U-Um...
I-I..
I think I'm pregnant!
Sket-dan Now accepting requests
You've been scouted as a voice actress?
Episode 8: Nervous & Genesis
What do you mean?
Well, not exactly scouted, I suppose...
Remember when we did the puppet show at that preschool?
The teacher with the glasses really liked my voice,
and it seems she told her brother, who makes anime.
Then, I was asked if I could come to an audition...
My bad!
I mean, like... How should I take this news?
I can't picture it at all, you know?
What do you want to do, Momoka?
Me? I'm not good at anything except being a punk, right?
I don't know a thing about anime.
I don't even think I have such a great voice anyway,
so I was going to turn him down...
But when I remembered the look on the kids' faces...
I thought, "Someone like me can make kids that happy?"
With the way that I am, if I can do a job that makes children happy...
I think that'd be wonderful.
Anime...?
Children...?
So, I think I'll take the audition!
Audition
Great, just great!
You should totally do that!
I don't know why, but I'm starting to cry!
We'll cheer you on, Momoka!
You can do it, Momoka!
We'll wave a giant flag that says "You can do it, Momoka!" on it!
Uh, I don't think a flag...
So, the reason I came here today was because I thought you could teach me about anime...
Switch, you know a lot about it, right?
You want me... to teach you about anime?
I, Switch?
I... Usui Kazuyoshi?
Build up...build up...build up...build up...
Me?!
Why are you making such a big deal out of it?
I guess he's so happy he can't help it.
Fine then. I'll teach you stuff about anime.
He's totally into it!
He's being drawn like manga artist A!
The way of anime is long and difficult!
Do you think you can handle it?
What's "the way of anime"?
I love a challenge!
You're in manga artist A's style, too?
I hope they don't get mad...
First: Who is the director?
Um... I think it was Suemasu-san.
Oh, Suemasu Arashi...
That means it is probably for the next edition of the "Nervous" series.
Nervous series?
"Futari wa Nervous".
It's an anime aimed originally at small girls,
but it was widely praised for the quality of its action scenes,
and became popular across a large spectrum, from little girls to adult "friends".
Yeah, that!
Of course, I will lend you my first printing limited edition DVD box sets.
One of the special features on them are interviews with the voice actresses,
which should be helpful.
Or would you prefer Blu-ray?
Stop boasting and give them to her!
No! Just studying the video won't be good enough!
You must understand the process of voice-over! You must learn ADR!
And so now it is time for...
Switch is awe...
Build up...build up...build up...build up...
...some corner!
Why such a huge build-up?
This doesn't deserve any kinda build-up!
How about this for special training?
First, we play an appropriate scene...
We are... nervous!
Then we play the same scene with the audio taken out.
Now, you practice ADR by saying the line you just heard, matching the video.
Shatch, you're awesome!
Shatch!
Oops! I was so overjoyed I said "Shatch" by mistake!
Me, too!
No, not you too!
Now then, let's begin!
Speaking frankly, it may be embarrassing for you to perform all of a sudden.
Y-Yeah...
Speaking personally, there is nothing that chills my spine more than amateur voice acting.
I cannot stand to listen to it.
But being able to jump over that wall of shame is the true purpose of this training!
Embarrassed
Can you do it?
God, you're annoying!
Get on with it!
He's totally sadistic...
Now then, start!
Clickity-click!
Oh, it's started.
Eeeeenoooough!
Stop it!
The damn show's making me nervous!
You call that lazy-ass opening a song?!
We don't need to listen to the opening anyway!
Fast-forward to someplace with dialog!
No. The opening is crucial.
Watching the opening makes it feel like the show has really started!
Who gives a crap?
Fine then, we go to the famous scene in episode 3.
"Grumbling Contest In An Open Cafe".
What the hell kind of anime is this?
I was honestly happy when he proposed.
We're deciding on the hall for the ceremony and making invitations.
He was so excited when we were picking out rental clothing I hardly knew what to do!
But...
As things keep getting more concrete, sometimes I think to myself...
"Is this really the person I should be getting married to?"
Stop it for a sec!
What the hell is she talking about?
The main character, Marriage Blue,
is confessing that after accepting her fiancé's proposal, she is strangely apprehensive...
