

MC’s heart is breaking.

Hotaru: They’re got all so dirty now, referring to the red-spattered flowers.

MC kneeled next to him and took his blood spattered hand with hers.

Hotaru: I’ll get them dirty!

MC: yes, killing people is one way to get them dirty. 

MC internalises that as much as she wants to say it’s wrong she can’t because it’s all Hotaru’s been taught.

Back at Kasugayama, they are victorious but somber. Kenshin calls MC.

Kenshin: You are not a pharmacist, are you?

MC stiffens.

Kenshin: Not an ordinary city girl either. You didn’t flinch at the sight of so much blood being spilled.

MC gives him credit for being sharper than he looks.

Kenshin: So, a shinobi, is it?

Seeing no better way, she prostrates herself and apologises, and explaining her family’s situation and the things that drive them to run.

Kenshin smiles.

Kenshin: So you weren’t lying when you said you’re looking for a job. And that explains your skill with medicine.

Apparently, MC did a really good job in the aftermath of the battle so Kenshin welcomes her to Kasugayama. I guess in this version, women are allowed to reside in the castle.

Then Kenshin calls Hotaru and curtly tells him that he thanks him for his service but not his killing those people.

Kenshin: If you’re going to take someone’s life. Prepare yourself. 

(I think he meant it that he should feel something or take responsibility or something, gah, my apology, my Japanese is not good enough to catch the nuances of his words)

Then he left the hall.

Kanetsugu: he cares for you, you know.

Hotaru is sad and goes to the roof to think.

MC sits with him.

Hotaru: Why is he angry at me?

MC: I don’t think he’s angry at you…

Hotaru: Did I do badly?

MC: Hotaru-kun, what do you think when you’re takig someone’s life?

Hotaru: It’s a duty, isn’t it?

MC: when you kill someone, there are people who will not be seeing them again tomorrow and the next day and the next day…

Hotaru: That’s sad…

MC: Yes. I think, Kenshin-sama wants you to understand that.

Hotaru was silent for a bit before he stands up.

Hotaru: I want to apologise to Kenshin. Will you come with me?

He takes MC hands and they fly to the flower fields, where Hotaru picks a small bouquet for Kenshin.

Hotaru: I hope he’ll forgive me.

MC smiles. How could he not?

(I AM SO PUMPED THAT WE GET TO SEE MORE OF THE UESUGI CLAN SHENANIGANS AND KENSHIN, KENSHIN I LOVE YOU MY SPARKLY SANDALWOODY POPINJAY!)

[lonelypond]

New Year’s Surprise

I took a brief detour to finish an Idol Protection Program short I’ve had the start of written down for awhile. Enjoy! Love Live, NicoMaki, 2K

The usual disclaimer: Idol Nico and Doctor Maki have to change their names and move to escape their joint fame and the paparazzi to raise their two daughters in peace. So this means Dia and Ruby know, but NEVER tell anyone (Cocoro taught them well) and Dia’s Eli crush is even more embarrassing in person. Liberties taken, characters not mine, your mileage may vary, but enjoy ; )

Tokyo was bustling, Maki was grumbling. Umi watched as the notoriously temperamental redhead shoved through people, showing very little concern for her fellow pedestrians. Time for an intervention. Umi grabbed her friend’s arm and swung her into the nearest cafe, “We are taking a break, Maki. Someone’s going to recognize you at this rate and the crowds will get worse.”

Maki tipped back her ballcap and removed her shades once Umi sat her at a table in a quiet corner. No matter how often Nico insisted and packed them for her, Maki refused to wear a mask. Or not laugh at her wife when Nico was in full on disguise mode, which Maki thought only made her stand out more. And look ridiculous. Maki had gotten Nico to stop suggesting the trench coat as a clothing option for her, by threatening to wear it out with nothing underneath the next time Nico mentioned it, while modelling the effect. Neither had left the bedroom that day.

“What’s up?” Umi put down one coffee for Maki and a mocha for herself.

“Nico sends me off to Tokyo, when I want to stay home with her and Dia, with a list from Kotori I am not to deviate from and orders to drain my trust, if I have to.” Maki sighed, “And her rationale is “no one says no to a pregnant woman.” I don’t remember her believing that when I was.”

Umi snorted.

“What?” Maki glared.

“Really. Did you think getting a visit from one of us nearly every day while Nico was touring was a coincidence? She learned to work a spreadsheet to organize the “Maki-chan’s a Baby” schedule.”

