Keito Substory 2
What is it, Transfer Student?
Is it that surprising to see me on the roof?
Unpacking Shinsei (新生) AKATSUKI; An Extended Translation Note and Analysis
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.
Happy Elements is no stranger to mishandling racial minorities. Adonis is often subjected to textbook orientalism. He’s broadly put under a cultural umbrella of vaguely “Middle-Eastern”, portrayed as being “sexy” and “exotic”, or as a large and scary foreigner. Hiiro is inferred to be Ainu, but is portrayed as an ignorant person from “the country” who must absorb the ways of “the city”. At times, he’s treated as a laughing stock when he doesn’t know about modern technology or when he "lacks civility".
With the addition of Ibuki, a canonically Ryukyuan indigenous individual, into AKATSUKI, the point of this analysis is to contextualize the Ryukyu Islands’ history with Japan and apply it to Ensemble Stars, so it can be referenced in future translation notes and disclaimers for Shinsei AKATSUKI on my website. I hope it can also act as a starting point for people who are new to the topic and looking to learn more.
devoted to you
Partial Translation Disclaimer: This is a partial translation of the devoted to you cross-scout gacha story.
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.
Keito Substory 1
What kind of business do you have in the library, Transfer Student?
YeeeES Jukebox
Please check Translation Notes for more details and Interpretation Notes if you want some personal thoughts of mine.
Longing Identity
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.
Kanata Substory 1
This story is translated by ryudouteki-fish. I am just hosting their translation for them, so be sure to credit them.
Content Warning: Mentions of death and drowning
Kanata Substory 2
This story is translated by ryudouteki-fish. I am just hosting their translation for them, so be sure to credit them.
Tiny Ocean
This story is translated by ryudouteki-fish. I am just hosting their translation for them, so be sure to credit them.
Tenshou KAGETSU
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.
Please check Translation Notes for more details and Interpretation Notes if you want some personal thoughts of mine.
Hanafuda
While playing hanafuda with Souma, the transfer student realizes the deck Kuro entrusted her with is missing a card. However, that card has something to do with AKATSUKI’s past…
Extra Information
Scout
Scout! The Colored Flower Cards
Event Duration
10/14/2017 at 15:00 JST-10/29/2017 at 15:00 JST
Translator's Comments
Was a whole chapter of Souma troubling to translate? Yes. Huge backstory in this one, and lots of Shinobun in it too!
CG Gallery
Hanafuda (1)
Hanafuda (6)
Associated Cards
[Hanafuda] Souma Kanzaki
[鬼がいる島] 鬼龍 紅郎
- TBDTBD.
- TBDTBD.
- TBDTBD.
[Hana-Awase] Keito Hasumi
[花合わせ] 蓮巳 敬人
- TBDTBD.
- TBDTBD.
- TBDTBD.
[Karuta] Kuro Kiryu
[花カルタ] 鬼龍 紅郎
- TBDTBD.
- TBDTBD.
- TBDTBD.
[Card-Searching] Shinobu Sengoku
[札探し] 仙石 忍
- TBDTBD.
- TBDTBD.
- TBDTBD.
Crash Course Ch. 3
Partial Translation Disclaimer: This is a partial translation of the Crash Course event story.
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.
Perplex Ch. 4-5 (Unproofread)
Partial Translation Disclaimer: This is a partial translation of the Perplex crossscout story.
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.