HIATUS June 1, 2024: Unfortunately my health has gotten worse in recent months, so I am forced to take a break from most of my online activities, and will stop any translations while I recuperate. I don't know if I will revisit anything in the future, but for now, the focus will be on my health and getting better.
Thanks for your understanding.
-Melly
Tiger & Bunny:
Mostly Yuri Petrov/Lunatic related
Season 1
Yuri Petrov/Lunatic Article from Hero Gossips
Excerpts from Hero TV Fan Volume 2
TN: May add more translations from this publication later
Hero TV Newspaper Extra Pg 18: Lunatic/Yuri Petrov
Cast Comments from Yusa Kōji from an unknown magazine about Tiger & Bunny: The Beginning
Late Night Tea With Yuri-Sensei: 5th Cup By: Ogawa Kuro
Late Night Tea With Yuri-Sensei: 4th Cup By: Ogawa Kuro
Yuri Petrov's Profile from The Rising - King of Works Super Fanbook
Lunatic - Heroes Column Card
Golden Ryan - Excerpts of Heroes Column Card and short lesson on Japanese polite speech forms
Yuri Petrov's Daily Schedule: The Rising - King of Works Super Fanbook
The Beginning Novelization: Yuri/Luna's post credit scene
Translation of Barnaby's Medical Assessment Performed by Dr. Chinatsu Matsui (From the November 2011 Issue of Animage)
Media
TaiBani Music, Audio Dramas and Events
Lunatic/Yuri-centric content from The Sound of Tiger & Bunny pamphlet.
Small blurb on Special CD #6: Yuri Petrov's Melancholic Daily Life
TN: Changed title to match the title used in the previously translated audio drama; however, 憂鬱 (yuuutsu) can also be translated as "depression", "gloomy", and "melancholy", so both titles work. "Yuri Petrov's Gloomy Daily Life" also sounds pretty good.
Translation of Yuri's Character Song: Thanatos no Koe wo Kike and small article about it
Excerpts from TB2 OST Liner Notes
AFFT Talkshow Event October 13, 2017 (Mainly Yuri information)
Information about TaiBani and New Otani Hotel Collab 2024
Explaination About Yuri and the Karuizawa Cabbage Seller Theory
Taibani Videogames
Translation of Yuri-centric info from this PASH article on Hero's Day for PSP
More Hero's Day Info on Yuri's Route
Hero's Day Screenshots and other info from Yuri's Route.
TN: May add translation of Yusa Kōji interview later
Translation of Yuri's (main) Route from Hero's Day for PSP
Part 1 and Part 2
Hero's Day: Yuri's April Fools Day Message and Small Interview with Yusa Kōji from B's Log
Misc Translations
Translation of blurb on Barnaby and Kotetsu's Eau de Toilette Fragrances
Masakazu Katsura's Tribute to Toriyama Akira-sensei and Masakazu Morita's words (Translation by: Todd Blankenship on Twitter/X)
Translation of Lunatic Sound Drops
Happy 13th Year Anniversary TaiBani
Season 2
Ueda Hiroshi's TaiBani2 Sequel Idea (Tweet)
S2 Cour1 Ep 8: 顔色悪い (Kao iro warui)
Translation of Yuri and Lunatic centric parts of this interview with Kase Atsuko in Newtype, February 2023
Translation of Yuri and Lunatic centric parts of this interview with Kase Atsuko in Animedia, February 2023
Translation of Excerpts from MASAKAZU KATSURA x TIGER & BUNNY 2 Design Works
Yuri Petrov and Lunatic blurbs from the Tiger & Bunny 2 Museum
Translation of Yuri-centric parts from the staff interview in TaiBani2 Exclusive Interviews Vol. 7
Commentary
The Murder Dungeon
Commentary on Lunatic's Hidden Room (aka the "Murder Dungeon™️") including official designs
Murder Dungeon Location Found? From The Beginning Novel Vol.2
Proto Cape Discovered in Murder Dungeon - S2 Episode 20
Commentary on Tartarus from S2 Watch Party Eps 20 and 24, as well as other inclusions of Greek Mythology
Yuri Petrov/Lunatic Guide (Jp, last updated Jan 2024)
Mystery Solved(?) How Yuri Stores His Hair in the Luna Mask
The Karuizawa Cabbage Theory
Pale Silly Man Leaves Phone Messages: The Rising Super Prelude
My YuriPe/TaiBani Merch:
Last items in storage shipped over
Partial Bday Haul
Found and Fixed Luna-Sensei's Missing Bowgun
Some Doujinshi Anthologies and Goodies
More TaiBani Goodies From My Friend
Another YuriPe Haul🥰
