#Harada Madoka

[twig-tea]

Spoiler-free Pitch for Oppan (Ossan no pantsu ga nandatte ii janai ka)

Thanks to @isaksbestpillow generously creating subtitles for this show we have access to arguably the best family drama of the year, and what has become one of my favourite series of all time.

The premise is essentially: Makoto, a 'traditional' family man in his 50s who feels alienated from his wife and two kids, decides to learn to 'update' his beliefs with the help of a young gay man who befriends him.

There are so many pitfalls and ways this premise could go wrong, and the show falls into none of them. Daichi, the gay character that befriends Makoto, has a boyfriend, and they both have their own arcs. The friendship is two-way, and they both benefit from the relationship. Makoto's wife, son, and daughter all also have arcs, and we get to understand and love all of these characters. Nobody is in this show exclusively as a foil for Makoto; everyone gets to be their own person. The show is careful to not only show multiple experiences of gay characters, but also to chastise people in the show for making assumptions, as those can be hurtful, even when well-intentioned. And yes, while it isn't the focus of the show, we do get to see some of Daichi and Madoka's romance.

This show is so well-written, each episode is satisfying and builds on the previous one. The journey to improvement is not a straight line but a spiral, and Oppan depicts that so well. The mistakes Makoto makes are believable and realistic. And the way Makoto's relationships improve in every aspect of his life as he works on himself is gradual, realistically depicted, and so, so satisfying to watch. Trust is earned, and we see him slowly earn trust over time as he changes his behaviour. We also see the damage his past behaviour has wrought, and see him reconcile himself to that.

One of the best things this show does is viscerally illustrate how harmful upholding societal stigma and judgment is to those you love, and to yourself. Makoto's toxic masculinity, homophobia, amatonormativity, and judgment of anything he deems as "silly" or "abmnormal" hold his family back from connecting with him, and hold himself back from experiencing joy. Themes include (but are not limited to) sexuality, gender presentation, idol fandom, BL fandom, makeup, fashion, and workplace culture. And it isn't just familial relationships this show cares about; it touches on friendships, romantic, sibling, parental, and coworker relationships.

The lesson at the core of Makoto's journey is that genuine connection with others is how we heal and find joy, and that we can only have that genuine connection if we're able to make space for others to be themselves in our presence through kindness. And it's that core that makes this show so powerful, and made me cry (with happiness, catharsis, and relief) so many times. I genuinely feel like it healed something in me to watch this show.

Even putting all of that aside, this show is funny, and genuinely satisfying as a story arc. There's Carlos, the family dog who always seems to know what's going on and nudges Makoto when he needs it. Makoto's actor, Harada Taizo, makes some incredible faces. There are hilarious cut-aways mid-scene, usually when someone is getting too intense with their fansquee. The family dynamic, especially the sibling behaviour between Moe and Kakeru, is so hilariously familiar. It's not a chore to watch this show; it manages to be kind and healing and also fun.

Anyway. If that's not enough of a pitch for you, I've written about all of the 11 episodes individually, including outlining where and how each made me cry: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 . And I'm not the only one; if you want more company while watching, @bengiyo, @lurkingshan @mikuni14 and @mynamisnotthepoint wrote a bunch about this show too mostly broken out by episode.

And to relive the magic, @avorbl, @theside-b and @my-rose-tinted-glasses created some gorgeous gifs!

Siiri has instructions on her blog, but if you need help watching this show, feel free to DM me or send an ask.

[imasallstars]

THE IDOLM@STER M@STERS OF IDOL WORLD!!!!! 2023

Information regarding the MOIW 2023 live has been revealed! The live will occur in the TOKYO DOME on the 11th and 12th of February 2023. This live will feature all five brands of IDOLM@STER on the stage together after 8 years.

The voice providers participating in this stop are as follows:

DAY 1&2

IDOLM@STER 765PRO ALL STARS 　Eriko Nakamura (Haruka Amami), Asami Imai (Chihaya Kisaragi), Akiko Hasegawa (Miki Hoshii), Azumi Asakura (Yukiho Hagiwara), Mayako Nigo (Yayoi Takatsuki), Hiromi Hirata (Makoto Kikuchi), Naomi Wakabayashi (Ritsuko Akizuki), Asami Shimoda (Ami/Mami Futami), Manami Numakura (Hibiki Ganaha), Rie Kugimiya (Iori Minase)

DAY 1 ONLY

IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS 　Triad Primus [Ayaka Fukuhara (Rin Shibuya), Eriko Matsui (Nao Kamiya), Mai Fuchigami (Karen Hojo)], Eldritch Loreteller [Haruka Chisuga (Ryo Matsunaga), Chiyo Ousaki (Koume Shirasaka)], Cyber Glass [Mina Nagashima (Haruna Kamijo), Rui Tanabe (Hina Araki)], Foreign Seaside [Nao Toyama (Mizuki Kawashima), Miharu Hanai (Tomoe Murakami)], from U149 [Asaka Imai (Chie Sasaki), Tomoyo Kurosawa (Miria Akagi), Hana Tamegai (Risa Matoba)]

IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE 　Strawberry Pop Moon [Haruka Yamazaki (Mirai Kasuga), Azusa Tadokoro (Shizuka Mogami), Machico (Tsubasa Ibuki)], TIntMe! [Eri Inagawa (Tamaki Ogami), Akari Harashima (Iku Nakatani), Keiko Watanabe (Momoko Suou)], HanaSakuya [Yuu Kahara (Emily Stewart), Saki Minami (Tsumugi Shiraishi), Kotori Koiwai (Tomoka Tenkubashi)], Cleasky [Asuka Kakumoto (Elena Shimabara), Chouchou Kiritani (Miya Miyao)]

IDOLM@STER SideM 　DRAMATIC STARS [Shugo Nakamura (Teru Tendo)], Jupiter [Takuma Terashima (Toma Amagase), Daichi Kanbara (Hokuto Ijuin)], Beit [Shun Horie (Pierre), Tomohito Takatsuka (Minori Watanabe)], MofuMofuEn [Shogo Yano (Nao Okamura), Keisuke Furuhata (Shiro Tachibana)], C.FIRST [Yuri Ise (Shu Amamine), Masaya Miyakaze (Momohito Hanazono), Takeo Otsuka (Eishin Mayumi)]

IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS 　 Hokago Climax Girls [Hiyori Konno (Kaho Komiya), Haruka Shiraishi (Chiyoko Sonoda), Mariko Nagai (Juri Saijo), Wakana Maruoka (Rinze Morino), Akiho Suzumoto (Natsuha Arisugawa)], Straylight [Yuki Tanaka (Asahi Serizawa), Eri Yukimura (Fuyuko Mayuzumi), Sayaka Kitahara (Mei Izumi)], noctchill [Yuu Wakui (Toru Asakura), Rio Tsuchiya (Madoka Higuchi), Saran Tajima (Koito Fukumaru), Miho Okasaki (Hinana Ichikawa)]

