It should be reminded that the whole story is written in Chinese, and my first ten thousand words were born for Lacho! I hope everyone can also enjoy it! Thank you to all reading friends!
Summarized Thread by shibuyasmash on twitter; (incomplete!) Japanese is from subtitled screenshots I found online
Horikoshi draws in a room alone, and there is another bigger room where his assistants work
『大きい部屋でアシスタントさんがやっています』
The reporter guesses that maybe Horikoshi sometimes spends 24 hours straight working at his desk, he corrects her that sometimes it’s 36 hours
『何時間ぐらいこの部屋で作業する?
多い時だと24時間中…
36時間』
The desk he uses was brought from his parent’s house, he’s been using it since he was a kid
Reporter: Your 10 year manga is ending soon.
『10年の連載がいよいよ終わる』
Horikoshi: It’s surprisingly sad. For example, sometimes I’ll think about how I’ll only be drawing a character for another 10 panels or so. But at the same time I feel like I’m finally reaching the goal.
Horikoshi: I don’t draw with the intention of conveying a message because of current social situations or the real world. I draw with a sense of responsibility towards the world of MHA, I’m always thinking about how I can make the manga interesting.
『世相がどうこうとか現実世界でもこうだから
こういうメッセージを込めてやろうと 描いたことはない
あくまでヒロアカ世界に対して責任を持って描く
常に面白いって 言ってもらえることだけを考えている』
Reporter: What does “interesting” mean to you?
Horikoshi: Looking back, I wasn't into manga for the cool special moves or cool characters. ONE PIECE made me cry.
I think my heart shaking & being emotionally moved makes something interesting to me. Crying becomes an experience, and I want my readers to have that experience.
『心がグーって震えて感動したのが「面白い」
読んだ人の心がグラッと揺れて泣いちゃう
泣くと体験になる読者にそういい体験をもたらしたい』
Reporter: Has your impression of what a hero is changed?
Horikoshi: It’s changed quite a bit. At chapter 1, I thought heroes were someone beyond reach, but even if you don’t do something that amazing if you try to do good then you’re already a hero.
There was a time I felt like I couldn’t draw anymore and my editor just kept telling me it’d be okay, really positive. That really saved me.
『僕は「もう描けねえ」って なっちゃった時に
編集担当さんが「大丈夫っすよ」って 明るいテンションでずっと言ってくれた
それがものすごく助かった』
People like Toriyama-sensei (Dragon Ball), Oda-sensei (One Piece) were the people I admired when I started drawing manga, but the person who saved me was my editor who was right beside me. So I thought to me, he was a hero.
Horikoshi: The person who reaches out to you and pats your shoulder and tells you it’ll be okay becomes the person who saves your life. So I think My Hero Academia might end somewhere like that.
This is somewhat of a follow-up to two previous posts on verbs:
75 essential single-character verbs (单字动词)
75 more essential single-character verbs (单字动词)
I always intended to make a post on adjectives, but it took me longer than expected to gather, sort, and filter through my list of adjectives. And I decided to add examples this time, which took even more time.
I learned many of these simply from consuming native content (mostly TV shows) over the past 2-3 years. It's the kind of stuff you probably won't find in your textbook. So please enjoy~
2022年12月、"2022年一番輝いていたダンサー"をファンが投票で決める「Queen of BURLESQUE」でグランプリ(1,542票)に輝いた。2023年3月には、MBSラジオ「オレたちゴチャ・まぜっ!〜集まれヤンヤン〜」の企画で行われたRadiotalk 総選挙で第1位となり、特番出演を勝ち取った。
wait.. i’m literally on here or weibo almost 24/7 ( as you can tell lol ) but I feel like i missed something. i’m seeing clowning related to xz’s photos and how it looks like he is a groom and it’s a wedding photoshoot. the place is also famous for wedding shoots ( allegedly, idk. i’m not from there ) so turtles are imagining again. lol. freakin coincidence that wyb’s GRA photoshoot was done at a wedding shop. plus the “wedding outfits” for weibo night. which is all clowning and galaxy braining.🌌
now, we’re joking around, like where’s yibo? he should be taking photos with his partner.
