The OQ Weekly (6 May 2021) - The 'Site Makeover' Edition
The best curated newsletter in the Japanese pop-culture world.
What’s up, OTAQUESTers!
OTAQUEST got a minor site facelift! I’ve always thought OQ could do with some colors, so when Mr. Eddie (our adorable EIC) told me that we used to have separate colors for each category, I BEGGED him to bring them back (well, ok… maybe it was just one ‘please’ or two).
I can’t really describe it words, so… just go to the site already! It’s beautiful.
If you want to talk about our new site and how cool it looks, don’t forget to join our Discord! We talk about more than just anime, manga, and games, too.
I am Ura, your COVID-tired guide in this amazing journey into Japanese pop, geek, and sub culture.
Thank you for joining us.
1
Unraveling the Wonderworld.
It goes without saying that Yuji Naka’s latest game Balan Wonderworld is a hot mess, but the mostly overlooked novel may provide the answers to why it failed.
For a title without dialogue, the novelization is surprisingly over 200 pages in length, with most of it being original content not included in the game. Reading it, we can understand why there are giant characters that appear in random places and disappear if you get too close, why there are strange black enemies that burst from the ground to attack unprovoked, and who the main antagonist even is.
What’s more, the novel underscores the thematic purpose of the game’s setting in the titular Wonderworld: apparently, it is meant to restore balance in people’s hearts and help them recover from traumatic events. Over half of the novel is set before the events of the game, and it doesn’t even stop where the game does: it goes further, explaining what happened to the characters afterwards.
Alicia Haddick doesn’t reckon that the novel suggests an easy fix for Balan Wonderworld, but it does indicate that something better was hidden within the original concept.
‘Yuji Naka has built a career on engaging characters and worlds, and somewhere along the line he lost his ability to realize these ideas. The problems with this game aren’t technical, but exist by design… The Balan Wonderworld novel is a blueprint, but creating a good game from it requires a structural redesign from the ground up.’
2
It’s snack time!
Following in the footsteps of other agencies, Japanese virtual YouTuber group NIJISANJI has launched their own 3D animated series titled Chokosanji.
Also known as Snack Time! in English, it will bring talents from across the group’s giant roster together in a series of comedic shorts. In fact, the very first episode makes light of the fact that there are literally hundreds of VTubers now associated with NIJISANJI: titled ‘MISSION START! NIJISANJIfication of all humankind,’ it sees Toya Kenmochi declaring that ‘Turning the rest of humanity into NIJISANJI VTubers is now only a matter of time…’ The second episode is also similarly meta.
This isn’t the first time that NIJISANJI have dipped their toes into 3D animation: they contributed several of their talents to the VTuber anime Virtual-san wa Miteiru back in 2019, but this is the first time since then that they have made a concerted attempt to bring their talents into 3D. Why now?
Jacob Parker-Dalton has an answer: ‘...we only have to look at NIJISANJI’s biggest rival, Hololive. Since 2019, the company has been releasing new episodes of the short series Holo no Graffiti every Friday, with the episode count now surpassing 100. They’re also all subtitled in English, much like the first two episodes of Chokosanji. Would it be an assumption to say that Chokosanji is attempting to replicate the success of Holo no Graffiti? Perhaps, but not an unfounded one.’
3
An unnecessary sequel?
Twenty years after it was released, Tatsuhiko Takimoto is penning a sequel to his original Welcome to the NHK novel. Did it really need to happen?
According to Jacob, ‘the original 2001 novel already left off on a thematically resonant note, saying that it is only you that can fix your life: no one else. If the continuation ruins that by having Satou somehow revert back to his hikikomori lifestyle, or getting together with Misaki, then that’d be a crying shame.’ Yet, he also admits that the impact it might have on the original will ‘probably be limited,’ given that it is just a short story.
At the very least, the way in which this Welcome to the NHK sequel is being released is interesting. Takimoto is apparently currently operating as part of the ‘literature rock band’ Elites along with fellow novelists Meron Uminekozawa, Yuuya Satou, and pha (the other member, Robes, used to work in the publishing industry). As well as releasing songs, the group also puts out a doujinshi magazine called Elites: so far, two issues have been published, and it is in the upcoming third volume that the Welcome to the NHK sequel will be published.