DAY 2 ONLY

IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS 　Threat Sign [Sayuri Hara (Mio Honda), Makoto Koichi (Haru Yuuki), Teru Ikuta (Natalia)], Dimension-3 [Kotomi Aihara (Shiki Ichinose), Shiki Aoki (Asuka Ninomiya)], flamme martini [Maki Kawase (Tsukasa Kiryu), Sayaka Harada (Miyu Mifune), Satsumi Matsuda (Syoko Hoshi), Minori Suzuki (Hajime Fujiwara)], HappyHappyTwin [Hiromi Igarashi (Anzu Futaba), Rei Matsuzaki (Kirari Moroboshi)], miroir [Hina Tachibana (Nagi Hisakawa), Rika Nagae (Hayate Hisakawa)]

IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE 　Chrono-Lexica [Yuka Saito (Subaru Nagayoshi), Atsuki Nakamura (Roco Handa), Rika Abe (Mizuki Makabe)], Senkou☆HANABIDAN [Yuri Komagata (Sayoko Takayam), Nana Hamasaki (Noriko Fukuda), Yui Watanabe (Nao Yokoyama), Eri Ozeki (Minako Satake)], 4 Luxury [Arisa Kori (Kaori Sakuramori), Rie Suegara (Fuka Toyokawa), Emi Hirayama (Reika Kitakami), Minami Takahashi (Konomi Baba)]

IDOLM@STER SideM 　FRAME [Kentaro Kumagai (Hideo Akuno), Kento Hama (Ryu Kimura), Takuya Masumoto (Seiji Shingen)], Café Parade [Sho Karino (Yukihiro Kamiya), Takuya Kodama (Makio Uzuki), Daiki Kobayashi (Saki Mizushima)], F-LAGS [Yuko Sanpei (Ryo Akizuki), Shunya Hiruma (Kazuki Tsukumo), Takehiro Urao (Daigo Kabuto)]

IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS 　Illumination Stars [Hitomi Sekine (Mano Sakuragi), Mayu Mineda (Meguru Hachimiya)], L’Antica [Karin Isobe (Kogane Tsukioka), Chisa Suginuma (Mamimi Tanaka), Anna Yamaki (Sakuya Shirase), Shio Watanabe (Yuika Mitsumine), Yuina Mizuki (Kiriko Yukoku)], ALSTROEMERIA [Honoka Kuroki (Amana Osaki), Ryoko Maekawa (Tenka Osaki), Noriko Shibasaki (Chiyuki Kuwayama)], SHHis [Azusa Shizuki (Nichika Nanakusa), Aya Yamane (Mikoto Aketa)]

SPECIAL GUEST 　ZWEIGLANZ [Minori Chihara (Leon), Rie Takahashi (Shika)]

[dorothydalmati1]

Urusei Yatsura 2022 Season 1 Episode 22: Big Bottle, Little Bottle/When Love Strikes

Written by Yuta Suzuki

Directed by Yuichi Nakazawa

Big Bottle, Little Bottle:

Storyboard by Koichi Chigira

Animation directed by Yuka Harada, Tenkai, GRAND Guerrilla, Majin Bro & Roccia Nobili

When Love Strikes:

Storyboard by Hideya Takahashi

Animation directed by Kazayuki Ikai, Madoka Okazaki, Mami Takaishi, Mahmoud Moftah, Cyrus & Minoru Esaki

[luna-di-fuoco]

✨- How did you come up with the OC’s name?

🥊 -What do they love to do? What do they hate to do?

🧊 - Is their current design the first one?

🧠 - What do you like most about the OC?

Yukina, Izumi and Rei 👹👹

— @bihanspookies 🫶

eeeeee, the WMS girilies!!! 💓💓💓

YUKINA

✨- how did you come up with the OC’s name? - when i was about 13, my mom bought me an OVA from best buy called "seraphim call." in said OVA was a character whose name was yukina kurimoto (she was the first episode's lead if you're curious)

i don't know WHAT clicked in my brain, but from then on, i named my girl after her. the thing is, when you use an existing character's name verbatim, it might not bode well as it could be considered plagiarism and your OC gets mixed with the official character in art folders (OOPS)

once i was older and realized the error of my ways, i needed something to differentiated the two. so i changed the kanji:

seraphim call's yukina: 雪菜 (the kanji in her name mean "snow" and "vegetable")

my yukina: 雪奈 (the kanji in her name mean "snow" and "endure")

🥊 - what do they love to do? what do they hate to do? - yukina loves travelling, especially in the company of her friends and loved ones! from the northern reaches of ukyo ward to the openess beyond, she loves seeing new things and opening herself up to new expieriences

now, i don't think there's anything she hates doing...but i will say that she doesn't like cleaning the house when it's super hot out due to her sensitivity to heat. she has to either break up the chores per day or take breaks, neither of which she's a fan of

🧊 - is their current design the first one? - for the most part! originally, yukina was more of a self-insert and wasn't even a hybrid OC. back then, she was strictly a sailor moon OC and her guardian form was pink and red (like another sailor guardian. i think i'm seeing a pattern in baby luna's choices ghdjkfghfdlj)

but once i started crafting her to be her own character and made the original beats for "white moon saga" in 2009, she got an updated guardian form, casual clothes, etc.

since then, she's pretty much stayed the same!

🧠 - what do you like most about the OC? - oh gosh, there's a lot about yukina i enjoy. from her being the longest-lasting OC i have to being the building blocks of how to craft characters, this girl has a special place in my heart

BUT, if you wanna look at it from a different perspective, i love that despite her past and everything she's been through, she's remained kind. she could have easily been written to be a more tragic character with outward angst, but to me, the biggest flex a character can have is to be humble and kind after tragedy (even if you still suffer from it at an internal level)

IZUMI

✨- how did you come up with the OC’s name? - during WMS's early days, i wanted to have a character with the surname "harada" because WINK WONK, it was a tekken story lmaooooo. while that might be izumi's origin, her surname got scrapped fairly recently!

in 2022, i finally got the courage to write WMS in full (i only ever wrote small portions back in the day, and i think most of them are lost since the story has gone through multiple revisions)

while working on izumi's profile, i got the intuitive nudge to follow madoka magica's recipe of using two first names for a character (like kyoko sakura for example)

from there, her surname went from "harada" to "himeno"

🥊 - what do they love to do? what do they hate to do? - BAKING! izumi was part of the home ec club in high school, so it put her skill set to good use. she also loves going to j-pop / idol shows, catching up on her favorite manga, and hanging out with yukina at their favorite cafe

if there's anything izumi hates, it's taking tests. she's the type of person who procrastinates studying until last minute, which causes her IMMESNSE levels of stress. the only time she put her nose to the books was when during the college application process because her mom was INSISTENT she take it seriously (though in truth, it's because she wanted to attend college in her hometown of fukuoka)

🧊 - is their current design the first one? - yes! of the three main girlies, izumi is the only one to retain her OG design without any sort of adjustment (minor or major)

🧠 - what do you like most about the OC? - in my eyes, izumi's the kind of person you'd want as your friend! she's bubbly, fun, and cares a lot about your well being. she's also the type to say things as they are, which you need now and again. it might cause some tension, but it's better to have someone be honest than try and be your "yes man"

