Volume 13 Chapter 372 Yamada Maruo, The One Thing I Lack
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Kenzaki – now transformed into Heaven’s Sword¹ – stood his ground against the Lewd Saint, Midara.
Suddenly, two familiar exhibitionists burst onto the scene, breathing heavily as they cut between the combatants.
’Sniff, sniff! Hehehe! I smell it! I smell a man, Big Sis!’ the one called Kunka Kunker cried ssu.
’I’m getting so hot just looking at this boy! Maybe I’ll just start flapping my coat open and shut!?’ Ro-Schutz-Marr added, her breath hitching.
Dammit! Can’t we just wipe these two out already?! Kujaku and I both buried our faces in our hands. Even after being re-corrupted, Kunka Kunker and Ro-Schutz-Marr hadn’t changed at all.
”Why does Director Hongo always shove this kind of crap into the serious scenes?” I asked.
”It’s a Hongo classic,” Kujaku replied.
Unlike us and our looks of pure exhaustion, Kenzaki actually let out a chuckle as he watched the two.
I guess Kenzaki – Aqua-san – is just on a different level than us. A normal guy would’ve been completely turned off by a display like that, but Kenzaki looked genuinely happy to see them.
’Hmph. You’ve got guts, forgetting about me like that,’ Kenzaki said. ‘Ro-Schutz-Marr, Kunka Kunker – I’ll have your memories back in a flash.’
With an Armor Purge², Heaven’s Sword triggered his Overclock³, accelerating himself to a blur. In a single fluid motion, his blade, the Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi⁴, easily dispelled the dark miasma clinging to the two exhibitionists.
’Ke-Kenzakiiiiiiii! Oh, I’m so happy to see you again!’ Kunka Kunker wailed ze.
’Hieee! I’m so sorry! I got carried away and tried to act like a total pervert again!!’ Ro-Schutz-Marr screamed.
What am I even watching…?
In less than two seconds, Kunka Kunker and Ro-Schutz-Marr were back to their old selves, clinging to Heaven’s Sword’s legs. Kujaku and I went completely stone-faced. Right, I get it now – the Sokuochi⁵ trope. This kind of messy, low-brow gag comedy is a staple of the Heaven’s Sword franchise.
Still, when I realize that the beautiful women playing these two have to film these scenes… I get a feeling I can’t quite put into words. I guess appearances really are deceiving.
’Ah… ah… please… run away…’ Midara whispered.
The Lewd Saint, Midara – played by Yukishiro Emily – was still being eroded by the black mist. She had lost her memories of Kenzaki, but she was still fighting to maintain her sanity. She had spent an eternity sacrificing herself to keep the Demon God sealed, after all.
’Midara… even consumed by malice, you’re still trying to sacrifice yourself?’ Kenzaki asked. ‘I should have known. That’s just who you are.’
Kenzaki’s expression turned deadly serious. Meanwhile, the two exhibitionists – who had forgotten him entirely just seconds ago – now had eyes brimming with tears.
’Big Sis Midara! Snap out of it! Look, it’s Kenzaki! Our Kenzaki!!’ Kunka Kunker shouted ze.
’How could you forget such a gorgeous boy?! We’re supposed to go on another fun trip, the four of us!!’ Ro-Schutz-Marr added.
You guys literally forgot him until two seconds ago! I wanted to yell, but you don’t provide the ‘straight man’ retort to these two. They’re just opportunistic like that.
’Kenzaki…? No… every time I hear that name, my head feels like it’s splitting…’ Midara groaned.
She clutched her head, her feminine body writhing. Come to think of it, seeing that Yukishiro Emily doesn’t have a baby bump here, this must have been filmed before her marriage.
’Midara, I’m getting you out of that mist!’ Kenzaki declared.
Heaven’s Sword leveled his blade, slashing at the dark aura surrounding her. But unlike the others, the mist didn’t just vanish. It dispersed for a moment, then instantly reconverged, tightening its grip around Midara’s body.