P3 Chara Fineboard and Lunatic TB Styling 2 Figure
Luna/Yuri Care Package From My Friend
Suruga-ya Haul and Others
Mercari Haul
Mercari Lot: Summer Resort Heroes and Other Acrylic Stands
TB1 Sakakibara Manga and Artbook and Lunatic Rascal Acrylic Mascots
Misc (TaiBani):
My YuriPe Tattoos: here and here
Drabble: Yuri on Cabbages
Privatter: The Cabbage Connection
Picrew Fun with YuriPe: Here, Here, and Here
Saint Seiya:
Deadend Game CV: Kawada Shinji (Thanatos' Character Song - Lost Canvas)
Tsunakan's Gag Comics (Scanlations done by House of Libra with their own translations) Here and Here
Saint Seiya Omega: Translation of Cancer Schiller's moves
——Could you please tell us about your impressions and excitement regarding the movie adaptation of Given?
Both as an actor and as a fan, I am deeply touched and full of gratefulness for being able to play Mafuyu once again and see the world of Given on a theatre screen. Since it is also a continuation of the TV anime, I cannot help looking forward to the love stories of the adult group, which I am very curious about, and to how their music will sway and bind together in the finished movie!
——What were you conscious of when playing your character in the movie?
I had the impression that the craving for singing and creating songs definitely develops Mafuyu’s music and makes Mafuyu himself stronger. I believe Mafuyu’s talent lies in his abundant sensitivity, so when Mafuyu turned towards his music, cladding himself in passion as to proportionally represent what the love of the adults seems like, I felt more strength from him than ever before. I also think I became able to let out his emotional parts in a natural manner. I have performed Mafuyu in a way that people would be able to feel his growth through the main story.
——Please leave a message for the people who will watch it.
After reading the script, I could not keep control of my emotions and became a mess.
They are skillful yet inept, honest yet insincere. They look like they are not in gear with each other, but they actually are, and even though their happiness is right at their side, they are helplessly pained. What does it even mean to be rewarded? Ugetsu is similar to Mafuyu in some aspects, and it is difficult to try to understand the mental state that only prodigies can. I think their agonizing circumstances will squeeze everyone’s hearts from beginning to end. By all means, do check it out at the theatres and see it through.
Uchida Yuuma (voice of Uenoyama Ritsuka)
——Could you please tell us about your impressions and excitement regarding the movie adaptation of Given?
This is the story that comes after the anime series and I was curious about what was made of those two after all of that, so I had been looking forward to it. Hearing Mafuyu’s words as Ritsuka for the first time in a while gave me a feeling of relief!
——What were you conscious of when playing your character in the movie?
This story is about “a sense of distance that has changed” and “an unchangeable sense of distance”. I thought it was importance to have people feel this thoroughly.
——Please leave a message for the people who will watch it.
When feelings are deep-rooted, you might not be able to move at all. Still, I would like everyone to see those guys through as they try to take even just one step forward. We will be counting on your support for “Given the Movie”.
Nakazawa Masatomo (voice of Nakayama Haruki)
——Could you please tell us about your impressions and excitement regarding the movie adaptation of Given?
I was very happy about the movie adaptation. But, strangely enough, I accepted it smoothly without any surprise. I felt that there was a high level of fellowship between the atmosphere and tempo of the original work and the anime. I am planning to respond to the bouts of each section, all of which exist for the sake of an environment made for a theatre venue’s screen projection, where the animation, sound, configuration and such are all different from television.
