新生 (2025) D.L.F.S. | Shinsei AKATSUKI
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.
Radio Show
(1/6) Kuro
Oh, Lil' Miss. That was quick.
I heard that the job you were doin' was takin' a long time, so I figured you'd get here late.
Yeah, the others haven't gotten here yet. I was just catchin' my breath before the recording starts.
It's some kinda vitamin drink they put out as a promotional gift...
It has a unique flavor. It definitely seems like it'd be good for ya, but...
I dunno if I'd say I'd recommend it.
Just a normal coffee. I'll make some for ya too if ya want?
Haha, no need to hold back. All ya gotta do to brew it is push this button.
Here. It's hot, so don't burn yourself.
Haha, I think I get what your feelin' a lil' bit.
It's a radio show where AKATSUKI is the main host, so it's gonna be a memorable episode since we got a new member joinin'.
That Taki's been actin' all easy-breezy, but honestly, he's probably real nervous, isn't he?
Yeah, that Taki's been restless too.
This radio show's pretty damn popular with AKATSUKI fans, so...
He's bein' put to jumpin' headfirst into such a beloved show. Well, that's the right amount of bracing you should be doin', takin' on somethin' like that, isn't it?
(2/6) Ibuki
Phew, it went off without a hitch, huh~...
Ah, Neenee. That was my first radio show, whaddya think? I wonder whether I managed to fit in~
Hasumi-san told me to read "every word" of the script beforehand~ but there were a few pages I must've skipped over~?
Kiryu-san managed to connect it back to the subject right away~ ... I panicked, too, which isn't really like me, right~?
Now I get why Hasumi-san said it's important to read through everything beforehand.
I'll take the time to make sure I don't miss anything next time~?
Nyahaha, Kanzaki-san managed to cover for me~♪
He read the announcement for me~ What a total save!
He said there wouldn't be a next time, so I'll be more careful~
Looks like the script pages got stuck together by static electricity~?
I can't believe I didn't notice that either... I wasn't attentive enough~
Kanzaki-san stepped in to cover for me in an instant, so I was real grateful~♪
Hasumi-san glared at me~... Strike, I'm out!
Still. The way my seniors in AKATSUKI handled the situation serves as real good reference for me, y'know~
I've gotta study up so if I'm ever in the same kind of situation, I can save someone else.
(3/6) Souma
Ohh, Anzu-dono. That's quite a large amount of baggage in your arms, where on earth are you off to?
Hm, the offices of Rhyhm Link? If that's the case, allow me to take that for you ♪
What? You don't need to be reserved. This much is no problem...♪
It's easy work ♪ At first when I caught sight of you, I'd thought a "kaa-do bo-ru" box1 had sprouted legs and been walking around.
You can hardly see over the box, it's a lucky thing you hadn't bumped into someone.
Hehe, now then, let's head off to the agency...♪
It's my pleasure. That aside, what on earth could be inside this box? It's rather large, but it feels comparitively light...
Decorative balloons? Oooh, are they having a "paa-tii" for someone?
I'll find out when we get to the office? Then I'll be looking forward to it ♪
Haha, you came by to witness our recording, did you not, Anzu-dono?
I was wondering what happened, seeing how quickly you stepped out after speaking to Taki.
So after this, there will be a celebration at the agency for the "ra-ji-o" show? Hahah, I see...♪
Well, it was the same as always after work ends? We were just recording a "ra-ji-o" show until just a moment ago.
After you left, we AKATSUKI had a briefing session for the next episode.
We will see to it that there won't be any "tu-raburu" then...!
Gravure Photoshoot
(4/6) Keito
Hm... In other words, this project is looking for a different image than the one AKATSUKI usually has.
It's a gravure shoot2 for a popular magazine, so it's certainly going to be a buzz among people.
It's a huge opportunity we can't possibly afford to miss, so we'll have to do our best with it.
Haha, I'll ask you for some ideas then, Anzu.
The other party had asked us to let them know what we want to show about ourselves ahead of time.
Your opinions should surely be of use. Take good care of us.
Right. I don't really know the kind of atmosphere the photoshoot is going to have, but I'll do my best.
Still, I heard that they'll listen to some requests to a certain extent. Maybe I should gather some past materials.
Hm? You happen to have last month's issue on you? Could I see it for a moment?
So it seems. Actually, Eichi had told me a lot about how it went for fine, when they were on this magazine a while ago...
It seems like the director has a peculiar taste. I heard they were made to wear very unconventional, futurisitic outfits.
It looks like our opinions will be reflected photoshoot theme, but still, I'm starting to get a little worried...
(5/6) Kuro
Sorry fer callin' ya to a place like this on such short notice.
Could I ask ya somethin' Lil' Miss? It's about that magazine...
If I'm gonna say it straight up, I'm not feelin' this thing very much.
The other day, we got sent pictures of the outfits we're gonna wear.
Well, it was way different than I thought it was gonna be, or, er... how do I say it... It's the kinda fantasy outfit that makes me feel, "Is it really okay for me to wear this?"
I wanted to ask yer opinion on it, Lil' Miss. It looks like there's still time for corrections.
Nah, it's not to where I'd wanna turn down the opportunity or anythin' so don't worry about that.
It's just the contents of the photoshoot that's makin' me uneasy is all. I wanted to talk to you so you might hear me out.
Hasumi and the others seem pretty excited for it, so I didn't wanna rain on their parade.
(6/6) Ibuki
Ooh, so this is the design you and Kiryu-san came up with, Neenee?
It's up to me and Kanzaki-san to check over it now? Well, anything's fine for me, yknow~
It gives off a different impression from when I saw the picture of the first design, but I like this one even better~
I feel like I didn't really get everyone's expressions very well in the photos I saw the other day~?
So it made me wonder, is there a point in even having AKATSUKI model these?
No matter how popular they say a project is, it's all about image after all, right~? Sankyu, Neenee!
Nyahaha, I want Kanzaki-san to see these real soon~♪
For the other one, he was like, "This is what I'm going to wear?" all deadpanned, so I bet he's gonna be real pleased with this!
He messaged me saying he's almost here at the office, so I'll wait with you until he gets here~
Translation Notes
- ↑ 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". Souma uses 段ぼぉる (ダンボール; danbo-ru) here (cardboard box) but I localized the translation to say ka-do bo-do (カードボール).
- ↑ Though Keito calls it a gravure shoot (グラビア), it's not the typical risqué kind. This kind of shoot is more like a stylish photoshoot that highlights the model in a cool way. Here's an example.