#touken ranbu 2.5 radio

[rz-jocelyn]

Hi! I want to ask, I came across a cute picture of Ryuji and Matsuda Ryo together : https://www.tumblr.com/rz-jocelyn/763829371514617856/news-sato-ryuji-has-been-cast-in-the-reading?source=share And I noticed Matsuda Ryo had red nail polish on his fingers! Do you know when or on what occasion that was taken? I’d be excited to hear if the two Kashuus support each other! <3

But...! I apologize if I'm mistaken; I only know Matsuda Ryo as he plays Kashuu in the stage play, and I still can hardly remember his face. Thank you so much m(_ _)m

Hiya @satevisas! :D

This photo was taken when Sato Ryuji attended the "Stage Touken Ranbu ~Shiden: Tsuketari Kitan no Soumatou~". Below are the links to the original posts with more photos.

Twitter: HERE

Instagram: HERE

When Ryo-kun was first announced as Kashuu Kiyomitsu in the "Stage Touken Ranbu", Ryuji also spoke about the casting announcement on his Instagram live:

"The Kiyomitsu-san over there is also really beautiful. If I were to say something about it, I think that if you could love both of us, that would make everyone happy. After all, there is definitely no need to choose either one, right? That's why, if you could choose both of us, that is something I would be most grateful for."

NOTE: The video is no longer available, but Ryuji's Instagram account can be found: HERE

In turn, Ryo-kun has also spoken about Ryuji on his blog before. Here is a translation from that entry:

"Sato Ryuji-kun who acts as Kashuu Kiyomitsu in the Musical 'Touken Ranbu' I respect and look up to his Kashuu Kiyomitsu. I've seen him [perform] live once, and have only met him in person a handful of times, but Even from a guy's perspective, he is an attractive man and I can feel that his Kashuu Kiyomitsu [is someone who] has such a large presence that shines so brightly; a unique, one and only presence, who is unlike any other. Because the person acting in the role is different, I will be playing a completely different Kashuu, but I intend to perform the role while honouring his Kashuu Kiyomitsu in my heart."

Source: ( x )

And, on the "Touken Ranbu 2.5 Radio", Ryo-kun also mentioned that, personally, he likes Ryuji's singing and voice, so he listens to Ryuji's songs on a normal basis. Although, he didn't specify if it was just Ryuji's songs in the "Musical Touken Ranbu" or songs from Ryuji's band, The Brow Beat xD

Please find the songs from the "Musical Touken Ranbu" featuring Kashuu Kiyomitsu: HERE

And, links for The Brow Beat below.

Spotify: HERE

Apple Music: HERE

Twitter: HERE

Official FC: HERE

YouTube: HERE

TikTok: HERE

Currently, they are acting together in the "Reading Museum ~Tokyo National Museum~ 'Tokyo Hakobune Hakuranki'" (which is the production mentioned in your Ask). And, for the first performance, they had a cute Kashuu Kiyomitsu related moment during the after-talk xD

Question: What do you think of museums? Do you have any impressions of or experiences with museums?

Ryuji: I've been to the museum in Ishikawa, for the Great Kashuu Kiyomitsu Sword Exhibition. *Jokingly turning to Ryo-kun* Do you know the sword, Kashuu Kiyomitsu?

Ryo: Yes, I do. We would be the ones to know him best, right? LOL!

And, during the curtain call for the same performance, after listening to Ryuji's comment, Ryo-kun had this to say:

"You're really incredible. [I realised that] All over again. Well, I think I like you even more now."

The "Reading Museum ~Tokyo National Museum~ 'Tokyo Hakobune Hakuranki'" have live and archive streams available for all the performances.

To watch the live (and archive) streams, please refer to this link: HERE

[ikusayu-no-hana]

66th & 67th touken radio sessions rough translation ~

A for Aramaki Yoshihiko, W for Wada Takuma. [ ] = my inputs, ( ) = the actors' inputs

66th Session~

A: I’ll be MC-ing alone today, so I’ll do my best! Well then, we’ve got a guest in the studio after a long time. Go ahead, make your entrance~.

W: Good evening, I’m Kasen Kanesada’s actor, Wada Takuma!

A: wow!!!! (starts clapping)

W: I finally made it!!!!!!!

A: Takuma-kun! You mean on this radio?

W: This is actually my first time being here. First off, I have to get something off my chest— (A: lol what is it, what is it?) You see, I heard about tkrb's radio program while I was doing another nippon radio program, and I thought it was suuuuper strange I hadn't been asked to appear on it yet! Someone from the nippon staff said 'touken ranbu has a radio program too, dont they' so i told them 'actually, i'm going to appear onstage this summer, as the main character’ ‘oh that’s great news!’ ‘but i haven't been asked to feature on a single radio session yet' 'ah!! thats terribly unfortunate, please excuse us!!!!' is what they said. And so after that i was immediately slotted for a future date.

A: www It's no good if you don't say what you want straightforwardly!

W: It really isnt! You have to say so clearly.

A: No but guests are always welcome on this program (W: right??). I even had to MC alone at times.

W: Right???? Like do they even know of my existence?! [lmfao rip takuma-kun] Even ume-chan joined in much earlier than I did (A: yeah as an MC) Didn’t that guy manifest after me!!!! [i.e. in tousute chronology]. Why’d he come before I did!! I’d have done the MC-ing anytime [he’s SO funnily offended and makki is laughing sm] I’ve always loved radio!!

A: Really?

W: I’ve always listened to the radio more than the TV at home. The fact that I hadn’t even once been called yet, isn’t it weird?!

A: ww I wonder what must’ve happened. Perhaps the timings didn’t line up or something.

W: mmmm But I Finally Came!

A: I heard from staff-san that the fans are pretty glad you came. You were a long-awaited guest.

W: Really? Thank you so much.

[They catch up over how they spent the past year apart from working; wadakuma took up practicing the guitar while makki was busy playing video games lol]

A: Alright so! Since we’ve invited wada-kun today, let’s talk a great deal about the new sute. Without spoilers, please tell us what kind of 'kahakugeki' you wished to see. To begin with, how did you feel when you heard ‘kiden ikusayu no adabana’ had been changed to ‘kaihen ikusayu no adabana no kioku’ ?

W: Simply put, since butai is something that is full of raw emotion, it can’t take place if there aren't any customers. The feeling of both physical and emotional distance was there, and since the closing of that gap is the #1 charm point of butai, I wondered how it would turn out. Right from the beginning, reciting the script in a reading-play [t/n: kahakugeki literally means a simple scripted play w/o music and minimal props etc] is the first step, right? I went over the script and prepared myself.

A: That's the image I got too! That you’d be reading from scripts.

W: Right? That didn’t end up being the case though, and I was so, so nervous.

A: You didn't have books, did you? [t/n: i think makki is referring to the script books that these plays usually have actors read from onstage.]

W: Nope (A: wow~). That's why, even though the title is 'kahakugeki', the performance isn't inferior in quality to the other tousutes. [insert talking about the regulations they had to follow for safely delivering the performances.]

A: Last time, ume-chan and I did a session and he said he and takuma-kun didn't didn't talk all that much during jiden's performance. How did this time's rehearsals go?

W: Ume-chan and I were asked about our relationship in an interview, and he said: 'me and wadakkuma-san haven’t really talked much’ (A: lol). Communication was at an all-time low.

A: That’s right, he’s terribly shy.