then i see comments that there is this one song WYB recently listened to. meaning, as recent as when XZ flew to singapore which is called 超人不会飞 (superman can’t fly) by Jay Chou. i know WYB and everyone else is a big fan of Jay Chou but the clowning comes from the timing of when he listened to it. let me get to that first.
here is the song if you wanna listen to it. 🎶
youtube
turtles are interpreting it as WYB longing to “fly” to where XZ is and be with him but he can’t because of all his work commitments. he wants to take a breather. thinking about what his life is and the constraints, and at times like this, when they spent days in Beijing, but now they have to be apart, it affects him even more.
however when i read the lyrics, it could also be because he can relate to what jay chou is singing about. here’s the english translation i found here. i have bolded the ones i felt like WYB relates too. literally no need for explanation. just read it. It fits with his status in life so much that it’s almost scary.
妈妈说很多事别太计较
ma ma shuo heng duo shi bie tai ji jiao
Mum said one should not be too fussy over most matters
只是使命感找到了我 我睡不着
zhi shi shi ming gan zhao dao le wo wo shui bu zhao
But my sense of mission found me and i can't sleep over it
如果说骂人要有点技巧
ru guo shuo ma ren yao you diao ji qiao
If scolding someone requires some skills
我会加点旋律你会觉得 超屌
wo hui jia diao xuan lu ni hui jue de chao diao
I will add a tune and you will feel it's very cool (diao)
我的枪不会装弹药(弹药)
wo de qiang bu hui zhuang dan yao (dan yao)
My gun is not loaded with ammunition
所以放心不会有人倒(人倒)
suo yi fang xin bu hui you ren dao (ren dao)
So don't worry, nobody will collapse
我拍青蜂侠不需要替身 因为自信是我绘画的颜料
wo pai qing feng xia bu xu yao ti sheng yin wei zi xin shi wo hui hua de yan liao
I don't need a double for The Green Hornet because confidence is the coloring for my painting
我做很多事背后的意义远比你们想象
wo zuo heng duo shi bei hou de yi yi yuan bi ni men xiang xiang
The meaning behind the things I did is far beyond your imagination
拍个电视剧为了友情与十年前的梦想
pai le dian shi ju wei le you qing yu shi nian qian de meng xiang
Filming a tv drama is for friendship and a dream 10 years ago
收视率再高也难抗衡我的伟大理想
shou shi lv zai gao ye nan kang heng wo de wei da li xiang
No matter how high the rating is, it can't match my noble ideal
因为我的人生无需再多一笔那奖项
yin wei wo de ren sheng wo xu zai duo yi bi na jiang xiang
Because my life do not need another award
我不知道何时变成了社会的那榜样
wo bu zhi dao he shi bian cheng le se hui de na bang yang
I don't know when I have become a society's role model
被狗仔拍不能比中指要大器的模样(怎样)
bei gou zai pai bu neng bi zhong zhi yao da qi de mo yang (zen yang)
Can't show the paparazzi the finger and have to put on a magnanimous front
我唱的歌词要有点文化
wo chang de ge ci yao you dian wen hua
The lyrics I sing must have some degree of literacy
因为随时会被当教材
yin wei sui shi hui bei dan jiao cai
Because it might become teaching material anytime
CNN能不能等英文好一点再访
CNN neng bu neng deng ying wen hao yi dian zai fang
Can CNN interview me when my English gets a little better
时代杂志封面能不能重拍
shi dai za zhi feng mian neng bu neng chong pai
Can i reshoot the Time magazine cover
随时随地注意形象
sui shi sui di zhu yi xin xiang
I must take care of my image at all times
要控制饮食不然就跟杜莎夫人蜡像的我不像(本来就不像)
yao kong zhi yin shi bu ran jiu gen du sha fu ren la xiang de wo bu xiang (ben lai jiu bu xiang)
I must control my diet or i won't look like the "me" in Madame Tussauds (it doesn't look like me in the first place)
好莱坞的中国戏院地上有很多手印脚印
hao lai wu de zhong guo xi yuan di shang you heng duo shou yin jiao yin
There are many handprints and footprints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre
何时才能看见我的掌
he shi cai neng kan jian wo de zhang
When will mine be seen there?
