Beyond the Ocean, The Fragrance of the Southern Islands
It's Ibuki's turn to have a personal outfit made at last. In order to help the Producer get to know him more, the two of them head to Okinawa.
Ibuki's entrance into AKATSUKI has insensitive parallels to the history between Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, specifically the annexation of Ryukyu into Okinawa from 1872-1879 onward. Click for more information
AKATSUKI is a unit embodied by 和 (wa, lit. harmony, but also a self-designator for Japan). The word 和風 (wafu, Japanese style) comes from 和. During the Meiji Restoration, 和 was central to Japan’s efforts to unify and assimilate new territories under a shared cultural identity. On top of his membership, Ibuki's active pursuit of 本当の和風 (true Japanese-style) being the reason he pursues AKATSUKI is inappropriate, bearing this in mind.
Additionally, the Ryukyu Disposition was driven by military interests, particularly securing Japan's southern borders from other nations. In Okinawan schools, national pride was linked to serving Japan’s military goals. This had devastating consequences, particularly during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. This in mind, having Ibuki join the self-proclaimed "war unit" is also inappropriate.
Read the full-length analysis here: Unpacking Shinsei (新生) AKATSUKI; An Extended Translation Note and Analysis.
Chapter 1
Sorry, I'm a little late. Has practice already started?
Ohh, you’re finally here. We were just talkin' about startin' up.
Still, Danna1 that's pretty unusual of ya to arrive at the meeting time right on the dot.
Right. I had a briefing session with the higher-ups, and it ran a little long.
See, Kanzaki? I told ya not to be so worried about him.
Mm. ... I had thought that Hasumi-dono would have let us know in advance if he was going to be late.
Since that was not the case today, I thought that perhaps something had happened to him.
That’s my bad. I should have let you know, even if I was going to make it on time.
No, it was just me worrying too much. There is no need to fret over it, Hasumi-dono.
More importantly, the real issue here is Taki...! We are about to begin practice, and yet he is a complete no-show!
Come to think of it, I haven't seen him around for a while, huh?
... Wait, maybe I should be asking— why is Anzu here?
Seems like she's got business with Taki regarding his exclusive outfit.
I see. Now that Taki’s become an ES-affiliated idol, that means his turn has finally come to have an exclusive outfit made for him.
What? How is Taki doing?
Well, he's as well as well can be. Whether it's practice or on stage, he's absolutely brimming with energy.
And he is always cutting it close arriving for practice, just like today…
Now, now. As long as he makes it in time, it's fine, ain’t it?
You seem a little restless, Anzu. Something didn't happen regarding Taki's exclusive outfit, did it?
No? The exclusive outfit’s even in the design stage?
(Hmm. She still seems a little anxious, though.)
(What's more, if she had business with Taki, she could have him meet up with her elsewhere. Why come here herself?)
(Something's nagging me about it but... I figure it’ll make sense once Taki gets here.)
Managed to make it right on time, huh~?
You're late, Taki! Time and time again we’ve been telling you, give yourself time to come!
I'm sorry~ Kanzaki-san! I caught a real big ol’ fish, you see~?
So I had to go back to Seisoukan, that's why I got here right on the dot~
Hm? Why's Anzu-neenee here? Did you come to observe our practice or something?
Seems Lil' Miss is waitin’ here so she could talk to ya about your exclusive outfit.
Exclusive outfit…
Ohh~ I remember now~! We talked lots about it the other day, right~
Did you finish it already? If so, you gotta show me pronto~♪
... Hm? Why’re ya lookin’ all relieved like that? What’s up?
Huh? What was I doing this afternoon?
Well, I didn't have any work today, so I took it easy and went out fishing~♪
Cellphone? Ohh~ Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen it around today~? I think I forgot it in my room.
You've been trying to reach me since morning, and you were worried over the lack of response?
So that's what it was. That explains why Lil' Miss came directly to us.
Is that so? I didn't think about that at all~?
What are you doing, causing Anzu-dono worry with such behavior!
(Sigh) So that's what it was... It's no wonder Anzu was acting weird.
Welp, this is all on you, Taki.
You need to make sure you keep your phone on you as much as you can. Not just for Lil' Miss, but there's gonna be times when work is gonna need to reach you quickly.
Mn~ I got it alreaaady~ I'm real sorry for making you worry, Anzu-neenee.
How incorrigible... You too, Anzu, you can be a little more strict with him too.
... You’d like to have the designs you have for the exclusive outfit checked out real quick so you don't dip into our practice time?
I wonder what kinda outfits you came up with~ I can't wait to see~♪
Ooh, all of these designs are for my exclusive outfit~?
Haha. They don’t surprise me, or should I say, they're all designed beautifully in Japanese-style, huh?
... Hmm. Was Taki's request "true Japanese-style"?2 If so, outfits like these would certainly meet those demands.
And even then, while each outfit has Japanese elements, each and every one holds its own individuality.