’Tch! Even the Ame-no-Murakumo isn’t enough?!’ Kenzaki muttered.
I noticed Midara’s cheeks were flushing red as the rope-like mist constricted her. Sigh. I thought she was the ‘decent’ one, but she really was the boss of the exhibitionists. Never let your guard down around these women – I’ve been reminded of that once again.
’Ahhh! N-no! Stop!’ Midara cried out.
The black ropes lashed out like whips, striking at Heaven’s Sword, Kunka Kunker, and Ro-Schutz-Marr.
’Master Kenzaki! The mist on Big Sis Midara is different from the weakling clones that were on us!’ Kunka Kunker yelled ze. ‘I smell it! I can smell it, sir! Beneath the sweet, lewd scent of Big Sis Midara, there’s a stagnant, pitch-black stench of a dangerous, obsessed female! Master Kenzaki! That’s the core of the mist!!’
Dammit, for a joke character, she’s too useful when it counts! If she’s this competent, how did she get possessed by a ‘weakling’ clone? Honestly, she might be stronger than Ego-Ist.
’Kunka Kunker, lead the way! But I can’t get close…!’ Kenzaki shouted.
Kenzaki danced through the whip-strikes, parrying only the unavoidable blows with his sword.
’Kenzaki! I’ll create an opening! You and Kunka Kunker strike the core!’ Ro-Schutz-Marr cried.
’Ro-Schutz-Marr… are you sure?’ Kenzaki asked.
She gave a firm nod.
’Leave it to me! The “Perverted Exhibitionist” has been reborn as the “Perverted Lady”!!’ she declared.
Why is she still a pervert?! Drop the pervert part! If you’re still a pervert, you’re just an exhibitionist!
’Do it! Ro-Schutz-Marr!’ Kenzaki shouted.
’Consider it done!!’ she replied.
She leapt forward as Heaven’s Sword fell back.
’The light that hides the naughty bits! Mysterious Light Muzzle Flash!!’
Gah! My eyes! Kujaku and I instinctively looked away. Thank god for those health class warnings about women in trench coats – my reflexes were top-notch. Blinded by the flash, the mist faltered as Ro-Schutz-Marr doubled down.
’The convenient glow of an Asachun⁶! Mysterious Light Beam!!’
Beams of light erupted from her coat, pinning the shadow-whips to the ground. Seriously, why is she so strong?! I’m calling it now: the final boss’s only mistake was underestimating the sheer power of these two joke characters.
’Hmph. Did you really think mere censorship bars could defeat the Mysterious Light? Besides, it’s too hot for black ink tonight!’ Ro-Schutz-Marr laughed.
No, no, no! Stop acting like you just did something cool! You haven’t! And seriously, how did you ever lose to Kenzaki in the first place?!
’Sniff! Sniff! Master Kenzaki! Behind her right ear! The stench of that obsessed female is coming from the mist right there!’ Kunka Kunker pointed.
’Got it! Thanks, you two! I’ll handle the rest!!’ Kenzaki yelled.
Kenzaki pushed his Overclock to the limit. The world slowed as he lunged, his sword piercing the exact spot Kunka Kunker had pointed out. The black mist shrieked, tearing away from Midara’s body before it could be destroyed. Kenzaki caught Midara, pulling her into a gentle embrace.
’Kenzaki… I… I…’ Midara stammered.
’Welcome back, Midara. You’re safe now,’ Kenzaki said softly.
He pulled her closer, holding her tight.
’I’m sorry… I remembered what it was like to be all alone… and I just got so scared…’ she whispered.
’It’s okay. I’m right here,’ Kenzaki replied.
I don’t know what it is. Even as a guy, hearing Kenzaki – or Aqua-san – say those words makes me feel at peace. This absolute sense of security is something I don’t have. It’s the one thing Aqua-san possesses that I lack. And I don’t think it’s just a superficial acting thing. There’s something fundamental at the very core of our beings that’s just… different.
’Midara, even if you sink into the deepest darkness, I will always come for you. I will never leave you alone again,’ Kenzaki promised.