——What were you conscious of when playing your character in the movie?
My natural posture has not changed since the time of the TV series, so even in the movie, I performed as Haruki the way that I feel I should. In doing that, I took the moment when Haruki listened to Mafuyu’s song and realized that he was “actually lonely right now” - in short, the last part of the TV series - as a starting point to stand on the sandy beach that Haruki’s heart had turned into, riding on the waves of his emotions, which oscillated between stormy weathers and calmness.
——Please leave a message for the people who will watch it.
I am happy to be able to see it in the theatres! I would be glad if this applies to everyone else too. I hope that you can sense the atmosphere of their daily lives as if you were there with them, that you can experience the concert scene as if you were listening to them live, and that you can feel the pain and joy of love. Please support “Given the Movie”!
Eguchi Takuya (voice of Kaji Akihiko)
——Could you please tell us about your impressions and excitement regarding the movie adaptation of Given?
I was happy. After all, I was finally going to put my voice into the bits where we get to know the deep parts of Kaji. These are parts that we were not able to perform in the anime, so I want to do it to my heart’s content (laughs).
——What were you conscious of when playing your character in the movie?
I was conscious as to how I would let show the realistic parts of Kaji. He was a reliable person in the anime, but he is human like everyone else. He has faults too (laughs). I did my best on how to express these parts of him.
——Please leave a message for the people who will watch it.
I also thought this when reading the manga, but there are many scenes with complicated twists and turns, so I was super emo during the recordings (laughs). I think it has turned out as something everyone will enjoy. Please come watch it!
Asanuma Shintarou (voice of Murata Ugetsu)
——Could you please tell us about your impressions and excitement regarding the movie adaptation of Given?
That the music and art were made in a sensible and very delicate way is a given, but I felt that a work so merciless to the point that you grow miserable when you think about the machinations of their hearts, which you can sense from their lines, or about the mood of the series, which is so gentle that it seems close to breaking, is quite a rarity. I am honored to have encountered it.
——What were you conscious of when playing your character in the movie?
There is no reason for falling in love with someone; it is something that suddenly comes down to us. And the trigger for it might be just a postsctript. So as something that is nothing special, that is extremely mundane and that is not uncommon to happen to anybody, I was conscious of the naturality of that world, to the best of my abilities. Still, it might be so lacking in uniqueness that it will be buried down, and might turn out as something that will leave so little an impression that people will not be able to remember it when they finish watching. But I thought that this might actually match the slight cruelty that Ugetsu has. This atmosphere seems like something you could find anywhere, like it could disappear. I would be happy if I could make people empathize with it, even if just a little.
——Please leave a message for the people who will watch it.
I think this is a very delicate yet naïve, frustrating yet adorable, warm yet painful, beautiful yet messy, fragile yet strong series. I would be happiest if everyone could accept very, very dearly the many aspects of these awkward guys as they unfold in the big screen. I pray that this work will be something like a piece of music that lasts for eternity, like a scar, for everyone.
(T/N: In this last sentence, the word “scar” is written in katakana, just like the title of the song “Kizuato”, the anime’s opening theme. It’s a well-thought double-entendree, where AsaShin is referencing “Kizuato” as a song that lasts forever. Dude aced this comment section, holy shit.)
Challenging his difficult role in the TV anime “Hoshiai no Sora”. || How do you express special feelings?
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We have asked Yamaya Yoshitaka-san, who plays Asuka Yuuta – the manager of the boys’ soft tennis club – about the recordings and highlights of the anime.
◇ Being conscious of the feeling of just respect, not admiration.
——Please tell us your impression of the series.
It deals with extremely sensational, difficult themes that had not been depicted at all until now. It is a special series unlike any other. That’s exactly why I was happy to be involved with it. Only, I did not think it would be this heavy. My surprise at the fact that “You can portray things like these from episode one!” was huge.
——Yuuta is a sensible character. It is also obvious that he has special feelings for the captain of the boys’ soft tennis club, Shinjou Touma.