REI

her questions spoil some things in "white moon saga," so from here on, answers will be under the cut

✨- how did you come up with the OC’s name? - in the early days of WMS, yukina (or selene in this case) had the closest bond to sailor mars during her time in crystal tokyo

when adding rei to the story, i wanted to pay homage to that bond by giving her the same name. i'll admit that i've tried giving her a new name over the years, but no matter what i tried, nothing stuck, so she remains as "rei" to this day! she also has her name written in katakana, same as the guardian of fire

🥊 - what do they love to do? what do they hate to do? - rei's a little bit of a mythology buff, so she loves looking into the occultism and mythos of the world to learn about the past. she also loves travelling and exploring new places her mother before her

like yukina, i don't think rei hates doing anything in particular; however, her incarnation during the main story suffers from social anxiety, so for her, a lot of things are scary ghfkjghdlk

🧊 - is their current design the first one? - of all the OCs i have, rei went through the most drastic change. originally, she had dark brown hair with red tips and was styled like misa amane's from death note (this style remains in her child / toddler design, though)

oddly enough, when i first saw juri oba from magia record, i was like, "...EXCUSE ME. that's...that's old rei's hair" gdfhjghdl. nowadays, she rocks a head of blonde hair that's a couple of inches past her shoulders and wisps out of the ends; in the epilogue, her hair is halfway down her back

fashion wise, though, she's stayed being a mix of her mother and father's aesthetics, so that luckily stayed

🧠 - what do you like most about the OC? - watching rei evolve has been the greatest joy. from her shrinking violet days in the main story to her more confident and assured self in the epilogue, her growth is a reflection of my own; not only as a writer, but as a person

thanks for asking! | send an OC question

[infobitch]

HORNY ANGRY TANGO [LINK]

w/ NG Katsuo and Madoka lmfao

      (god that one screencap where i aggressively shaded katsuo in what was i doing)

for @the-shima4ages​

plus: the spouses

[disintegrateddragon]

Pretty Boy.png

[cocotome]

Ok! I know, I’m super late (this was supposed to be posted a few days ago) but here it is! The full list of seiyuu that will be present for Otomate Party 2022!

September 3, 2022

Hakuoki

Morikubou Shoutarou (Okita Souji) Toriumi Kousuke (Saitou Hajime) Yusa Kouji (Harada Sanosuke)

Amnesia

Kakihara Tetsuya (Shin) Taniyama Kishou (Ikki) Miyata Kouki (Ukyou) Takahashi Hidenori (Waku)

Charade Maniacs

Suzumura Kenichi (Banjou Tomose) Namikawa Daisuke (Chigasaki Mamoru) Furukawa Makoto (Dazai Mei)

Cendrillon Palika

Uchida Yuuma (Ulen Muller) Namikawa Daisuke (Klone Spinel) Okitsu Kazuyuki (Rindo Westeria) Toriumi Kousuke (Natra Peony) Yashiro Taku (Shion Lalique)

September 4, 2022 - Day

Nil Admirari no Tenbin

Okamoto Nobuhiko (Kougami Akira) Kimura Ryouhei (Ukai Shougo) Suzumura Kenichi (Migawa Shizuru)

Piofiore no Banshou

Ishikawa Kaitou (Dante Falzone) Morikubou Shoutarou (Gilbert Redford) Okamoto Nobuhiko (Yang) Kimura Ryouhei (Nicola Francesca)

Olympia Soiree

Uemura Yuuto (Amakusa Shirou Tokisada) Horie Shun (Himuka) Okitsu Kazuyuki (Tsukuyomi)

Birushana Senki

Furukawa Makoto (Minamoto no Yoritomo) Fukuyama Jun （Taira no Tomomori) Kawanishi Kengo (Taira no Noritsune) Kondou Takashi (Satou Tsugunobu)

September 4, 2022 - Night

Clock Zero

Maeno Tomoaki (Kano Riishiro) Toriumi Kousuke (Hanabusa Madoka) Sugiyama Noriaki (Saionji Toranosuke) Sudou Shou (Hanabusa Nakaba)

Collar x Malice

Morita Masakazu (Yanagi Aiji) Kimura Ryouhei (Shiraishi Kageyuki) Ono Yuuki (Saeki Yuzuru)

Cupid Parasite

Kimura Ryouhei (Gil Lovecraft) KENN (Shelby Snail) Yashiro Taku (Raul Aconite) Furukawa Makoto (Allan Melville) Okamoto Nobuhiko (Peter Flange)

Shuuen no Virche

Hirakawa Daisuke (Lucas Proust) Amasaki Kouhei (Mathis Claude) Yashiro Taku (Adolphe) Okitsu Kazuyuki (Ankou)

This event is going to be amazing! So many awesome titles and seiyuu! Plus, it’s exciting to see how many of these otome have been localized for the West! I think it’s so odd that NamiDai won’t be there for the second day considering he’s in 2 of the titles for the night performance (Clock Zero and Collar x Malice).

[natsthinkitythinkthinkthonk]

Some Tweets Remember Keiji Fujiwara

Keiji Fujiwara died of cancer at the age of 55. The news was devastating for the seiyuu community. Many seiyuu are remembering and looking back on their times with Fujiwara and the impact he made on them. A lot of anime I’ve watched wouldn’t have been the same without Fujiwara. From Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood to Dr. Stone, he shaped a lot of characters that I look back and smile thinking about. 

The following were all translated by @granblue_en on Twitter.

Takuya Eguchi

[original tweet | translation source]

Kaori Nazuka

[original tweet | translation source]

Tetsuya Fukuhara (creative director, Granblue Fantasy)

[original tweet | translation source]

Emiri Katou

[original tweet | translation source]

Yuuki Ono

[original tweet | translation source]

Madoka Yonezawa

[original tweet | translation source]

Tomoyo Kurosawa

[original tweet | translation source]

Koichi Haruta (former producer)

[original tweet | translation source]

Minoru Shiraishi

[original tweet | translation source]

Yuuichi Nakamura

[original tweet | translation source]

The following were translated by lig0schndr on Reddit

Ayana Taketatsu

Tomokazu Seki

Megumi Ogata

Mariya Ise

Nobunaga Shimazaki

Showtaro Morikubo

Marina Inoue

Romi Park

Natsuki Hanae

Toshiyuki Toyonaga

Kazuhiko Inoue

Yuki Kaji

Hiroki Yasumoto

Jouji Nakata

Katsuyuki Konishi

Shouta Aoi

Kensho Ono

Noriko Hidaka

Rie Tanaka

Kikuko Inoue

Ami Koshimizu

Megumi Han

Arisa Komiya

Ryotaro Okiayu

Kenjiro Tsuda

Nozomi Yamamoto

Kanako Kondo

Haruka Kudo

Hitomi Harada

Miyu Tomita

Wataru Hatano

Atsushi Abe

Suzuko Mimori

Atsuko Tanaka

Aya Suzaki

Sayaka Ohara

Asami Imai

Daisuke Hirakawa

Hikaru Akao

Yui Ishikawa

Toa Yukinari*

Kotono Mitsuishi*

Nobuhiko Okamoto (blog)

Nana Mizuki (blog)

Toshiyuki Morikawa (blog)

Satoshi Hino (blog)

Tatsuhisa Suzuki (blog)

Chie Nakamura (blog)*

* not translated

Taketatsu Ayana (Taketatsu and Fujiwara both voiced characters in Dagashi Kashi and co hosted a series of bonus videos released with the Blu-rays of the series)

Fujiwara Keiji-san.

