citrinesea

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.

Unproofread Translations ToS

These song translations are not JP proofread. Unproofread translations are under much stricter terms of service. While these translations are as accurate as I can personally make them, I am not comfortable with and do not permit use of the following:

⦿ Do not take or publicly circulate screenshots of this translation.

⦿ Do not use this translation in analysis threads, story threads, fanworks, quotebots, etc.

I would love to get this story properly proofread and posted one day! If you are a translator interested in JP proofreading this story, feel free to DM me at @citrinesea on X.

Song Production Notes (November 15, 2025)

Two new songs have been made for the AKATSUKI Fan Thanksgiving and Starphony Concert. These two songs express the musical range of the reborn AKATSUKI.

"Meikyou Ryusui," released the other day, is a song tranquilly sung, that uses an abundance of traditional Japanese instrumentation in line with AKATSUKI’s traditional Japanese style. While "Enten Enyou Senpenbanka" definitively uses Japanese scales, it was created without the use of any traditional Japanese instruments. It is also the first song where AKATSUKI has tried to attempt “precise" harmonies.

Meikyou Ryusui

Characters
Event
FanThanX (mentioned in Battalion Butterfly), debuted at the Lantern Festival
Translation
citrinesea
Proofreading

Please check Translation Notes for more details and Interpretation Notes for translation choices in the song.

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Characters
Point of View
Anzu
Translation
citrinesea
Event
Fujiya Collaboration

Unproofread Translations Terms of Service

This story is originally from the CN app. This translation is not CN proofread; I initially translated it from CN -> EN, and verified it through a CN -> JP -> EN translation. Unproofread translations are under much stricter terms of service. While these translations are as accurate as I can personally make them, I am not comfortable with and do not permit use of the following:

⦿ Do not take or publicly circulate screenshots of this translation.

⦿ Do not use this translation in analysis threads, story threads, fanworks, quotebots, etc.

I would love to get this story properly proofread and posted one day! If you are a translator interested in CN proofreading this story, feel free to DM me at @citrinesea on X.

"So, what do you think? Is it a new flavor you’ve never experienced before or what? Or should I ask... don't you think it's very 'me'1 in style?"

"Haha, of course it is~ This new dessert was the product of integrating and combining all the classic ways different cultures prepare desserts ♪"

"In order to achieve my dream of becoming a master dessert chef, I’ve traveled all over the world to study each and every dessert… At last, I’ve finally found my1 way!"

"Well, there’s still a long, long way to go making new things. Whenever I do, you’ll help me taste test it, right~?"

"At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how creative a dessert is if it's not one everyone can enjoy. If I can’t make something you’d like, then the way I do things just isn’t enough!"

In order to learn the different ways to make desserts, I spent a few days wolfing down all kindsa sample desserts, so my sugar intake’s off the charts!

Thank God I’m not in America right now. Donuts are all the rage there. As an idol, working all of ‘em off would need double the exercise~!

Hm? You wanna know more about my life before all this, Neenee? Nyahaha,2 you asked that so suddenly, where do I even start~?

Well, we’re already here talking about exotic desserts, so if that interests you, how about I bring you back a dessert as a souvenir the next time I travel?

In return, please think about me the next time you travel for work, ‘kay~

Translation Notes

  1. ↑ Ibuki uses 我 (wǒ), the standard Chinese first-person pronoun, here in this first half. This would likely be similar to him using 私 (watashi), 僕 (boku) or 俺 (ore), typical first-person pronouns, if it were in Japanese. Given the use of quotations, it seems to be an in-character persona with the scenario for the collaboration. Afterward, he uses his typical pronoun 吾 (wa, but wú in Chinese).
  2. ↑ He says 喵哈哈 (miāo-hāhā) here for にゃはは (nyahaha). 喵 is Chinese for a cat's meow, while にゃ is Japanese for a cat's meow. Very cat-coded, very cute.

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This post provides necessary context about the issues of cultural sensitivity around Ibuki Taki’s inclusion in AKATSUKI, especially its parallels to the Ryukyu Disposition. To do so, this post will explore Shinsei AKATSUKI and Ibuki through the lens of Japanese history, specifically the Meiji Restoration.

Happy Elements is no stranger to mishandling racial minorities. Adonis’s character is a clear example of orientalism, where he is defined by a generic Middle-Eastern aesthetic, and portrayed as either an exotic figure or threatening foreigner. Hiiro, who is strongly inferred to be Ainu, is frequently portrayed as an ignorant person from “the country” who must absorb the ways of “the city”. At times, his ignorance of modern society is treated as a source of humor.