What the hell is "Marriage Blue"?
I've never seen an anime like that!
I was... honestly happy... when he proposed.
You don't have to do it!
You can't go doing this!
How is this aimed toward young girls?
They're just women in their 20s!
"Futari wa Nervous" became famous for being 90% drama
that takes place before their transformation scene.
Why don't people just watch soap operas, then?
Because it airs at 7 PM.
Prime-time?!
Whatever, just do some other scene...
These nervous lines are too hard to say, right?
Y-Yeah...
I don't know much about marriage yet...
I have no clue what it's like to be a girl who is getting married.
I'm impressed with how seriously you are trying to get into the role, though.
Then, let us do a different scene!
I'll be fine, Mom, really.
The doctor told me to keep active.
Oh? You always work hard...
I'm worried you overdo things.
You're just like me when I was young!
Oh, Mom...
I'm heading out!
One could say that I'm confident, and happy.
I couldn't be more pleased with my husband and mother-in-law.
But...
As the weight of this life within me grows and grows,
this vague feeling I have weighs heavier and heavier...
"Can I really raise this child?"
Okay, stop!
What the hell story is this now?
In this extremely memorable scene,
the other main character, Maternity Blue,
speaks frankly about her state of mind prior to giving birth.
The state of mind of a pregnant woman...
You don't have to!
What is you people's problem?
The content!
And why are both of them "Blue"?
Do a different anime, damn it!
Then how about some old mahou shoujo anime?
Shoujo, right?
Not for some mid twenties or early forties fantasizing fujoshi, right?
It is completely aimed at children.
The contents are a struggle of good versus evil, and primarily consist of battle scenes.
OK!
Now, take a look!
Magical Extortion Angel, Reality Maji!
Is this the one with that Cynical Stick?
Extortion Angel?
So, what are you going to do about this?
The moment you fell for my trap, your defeat was clear as day.
I don't need to use any more magic,
but with this Cynical Stick I can ease your pain.
P-Please forgive me!
I want to hear a rational explanation.
Face reality!
You really think that evildoers can get away without paying a penalty?
How much?
Enough!
It's all the same crap!
While following the standard magical setting,
by having the plot lines involve realistic events, it fires alarm bells at children's society!
Whatever! You can't show this crap to kids!
Isn't there some other line that's easier to understand?
Why don't we practice her catchphrase?
Catchphrase?
Like "In the name of the moon, I will..." something something?
Right, that!
Will you see stars, when I bury you into the ground?
She's scary!
Fine, whatever... Better than nothing.
How about it, Momoka?
I'll try.
Will ya see stars when I bury ya into the ground?!
S-S-Scary...
No, no... You're putting too much force into it!
Doesn't cut it?!
Well, it's fine, just...
Isn't that how you naturally act?
It's been a while since I've seen you like this.
Then...
Will ya even gaze at stars when I bury ya into the ground!?
Pull back more!
And you changed the line!
Shall I bury ya into the ground?! Go gaze at stars or somethin'!
That's totally different!
Your aura's getting even bigger!
No. 6, Kibitsu Momoka. Thank you for the opportunity.
All five of us...?
How many worries do we all hold?
M-My father didn't abandon me or anything!
D-Don't get the wrong idea!
Nevous won the match, but lost to the mystery man...
M-My husband, you see...
He and my mom went to an overnight trip to an onsen, just the two of them!
I... I think I'm pregnant.
Your acting ability isn't bad for an amateur.
But...
You aren't projecting.
You have to project from your stomach, like this...
Project your voice...
You perverted bastard!
No matter what, don't blow up in there!
I know, Ma'am, I know...
But you know, you have a really cute face, too.
If you do exactly as I say, you could become an idol voice actress!
Come to my place next week.
I'll give you private lessons.
I'll hold your hand and go real slow...
Hey.
Will you see blood when I bury you into the ground?!
S-S-S-S-Sorry!
Nice...
Yeah, nice...
I've finally found the heroine for my new project!
Sket-dan Now accepting requests
Then, a few days later...
Momoka will make her voice acting debut as the heroine of "Magical Yankee, Liberty Maji"!
All's well that ends well?
