The wind blows.
Its unseen power caresses my cheeks,
stirs my hair, carries new scents.
Unlike the days when I was simply pressed forward,
now I look back, then turn my body toward the headwind's unseen power.
Come on, everyone's watching Cosmos vs. Alien
Their battles are always marvelous
He commands a fleet, but he's really been an alien since before he was born
The distance between "micro" and "macro" is so important
At least when it comes to misunderstandings in space treaties
If it's this or be the second coming of Adam and Eve
Everyone's probably better off how they are now
Come on, take a closer look
Come on, be a little more eager
Come on, let's hold hands gently
Come on, put a smile on
Talk and talk, gossip up a storm
But soon it's more than just a joke
Cross the mountains, cross the valleys
Get to the planet he lives on
Come on, everyone's watching the captain, the queen, and the ace
Yes, the missile counterbarrage is ready
But the man aiming has really been an alien since before he was born
Now, the cosmos is space
It's just one wide sweep
The cosmos's sugary taste
It's just one sweet
Just a pinch of magic when you're together with her
Just a pinch of sugar and you can have her
Episode 137 "Captain's Return"
It's morning...
Someone's under my blankets!
Nino!?
She normally kicks me out first, but maybe...
Nino, what are you—
Hey, it's too bright...
You're that manchild SF nerd!
Huh? You want to live here?
That's right.
I'm completely opposed!
I wonder if you can handle it.
Why don't you give it a shot? If you're still here in a month, I'll give you a name.
What, you're not giving him a name yet?
Of course not, it's nothing to rush into.
It's only after he proves his quality as a resident that—
Mayor! Here!
Heave-ho Samurai
Real men wear loincloths.
I draw these fanzines as a hobby...
Welcome to the neighborhood.
I'm pleased to meet a master like you!
A master!
He recognized him as a master!
Why are you so easy to bribe!?
Episode 138 "His True Form Revealed"
Wow, this kappa is so cool!
He's a genius...
His ability to capture the Mayor's coolness is fearsome!
Of course, I drew some for you all too.
Us too?
Wow, awesome!
Really, master?
This kind of trick normally only works in elementary school...
A
This espresso isn't tasty either...
I've grown to dislike it.
And me as well?
This is based on P-ko. It's called Bloom, Mon Feelings . {italics for both titles
And this, modeled after the Iron Brothers, is Smash the State !
A
Brother's death...
Is our rebirth!
Don't you understand that!?
This is great!
We're fighting! Cool!
C'mon, just getting to be the main character in a manga gets them to—
Is that all it takes?
And then there's my masterpiece, based on Ric!
What, you made one about me?
I guess I at least have to flip through it...
I'll get a contract!
Job-hunting Warrior Recruit!
Wow, it matches up great!
Just like I imagined you!
Why am I the only one that has to be a loser?
And why am I bleeding in it!?
What, aren't you happy with it?
It's my most popular work! I made 8 volumes just out of the Interview arc!
How many companies turned him down!? He's gotta be worthless!
You're lucky, Ric.
Huh? How, Nino?
Didn't you make one for Nino?
Yes. It's still in production.
Do your best! I'm ready for it anytime!
Man, he sure put a lot of effort into ticking me off.
It's annoying, but it's well-done.
You're a pro, aren't you.
What else have you—
Nothing? Nothing at all?
I'm just a spaceship fleet commander with a hobby of drawing manga!
I hope I make it back to earth soon to draw some more manga!
The tales get taller and taller.
Everyone who lives here has their secrets.
I guess his is what he's drawn?
That means that if I find out, he won't be able to live here!
What's your pen name?
I don't have one.
Really?
Okay, fine, I'll give up...
But I'm a huge fan of yours! Can you autograph this?
You should have told me so earlier!
Potato-chip Kuwabara
Potato-chip... Kuwabara...
Bastard! How dare you manipulate the instincts of a manga artist!
I didn't even come up with the name, my first manager did!
What a sad, sad life.
He had reflexively written "2 Ric" as well.
Episode 139 "To the Ends of Fiery Passion"
Potato-chip Kuwabara
Potato-chip Kuwabara...
An up-and-coming moe artist.
So he really does draw manga.
Official home page of Potato-chip Kuwabara
Magical Twins
Peanuts
His most famous work is Magical Twins Peanuts , huh.
Huh, he seems pretty popular.
He must have gotten burnt out and run away from it all.
I think the shock of being found out has left him cooped up in the church.
He's got that creepy interest in Nino, I should probably tell Sister.
I'm coming in, Sister.
Here's your coffee, Master.
Oh, thanks.
You're sure treating him like a famous author.
