[ENG] UNREAL Absurd Variety Store stage play - subtitle file
Hello, everyone.
At long last, the subtitle file for the stage play sequel of Unreal - Absurd Variety Store is ready to enjoy!
This stage play is a continuation of its homonymous drama, which can be found here with English subtitles.
Before moving on, I want to thank Echo and Lily for always being my emotional support system, and Sushi, for being a lovely, kind soul.
That being said, subtitle file for the stage play and disclaimers can be found under the cut.
Thank you!
Disclaimers:
- This is a link to the subtitle file only, not the video. I don't mind sharing my copy of the video, but please send me an ask about it as I will not be posting it publicly.
- Please use these subtitles privately and with caution: posting screenshots of the stage play openly is highly discouraged, even more so with subtitles.
- If anyone asks for these subtitles, please do not just send them the file, link them back to this post. In general, sharing these subtitles outside of tumblr is absolutely okay, just please link this post as well.
- The subtitles are timed according to the January 26th livestream, so if you got the 25th one, you might have to resync.
- I am not fluent in Japanese, therefore I relied on a huge amount of online dictionaries and translation tools, as well as a machine-generated Japanese transcription, and the Japanese original manga. Though I have put the utmost care into translating, editing and reviewing every single line, errors and inaccuracies are very likely to occur.
I still don't quite believe this journey came to an end. Unreal means a lot to me, and I'm glad it got to have its proper ending in a stage play setting. I enjoyed it very much -- cried a bit, too. I hope it will move your hearts as well.
Took a bit longer than expected but I've finally finished the subs for Mankai Stage Act 3 - B!!!
This was both a fun and a difficult one - the OG Mankai play was quite hard to figure out but it was also fun to do some extra research into everything, so please if you're curious, read my translator's notes~ You'll also notice that I have this time not used "Immortal Crow" as the title in the subs but maybe I will reconsider.
The subs are timed to the B senshuuraku stream, I will eventually add a version that matches the Blu-ray as well, hopefully also soonish.
B - Immortal Crow (subs only)
I put a lot of time and effort in creating these subs because I love Mankai Stage, and I spend a lot of money on going to their shows, buying goods and following actors as well. I have a job but my salary is actually quite low! So I would very much appreciate it if anyone who is able to spare a few coins and wishes to show their support to buy me a coffee~ It honestly means a lot to me, but a message of thanks is also very appreciated <3
I'm pretty close to completing the first draft for the C - Last Planet part one as well~
Previous subs:
A - Stray Devil Blues
RULES: no re-uploading, removing credits, claiming as your own, using for hardsubs or uploading to streaming - if you want to re-translate these to your language, shoot me a message!
A3! Translation: Chikage SSR Card “Margrethe in the Sun” [ Touching My Blue Hour ]
The blue hour and the belt of Venus bleed into each other, existing simultaneously and separately, together they melt beautifully.
This has to be one of the more beautifully poetic Chikage backstage stories I think 🥹 and definitely one of my favorites
Part 1
Chikage
I’m home.
Masumi
… *Sigh* Yeah, welcome back.
Chikage
… ?
________________________________
Chikage
Hey, I’m back.
Itaru
Senpai, good job at work. Especially this late into the night.
Chikage
What’s up with Masumi? He was going around looking like the world was about to end.
Itaru
Perceptive as always. That’s cuz director had to go on a trip overseas, which is like a rare limited time event.
Chikage
So that’s why.
I’m going on a business trip the day after tomorrow too, now that I think about it.
Itaru
Wow, talk about a coincidence. Is it gonna be a morning flight? I got a meeting near there, want a ride?
Chikage
Thanks for the offer, but it’s fine. It’s a late-night return flight. I’ll just take a cab.
Itaru
Gotcha.
Izumi
Here we go… Hah. This suitcase is so hard to wheel. Guess cheap stuff are cheap for a reason.
Ah. Chikage-san, you’re back.
Chikage
Yup, I am. That luggage’s pretty huge. You’re going abroad, I hear?
Izumi
Pretty much. I’m getting all ready for it now. It was so sudden so now I’m scrambling all over the place.
You’re really something, Chikage-san. Even when you go on unprompted business trips, you’re always so smart with it. Like you just get it done without a hitch, don’t you?
Chikage
Well, you get used to it. How long’s the trip gonna last?
Izumi
It’s gonna be a 3-day trip at the start of the week.