如果超人会飞 那就让我在空中停一停歇
ru guo chao ren hui fei na jiu rang wo zai kong zhong ti yi ti xie
If Superman can fly then let me take a breather in the sky
再次俯瞰这个世界 会让我觉得好一些
zai ci fu kan zhe ge shi jie hui ran wo jue de hao yi xie
Overlooking this world again will let me feel better
拯救地球好累 虽然有些疲惫但我还是会
zheng jiu di qiu hao lei sui ran you xie pi bei dan wo hai shi hui
Saving the world is tiring, though I am a little tired, I still will
不要问我哭过了没
bu yao wen wo ku guo le mei
Don't ask me if I have cried
因为超人不能流眼泪
yin wei chao ren bu neng liu yan lei
Because Superman can't cry
唱歌要拿最佳男歌手
chang ge yao na zui jia nan ge shou
(You) must get best male singer award as a singer
拍电影也不能只拿个最佳新人
pai dian yin ye bu neng zhi na ge zui jia xin ren
A newcomer award is not enough if you act
你不参加颁奖典礼就是没礼貌
ni bu can jia ban jiang dian li jiu shi mei li mao
Not attending award ceremonies is considered rude
你去参加就是代表你很在乎
ni qu can jia jiu shi dai biao ni heng zai hu
And if you do, it means you are over-concerned about it
得奖时你感动落泪(落泪)人家就会觉得你夸张做作(做作)
de jia shi ni gan dong luo lei (luo lei) ren jia jiu hui jue de ni kuang zhang zuo zuo
When you won an award and teared, people will think you are fake and exaggerating
你没表情别人就会说太嚣张
ni mei biao qing bie ren jiu hui shuo tai xiao zhang
When you have no expression, others will say you are too arrogant
如果你天生这个表情 那些人甚至会怪你妈妈(妈妈)
ru guo ni tian sheng zhe ge biao qing na xie ren sheng zhi hui guai ni ma ma (ma ma)
And if you are born with that expression, they will even blame your mum
结果最后是别人在得奖 你也要给予充分的掌声与微笑
jie guo zui hou shi bie ren zai de jiang ni ye yao ge yu chong fen de zhang sheng yu wei xiao
In the end someone else gets the award, you also have to give ample applause and smile
开的车不能太好 住的楼不能太高
kai de che bu neng tai hao zhu de lou bu neng tai gao
The car you drive can't be too luxurious nor can you live too high up
我到底是一个创作歌手 还是好人好事代表
wo dao di shi yi ge chuang zuo ge shou hai shi hao ren hao shi dai biao
Am I a singer-songwriter or a representative of good men and good deeds?