The mayor wants the next chapter as soon as he can get it.
And what's Nino doing?
I'm his assistant.
Nino, you can draw manga?
He gave me a crash course.
Ninohei
Fishing Nut
What's up with that disaster!?
Fishing Nut Ninohei.
Once upon a time, there was a Venusian who loved fishing. Her name was Ninohei.
One day, while diving in the river, Ninohei found an overtuned sandal.
Ninohei said, "Ah! The weather on Venus tomorrow will be sunny with a solar breeze!"
And then, she remembered how much fun fishing was, and lived happily ever after.
How is that a happy ending?
You blew up the earth, didn't you?
I was trying to be suggestive of catch and release.
I see, I see. Keep it tense until the end, then a sudden relaxation?
That certainly does produce a lower casualty—
So, you have any more yet?
It's almost done.
Hey, hold it!
You fled here because you were sick of drawing manga, right!?
So if you keep drawing here nothing's changed!
What are you talking about!? You're completely wrong!
Out there, I could only draw what those around me wanted to see.
But here, I can draw what I really want!
Hey, hey, Master!
Put Stella in one!
We wanna see how big brother grows!
What are you talking about? Is this really what you want to draw?
Aren't you aiming to please the readers even more than before?
Well, if the readers are right there in front of me, I want to draw something they'll enjoy...
But what I really want to draw is...
I've found you, Potato-chip!
Oh, I thought it was my civic responsibility to call your editor.
Deadline's today, what have you been doing down here?
Wrong! I'm not Potato-chip anymore!
I already have a name here, I can't go back!
Potato-chip...
I always knew, both as an editor and a reader, that you wanted to be recognized as a master!
Don't run away...
Please don't turn your back on us and your fans!
Wait, what, you were already called that?
Then your new name doesn't count and you don't get to live here.
Having a home is the most precious thing.
And yours isn't here.
Let's go, Potato-chip.
There's still time! We can do it!
Show me what happens when you give it 100%!
You don't have to do Peanuts this time!
Draw me what you want, how you want!
What I want to draw?
Yeah!
All right! Got it!
And...
That bridge is—!
So it has intelligence...
Dammit! Our psychic powers won't work anymore!
What!? Even we can't fend it off!?
She wasn't the golden corn fairy!?
I am the Queen of Venus!
Will I die here?
Like this? Not having been accepted at a single company?
Rejected
Queen of Venus... So far, everything's gone according to your calculations.
But there's one thing even you couldn't predict!
This is the power of the human heart! The strength of my determination!
I'll defeat you with this Galaxy Bridge!
A
This is the power of the human heart! The strength of my determination!
I'll defeat you with this Galaxy Bridge!
You son of a...
Great job!
I don't get what Potato-chip's up to.
He's washed up.
When people's burning passions clash...
Why did you let this through?
I was worn out then, too. I thought it'd be fresh and new.
The enthusiasm often leads to complete absurdity.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Episode 140 "An Important Anniversary"
I wrote a song for you to commemorate today.
Do you remember, Nino?
I'll never forget it.
A year ago, today, right here...
You told me you liked sardines...
Today is Sardine Day!
Your anniversaries are too damn insignificant!
Thank you!
Listen, I know you're just looking for excuses to hang out with Nino,
but you need to cut out these pissant little anniversaries you make up.
Yesterday was Scrubber Day, and the day before was Sock Touch Day!
The melody and the lyrics are always the same too.
Even Nino's sick of it.
No, not really.
That song perfectly grasped the tension of the Sardine Kingdom's rebellion!
Nino, that never happened.
See!? It's so boring it's driving her nuts!
Speaking of anniversaries, Jacqueline said she had an important one with Billy today.
Oh, I wonder what anniversary they have!?
Their first kiss? The day they met?
No, not that...
It's the day Billy the cockatoo risked his life against a swarm of soldiers to take the queen bee Jacqueline from her hive.
From her hive? Huh?
Forbidden love is so wonderful!
Wait, isn't that more like competition between species!?
Called "Aves vs. Insecta: Battle for Supremacy over the Skies"
Episode 141 "Deepening Truth"
A love surpassing species...
I've gotta learn from example!
I guess she's going to go spy on them.
Yeah, I bet she is.
But I wonder how Billy celebrates anniversaries?
Billy's a real man. I'm sure he's completely chill about it.
Oh well! Looks like we've got to go make sure P-ko doesn't bother Billy!
It's so terrible how she's peeping! Shameful!
Oh, there's Jacqueline.
She's alone. Aren't you supposed to spend anniversaries with your lover?
She must be waiting for him.
She's so mature, the waiting would have driven me nuts by now.