Heaven’s Sword’s armored hand reached out, gently wiping the tears from her eyes.
’Really…?’ she asked.
’I promise,’ he said.
Midara looked up, her face flushed pink. Dammit, he’s so cool it’s almost annoying. I glanced at social media, and the trends were already exploding: [Lady Midara Wins!], [Kanon-sama NTR’d lol], and [Joining the Church of Holy Midara].
’And I’m not just talking about you. Ro-Schutz-Marr, Kunka Kunker – I’ll protect you both, too!’ Kenzaki added.
’Ugh… sniff… even us?!’ the two cried in unison.
’Master Kenzaki! We’ll follow you for the rest of our lives!!’ Kunka Kunker wailed ze.
Again with the leg-clinging! Why can’t you just hug him normally? Stop trying to bury your faces in his crotch, you thirsty exhibitionists!!
But we didn’t have time for that. The black mist was trying to flee. Kenzaki reached for his Driver belt.
’Let’s finish this. Heaven’s Sword!!’ Kenzaki yelled.
The belt erupted in radiance.
’Gallant Transformation! Maximum Power! Perfect Driver⁷!!’
The platinum form! It’s here!!
Heaven’s Sword caught up to the mist in a blur of silver, pulling the darkness into a powerful hug.
’Wait a bit. I’m saving you now,’ Kenzaki said.
Under Kenzaki’s touch, the black mist didn’t shatter – it unraveled, melting away with a strange softness. This is why it has to be Kenzaki. The other Drivers are great, but Heaven’s Sword is just… the best.
’Sorry I was late,’ he whispered to the fading shadows.
’Come on. Let’s go,’ Kenzaki said to his companions.
Midara and the others nodded firmly. Finally, the final battle was beginning. The camera panned up to Black Lexy, hovering high above.
’It doesn’t matter how many pawns you save,’ she sneered. ‘The seal is already broken.’
Wait, what?!
The scene shifted. All over the city, people possessed by the mist were dismantling the seals protected by the Five Swords.
’I see… Midara, Tora-uma, and Ego-Ist were just distractions,’ I realized. ‘While we were busy with them, they used the exhibitionists hidden in the police, the military, and even SYUKUJYO⁸ to break the seals from the inside. They played us.’
’W-what’s going to happen now?!’ Kujaku cried.
Black Lexy descended into the heart of the broken seal. She swept aside the remaining guards and approached the center, where the Evil God lay waiting to wake.
However, Kukuri-san, playing Miko-sama, blocks the way.
’I won’t let you!!’ Miko-sama shouted.
Miko-sama hurls the talismans ⁹ at Black Lexy. Man, Kukuri-san is really giving it her all in these action scenes. After a fierce struggle, Kukuri-san successfully binds Black Lexy with the charms.
””Did we get him!?”” Kujaku and I yelled in unison.
We both lean forward, breathless. But a moment later, the black haze clinging to Black Lexy’s body tears away. It begins to swell, gorging itself on the evil god’s power.
’Hahaha! With power like this, I have no use for these pathetic vessels! the monster mocked.
The black mist coalesces into a horrific, Chijo ¹⁰-like monstrosity. Wait, it’s massive! It’s easily twice the size of the Driver ¹¹.
’Hahaha! The power… I can feel it surging through me! Your malice! Your terror! It completes me!!’
You’ve got to be kidding me. It’s still growing. Butterfly Mask is the first to charge back into the fray.
’Miko-sama, what is that thing!?’ Butterfly Mask asked.
’Kagami-san! That is the source of all this nightmare!!’ Miko-sama replied.
Kagami grips his spear with white-knuckled intensity and lunges at the mist-shrouded Chijo. But Butterfly Mask’s strike does absolutely nothing. No damage at all.
’Useless!’ the monster roared.
’Ngh!’
Bicorn Beetle rushes in to catch Butterfly Mask as he’s sent flying.
’Kagami, are you alright!?’ Bicorn Beetle asked.
’Misa-san!’ Kagami gasped.
