Mikazukigumi Practice Area
1

Emu

Listen

Does that mean you're going to play Ushiwakamaru for us?
2

Kijima

Listen

Yeah, the scene at Gojo Bridge while we're at it. Mind lending me a hand, Tenma...?
3

Tsukasa

Listen

Y-Yes, of course...!
4

Emu

Listen

(I need to see what it is that's missing from my acting...)
5

Emu

Listen

(I have to learn what I can to solve this problem...!)
6

Kijima

Listen

Alright, we'll start from your line partway through about collecting swords...
7

Tsukasa

Listen

“One last sword to complete my collection of a thousand! Tonight, my vow comes to fruition...!”

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

8

Tsukasa

Listen

“Drop your katana and leave this place!
Only then shall I spare your life!”

Sound Effect: Play

9

Emu

Listen

(Huh...?)
10

Nene

Listen

(I don't understand...
All he's doing is walking, but he's giving off such a different impression compared to Emu.)
11

Nene

Listen

(He becomes much more like Ushiwakamaru just by walking like that...)
12

Nene

Listen

(But why...?)
13

Rui

Listen

(This must be because...)
14

Kijima

Listen

“Oh, have you no manners?
Put away that dreadful thing and look up to the sky.”
15

Kijima

Listen

“See how beautiful the moon is tonight?”
16

Tsukasa

Listen

“Wh-What nonsense do you speak?!
If you refuse to surrender, then it is my naginata you shall face...!”
17

Tsukasa

Listen

*Roar*
18

Kijima

Listen

“Hey, now.”

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

19

Emu

Listen

(Oh...)
20

Emu

Listen

(He's dodging so gracefully...!
It's like he's dancing...!)

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

21

Emu

Listen

(Not only that...)
22

Emu

Listen

(He looks like he's having a lot of fun...!)
23

Nene

Listen

Wow...
24

Rui

Listen

Yes, it's as if he's able to channel his character's feelings directly. He is Ushiwakamaru. He can't contain his excitement as he dances on top of that bridge under a moonlit sky.
25

Kijima

Listen

That should do it.
I think I've shown you all enough.
26

Kijima

Listen

So, any thoughts?
27

Emu

Listen

Oh...
28

Emu

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I thought that was really amazing!
I could tell exactly what Ushiwakamaru was feeling!
29

Kijima

Listen

That's great to hear!
I'm glad I was able to do him justice!
30

Kijima

Listen

Imagine if I slipped up and put on a poor performance in front of all of you! That would've been beyond embarrassing! Hah hah hah hah!
31

Kijima

Listen

But do you understand what I meant by your performance being “bland” just now...?
32

Emu

Listen

Um, so...
33

Emu

Listen

I-I'm really sorry...!
I know what I saw was amazing, but I don't know the reason why...
34

Kijima

Listen

I see...
However, Kamishiro, I have a feeling that you noticed something.
35

Rui

Listen

Yes, well...
36

Rui

Listen

I thought what Emu showed us a second ago was a nice representation of Ushiwakamaru's free-spirited and whimsical nature.
37

Rui

Listen

Which tells me that Emu had a fairly good idea of how she wanted to play him. However...
38

Rui

Listen

That may not have been reflected in the physical aspects of her portrayal. Something does appear to be missing there...

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

39

Emu

Listen

The physical aspects...?
40

Emu

Listen

Does that mean I'm not really moving like he should? But how specifically...?
41

Rui

Listen

I'm not talking about individual actions...
There's something fundamentally different about the way Mr. Kijima physically portrays characters compared to the way we do.
42

Tsukasa

Listen

What do you mean?
43

Kijima

Listen

For example, watch...

Sound Effect: Play

44

Kijima

Listen

This is just a wooden sword, but any normal person would flinch if they were to have a weapon pointed at them. That being said, how would Ushiwakamaru react?
45

Emu

Listen

Huh? He'd...

