Are you close to your mom?
“Question: Are you close to your mom?”
About average, I guess.
Pretty Distant Average Pretty Close
“Question: Do you talk with your mom? How much do you talk with your mom?”
Average
Average.
Ma-kun, how's school? Tell me if anything bad happens, okay?
I'll make sure I'm there for you!
"Question. What has your mother said to you that made you happy?"
Not much.
Question: What has your mother said to you lately that made you happy? Not much.
Ma-kun...
Here's sesame, thousand island, and Asian dressing for your salad.
"Question. What has your mother said to you lately that made you upset?"
Ma-kun, are you listening to your mother?
Hey, come on, Ma-kun...
Huh? What are you writing, Ma-kun?
What has your mother said to you lately that made you upset?
Don't look at my stuff! You're in the way!
It's really annoying when she calls me by a nickname.
"Question. If you went on an adventure with your mother, would you get closer?"
What? Talk about a stupid question.
Maybe, I guess? No idea.
Masato Oosuki Stamp Here
Masato Oosuki.
The Boy Thought He Was Embarking on a Great Adventure... But, Uh, What’s Going on Here?
Hello. My name is Masumi Shirase.
I'm informing you that I'm here as part of a survey the Cabinet Office is doing.
Since “Shirase” means to inform.
H-Hi. Did you need to introduce yourself with a bad pun?
I'm informing you that,
since so many kids made fun of me when I was little, I decided to just own it.
That's one way to live, I guess.
- Listen, Ma-kun, Shirase brought us big news— - Mamako.
Y-Yes?
I'll be the one to inform him of that. Because I am Shirase.
And informing people is my job!
Ma-kun, I'll go do something else for a while.
Now then.
Cutting to the chase, I am here to inform you that you will now begin a new life.
Huh?
First, a question.
In a survey conducted by the Cabinet Office, it was revealed that many users of online games
desire to actually enter the world of a video game.
Do you feel the same way?
Sure, if that were possible, but that's not something—
Now!
And now I hit the enter key!
Is this... Could it be?
Yes, it's just what you think!
It is... It is!
It's sending me to the world of the game!
Ma-kun, wait!
Mom... I'm sorry, I'm going.
I was always so embarrassed around you, so I said the most awful things.
Ma-kun!
But now, if I can go on an incredible adventure and become stronger...
Wait!
Maybe I can be more honest around you.
Ma-kun!
Someday, I'll come back, I swear it!
And when I do, I hope I can hug you tight and tell you, “I'm home.”
A fairy?
There were things like this in the online game I played...
But seriously?
Seriously?
I'm here!
I'm really here, inside a game world!
I made it! Hello, unreality!
This is it! This is what I was waiting for!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Ma-kun, you meanie.
I told you to wait so I could come with you, but you didn't wait at all!
You made me really sad!
Here we go.
It's time to go on lots of fun adventures with your mom, Ma-kun!
Wha... What the hell?
Step, step, step.
Teleportation Palace
Welcome! I am the King, the master of Teleportation Palace.
Before we begin, tell me your names.
I am Mamako Oosuki!
This is Ma-kun, my son!
Mamako and her son Ma-kun, yes? Now then—
Hang on a second, Your Highness.
My name is Masato! Masato!
Alright. I'll register it that way.
Registered
Could that be an initial account registration?
Indeed!
Registered
Seriously?
Also, once you register, you can't change anything!
Why didn’t you say so?
Oh crap! I registered with my real name!
No! Don't play the fanfare!
Now then, allow me to present you with your basic stats.
Accept them!
Masato Normal Hero (Combat Yes / Crafting No) Masato's Clothes
So my class is normal hero, huh?
Mamako Normal Hero's Mother (Combat Yes / Crafting No) Mamako's Clothes
Um, Your Highness, what does it mean that my class is normal hero?
Normal means normal.
You're not expected to do anything as grand as save the world.
A normal level of closeness. A normal level of happiness.
As the embodiment of what you are, a normal hero and a normal hero's mom,
these are the things that you should strive for!
Now go, hero!
Okay, off we go!
Not! I’m completely confused! Explain!
Listen carefully, then.
Basically, you're in a closed beta for an online game.
We used special technology that we can't explain easily to put the users themselves in the game.
So we want you to go test play it for us!
That's the deal!
Okay, that was straightforward.
Please note that most test players were chosen
based on the strict criteria involving their response to a certain survey.
But some unfortunate individuals who wrote their names on what was supposed
to be an anonymous survey were chosen as well.
It was easier to track them down, you see.