Poison Chalice and Lightning Hopper follow Bicorn Beetle’s lead, launching a coordinated assault. Yet, their attacks pass through the mist-monster like it’s nothing. Come on, how are we supposed to fight something like this?
’It’s futile,’ the monster sneered.
’You’ve grown stronger, perhaps, but you are nothing before me now that I’ve fully awakened my godhood.’
Tora-uma and Ego-Ist have regained their memories. They, along with Bocchi the World, the other Chijos, Commander Tajima, and Night Shadow Saki, all rush the field. But against the perfect form of the evil god, they are all equally powerless. In the middle of this despair, the final Driver, Heaven’s Sword, finally arrives.
He’s here! Kenzaki! We can actually win this!
Just as every viewer thinks the tide has turned, the evil god’s overwhelming power crushes that hope. Everyone is left battered, sprawling in the dirt.
How can we win? Look at the size of that thing. It’s over.
’Do you want to know why you can’t defeat me?’ the god asked, looking down at them.
’Humans breed malice from the simplest things. Fear stains the heart black in an instant. This world is rotting with deception; everyone lives their lives turning a blind eye to the truth. That is why no matter how many times you stand up, nothing changes. Even if you kill me, nothing changes!!’
Even if we kill him, nothing changes… I remember the ending of the last movie, the desperate struggle to take the evil god down. And yet, the malice that survived crawled away, fed on the people, and grew into this. It came back even stronger.
’Damn it…’
I clutch my chest. Why? The evil god’s words are like poison in my mind. Even now, the world improved because Aqua-san appeared. But what if she disappears? Will the world just slide back into the darkness? I feel like the writers of Driver are speaking directly to me through this script.
’Now for the finishing touch. Driver, once I break you, hope will vanish from this world. Especially you, Kenzaki… I wonder what kind of faces they’ll make when they watch you die. That will be the sweetest nectar of all.’
The evil god stalks toward Kenzaki. Kohina Yukari-san, playing Bocchi the World, desperately reaches out a hand.
’Run… please. Get out of here! Wake up, Souji! Get away from her!’ she cried.
’Hahaha! It’s no use! Look at you, Kenzaki’s mother. Stay right there and watch your son be slaughtered!’
The evil god stops abruptly. Ro-Schutz-Marr and Kunka Kunker have grabbed onto its legs with everything they have left.
’Please… run, Master Kenzaki,’ Ro-Schutz-Marr wheezed.
’Kenzaki… please. Wake up and run. As long as you’re alive, humanity has a chance…’ Kunka Kunker pleaded.
So them clinging to Heaven’s Sword’s legs earlier was just foreshadowing!? I feel bad for joking about them burying their faces in his crotch now.
’Tch! You traitors! You can try to rewrite your past and play hero all you want, but your sins will never be washed away!’
The god brutally kicks Kunka Kunker and Ro-Schutz-Marr, but they refuse to let go. Then, Ego-Ist lunges forward, wrapping his arms around the god’s back.
’What are you doing, Ego-Ist? Have you lost your mind? Remember who you are! You belong on my side!’ the god barked.
’…Yeah, maybe once,’ Ego-Ist muttered.
Ego-Ist takes blow after blow to the face from the god’s elbows, but his grip doesn’t falter.
’I was so obsessed with power that I let you crawl into my heart over and over. But… every time I fell, these guys taught me what real strength looks like.’
Tora-uma grabs on from the other side.
’We’re not letting you make anyone else like us. We’re stopping you here, even if it’s the last thing we do!!’
No-Men, Yan-de-Rue, Men-Heller-a swarm of Chijos pile onto the evil god’s body. Despite the weight, the god continues to lumber toward Kenzaki until Seijo Midara stands directly in its path.
’Thank you, Kenzaki… No, Souji. Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me,’ Midara said softly.
Midara looks back for a split second, giving Kenzaki a gentle smile. When she turns back to the god, her eyes are burning with resolve.
””’We will NEVER let you take Kenzaki!!””’ the group roared.