Chikage
Then you’ll be back the same day as me.
Itaru
Director, do you need someone to come pick you up?
Izumi
No, I’m all good. My ETA back is around early evening, so I’ll book an airport limousine bus.
Chikage
You sure are being smart with it.
Izumi
Is that your shot at a compliment?
Chikage
Sure is. Securing a way to-and-fro is important when you’re traveling far.
Izumi
Oh, right. Chikage-san, what do you do to pass time on the plane? I’ve been wondering ‘cause it’s been a while since my last long-haul flight.
Chikage
Not much, really. It’s either I work, or… maybe read a book, I suppose.
Izumi
A book… that sounds great, actually! Maybe I’ll buy something tomorrow.
Itaru
If you’re heading there anyway, why not party up with senpai? You two probably got totally different tastes, could be an interesting book trip.
Izumi
You’re right… If it’s okay, I’d love to go with you, Chikage-san.
Chikage
Of course. It has to be after work but let’s meet up and go there together.
________________________________
Chikage
So, do you have anything particular in mind, director?
Izumi
Hmm… not really. I thought maybe I’d go look for a romance novel.
Chikage
Why a romance novel?
Izumi
Just feels like something that’s easy to get into. How about you, Chikage-san?
Chikage
Hmm… I’d say mystery?
Izumi
You phrase it like a question.
Chikage
I mean… anything works, really… as long as it’s not a romance novel.
Izumi
You say anything works and yet there’s an exception.
Chikage
Not that I can’t read them. But it’s just in our nature to avoid things we’re not good at. You’d wanna avoid investment books or business articles too, right?
Izumi
It’s not that I can’t read them either, but… fair point?
Chikage
Exactly.
PART 2
Bookshop owner
If you’re having a hard time picking, why not give this a shot?
Izumi
Um, is this… for gifts?
Bookshop owner
It’s a blind book. The cover’s all hidden under the wrapping paper, so you won’t know the title or synopsis.
You buy and it’s a surprise waiting for you.
Chikage
Hm… you see these overseas often. I didn’t know we had these in Japan too.
But, these blind books don’t even have a single hint or recommendation notes.
Izumi
Hints?
Chikage
As an example, some at least have author names written on them with “For fans of this author.” Or there’d be keywords, or the kinds of mood the content has.
Izumi
Ohh! But yeah, now that you mention it, there’s none of those on these…
Bookshop owner
The only hints you’ll get from my blind books are the book thickness and color of the wrapping paper. I thought that people are more likely to stumble into the kind of books they normally wouldn’t pick this way.
Chikage
Talk about a gamble. What’s your move?
Izumi
It sounds fun…! I’ll choose from these, I think.
Bookshop owner
Take your time.
Izumi
Oh, since we’re here already, why don’t we pick a book for each other?
Chikage
Now I didn’t say all that about this selection, but… well, it’s not like I had anything in mind anyway, so sure.
Let me take full responsibility on my choice for yours.
________________________________
Chikage
—Director, have you made up your mind?
Izumi
Mhm. How about you, Chikage-san?
Chikage
I have.
Izumi
Okay, let’s do a reveal on a count of three. Ready… go!
Chikage
Blue gradient wrapping… What made you pick this out?
Izumi
It had that mystery novel kinda feel, y’know? And Chikage-san, you picked out a pink and purple gradient for mine.
Chikage
Felt like a romance novel vibe. Can’t guarantee what’s inside is gonna match, who knows.
Izumi
Hehe, true. Alright, I’ll go on and pay for this. Thanks for choosing mine!
Chikage
Same here.
Izumi
Ah, oh yeah!
Chikage
There’s more?
Izumi
When we finish these, if we like them, wanna swap? I’m curious about what’s in the one I picked out for you, too.
Chikage
… Sure thing. As long as it isn’t a romance novel, that is.
Izumi
Aww.
________________________________
Chikage
(All right, let’s see what’s in here…)
(The title is “The Blue Hour Whispers Your Name”)
(Blue hour… the time after sunset and just before sunrise, when the sky is dyed a deep blue…)
… I see.
(So it’s an anthology series themed around that blue hour.)
(I’ve read some of these before, but it’d be interesting to go back to them with this in mind.)
… Though there are a few autobiographical I-novels mixed in here, they aren’t my kind of thing, but it’s better than a romance novel.
*Director, on a different plane.*
Izumi
Oh, wow…! I knew it, Chikage-san!