W: Yeah. He said, ‘It's like feeling you can't enter Starbucks because everyone's sparkling sooo much' (A: ww). But out of all the touken danshi in this play, me and ume-chan are the only ones [who have starred in tousute till now]. That's why I told him [his voice was so soft here, like talking to a child w], 'ume-chan, do your best, brighten up that attitude, it’ll be no good if you don’t become a character that can’t lead others.’

A: Did it happen then, in reality?

W: Yamanbagiri’s...Chougi’s [he always pauses to correct himself when he’s referring to either Yamanbagiri bc just ‘yamanbagiri’ isn’t enough lol] role is him being outspoken about the proper thing to do.

A: Ah that’s right.

W: So ume-chan had to strive to express it himself from yamanbagiri chougi’s own perspective. Like ‘I wonder if I was able to convey the character’s vibe?’

A: That’s so like him. Moving on, wasn’t this was your first time being the centre in tousute? I was really looking forward to it.

W: Well well well, it was difficult. (A: wdym?) I’ll instead ask you, what were your experiences being the centre in performances?

A: Hmmm, at the time I was able to take part in the production called ‘touken ranbu’, I had many concerns, and I’d ask about whatever I could. If there was something I struggled to understand, Suemitsu-san would explain it to me. That was the kind of approach I had.

W: You followed through, didn’t you?

A: But the first cast [of the first sute, kyoden moeyuru honnouji] was quite large too.

W: Well, this time you see, hiroki wasn’t there, neither was tamaki, nor someya, even makki wasn’t there, kento wasn’t there, no one was there!! [he listed mikazuki’s, kogarasumaru’s, and tsurumaru’s actors.]

A: www Were you a little lonely?

W: I was lonely! But, the touken danshi cast of this time was super hard-working. They went so hard at rehearsals…I was impressed.

A: What about suemitsu-san? With the new cast and all…

W: Suemitsu-san was as strict as ever (A: ah he was strict? Lol). Only, as there wasn’t much time because of the situation, everyone focused intensely both during the rehearsals and outside of rehearsals. Remembering lines, memorizing fighting choreography, positions. It was truly amazing.

A: Lots of fans have taken note of the first ever female cast member – Nanami Hiroki, who plays Hosokawa Gracia. How did that go?

W: Nanami-san…is immensely cool.

A: I once took a photo with her and thought to myself “eh? she’s cooler than a man!”

W: Take notes, all you touken danshi! Her charm and aura were remarkable and her presence was vast, like it was made to be followed. That was the way the first female role was introduced to everyone as well as to tousute.

A: I never imagined I’d see ume-chan involving himself with Nanami-san in any way. (W: *laughs really loudly*) Did they talk?

W: Well, he did take a photo with her when rehearsals wrapped up.

A: Oh really? ww You’ve grown, ume-chan (W: he has). On this radio too, when he was MC, he wondered ‘what should I talk about? I have no clue’.

W: He should’ve switched places with me!!!!!!!

A: www but precisely because he’s that way it makes for interesting sessions, right? Okay, so the last question I want to ask is: what is the mood of the Kasen Kanesada characteristic to takuma-kun in this work?

W: This, well, was a new perspective. Uptil now – how do I put it – he’d watch the others from afar, and stealthily give counsel to them. Such scenes were memorable, but this time since it’s all about Hosokawa Tadaoki and Gracia, and Kasen is at the very core. He loses sight of his surroundings, but the touken danshi around him ask him, “Kasen, are you alright?” It was so new.

A: It hasn’t happened before.

W: Never.

A: That kind of approach was all-encompassing, wasn’t it?

W: I used to think it was an advice-giving type of role, but it’s actually everyone else that’s lending a helping hand. There was a sense of immense encouragement from the others. I’m happy.

A: I really want to see it. I can totally imagine takuma-kun acting it out beautifully (W: thank you). I bet the fans can’t wait either. Well then, we’ve talked thoroughly about kahakugeki with takuma-kun! It’s time to end now~

W: That was way too fast.

A: You want delve even more into it don’t you?

W: For a looooooooooooong time to come! I wish the program’s timing was longer.

A: www unfortunately we can’t do that! There are more things to be said, but you’re the guest for the next week too, so takuma-kun will continue to deliver more info! [I wasn’t planning to translate this ending part but they were cute, so]

67th Session~

(Reading fan mail)

A: From kitsune-san, "On hearing Wada Takuma would be this time's guest, I rushed to send in a letter. [...] Among the new touken danshi in the performance, who made the most memorable impression on Wada-san?"

W: Apart from umetsu and I, the other touken danshi are making their first appearance. I mentioned it before too, but everyone was diligent and worked hard in the limited time we had. Amongst them though, Sano Mashiro, who plays Nikkari Aoe, was unexpectedly spirited. There are a lot of scenes where I have to make an entrance right? So I'd have to memorize which part of the stage to enter from, etc etc., and mashiro would be like, "takumama, over here!"

A: 'Takumama' ?? - wait hold on, what's a takumama w

W: I don't know lol! mashiro was like "is it okay if I call you takumama?" and I said (at a loss for words) "o-oh, sure!"

A: w Kato Sho has called you okaa-san too right?

W: I wonder if it's because I give out maternal vibes...

A: I think so...it might be because of your open-mindedness...

W: Is that it?

A: I think that must be it, among many other reasons.

W: I wonder. But the foremost reason must be that they're juniors and I'm their senior. mashiro said "come here, come here~" it's a little—for a young man to call over an adult over 30 it's—

A: wwww LOL

W: To tell an adult "come here~" its too comical of an image—!

A: It's cute! It's because he's close to you.

W: Well, that's how it is. In regards to kasen, nikkari aoe is a very calm, collected, and astute character. That's why in many scenes, when facing kasen, he uses cutting words. mashiro enacted those qualities very diligently, and for that, kasen feels extremely grateful. He’s a great guy.

[they talk a bit more about the other actors but I'm skipping it]

W: From kazuha-san, "I'm a newbie saniwa who got into tkrb by watching tousute's online broadcast five months ago, and I still haven't decided on a favourite sword. I thought the new performance would have a recitation-like feeling, but on hearing there would be sword-fighting scenes as well, I've been increasingly anticipating it. Wada-san, what troublesome sword fight-related things happened during practice?"

A: I see, I see...

W: This time, there weren't any actors taking up the role of the time retrograde army, but there was still the fact that fight scenes took place, and, how do I put it—

A: Like shadows?

W: Yeah. We'd have to be on our own and imagine the enemy being there and fight them onstage like that. I think makki would understand too—it's difficult to do. A swordfight with no opponent is difficult. That's why the challenge was to successfully make the audience feel like they could see the TRA. That was our challenge up to senshuuraku.

A: I think that the way each touken danshi wields their sword is different, like whether they use their scabbard in combat or not. Kasen strikes in a straight line with tremendous force right? (W: yep) It's very distinct, so I suppose that's why it's difficult to pull off when the opponents aren't there.

W: That's exactly it.

A: [I couldn't make out what he was saying at the beginning of this sentence rip] Still, I think in the situation of shadow-enemies, I don't know if it would be possible, but acting out movements like getting shoved, those would be hard.

W: Exactly! How do I put it, something like “oh, I've got to be careful here or it'll be bad,” “ah, I have to feel the enemy's presence here or else.”

A: Are there any difficulties in acting as Kasen?

W: I'd say the hakama, is something that gets in the way a lot. In tousute, there are a lot of stairs right? It really is a nuisance.

A: noooo lol. For the hakama team, stairs really are the enemy.