专辑一出就必须是冠军
zhuan ji yi chu jiu bi xu shi guan jun
My album must be ranked top once released
拍了电影就必须要大卖
pai le dian yin jiu bi xu yao da mai
My movie must sell well
只能说当超人真的好难
zhi neng shuo dan chao ren zhen de hao nan
I can only say, being a Superman is difficult
如果超人会飞(超人会飞)那就让我在空中停一停歇(停一停歇)
ru guo chao ren hui fei (chao ren hui fei) na jiu rang wo zai kong zhong ti yi ti xie (ti yi ti xie)
If Superman can fly then let me take a breather in the sky
再次俯瞰这个世界 会让我觉得好一些
zai ci fu kan zhe ge shi jie hui ran wo jue de hao yi xie
Overlooking this world again will let me feel better
拯救地球好累(地球好累)虽然有些疲惫但我还是会(我还是会)
zheng jiu di qiu hao lei (di qiu hao lei) sui ran you xie pi bei dan wo hai shi hui (wo hai shi hui)
Saving the world is tiring, though I am a little tired, I still will
不要问我哭过了没
bu yao wen wo ku guo le mei
Don't ask me if I have cried
因为超人不能流眼泪
yin wei chao ren bu neng liu yan lei
Because Superman can't cry
=====
I don’t think there is anything wrong with how cpfs are relating this to cpn cause that’s just how it is. But sometimes, there are other reasons why they do what they do.
SO MY CONFUSION COMES FROM HOW THE HELL DO PEOPLE KNOW WHAT HE RECENTLY LISTENED TO. I can’t seem to dig up how or maybe it’s something we don’t talk about. I have never experienced this kind of tidbit related to them before so I wanna know the source. Or is this like the gaming cpn where certain people know and they will not divulge the boy’s account for privacy? if anyone knows, feel free to comment. If i find out in the future, I will share.
TTEOTM vs. the Industry: Or Why it's much more than a TV show 📺
A very interesting Zhihu article from an anonymous industry insider responding to the question "is Till the End of the Moon worth watching?"
TL;DR SUMMARY:
The author believes that we're at the crossroads of a new era of TV production. Otters Studio (TTEOTM's production company, a new player) is trying to make waves beyond the show itself by making big budget bets on innovative but risky content.
TTEOTM is full of production flaws, but Otter understands how to excite viewers, something that's been taken for granted. A team that would produce a perfect drama would never dare to touch TTEOTM and make it work.
Everyone in the industry desperately wants TTEOTM to fail. Because that would prove that sticking to a safe formula works. (For context, there's been a lot of internet activity trying to smear TTEOTM and take it down in China, most recently an email campaign to NRTA to get it censored and off air)
I decided to take the time to translate this because it brings home the point the need to embrace risk-taking and look beyond technical flaws to push the industry forward. It's long and I don't agree with everything said (think he's a bit harsh on the actors and other dramas), but I still think it's worth a read! Bolding is my own.
FULL TRANSLATION:
The decision to produce TTEOTM at such a high budget itself indicates aspirations that are beyond what ordinary viewers can understand. Let's talk about its strengths:
1. Dare to break through. This drama is not intended by its investors to be just like another xianxia. It contains a lot of innovative elements: character design, world view, values, plot development and logic, costume, special effects, which is refreshing. In the next few years, no matter how the drama performs, there will be continued discussion and comparison to TTEOTM. It is extremely risky to put such a big budget behind a piece of work that's trying to push boundaries in every way. Because it is beyond the comfort zone of viewers today.
On surface, Otter's first drama is a big production (but as you can see, there are issues with quality control). In reality, this production has an even more important mission: proving that an outside investor new to content production can break into the entertainment ecosystem with money, such as by openly inviting everyone to make OSTs, showing off its deep wallets (though you can see what the reception and quality of work has been). Otter's ambition is not to be a vehicle for actors or just another producer. It's also not trying to do what LBFAD did by building its brand with a repeatable IP-to-TV production process. Based on TTEOTM, I'm inclined to believe they are playing with something very new, something more ground-breaking. Right now they're still trying to figure it out, piece by piece, even though TTEOTM's final product is already quite remarkable.