Himeko Line
How much wood can a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck...
Himeko Line
Keep trying!
This is so frustrating!
Himeko Line
Not Nervous! Genesis!
Geography Teacher
Yamano Bekunio
Huh? What are you saying?
I want to make a Genesis Club!
Uh, but...
I want to spread Genesis far and wide!
Ready, set, go!
The origin of the ball game of Genesis is wrapped in more mystery than almost any other sport.
The oldest theory traces its origins back to ancient Chinese murals.
The image of large youkai wielding sticks and throwing rocks at each other
leaped out into the imaginations of the people at the time,
and starting from a leisure game of mountain folk, was developed into a fixed sport.
However, afterwards, it was passed down the generations in secret,
and didn't spread enough to really be called a sport.
Currently, it is passed down the generations in just a portion of China,
and has become a ball game of legend...
As data is scarce, the precise description of its equipment and rules is tricky,
but a number of players in the Asian sphere have been confirmed,
and the anticipation that the torch of
this mysterious ball-game will be lit once again is fast approaching.
From the "Encyclopedia of Silly Sports", published by Minshin Books.
There ain't any sport like that!
No, but there is!
I learned it when I was a kid!
Learned it? From who?
Master Wong.
Who the hell is that?
Master Wong
I request that you leave!
Sensei, can I get a little rough with you?
No, seriously!
Master and Me (In China)
I used to live in China!
If you wanna make a club, then ask the Student Council!
But I did that, of course!
Genesis? What is that, exactly?
Even if it's a request from a teacher,
I cannot accept a club whose purpose I know nothing about.
I would like you to gather at least 3 club members who can play this "Genesis" game,
and show me an actual game.
Well, that's the expected reaction...
So, I beg of you!
Sket-dan, help me found the Genesis Club by becoming temporary members!
Well...
You're in!
Okay, get changed and meet up in the grounds outside the gym!
Okay, let's begin!
It's not complicated.
Just take it easy.
Try it out!
Sensei, I got a question.
What is it, Bossun-kun?
Do we need these fins on our feet?
Oh, the Flippers?
Flippers?
Yes, of course you need them.
The Flippers are the most distinguishing feature of Genesis!
But it's hard to move in them, it's like all flippy-floppy!
Yes, indeed!
With these flippers, your lower body movement is extremely restricted!
Flipper
"Those who master the Flippers, master Genesis!" is what Master Wong always said!
Master
I don't really understand, but I guess we have to wear them?
Yeah...
That net is a Morning Star.
You Catch or Don't Catch the ball with that.
Catch or don't catch?
Which is it?
I'll now teach you how to hold it!
What, you're ignoring me?!
Hold it however you like!
Wow, you three are great!
This isn't your first time playing Genesis, is it?
What is it with this guy?
He's so hyped up and annoying!
So you see, Genesis is played with 3 things: Morning Stars, Flippers, and a volleyball.
Did he just say volleyball?
Well, I guess that's normal.
Weirdly normal...
The court is similar to dodgeball.
In fact, a dodgeball court will do.
What's with the fuzzy rules here?!
Now I will teach you the dance that is done before a match!
Dance?
Just skip that kind of thing!
Teach us Genesis already!
Are you belittling it?
Are you belittling the war cry dance?
It's the same as the Wai Khru in Muay Thai!
Or the Haka of the All Blacks Rugby team!
Genesis has a war cry dance, too!
It's a sacred ceremony performed before a match!
And you people look down on it...?!
Okay, we get it!
Right, everyone line up here.
Raise both arms.
Nice and high.
Right, stretch out all the way to the tips of your fingers.
Then: 1, 2, 3, 4, swing your arms left and right.
Right, left, right, left... Like that!
At the same time, move your hips in the opposite direction!
Left, right, left, right!
5, 6, 7, 8, hop on one foot to the rhythm!
I get a feeling one isn't like the others... No matter.
Excellent! Now do it again!
Faster!
Now, even faster!
Now, so fast I can't even see!
Wow, amazing!
Truly mach speed!
Enough already!
How long are you gonna make us do this?
Let's get to Genesis already!
Right, let's start.
I'll be on offense first, the Attacker.
You'll be defense, the Defensists.
Defensists?