With the addition of Ibuki (a canonically Ryukyuan character) to AKATSUKI, it's important to examine the Shinsei AKATSUKI storyline through the lens of Ryukyuan history. To do so, this analysis will break down plots and themes into three key historical parallels:

  • Globalization, or how Ibuki's American identity represents the "Black Ships" that forced Japan to modernize, and why AKATSUKI brings him in to survive in the modern era.
  • The Ryukyu Disposition, or how Ibuki's Okinawan identity and his search for true Japanese-style have problematic implications, given the real-world annexation and assimilation of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
  • Militarization, or how Ibuki's role in the “war unit” AKATSUKI contains parallels to the forced conscription and sacrifice of Okinawans in World War II.

My goal is to create a clear resource for readers new to this history and to provide context for future translations, translation notes and discussions on this site.

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Characters
Translation
citrinesea
Proofreader
Season
Summer

Unproofread Translations Terms of Service

This story is not JP proofread. Unproofread translations are under much stricter terms of service. While these translations are as accurate as I can personally make them, I am not comfortable with and do not permit use of the following:

⦿ Do not take or publicly circulate screenshots of this translation.

⦿ Do not use this translation in analysis threads, story threads, fanworks, quotebots, etc.

I would love to get this story properly proofread and posted one day! If you are a translator interested in JP proofreading this story, feel free to DM me at @citrinesea on X.

Read More »

BUTTERFLY
バタフライ
Start Reading
Souma is shocked to learn Ibuki has been entrusted to compose a song to be used for WILDLAND. Although Souma is burning with rivalry towards his junior’s successes, Keito unexpectedly entrusts him with an enormous task: organizing the fan thanksgiving event...
Season
Summer (2nd year of ES's Establishment)
Chapters
13
Writer
Happy Elements Staff
Characters
Translators
citrinesea
Proofreaders
Extra Information
Event
Battalion Butterfly
Event Duration
10/31/2024 (15:00 JST)-1/8/2025 (22:00 JST)
CG Gallery
Prologue
Epilogue
Butterfly Clad in Serendipity (3)
Epilogue
Keito Hasumi
TBD TBD
Kuro Kiryu
TBD TBD
Ibuki Taki
TBD TBD
Souma Kanzaki
TBD TBD
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Characters
Translation
citrinesea
Proofreader
Season
Summer

Unproofread Translations Terms of Service

This story is not JP proofread. Unproofread translations are under much stricter terms of service. While these translations are as accurate as I can personally make them, I am not comfortable with and do not permit use of the following:

⦿ Do not take or publicly circulate screenshots of this translation.

⦿ Do not use this translation in analysis threads, story threads, fanworks, quotebots, etc.

I would love to get this story properly proofread and posted one day! If you are a translator interested in JP proofreading this story, feel free to DM me at @citrinesea on X.

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.

Read More »

Characters
Translation
citrinesea
Proofreader
Season
Summer

Unproofread Translations Terms of Service

This story is not JP proofread. Unproofread translations are under much stricter terms of service. While these translations are as accurate as I can personally make them, I am not comfortable with and do not permit use of the following:

⦿ Do not take or publicly circulate screenshots of this translation.

⦿ Do not use this translation in analysis threads, story threads, fanworks, quotebots, etc.

I would love to get this story properly proofread and posted one day! If you are a translator interested in JP proofreading this story, feel free to DM me at @citrinesea on X.

Read More »

Characters
Translation
citrinesea
Proofreader
Season
Summer

Unproofread Translations Terms of Service

This story is not JP proofread. Unproofread translations are under much stricter terms of service. While these translations are as accurate as I can personally make them, I am not comfortable with and do not permit use of the following:

⦿ Do not take or publicly circulate screenshots of this translation.

⦿ Do not use this translation in analysis threads, story threads, fanworks, quotebots, etc.

I would love to get this story properly proofread and posted one day! If you are a translator interested in JP proofreading this story, feel free to DM me at @citrinesea on X.

Read More »

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.

⦿ Edits may be made to the lyrics translation after the event comes out: the story will likely give context to these lines.

Characters
Event
Battalion Butterfly
Translation
citrinesea
Proofreading

Please check Translation Notes for more details and Interpretation Notes for translation choices in the song.

Read More »

Submarine
サブマリン
Start Reading
As AKATSUKI members arrive in Okinawa for the Qualifying Rounds of SS, they find themselves surrounded by local idols. RYUSEITAI, too, is caught up in the chaos. Constrained by the "order" they've been given, everyone's trying hard to find solutions and escape the predicament.
Season
Winter
Chapters
16
Writer
Akira
Characters
Translator
citrinesea
Proofreaders
Extra Information
Event
SS／2nd Stage: Submarine
Event Duration
5/31/2021 (15:00 JST)-6/8/2021 (22:00 JST)
  • Nirai Kanai 1 2
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