Translator and Editor Notes

1. Setta

Setta (雪駄) is authentic Japanese traditional sandals for men

2. Jealous and “Shit”

Jealous is shitto (嫉妬) in Japanese. Do we need to explain the joke anymore?

3. MARCH (University Acronym)

This refers to the five major private universities in Tokyo: Meiji University, Aoyama Gakuin University, Rikkyo University, Chuo University, and Hosei University.

4. Ajisai/Hydrangeas

Ajisai (Raw: 紫陽花) = hydrangeas is a flower. FYI, in Japan, Ajisai also signifies the ending of a rainy season and the coming of the summer season. In japanese legend, Ajisai also associates with heartfelt emotion, gratitude for understanding, and apology)

5. Asuka addessing Saku

Saku referred to the way Asuka addressed him using 彼 (kare=he)

6. 2DK

2DK = two separate rooms, in addition to the dining/kitchen area. 1LDK = one room apartment with a living, dining and kitchen area.

7. Casablanca

Reference to the 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz of the same name.

8. Guild by BUMP OF CHICKEN

Reference to the song「ギルド」by BUMP OF CHICKEN. Listen here

9. The Kings ears are Donkey Ears

Reference to the story of the same name, taught in elementary schools to tell kids that keeping secrets might be too difficult and it’s okay to tell others even if you are afraid. Read a version here.

10. Yakitori

Yakitori is grilled chicken skewers.

11. Shachō-san

社長さん = Shachō-san. This means Director-san

12. Koshien

Koshien is The National High School Baseball Championship

13. Shochu

Shochu is a Japanese traditional hard liquor made from grains and vegetables.

14. Takadanobaba

Takadanobaba is a neighbourhood in Shinjuku, Tokyo

15. Yoshinoya and Matsuya

Yoshinoya and Matsuya are two restaurant-chains that serve beef bowls.

16. Shiba Inu

Shiba Inu is a breed of dogs in Japan. Remember the world of Elon Musk’s DogeCoin and the SO AMAZING WORLD OF CRYPTOCURRENCY? Picture that dog. It’s the exact breed used as the face of DogeCoin.

17. Jinbocho

Jinbocho, also known as Kanda-Jinbōchō (神田神保町), is an area in the district of Chiyoda in Tokyo known for its collections of used bookstores and publishing homes.

18. Marui and “OIOI”

Here, Marui department store’s logo is shown as “OIOI”, which is meant to resemble the Japanese symbol “○I○I” (○ meaning “circle” or “zero” while I meaning just the number 1) , but pronounced as “MARUI”. Fun fact, the store’s website uses the logo as it’s address but it’s not “OIOI” but actually “0101”. For more information, click here

19. Kabukicho

Kabukicho (歌舞伎町) is an entertainment district, and more known as the “red light district”, located in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Home to a lot of host and hostess bars, etc.

20. Don Quijote

Don Quijote (株式会社ドン・キホーテ) also known as Don Don Donki, (or Donki (ドンキ)) is a discount store chain with branches in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Malaysia, Bangkok, Taiwan, and Macau.

21. Brothel Information Service

This is a service where you can know which brothel is suitable for you.

22. Kappa

Kappa is a mythological monster said to inhabit ponds and rivers in Japan

23. Maru

Just a reminder that when written in kanji, ○ is written as 丸 or 円 and pronounced  ‘maru’. It is usually used for censorship.