The video in which the sequel was announced also asks the viewer: ‘Can you follow the earnestness of this author who has written this continuation after twenty years?’
I suppose that depends on the quality of the work.
4
Enter the Abyss… again.
At long last, Made in Abyss season 2 has been given a release date! There’s also a new 3D action RPG on the way, which looks exciting.
The continuation of Kinema Kitrus’s anime adaptation was previously teased at the end of the 2020 movie, Dawn of Deep Soul, but now we know that it’s coming next year in 2022. What’s more, the title The Sun Blazes Upon the Golden City (Retsujitsu no Ougonkyou) refers to the latest arc’s setting of Ilblu, a mysterious village located in the sixth layer that revolves entirely around the concept of ‘value.’
In terms of the game, it’s titled Binary Star Falling into Darkness and will be developed by Spike Chunsoft. Some screenshots are already out, showing that it will mostly be a retelling of the anime. That being said, original author Akihito Tsukushi is apparently writing some new scenarios for it.
Moving back to season 2, though, Jacob has identified a problem: ‘Even though the Ilblu arc started back in 2017, only nineteen chapters have been released since then... this poses several questions for Made in Abyss season 2. Is the studio confident that they’ll have enough material to fill a second season by next year? Or have they been told upcoming plot points by series author Akihito Tsukushi just in case his schedule doesn’t allow for that?’
Either way, the excitement is palpable.
5
Taking virtual aim.
The fact that Netflix now has their own VTuber is hardly surprising, but episode 1 of her show revealed that this is meant more for Japanese fans than English-speaking viewers.
Entitled The N-Ko Show and presented by the titular N-Ko Mei Kuruno, it is said to consist of three segments: ‘Weekly Favorites,’ where N-Ko will tell you some of her favorite anime on the service. Then there is ‘N-Ko English,’ where N-Ko will teach you various English phrases from anime to make otaku friends abroad, and a Q&A section, where she will answer questions from viewers posted on either YouTube or Twitter.
Q&A segment aside, those choices are interesting. After all, why would you teach English to an English-speaking audience? Even if the idea of simply saying phrases from anime in a foreign language to make friends is a long shot, you have to admire the imagination. Moreover, many of the shows that N-Ko lists in the ‘Weekly Favorites’ segment of The N-Ko Show episode 1 are only available in Japan, such as Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- and Attack on Titan (both on Crunchyroll).
Jacob reckons that this fits into Netflix’s recent expansions into Japan. ‘In February, they partnered with WIT Studio and the Sasayuri Video Training Center to launch an animator academy, and March saw them lease two studios from TOHO to further production in Japan. Serious moves are being made to secure the Japanese market right now, and The N-Ko Show fits in as part of that… what better way to appeal to the Japanese consumer than through a VTuber? I certainly can’t think of one.’
6
Straw Hats, ranked.
Back in January, fans of One Piece all around the world were asked one simple question: who’s your favorite character? The full results are now in.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, main character Monkey D. Luffy took the top spot, with the sword-swinging Roronoa Zoro coming in second. This pretty much mirrors the central conflict that defined the interim results back in February. Moreover, Nami made a last-minute surge to finish in third, while Sanji and Trafalgar Law came in fourth and fifth respectively.
Curiously, the results shift a bit when listed by region, with Nami holding the top spot in Latin America, Europe, and Oceania, and Zoro reigning supreme in the Middle East and Africa. X Drake also ranked 41st overall but 2nd in Turkey, which is significant given that his design is said to be inspired by the country. All in all, over 12 million votes were cast for over 1100 different characters!
Who did you vote for? For me, it was Trafalgar Law all the way. Swoon.
7
Goodbye, Girlfriend.
After six years of activities, it was announced last week that all-girl rock group GIRLFRIEND would be disbanding, effective immediately.
For us here at OTAQUEST, this is particularly heartbreaking: they’re essentially part of our extended family, being a staff favorite for years and sitting down with us last year for an in-depth interview to discuss their love of everything pop culture. They even performed an exclusive English version of their number one hit ‘sky & blue’ to a captivated audience from around the world at our online convention OTAQUEST CONNECT.