Maki huffed “I…I…I was not.”

“She enforced the schedule ruthlessly. Text reminders and follow up calls. And we all had to keep telling her how miserable you were because you wouldn’t.” Umi sipped her mocha, watching her friend react.

Maki fidgeted with her coffee, “I didn’t want Nico to feel guilty.” A sigh, “I don’t know what I would have done if her visa hadn’t been denied.”

Umi choked on her mocha.

“What?”

“Is that what she told you?” Umi smiled, reminded of Nico’s truth stretching tendencies, “I always wondered.”

“Wondered what?” Maki was instantly suspicious.

“Nothing.” Umi swigged her mocha, “Drink your coffee. We’re nearly at the first stop on Kotori’s list.

“Umi.” Maki growled.

Umi swirled the liquid in the bottom of her cup, thoughtful, “Nico cancelled the second half of that tour. She paid everyone out of pocket. I think your mother might have loaned her some of the money.”

Maki crushed her cup, a mistake as liquid went splashing over the top, soaking her driving gloves, “Nico never said anything, Mama never…” Tears started in Maki’s eyes.

“Are you only just now realizing how much your wife actually cares about you?” Umi was bemused, especially at the blush Maki could never control.

“N…no. I know that. She shouldn’t have lied…” Maki peeled off her gloves and chugged the remnants of coffee.

Umi shrugged. “It’s Nico. Nico always does what Nico thinks is best. You know that.”

Maki started shredding her empty cup. This was setting a record for coffee shop meltdown, Umi realized. Maki wasn’t making eye contact and her voice was soft, “I’m worried about Nico. I hate leaving her.”

“Kotori and Honoka can handle anything. And isn’t Cotarou there to help with Dia?” Umi reached behind her for her jacket.

Maki continued to tear her cup into even smaller pieces, ”Well, yes, but Nico’s been in such a ….”

“Maki,” Umi took her friend by the shoulders, her voice firm, “We are buying everything on Kotori’s list, then we are meeting Eli, Nozomi, Rin and Hanayo for dinner. You need a night off. Your family is fine. Call to check on Nico and Dia later.”

Talk over dinner had turned to various pregnancy stories, starting with Eli’s fainting when the doctor told them Nozomi was having twins. And Rin’s continuous state of low level panic until the first time Tora kicked inside her. And then, they got to the night Dia was born. Maki had refused to drink anything in case she had to rush to Nico’s side, but Nozomi had indulged in a good bit of wine and was in ‘push Maki’s buttons’ mode. Eli, of course, still being Eli, just gazed adoringly at her wife as Nozomi teased and Maki got more and more flustered.

“I remember you begging Nico to do the New Year’s Eve Charity concert, so she wouldn’t stop loving you because you being near delivery was stopping her from performing for her favorite event.” Nozomi pointed at Maki.

“Did not happen.” Maki stated slowly, almost wishing she could have a whiskey, but the thought of Nico potentially in distress pushed that away.

Rin giggled. Hanayo just shook her head at her friend.

Maki continued, voice firm. “It didn’t. I just thought it would be a shame if Nico-chan missed a show she’d done for the past 6 years. Dia wasn’t due for three weeks. And I felt fine.”

“So fine,” Rin almost bounced her head off the table as the laughing fit took her over, but Hanayo held her back, “So fine, you were on the phone to me during the rehearsal livestream, crying about how many dancers were throwing themselves at Nico and how little clothing they were wearing and how Nico would forget you because you were so…”

“Shut it, Rin.” Maki snarled and chopped the ginger’s head.

“And then you convinced Honoka to take you to the concert.” Umi shook her head at the memory.

“You were there too,” Eli pointed out.

“We all know that if Honoka-chan or Kotori-chan wants to do something, Umi-chan can’t say no. When are you having the next μ’s baby, Umi-chan?” Nozomi leered as Umi tried to look indignant but could only blush as Nozomi continued, “Kotori-chan says it might be soon.”

“Nozomi!” Umi shouted as Rin jumped up and cheered, drawing the stares of the crowd at the bar.

Maki wondered if sneaking out of the restaurant now under the pretext of needing to use the restroom would work, but a hand clamped on her forearm stopped Maki’s exit as Nozomi continued to loudly tell the story.