The director firstly gave us explanations about the characters, but the fact that he was LGBT was explained to me by degrees. If I am not wrong, it was in the third or fourth episode? There was a part that made it convincing. On episode one, he chases Touma with his gaze and admires him as a hero who defends him from bullies. I could tell that it was simply respect, not admiration. The director told me that he bordered special feelings for Touma, so I became even more strongly aware of that.
——That is the difficult part of a role.
It is. I was thinking, “How can I express his emotions?” and so I did a lot of research on LGBT.
◇ Middle school years of devoting himself to soccer. The existence of a friend who influenced him.
——It seems there are many men in the post-recordings, so how is the mood in them?
It felt like club activities, so it was fun. The voice actors of the soft tennis club members are mostly at the same age, so we would talk about our performance and things aside from that as well.
——By the way, any experience with soft tennis?
My older brother used to play soft tennis, so I would hang out and play with him. I was in the soccer club in middle school. I liked physical activities, so I played baseball in grade school and was in the handball club in high school.
——Please tell us about memories you have from your middle school soccer club.
There were clashes between fellow club members, but this was exactly why something was being nurtured there. There were all sorts of people and their ways of thinking were different. Under such circumstances, I took into account other people’s feelings, learned the importance of respecting individuality and grew mentally. When I look back at it nowadays, I believe it was a good experience.
——Did you start aiming to become a voice actor from there?
I did not even know the term “voice actor”. I was immersed in club activities, so my routine after they were over was just heading back home, eating dinner and going to sleep. I had anime-lover friends in my third year in middle school, and I started watching anime too. I also had such friends in high school, so my anime knowledge gradually deepened. I thought, “Voice actors are so cool!”, but then I learned it is not at all easy to become one, so my feelings were just something along the lines of, “So a job like that exists…”. Also, there was a boy who really influenced me on that. He is a manga artist now.
——What kind of friend is he?
We had been friends since grade school; he had always pursuing his dream of “I wanna become a manga artist!” and then became a professional. I became a voice actor and am involved with anime. The fact that we are in places close to each other is strange.
——It would be amazing if your friend’s series were adapted into anime and you appeared in it, Yamaya-san.
He says that “I want you to be there if it gets adapted into anime”, but I want to do a proper audition and win the role. If it really turns out that way, it will be just like “Bakuman”.
——Lastly, please tell us what to pay attention to in the anime.
Many real-life issues are condensed in it. It is also a series that makes you think a lot. As the bonds between the soft tennis club members deepen, they start facing their problems. If you ask me whether people will be smiling after they watch it, maybe they will not. I would be happy if they could watch over the boys’ growth.
Neeko (Reborn)
Ciaossu! I’m Neeko, and I play Reborn. In the anime, I was fortunate enough to play Reborn too. It was my debut role as a voice actress, so I have strong feelings about this role. This series is very dear to me. I’ve always hoped that this series would be “reborn” again in some way, so when I heard that it was going to have a stage play, I literally shouted “Reborn!!” The whole staff and cast worked together and spent time rehearsing passionately; you could even say fervently. Everyone respects the manga it was based on, and has been very careful to keep the important parts of the world of Reborn intact. This stage play was crafted with passion and care, so I hope you would be able to sense that too. The play has many highlights! The charms, actions, and gags of the characters when played by real humans… I hope we can all enjoy REBORN! together, no matter if you’re a long-time REBORN! fan or a new one!
Takenaka Ryohei (Sawada Tsunayoshi)
I kept up with REBORN! back when the series while still ongoing, so when I got the role, I wondered if it was really all right for me to play Sawada Tsunayoshi. Plus, I was also very curious as to how I’d look when I go into Dying Will mode in just underwear, and how characters who have bodies roughly the same size as their heads like Reborn and Lambo would appear in the play. It was very exciting, seeing everything I was curious about gradually take shape as we rehearsed. I’ll do my best to do perform smoothly until the end without suffering any injuries! This is REBORN!’s first stage play adaptation, so I hope the audience would be able to enjoy the world of REBORN! with us. I look forward to seeing you all!
