Early morning
Nonogi Park
Emu
Hi, everyone! Good mornin-nin-ninja☆
Nene
Morning, Emu.
I guess you came up with another weird greeting today...
I guess you came up with another weird greeting today...
Emu
Hehe♪
I'm trying to think like a ninja since we've been practicing to do a historical drama!
I'm trying to think like a ninja since we've been practicing to do a historical drama!
Rui
Hehe. Some may object to the idea of a ninja greeting others by saying, “Good morning.”
Rui
But I can tell that you're very excited about getting to be a part of “Ginnosuke's on the Case!”
Rui
In truth, I'm also looking forward to it.
A number of aspects will be different from our usual performances, such as getting to perform out in the open on the streets.
A number of aspects will be different from our usual performances, such as getting to perform out in the open on the streets.
Emu
Yeah, exactly!
I can't wait to do it for real♪ Right, Tsukasa?
I can't wait to do it for real♪ Right, Tsukasa?
Emu
Huh...?
Now that I think about it, where is Tsukasa?
Now that I think about it, where is Tsukasa?
Rui
Oh, Emu, did you not see his message?
Rui
Last night, he sent us one saying, “I'll be practicing on my own, so the rest of you head over without me.”
Emu
Oh, gotcha!
Nene
He's been really focused lately.
Rui
Yes, he has.
After all, he was given a fairly big role for this production.
After all, he was given a fairly big role for this production.
Rui
I'm guessing he's having sword fighting practice with Mr. Kijima right now.
Nene
Right...
In that case, we should hurry over.
In that case, we should hurry over.
Emu
Okay!
Let's go, you guys!!!
Let's go, you guys!!!
Mikazukigumi Practice Area
Emu
Gooood morni—
Tsukasa
*Roar*
Emu
Wh-What?!?!
Nene
Wh-What's Tsukasa doing...?!
Why's he running back and forth like that...?!
Why's he running back and forth like that...?!
Tsukasa
*Roar*
Rui
Could this be a part of his basic training...?
Still, he's got a ferocious look on his face.
Still, he's got a ferocious look on his face.
Emu
That was so cool!
Did you hear the way he roared just now?!
Did you hear the way he roared just now?!
Nene
I'm not sure “cool” is the right word.
To be honest, he sounded more like a wild animal to me...
To be honest, he sounded more like a wild animal to me...
Kijima
Ah, good morning to you all!
Kijima
And you're here so early again!
I'm impressed!
I'm impressed!
Emu
Oh, Mr. Kijima, good morning!!!
Nene
So, umm...
What's Tsukasa doing?
That doesn't look like one of our regular exercises...
What's Tsukasa doing?
That doesn't look like one of our regular exercises...
Kijima
This?
I designed it specifically for Tenma!
I designed it specifically for Tenma!
Tsukasa
Hm...?!
Tsukasa
Oh, you're all here!
I didn't realize...
*Cough*
I didn't realize...
*Cough*
Nene
Whoa!
A-Are you okay?!
A-Are you okay?!
Tsukasa
I-I'm fine!
It's my fault for trying to speak before catching my breath!
It's my fault for trying to speak before catching my breath!
Nene
Okay, if you say so...
Tsukasa
Yes, I apologize if I caused you any concern! But I couldn't be better!
Tsukasa
However!
I may be done with that exercise, but I don't have time to dawdle.
I may be done with that exercise, but I don't have time to dawdle.
Tsukasa
I need to have a meal and drink my protein within the next forty-five minutes!
Tsukasa
Let's see... My protein and shaker should be in my bag...
Nene
W-Wow, he...
Emu
He sounds so motivated today!
Rui
Or rather, he's been suddenly awakened.
Did something happen?
Did something happen?
Tsukasa
Ah, thank you for asking!
Tsukasa
Starting today, I've decided that I'm going to attain a new level of fitness!!!
Nene
A new level of fitness?
Tsukasa
Yes!
As you all know, “Ginnosuke's on the Case!” will be showing soon.
As you all know, “Ginnosuke's on the Case!” will be showing soon.
Tsukasa
So, yesterday, while working on my sword fighting skills with Mr. Kijima...
Kijima
“Come, Heihachi!
Now is our chance to show off our skills!”
Now is our chance to show off our skills!”
Tsukasa
“Yes, Mr. Ginnosuke!”
Mikazukigumi Members
“Alright, get 'em!”
Tsukasa
...
Tsukasa
(“Ginnosuke's on the Case!” is a fairly standard tale about a detective from the Edo period.)
Tsukasa
(Mr. Kijima plays the protagonist, Ginnosuke, who is the toughest constable in all of ancient Tokyo. No case goes unsolved when his brawn and brains enter the equation.)
Tsukasa
(And I play Heihachi, his detective right-hand man. As such, my sword fighting skills need to be up to snuff.)
Tsukasa
(But Mr. Kijima's sword fighting skills are on another level.)
Tsukasa
(First of all, each move he makes is purposeful and calculated. You can tell that he's used to fighting from his body language.)