A radiant energy begins to flow from the Chijos, swirling toward Seijo Midara. The evil god finally looks panicked.
’Wait-you! You’re going to sacrifice yourselves to seal me away again!? Stop! Stop this at once!!’
Midara is crying, but she’s smiling through the pain. Tora-uma and Bocchi the World are the same. Flash-frames flicker across the screen: Tsukiko and Midara in wedding dresses; Tora-uma and Ro-Schutz-Marr on a happy journey.
Don’t do this… stop showing us the future they could have had. It’s too sad. Kenzaki, you can’t let it end like this! Please, Kenzaki!
’Wake up, big brother!’ a voice cried out.
That voice… It’s the little girl from the busjacking incident!
’Everyone said you were a bad man, but I know the truth! I saw how gently you held that Chijo sister when you saved us!’
Is that coming from the emergency broadcast system!? The scene cuts to the station, where Nyankosky is at the controls in his work uniform. So that’s why he was dressed like that-he’s a Disaster Prevention Agency employee! Someone pats the crying girl’s head and leans into the mic.
’Get up, Souji!!’
It’s the other mom figure, Mikuni-sama!
’Souji, are you really going to let these girls cry? You’re not that pathetic. Did you forget what your mother told you? The early bird gets the worm! So open your eyes, Souji!’
Kenzaki’s finger twitches.
’Souji… Honestly, as your mother, I don’t give a damn about humanity compared to your life. But I can’t stand seeing you sad. If you don’t want to live with regret, stand up. Even if you fail, I’ll be here to hold you and tell you it’s okay. So stand up for yourself, Souji!!’
Beaten and broken, Kenzaki slowly pushes himself off the ground. Even in this state… No, I can’t be the one to give up. Believe in Kenzaki. Believe in Aqua-san!
’Souji…’
Midara’s concentration wavers for just a second. The evil god seizes the opening. He blasts the Chijos off his body and forcibly slams the dimensional rift shut.
’Hahaha! It’s my victory!!’
The god laughs, but the other Drivers are standing up now. Kagami! Tachibana! Kamishiro! Night Shadow! They’re all still in the fight!
’No,’ Commander Tajima said, supported by Night Shadow Saki. She gives a grim smirk.
’It’s your loss.’
’You don’t understand a thing about the resolve of these kids,’ Tajima continued.
Kagami steps forward, his eyes bright.
’Even if the world is swallowed by darkness!’
The weak, hesitant Kagami is gone. Night Shadow Misa stands beside him.
’Even if malice and hate try to rule everything!!’
She’s moved past her obsession with raw power. Tachibana catches the falling Tora-uma and looks the god in the eye.
’We will still believe in tomorrow, and we will never stop fighting!!’
Tachibana’s voice is steady and powerful. He’s lived in both worlds, and he knows what’s worth saving. Finally, Kamishiro steps up.
’The world might not be a perfect, beautiful place!’
He clenches his fist. You can see the strength of a man who has seen the worst of humanity and chosen to be better anyway.
Finally, Kenzaki faced forward.
’Because I said that, if we don’t believe in the future ahead, who will!!’
The evil god flinches at Kenzaki’s powerful words.
The five people synchronized their breathing, and everyone took a powerful step forward in front of them.
””’That is us, Drivers!¹²””’
The five people stretch their hands straight out.
There, their respective mecha settle in.
’It’s the same no matter how many times you do it!!’
The evil god lets out a loud roar and produces normal-sized Chijo¹³ that are copies of her own complete form.
No… way. Something like this, what should we do.
But, Kenzaki looked at that and laughed.
’You don’t understand anything about Drivers!!’
’What… did you say!?’
What does that mean?
Me and Kujaku, with eyes wide open, look at each other’s faces.
’A Driver is something that responds to a person’s thoughts, to their wishes!’
Kenzaki took off the belt he had wrapped around his waist and entrusted it to the Heaven’s Sword that flew over.
The Heaven’s Sword holding the belt then flies high into the sky and shines brightly as if to clear the pitch-black sky.