2. Great for actors. Today's Chinese drama production has become obviously repetitive and formulaic. It's very difficult to give actors an opportunity to demonstrate their talents. Complex characters not only challenge our actors but risk impacting their reputation. There's massive risk in casting and censorship, so most investors play it safe. TTEOTM is different in this regard: in addition to TTJ, the FL is not silly, dumb, and sweet. She is clear-headed about her mission to kill the ML the entire time, which means there's no CP. The 2nd ML is stuck in a philosophical conflict of who he really is. The 2nd FL coldly announces, I don't love anyone but myself. In order to make these characters come alive, you need very strong character molding and understanding. For example, the FL has to demonstrate commitment to her mission as a character that's bounded by a tragic fate, but also show caution and love towards the ML. Or take the 2nd FL as an example. Even though she appears to be a bad person, she actually has a strong need for love and fear of loss, which is why she self destroys any hope to avoid tragedy in the end - this type of person is full of inner conflict.
The conflicting emotions and subtext are the biggest selling points of this drama, but sadly most actors don't quite deliver except the ML. The willingness to realize a screenplay like this indicates Otter is serious about testing its actors. This type of opportunity is rarer than giant pandas in an industry that prefers vanilla characters. But also because of this, we see that there are still big gaps in the younger generation of actors' ability to interpret the screenplay and perform. Overall, the third female lead's scenes are quite good. The ML's solos are also quite good. But there are issues with transitions (of course the director also has no standards when it comes to cinematography). The second female lead interprets her character well, but has acting issues. Won't comment on the others.
3. Super entertaining and discussion-worthy. Don't underestimate this. In today's TV production circle, most dramas are chasing after low risk, high quality output. Take the recently aired xianxias. These works are all living in comfort zone. You can't say they're bad, but it's also not clear what is good, and viewers are not that enthralled. TTEOTM is the opposite. It knows too well how to excite viewers. Putting aside the logic of the story, I would say this is the most audacious hand played in the last 5 years. It's super entertaining. Viewers definitely won't be able to tell what's good about it, other than that it's thrilling to watch. That's actually a very remarkable skill and one that is lost in today's entertainment industry. Otter can fix their production flaws over time through trial and error or by bringing in new collaborators, but it's not easy to figure out what the audience wants.
Actually, TTEOTM's production has so many problems, to the point that anyone in the industry can find an example to prove that it sucks. Screenplay, director, editing, OST, marketing, lighting, lens, makeup, sets, sound, aesthetics. But what you can't deny is this: a team that can produce a perfect drama could never make TTEOTM work.
Because without Otter taking this first step, they would never allow the battle between demons and god to go on for an hour. They'd never allow the ML & FL to not play the CP card. They'd never allow the ML to be a dark, psycho character. They'd never allow the 2nd FL to say she only cares for herself. They'd never embed a big budget fight scene in a fluffy xianxia drama.
On surface it seems that everyone's trying to take down the ML, but that's not it. The industry needs TTEOTM to flop. Because only its failure can prove that their current approach of playing it safe, sticking to the formula works. You can do the same thing over and over again. Suddenly someone tells you you need to push yourself with something new everyday? Well then I'll break your pot and tell everyone Otter has gotten the wrong read on the market. Look, Immortality has been banned. Look at the horrible casting of TTEOTM, your ML is too thin and injured. Every established player in the industry is trying to trip you over. The platform has given you the worst airing slot. Everyone is bashing the drama.
TTEOTM has invited so much drama, controversy, criticism outside the show itself, as though who cares if it's just a shitty drama by a small-time investor. The industry can tolerate all crap productions, but it cannot accommodate a new player that comes with sincerity and money.
Therefore, I am bullish on TTEOTM. I don't think this drama is created to promote the ML or to make money. Quite the opposite, I think we're at the crossroads of a new era. Otter is the Wandering Earth of the TV industry. They're both sore-eyed catfish that's making waves beyond the work itself.
This is a sequel to this post I made in January. Thought I'd share the alleged "subliminal effect" commercial for Persona 3. I've left a link to the original file on Archive.org, as well as a transcription of what is said on there.
Morgyn sat quietly on the living room sofa, cradling a cup of coffee. As they were immersed in a moment of peace, the TV screen suddenly flashed scenes of Caleb participating in a dating reality show. Startled, Morgyn coughed and tears streamed down their face in the blink of an eye. Hearing the commotion, Caleb hurried over, patting their back and asking with concern, "Sweetheart, are you okay?"