W: Hiroki-sensei said it too but particularly when ascending staircases, you have to be patient with your feet, and you end up getting dazed. It's hard, and you have to be careful. [t/n: I’ve also noticed, esp in hiden, wadakasen’s hakama getting in the way of him standing up, but he recovers gracefully ofc :)]

A: There are fight scenes that take place on staircases aren't there?

W: Ofc there are. This time around there are a few steps, but they aren't as tall. [...] What about Yamanbagiri Kunihiro's technicalities?

A: I have the cloak to be worried about. During the very first show, during kyoden's first performance, my cloak tangled itself up around my sword and it couldn't be helped. After enough moving around it'd happen a lot. Of course, I had to handle it throughout the shows. When I'd descend stairs it would flutter behind me. (W: that's relatable) Right? When I had the photoshoot for the visuals, I was asked "can you handle it if it trails behind your every movement?" I answered that I definitely could, regardless of how I moved.

W: waaaaah that's so cool. Are you listening, umetsu!? www

A: www but chougi's cloak is different.

W: During rehearsals, both kokindenjunotachi's cloak and sword were long, so suemitsu-san told him to reckon how wielding his sword would affect his costume's movement. On that note I thought how amazing makki was, to be able to handle it all. It's impressive.

A: But it doesn't go well all the time. Even while you're being careful, you feel like it'd be better if you were able to go fully out. [...] Alright I'll read this one. From mahiro-san, "[...] I have a question for Wada-san. On the most essential things in acting as kasen: are there any places where you overlap with and differ from kasen himself?"

W: Well, makki's been in many tousute performances so I think you'll get what I mean, but there are unique moments in which you establish a connection with a sword's growth.

A: *heavily breathes in* There are.

W: There are, aren't there? In hiden, for example, near the end, yamanbagiri kunihiro is terribly conflicted. In such a situation, there's a moment when the sword's feelings pile up and overlap with your own. This is the fourth time I'm taking part in tousute but the first where I've received the role of main character. Currently, where I am being counted on, in comparison to the past where I had simply followed; somehow, if it was my past self in this position, I'd be at my wit's end. It's as if the experience I gained from kasen's role became an armour that's protecting me.

A: Like self-confidence?

W: Yes. I think it's better to say that from his first appearance onstage, his dialogue has progressed step by step. Before, he didn't have the courage to have conversational exchanges with his fellow companions so he'd be a little—how do I put it—in human terms...shy? A shy sword. That gradually receded and he increasingly felt that that the citadel [and all its inhabitants] must be protected. That became a point of connection [idk if kuma means connection as in kasen connecting with his fellow swords or him connecting with kasen, but most likely it's both]. When that link was established, I thought, "Ah! We're growing together."

A: Ah, that's a great point of playing a character for the long term; you form a connection across successive performances. Were you relied upon, this time?

W: See, there were those joining for the first time. As the most experienced one it was a given that I'd become a reference point. But during my solo fight rehearsals, I'd have to pull everything off perfectly.

A: www Everyone was watching you?

W: Everyone, everyone! I was happy because it was inevitable, but I also kept in mind that I can't mess up.

A: That pressure was there too huh.

W: They'd observe and learn.

A: What about the places where you and kasen vary?

W: That's a bit difficult to answer.

A: Right? It's because you're different that it's fun to act.

W: Absolutely. Going onstage to perform as something that is uncustomary to the self is what it's all about.

A: Still, this time it's all about elegance? Refinement?

W: Amazingly so. Tremendously so.

A: *laughs bc kuma says it so profoundly* Eh? Speaking of 'kiden' [綺伝/ literally 'beautiful tale']—

W: It's the 'ki' [綺] from 'kirei' [綺麗/beautiful]. It's a work fully deserving of the title. Additionally, Hosokawa Gracia-sama made her debut. It's full of beauty all over.

A: umm what about Hosokawa Tadaoki-sama?

W: Don't ask about him LMAO

A & W: *laugh a lot* [if you've seen tadaoki's character visual you know why lol]

A: The visual was AMAZING wwww

W: lol they're a married couple, so their story is the central axis. The creation of their relationship is fascinating.

A: I'm suuuuuper curious about it.

W: Right?

A: I'm looking forward to it all~

---

A: We received a lot of mail this time around.

W: All of them couldn't be read but—

A: Not within this time limit, but if you do come again, takuma-kun...

W: Wait, for real?

A: ww

W: I'll be ready any time!

A: www really? If you say that the staff will keep calling you all the time!

W: I'll come over immediately! ASAP !!

A: Let's enjoy ourselves next time too. This has been Yamanbagiri Kunihiro's actor Aramaki Yoshihiko and—

W: Kasen Kanesada's actor Wada Takuma—

A & W: Bye bye~!

[prince-live]

Touken Ranbu 2.5 Radio Translations

Touken Ranbu 2.5 Radio Translations!

Hello, long time no see on tumblr. I haven’t been posting anything since forever. Well i barely posted anything back then, though. I decided to post translations of Touken Ranbu 2.5 Radio because i rarely seeing anyone talk about it...even though it’s the one of the free content given by the 2.5 franchise of Touken Ranbu..maybe with this it’ll get a little bit more attention..i guess?

I am doing the translation ONLY in text and won’t make a translated video because i want the views to go straight to the official sites. You can listen to this radio weekly every Sunday 20.50 PM JST on Radiko or Youtube (i’ll link the Youtube at the end of the post). I’m starting this from the latest broadcast (episode 70) and gonna continue so on. I normally won’t translate the past broadcasts but requests are always open. If you want a translation of your favorite cast’s episode you could always leave me a message. Or an ask. But i’m afraid i don’t see you asks so maybe a message. You can check the list of casts who broadcasted the show in the official Twitter or on the Youtube channel at the description box.

Disclaimer : Neither Japanese or English is my mother tongue, so please take this translation with a grain of salt and pardon me if i misheard or mistranslated something here. I learned Japanese self-taught and just passed N4 last December. Corrections are always open and i’m happy if someone could correct my translations! Also, this text is not proofread so apologize for any typos made!

I left some notes in the end of the post so i hope you could read it first. I gave notes to some words too so i hope you could check on it while reading the translation. I’m giving strikethroughs to the words i gave notes, and it is written in order in the notes section. I don’t know if tumblr has the feature of giving words a numbered superscripts(?), if someone does know, please tell me how to and i will edit this post!

Another note : For this episode, i’m using the letter “A”  for Arisawa Shotaro and “I” for Imari Yuu.

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Touken Ranbu 2.5 Radio!

A : Good evening everyone! I’m Izuminokami Kanesada’s actor Arisawa Shotaro. A 2.5 radio alternating monthly brought to you by Musical Touken Ranbu, for short “Toumyu” and Stage Touken Ranbu, for short “Tousute”. In charge for August is Musical Touken Ranbu. Touken Ranbu 2.5 Radio’s Arisawa Shotaro is going to tell you Toumyu’s charms while polishing my radio skills!

A : Well, it has been my third week here, but coming to Nippon Housou, there’s a lot of extraordinary person here, and it becomes my motivation, for a radio (show). And we could even hear a little bit of their voices here.

I : That is great, right?

A: It’s an amazing thing.

I : Glad to do Touken Ranbu,right?

A : *laughs* Well, yes it is. Well, he (Yuu-kun) already made an appearance though,--

I : Yes~

A : --i’m going to talk a lot with Yuu-kun, so please look forward till the end!