Tsukasa
(Not only that, the way he moves meshes seamlessly with Ginnosuke the constable's personality...)
Tsukasa
(Mr. Kijima's even parrying and deflecting attacks in a forceful manner that doesn't match his own personality at all. He must be doing that on purpose.)
Tsukasa
(If I too could mold my body to match that of my character...)
Kijima
Alright, let's take a break here!
Mikazukigumi Members
Okay!
Tsukasa
Excuse me, Mr. Kijima!
Kijima
Hm? How can I help you, Tenma?
Tsukasa
So, I have a question...
Tsukasa
How can I learn to move the way you do?!
Kijima
Huh?
Tsukasa
Ever since we began practicing for “Ginnosuke's on the Case!”, I keep thinking to myself...
Tsukasa
That you wield a sword so elegantly...
The way you move your hands and feet... How you're able to truly become your character is just so astonishing...!
The way you move your hands and feet... How you're able to truly become your character is just so astonishing...!
Tsukasa
I've been doing my best while training with your troupe, but I still can't move the way I'd like to...
Tsukasa
As an actor, I want to learn to move the way you do, Mr. Kijima!
Tsukasa
So, please teach me!
Show me how to emulate what you do...!
Show me how to emulate what you do...!
Kijima
How...?
Kijima
Well, to put it in simple terms...
Kijima
You need to become more fit!!!!
Tsukasa
Huh...?
Tsukasa
Wait, but...
I know that staying fit is important.
I was talking about other things that...
I know that staying fit is important.
I was talking about other things that...
Kijima
Stop right there, Tenma!
Kijima
Yes, I understand that “becoming more fit” may sound dull and mundane.
Kijima
But it's very important to you right now.
That's what I believe.
That's what I believe.
Tsukasa
Can you elaborate further...?
Kijima
First, Tenma, your acting skills are already unquestionably good.
Kijima
You've even started thinking about how to improve the way you portray your character by moving more like him. That's very admirable of you...
Tsukasa
Th-Thank you very much...!
I feel honored!
I feel honored!
Kijima
However, on the other hand...
Kijima
Your body is having trouble keeping up with your mind.
Tsukasa
...!!!
Kijima
Staged fights and battle involve more than just combat. They're a part of a bigger scene, and each actor needs to move accordingly.
Kijima
In other words, you have to battle while wearing someone else's shoes. Which isn't easy, and requires having fuller control over your body.
Tsukasa
Fuller control...
Kijima
That's right. Based on your current flexibility, as well as the strength of your core and other muscles, your body leaves a lot to be desired...
Kijima
So, in order to achieve a higher level of control, you need to become more fit.
Tsukasa
Y-Yes, I see...!
And I completely agree...
And I completely agree...
Tsukasa
If I don't have the basics down, then I'm never going to solve more complex problems. Does that about sum things up...?
Kijima
Yeah, exactly.
There is a chance that you'll succeed based on pure luck, but you wouldn't be able to repeat what you did.
There is a chance that you'll succeed based on pure luck, but you wouldn't be able to repeat what you did.
Kijima
Becoming a good actor means having good fundamentals. Work hard on your fitness, and then you'll be able to achieve perfect control over your body.
Tsukasa
Yes, understood!
Tsukasa
...is what happened!
Tsukasa
Which is why I'm doing everything I can right now to raise my fitness level!
Emu
Now it all makes sense!
Nene
It also explains why you suddenly started drinking protein.
Tsukasa
It's not just protein! Chicken, boiled eggs, broccoli! Everything I need in order to efficiently gain more muscle!
Rui
Hehe. It's like you've turned into an athlete.
Rui
By the way, Mr. Kijima, I have a question regarding what happens after your fundamentals have reached a sufficient level...
Rui
Do you keep on working out in order to put on better portrayals of the characters you play?
Kijima
Yes, of course.
Kijima
Depending on a character's personality, upbringing and such, which muscles I need to tone can change greatly. I do my best to match their situations.
Emu
Whoa...!
You work on individual muscles?! That's amazing...!
You work on individual muscles?! That's amazing...!
Nene
Yeah...
It's like every fiber of your being is involved in becoming your character.
It's like every fiber of your being is involved in becoming your character.
Kijima
Anyway, to summarize...
Kijima
First, you need to increase your stamina. Once you've done that, you need to think about how you're going to sculpt your body to match your character's.
Kijima
By doing so, you'll slowly come to understand how your character moves and behaves... That's how I've been learning to play my characters until now.
Tsukasa
How my character moves and behaves...
Kijima
That's right. And you feel this incredible rush after you've solved that puzzle! The satisfaction of knowing that your body fully participated in the portrayal of your character!
Kijima
Keep doing your best to solve your character's puzzle, Tenma! I promise to give you all the support I can!
Tsukasa
Thank you! I appreciate it!
Tsukasa
(First, I need to work on my fundamentals...!)
Tsukasa
(Then, I need to learn how to master the way my character moves and behaves! And take my next big step towards stardom!)
Tsukasa
*Roar*
Let's do this!!!
Let's do this!!!
Next Chapter: Hiori Jidaigeki Studio Park