How about it, Taki. Were there any designs you took a liking to?
Mn~nn... If I had to choose, I guess this one~?
What, must you put it like that? How disrespectful, Anzu-dono came up with these outfits for you!
I'm super grateful to Anzu-neenee, okay~ All of these outfits have the Japanese vibe I love, you know?
But, it feels like it's missing something.
So this isn't the kinda "true Japanese-style" you were thinking of?
I don’t really know how to explain it, but it just doesn't fit right somehow~? They’re not bad or anything, they’re just missing something.
... Looking at Anzu, it seems like she shares the same thought.
That’s probably why there’s so many designs, because she was worried about coming up with an exclusive outfit for Taki that would be satisfying.
You thought about it to the very last minute, but in the end, you couldn't come up with anything solid, huh.
Guess that's why you wanted him to look over the designs as soon as possible.
"Doesn't fit", you say...
What's up, Kanzaki. Did something come to mind?
... No. This is Taki's exclusive outfit, so it should be up to Taki to decide whatever it is he wants to wear.
I don't really mind, though~? If there’s something that came to mind, tell me, Kanzaki-san.
Taki's said so too. ... Besides, I suspect we have the same opinion.
You too, Hasumi-dono? ... Then, while I am aware this is rude, I'll say it.
In my opinion, I feel that these "sam-puru"s3 lean too close to Japanese-style.
This outfit is not meant to be an outfit for the Taki in AKATSUKI, but an exclusive outfit for "Taki Ibuki".
...? What difference does it make~? Like, it should be more of somethin’ like I’d wanna wear?
An outfit that pursues "true Japanese-style"… It's good there are strong feelings being put into it, but…
That also gives the possibility of the outfit wearin’ you rather than the other way ‘round. It’s a difficult balance, y’know? I hope it ends up bein' an outfit Taki's happy with.
Honestly, I imagine there will need to be adjustments, given Taki himself feels it's missing something.
However, this is all a matter of personal intuition, so there is nothing further for me to say…
This is a matter for Anzu-dono and Taki, after all. They'll have to discuss it until they can come to something they're both satisfied with.
It's as Kanzaki said. "What's missing in the exclusive outfit?" "What does Taki want from it?" ... There are times the answer becomes clear through talking things through.
Is that so? ... You wanna learn more about me too, Anzu-neenee?
Mn~nn. You say that, but what can I even talk to you about that would help you get to know me better~?
.. Ah!
I just came up with a great idea~!
Mn~ We're finally here~ Ahh, nothin’ beats the air of home sweet home~♪
Hm? What's the matter, Anzu-neenee?
"If we were going to Okinawa, I'd have liked you to say that from the start"?
Nyahaha. I did just tell you to meet up with me at the airport. So~rry~?
But, even though we took a plane and all, it’s not like we need much to come, right?
If we need anything, you can just get it here~ Even at the worst, you’ll be all good as long as you got a wallet~
Either way, at the airport you weren't very surprised when I told you we were going to Okinawa, were you, Anzu-neenee?
You brought your stuff in a rolling suitcase, so had you known I was gonna bring you there?
... I'm guessing you sorta figured the moment I asked you to come to the airport. You’re amazing as always, huh, Anzu-neenee~♪
If you wanted to get to know me, it would’ve made more sense if we went to Okinawa to continue the conversation, rather than stay on the mainland~
Alrighty. There's no time to waste, let’s head on over to Jii-chan’s place~
Go ahead and discover all that Okinawa has to offer to your heart’s content, the place where I was born~♪
Chapter 2
If you go right up the road here, you'll be at Jii-chan's place before you know it~♪
This is the first time you're meeting Jii-chan4, right Anzu-neenee?
You heard from Hasumi-san about the kind of person he is? Reallyyy? Now I'm kinda curious about what you guys talked about~?
... Anzu-neenee. You've been staring out at the sea the whole time for a while now~?
The sea’s beautiful in Okinawa, isn’t it? Not like on the mainland. Though to us, it’s nothing special.
That's not it? Then why were you staring at the ocean~?
Ohh, you were interested in the tourists that were snorkeling, huh~
How do I know they're tourists, you ask?
I can tell just by looking at ‘em, you know~? People from the mainland tend to have misconceptions, but Uchinaanchu5 don’t really go into the ocean much~
Well, I used to dive under the water to catch fish a lot, though. Ah, those were good times~♪
I've been fishing tons and tons since I got to the mainland, but nowadays there's all sorts of strict rules everywhere, I can’t stand it~
Well, it’s not like seeing the ocean makes me want to dive or anything. You gotta do as the locals do when you’re not at home, yeah~?
Since you've been staring out there, are you interested in snorkeling too, Anzu-neenee?
If you are, please leave it to me~! I’m pretty sure there’s a shop I know around here~
Pre~tty sure it was this way~? Look, let's go right away~!