Touken Ranbu 2.5 Radio!

A : Musical Touken Ranbu’s Izuminokami Kanesada’s actor Arisawa Shotaro broadcasting from Tokyo Yuurakuchou Nippon Housou, Touken Ranbu 2.5 Radio, let’s welcome tonight’s guest, it’s this person!

I : I’m Nagasone Kotetsu’s actor Imari Yuu! Onegaishimasu~

A : Continuing last time, Yuu-kun is the being the guest, actually i don’t really wanna ask this question, well, i’m given the opportunity to be the personality, but how is it, my personality side?

I : I’m not an acid-tounged critic like Takahashi Kensuke or else, so i guess you’re--okay? It looks like you’re having fun so it’s okay.

A : “It looks like i’m having fun so it’s okay” *laughs*. Try to appear once in Kensuke-kun’s(broadcast), that person is amazing, as i thought. He’s so good.

I : That guy was originally aiming to be an announcer after all, he’s the type of person who could just casually say “I wish i were an annoucer~”

A : *laughs* That’s right

I : His talk-power is amazing. Takahashi of the Talk-power. But, i’ve been thinking about this. If someday, when he became a papa, he’ll say harsh things to his child. He’ll be hated by his own child. It’ll definitely become like that.

A : *laughs* hated by his own child---there’s no doubt about it.

I: He’s saying everything that he thinks about.

A : That’s for real. Let’s hear children’s opinions.

I : Yes, yes, yes.

A : Right, so this time we’ll gonna bring you this this topic “Before The Show of Bakumatsu Tenrouden 2020, We’ll Guide You”!

I : Ooh?!

A : Musical Touken Ranbu Bakumatsu Tenroden is planned to perform between September to November! Musical Touken Ranbu Series’s second work which performed during 2016’s Fall will be performed in 2020 with a new production, the live part performance will also be renewed! Right..and the Historical Figure actors will be recasted to Koyanagi Shin as Kondo Isami and Sadamoto Fuuma as Okita Souji!

With that being said, going towards this show, we whom were casted in Bakumatsu Tenroden 4 years ago will tell you the works charms all over!

I : Yes!

A : Yes, with that being said, in Bakumatsu Tenroden 4 years ago, we appeared as Touken Danshi for the first time. Weeell remembering the first performance , it feels kind of—

I : It was amazing, right?

A : It was amazing. We ran through it right?

I : I’m being told to the extent that i wanna say “You could say such thing?”

A : I heard about that, of course, about the hard work. As i thought you can’t just be not challenging yourself in a lot of things! With singing, acting, dancing, sword battles! That was it right? Do you have any memory of it?

I : For me, there was the Time Retrograde Army, i don’t really remember anything about the history being changed!

A : It’s the Yuu-kun after the changes right..

I: I’m the Yuu-kun after the changes.

A : Looking back, talking about our first debut, it started with a production announcement in a Gajoen—

I : It was the time that my muscles is in the best condition—

A : * i chose not to translate this part, i’m not sure what Arisawa-san is trying to ask to Imari-san here..kansei-kan?? I don’t really understand how is that written and what does it mean*

I : But you know, i thought about this, when Touken Danshi’s are being smithed, they’re keep being hit and hit right? (referring to an actual swordsmithing process), i was thinking about that! So i think “that(muscles)” is needed!

A : That’s right

I : It is a sword that is done by being hit repeatedly and going through a harsh environment right? That’s why i went to that extent. It’s because of that (the smithing process) so we became strong.

A : Right right right, but you know, in the game, when it goes “paan” and it appeared (the Touken Danshi), there is cherry blossoms falling right, moreover at the Gajoen , there’s cherry blossoms falling too!

I : There was~

A : For an appearance, it was a wonderful appearance! Moreover, at the Kyoto theater’s surprise performance, we’re appearing in a sea of uproar! It was amazing..

I : It was so amazing that i caaan’t keep up with it..

A : That’s right..

I : The one in Gajoen too, we looked sparkling. And then we went to Kyoto too, it made me think “We’ve been to such an amazing place..”

A : Right, like seriously, looking at our yearly schedule there’s like “Live at Osaka-jo Hall”? Hey, how far are we going?!

I: That was amazing..

A: We’ve broke into a lot of amazing places, but the performance of Bakumatsu Tenroden..speaking of the main character..it was Yuu-kun right? Well, it was Yasusada too in some parts, but the ending is like, you were in a position of watching over (sending away) Kondo Isami’s death..like you’ve hold up your sword but..you can’t do it right?

I : I couldn’t..as i thought i just can’t do it. But i’ve thought of it, i thought of it for weeks, like if that was your own father what would you do?

A : You thought about a lot of things

I : I thought about a lot of things..

A : But seriously, you cried aloud right, in the rehearsal hall..

I : But as i thought, i have a lot to think about. I was easily moved to tears right? Rightaway..

A : You were..

I : I was easily moved to tears. But there, i have no choice but to hold it in. But you know, i remembered about this thing so much until now. Kayano-san said this a lot to me. “DON’T CRY!!”

A : But that is number one part that made you cry right? Like we can’t possibly hold it in when being told to not cry..

I : It’s not like you cried because of you’re getting yelled at right? It’s different than that. When your in a work and start acting..like, Goumoto-san’s Kondo Isami’s back is too large..

A : Yeah, being there must’ve been hard. Looking at Nagasone-san’s sight holding back his tears even though it’s painful, i could really understand his feelings.  But on the contrary, in Musubi No Hibiki, i’ve been told to cry like a kid, over Hijikata-san’s death. In that flash, i feel like i’m coming out, as my character.

I : Indeed..

A: But after all, it was really nice to show out the relationships between the swords. As i thought, Tenroden is so great.

I : I thought Shinsengumi as a “negative aesthetics” , so that, how to say it..i feel like there’s something irreplaceable on them, for me.

A : Right, like as a samurai, they wanted to be a samurai, and then they became one. There’s a change period that suddenly changed the historical context between these people who became a samurai.

I : Right, right

A : Like seriously, because it’s the swords of the people that lived in agitation—

I : That’s too great

A : I kinda think about this, at first, we do things like sword rehearsals, the ones that we did in the Shieikan. There’s maybe like some points where they’re longing (admire) to their previous aruji. I think that’s because they have been watching over (they’re previous-aruji) since they were a sword, so that’s some kind of a feeling of respect to the higher-ups of Shinsengumi.

A : This time’s Bakumatsu Tenroden is a reprise, but for those who are able to come, maybe you could deepen your knowledge about Shinsesngumi first, after all, if you know the history, you’ll be able to get deeper (into the story).

I : But i think, maybe the people who are coming knows ten times better about this matter than us.

A : *laughs* I’ve talked this far but—it’s amazing right?

I : I told you, i thought about this. We are reading out such things as letters (from the listeners) right? The way they’re choosing the words is amazing! So that i thought, people who likes swords knows a lot about history. (So that) we have to show it to them.

A : Well, it’s giving some kind of pressure, right?

I : Right, right

A : Because we’ll have those kind of people watching our show right..i mean even in Musubi no Hibiki, we had the grandchild of Hijikata Toshizou from the Hijikata Toshizou Museum coming to the show.

I : That was amazing

A : That was amazing.

I : They (the grandchild) was called.

A : The descendants of him is coming to see the show! Touken Ranbu is amazing right?

I : Yes.