“So there you were, waddling backstage, glaring at dancers, with Nico-chi onstage singing “All I Want For Christmas Is You” when the show suddenly stops because because Umi has her stage manager tell Nico-chi through her headset that you insisted on being backstage.”

“I was there, Nozomi. I remember.” Maki groaned, “Please stop.”

Nozomi threw her arm around Maki’s shoulders, “I could see this part from the seat Nico had given me, you in the wings of the stage, suddenly collapsing because your water broke and you had no idea what was happening, Nico hearing you cry out “Nico-chan” as she turned to see where you were and then sprinting off stage, talking a mile a minute with her stage manager on the headset, kneeling down to help you up, whispering something in Honoka’s ear and then Honoka pushed Umi onstage. The audience had no idea what was going on.”

“Neither did I,” Maki muttered, still embarrassed by the situation she’d gotten herself into. But as much as Nozomi had teased her over the years about that night, Nico never had.

“It had been years since I’d sang in public.” Umi grumped, “But neither Honoka or Nico would listen.”

“I thought Honoka did remarkably well with Eli’s part of Storm-In Lover.” Nozomi smiled, “And then Kotori joined them and the original μ’s members had a reunion concert.”

“While Nico got Maki-chan into a helicopter she’d had Maki-chan’s mom send and Maki had Dia just after midnight at the hospital. Good job, Maki-chan.” Rin hugged her best friend and Maki leaned into it a little. Her pregnancy had overlapped Rin’s and their experiences had brought the two friends even closer. But not as close as Dia’s birth had brought Maki to Nico. Maki still remembered it vividly. Nico so worried, holding Maki’s hand so tightly starting when they loaded Maki into the helicopter, Nico hadn’t even bothered to change out of her sweaty costume, although someone had tossed her a jacket. Maki could feel Nico shivering, but so much was happening and Maki had focused on pushing through the pain of contractions. And then there was Dia, wrapped up and being handed to Nico and Maki heard a sniffle from her wife.

“Nico-chan? Is something wrong?” Maki felt weak, but Nico’s cry triggered an adrenalin rush and she tried to sit up.

Nico shook her head and brought the baby over to Maki, handling their firstborn so gently, so tenderly, with so much love, her ruby eyes full of pride and wonder, and perhaps, Maki realized, a bit of terror.

“N…no.” Nico’s smile was brighter than Maki had ever seen it, her hand lovingly stroking Maki’s cheek, “I just have two of you to take care of now. You did so well, Maki-chan. I love you.” Nico leaned down to kiss Maki on the forehead as Maki looked down at their daughter, dark hair like Nico’s and light, bright eyes.

Suddenly waking from her reverie, Maki realized she needed to see both wife and daughter as soon possible, “I have to go.”

“Wait, Maki, we’re not done talking.” Nozomi tried to pull Maki back in her seat.

“I am.” The redhead smiled at her friend, “I have a pregnant wife who’s probably craving something I can pick up on the way home.”

Eli grinned and gave Maki a thumbs up, pulling Nozomi into a distracting hug.

Umi stood, “I’ll drive.”

“You go too slow, Umi.” Rin tapped the dark haired woman’s arm, “Maki wants to be home before dawn.”

“Maki wants to be home in one piece.” Umi countered. Maki walked out ahead of Umi, waving goodbye to everyone. Maki loved her friends, but she’d had enough Tokyo for awhile. She didn’t think she would ever have enough Nico.

Nico had piled every blanket in the house on top of her, but she still wasn’t warm enough. Why had she forced Maki to go to Tokyo? Because she was worried Maki would get bored with redecorating the nursery? Because Nico felt grumpy and out of sorts and was worried Maki would get exasperated with her mood swings? Because someone should have fun? Nico couldn’t remember the reason but she regretted it now, alone in their bed, cold and uncomfortable. And then the door to their bedroom slid open and a familiar voice whispered “Nico-chan?”

Nico sat up, “Maki! You’re supposed to be in Tokyo having fun.”

Maki dropped her jacket on the floor and threw herself into the bed, next to Nico, wrapping the other woman into a nearly suffocating hug, “It’s not fun without Nico.”

Nico enjoyed the warmth until she realized she was having trouble breathing. There was also the baby to think of, “Maki-chan, Nico can’t breathe.”

