Another great day for rock.
Isn't that Ryoma-san?
There's Goro-chan and Cindy.
Soji-kun and Hijikata-sama are here, too.
I'm glad people are starting to recognize us lately.
I hope it's because we're popular.
I'm sure those personal descriptions are a contributing factor.
Wanted
Since those started going up,
all kinds of people have started recognizing us before our concerts.
Stop!
You there!
You're Sakamoto!
Speak of the devil.
Let's run.
Curses!
Don't let them escape!
Di Telada
Closed
Today marks the eighth day.
We didn't get to perform again.
It's sad when we don't get to perform.
Sheesh! Rock is the cry of the soul!
We should be performing it openly across Japan!
I'm sure we could do it if we achieved world peace.
Shoin-sensei wasn't after world peace, though.
Do you have a problem with Kondo-san's will?
Huh?
Hey, boys!
You'll offend the god of alcohol if you can't drink nicely together!
If only we could rock together more.
I believe we can learn to understand each other and become a good team.
Huh? What?
It's no fun when you're all so gloomy. Have some fun, everyone.
Come on, smile.
Ryo-san!
I, Iwasaki Yataro, the prodigious businessman of Tosa, have a plan!
Yataro. What's your plan?
Mysterious Masked Rockers Descend to this World
This!
Mask the Rocker?
Mask the Rocker! The Soul is Important!
Full House
These mysterious masked rockers have descended into our harsh world!
Could they be gods and saints, or are they demons?
They will never reveal their identities, but their rock will grasp your hearts!
Burn their image into your eyes!
They are the Maskucchis!
I don't like singing with my face covered.
Then you'll just rot away without ever having a chance to sing.
What?
Even if your faces are covered by masks, you can't cover the rock in your souls.
Isn't that right, Ryo-san?
Yeah. Cindy, if we can convey our passion through music,
it may not matter whether or not our faces are visible.
Let's go! We're the Maskucchis!
Now that I am awake, what is this world?!
Monochrome and vague
This is rock?
It's rock! My body's tingling!
There's nothing I can do, so what should I do now
Ryoma-kun may be right.
Monochrome coloring
Isn't loving the audience the best thing we can be doing right now?
I have no intention of turning back or stopping (Oh)
Are you ready, Soji?
I'm ready to fly any time.
Now that I have become this one, no one can stand against me (Oh, yeah)
Are you still moping, hot shot?
Don't you think a professional performs for his audience, no matter the circumstances?
I'm doing my best to wear these wings until my shoulders are stiff.
You're just having fun.
Does that mean you're not having fun?
You're so boring.
I'm not sure we can work together, anymore.
I could say the same thing about you!
Stop fighting over me.
No way!
You both agree when it comes to that.
Ryo-san, it's a huge success!
The audience was delighted,
and the owner's asking for the Maskucchis to perform again tomorrow.
Sure!
Should we not?
Why not?
If you think of life as an experiment,
your success rate rises with every experiment you perform.
Sensei!
I'm for it, as well.
Hijizo-san!
Rock is deep.
I value opportunities to perform in order to improve my technique.
Roger that.
I'm going to have fun, though.
Damn it.
I'd rather regret doing something than regret not doing it at all.
It's decided then!
Leave managing your group to me, Iwasaki Yataro.
I'll find a bunch more shows for you.
Sure! Please do, Yataro.
Rock in Beams
A new group of rock musicians seems to have appeared in the capital.
Nijo Castle
I apologize.
I have taken measures to crack down on them even more.
I've heard the Shinsengumi's generation change hasn't been going well, either.
Yes. I believe the power of Heaven's Song
failing to reach the people is the reason for this.
Then why don't we try using rock instead?
Use rock?
If it stops the people's discontent with the government,
won't it make people think more highly of you?
Very well.
Good work.
The Maskucchis were great again today.
Thanks.
You're the Maskucchis!
By the government's command, starting today, we will be your producers!
What?
The government wants to produce rock?
The Rock Cape Shop
What's a rock cape shop?
Rock Cape
It must be a reference to Iwasaki's name.
= Iwa
= Saki
This is some upstart's mansion.
Thanks for waiting, everyone.
This is some kind of bubble.
Genroku Era (Bubble)
It must be.
Come on in, guys.
Through the golden lobby is the masked tea house for gatherings with fans.
The second floor is our stage.
The third floor is the band's practice space.
The roof has a great view of the Daimonji.
What do you think, Ryo-san? Impressive, isn't it?
Y-Yeah.
President.
Who is she?
She's my secretary.
Your softie meeting in Gion with the station's big P is soon.
What? You owe the station's Mr. P a lazy meeting?
It means he has a lunch date with the producer of a TV station to discuss
the concert while eating soft-shelled turtles in Gion.
This is stupid!
Is this really the rock we've been striving for?
What are you talking about?
You're rockers sanctioned by the shogun.
That's amazing.
Anyway... have you heard about this?
The Shinsengumi have fallen from their status as top idols
and are being called an outcast group.
Hijikata-san.
Yeah.
Ii stopped having his way once we released them from their pacification.
Now they've been cast out and are suffering.
I wish we could do something, but the current circumstances...
In order to resist Ii, it's important for us to continue singing.
You're right.
That's it.
The Maskucchis will keep charging straight ahead.
Rock in Beams
Government-Sponsored Rock Concert to be Held!!
Yataro, there you are.
Ryo-san.
Your pretty secretary was looking for you.
I'm sure she'd just tell me to check some documents again.
The government employees keep forcing odd jobs on me.
They're treating me like a their underling!
I miss watching the sun set together at Katsurahama Beach.
I wonder what my past self would say if he could see me now.
