Hi Chibi!!! I love your analyses SO SO much! Even though I don’t have a tumblr, I google your blog almost every other day to see if you have updated. I figured it was about time I sent in my first ask by now. Sorry to be a bother if this has been asked before: could you please explain the recurring AGO joke by AbaHanks throughout the musicals? Thanks!! ⭐️〰️⭐️
Dear Anon,
Thank you SO SO much for your compliments and your frequent visits! And your ask is very welcome in my inbox!
Ah yes, the “AGO” joke... well... this is the story. Once upon a time, in a far, far away land (depending on where you are), there was a man named Ise Naohiro. Ise Naohiro was cast as the first Aberline of the first Kuromyu, “That Butler, Friendship”, 2009.
The musicals made a creative choice of turning Inspector Aberline into a comic relief, and therewith cast a comedic type actor. Aberline is a very mediocre inspector, so his performance nor presence make an impression on people. In the musical, Ise took a glorious initiative of turning his name into a joke.
And so the unmemorable “Aberline” was constantly misnamed, called “Underline”, “Deadline”, “Landline”. It became the running gag within the 2009 musical.
Then comes “The Most Beautiful Death in the World” (2010) which introduced the musical-only character, Sharp Hanks. Aberline introduced himself to Sharp Hanks, but the latter misheard his name, and called him “Inspector Chin-line” (Ago no Line. “Ago” = chin in Japanese). And then Aberline was so hurt because not only was misnamed AGAIN, it addressed an insecurity of his (please note how the actor Ise’s chin is quite unpronounced). When Aberline expressed his anger and self-consciousness, Hanks immediately shared that he understands that feeling, for he’s been bullied for having a butt-chin.
Hanks comforted Aberline saying: “Don’t worry, my name is “Sharp”, so you and I together form a great team! You shall be “chin-line” and with me it is “sharp”. Together we’ll have a sharp chin-line! (Sharp chin-lines are the conventional beauty standard in Japan). As the two inspectors united in their misery, a formidable team was born. And so the Kuromyu legacy was born.
Then comes the second generation Aberline, Takagi Shun. Takagi is a comedian with quite a pronounced chin himself. His large chin is also one of his most iconic features in the entertainment world. In this tweet of his he posted a portrait of himself with the caption:
“Left is Mamo (Miyano Mamoru) that I drew. Right is me drawn by Mamo. I am not going to say anything anymore (laughs).
And like an absolute pro, large-chin Takagi OWNED the “Inspector Chinline” sketch like no other.
Takagi’s Aberline is also very self-conscious about his mediocrity at work, so when Hanks did not immediately recognise his name, Aberline said: “you have not heard of my name, but surely my face of fame you recognise?” And Hanks said: “Oh right! Inspector Chin-line!!!” And thus the love-hate friendship was born between Aberline and Hanks.
And then the “Inspector Chinline” was immortalised.