Maki didn’t let Nico go, but she did lift the still smaller woman into her lap, adjusting her embrace and the blankets so that Nico was cozy in a nest, cuddled against Maki’s chest. Ruby kicked a little under her hand and Maki was again amazed at the feel of having Nico and their child in her arms, at the tenderness and love flowing through Nico. Nico snuggled, her head on Maki’s shoulder, “You’re so warm. We missed you.”

“I missed you, Nico-chan.” And as Nico started to fall asleep again, Maki promised herself that when Nico got close to her due date, Maki would be there every minute. She knew far far too well how frantic pregnancy could make you and a distressed, pregnant Nico wandering anywhere, hysterical and in search of her was terrifying to contemplate. She needed to think about calmer things. After all, soon Maki would have three people to take care of. She couldn’t wait.

[usagitomusashi]

Two Days at ACEN 2018 - day 2 (part 4 ... the last part)

After returning from my car, it was almost time for the Masquerade where people get to stroll across the stage to show off their cosplay while others choose to perform skits, sing and or dance.

It's hosted by people who are well known to the ACEN regulars (but not to me). Last year, it was different people so I guess they mix it up a bit but the hosts are still familiar to the audience. They have a running joke with a chair that people get into and they keep it fun while moving the show along.

I went last year and it's a good way to get a sense for the cosplay and enthusiasm of the attendees. It's also very well attended so there's a lot of fun being had by the audience.

One thing that is a bit of a mystery to me is why more cosplayers don't compete for the prizes. While some of the winners are impressive, I felt like I saw plenty of people that do an equal or better job throughout the Con, but regardless, these people join in the competition. I thought the cosplay last year was more impressive over all, but there were good entries this year and the show was fun.

It lasted a couple of hours or so and then awards were handed out at the end.

Ooops ... I should also note that, prior to picking up my art purchases, I was able to take my final snapshot of the Con illustration.

I also purchased a couple items from the exhibitors:

Chi's Sweet Home:

... and a couple of inexpensive but pretty fans for my wife:

For the remainder of my day I checked out the vast video gaming room and watched some more anime.

The gaming room is huge and has all manner of games and game consoles from ancient vintage games to current VR fare. I took a panoramic photo of the video gaming area but even that didn't do it justice. It included arcade games that I've never seen before and I admit I didn't spend a lot of time in arcades. In some cases, though, I wondered whether the games were imports and never made it to the inside of a U.S. game room.

There were a couple games I recognized, Pac Man and Missle Command. They had a lot of game consoles that probably only work with old crt TVs. They had plenty of PC consoles. The jumble of sound was amazing because it wasn't like you could hear game playing sounds unless you were on top of them. It was more like the constant crowd noise you hear at a sporting event.

Nearly every station was in use and had a line for it. I figured I'd only have the skills to play a game that was of no interest to anyone else, and, if that was the case, it would be too lame even for me. There was one game that no one was playing. I think it was called "Out of Order." In any case, I enjoyed doing a walk around and watching people play.

Then, I made my way back to the video rooms where I caught portions of several vintage shows including:

Burn Up

Girlish Number

Ushio & Tora

If I remember, one of these days I may see whether I can access them for viewing, but, if not, I won't sweat it.

The video rooms did not seem to draw people in as much as I recollect for prior years. Maybe I just chose unpopular shows. I had not previously seen any of the anime I viewed this year in the screening rooms.

Finally, at just past midnight, I decided to stick my head into one of the Hentai rooms. These are very adult themed anime as opposed to the more mildly suggestive fare. The have the lights turned all the way up in these rooms ... which is a good idea. The sex is graphic on the one hand but on the other the really naughty parts are all pixelated in order to obscure the detail. I'm not sure if they are drawn in detail and obscured or simply drawn that way.

In any case, I was relieved that the audience was a mix of men and women and not just a bunch of creepy guys. I was glad the lights were on and that there was plenty of room so I didn't have to sit next to anyone.

The audience, at least in this one, was doing a lot of talking back to the screen. The story was graphic and over-the-top ridiculous so it was very raunchy but sickly humorous at the same time. The audience did a lot of shouting and I think that helps reduce the creepiness vibe.

After one episode of that, my curiosity was satiated and it was getting close to 1:00 AM.

It had been a long day, I was tired and still had a long drive home.

So, I said "goodbye" to ACEN 2018. The dance was still in full gear, there were plenty of people milling about in the hotel and out on the street, listening to music, ordering food and still going strong.

I was not ... 😊

Fun times!!