Kuwano Kosuke (Gokudera Hayato)
I was so happy to be involved in a work I’ve loved since I was student! It was like I was on cloud nine! Personally, I felt that the role of Gokudera Hayato was a challenge I could take on, and so I planned to tackle the preparations for this role with my Dying Will. As we rehearsed, things started to come together and I grew more confident about my role. My expectations definitely changed. The company is like one big family, and we also bounce off each other’s energy as coworkers. You could really feel the love the company has for this series. To me, the highlight of this play is Takenaka Ryohei-kun, who plays the Tenth (Sawada Tsunayoshi). Not once had he complained when he took on his role during rehearsals. I believe you’d be able to see how much work he put into this role onstage. I hope you’ll look at first and foremost the hard work he’s put in, and then the hard work the rest of us did too until the end. I’m ready to lay it all out onstage! See you at the playhouse and the theaters!
Yamamoto Ryosuke (Yamamoto Takeshi)
I too had kept up with the manga the whole time. In the series, Yamamoto was my favorite character, so when I received this role, I felt like it was fate since we had the same surname and all. Since he’s my favorite character, I was very determined to put my all in playing this role. I think Tsuna (Sawada Tsunayoshi) has it the hardest amongst all of us, so I hope to support him from the sidelines. This series a lot of individualistic characters, and among them Yamamoto is the one who is most like a regular junior high school student. I hope that Yamamoto Takeshi’s cluelessness would be a good contribution to this play. Hopefully, you’ll find a different good point as you see the REBORN! world live, something different from the manga and the anime.
Kishimoto Yuta (Hibari Kyoya)
I am naturally familiar with with the manga, so when I heard about the stage play adaptation, I was looking forward to seeing how they’d pull this series off in the 3d world. There was some pressure in getting a popular role like Hibari Kyoya, but I was set on showing a Hibari that only I can pull off. There are a whole lot of highlights in this play. Tsuna’s growth, Reborn’s cuteness and strength… I believe you’ll really be able to feel the “heat” our scriptwriter and director Maruo Maruichiro-san emphasized on us, please do look forward to it! Personally, my scene with Mukuro is a must-see! Do come and watch!
Wada Masanari (Rokudo Mukuro)
Rokudo Mukuro is a type of character I’ve never played before. I didn’t think I would be able to play this role unless I broadened my horizons. Still, there seemed to be people who believed I could be entrusted with it, so I took on this series to live up to those expectations. All of us have made painstaking efforts to portray the world of REBORN! onstage. When all the visuals, lights, and sounds came together, it made me feel that this series is truly worth making into a stage play. We’ll all do our best to show that to the audience when we perform. Personally, I think the highlight is the fight scene with Hibari. *laughs* We had fun working on this series, so I believe it’s something you could all look forward to. Let’s enjoy this play together!
May 2017 Dengeki G’s Magazine Post-1st Live Messages from Aqours
Aqours has arrived at Yokohama Arena!
To G’s readers, the messages from the 9 cast members have arrived.
Please accept their current post-live feelings as well as their spirit towards what’s next ♪
Voice of Takami Chika Inami Anju
Aqours 1st Live has ended.
First, I'm really grateful to everyone who supported us.
Really, thank you very much!
I remember it all clearly.
The scenery I saw that day, the voices and sounds I heard. Every time it comes to mind, I'll always end up grinning broadly (laughs)
In order for everyone to love Love Live! Sunshine!! and Aqours more, we will focus on our charm and assets, and use them to fulfill my strong desire to pursue sights that we’ve never seen before with all we have.
Next up is our Next Step! Project, so please wait and look forward to it!
Voice of Sakurauchi Riko Aida Rikako
Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours First LoveLive! ~Step! ZERO to ONE~ has successfully finished!
I think that it was a live where the 9 of us could share all our fun and difficult moments as Aqours with everyone.
And once again , I confirmed the existence of the passionate fans.
I want to take everyone’s various feelings and face the next STEP with all 9 of us!
Let us meet at the 2nd Live Tour!