Here I go!
Break!
Hey, hey, hey... What are you doing just standing there?
We've started?
I'm throwing the next one!
Break!
That's two times in a row, Gimme a Break!
How is this gonna ever be Genesis?
Ever be Genesis? But I don't understand it at all!
That! What is it you are holding?!
M-Morning... Star?
Right!
And you use it to do what with the ball?
Catch it?
Right!
Or you can not catch it!
That's what we don't get!
Which is it?
It's your turn, Switch-kun.
Be a Defensist!
Here!
Net-In!
Nice Net-In!
You caught it in the net, right?
That gives the Defensists 1 point.
What the heck is this sport?
This stinks of stupidity.
And that's the Tail.
You get 1 point if you Net-In with the Tail touching the ground, and 2 points if it's not.
Plus!
If the Defensist doesn't Net-In the Ball, in other words,
if he doesn't Catch it and it hits their body, then the Attacker gets a Break and 1 Point.
If the Defensist doesn't Catch the Ball and it doesn't hit their body, that's a Break-Through.
Neither side gets a point.
You can only have 3 Break-Throughs in a row, and that situation is called a Lead-Air.
During a Lead-Air, the Attacker must hit with the Ball,
and since a throw is coming that should be easy to get for the Defensist,
they're pressured to choose between going for a Net-In or a Through.
H-Hold it...
All of a sudden, he's just explaining in words...
Man, this guy sucks at teaching.
In other words:
A winning strategy would be to try and get them to go for a Break
with their throw even if your Tail isn't touching the ground.
How the hell do you understand this?
He sure loves crappy games.
Okay, then let's practice how a game works!
Slow Life!
Slow = Game Start
Net-In!
Bossun-kun gets 1 Point, but let me tell you the special way of counting.
Gather up!
The easiest way to think of the point system is like tennis.
Genesis is counted by 7s.
Isn't that just making it more of a pain?
0 Points is Love.
Same as tennis.
7 Points is Loven.
Loven?
14 Points is Love Generation!
We don't need the "Love Part"!
21 Points is My Generation.
So much for Love.
The Love doesn't stick around!?
28 Points is Generation Gap!
Now it's "Generation" that's all the rage...
35 Points is General Generator Generation!
That's long!
You just wanted words that started with "Gene"...
42 Points is Geneva.
He's changing it each time we complain...
This is all so half-assed! It's lame.
1 Game is played to Geneva.
Whoever wins 2 Games first, wins.
Sounds like the match could be finished in minutes...
Right!
Now, Slow-nin Life!
Slow-nin Life = Game Restart
Love - Love Generation!
Loven - Love Generation!
Love Generation - My Generation!
My Generation - Generation Gap!
Generation Gap - General Generator Generation!
Oh, shut up!
Love Generation - Generation Gap!
One Week Later
Love Generation - General Generator Generation!
You actually caught that?
Where was my Tail?
Pulk!
Not bad, Himeko.
You've really come up into the Wake-Up-Zone!
Anyway, I've Reset the Lead-Air, so the next Ready-Go-Turn I'll do Knocking on the Poach side!
I don't think so! Take my Tim-Pole-Ram!
Honestly, I don't really get it, but it is clear that they are playing a proper game.
I will accept the formation of the club.
Really?!
However... What do you plan to do about club members?
Well, they'd be doing both clubs, see...
I will not accept that!
What is it?
Our school rules do not allow students to participate in multiple clubs as a general rule.
If they are to join the Genesis Club, then...
The Sket-dan will be disbanded!
Sket-dan
Disbanded
If you don't want the Sket-dan to be no more, then I suggest you gather other club members.
Genesis Club, Recruiting! Come one, come all!
Why did we do all that training?
Watch out for suspicious club activities! - The Student Council
So what eventually happened to the Genesis Club?
I don't wanna talk about it.
We did all we could.
Yeah...
Oh, we don't have to do that "Corner" thing anymore?
That Corner thing?
Don't play dumb. You know, the extra bit.
The one where we tell everyone stuff from the clubroom.
It's already started.
Damn you, Switch! Why are you recording us in secret?!
Next time: Enta'll Do It!
We're the academy support group!
Sket Dance!