When we had a photograph session together for a TV show, even though you said, "I'm shy, so I can't really talk much," after the session started and I was nervous you kindly threw me a lifeline and chatted with me a lot, and even at live events and such you've saved me so much.

I wanted to spend more time with you.

I wanted to thank you directly.

_______

Seki Tomokazu (Seki and Fujiwara both voiced characters for the same series several times including PSYCHO-PASS, Sengoku BASARA, and Hajime no Ippo)

The way you looked when you came to the studio with your script sticking out of your back pocket was so cool, and I often copied you. When we went to karaoke together, I would put on a song that had a video of your acting as a prank and put you in a bind so many times. I wanted to play around with you again. This feels too soon... Fujiwara-san. Truly, thank you for everything.

_______

Ogata Megumi

I've had the honor of working with you on various, many sets but... my strongest impression, is actually not from an anime, but from the drama CD "Radical Hospital".

Dr. Sakaki... Please say it's a joke like you always do...?

Fujiwara Keiji-san. Truly, thank you for everything. Please rest peacefully.

_______

Ise Mariya (Ise and Fujiwara both voiced main characters in HUNTER X HUNTER, and Ise references Fujiwara's role as Leorio in this tweet)

What I remember is His white shirt and the sunglasses he wore His gallant figure standing before the microphone His bashful smile when having friendly conversations His stylish behavior when everyone goes drinking Both his voice and his acting were so cool Everything about him was wonderful

Keiji-san really felt like Leorio to me I have so many pleasant and fun memories Thank you so much

_______

Shimazaki Nobunaga

Fujiwara Keiji-san, I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.

_______

Morikubo Showtaro

The tears won't stop.

_______

Inoue Marina

His voice, his acting, his smile, I loved them all.

_______

Park Romi (Park and Fujiwara both voiced important characters in Fullmetal Alchemist)

He just recovered...

Be it with Hagane, or Muji, or FA he was everyone's older brother...

He truly was Lieutenant Colonel Hughes.

Early Far too early...

Kei-chan You fought hard against what ailed you... Please rest well...

Your casual comments Even now I treasure.

Tonight I honor you...

I pray you rest in peace...

Notes: I'm not positive, but I believe in regards to the second line

"Hagane" likely refers to the first airing of Fullmetal Alchemist in 2003 that used the title 「鋼の錬金術師」 (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi).

"Muji" seems like it refers to Zoids, the first Zoids anime series that is often referred to colloquially as "Muji Zoids", "No Label Zoids", to differentiate it from other Zoid series. In this series, Fujiwara voiced Irvine, a main supporting character and older brother figure to the main characters.

"FA" likely refers to the second airing of Fullmetal Alchemist in 2009 that used the titled 「鋼の錬金術師 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST」 and thus is sometimes referred to as "FA".

_______

Hanae Natsuki

This is too sad...

_______

Toshiyuki Toyonaga

My heart aches... The words won't come out...

_______

Inoue Kazuhiko

Eh, Fujiwara Keiji... No way. It's too early. I remembered well the times we worked together in the studio. It's too early. I'm so saddened.

_______

Kaji Yuuki (Kaji and Fujiwara both voiced characters for the same series several times including Magi and Shingeki no Kyojin)

Keiji-san. I wanted to talk with you more. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I had a father like you, if I could become a man like you, that kind of stuff, always, I thought to myself... I should have told you so. I wanted to talk with you more. I'm full of regret. I want to see you.

_______

Yasumoto Hiroki

Words don't suffice. He was cool. Truly. We had talked about him visiting my place and drinking some unopened wine.

_______

Nakata Jouji First tweet, and reply

He was shy and gave off the impression that he didn't like superficial relationships, but when I tried talking to him he replied with a bashful smile, that's what I recall. When I heard he returned to work and was doing independent work, I thought on my own that he was doing well, but... You must have had it hard, huh. However, you weren't the kind of person to say that out loud... You stayed true to yourself until the very end. I pray for you.

I wanted to meet with you and talk with you again.

_______

Konishi Katsuyuki

No way. When I was a fledgling, because his place was in the neighborhood he invited me for a meal, and I was really happy about that. I wanted to meet with you again.

_______

Shouta Aoi

I can no longer meet you again. By all means, I wanted to meet you again.

Just how much encouragement I received from the acting of that wonderful voice I grew accustomed to hearing from a young age.

From now on and always that wonderful voice of yours will remain in our hearts and ears.

Thank you for all the wonderful times you gave us.

_______

Ono Kensho

Fujiwara Keiji-san. He really is cool, and he is someone I look up to. We have the same birthday, and on my own I felt like we had an affinity... I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.

_______

Hidaka Noriko

Fujiwara-san...

I thought I could meet you again someday at the studio, truly unfortunate.

Thank you for everything. Please rest in peace...

_______

Tanaka Rie

Fujiwara Keiji-san...

The last time we met was during the recording for the Granblue Fantasy game...

I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.

_______

Inoue Kikuko

Kei-chan, I'm so sad.

You fought against illness for a long time... You truly gave it your all. Please rest well in heaven.

I won't forget your shy, bashful, and kind smile.

_______

Koshimizu Ami (Koshimizu and Fujiwara both voiced important characters in Eureka 7, and Koshimizu references her role as Anemone and Fujiwara's role as Holland in this tweet, as well as Tsujitani Kouji who voiced Dewey Novak in Eureka 7 and passed away in 2018)

Dewey and Holland, please stay a little longer.

I want you to stay. I wanted you to stay.

If you're not there, we can't fly freely...

Because you were there, we were able to live freely.

Thank you but I still don't want to say goodbye.

Sorry that Anemone is like this. If I could say one selfish thing please come back...

_______

Han Megumi (Han and Fujiwara both voiced main characters in HUNTER X HUNTER, and Han references Fujiwara's role as Leorio in this tweet)

Just last night, during HUNTER's rebroadcast, we just saw off Leorio as he departed for his trip, Fujiwara-san.

Family and comrade, always thinking of his friends and a warm man, a perfect fit, my beloved senpai.

Always with the message title "Miss lovely forehead"

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_CUIyQAKMX/?igshid=14scn4kzgey86

Forever, and ever...

_______

Arisa Komiya

Fujiwara Keiji-san. I had the honor of working with you for 1 year on Go-Busters, you were always so cool on set, it was my first dubbing experience and I learned so much from you. I wanted to work with you again. I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.

_______

Ryotaro Okiayu

I participated in "Hoshi Koe" at the Saitama venue last year, and you attended, Fujiwara-san.

I read your letters.

The last time I met you was back stage there.

It had been several years before then.

That's how it goes.

Thanks so much for everything.