I won't mention names, though.
Who could do something so stupid... Wait, is that me?
Masato Oosuki Stamp Here
Now, let me tell you about the game itself.
Since it’s still in beta, it doesn’t have an official title yet.
For now, we’re calling it an MMMMMORPG (Beta).
How many M's does it really need?
The genre is “Fantasy MMORPG.” It offers a wide variety of classes to choose from.
You can fight. You can craft. You can decorate your house with in-game items.
You’re free to play the game any way you like.
But my class is already...
We gave you a class nobody had taken, so that we could gather data.
That can’t be changed either!
You’re already taking choices from me... But, well, this is a valuable experience, right?
I get to test play a full-dive system, and I get to be a hero too.
I think I’ve got the basic idea. Basically, it’s an online game, right?
I’m glad you’re quick on the uptake. What about you, Lady Mamako?
Um, well...
What is this, um... "account," then?
- We have to start there? - We have to start there?
Just out of curiosity, what do you think an "account" is?
Account... Um...
Ah, ah, ah, ah!
Is that it?
Well, it's faster for you to just find out for yourself.
You have Sir Masato with you, after all.
You can read the guidebook, too.
Oh, thank you!
Ma-kun, did you hear?
They played a "Pa-pa-ra" for me, too!
It's time for the next event!
Come with me!
Don't go so fast!
We haven't finished discussing the most important thing here!
Why...
Why is my mom here?
Why is your mother with you?
That is the question that’s deeply intertwined with the purpose of this game.
If I told you, the GM's would force you to do their bidding.
Instead, it would be best if you realize it naturally through the course of your journeys.
U-Um...
Thus, Hero Masato,
I shall give you an amazing first-time player bonus to distract you before you ask more questions!
Step, step, step.
I can take one of these?
Indeed. These are actually a reward for completing the game's most difficult quests.
But users these days won't play your game unless you give them something great to start!
I really didn't want to know that.
People these days are so choosy.
Back in the day, heroes used to start their adventures with sticks for weapons.
The person from the NES generation can shut up.
Now, pick one of these swords, Sir Masato!
Oh, okay!
I don't know why, but I feel like this is the sword for me!
I'm sure of it!
That sword is called the “Holy Sword of the Great Heavens,” Firmament.
In the distant past, when this world's sky was covered in the darkness,
it banished all the darkness with a single swing!
That's what the flavor text says!
I didn't need that last line!
But still, it seems like an awesome sword!
Only a hero can hold a holy sword. You are indeed a true hero!
Well, "true hero" is going too far.
I simply stated the truth.
In fact, it's up to the test players whether the game moves out of closed beta into release.
As a true hero, your deeds will surely lead this world to a new dimension.
Lead the world?
Well as the one hero chosen by the holy sword, I suppose I can give it my best shot!
Okay, maybe I'll take a sword too!
Mom?
Here I go!
She pulled out both at once?
If I left one of them here, the holy swords would get lonely, right?
You know, these look really sharp!
Would it be okay to use them when I'm cooking?
What do you think, Ma-kun?
Welcome to the tutorial battle.
Begin the battle!
Just watch me, Ma-kun!
Your mom will do her best!
Terra di Madre.
The very life itself that was born from the land at the dawn of creation.
It is known as “The Holy Sword of Mother Earth,” and it became the source of all life in this world.
Your mom won’t lose!
I want to look good for you, Ma-kun!
Altura.
A miraculous blade that saved the world from a huge, world-wide flood.
It is “The Holy Sword of the Mother Ocean,”
and is a symbol of the contract between land and sea that split the world between them.
Ma-kun, now it's time to show me your power! Good luck!
Oh, right.
You did it, Ma-kun! Amazing! Amazing!
What's wrong, Ma-kun? Did you get hurt somewhere? Let me see!
No, that's not it.
This isn't right! This is all wrong!
Why? Why?
Why do you get two-hit multi-target attacks for your basic attack skill?
My attack is so lame...
That's not true! Your attack was amazing!
You fired off that beam thing and really surprised me!
You were so cool! So for now, get off the ground!
We need to go to the next one! It'll be more fun!
Ma-kun?
If you want to go on an adventure, do it yourself!
Well, once you get out in the field, there might be monsters and stuff.
But with your firepower it won't be a problem! You'll win with your first swing.
Firepower? I can't create fire. I'm not a stove burner.
Not that kind of firepower.
Now go on. Just leave me here.
B-But...
N-No...
The guidebook said that if your basic attack skill gives you two-hit multi-target attacks,
Easy-to-Understand Guidebook
your child will be really happy!