(A romance fiction anthology, perfect for this stylish and pretty wrapping. But… I wonder what this title means.)
(Right, I’m on Airplane mode. I’ll look it up later, let’s dive into this for now)
PART 3
Chikage
(——I sent my luggage ahead to the dorm, so I’ll just take a cab back.)
(As for tuning in after the trip… It’s already late, I’ll just send a LIME text to Spring Troupe and——)
Izumi
—Ah! Chikage-saaan!
Chikage
… Director? I thought you were back on the evening flight?
Izumi
I was, but my flight got delayed. I arrived just a while ago.
Chikage
It must’ve been rough for you. Welcome home.
Izumi
Ahaha. But I figured since it was gonna be late, you’d probably arrive around the same time. I thought we might as well go back together.
Chikage
I could get behind that. Should we head to the taxi bay, then?
Izumi
Wow… the queue is so long, even this late at night…
Chikage
Looks like other flights were delayed too like yours. Maybe we should’ve summoned Chigasaki regardless of the hour.
Izumi
Should we just join the queue?
Chikage
Hmm…
If we wait a bit, we can take the first train ride of the day. That might actually be faster. Let’s grab some coffee somewhere until then.
Izumi
Sounds like a plan.
Chikage
Hand it over.
Izumi
Huh?
Chikage
Your luggage.
Izumi
It’s all good, you have your own bags too… wait, actually, where is your luggage?
Chikage
Had it delivered. Easier that way.
Izumi
Figures, this is your thing.
Chikage
Now you know, so hand it over already. With how you’re wrestling with that suitcase, the first train would’ve gone and went before we even make it to the cafe.
Izumi
I’m not that bad! Ah— Chikage-san, wait up!
________________________________
Izumi
It’s just the two of us in here.
Chikage
Probably because everyone else is waiting for a taxi.
Izumi
Could be, if you hadn’t told me about the first train, I probably would’ve queued too… Speaking of which, did you get to finish the book?
Chikage
Around 80%, but work kept me busier than I thought it would, I couldn’t exactly finish it entirely. Did you?
Izumi
Yup! I was completely hooked, read the whole thing.
Chikage
So it must’ve been a romance novel.
Izumi
All thanks to you. You sure know your stuff, Chikage-san!
Chikage
Just a lucky guess.
Izumi
Hnn…
Chikage
You can go to sleep if you want, it’s okay.
[ Option 1: I couldn’t ]
Izumi
I really couldn’t do that. I’m the one that invited you to come back with me.
Chikage
… If you’d rather not have me see you asleep, we can get separate cars.
Izumi
Not that I mind, but… I feel like that would make it harder to sleep.
[ Option 2: Aren’t you tired? ]
Izumi
Aren’t you tired, Chikage-san?
Chikage
Not particularly. I’m used to coming back on late-night flights from overseas trips.
Izumi
Is that how it is?
Chikage
Exactly how it is. If I hadn’t run into you, I’d probably be working inside a taxi on the way home.
Chikage
I can just read the rest of the book while you rest.
Izumi
Okay… I’ll take you up on that.
Chikage
Director? I thought you were gonna sleep.
Izumi
I am. But I feel like I’d bother you if I sat next to you, so I’ll be over here.
Chikage
Facing each other feels more distracting, but do as you wish.
Izumi
(…Hm? I can hear someone’s voice)
Chikage
………
Izumi
(It’s Chikage-san, but… maybe it’s because he’s speaking in a foreign language, but his voice sounds different from the usual Chikage-san—)
Chikage
Rise and shine. Are you awake?
Izumi
(There he is… the Chikage-san I know.)
(The one from just a moment ago—that must’ve been him in the middle of work he has to keep quiet about.)
Did I sleep for a while?
Chikage
Not too long, but we’re almost at our stop, so it’s best to wake up now.
Izumi
Did you finish the book?
Chikage
Yeah, it’s decent, I suppose. A bunch of dark and moody themes, I don’t think you’d like them, director.
Izumi
Is that so… what’s the title, by the way?
Chikage
Here.
Izumi
“The Blue Hour Whispers Your Name.” Blue Hour?
Chikage
It’s exactly just like now. Night turning into day, day turning to night. That time in-between when light and dark blur together.
Izumi
… It’s kind of like you, Chikage-san.
Chikage
Me?