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

46

Emu

Listen

Oh...
47

Emu

Listen

Umm... It wouldn't bother him at all...?
48

Kijima

Listen

Exactly. Ushiwakamaru is no ordinary person. On top of having nerves of steel, he's a naturally gifted martial artist.
49

Kijima

Listen

Which probably means he'd be able to keep his cool even if someone were to stick a weapon in his face.
50

Tsukasa

Listen

He'd keep his cool...
51

Tsukasa

Listen

Yes, that must be it...!
52

Emu

Listen

What must be it, Tsukasa?!
53

Tsukasa

Listen

Ah, I sensed a bottomless supply of confidence coming from his Ushiwakamaru...
54

Tsukasa

Listen

He seemed completely at ease the entire time... That's what I saw!
55

Nene

Listen

Wait, what are you talking about...?
56

Tsukasa

Listen

I felt it directly working face to face with him.
57

Tsukasa

Listen

No matter how many times I swung my naginata to attack him, he didn't flinch once.
58

Tsukasa

Listen

Despite having a naginata flying towards his face, he didn't even raise an eyebrow...!
59

Kijima

Listen

Hah hah hah! Pretty amazing, right?!
60

Nene

Listen

Yeah, that is amazing... But how are we supposed to copy you?
61

Emu

Listen

The truth is, when Tsukasa pointed his naginata at me, I flinched and hesitated a lot!
62

Kijima

Listen

Of course, I don't expect any of you to be able to succeed right off the bat. But we are actors, after all...
63

Kijima

Listen

You'll just have to learn how.
64

Emu

Listen

...!
65

Emu

Listen

(Ushiwakamaru wouldn't be bothered by someone thrusting a naginata at him, so he doesn't react fearfully...)
66

Emu

Listen

(I never would've thought to play him that way. I mean, who wouldn't flinch when they saw a person swinging a wooden sword at them...?)
67

Emu

Listen

(But...)
68

Emu

Listen

(If I can figure out how to do that, then I'll be able to portray Ushiwakamaru just as beautifully...!)
69

Kijima

Listen

Of course, some actors can play these types of characters without having to think about it. The ones who can really dive into their roles.
70

Kijima

Listen

They can move their fingers, blink and do all the little things like it's nothing. They're able to become their characters.
71

Kijima

Listen

But most people can't do that...
72

Kijima

Listen

Which is why training is so important.
73

Emu

Listen

Training...?
74

Kijima

Listen

Yeah. Getting a good grasp of your characters isn't enough. You'll all need to keep training until you're able to perfectly present what you have in mind for them.
75

Kijima

Listen

In other words, you need to incorporate every muscle you have into your acting.
76

Emu

Listen

Into our acting...
77

Emu

Listen

Okay!
78

Emu

Listen

I'll do my best.
I'm going to train to use every muscle in my body, so that I can perfectly play the Ushiwakamaru I've imagined!
79

Emu

Listen

And in one month's time...
80

Emu

Listen

I promise to knock your socks off with my performance, Mr. Kijima!
81

Kijima

Listen

Great, I'll be looking forward to that...
82

Kijima

Listen

Now, I'd like to present you all with a special gift...
83

Nene

Listen

A special gift...?
84

Kijima

Listen

A special workout regimen that will teach you how to master using even the smallest muscles in your body, as I just mentioned.
85

Kijima

Listen

I call it the “Kijima Special”!

Sound Effect: Play

86

Kijima

Listen

If you'd like, I can start teaching you all right now. I know you're tired after just finishing practice, but how about it...?
87

Emu

Listen

Yes, please teach me!
88

Tsukasa

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I'd like to learn as well!
89

Nene

Listen

M-Me too...
I promise not to fall behind...!
90

Kijima

Listen

Alright, perfect!
In that case, let's go...!
91

Kijima

Listen

The first part of the Kijima Special involves...
Sprinting at full speed towards the sun!
92

Emu, Tsukasa, Nene & Rui

Listen

Okay!
Next Chapter: Train! Train! Train!