A : We have to make a it fun for the approach for that matter, even though this time is a reprise and the show will be renewed, while deepening our knowledge at this matter, let’s be more detailed with this!

I : There’s no doubt.

A : Right?!

I : Well if we start talking about this matter, it’ll take four years to finish.

A : *laughs* It’ll take four years—

I : Right, four, four years—

A : Alright, with that being said, we have just brought to you a lot of Musical Touken Ranbu Bakumatsu Tenroden’s charms! Then, we’re gonna read the letters!

I : Yes

A : Right..*surprise sound effect* we received one from : Saniwa name : Kirihimi-san! Thank you!

I : Thank you!

A : “My body is so stiff, even though i stand and try to bend down, my hands will only reach a little bit under the knee.”

I : So stiff!

A : Right, it’s really stiff.

I : Are you okay?!

A : *laughs* Well, there was a self-quarantine period after all.

I : Yes.

A : “Of course, for me it’s barely possible too to raise my feet to an almost horizontal level. Lately i’ve been doing stretching and now my fingertips are almost able to reach to the ground.

I : Wow, that’s amazing!

A : “My fingertips are still unable reach down (to the ground) just yet, but i’m doing my best though! Actors out there does dance flexibly and does intense sword fights too, and i feel like “Their body could really move (a lot)”. If you have any tips on making a body flexible , i really want to know!”

With that being said, thank you!

I : Thank you-!

A : What do you think, Yuu-kun?

I : I’m also stiff too, you know.

A : But you know, for me, speaking of stretching, do you remember it?! When we first joined Touken Ranbu, we will work together as a pair to stretch out the muscles around the shoulder blades—

I : Kensuke and Shotaro was a pair right. Kensuke’s way of doing it is---he’s always like “ It hurts it hurts it hurts!” and it keeps echoing in the rehearsal hall...and Tori-chan always shouts “You’re noisy!”. That scenery is really Shinsengumi.

A : Right..moreover that’s a thing that the more you do, the better it is. Even though the next day your body feels like ten times loosen (relaxed) up, but it hurts at first, that is...

I : That’s why, doing it too much is a no. But as i thought, it’s the best if you do it after you took a bath.

A : I see

I : Another thing, for me, i’ll go to a hot spring,  and hot springs are spacious right? If there’s not many people, i’ll start stretching. If you’re stretching after a bath, i think your body will be a lot more flexible.

A : Then, Yuu-kun, are you flexible now?

I : Well, i’m really--i’m an iron man now.

A : Iron man--Then, then, just a litlle bit, we’re going to do rehearsals soon, let’s test out between the two of us, how much far could we go, let’s prepare for it

I : Right, you got a point there

A : Well, it’s important to know the current state of our own. So let’s make sure of our present condition.

I : Well then, let’s do that first,

A : This one right?

I : Right, you do it first, Sho.

A : You know, it’s impossible for me now.

I : For me, right now (is impossible) too—

A : Ooh, my fingertips could barely reach—

I : Fingertips reaching—

A : Ah, it hurts it hurts i hurts. I’m up to my first joints.

I : Okay, i’ll go—ah, me too.

A : Up to the first joints of your fingertips---but it looks like you’ll be able to reach it

I : No, well my fingertips does reach, but it simply hurts.

A : This is crazy for me. I felt like some kind of sharp pain just now. It’s like pikipikipikii.

I : For me, lately, my waist have gone weaker—

A : *laughs* I don’t know about that—i don’t know anything about that

I : My waist is weak, so kind of understand Kirihimi-san’s feelings.

A : In the waist matter?

I : Yeah, in that matter. Let’s work hard together about that.

A : Therefore, we’ll soon start our stretches too, let’s start preparing for it, carefully! Everyone too, if you’d like, please note down and try the method recommended by Yuu-kun!

I : Right~

A : With that being said, we will still wait for e-mails from you! The addres is written on all lowercase : touken2_5@nippon.com, that is! We’re waiting for your impressio after listening to the broadcast and we’re waiting for a lot of questions for the Touken Danshi!

A: Here’s the Toumyu Information! Utaawase Ranbu Kyouran 2019 is now on stream at dmm.com! The bluray and DVD, and the yearly photobook is now on sale too!

I : Touken Danshi : formation of Kisho’s CD Single “ Yakusoku no Sora” is now on sale. And on the August 26th, Kisho Hongi’s CD Album will be on sale.

A : Futhermore, to celebrate Musical Touken Ranbu’s 5th Anniversary, “Musical Touken Ranbu Music Clip 2015-2020” Bluray and DVD pre-orders are open. About that, please check Toumyu’s Official Site for the latetst news!

I : The Musical’s original draft : Touken Ranbu Online’s PC Version and Smarthphone App version is available to play. Time Limited Smithing Event “Nikkou Ichimonji” is until today, August 16th, 23.59 PM. You can find more information about it in Touken Ranbu Online’s official Twitter, so please try and play it!

Touken Ranbu 2.5 Radio!

A : Toumyu’s Picture Book!

A : Episode 11, the Touken Danshi Arisawa Shotaro will tell  you is ; Mikazuki Munechika!

A : A tachi made by Sanjou Munechika, a swordsmith from Heian era. He's one of the Five Heavenly Swords, and is reputed as the most beautiful of them. As a touken danshi, he has the elegance like that of a Heian noble. He's tolerant of others' misgiving, and he's very at-his-own-pace.

A : In Musical Touken Ranbu, he is portrayed by Kuroba Mario-kun. Kuroba Mario-kun’s Mikazuki Munechika is : “Extraordinary Sexiness”.

Please look forward to the next episode of Toumyu’s Picture Book!

A : FM93, AM1242, broadcasted from Tokyo Yuurakuchou Nippon Housou, Touken Ranbu 2.5 Radio, it’s now the ending time! Thank you for having us in three consecutive weeks!

I : Thank you-!

A : Well the two of us contacts each other frequently, so even in the radio, we’re getting along well.

I : A-I got it.

A : You’re hungry?

I : I’m hugry. I drank too much water.

*laughs wwww*

A : Alright. With that being said, thank you!

I : Yes.

A : I’m waiting till the next time we would be able to work together again!

I : Right.

A : You could find the past archives of the broadcast in the programs homepage! The program’s twitter it @touken2_5radio. Please follow it, retweet it, use the hashtag and tweet about it, let’s hype up the program!

A : With that being said, we’re the ones brought the show to you ;

“Yeah yeah, it's ok if I'm vice-captain, right?” Izuminokami Kanesada’s actor, i’m Arisawa Shotaro! and—

I : “There is no enemy that I can't cut!”, Nagasone Kotetsu’s actor, i’m Imari Yuu!

Byebye~!

 Notes :

The link to the show on Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRbJux7NqU4

a.  Neither English or Japanese is my mother tongue, so i’m kind of unsure in some parts, either  i can’t really find the English terms of it or just simply unsure of what are they trying to mean, so i’m typing in italic in parts that i’m unsure with.

b. The underlined parts are an official script from either the anime, game, or the 2.5 projects, so i’m taking the translation from Touken Ranbu Wikia in Fandom.com (https://touken-ranbu.fandom.com/)

c. Translation with notes (the ones with striketroughs) :

1. It’s 初演 (shoen), literally means first performance, like the whole set of the first performance of Bakumatsu Tenroden back in 2016. Not to be mistaken with初日 (the first day of performance).