Izumi
Ah, well… you have a different face when you’re outside MANKAI Company, right? To me, you’re still you no matter what. But… sometimes I wonder which Chikage-san I’m facing.
Chikage
………
Izumi
(Like just earlier, when he was on the phone in a language I don’t recognize…)
Chikage
… I get it. You’re right, that does sound like me.
So, you wanna read it? My book.
Izumi
Mm… only if you read mine in return.
Chikage
“The Gaze of the Venus Belt.”
… Blue hour and Venus belt.* Talk about a match by chance.
Izumi
Do you know what the Venus belt is, Chikage-san?
I wanted to look up the title, but I was so sucked in while reading it that I completely forgot.
I thought I’d figure it out by the time I finished, but the story never described it anywhere.
Chikage
Hm… This kind of thing is more fun when you figure it out yourself.
Izumi
Aww… Okay, I’ll look into it.
Chikage
… Here, it’s dark and can be hard to understand—my Blue Hour.
Izumi
… Then here’s mine, the Venus belt that heals with its warmth and loving affection.
Chikage
Very well said. For someone who doesn’t even know what a Venus belt is.
Izumi
Oh, come on… it’s a romance novel, but please make sure to read it properly! Let’s make a pinky promise.
Chikage
Alright, alright.
Izumi
It’s a promise, okay!
Chikage
More importantly, it’s time to get off now.
Izumi
… Huh? Oh! We’re already at the station! Come on, hurry, Chikage-san!
*Director scurries ahead.*
Chikage
… If I’m the Blue hour, then that might just make you my Venus belt.
Story Clear!
———T/Ns:———
The Belt of Venus is the anti-twilight arch or the soft pink-purple blurry band that appears in the sky opposite the sun during blue hour, which is just above the shadow of the earth. Blue hour and the Venus belt are a joint phenomena that always appear together at dawn and dusk, one dark (Blue Hour) and one glowing warmly above it (Venus Belt.)
this was crazyyy i cant believe they wrote this omgggg 😭😭
One hour into Mankai Stage Act 3 C (Last Planet part one)!!
It's been so fun to work on this now that I'm somewhat less busy. I don't really think I have much else to say except - for anyone who actually has followed me since longgg ago, you would know I love Haikyuu and suddenly at work we got a redelivery request for a Haikyuu subtitle and I was like ??? Literally nobody who might have worked on that 10 years ago still works at the company but it felt extremely nostalgic to work on an episode from S1. BUT ALSO ANNOYING cause the specs for subs back then and now are totally different. No more A-B tracks! I wonder why though, it sometimes would be better even if that means the viewer needs to press pause if they want to read both the sub and the additional text.
Parallel lines. Opposites. Things which should never meet come together.
In the wake of a scandal, Arato Nikkuni is demoted from his elite government job and transferred to the remote island of Izumosuito. There he encounters the grand casino CRUD, and its young yakuza boss, Yuki Tensho. Inexplicably drawn to one another, their beliefs clash, and the two soon become embroiled in a life-or-death power struggle.
On top of it all, Izumosuito happens to be home to a powerful supernatural force, sealed away at the bottom of the sea...
CRUD is a series of original plays, produced by theater troupe Zero Terra since 2022. A part of the Japanese genre of "entertainment theater," the series takes many influences from 2.5D, as well as mythology, history, and literature. My English translation of part 1 is linked below.
Please remember:
Do not post screenshots or video to social media sites like Twitter and Youtube
Do not redistribute these subtitles as burned-in hardsubs
I'm a massive fan of the author (Yu Akahoshi), and this translation is made with the utmost respect and admiration for their work. I'd love it if more people worldwide could enjoy these productions someday.
I am providing subtitles only, no video. The subs are timed for the DVD and Blu-ray release. Download here.
Special thanks to CheapestThrill for reviewing my translation. Check out their own work here.
i just saw a youtube short of brandon sanderson on a podcast. the whole time hes talking hes doing book signings. what a flex. so many bitches on my dick i gotta multitask
brandon sanderson is actually just built different. once on a podcast with patrick rothfuss they were talking about tools to write better and he said "i try to limit myself to 8 hours of writing per day." he took time off of writing during the first year of covid and accidentally wrote four unplanned books. he teaches a class at byu. his wife has a codeword to get him to stop writing in his head because at any given moment you might think he's doing something normal but no he's also writing another novel. stephen king said he's insane
Yikes it's literally time for the new Mankai Stage to begin and I have only finished 2/4 from last year xD
Subs for the B-play should be ready soon, and I'm working on C.