Look how calm she is!
Now I've got you, Billy.
I've been waiting.
I won't let you go any—
Billy! Billy!!
Wait!
Oh no!
No! It wasn't like that!
Things are over between us!
I wasn't trying to be one of those terrible women who go back to their old flame when they feel lonely!
I believe Billy will come for me!
Jacqueline!
The bees are attacking her!
What, you're here too?
Never mind heartache for Billy killing you, you'll die for real this way!
Are you okay!?
It's okay. Bees don't attack other bees.
What's wrong, anyway, Jacqueline?
I heard you had an anniversary with Billy today.
That's right, it's our anniversary. We had a date...
I just know he'll be right here!
Oh, there you are, Jacqueline.
Your little sparrow was looking for you.
What!? Jacqueline, you two-timer! You're giving up on birds!?
I believed in you!
I had respect for you as a woman!
There you are, Jacqueline!
Come with me!
So that's the "little sparrow"?
You're just going to elope while Billy's gone?
I won't forgive that kind of mess of a relationship!
The hell's wrong with you?
Billy's gonna get himself killed!
He's surrounded by 100 Kokucho-kai goons!
Even Billy can't.,.
Even bro can't—!
It's the White-throated Needletail from order Apodiformes family Apodidae, Hirundapus caudacutus!
Sister's information was rather precise.
Episode 142 "A Love Transcending Species"
What, you know Billy!?
What does Kokucho even mean? Blackbird?
Is their leader a bird too?
What's the approximate military strength of their organization?
Cut the crap! I'm Billy's sidekick!
Kokucho means "National bird"! Of course their boss is Green Pheasant!
No one can lay a finger on the national bird, so it's the biggest gang in all of Kanto...
And bro and I used to be some of his enforcers...
What!? Billy used to be a mobster!?
You didn't know, Ric?
That's right! Bro is a legendary bird!
Not a bird could stand in his wake!
Even the rulers of the roost couldn't match his power or his popularity!
He was so cool...
But then he went for the boss's woman!
The boss's woman?
If he did that, why'd he go back today!?
Yeah! It was supposed to be a happy anniversary!
I tried to stop him.
But... But Bro...
He told me he had to today, because he promised his woman he would!
What are you doing, Jacqueline?
Wait, so you were the boss's—!?
I haven't seen you in that kimono in a long time.
So you're finally going back.
Yes, I am.
I said, if Billy was killed...
So that's what you meant!?
Bees have excellent stingers.
I'll pierce the Kokucho with mine.
A queen bee's poison can be used only once, at the cost of her only life.
So...
So I'll always come back, so you never have to use it.
That's why I promised you I'd be there for our anniversary, Jacqueline.
I settled things with the godfather.
Bro!
Why? Why are you going with that bee woman?
My loyalty isn't too the gang!
Didn't I say I was your sworn brother!?
You may make that face, but at least there's finally someone who knows just how you feel.
All's well that ends well.
What are you talking about? Didn't you notice?
He lost what's most important to us...
They clipped his feathers!
Clipped his feathers?
Dammit! Bro shouldn't be just some caged bird!
Oh, that thing they do at pet shops?
There, there, you won't feel a thing.
For bro to give up on the sky—!
Quit your chirping!
I didn't need them, so I just left them behind.
I don't need to fly away anymore...
Billy!
Bro!
How wonderful!
Wait, you didn't have wings to begin with...
No matter what bro said, I couldn't ignore what I saw.
Looking back at the end of my journey,
as the days I long for pass
I see you wrapped in your red coat,
playing without waiting for winter
Farewell, mazelike days , I'd thank you if I realized days
Oh, oh, goodbye days
Looking forward at the beginning of my journey,
I take a deep breath so I won't have to stop
We're both swimming upstream toward tomorrow,
Swaying side to side like fish
Pain? No thank you days, sadness? No thank you days
Oh, oh goodbye days
Episode 143 "Arakawa Gag Contest"
I'm mimicking my lover's reactions.
Cucumbers
Aw, mimicking me? You're making me blush.
What, are you going flabby!?
She came up with a reaction I never remember giving!
What, not quite?
Sausage
Like this, Nino!
She came up with a reaction I never remember giving!
No, like this!
She came up with a reaction I never remember giving!
I think this is it.
She came up with a reaction I never remember giving!
Prepare yourself, Venusian!
It is I, Earth Defense Force Captain, Manga Mask!
Kaboom.
No, that's not right! The explosions when the hero arrives need to be louder!
Kaboom!
That's it!
Sure-kill next episode, 6 Bridge×2!
Kablammo!
Illustration: Lily Hoshino
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