Mhmhm. Perfect. It suits you good~
The sea here is real beautiful, after all~ You can see clear to the bottom, right~?
What's with the long face~ Did you not wanna go snorkeling after all?
You were just staring out at the sea... ? Huh, so that's what it is. I totally thought you wanted to dive right in or something~
... Hm? But since we're here anyways, maybe if you dip into the ocean, you might be able to learn a little more about me?
Nyahaha, you're so constructive~ I really like that about you, Anzu-neenee~♪
Do I need to change my clothes? Nankuru nai sa~6
First, try swimming slowly~ Once you get used to it, try dipping your face into the surface of the water... Yeah, like that; try looking down into the sea~
You can see tons of fish, can't you~ You wouldn’t be able to see this clearly back on the mainland, right?
Behind here... It should be around here, or maybe it's over here~? Hup—
...
Pwah. Nyahaha, I was right on the money~♪
Over here, Anzu-neenee, over here! You can see something interesting~!
We'll go under on three, 'kay~? ... One, two~ three!
(一 Yup. This is the perfect spot, yeah~?)
(It's a huge coral reef~ I used to come here all the time back when I was little~)
(The coral's got all kinds of incredible shapes, it never gets old looking at them~♪)
(Ah, some fish are coming up close, huh~ Nyahaha, are you guys coming to give me a welcome back party?)
(Anzu-neenee is... Looks like she's pretty captivated by the Okinawan sea, huh~?)
(Her eyes are sparkling~)
Pwah. ... So, Anzu-neenee? Have you taken a liking to the seas of Okinawa?
Nyahaha. You're awfully excited~♪ If it made you that happy, it was well worth bringing you along~
I've been swimming in the ocean ever since I was a kid, after all~ It feels really nice to have you say that about a place that's near and dear to my heart.
... I was pretty naughty back then. I used to get tons of good scoldings from Jii-chan too.
Whenever I got sick of being at Jii-chan's place, I'd always just dive right into nature~
Especially the ocean. I didn't go swimming, really, but I'd take a walk on the beach a lot~
It felt like this huge ocean was the one place that would accept me, an uncontrollable force tied down by society.
The ocean is freedom, after all~ A place with an open-mind, I love it~♪
— Oops, I was totally going on about the past before I knew it~ Just like an old guy, yuck~ You're probably bored to death listening to me too, Anzu-neenee.
That's not true?
What kind of places have I been? What did I see there? What made me want to cross the ocean, and become an idol?
So you wanna know those kinds of things, Anzu-neenee~?
You think that you can make an exclusive outfit more suited to me if you learn about the journey "Taki Ibuki" has taken, huh…
Nyahaha. You look awful serious~ Y'know, I love when you make that kinda face too, Anzu-neenee~♪
Huh? You were able to come up with an idea for the exclusive outfit after hearing that story?
You're going to add a southern island-y component to my outfit? Because there’s more to me than just “Japanese-style”?
... No, it's not a bad idea or anything~ I don't know anything about outfits, but if you feel that way, I trust you~
But if that’s how it is, Okinawa's not the only thing to be known about me~?
If you wanna go down the journey of "Taki Ibuki", you'll need to hear about my time growing up in America.
Nyahaha ♪ You're pretty interested now, huh~? ... It's a little embarrassing, but it doesn't feel so bad~
From here on out, I'm gonna show you all there is to know and more about the guy called "Taki Ibuki", so get ready, kay, Anzu-neenee~♪
Translation Notes
You’ll often hear that Uchinaanchu don’t really swim at the beach, and they swim in their clothes when they do. If you're curious this survey asked Uchinaanchu about what they do at the beach.
- ↑ Kuro often refers to Keito as 旦那 (danna, lit. master ), or "boss". He'll also use Hasumi-no-danna.
- ↑ 真実の和風 or true Japanese-style; Ibuki's current character motivation. Read more about the problematic implications this has for Ibuki and AKATSUKI here.
- ↑ In Japanese, words from other languages (such as English) are typically rendered in katakana. However, when Souma uses katakana words, they are all written in hiragana instead, likely to emphasize how he struggles with foreign words. These words are kept as written in hiragana, and put in "quotes".
- ↑ 爺 (jii, uchinaaguchi for grandpa or old man). AKATSUKI meet Ibuki's grandfather Majimun in the Legend of KAGETSU. You can read the Ibuki Roadmap for more details about Majimun and Ibuki's family.
- ↑ Uchinaanchu is an Uchinaaguchi word to mean “person from Okinawa (uchinaa)”. The term was originally coined by Ryukyuan diaspora who had emigrated away from Okinawa.
- ↑ Uchinaaguchi is one of the native languages of Okinawa. This is the short version of the full Okinawan saying まくとぅそーけーなんくるないさ (makutou so-ke- nankuru nai sa) “If you’ve done everything as honest as you can, it’ll all work itself somehow”. All uchinaaguchi phrases are kept as written.