Note: Hoshi Koe is the name of a series of events held in Japan by AIR AGENCY, a talent management and production company founded by Fujiwara Keiji in 2006.

_______

Kenjiro Tsuda

His white shirt His light colored sunglasses His cynical smile His casual way of walking into the studio His unshaven face His still shadow at Planetarium His husky voice His retreating figure as he left His appearance in a coat when he slowly spoke in his last moments

was cool

Thank you so much

Note: Planetarium is likely also referencing Hoshi Koe, which was held at planetariums in various cities in Japan.

_______

Yamamoto Nozomi

We acted together for the first time in UN-GO, and a while later when I greeted you at another set, you remembered me, saying, "I've met you before, right?" After that, when on the set for Utawarerumono you noticed my Ironman iPhone case and chatted with me, I was truly happy about each and every thing. I pray that you rest in peace.

_______

Kondo Kanako

I can't believe it. I really liked your cool roughness. Fujiwara-san. I pray that you rest in peace.

_______

Kudou Haruka

Is it because of the air pressure that my head hurts, or because I cried too much that my head hurts, I can't sort out my feelings. However, more than these sad feelings, I want to say so many times, "thank you."

Fujiwara-san.

We were together for my seiyuu debut work "Honey and Clover", and from there with "Noein" and "DEATH NOTE", our work together continued. I didn't know my right hand from my left, and you gave me so much advice.

On set you always spoiled me, listening to my trivial chatter with a smile.

I entered college, and even when I cut off all ties to the industry up to that point and distanced myself from work, every half a year you would send me a message asking "Are you doing all right?"

I entered my fourth year of college, and when I said to you, "I want to return to work!" you got a little angry, but you earnestly heard me out. Even though I caused trouble to a lot of people, you saying "Welcome Back!" with a smile has always supported me.

4 years after returning to work, when I was worried that I wasn't doing as well as I had hoped, you said "It'll be all right!" and gave me a push on the back, and I was able to move forward.

I really have been spoiled by you for so so long.

You taught me so many things, I couldn't hope to write them all out. About acting, about movies, about novels, about life.

Even now I still have the novel I received from you right on my bookshelf. From now on, every time I watch a Kubrick or Victor Erice movie, I feel I will remember you.

The fact that there will no longer be replies to my messages, and the fact that I can no longer see you, really really make me sad, but you will always be in my heart. It's all right. I'm an adult now, too. I want to become an adult like you, someone who is loved by many, and someone who can guide others.

Thank you so much.

_______

Harada Hitomi (Harada and Fujiwara both voiced characters for Senran Kagura, and Harada references Fujiwara's role as Kiriya in this tweet)

Keiji-san. Kiriya-sensei.

I've been helped, so much by you. Thank you so much.

_______

Tomita Miyu

Fujiwara Keiji-san, I had the honor of acting together with you for the first time in Kotobuki Hikoutai. Warm, and yet mischievous, I truly loved acting with that voice of yours.

I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.

_______

Hatano Wataru

Fujiwara Keiji-san. Across various works, I've been in your debt. When you called me for "Hoshi Koe", I was really happy. The warm advice from a senpai I look up to, and the smile after a recording session. I couldn't possibly forget. I pray that you rest in peace.

_______

Abe Atsushi

I've been in your debt since when I debuted. I see... We can't act together anymore...

_______

Mimori Suzuko

I'm thankful that I had the honor of working on the same set as you. Thank you so much.

_______

Tanaka Atsuko

It's a sad sunset...

_______

Suzaki Aya

I'm truly saddened.

_______

Ohara Sayaka

It's a lie

_______

Imai Asami

............

_______

Hirakawa Daisuke

Keiji-san... Keiji-san... I'm so sad... I want to see you... Keiji-san...

Hirakawa Daisuke

_______

Akao Hikaru (Akao and Fujiwara both voiced characters for Back Street Girls, and Akao references this in this tweet)

I'm still in disbelief even after a new day has dawned and I can't quite get the right words. I feel like a hole opened up in my heart. Since I was young through anime you showed me this fun world and as a member of Gokudols, I looked forward to the day I could meet you again.

I pray that you rest well.

_______

Ishikawa Yui (Ishikawa and Fujiwara both voiced characters for Shingeki no Kyojin, and Ishikawa references Fujiwara's role as Hannes in this tweet)

[Yui] That voice that I heard so many times when I was a child. Shingeki's Hannes-san was also, rough, cool, and warm... I loved him. Fujiwara Keiji-san, I pray that you rest in peace.

_______

Yukana

I wanted to act together with you more.

Thank you so much...

I pray that you rest in peace.

_______

Okamoto Nobuhiko

Title: I'm sorry

I was planning to talk about trust and play today, but I hope you'll allow me to do that tomorrow.

I had the honor of doing my first radio show with him. When I was unable to speak well, he laughed at me. When we were recording for the Ao no Exorcist movie and from the start all I was capable of was shouting, he laughed at me. When I kept wearing the same clothes on the set of To Aru, he laughed at me. When I look back on things, it might have been sarcastic laughing, but I only remember the figure of him laughing. And, I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble.

His appearance as an actor, the way he thought about and interpreted the script, what he brought forth, I received so much encouragement and experience from him.

Keiji-san, Truly, truly, thank you so much. I really I love you.

Thank you for everything.

I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.

Notes:

The radio show Okamoto references I believe is "Sorairo Radio", a radio show promoting the anime "Sola" that aired from 2007/3/30 to 2007/7/27 for 19 episodes. During the month of July Okamoto and Fujiwara co-hosted the show.

Okamoto and Fujimura voiced Okamura Rin, the protagonist, and Fujimoto Shiro, Rin's adoptive father, respectively in Ao no Exorcist.

Okamoto and Fujimura voiced Accelerator, a main supporting character, and Kihara Amata, something of a mentor figure to Accelerator, respectively in To Aru Majutsu no Index.

_______

Mizuki Nana

Title: The carnation that arrived at my house 2 weeks ago ☆

At my last place, even plants said to be robust I ended up letting die (>_<) However, ever since I started living at my new place my plants have been really lively! My care for flowers especially has gotten better! Proper ventilation and sunlight really are important after all (laugh)

https://www.mizukinana.jp/blog/photos/2020/blog/nana_phot_20200416.jpg

I found out about Fujiwara Keiji passing away. I had the honor of working together with him for various works, during my first public performance at Tokyo Dome he provided wonderful narration, and at the planetarium in my home prefecture I had the honor of performing together with him... Truly I was blessed with so many irreplaceable experiences. I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.

Notes:

The performance at Tokyo Dome is referencing NANA MIZUKI LIVE CASTLE 2011, a series of live concerts performed at Tokyo Dome by Mizuki Nana on 2011/12/3 and 2011/12/4. Fujiwara provided narration for a short film called PLANETARIUM "Princess Nana of the Heavens" (PLANETARIUM「天界の奈々姫」) which was shown during the concert on both days.

The performance at the planetarium is referencing when Fujiwara and Mizuki co-starred in a Hoshi Koe performance held on 2016/4/24 at the Matsuyama City General Community Center Cosmo Theater. Matsuyama is the capital of the Ehime Prefecture, and Mizuki Nana was born in Niihama, Ehime. Mizuki had also made two blog posts about enjoying rehearsing for the event with Fujiwara and celebrating the successful completion of the event.