’Everyone, don’t be afraid of changing yourself! Even if there is no belt! Even if there are no mecha! We can change anytime!! That’s right. Anyone can be a Driver!!’
Belts also appear on the waists of Commander Tajima, Night Shadow Saki-san, and even Miko-sama.
No, that’s not all. Belts also appeared on the waists of the girl from earlier, Mikuni-sama, and Nyankosky and the others.
’Wh, what is this. This!?’
’Whoa!? A belt is on my waist too!?’
Kunka Kunker!?
Ro-Schutz-Marr!?
Why is there a belt on your waists too!?
’Fufu, it’s really reckless after all…’
’But, that’s what’s good about it, right?’
Seijo Midara and Bocchi the World, who have belts wrapped around their waists, laugh together.
’Please everyone. We can’t defeat this guy by ourselves. So, everyone, please fight together with us’
Me and Kujaku had naturally stood up from the sofa.
In fact, the sound of someone standing up from a sofa can be heard from the dressing rooms on the left and right as well.
’Let’s go. Everyone. Henshin¹⁴!!’
Drivers, regular people, Chijo, everyone decides on their respective transformation poses.
And, me and Kujaku who are watching that also naturally decided on transformation poses.
Director Hongou… there are many transformations. I’m sorry for thinking that you use too much screen time uselessly on transformations.
It’s okay to have as many transformations as you want, isn’t it!!
”””””Hen… shin!!”””””
Everyone’s voices overlap.
Uooooooooh!
Amazing! The Chijo and others are really transforming into Drivers!!
’Damn it! As if such recklessness can be permitted!!’
’Give up. I will, we will, definitely show you that we can save you!!’
Reversing from just a moment ago, the Drivers start to push back the evil gods.
Go for it. Do your best, everyone!! Because we in front of the screen are with you too!!
The panicked evil god reaches her hand out toward her own split bodies.
’Return, you all!!’
The evil god absorbs her own split copies again and makes her body larger than before.
Hey hey, this is as expected impossible! Already, she’s become bigger than a building, hasn’t she!!
’Let’s go, everyone! We’re Gattai¹⁵ too!!’
Huh!?
’Gattai!?’
’Gattai!?’
’Gattai!?’
’Gattai!?’
”Gattai!?”
”Gattai!?”
Kenzaki’s words surprise not just everyone, but me and Kujaku too.
Just what on earth is he saying?
Even so, Kagami is the first to respond to that.
’Really, Kenzaki is too reckless. But, because you are that kind of person, I!!’
Kagami returns to a human body and entrusts the Driver’s power to Kenzaki.
’Kenzaki, please receive my power! Because you are that kind of guy, I!!’
Tachibana, who entrusted his power to Kenzaki, returned to a human body and looked into Tora-uma’s eyes.
’I’m counting on you, Kenzaki! If it’s you, you should surely be able to do it. Because, you are!!’
Kamishiro entrusted her power to Kenzaki and floated a smile.
’Go, Kenzaki. If it’s you, I can entrust my everything. Therefore, I [wish] you!!’
Night Shadow Saki entrusts all of her power to Kenzaki.
Following that, the Chijo and everyone else also entrust their power to Kenzaki.
’Thank you, everyone’
All the power, mecha, and belts gather toward Kenzaki.
’Heavenly Transformation!! Masked Driver, Heaven’s Sword!!’
Heaven’s Sword transforms with MojaP’s high-spirited call.
Going full circle and returning to the initial model is too hot (passionate)….
’Let’s go!’
Kenzaki grabs the beetle horn attached to the belt.
It, it’s coming!!
’Driver…’
”””””Kiiiick!!”””””
Me and Kujaku, and beyond that, everyone who was in the other waiting rooms were shouting.
With the impact of the Driver Kick, most of the black mist the evil god was wearing disappears.
Even so, the last part tries to escape.
However, Heaven’s Sword—Kenzaki—strongly hugged that last fragment.