2. Refers to Meguro Gajoen, “....is a historic wedding, hotel and restaurant building located on the eastern edge of Shimomeguro.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meguro_Gajoen)

3. I’m translating the phrase “背中がでかすぎて“ with it’s literal meaning, but i don’t know if there’s any Japanese terms for “a big back” having a connotative meaning.

4. i heard it as 負の美学 (red; fu no bigaku), literally means “negative aesthetics” but i’m not sure if it’s written like that. I can’t find any other word that fits. I hope i did not misheard and/or mistranslated this.

5. 試衛館, a place related to the Shinsengumi..pardon me if i misheard this. You can Google this one if you wanna know what kind of place it is, though. Just in case.

6.  He use the term 柔らかい, it literally means “soft”. But i don’t think it makes sense in English as there’s no term such as a soft body (or there is?) so i used flexible as the closest meaning. Again, pardon me because neither English or Japanese is my first language.

7. He said 肩甲骨の筋膜, literally means “the fascia of the scapula”, but it’s too scientific i don’t even know what it it called in my first language and i don’t know if it’s commonly used in English, so i put another word with a similar meaning, but less-specific.

8. I heard this one as 刀ミュ図鑑, i’m not sure with the kanji of “zukan”, but i chose to translate it to Picture Book as Touken Ranbu has one. (The 刀剣乱舞絢爛図録).

[ikusayu-no-hana]

139th & 140th touken radio sessions translation ~

U = Umetsu Mizuki, W = Wada Takuma. [ ] = my inputs.

139th session!

W: In 2205 AD, the History Revisionists launched attacks into the past in an attempt to alter history. In order to stop them, the Time Government, dispatched Saniwa to every time period. Saniwa have the ability to awaken the hearts of inanimate objects and bestow fighting power unto them. The tsukumogami born thus are called “Touken Danshi”. Touken Ranbu, shall we begin? How will you spend today? Touken Ranbu, 2.5 radio!!

~

W: Good evening! This is Kasen Kanesada’s actor, Wada Takuma, from Butai Touken Ranbu.

U: Good evening! This is Yamanbagiri Chougi’s actor, Umetsu Mizuki, from Butai Touken Ranbu. This is a program that alternates between the casts of Butai Touken Ranbu, aka Tousute, and Musical Touken Ranbu, aka Toumyu. This month is Butai Touken Ranbu’s turn! (<- very excitedly).

W: What happened today? (laughs) You’ve got completely different energy from usual.

U: Hahaha, Last time, during the mic check, I was told “please be more spirited!” since it was morning.

W: So you tried to improve? (U: yes) It seems that tomorrow is the spring equinox, and we’ll gradually start experiencing spring weather soon. What are some moments that make Ume-chan feel “spring has come!”?

U: Let’s see…. it’s when my eyelids start closing.

W: …what the heck! (U: hahaha) So anyways, this time the two of us are planning to do a challenge. [Ume-chan starts laughing again bc Kuma starts talking quickly and cuts off what he was saying, and Kuma also laughs.] You too, can do the challenge on twitter. The program’s hashtag is toukenranbu2_5. Please enjoy all the way to the end tonight!

~

W: This time there’s a special idea (U: oh?); Touken Ranbu 2.5 radio Cult Quiz!

U: Waaaa a cult quiz?

W: Yes. The recordings of guest casts from the previous sessions until now will be played. You have to remember what the guest talked about, and guess what they said in that particular portion. The two of us have to compete on guessing what the redacted section says.

U: I wonder from how long ago they’ll be…

W: There’ve been so many [sessions].

U: As a member of the radio, it’s been two years…

W: Right, so if a recording comes from before that –  

U: well, as expected, [inaudible]

W: Well, let’s get to it quickly with the first question. The first question is: from the 75th radio session, featuring Kikkou Sadamune’s actor Matsui Yuho as guest. Ume-chan was the personality [back then] so I hope you’ll will answer well.

U: I see.

W: Oh yeah, if you can’t remember I’ll back you up :)

U: (laughs) Please do.

W: Let’s hear the first recording.

M: Being Sho-kun’s, um, understudy and substitute, was the worst. U: (laughs) why?! M: ww No, I love Sho-kun, I like him a lot, but I couldn’t ever match Sho-kun’s ◯◯◯◯.

W: So: ‘couldn’t match Sho-kun’s ◯◯◯◯’, like Matsui-kun is envious.

U: I don’t remember hearing ‘Sho-kun’ before so I thought ‘who could that be?’ but it’s Kato Sho!

W: Ah! Kato Sho?!

U: This is the first time I’m hearing him being called ‘Sho-kun’ (W: right). Hm, let’s see. Gifted acting skills? (buzz)

W: Wrong. Something that can’t be done except by him, I think I sort of know what it is.

U: Yeah, it’s that isn’t it. I’m trying to think of how Yuho-san worded it.

W: Comebacks? (buzz) Wrong.

U: Wrong, huh………………..Amazing determination? (buzz)

W: Wrong. The hint is: ‘instantaneous.’

U: Instantaneous….?

W: Instantaneous ◯◯◯◯.

U: Instantaneous determination? (buzz) Eh? Instantaneous…

W: I don’t know. The answer is, ‘instantaneous exploding power.’

U: Aaaaah so it was the power of explosion.

W: Back then during Jiden, Matsui Yuho had nine roles to remember as an understudy. From those nine he was particularly concerned with being Kato Sho-kun’s understudy, and that was when he said he felt he couldn’t match Sho-kun’s exploding power.

U: Somehow it wasn’t full-on exploding power was it? (W: that’s right) Hahaha.

W: That’s a really extraordinary thing.

U: The next question is from the 92nd session – my solo talk – for Wadakkuma-san (W: sure.) this session I talk about my mindset post-Kahakugeki Butai Touken Ranbu /Tomoshibi: Kiden Ikusayu no Adabana Ikusayu no Adabana no Kioku. The question will be from this talk. Let’s hear the clip.

U: Speaking of the play, I might call it wildly ambitious. Like everyone’s saying, the meaning in whether we’re able to keep the fire in the lamp burning and safely ◯◯◯◯ was the thing that caused greatest concern.

U: Yes. So, what did I say in place of that didididididi (mimicking the sound) right now?

W: To keep the fire in the lamp burning…..Knowing Ume-chan, I know you’ve used fancy words from your vocabulary.

U: (giggles cutely)

W: ‘Keep going ceaselessly’ is it? (U: oh?) (buzz) Ah, wrong.

U: Wrong.

W: For us to keep burning the flame beautifully like the burner of a spirit lamp used in science experiments?

U: (buzz) Nah that’s wrong. You’d call that beautiful? (laughs)

W: Made you deadpan right?

U: (laughs) It seems that it’s about a specific Thing.

W: A thing? (U: yes) To keep – to keep the firewood incoming? [he’s taking the fire metaphor sooo seriously] (buzz)

U: Haha. Wrong

W: Eh why? What is it… (repeating the phrase to himself)

U: ‘To uphold something’ is the hint.

W: Uphold?

U: Something that’s upheld. Upheld.

W: A torch! (buzz)

U: Wrong.

W: Ughhhhh. Something that’s upheld…

U: To hold up something.

W: Uphold… [they’re just going around in circles lol]

U: Can’t figure it out huh? So the answer is (W: what is it??): to be able to uphold the banner

W: AH! I see.

U: “Suemitsu-san had said: ‘We may be the first to resume such large-scale performances.’ Keeping at it in the midst of a delicate situation isn’t a small thing.” That was what I said.

W: To uphold the banner, right?

U: Really, that was the feel of it.