_______

Morikawa Toshiyuki

Title: Fujiwara Keiji-san...

Fujiwara Keiji-san... I pray you rest in peace.

It's too sudden. My mind is a mess. Even though I'm someone who works at my own pace... ... Right now, I'm overcome with feelings of loss.

From the time when I was a newcomer, we've been walking together through the ages for over 30 years. As an actor, and as a president, you were truly a friend... Since you were young you were shy and cool, overflowing with chivalry, an existence that even men were charmed by that is "Fujiwara Keiji"

..., It's so painful... the words won't come out. I'm sorry.

I feel that you really must have had it tough fighting against your illness. Now, please rest well.

And, the letters you sent me I will always cherish.

Morikawa Toshiyuki

_______

Hino Satoshi

Title: Keiji-san...

Keiji-san... It's a lie, right...? It's a joke, right...?

This... is too sad...

Keiji-san as a person, as a man, as an actor, you were someone who I respected from the bottom of my heart.

Everything about you was cool, you were someone I admired.

I wanted to learn more and more about various things from you.

Even now I clearly remember the time when on the set of the anime "Shakugan no Shana," as the role of the father, Kantarou, you kindly covered up for and accepted my terrible acting.

Keiji-san, "Dad, thank you so much for everything up to now"

While reflecting on each and every thing I learned from you, I will devote myself towards the sake of the future of the seiyuu industry.

I pray you rest in peace.

Note: Hino and Fujimura voiced Sakai Yuuji, the protagonist, and Sakai Kantarou, Yuuji's father, respectively in Shakugan no Shana.

_______

Suzuki Tatsuhisa

Title: Letter

I hate the idea of something getting overshadowed without anyone knowing about it, so I will write about it here.

Since we first met when I was 19, I've been in your debt for a long time. Since before we started having work together, you'd hear out my concerns and give me advice, and go along with my selfish requests to take me along for drinks. Even though you'd always say, "Waddaya want now, Tattsun," you'd always keep your promises. Whenever we met at the studio you'd always be giving off a pleasant, lazy mood. When you were the sound director you'd say things like "Tattsun, you're the only person I can ask for this," things that I couldn't tell if you were being serious or not. It's only now that I can say this, but I took you seriously every time, and every time I was seriously happy you asked me. The fact that you said those things to me.

Sometimes I'd tell you about how people say that our voices or our acting are similar, and even though you'd reply by saying stuff like, "What? That's gross," behind your sunglasses I could see that the look in your eyes always softened happily. I like chatting in the smoking area, so anytime I'd spot you I'd head straight there. When you'd say, "Yo!" to me, it was a little embarrassing, but I was always happy you did.

I won't talk about acting. That's something I'll keep locked away in my heart.

I know you had it tough. However, I stopped talking about it. Since you hate that.

All I can remember, is you always saying, "Yo! Tattsun," every time you saw me. Gimme a break, let me remember something else, too.

Thank you for always listening to my selfish requests. Thank you for always listening to both my trivial ramblings and my serious talks.

I always thought you were an annoyingly cool old man. You were always the best. You were always the strongest.

Everything about you is cool. So I envy you.

When I go over there, I'm gonna have a ton of stories for you. Before I do, please make sure to find some good sake and tobacco over there. It might take a while, but I'm definitely going to have, a ton I want to talk to you about.

It's about time I wrapped things up. This is a letter that will never be read by its recipient, after all, so there's no point in going on for too long.

Let's meet again with a smile. Anytime, anywhere.

With love.

[zukadiary]

Takarazuka (etc.) week-end roundup 10.11.19

Tragically, performances at the Tokyo Theater on Saturday 10/12 have been canceled due to the impending typhoon and there are currently no plans to reschedule. This means that assuming the theater can open on Sunday, Kurenai Yuzuru and Kisaki Airi’s sayonara shows have been cut from two to one. I sincerely hope that the impact of the typhoon is minimal, that these two can have a beautiful sunny graduation on Sunday, and that their fans are able to travel to the theater or their respective live view venues! (Some Yukigumi performances have also been affected, although both shows are just beginning and still have the full run ahead).

Soragumi spring small theaters have been announced. Makaze & Madoka will be leading the Akasaka ACT show Flying Sapa, a cryptic space adventure directed by Ueda Kumiko. Sakuragi Minato will be leading the Seinenkan/Drama City split Magnificent Emperor about Suleiman I of the Ottoman Empire, directed by Kashihata Aiko, who has previously done the Bow Halls Le Muget and Arkadia.

El Japon Señor Samurai shinko leads were announced: Kazeiro Hyuuga will be playing Makaze’s role, Hanamiya Sara will be playing Madoka’s. Both are 102nds, both first-time shinko leads. Anon Yuusei will be playing Kiki’s role. 

Tsuki’s Grand Theater performance that begins in April has been announced: they’ve poked Ueda Shinji awake for a very classic-sounding nihonmono revue, followed by Harada adapting Twelfth Night to take place at the Moulin Rouge in 1900.

We have a visual for Dance Olympia and a poster for Masquerade Hotel

Anju Mira will be staging the 14th iteration of her (mostly) solo show Female, this time featuring Sagiri Seina and Senna Ayase

Insisting on being included in every single one of my roundups, Nanami Hiroki will be voicing the male love interest in this anime which begins airing in January 

Saou Kurama will be in Elf the Musical at Christmas time

[bongaboi]

ISML 2019: Violet Evergarden Elected Saimoe Prime Minister

ISML 2019: Violet Evergarden Elected Saimoe Prime Minister Rimuru Tempest Elected Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister, Kaguya Shinomiya Speaker of the Saimoe Diet

By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue December 24, 2019

Match Day 5 of the 2019 International Saimoe League Eliminations Period, Election Day 2019 has concluded. Violet Evergarden, in just her first year of participating in the ISML, has been promoted to Saimoe Prime Minister after defeating Rin Tohsaka 13329-13156 to win the Heavenly Tiara and be elected as the 18th Saimoe Prime Minister as recognized by the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue. Rimuru Tempest will serve as her deputy after defeating Sakuta Azusagawa 12834-12176. Kaguya Shinomiya was elected Speaker of the Saimoe Diet after bouncing Ishtar 13977-11193.

Reina Kousaka was named Divine Circlet Champion after defeating Kumiko Oumae 12371-12093, while Mikaela Hyakuya scored the Upset of the Round, prevailing over Ryuunosuke Akasaka 11004-10423 to win the ISML Divine Crown.

]Mai Sakurajima finished third place in the Female Division after defeating Mashiro Shiina 12160-12540 while Rikka Takanashi was fifth after grounding Emilia 14057-12336. In the first four-way race, Kurumi Tokisaki (12741) and Yukino Yukinoshita (100533.5) got through. In the six-way race, Kamui Kanna (10349) was first, beating Kurisu Makise (9344). Shouko Nishimiya was third (7383), Azuna Yuuki (6163) was fourth, Schwi Dola (4889) was fifth and Shiro (4148) was sixth. In the second four-way race, Mio Akiyama was first with 13623 votes, beating out Takagi (12326), Iroha Isshiki (11588) and Chino Kafuyu (10819).