GIRLFRIEND quickly became an online phenomenon after forming at Osaka’s Caless Vocal & Dance School, posting videos of well-executed covers of popular songs from Keyakizaka46 to Perfume. After amassing millions of views, they moved on to work in anime, providing themes for Twin Star Exorcists and later Black Clover.
‘While we’re unsure what’s next for the members, we’re nothing but thankful for the music they’ve given us since 2015.’ (Carley Garcia)
8
Bong on Urasawa.
As it turns out, Naoki Urasawa has quite an unexpected fan: Bong Joon-ho, Oscar-winning director of Parasite and Snowpiercer.
That much was revealed in a comment from Bong Joon-ho meant to commemorate the release of Asadora! volume 5, Naoki Urasawa’s latest series. In it, the director demonstrated his love and respect for the mangaka who is often described as the ‘Osamu Tezuka of his generation.’
It’s far too long to quote here, but well worth a read on our site: he basically touches upon all the reasons why Naoki Urasawa’s works are so iconic from his use of the serialized medium to his imaginative settings and pitch-perfect thriller storytelling.
Moreover, Joon-ho’s love for Urasawa makes him a prime candidate for adapting more of his manga. ‘One thing’s for sure: if Shogakukan ever wanted to adapt some more of Naoki Urasawa’s works into live-action films (say, Billy Bat or even Monster), Bong Joon-ho might just be their man.’ (Jacob)
9
First enka, now puppets.
The promotional campaign for Resident Evil: Village is getting pretty weird. First, it was enka, now it’s a kid’s puppet show!
Titled ‘Let’s Play in the Resi Village,’ it features cute puppet versions of multiple prominent characters and its own child-friendly theme song. This includes an extra-tall puppet for Lady Dimitrescu, which is quite hilarious.
In terms of the plot, this strange first episode sees ‘Dimitre-onee-chan’ trying to teach Salvatore, Donna, and Karl how to paint a picture using red paint. When they realize that they may not have enough red paint, Salvatore conveniently falls onto Karl’s electric chainsaw, causing his blood to pour out. The fact that it’s so silly almost makes it even more disturbing, especially when they burst into song and the blood flips Dimitre-onee-chan’s vampire switch!
‘When we spoke about Resident Evil’s viral enka promotional campaign, I wouldn’t have thought that would be the start of CAPCOM’s brilliant, bizarre promotional strategy for their latest game in the long-running series. That alone hit all the notes needed for a domestic viral promotional campaign by taking a beloved classic song and bringing the singer back for a new arrangement. Puppetry may be stranger.’ (Alicia)
10
Acquisitions, acquisitions, acquisitions…
In another move that will affect the balance of Japanese media distribution in English, media conglomerate KADOKAWA will be acquiring light novel and manga publisher J-Novel Club.
Launched in 2016, J-Novel Club was notable not only for its unique and varied set of licenses, but also the fact that it operated as a subscription service. For a long time, J-Novel Club was the only place to read such popular titles as Ascendance of a Bookworm and Otherside Picnic before they got animated, alongside old favorites like Slayers. As a result, it grew in popularity very quickly, eventually catching the eye of media giant KADOKAWA.
The acquisition isn’t expected to affect the day-to-day operations of J-Novel Club that much, but is yet another move in the further monopolization of the distribution of Japanese media in English. Now, KADOKAWA will be adding J-Novel Club to its own extensive list of publication subsidiaries: these include BOOK☆WALKER, ASCII Media Works, Enterbrain, and Yen Press (co-owned with Hachette Book Group). Incidentally, they also have a ‘strategic capital alliance’ with Sony, who recently bought Crunchyroll.
Jacob explains that ‘the problem with monopolies is that they can very easily engage in such things as price fixing and prevent worthy competitors from ever seeing the light of day… Our new overlords over at KADOKAWA would probably deny all of that, but one thing’s for sure: J-Novel Club subscribers are more than right to feel just a little uneasy about the whole thing.’
Video Corner
Japan Studio is PlayStation, or rather, it was. When the PlayStation 1 first launched in Japan, the company worked to secure plenty of local creators to make games exclusively for their new platform. However, that all seems to be falling apart with the studio’s most valued creators not having their contracts renewed. But this was a company that was worth so much more than the money it brought in.
See you next week!
Ura and the OTAQUEST team.
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