W: I do remember Suemitsu-san saying that, during the dress rehearsals.

U: It feels nostalgic.

W: At that level, doing a performance feels tantamount to standing on the battlefield.

U: Yeah, like meeting everyone’s frustrations and disappointments head-on. Onto the third question; the 121st session, when Matsuda Ryo came as a guest (W: oh!). Wadakkuma-san was the personality for the session. There’s a written question for this so I’ll read it out: Matsuda Ryo-san and Wadakkuma-san agreed on two things. One was to work on a production together. What was the other thing?

W: …... eh? The other one? It’ll be something unexpectedly simple (U: oh?). Having a drink together. (buzz)

U: Something more mutually engaging [lit. something they both have mutual affection for].

W: More? I did want to co-star…

U: To live as roommates. (buzz)

W: …no. (U: Hahahahaha) That’s – haha, that’s too much like a college student thing. There was something, what was it? (sounds of puzzlement). Something common about a performance. He said something about having calculated and done something… it’s hard to remember when asked about it.

U: Calculated and done…something related to Suemitsu-san?

W: I got it. (snaps finger smugly) I’ve remembered. In Tousute, in terms of doing Touken Danshi, he can act out the character as long as he reads the script itself. (Ding ding ding!)

U & W: Woahhhhhh!

M: Speaking for myself – I don’t know if Suemitsu-san thinks the same – but what he’s thought of, what he’s expecting, his supportiveness, is all written in the script. There isn’t too much discussion. It’s a matter of talking through my portrayal. W: I think so too. M: Ah! Really? W: I don’t talk extensively with Suemitsu-san about what to do or what I want to do. If the things written in the script – if you read the script, you realize Suemitsu-san’s the type to put in the things he wants into the nature of it.

W: I remembered…

U: Correct! That’s amazing.

W: Listening to it again is making me cringe so hard. But truthfully, if you look at it that way, of course there are times when you consult for improvement, but Suemitsu-san’s image of the script is quite clear cut. In that sense, I think that everything is properly written in the script, but that was still super embarrassing.

U: We had a talk on precisely that during this rehearsal, right? (W: right.) In other words, the correct answer was the reading from Suemitsu-san’s manuscript.

W: Ahhh, we’ve come a long way.

U: We have.

W: Because, this is the 139th session.

U: The session Matsuda Ryo-san came as guest was the 121st

W: The one from before with Yuho was…

U: 70th…..

W: Alright. So that was Touken Ranbu’s 2.5 Cult Quiz!

[Next is the Tousute information corner, where they read out the performance dates, locations, streaming details, Kiden’s DVD release, Tousute’s 5th Anniversary Books]

~Ending Comments [abridged]~

U: Saniwa, listen well! Prepare for the Great Invasion. For more information, please check out Touken Ranbu’s official twitter page!

W: It’s become time to end…Next session is going to be the last.

U: (dramatic) EH? WHAT DID YOU SAY?

W: You already knew that!

U: Hahahahaha

W: Noo!!! Nooooooo

U: Damn it! Hahaha

W: How many times? How long will you continue this for? If it’s about money I’ll hand it over!!!

U: AHAHAHAHA (leaning away from the mic) how about that, Nippon Housou-san?

W: I don’t have that much money on hand but if it’ll solve the problem, I’ll give it!

U: I’m actually in the process of saving up –

W: Oi oi oi, senpai! Ah, it’s so sad.

U: It’s just now that I’m thinking of it.

W: Right? The cult quiz we did earlier really made us look back. Just like Touken Ranbu, our history has accumulated, hasn’t it?

U: Well, but still, there definitely will be a next time.

W: That’s right. We’ll begin again someday [quoting Manba from Hiden’s last scene.] We’ll do our best to improve and return along with this program!

U: Yes, we’ve got next week as well!

W: That’s right. (Realization hits) That’s right!!! We’ve still got next week!!!! [can’t make out this part bc they’re laughing so much)

[…] U: Your companions up till now have been Yamanbagiri Chougi’s Umetsu Mizuki and –

W: Kasen Kanesada’s Wada Takuma!

U&W: Bye bye!!

[Giden’s OP fades away]

140th session!

U: In 2205 AD, the History Revisionists launched attacks into the past in an attempt to alter history. In order to stop them, the Time Government, dispatched Saniwa to every time period. Saniwa have the ability to awaken the hearts of inanimate objects and bestow fighting power unto them. The tsukumogami born thus are called “Touken Danshi”. Touken Ranbu, shall we begin? Kept you waiting, huh? Touken Ranbu, 2.5 Radio!!

~

U: At last, we’ve reached Senshuuraku.

W: Nope.

U: Nope?

W: No way.

U: No way?

W: No way!

U: Shall we –

W: Continue?

U: Go on recording like this?

W: You know, even if I don’t get picked up on the radio waves, I’ll keep on continuing this back-and-forth.

U: Hahaha, Is there any meaning in that?

W: It’ll be a solo talk. It’s over…...

U: It’s ending isn’t it.

W: I haven’t been with Aramaki-senpai even once! We were together on All-Night Nippon Zero but,

U: But that was last year’s event.

W: Why the heck is the club being disbanded without the senpai?

U: And they aren’t even here for this last session. (W: really!!!) I wonder why…You’d think Makki-san would be invited.

W: It means it’s not over yet.

U: That’s right, not until Makki-san comes (W: Until he comes!) Yes, so please do enjoy this last session on the program’s twitter! The program’s hashtag is toukenranbu2_5. Please enjoy all the way to the end tonight as well.

~

U: […] Touken Ranbu 2.5 Radio began in 2019.

W: Like a club activity.

 U: Haha, isn’t it like a graduation?

W: I’m a first-year, I’ve still got two more years. All the senpai will be graduating one by one, but I’ll still be here.

U: The alumni keep coming to the club activities even if they don’t have to! (*both laugh*) They’re still with us.

W: Do you remember the first time you MCed?

U: The time I solo MCed, I had to search for keywords in the studio. That was 26th January 2019, so around two years ago. (W: woah) I remember it well. There was a brawny bodyguard standing at the entrance of the studio who didn’t let me out until I found the keyword. (*both laugh*)

W: Is that right? But did you ever imagine you’d become an MC?

U: No, I hadn’t. After all, even now, I’m not used to it.

W: Nah but I’m used to it though.

U: That’s fast! Hahaha, Isn’t that an SS-rank adaptability power? By the way, Wadakkuma-san became an MC on 18th July 2021, when Aoki Jin came.

W: Right, right. So around a year and a half later than Ume-chan.

U: That’s right, but you’ve appeared as a guest on 19th July and 26th July 2020. That was your introduction (W: That’s right). From then on, the radio appearances didn’t stop.

W: Um, I’ve come many times. I knew that Makki was the personality back then. So, in terms of sequential order, I wondered if that was my Sole Chance™ to make an appearance. When I saw Ume-chan (U: *already laughing*), I went “OI. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!” For a second, I thought that I couldn’t come [again].

U: Hahahaha, When you say it like that, I feel like I should apologize. (*both laugh*) Sorry. (W: No there’s no need.) It was fun…

W: We had fun. Later on, we had Nippon Zero’s live broadcast.

U: That’s nostalgic. Everyone got more and more drowsy as it went on. Hahaha, I remember it clearly. But really, did you not feel sleepy?

W: No, you see, I came by bicycle, so it was already too late for that.

U: So your body was energized?