The Lupin musical is kind of in the back drawer at the moment, but I am over halfway throught - essentially retranslating it cause I made Dutch subs for it so I could show my mom.
Other things I am possibly subbing in the future are Blue Egoist and Babanbabanban Vampire.
I am only sharing a subtitle file (unofficial fan-translation!)
Translated/timed by me ✨ (My subs are always made without the use of mtl)
These are timed to the version on streaming services, which can be found here:
- Theatre Complex (Available worldwide! <3)
- DMM (Japan only)
I would recommend using theatre complex via chrome and applying subs with this plugin (only works with the SRT version!)
Looking for blu-ray subs? Check out mihumhyk's translation!
Please read!
- Never post screenshots/images/clips on public social media!!
- Do not remove credits from the subtitle file
- Do not reupload
- Do not make hardsubs
I would encourage you to support the show.
You can download the subs from here. Enjoy! 💜
Translation notes:
Many of Mahoyaku's locations are named after locations on the moon. For example: 既知の遺跡 is named after 既知の海.
"Well known Ruins" is probably the most direct translation of 既知の遺跡. However, I wanted to maintain the "moon" naming scheme. English speakers call 既知の海 the Mare Cognitum, so the ruins became the "Cognitum Ruins".
The "Sardines for breakfast" joke in Murr and Shylock's song comes from a little untranslatable Japanese wordplay. 皮肉 means both "sarcasm" and "meat". To maintain the pun in English (and give you the same experience as a Japanese speaker) I chose to use a little wordplay with "sardonic" and "sardines".
If you're wondering what the "black company" thing Akira mentions is, here's some info.
I would like to thank Heathcliff for explaining ojiya, and the twins for explaining OJT so I don't need to give notes on those! 👏
If you have any questions, you're always welcome to ask <3
Once again, I went to a museum (the British Museum in London) to find and gawk at some lovely beautiful swords. However, this time, I got surprised by a familiar little guy!
What are you doing here Mikazuki ?! XD one of the curators must have been a saniwa like us. (The second picture is from the gift shop where can actually just buy a kiwame mikazuki nendo from the museum ! Lol)
This is from the Samurai exhibition that the British Museum is currently hosting for the month (February 2026). There were lots of beautiful swords and armour, and even a collection of tall yaris and naginatas !! I went with my mum, who really adored the aubergine-shaped helmet that was showcased haha. There were main beautiful paintings to accompany a lot of the history being talked about (I remember Yoshitsune getting his own section and my brain couldn't stop hearing Imano saying Yoshitsunekko). There were even a couple artifacts on loan from the Osaka Castle Museum and the pieces of armour that the British royal family had recieved as diplomatic gifts from Japan throughout the years. I went on an extremely crowded day, so it was tough trying to focus and admire everything at my own pace but I was so excited seeing and reading about everything—I even bought myself the catalogue so I can read more about it. Even though the exhibition was focused on the history of samurai, the very last section was on the modern impact, featuring a very tall statue of Darth Vader. And, of course, a figurine of Mikazuki Munechika himself. I'd love to go again just to see Mikazuki haha. It just caught me off-guard !!
Here's Touken Ranbu's own little section in this massive catalogue I carried all the way back home:
The Mikazuki figurine was listed as "private collection"... which one of you donated your figurine to the British Museum ?!
Adding the game image as the plays separately don't have covers~
HAPPY 2026 PEOPLE WHO FIND THIS AS I UPLOAD
It has been a long time coming but I've finally finished my final check of the subs for Act 3-A!!!! Yay!!!!
This has been so fun to sub although the play was a bit of a struggle thanks to poetic wording and lack of subjects in Japanese prose. I opted to spell Shift as Shifuto so as to not have it be Shift. It's my choice but if you want, you can totally just do a find&replace in your file lol.
As I am still underpaid for the amount of overtime I do at work, and I spend all my money on stage tickets/DVDs/actor goods, I would very much appreciate a little tip over on ko-fi. <3
You can find the subs here~
*note: these are made with the stream of the senshuuraku/finale of the A-shows. Inevitably they will not match the shonichi stream video, and I may retime them once the bluray is out and I manage to get a work video
RULES: no re-uploading, removing credits, claiming as your own, using for hardsubs or uploading to streaming
