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What does a Church and a Rap Battle venue have in common?

If you ever attended a seminar dedicated to Victor Hugo’s ‘The Hunchback of Notre-Dame’ it is possible that you were asked this question:

‘Who is the main character of the novel?’

Most people, usually, answer: “the Hunchback!” or, a more meticulous answer, ‘Quazimodo’. It makes sense: his name is on the cover of the novel (that is, if you only read the English version), Disney made him a protagonist, the Broadway show also made him a protagonist. He is what people imagine first when they think about this novel.

But it’s not quite right, is it? Hunchback isn’t the only character whose point of view the reader can witness in the book. Even in adaptations, while an important figure and a character that moves the plot, his story isn’t the only one being focused on. There’s Esmeralda — a Romani woman, derided and hated by the public simply because of her origin, who, nevertheless, ends up being the purest character, almost saintly and closer to God. There’s Frollo, who is plagued by his sinful urges. Pierre Gringoire, a poet and another competitor for Esmeralda’s affections. They are all major characters, all drive the plot and none truly takes priority in the narrative. So who is the real main character of the novel?

It’s the Cathedral.

The original name did have the word “Hunchback”, it was just called “Notre-Dame de Pairs”. The word “hunchback” was added by translators, much to Hugo’s anger, who believed that this name muddled the meaning of his work. Because the novel wasn’t really intended to be about people of France and their tragedies, it was about the Cathedral — the imposing figure that is always at the centre of all important events. The building that towers above you and acts like a constant reminder of a divine judgement, the Sanctuary for the poor and battered and the last thing the prisoner sees before their exception, as they repent in front of Notre-Dame. Many characters die at the end of the novel or meet an undignified end and only Norte-Dame remains — untarnished and noble, timeless building that remembers the stories that happened long ago

So how does a French novel from the 19th century that was devoted to preserving the history and heritage of a cathedral have to do with Vivid Bad Squad from the lucrative game Project Sekai? On the surface, there’s nothing connecting the two. But if we dig into themes and such, we will see one common thing they share.

Vivid Street is also A Character. And a major one as well.

Vivid Street is quite literally a street inside a small town that has it’s own identity and rules. It can be intimidating, especially to people who come here without knowing how things work in this place. Just like Notre-Dame, Vivid Street isn’t 'just a place'. It’s a stage for many important events to happen. The birth of RADders. LIttle An started to sing and introduce herself to the community, becoming a part of the city. RAD WEEKEND happened, becoming Nagi’s swan song. Sekai formed after Akito and Toya became partners. Vivid Street gave a reason for many characters to find their dreams and follow them until the bitter end. Just like Notre-Dame, the place isn’t a silent witness — it inspires, it moves, it trains, it helps you find your talents and hone them. And what’s most important, it connects people.

What is important to note, from my perspective at least, is that Vivid Street doesn’t ‘act’ the same as Norte-Dame. Notre-Dame acts by itself, its greatness is enough to communicate both with other characters and with the reader. It doesn’t need an arbiter because it has enough might in itself to relay its message by just simply existing. Vivid Street is different, it communicates through the community. If Vivid Street is hostile and suspicious of newcomers, the people will act suspicious as well, mocking even. This is exactly what happened to Akito when he performed for the first time at Crawl Green. But the Street can also be kind and supportive, it never forgets a person and a good deed done so it also repays in kind.

The connections created here are quite important as well, because they tend to change people and, sometimes, their whole lives. Kohane managed to change herself and finally fight her shyness and fright after seeing An singing on the street. It was a fateful encounter for both of them. For Akito and Toya, Vivid Street gave them new reason to work for, a new dream they can strive for, bringing fire to their bleak lives. It’s an antipode to Norte-Dame, that doesn’t inspire but it makes one repent and reflect. One is a judgemental figure but it is truly just and impartial. Vivid Street can be harsh and unfair, it can lie and say hurtful things, but it is also compassionate and accepting.

There are other important places that function as some sort of symbolic anchor for some units. For Leo/need it’s a playground and a jungle gym — a symbol of their childhood and connection, a place where they will always come back no matter anything, it’s a symbol of their untreatable bond. For Wonderlands x Showtime it’s Wonder Stage — a drafty old stage on the outside that holds many memories, a place of acceptance, a place where a bunch of outcasts finally felt welcomed, a home for a family of weirdos that found each other by chance. Vivid Bad Squad story is unique because they have Vivid Street as their starting point, as a place of inspiration, and as a figure that haunts the narrative. The memories of Nagi remain here and people honour them by doing what Nagi loved the most — singing and connecting with people. Accepting and teaching new faces.

The screenshots are from next event stories in order of appearance: Vivid Old Tale, Kick it Up a Notch! and OVER RAD SQUAD!! First two translations are borrowed from the official localisation on Global Server, the over rad squad translation is done by lozy bug, crossposted on sekaipedia and YouTube.