He'll give you a big hug and tell you he wants to go on adventures with you!
Well, normally, you'd be happy, but...
Then why?
Don't tell me...
I don't think it's possible, but...
Is it because I’m your mom?
Listen. I need you to explain this.
E-Explain?
You know something, don't you?
You talked to that Shirase person and the people running this, right?
Well...
Honestly, the fact that I'm inside a video game is weird enough.
But I'm happy to be here, so I won't ask questions about that.
But this is different.
What's different, obviously, is the fact that you came with me.
Other mothers sometimes get sent inside video games with their sons...
They do not! They most definitely do not! That's ridiculous!
At least, I hope not!
This is a fantasy for young men, and there's no room for parents here!
You're just in the way!
You're being a meanie, Ma-kun. Your mom is very upset!
Nobody cares. Just answer me!
O-Okay! I'll tell you.
Tell me why you came with me. Explain it in detail. Come on.
B-But they told me it's better not to explain what's going on at first—
So you know something but you won't tell me, right?
Listen, Mom, if you don't start talking...
Then what?
I'll disown you!
Oh, I didn't mean...
I'm sorry!
I just don't know how to explain.
Shirase and the others seem to have their reasons,
so I don't know how much I can tell you!
But I'm not trying to lie to you or hurt you! Please believe that!
O-Okay...
I want to go on lots of adventures with you, have lots of talks,
and do our best at a bunch of things, and then we can be a really close mother and son.
That was the only reason...
I get it! I get it! I get it, okay?
I totally understand!
So Ma-kun...
Y-Yes?
Don't tell me you'll disown me. That makes me so sad!
It's the most painful thing anybody's ever said said to me...
It's the saddest thing I've ever heard.
What am I doing?
Mom, I'm sorry!
The words just came out of my mouth! I didn't mean it!
So, um... uh...
I love it when you're kind, and care about your mother.
It's okay. You can raise your head.
Come on, you need to look at someone when you're talking to them!
O-Okay.
I want to go on lots of adventures with you!
Will you let me join your party?
Well, I guess you can join my party, or...
Alright, fine. You can come with me.
Okay, I will!
Thanks for having me, Ma-kun!
Yeah, well, glad to have you, Mom.
Pyun!
So this is the first country, the Kingdom of Mommalia?
Kingdom of Mommalia
It's totally fantasy!
So amazing!
I'm really inside a video game!
Huh? But the faces...
They couldn't get the models done in time, huh?
You and I need to get ready for our adventure!
So first...
Adventurer's Guild
We gather our party at the adventurer's guild, huh?
Everybody here seems pretty rough.
Well, that's fine with me!
All you normally ever say is "Yeah" or "Huh," and now look at how cool you're acting!
I've discovered a new side of my son!
Shut up! You're ruining the mood!
Okay, Ma-kun. Can I have my sword for a second?
Sure, but... what for?
We need them to take us seriously, so let's make sure we start off on the right foot.
That's what the guidebook said!
No... This isn't good.
It’s either PK or attempted PK...
Player Killing
Welcome to the adventurer's guild, travelers.
I inform-orm you that I am Shirarase, the front desk woman.
You're Shirase, right?
I am Shirarase.
Step, step, step.
Once again, welcome to the adventurer's guild.
Thank you for taking care of us. So um...
Are you okay?
You're still bleeding.
It's just an in-game effect.
Also, I am an in-game object. Not a PC or an NPC.
Thus, there will be no PK penalty applied.
I see.
That's great, right, Mom?
That's right!
So basically, the objects fought, and the NEC's PC won the PK battle!
Something like that, right?
Now, allow me to introduce you to the adventurers registered with our guild.
Here you go.
Okay, as a veteran MMORPG player, I'll select the best party members for us!
It's decided!
Name Rushera
Rushera the heavy knight. Torino the thief. Sallitey the elf.
Name Torino
Name Sallitey
Mom, we're going to recruit these three first.
Take a look.
Oh my.
They're all cute girls. Which is your type?
Why are you asking that?
Oh, because it's very important!
You're going to live together, experience lots of things together and grow together.
That's what it means to let someone join your party, right?
I think it's basically the same thing as finding a girlfriend, or a marriage partner.
W-Well... maybe you're not that far off the mark.
Okay, so now it's time for their interviews with mom.
Interviews with mom!
It’s Just a Coincidence They’re All Girls. Got That? Wipe That Smirk Off Your Face.
You stripped off a mother’s clothes in front of her son! You must be punished!