Morgyn covered their mouth, stifling their cough, while keeping their eyes fixed on the TV. Caleb followed their gaze and his face turned surprised and awkward. "That, that’s a reality show I did before I met you! I swear!" His voice betrayed a hint of panic.
"And you bit someone?" Morgyn’s eyes were still glistening with tears as the TV screen showed Caleb biting the female lead.
"No! It was all for the show, it was completely staged!" Caleb rushed to explain.
However, as the scene shifted again to Caleb in an intimate moment with the female lead, Morgyn’s coughing grew more frequent. They stood up and walked towards the bedroom, still coughing, with a look of melancholy on their face. "I... I want to rest," they said softly.
Caleb stood frozen, watching Morgyn’s retreating figure, wondering if they was feeling jealous.
Morgyn lay in bed, staring blankly at the dream catcher hanging above their head. Caleb stood by the door, trying to peer into the room. "Baby?" His voice was filled with concern.
Morgyn turned their back to him. Seeing this, Caleb felt embarrassed: they were avoiding reality again.
Soon, Caleb lay down behind Morgyn, gently wrapping his arms around their waist. He asked tenderly, "Baby, are you unhappy?" His lips brushed lightly against Morgyn’s cheek, his face buried in their neck.
"I was just working. I've already made them forget about me," Caleb whispered.
Morgyn turned to face Caleb, their expression still cold. "If you're lying, I’ll turn you into a frog." They glared at him with a mischievous threat.
Caleb smiled wryly and raised his hand in a gesture of oath. "I swear, since meeting you, I haven't hit on strangers."
He placed Morgyn’s hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. Morgyn sighed heavily, their eyes showing a hint of tenderness. "I know that was your past way of life; I don’t blame you. It’s just... the way strangers look at you, I don’t know..."
Morgyn blushed, unable to look directly at Caleb, while Caleb smiled at them with adoration and deep affection.
This indescribable possessiveness—how charming it is.