Archer was third in the Male Division race, beating Tomoya Okazaki 11729-11371. Levi was fifth with a 11244-11001 win over Riku Dola. In the first four-way race, Yuuta Togashi (96106.9) and Taki Tachibana (79192.3) were in the green. Willem Kmetsch defeated Shirou Emiya in the six-way race, 8277-7830. Kiyotaka Ayanokouji was third (6051), Saitama (5052) was fourth, Kiritsugu Emiya (4400) was fifth and Kazuma Satou (3880) was last. In the second four-way race, Kyon was was first with 11771 votes, Lancer was second (10417), Nagisa Shiota was third (10407) and Subaru Natsuki (10203) was last in a close encounter.

Finally, a number of exhibitions took place. Lelouch Lamperouge and C.C. defeated Kamina and Yoko Littner 15567-8130, Astolfo pounded Hideri Kanzaki (11387-9800), Chiyo Sakura eased past Aoba Suzukaze 12428-10116, Kokoa Hoto defeated Ristarte 11298-10765, Haruhi Suzumiya leveled Suigintou 13447-9650, Hina Amano defeated Chika Fujiwara 11767-11573 and Reines El-Melloi Archisorte won the closesrt race of the round, a 11090-11033 thriller over Aqua.

Wrapping up exhibition action, Mafuyu Kirisu defeated Yotsuba Nakano 11528-11196, Shinobu Kochou whipped past Adele von Ascham 11397-10940, Itsuki Nakano thumped Hestia 12166-10365, Shinobu Oshino barreled past Laffey 11215-10963, Momo Chiyoda defeated Raphtalia 11384-10563 and Hitagi Senjougahara eased past Megumi Tadokoro 11518-10912.

And that concludes action from the 2019 International Saimoe League. The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue thanks you for reading these match recaps and looks forward to giving you coverage of the 2020 International Saimoe League. Make sure to cast your votes at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate. We'll see you in 2020.

LIST OF SAIMOE PRIME MINISTERS AS RECOGNIZED BY THE BEDLAM ON BALTIC AVENUE

2002 - The Office Is Created (2channel AST winner recognized as Saimoe Prime Minister), Sakura Kinomoto, 1st Saimoe Prime Minister 2003 - Riku Harada, 2nd Saimoe Prime Minister 2004 - Rosemary Applefield, 3rd Saimoe Prime Minister 2005 - Nanoha Takamachi, 4th Saimoe Prime Minister 2006 - Suiseiseki, 5th Saimoe Prime Minister 2007 - Rika Furude, 6th Saimoe Prime Minister 2008 - Kagami Hiiragi, 7th Saimoe Prime Minister 2009 - Taiga Aisaka, 8th Saimoe Prime Minister 2010 - Azusa Nakano, 9th Saimoe Prime Minister 2011 - Mami Tomoe, 10th Saimoe Prime Minister 2012 - Toki Onjouji, 11th Saimoe Prime Minister 2013 - Madoka Kaname, 12th Saimoe Prime Minister 2014 - Jointly Held by Nodoka Haramura and Saki Miyanaga, Office Passed Over Mid-Term To International Saimoe League Female Division Champion, Kotori Itsuka, 13th Saimoe Prime Minister 2015 - Eru Chitanda, 14th Saimoe Prime Minister 2016 - Shana, 15th Saimoe Prime Minister 2017 - Megumi Katou, 16th Saimoe Prime Minister 2018 - Rem (as Rem Natsuki), 17th Saimoe Prime Minister 2019 - Violet Evergarden, 18th Saimoe Prime Minister

LIST OF DEPUTY SAIMOE PRIME MINISTERS AS RECOGNIZED BY THE BEDLAM ON BALTIC AVENUE

2015 - The Office is Created (International Saimoe League Male Division Champion Is Named Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister), Accelerator, 1st Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister 2016 - Sora, 2nd Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister 2017 - Korosensei, 3rd Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister 2018 - Hachiman Hikigaya, 4th Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister 2019 - Rimuru Tempest, 5th Deputy Saimoe Prime Minister

[danzadance]

Odes from Sokolow Theatre Dance Ensemble on Vimeo.

Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble Choreography: Anna Sokolow (1965) Music Edgard Varèse Performed November 11, 2011 at the Merce Cunningham Studio, New York City

Part I: Octandre Part II: Density 21.5 (Yayoi Suzuki and Luis Gabriel Zaragoza) Part III: Poème Électronique

Dancers: Madoka Atsumi, Melissa Birnbaum, Eleanor Bunker, Durell R. Comedy, Albert Delgado, Samantha Géracht, Erin Gottwald, Saya Harada, Samuel Humphreys, Julia Kelly, Richard Kilfoil, Maya Kite, Julia Lindpaintner, Karina Olsson, Ricardo Rique-Sanchez, Elisa Schreiber, Yayoi Suzuki, Meggi Sweeney Smith, Margherita Tisato, Francesca Todesco, Atsushi Yahagi, Gregory Youdan, Jr., Luis Gabriel Zaragoza

[space-orbit]

【Evening Time】 * Come join us for a sizzling jam session of ethnic instruments from the Middle East, India and Persia. Following that will be some deep ambient bliss. Combining for a visual delight will be our select fusion bellydancers. This time will be a short one because of the club clampdown, but we intend to get as deep as ever! * ================== * Planet Drum 6th : Spirit Session https://www.facebook.com/events/595495027484890/ * May 20, 2018 18:00-23.30 ¥2000 * ▪️Special Acoustic Live Jam Session Madoka (Jiyuujidai Project) Yuuichi (sarod) Kohsei Harada (tabla) Madoka + Yuuichi + Harada Jam Session * ▪️Deep Ambient Live Happy 88 * ▪️DJ Planetary * ▪️Dancers Mayura RumiEva * ▪️VJ Light of Angel * ▪️Special Shop Sheesha HarryQ * #spaceorbit #chillout #lounge #sundayafternoon #makyo #spiritsession #ambient #bellydance #experimental (Space orbit)

[recentanimenews]

A Lifetime of Competition: Growing Up in Chihayafuru

While watching some sports and competition dramas, I often get the strange impression that nothing in these universes exists apart from the sport or competition they’re pursuing. Every single person in Tennisworld is obsessed with tennis, everyone in Cookingworld frames all of their conflicts in terms of cooking challenges, etcetera. When the meat of your story’s drama and appeal is found in how dedicated competitors clash through some specific mode of competition, it makes some sense for your story’s world to feel a little insular, and for the central mode of conflict to bleed into other aspects of characters’ lives. But in real life, our lives are never all one thing—we balance our competitive passions against our personal and professional lives, and ultimately are forced to make compromises in how the sports we love fit into our larger world.