W: Yeah, I was energized. We also had an Automatone didn’t we? (U: right) I heard from someone from the staff that when Maywa Denki’s [the company that makes the Automatones] president woke up on the morning after the broadcast, he was shocked at the rise in sales. [It was even trending on Japanese twitter!]

U: That must’ve been a good morning.

W: Ume-chan was magnificent though. [It was Ume-chan who brought the Automatone lol.]

U: If you do something like this people are sure to go ‘we’ll buy that!’

W: Should we do a commercial?

U: Definitely. I look forward to it. Let’s have everyone in the radio club play it [the Automatone].

W: That’d be interesting.

U: Ahahaha, Speaking of, wasn’t Wadakkuma-san cold being outside?

W: That’s right! (U: *laughs*) Why was I, at the start, with Tamura Shin-kun [Myu’s Mutsu]…. the two of us (U: Where were you?) were outdoors. [pic of the two of them btw.]

U: I really still don’t get why the two of you were outside, hahahaha. It was fun. By the way, there are various inputs that’ve piled up from mail that was addressed to Touken Ranbu 2.5 Radio. Let’s start going through them right away. Ok, let’s start from this. From Saniwa Mio-san.

W: Thank you very much.

U: Thank you very much. “I have a question about something I’m very curious about. Everyone is busy doing intense combat and running from one end of the stage to the other in a great hurry, but I get surprised when you reappear from the wings with the makeup restored (*both laugh* W: Is there a reason for that?!) In particular, Kasen-san who is played by Wada-san. His makeup up change in his Uchiban being faithful to the original deeply moved me. (W: Ohh!) Does the makeup-san come to the stage wings to instantly fix it? I’d like to hear stories about the makeup scene in Butai Touken Ranbu.”

W: (impressed) Amazing. You’ve got a good eye (U: That’s right). You know, that really is the case. The makeup in the normal costume is changed in the Uchiban costume. Uchiban has a brighter colour of eyeshadow applied over the eyelids (U: eh…) It’s quickly changed makeup.

U: There is always more of a hurry when putting on the Uchiban clothes.

W: It’s a big hurry. That’s why the makeup staff is on standby in the wings, and after the exit, while we’re changing costumes, the regular makeup is removed, and then between that and putting on the Uchiban makeup, the costume is put on. It’s… a Great Construction™

U: Great Construction™! Hahahaha

W: But you really did notice it very well.

U: It’s amazing, they’re looking very closely. There are definitely moments when there’s a close-up and it makes you go ‘hmmm….’

W: Right… wah, I should be more careful…

U: Haha, about what?

W: I’ve already been very careful until now but I’m happy that you’re watching and noticing to that extent. I’ll also pass it on to the makeup staff. I’m glad…

U: Above all else, isn’t eye makeup quite difficult to fix?

W: That’s right. They really fix my face firmly in one position and that bodily experience is profound. (*Ume-chan losing it*) I can’t move my face at all and all of it is stripped off.

U: [can’t make out what he’s saying but it makes both of them laugh T-T]

W: Exactly, exactly, exactly. Shall we do one more? Saniwa name: Recently-Ate-Ichigo-Daifuku-For-The-First-Time (U: That’s a lie, right? w. Thank you very much). “I once played Momotarou in a brass band concert.”

U: ‘Played Momotarou in a brass band concert…’

W: It’s interesting because its different, right? “At that time, it wasn’t to the same extent as proper sword fighting, but there was a little sword fighting. Back then, I hadn’t been introduced to either Touken Ranbu or Tousute, and I thought that if it had been now, I would have done my best in that scene. Do you two ever have moments where you think ‘back then, if I was into Touken Ranbu, I would have done OO’? I’m looking forward to Kiden!”

U: I don’t think I’d like that at a concert. Taking a clarinet or a trombone and going bang bang bang.

W: Are you that type of guy?!?!?!

U: Hahaha, I’d be told to let everyone concentrate on the musical performance.

W: I wonder how it was, a wind instrument band that played Momotarou. Did you do Momotarou while you were playing, or did you act while the rest of the band was playing at the back? (U: What did they do, the person-who-ate-Ichigo-daifuku-for-the-first-time?) Tro – surely the trombone wasn’t used as a weapon, right?

U: Swinging the trombone around a lot!

W: No supervising brass band club supervising teacher will forgive that!

U: Because it’s so expensive.  

W: “You’re the wrong person to learn it!!”

U: “Don’t you dare touch that!!” (Both laugh)

W: But is there? If you had known Touken Ranbu or Tousute before becoming an actor,

U: What would have been?

W: Would it have affected anything?

U: For example, if I had known in elementary school, I’d swing [an umbrella] around on rainy days.

W: That’s expected. If I had known Touken Ranbu, I’d have swung stuff around like it was a sword as part of my school shenanigans. (U: No doubt) Also, doesn’t Touken Ranbu cover history in depth? While repeating dialogue, I’d realize that this certain thing happened in this certain period. In that sense, if I’d known Touken Ranbu in school, I’d have a better score in social studies.

U: Hahaha, those will be limited opportunities though! Truth be told, that would be the cue to pique interest in history. Yes, so thank you to everyone who e-mailed us with your passion for the program. Next is the Tousute Information Corner!

[They announce Kiden performance dates, DVD etc, screening of Tousute performances in cinema theatres for the fifth anniversary.]

W: A message from the Government, and Mikazuki Munechika’s lamented white moon. For further information, please check out Touken Ranbu’s official twitter page!

~[Ending Comments]~

U: FM 93, AM 1242, 2.5 Touken Ranbu Radio, which has been brought to you by NHK from Tokyo Yūrakuchō��, has finally reached its climax.

W: Let’s stall for time. (U: HAHAHA) Lets buy as much time as possible.

U: How are you feeling?

W: I’m thinking I can still do more. (U: You can do more?) Like I said last time, if money can solve the problem, I'll put money into it! I want to tamper with this history.

U: Oh. Can we say that?

W: For the time being, I want to become a revisionist. I want to change this historyyyy!!

U: You’ll become an Oboro (W: Hahahaha, an oboro!) An Oboro Wadakkuma [referencing the Oboro characters from Iden]

W: I was, after all, an Oboro! [Probably someone’s dialogue from Iden, idr whose]

U: Hahaha, that’s a line that’s full of mourning for the last session. Ahh, somehow the last session is more energetic than the last. Is there anyone Wadakkuma-san’d like to invite? I’ll guess. (W: ??) As an example, Suzuki Hiroki-san. Suzuki Hiroki-san, that’s right, he hasn’t come yet.

W: He hasn’t been a guest on this radio. I’d like to talk with him, we’re guys who are the same age. What about Ume-chan?

U: Concerning those of the same age, there are many I’d like to invite, but (W: Apart from those of the same age) on a one-on-one basis that I haven’t talked to…..Takeshi Naoki. Naoki and I haven’t talked a lot together, so I’ve been meaning to do so.

W: Well surely, if, someday, 2.5 radio returns, those who haven’t come until now will be called as guests.

U: Well, even the water that’s sipped out from the earth will return to it.

W: So cool…. I really like this uncouth side of Ume-chan’s.

U: Thank you very much! Hahaha, anyway, instead of “in just a small amount of time”, it’s a “someday, once again,” so please wait a little. […] Your companions up till now have been Yamanbagiri Chougi’s Umetsu Mizuki and –

W: Kasen Kanesada’s Wada Takuma!

U & W: Thank you very much!!!

[Jiden's ED fades out]