"Don't worry, sweetheart, I'll only be watching you," Caleb said softly, hugging Morgyn gently, his forehead resting against theirs, his tone tender yet resolute.
"Sweet talk again." Morgyn’s cheeks were flushed as they looked at Caleb.
Caleb lowered his head and kissed Morgyn’s lips deeply. In that moment, their souls connected intimately through the kiss.
アマリア・ザタリ、BBCロシア語ソヴィエト連邦時代のロシアでは、隣近所の人や同僚や、赤の他人でさえ、当局に密告するのは普通のことだった。それが今では、ウクライナでの戦争に批判的な国民をロシア当局が厳しく取り締まる中で、誰かが気に食わないとか、自分には政治的な主義主張があるのだなど、様々な理由から、他人を密告するロシア人が増えている。「うちは、祖父が密告が得意だったので、どうすればいいか私は祖父に教わりました」「アンナ・コロブコワ」を名乗る女性はこう話す。ロシアの大都市に住んでいるそうだが、具体的にどこかは明らかにしなかった。広告そのコロブコワさんの祖父はスターリン時代、ソ連の秘密警察に匿名で情報提供をしていたのだという。当時は、他人を密告したり糾弾したりすることは日常生活の一部だったし、孫娘も今や祖父のあとを継いでいる。彼女は今では、ウクライナでの戦争に批判的だと思う相手は誰だろうと、片端から通報している。密告の常習者を自認ロシアによるウクライナ全面侵攻が始まって以来、自分は1397通の通報文を書いたと、コロブコワさんは言う。自分の通報によって、大勢が罰金を科せられ、解雇され、「外国の代理人」のレッテルを貼られたという。「気の毒とは思わない」と、コロブコワさんは明かす。「私が通報したおかげで罰せられたなら、とてもうれしい」。2022年2月にロシアがウクライナに侵攻してから間もなく、新しい検閲制度が法制化された。それ以来、コロブコワさんは暇を見つけてはオンラインで過ごし、「ロシア軍の信用を傷つけた」と思う人たちを次々と通報している。今の制度では、「ロシア軍の信用を毀損(きそん)」した罪で有罪となれば、最高5万ルーブル(約8万円)の罰金か、2回以上の再犯の場合は最高5年間の禁錮刑の罰を受ける。コロブコワさんは私の取材に対して非常に慎重で、メールでのやり取りにしか応じなかった。自分の顔を出すのはいやで、自分の身元を証明するものも提示したくないと力説した。なぜかというと、「���してやる」と脅されることが多く、自分の個人情報がハッキングされたり盗まれたりするのが怖いからだという。では、なぜ自分と同じロシア市民について、密告するのか。動機は二つあるという。第一に、ロシアがウクライナに打ち勝つための手助けを、自分はしているのだと。そして第二に、自分の経済的安定の助けにもなるからだと。コロブコワさんは独り暮らしで、人文系の教授としてパートタイムで働いているという。貯金を取り崩しながらなんとか、やりくりしているのだと。もしも戦争でウクライナが有利になれば、ロシアは賠償金を払う羽目になり、そんなことになれば国全体と国民全員の経済状態が打撃を受けかねないと、心配しているのだと話す。「特別軍事作戦に反対する全員が、私の安全と生活にとって、敵です」。こう言うコロブコワさんにとって、ウクライナの勝利は自分の敗北を意味する。「貯金がなくなって、フルタイムの仕事を見つけなくてはならなくなる」政府から離れて活動するロシアの独立系人権団体「OVD-インフォ」によると、新しい検閲法が制定されて以来、軍を批判した疑いで8000件以上の事案が立件されているという。標的コロブコワさんが通報するのは主に、マスコミに話をする人たちだ。特に、BBCなどの外国メディアの取材に応じる人たちを、標的としている。人類学者のアレクサンドラ・アルヒポワさんも、コロブコワさんに通報された一人だ。画像説明, アレクサンドラ・アルヒポワさんは人類学者として、ロシアで密告が再燃している現状を研究している「彼女はもう7回、私のことを通報しています」とアルヒポワさんは話す。「密告文を書くことがあの人にとって、当局とやりとりする手段で、それが自分の使命だと思っている」。「自分にぴったりな、得意なことを見つけたんでしょう。彼女に糾弾されると、専門家や研究者は往々にして、黙るしかなくなる」アルヒポワさんは今や亡命中だ。自分が昨年5月にロシア国内法に基づき「外国の代理人」と認定されたことと、コロブコワさんの行動は、無縁ではないかもしれないと思っている。