’Don’t suffer alone’
’Ken… zaki’
Kenzaki, who canceled his transformation, smiles at the black mist.
’Look, you, you don’t have a place to go, right? In that case, live inside me. It’s okay. You’re not alone. From now on, I am together [with you]’
’A, ah… if the world were filled with people like you, I…’
Kenzaki gently embraces the mist of the evil god, who had a peaceful face, into his own heart.
Amazing, Kenzaki… what a big-hearted man.
Me and Kujaku sit on the sofa and watch over the epilogue with dazed faces.
”Maruo…”
”Yeah, I know even if you don’t say it. We also have to do our best”
There are various things I lack. But, watching Kenzaki, I felt like I understood what the thing my character lacks most is.
That is resolve. The resolve to carry through what one must do.
In playing a Driver, I understood that is the most important thing.
”Now, let’s go. Maruo, it’s our turn”
”I know. On this side, we have to work just as hard!”
Me and Kujaku look at each other, do a high-five with smiles, and leave the waiting room.
Drivers are important, but this is just as important for us.
In order to show the best Stage we can do now, I get fired up that we have to work hard.
For all the fans who came to see this Stage!!
—
Summary:
Kenzaki, wielding Heaven’s Sword, frees Seijo Midara and her followers from the dark mist’s control, even as the comedic antics of the Chijo duo lighten the mood. He unleashes his ultimate ‘Perfect Driver’ form, but the triumph is fleeting. Black Lexy reveals the battles were a distraction, allowing the evil god to break the city’s seals and achieve its perfect form, overwhelming the heroes. Just as hope fades, Kenzaki hears encouraging voices from his past, including his mother’s, inspiring a final stand. United, the Drivers transform and combine their powers, not to destroy the god, but to absorb its essence, saving it from its loneliness. Actors Maruo and Kujaku witness the epic finale, drawing inspiration for their own performances.
—
Trivia:
- The filming of the scene takes place before the actress Yukishiro Emily’s marriage.
- Kunka Kunker’s nose is the key to finding the core of the dark mist.
- Ro-Schutz-Marr’s light-based attacks are a literal ‘censorship’ meta-joke.
- Midara spent an eternity sacrificing herself to seal the Demon God before being corrupted.
- The exhibitionists have infiltrated high-level organizations like the police and SYUKUJYO
- The little girl speaking through the radio was the one saved from a previous busjacking event.
- Nyankosky’s earlier appearance in work clothes was foreshadowing his job at the Disaster Prevention Agency.
- Ego-Ist and Tora-uma have regained their original memories, changing their motivations.
- The ‘possible future’ montage shows the high stakes of their sacrifice
- Kenzaki’s final form ‘Heaven’s Sword’ returns to the design of the initial prototype.
- Even non-combatants and Chijo minions are granted belts to become Drivers.
- The setting is revealed to be a show being watched by actors in a dressing room.
- Kenzaki redefines ‘Driver’ as a vessel for thoughts and wishes
—
Character Insight:
Yamada Maruo feels a deep sense of inferiority toward Kenzaki/Aqua. He notes that while they both appear heroic, Kenzaki provides an ‘absolute sense of security’ that Maruo believes he fundamentally lacks, suggesting a deeper psychological gap between the ‘real’ hero and the ‘idol’ hero.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The ‘Seaweed’ and ‘Black Ink’ comments are meta-references to Japanese broadcasting censorship bars. The ‘Morning Tryst’ (Asachun) is a common trope where birds chirping signals a s*x scene happened off-screen.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Ken – Male. A rehabilitated man working in the mine. The fiancé of Akiyama Sachiko, the organizer of the party or one of the protagonist’s (Aqua’s) mother’s students (ikebana) appeared in Volume 2 Chapter 12. However, their engagement is not yet officially recognized, as the necessary documents have not been signed by all parties involved. Ken-kun behaves inappropriately during the event, attempting to flirt with Kanon and later becoming aggressive, even wielding a replica sword. His actions cause a disturbance, and he is eventually subdued and removed by the security team.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply