Hand me a sword!
I'll have his head!
This man was not mocking you, Your Imperial Majesty!
He speaks the truth!
In our nation, one is not considered an adult until age of 20,
so he meant no offense nor disrespect.
He was simply overcome by Your Imperial Majesty's beauty!
Please forgive him.
Is that true?
Huh?
Uh, yes! Of course!
Hm...
V-Very well.
It's a sign of the Empress's grace to overlook such trifling matters.
Truly splendid, Your Imperial Majesty.
I-I'd better watch it...
2. Moe Caretaker
Thank you for journeying here from your distant land.
We welcome you.
Thank—
We are grateful for your kind words.
As you can see, the quirks in his manners need ironing out,
Let me tell you now.
but he is an expert in the "Otaku Culture" Your Imperial Majesty desires,
The Empress's official name is:
Her Imperial Majesty, Petralka Anne Eldant the Third.
and his knowledge of it is very impressive.
That man over there is Chancellor Zaharl.
Oh?
And that...
Indeed. Those who excel at an art are often eccentric.
Huh?!
That man is Galius N. Cordval.
I imagine this must be true in your nation, as well.
He's a nobleman as well as the Empress's cousin, and a knight.
I am certain that he will provide adequate diversions for Your Imperial Majesty.
I would like to say a few words, as well.
Galius...
I wondered what type of man this evangelist would be,
and yet, you have presented a child to us.
If this "Otaku Culture" can be mastered by one so young,
then it must be quite worthless.
I find it hard to believe that it will benefit our empire.
It will be too late if we allow it in only to find that it proves harmful and poisonous.
"Harmful"?
"Harmful," you say?
Hm?
Even poison makes powerful medicine if used properly!
However strange it appears,
an adult should show some responsibility and judge it fairly.
Labeling something "base" or "harmful"
without learning its true nature is the act of scumbags and ignorant fools!
H-How dare he...
You...
dare to call me a fool?
I'll have your head!
Please stop this, Sir Galius!
O-Oh no, looks like I'm done for...
Very amusing!
I've taken a liking to you... Kanou Shinichi, was it?
Huh?
I never expected you to rebuke Galius like that.
Your Imperial Majesty!
Very well.
We shall offer your AmuTec our full support in its endeavors!
Do as you please!
We appreciate your grace.
That was close...
I was shaking like a leaf...
I can't believe you talked back like that.
Please don't bring it up.
I'm regretting it hard...
But it seems Galius-san has taken a keen interest in you, Shinichi-kun.
Huh?
Didn't you see the passion in his eyes?
An awful first meeting is a common starting point.
Please don't make this weird.
By the way,
what exactly am I supposed to be doing?
Good question.
Huh?
To be frank, we don't really know, either.
What?!
Securing the land and budget before holding meetings to decide
what to build on it is a habit we've all developed.
Wait, wait, wait...
After all, this is humanity's first exchange with another world.
Our government would like to secure a monopoly on commerce,
but we can't spare an extravagant budget for a venture with entirely unknown prospects.
So, for starters,
please select the works you believe the people of this world will go crazy for.
If you'll only identify the materials you believe will prove entertaining,
we shall deliver them to you.
Sure...
Um, can the people here understand any form of Japanese if they wear these rings?
No, the ring only functions between those who wear it.
It's a type of telepathic device, or so I'm told.
It receives thoughts transcribed into words and translates them for the wearer,
so speech output via CDs, DVDs, and other machines is still incomprehensible.
So they can't understand any deeper meanings, then?
Exactly.
Then, it's impossible for them to go crazy for anything.
I'm thirsty.
Hm?
Huh?
Ah!
Master?! What's the matter?
Oh, I just wanted some water.
If you'd called for me, I would've brought a glass right away...
I'll fetch you some water right now.
Thanks.
Were you studying?
Oh, yes.
Since you kindly gave it to me...
Please don't look at it.
It's embarrassing.
No, it's incredible.
But it's not good for your health to stay up so late,
so why not wait until tomorrow?
Most of my day is spent working,
and I'd like to learn it as soon as possible.
Then, I'll help you.
Huh?
No, I couldn't!
I couldn't make you spend your precious sleeping time on someone like me!
Well, I'm awake now.
Have a seat.
But...
It's all right.
Go on.
Master... you're a very strange person.
Am I?
Yes, you're eccentric.
Now then, please allow me to take you up on your offer.
From then on, I helped Myucel with her studies every night.
Mikami-ne Attacking Titans
During the afternoon, I selected materials to help convey our culture,
and at night, we studied together.
Myucel was a quick learner,
and it made me kinda happy, too.
Then, after several days had passed,
we were finally ready to conduct some research,
but even on a wired line, there was too much noise to use the Net,
so I asked them to record stuff to a HDD and bring that to us.
They wouldn't be simulcasts, but there's no helping that.
Attacking Titans
Yeah...
I could almost call this "ideal."
Is this "Otaku Culture," Master?
Yup.
Wow... it's incredible.
Go on, read all you like.
I may?
Of course!
Then, I'll help myself.
Brooke, you can take a look, too.
But a lowly servant like myself...
Don't worry about that.
I want to get lots of people to read these and give me their impressions.
Okay...
I had the two of them sample lots of the works I loved.
Myucel wasted no time learning katakana, too,
so I was counting on her to be a valuable research sample, but...
Master...
Why is this person removing their clothes?
Oh, that character is—
Please wait!
No, be quiet! Be quiet!
Kanou Shinichi!
Your Imperial Majesty?!
I have come to personally view your evangelistic work in action!
I see...
How mysterious!
Is this the "Otaku Culture" you all seek to spread?!
Your Imperial Majesty...
An Empress shouldn't run in hallways...
Quiet, old man!
I did not run. I merely walked at a swift pace.
Oh, it's so colorful!
A very different style from the paintings and frescos we have, and very unique!
Ultimate Survivor Gaishi
Let's see here...
I see, I see...
I don't get it at all!
This girl might have potential...
Hey, Kanou Shinichi!
Just Shinichi is fine.
Then, Shinichi, you shall call me Petralka.
I shall allow it!
You mustn't do that!
Quiet! I've made my decision.
Hey, Shinichi,
as things stand, I cannot enjoy the Otaku Culture you have brought us!
So you will read it to me!
Me?!
Yes.
Everyone else, leave us at once!
My apologies, everyone.
You too, Zaharl.
What?
Well, of course!
Alone with the Empress?!
What a stubborn...
Um, at least let Myucel stay!
Huh?
Outbreak Company
Petralka Anne Eldant the Third
Favorite Anime: Gaishi Favorite Character: Boss Ootsuki
Outbreak Company
Koganuma Minori
Favorite Anime: Inamazu Twelve
"It didn't count!"
"Didn't count! Didn't count!"
Ah, loli boobs on one side...
and a bulging maid's melons on the other...
It's my own mini-harem, so why is this so uncomfortable?
Can't you turn the pages faster?!
I want to know what happens!
Oh, sorry.
Oh, Myucel.
Yes?
Can you read this?
Huh?
Hm?
I can!
Yes... It's your name, Master.
What?!
Yes, the word is "kanou," just like my family name.
But while it's read the same, the meaning is different.
It is?
Yeah.
These characters called kanji come in many forms,
and while many of them are read with the same sounds,
they have fundamentally different meanings.
That's interesting.
Still, you're a really quick learner, Myucel.
No, It's only because you've been teaching me every night.
I never thought I'd ever be able to read.
It isn't because of me.
It's because you worked hard, Myucel.
Shinichi!
Huh?
Oh, sorry, Your Imperial Majesty.
Petralka!
Oh, yeah. Sorry, Petralka.
I mean it...
Wait...
What?!
Hey, Petralka?!
You can't do this!
Silence! It's hard to see it from the side!
Also, Maid!
Y-Yes?!
Bring us tea!
I will not drink it cold. Bring us a fresh pot!
Yes, right away!
A servant should work like one!
Your Imperial Majesty...
Petralka!
Sorry, Petralka.
Are you upset?
I am not! You beast!
Rutting every time you see a woman!
What does she mean by "rutting"?!
Hm?
Hurry up and read the rest!
H-Her breath!
In the end, I was forced to read to the Empress until she was satisfied.
Stop! Stop it!
I won't do anything!
Huh?
Oh... Brooke?!
I-I'm sorry! Are you all right?!
Yes. I'm protected by scales.
I see.
More importantly, if you wish to beat me, please use this.
Huh?
Oh... really?
Wait, no!
Master!
Huh?!
Master?!
Myucel?
Hm?
No, Myucel, it's not what you think...
I didn't mean to bully Brooke...
Are you all right?
Huh?
You're bleeding!
You're right!
Wait, no!
Huh?
I'm the one who hit him!
So worry about Brooke first!
But it's only natural for nobles to beat their servants.
Huh?
That's normal for you?
Yes.
It really is different.
This world is fundamentally different from Japan...
I realized it all over again at that moment.
The next day, I went out to observe the city.
I wanted to see our future customers with my own eyes,
and there was no point in trying to spread
a culture that wouldn't be accepted by the people.
Most of the shop signs were pictorial.
I was shocked to hear that over 80% of the population couldn't read signs that used words.
But what shocked me more...
was the fact that little children were being trained as soldiers.
Apparently, serving as soldiers was the quickest way for lizardmen,
elves, and other non-human races to pursue a job.
That's because they don't have citizenship otherwise.
Then, you did this too, Brooke?
Yes, I used to serve in the army.
Myucel was in the army, too.
Really?
Yes. I heard that Myucel's offensive magic was quite impressive.
It's best not to press too deeply.
Even in our world,
there's still a class system of sorts,
and other societies who accept class division without a second thought.
I know.
Oh, it's time for their break.
Hey, hey!
What are you doing?
You're not an SDF, right?
Who are you?
Brooke.
Yes.
I'm someone who wants to share these kinds of things with everyone.
What's this? What is it?
What do you all normally do when you play?
We never play.
Huh?
On the days we're not training, we have to help with the harvest...
Or take care of the livestock, or plow the fields...
You don't have any time to play?
Of course not.
Then, you never read books?
Books are an expensive luxury, and only nobles and scholars can read, anyway.
No one teaches you how to?
No.
But that means they won't be able to accept manga, novels,
anime, games, or anything fun at all...
This Hanmes fellow...
Attacking Titans
I'm glad he's saving the two children,
but won't their mother get eaten by the Titan if he leaves her?
Hey, Shinichi, hurry up and turn the page!
No matter how light she is, this is starting to hurt...
Shin-ichi!
Yes, yes.
Your Imperial Majesty... Master...
Please excuse me.
I've prepared tea for you.
I didn't ask for any!
Yes, but...
Well, that's a good place to stop, so let's take a break.
What are you saying?!
We were just getting to the best part!
But my throat's getting dry,
so just for a bit, okay?
What do you think you're doing?!
Always, always, always, always interrupting us!
Your Imperial Majesty, I-I...
Even now, you butted in at just the right moment, like you were waiting for it!
I-I never intended to disturb...
I just thought Master must be getting tired by now...
You dare talk back to me?!
M-My apologies!
Petralka, look...
You lowly maid!
Why?
I am the Empress!
Hearing her force such a simple label onto someone else and judging them...
You'd have no right to complain if I took your life here and now!
You're neither human nor elf. You're a mere halfling!
Y-Yes...
What of it?!
How could I ever drink tea made by some half-elf?!
I've heard that your kind fail to fit in to other elf villages,
and crawl around, living in swamps!
What do you plan to do if you end up making me smell like your swamps?!
M-M-My apologies...
Be gone!
Never show yourself in my presence again!
Hey! Let go of me, Shinichi!
Petralka!
Shinichi?
Oh, right...
This is normal in this country...
But even so...
Um, well, how should I put it...
Why, you!
What's the meaning of you standing up for such a base creature?!
I'm sorry, but it was too painful for me to watch.
What?
I was once labeled and insulted in a similar manner myself.
Labeled?
What do you mean?
Listen, Petralka...
In our culture, there is no difference in status.
Freedom, philanthropy, equality...
Those are the basic principles of our culture.
If you want to enjoy the culture I'm trying to bring here,
then Petralka, I'd like you to try and understand that, as well.
Shinichi.
Hm?
Is "Equality" the name of some philosopher?
That's where I have to start from?
I find you to be a truly mysterious person.
Huh?
You rebuke not only Galius, but me, as well...
I'm sorry.
In deference to your mettle to risk being charged
with disrespecting the empire in order to remonstrate me,
I shall forgive you and your servant today.
Thank you.
However, I hereby issue you a command!
You will teach me this "Japanese," as well.
I cannot tolerate the fact that a lowly servant understands
this language while I, the Empress, do not!
You will teach me this Japanese before anyone else,
so that I may judge with my own eyes whether or not
this Otaku Culture is fit for my empire!
Thank you, Petralka.
And you!
Y-Yes?!
I will not tolerate you taking the lead, either!
Huh?
Do not study Japanese with Shinichi when I am not present!
Y-Yes!
Then, I shall return tomorrow!
Um...
Myucel?
Sorry, but could you make me a new pot of tea?
Yes?
I think it's probably cold by now.
Since you went to the trouble of making these snacks,
I'd love to eat them with a warm cup of tea.
Oh, of course!
Shinichi-kun, that was close.
So close, so close...
I guess I need to have a talk with him.
Oh, is that all it is?
Too much has been going on...
Hm?
Myucel?
Master...
Ah...
Were you crying?
That manga...
It's about a slave girl who's taken in as the Overlord's daughter
and falls in love with him...
Yes...
She faces hardship after hardship,
and when she and the Overlord finally come to understand each other...
For some reason, I just can't stop crying...
Normally, I might have said "That's so moe!"
But the words eluded me...
However, something even greater was beginning to stir beneath that...
Hey, Shinichi!
I just saw episode 2!
How can you only behave so tenderly when you're alone with that maid?!
Next Episode: Thou Art Invaders
Huh?! W-Well, it's not like I'm...
Quiet! Quiet!
I just read the script for episode 3,
and now it seems you and that big-breasted SDF woman do something unbelievable!
Huh? Really?!
Look at you grinning! Look at you grinning!
You! You! You!
Hey, Your Imperial Majesty!
Ah, we're out of time for the preview!
Call me Petralka!