It’s understandable that a medium and genre so focused on the trials of adolescence would maintain such an all-or-nothing focus—but not all sports shows ignore the wider world. Chihayafuru’s third season has been directly grappling with these questions, as half of its cast start to approach the end of high school, and the other half are already struggling with the trials of adult, or even senior living. The sport of karuta doesn’t discriminate based on age, so long as you’re still able to compete. The most recent arc focused on characters ranging from teens to competitors in their late fifties, all fighting to claim the titles of Master and Queen.

These characters are not single-minded instruments of karuta glory; they are individual people, each with their own life circumstances, yet each united by their passion for the sport they love. Their trials go beyond their efforts to simply be the best, or to work together with some particular group of teammates. As it turns out, when you expand the scope of your characters’ life circumstances, you expand the scope of your story’s overall drama, as well as the poignant questions it can ask. And in Chihayafuru’s case, that expansion of scope has refocused the show on questions that are crucial to any athlete: how do you find healthy joy in competition, and how do you grow up alongside a beloved sport?

The recent Master and Queen tournament arcs have explored that directly, through the contrasting circumstances of the reigning karuta champions and their new challenges. Master Suo, who has reigned as Master for several years straight, is considered an unimpeachable demon of karuta. Yet as we explore his narrative, we find his dedication to the sport comes from a place of deep loneliness and self-doubt. Taken in as a child by a much wealthier household, Suo is guided by the words “be sure to make something of yourself”—to make some value out of himself, rather than pursue his genuine passions. Karuta was simply something he could prove his value through; but as his college education drags on and his vision deteriorates, Suo is finding himself within an increasingly narrow world, and unable to see the person he will be once karuta is gone.

Shinobu, the teenage karuta Queen, seems even more isolated than Suo. Shinobu has never had genuine friends; instead, the karuta cards became her friends, and eventually her source of strength. Shinobu drew strength from karuta, but eventually, her sole focus on karuta led to a rejection of all else, and a disdain for the “emotional weaknesses” tying down other players. But Shinobu’s route has only led to fragility and despair; she might say she doesn’t need attachments, but when she feels abandoned by her grandmother or her few friends, she has no one to fall back on at all.

In contrast, Suo and Shinobu’s challengers seem to both embody a healthier spirit of karuta, while also demonstrating our ability to age alongside the activities we love. Coach Harada missed his chance to become Master back in his youth, and was only able to return to the sport in his middle age, with weak knees and failing stamina. But Harada does not let his physical age get him down; in contrast, he actually embraces the scrappy tactics he’s absorbed over a long lifetime of karuta play, and takes pride in facing off with much younger opponents.

Queen challenger Haruka is actually a former Queen herself, who took off time from the sport in order to raise her children. Now playing with two children and a supportive husband in tow, Haruka lacks the acuity of game sense she possessed as a young challenger. She’s also plagued by doubts regarding her theoretical “selfishness” in returning to karuta, rather than focusing on her new life and demanding children. And yet, when the time for Haruka and Shinobu’s match approaches, Haruka is actually cheered on by her children; rather than distracting her from her passion, they become a source of strength, the bedrock of her competitive spirit.

As we grow older, we gain attachments and obligations that limit our ability to live entirely for ourselves. As teenagers, we’re able to compete entirely on our own terms—but as adults, our time is rationed, and we become responsible to others. But as Chihayafuru sees it, attachments are not weakness—and being groundless is certainly not a strength. Lacking in strong personal bonds, Suo’s motivation is tainted by his obligation to be a “productive adult”—he plays because he has nothing else. Shinobu, as well, is treated as a useless child with one potentially marketable talent; and when the flimsiness of her bonds is revealed, she crumbles into despair.

In contrast, characters like Harada have a support structure that embraces them even in defeat. Whether Harada wins or loses, he has proven to himself that he can still compete—and more importantly, he’s offered inspiration to the hundreds of students he’s trained along the way. Rather than tying him down, Harada’s age and attachments have given him both emotional strength and a vital sense of community. And as one karuta reader tells the nostalgic Haruka, we’re all young from a certain perspective; embrace all the fruits of life you can, because you’re never too old to return to your passion.

Both Harada and Haruka represent a happy vision of aging alongside the sports you love, while embracing all the rambling paths life will take you on. Embracing other passions need not diminish your love for the game; your relationship with a sport may change, but change in all things is inevitable. Harada and Haruka both found communities in the larger world that they brought back to their passion, and their experiences were richer for it. If you make your victory larger than yourself, you can find great strength and comfort in the support of others, and joyous discoveries even in defeat.

Unfortunately, while Chihayafuru’s adult characters have largely graduated into a healthy, emotionally fulfilling relationship with karuta, its teenage leads are still bound by limitless anxieties regarding their karuta performances and personal futures. But that’s how life is, and either way, I appreciate Chihayafuru’s efforts to illustrate the full experience of growing alongside a sport, and the profound vitality of its adult characters. Here’s hoping Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata grow up as gracefully as their karuta seniors!

  --------------

Nick Creamer has been writing about cartoons for too many years now, and is always ready to cry about Madoka. You can find more of his work at his blog Wrong Every Time, or follow him on Twitter.

Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

  By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com

[newsintheshell]

“number24″

Serie TV anime, gennaio 2020

Serie animata originale prodotta da MOVIC, incentrata su una squadra di giovani giocatori di rugby che competono nel campionato universitario del Kansai.

-STAFF- 

Soggetto originale: Kei Mori (Verrocchio Agency)

Concept storia: Movic

Character design originale: Yukikana

Character design/Supervisione animazioni: Saori Sakaguchi

Regia: Shigeru Kimiya

Sceneggiatura/ Configurazione della serie: Rika Nakase

Direttore artistico: Scott MacDonald

Fondali: Tsukasa Oohira

Direttore della fotografia: Atsushi Kano

Supervisore di produzione: Shinobu Nakagawa

Produttore di animazione: Yoshiki Sakamoto

Studio di animazione: PRA

Animatore principale: Minefumi Harada

Direttore scene d’azione: Fumiya Uehara

Design abbigliamento: Michiko Ōtani

Oggetti di scena: Hiroshi Ogawa

Colorazioni: Yukiko Yamaguchi

Direttore 3D: Akio Hayashi

Montaggio: Hitomi Sudō

Direttore del suono: Takatoshi Hamano

Produzione sonoro: Magic Capsule

-CAST-

Natsusa Yuzuki: Kengo Kawanishi 

Seiichiro Jingyouji: Ryouta Suzuki

Ibuki Ueoka: Junichi Yanagita 

Yasunari Tsuru: Shohei Komatsu

Yuu Mashiro: Ayumu Murase  

Gakuto Zaitsu: Hinata Tadokoro 

Ikuto Yufu: Shinnosuke Tachibana 

Taisei Uchinashi: Makoto Furukawa 

Ethan Taylor: Kazuyuki Okitsu 

Madoka Hongo: Soma Saito 

Kazutaka Hongo: Kaito Ishikawa 

Sito ufficiale Twitter ufficiale

SilenziO)))

[disintegrateddragon]

I wanted to draw something cute. Gonna try to finish this digitally eventually.

Fumio belongs to @tinyangryghost

[disintegrateddragon]

Might as well post these.