Voice of Matsuura Kanan Suwa Nanaka
The 1st Live has ended. Before the 1st Live, we were worried about whether or not we could really do it, but I was able to get self-confidence after realizing that the 9 of us were able to hold such a big performance. It was truly a fun time, and it also became 2 days that had deep, unforgettable memories. That wonderful sea of light still comes to mind whenever I close my eyes. For the sake of everyone creating more and more wonderful sights, I want to advance forward and give it my all!! Please take good care of me from now on ♪
Voice of Kurosawa Dia Komiya Arisa
That time period was truly, truly a dreamlike two days. I was really nervous prior to standing on stage, but it was all blown away once it started, and I sang with enjoyment from my heart because of everyone’s warm support and smiles. Love Live! is not something that was just made by us, but I actually felt once again that we were only able to complete it because of everyone who cheered us on there. For the sake of taking another step forward from here, I want to completely have fun while trying our best as Aqours.
Voice of Watanabe You Saitou Shuka
Alright! The two days of Aqours 1st Live successfully finished~. The first thing I will say is that it was fun! It was noisy! I ran! I did my best! Yeah! (laughs) Ever since the live ended, whenever I remember the venue wrapped up in lots of light, somehow tears well up in my eyes. I’m so happy that I passed those two days with everyone that my heart hurts. Really, thank you very much for making those wonderful two days with me. I hope that you will look over us with warm eyes from now on.
Voice of Tsushima Yoshiko Kobayashi Aika
Really, thank you very much for Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours First LoveLive! ~Step! ZERO to ONE~! Did everyone turn into Yohane’s little demon and descend to the very depths of hell…? (^o^)
Once again, those two days at Yokohama Arena, our big dream stage, as Aqours, where everyone stood with Yohane… When I think about that, even though I’m still in a trance, I’m certain that we took a large step forward that day. The moment where we took a step from 0 to 1 together with everyone who called out “10!” is one that I will definitely not forget!!
“Shining is fun!” We put our all and had fun, and we shined! Thank you to everyone who shined together with us too!!
From now on, Aqours will step forward and face our Next Step! For the sake of making lots of dreams come true, we will embark on an adventure! And that is an exciting feeling! I would be really happy if you followed Aqours from now on!
And then Season 2 of the anime was also decided on, so we can once again see Aqours’ story, and as Yohane’s little demon, I have no choice but to have fun!
I will do my best together with everyone from Aqours from now on, and I want to shine wonderfully with everyone! I will be in your care.
Voice of Kunikida Hanamaru Takatsuki Kanako
Aqours 1st Live. My honest impression is that it was the greatest fun ever!! Thinking about it, I wonder if it was the greatest we’ve ever shined…?
Ever since Aqours was formed, we’ve been determined to try our best for the sake of grasping “1” in this live.
And then Next Step! Project was starting right after. I have no choice but to enjoy creating the next story with Hanamaru-chan without any rest!
Let’s go and create it with everyone.
Voice of Ohara Mari Suzuki Aina
It was a fun time, a really fun time, and I honestly felt like it was just an instant. At the place that we looked up to, as our beloved Love Live!, I was able to experience something that made me excited and my heart beat wildly, and I don’t know why. Being able to see that unforgettable sight is nothing less than a miracle. I have lots of thanks towards Mari for giving me lots of important things, and from now on I want to take her hand, and as 9 of us in Aqours together with everyone, and see that wonderful sight again…
And then I want to turn it all into smiles!!!!
Voice of Kurosawa Ruby Furihata Ai
I remember being nervous right until it started, but once I stood in front of everyone, the nervousness mysteriously disappeared. Being within that shining light almost felt as though we were in the anime. The night sky of CYaRon!’s Stage was so beautiful I almost cried, and seeing the stadium lit in our three colors truly had me at the peak of emotion. Really, that sense of oneness with everyone never fails to surprise me time after time. At the end of last year I conveyed my feelings of wanting to stand on stage as Kurosawa Ruby to everyone, and I felt that everyone received those feelings and pushed me onwards. I once again felt that I really loved everyone. From here on out, I want to do my Rubesty even more with both Ruby and everyone in Aqours! I'll continue showing everyone more surprises. Please follow along!!