Sorry, Ryo-san.
The Maskucchis are falling out of my reach.
It's all right.
In some ways, the government holding rock concerts for us is an amazing step forward.
If we keep advancing one step at a time,
someday we'll reach the rock we're striving for.
I'm glad to hear that.
All right. I won't let them keep using me!
I'll manage you guys even more!
That's the spirit!
I've decided to sell additional tickets to the Maskucchis' concert.
Additional Tickets on Sale!!
What?
You're selling more tickets?
If you don't hurry, they'll sell out!
Gimme, gimme!
It's amazing how many people are here.
The world's starting to accept rock.
You say that, but you don't seem very happy.
You...
Though I went by Kai back then.
You're Kai, right?
Thank you for your help at Shoin-sensei's concert.
I should be thanking you.
You guys are carrying on Sho's soul of rock.
Who are you?
Do you work for the government?
I'm Katsu Kaishu, the government's naval magistrate.
Katsu Kaishu?
Cindy, you know him?
You idiot. He's Shoin-sensei's friend and an important government official.
Really? Looks like there are people in the government who love rock, too.
I used to passionately rock out with Sho openly.
Not even I expected Sho's apprentices to join forces with
the Shinsengumi's Hijikata and Okita.
You guys sure are interesting.
I've got high hopes for you, but...
You guys have been walking a fine line lately.
You think Sho and Kondo would be happy about today's concert?
We're coming in, Maskucchis!
G-Give us a minute!
You should think carefully about where your music is headed.
As indicated in your contract,
we now present you with the new government song you will perform at your concert!
A song?
This is Heaven's Song.
Heaven's Song?
What's going on?
This is the government's rock!
We won't sing a song you give to us.
That's right.
Besides, we can't accept this.
We informed your manager we would decide what you sing at your concert!
No one told me anything.
Consent Form
His seal is on the consent form!
Yataro
I don't have time for this.
I stamped my seal without carefully reading the documents...
No...
We're counting on you.
Are we really gonna do this?
We've fallen increasingly under the government's control,
and to top it off, we're singing Heaven's Song!
We're no different from the government's idols!
Blaming Tosaka-kun won't do any good.
What?
Ultimately, we agreed to it as well, but you're acting like it's not your fault.
You're a fool, hot shot.
I don't enjoy the way you talk, either!
Not the face.
You're wearing a mask! It doesn't matter!
That's why I always say you're not professional enough.
Then I'll hit your body!
I'll give you my own surprise kick!
Soji!
Shinsaku!
Ryoma!
Tosaka-kun!
Ryoma-kun!
Sakamoto!
I was wrong.
I was obsessed with performing.
Before I knew it, I was masking my heart, not just my face.
I was beginning to lose sight of my rock.
Sorry to keep you waiting, guys!
I'm Sakamoto Ryoma!
What?
Impossible!
Sakamoto?
Please rock with me again!
Our passionate rock!
Ryoma-kun.
Tosaka-kun.
You're a pretty big idiot, but I'm an even bigger idiot for only complaining.
But I understand now.
I want to play our rock.
Our Peace Souls have been absent from our performances lately.
That was the answer.
I won't go astray anymore.
Let's follow the voices of our hearts!
Yeah!
Let's play the rock only we can play!
There's a future only we can make!
Let's go!
The identity of the masked rockers that descended into this harsh world
is the Sakamocchis!
Those of you fortunate enough to have tickets, witness the moment of the century!
The song is "What's This?"!
This is the rock we want to play.
If we work together, we'll become stronger.
Now that I am awake, what is this world?!
That's why the five of us are rocking together.
Monochrome and vague
There's nothing I can do, so what should I do now
Monochrome coloring
I have no intention of turning back or stopping (Oh)
Now that I have become this one, no one can stand against me (Oh, yeah)
What's this? A passion broken free
What's this? Give your all and transcend
My scream is nearly a war song
What's this? Accept the challenge
What's this? Prepare to engage
Go wild and feel the explosive sound as you jump up and down (Oh, yeah)
What's this? Go crazy
What's this? Reach your normal condition
The feeling of ultimate power overflowing from your soul
What's this? Accept the challenge
I'm sorry, Ryo-san.
What's this? Prepare to engage
This is it.
This is your rock!
Go wild and feel the explosive sound as you jump up and down (Oh, yeah)
Arrest them all!
Stay back, officials!
Leave!
Leave! Leave! Leave! Leave!
What is this?
Looks like the times are changing, Sho.
Di Telada
Cheers!
I'm so glad you're back to your usual, happy selves.
Thanks for always watching over us, Otose-yan.
Wh-What are you thanking me for?
I'll fall in love with you if you keep being nice to me.
What?
The Maskucchis are disbanding today...
...and I'm through being your manager.
I understand now that your rock doesn't need me.
Yataro?
Don't worry about me.
I intend to fully support you with the unshakable power of money.
I see. We're counting on you, Yataro.
Sure. Spread your wings and fly, Sakamocchis!
Yeah!
Don't call us that.
About the band name...
Ultra Souls
Why don't we call ourselves the Ultra Souls?
The Ultra Souls?
Yes. Shoin-sensei taught us when Peace Souls come together, the Ultra Soul is born.
And the Ultra Soul is a great soul with the power to change an era, right?
The power to change an era, huh?
Why not?
You're right!
All right! Our band name is...
The Ultra Souls!
Solo Debut! We Can't Play Together Anymore!
Rockers are being arrested all over Japan.
A full-blown conflict with the government is approaching.
However, Sakamoto is behaving strangely.
Have faith in our future and come with us!
Solo Debut! We Can't Play Together Anymore!