「彼女に通報された私の友人たちは、もう一切、マスコミに話をしなくなりました。なので、彼女は成功したと言えるでしょう。任務完了です」もう一人、標的にされたのは、タティアナ・チェルヴェンコさんというモスクワの教師だった。ロシア政府が2022年9月に愛国教育を導入した際、チェルヴェンコさんは独立系メディア「ドシチ(TV Rain)」で、自分は代わりに数学を教えることにしたと発言した。「ドシチ��はその後、ロシア国内では閉鎖され、今ではオランダを拠点にしている。「ドシチ」のインタビューを見たコロブコワさんは、チェルヴェンコさんを攻撃し始めた。チェルヴェンコさんの勤務先に苦情を繰り返し、モスクワの教育当局やロシアの子どもの権利当局にもクレームを重ねた。結果的にチェルヴェンコさんは、2022年12月に解雇された。画像説明, タティアナ・チェルヴェンコさんは、自分が教職を追われたのは、通報・糾弾されたからだと言うコロブコワさんは自分のしたことを、何も後悔していない様子だ。それどころか、自分が通報した人たちのデータベースを作り、その結果どうなったかも記録している。自分の通報の結果、6人が解雇されたほか、15人が罰金処分を受けたのだという。コロブコワさんは、ロシア国家の敵だと思う相手しか自分は相手にしていないと力説する。しかし、ロシア国内には個人的な恨みつらみを晴らすために通報している人もいるという話が、BBCに寄せられている。投獄され、自由を求め漁師のヤロスラフ・レフチェンコさんは、ロシア極東のカムチャッカ半島出身だ。半島は火山と珍しい野生動物で有名なだけでなく、ロシア軍が重点配備されていることでも知られる。この地域に住む人たちの多くは、ウラジーミル・プーチン大統領を支持している。レフチェンコさんの同僚たちもそうだ。画像説明, ヤロスラフ・レフチェンコさん2023年2月のことだ。レフチェンコさんの漁船は1カ月の航海を終えて、カムチャッカの港に戻った。仲間の漁師に酒を勧められたが、断った。相手の男は以前から自分に不満があったらしいと、レフチェンコさんは言う。酒を断ったことから口論になり、レフチェンコさんは頭をびんで殴られ、意識が戻った時には病院にいた。退院が許され、被害届を出そうと警察署へ行くと、通報されていたのはむしろ自分の方だと知らされた。暴行ではなく、反戦思想を理由に。愕然(がくぜん)とした。レフチェンコさんに警察は、彼を殴った同僚を訴えられるほどの証拠がないと告げたのだという。やがて7月13日になり、レフチェンコさんは逮捕された。BBCが確認した裁判資料によると、問われている罪状はテロの正当化だ。そんなことはしていないと否定するレフチェンコさんは、公判開始前という理由で勾留された。BBCと連絡をとるには、弁護士に手紙を託すしか方法がない。「私が他の船員に暴力をはたらいたと、捜査員たちは言う(中略)そして、ロシア連邦に対して敵対行為をするつもりだと、私がそう話していたことになっている」と、レフチェンコさんは私たちに書いた。画像説明, BBCが確認した書類によると、レフチェンコさんはテロを正当化した罪に問われている。本人は否認しているレフチェンコさんの友人たちは、相手の船員が自分の暴力行為をごまかし、警察の目をそらすために、彼が通報したのだろうと、私に話した。漁船内での飲酒は禁止されているのに、酒を勧めたことも、相手の男はごまかそうとしているのだろうと。「自分はただ家に戻りたい」と、レフチェンコさんは言う。「自分の牢(ろう)では、何重もの鉄格子の向こうにかろうじて、空がぎりぎり少し見えるだけで、こんなことは耐えられない」。彼がこう友人に書き送った手紙を、その友人がBBCに見せてくれた。「果てしない訴え」戦争が始まって以来、あまりに大量の通報が次々とくるため対応しきれないのだと、ロシア警察は認めている。「誰かがロシア軍を批判したという訴えが、延々と届く」ため、警察はその捜査と対応に多くの時間を割いているのだと、警察関係者はBBCに匿名で明らかにした。「特別軍事作戦」をめぐり「何かしら他人を攻撃したい人たちが、常に言いがかりの口実を探している」のだと、引退間もない警官がBBCに話した。「おかげで、たとえ具体的な中身のある本物の案件がいざ来ても、捜査しようにも人手がない。みんな、ウクライナの旗に見えるカーテンを見たという、どこかのおばあちゃんの話を確認しに、出払ってしまっているので」プーチン大統領は、「裏切り者を罰せよ」と繰り返している。そして、ウクライナでの戦争に終わりは全く見えない。それだけに、コロブコワさんのような常習的な密告者も、ほかの市民について密告するのを全くやめようとしない。「私はこれからも、通報文を書き続ける」と、彼女はメールでBBCに伝えてきた。「たくさん書かなくてはならないので、忙しい」のだという。(英語記事 Ukraine war: The Russians snitching on colleagues and strangers)