02x08 - The Only Way I Can Think of to Express That Gratitude Is with Money

[bunniefuu]

THE BEGINNING
OF DECEMBER, IKEBUKURO

[background chatter]

HIGASHI-IKEBUKURO
CENTRAL PARK

Better get in there.

Suzuka is waiting,
so I'll catch you lates.

Sound good?

Sure thing.

[chuckling]

[WAKANA] I'm afraid I may
have gotten here too early.

I beat Akira.

I wonder what he's like.

[chuckles] I can't wait to see.

[lighter clinking]

[inhales]

[exhales]

WAKANA GOJO

[theme music]

[singing in Japanese]

♪ ♪

EPISODE 20:
THE ONLY WAY I CAN THINK

TO EXPRESS THAT GRATITUDE
IS WITH MONEY

[SUZUKA]
Yay!

I see you went
for the Kiss M, too!

[laughs] M is for Marin,
so I had to cop.

I love how your brain works.

And I love that we match.

It rules!

Just holding it
makes me feel pro.

I'm a fan.

It's just the greatest, huh?

[MARIN]
How weird.

Amane is running a little late.
Hope he's OK.

He says he's done
changing, so it's not that.

Hmm.

[camera shutter
clicking rapidly]

[PHOTOGRAPHER]
Oh, thank you so much!

Next, could you try out her
pose from Tanabata Fest?

Sure.

Cuteness overload!

You look perfect!

Seriously, thank you.

[chuckles]

What do I do? I'm trapped.

I was on my way
to meet up with Marin.

[upbeat music]

[PHOTOGRAPHER]
Excuse me.

[AMANE]
And I got held up.

I only meant to take a few.

Hmm.

[gasps]

[dramatic whoosh]

[chuckles nervously]

And then came the line.

Now I'm totally stuck.

[PHOTOGRAPHER]
Thanks again for the pics!

Thank you for taking them.

I'm so late.

[MARIN]
I'd like some photos, please.

Of course.

How goes it, you
cutie pie, you?

PEEEEEEAAAAACE

Hey, Marin!

It's a good thing my butt
came looking for you.

This line is wild!

I'm super sorry.

I didn't account for this.

Nah, chill.

You look-- you look frickin'
adorable as Hokuto Neon.

♪ ♪

You nailed the skirt.

I almost forgot the elite
class uniforms have

that sick universe pattern.

Also, the mole and the fang
are total perfection.

Thanks. It's my first time
wearing a fang.

At work, Hokuto Neon
isn't the type of idol

to show much emotion.

But when she flipped
off that annoying fan

who was heckling her manager,
I instantly became a fan.

I know, right?

I have mad respect
for dudes like you

who are drawn to a strong
but silent girly.

[AMANE]
Hang on.

Is that your new camera?

You mean this old thing?

[AMANE]
I'm jealous.

Maybe I should buy one.

You could be triplets
with me and Suzuka.

Right?

Cute, huh?

[SUZUKA]
Dude!

That's actually a boy?
Holy freakin' sh*t!

- Hi, Marin's friend.
- I'm so happy to be alive.

- My name's Amane.

Thank you
times a million, Marin!

Sorry I was late.

[SUZUKA]
I want to photograph

every centimeter of his body.

But on the other hand,
I don't want to get arrested.

Perv attack. Perv attack.

Where do I channel this?

Are you all right, girl?

[SUZUKA]
Perv attack.

I have witnessed the most
immaculate crossdressing

I've ever seen
in my entire life,

and the only way I can think
to express my gratitude

is with money!

So do you take credit card?

[MARIN]
Suzuka, you freak.

Meatball.

DISCUSSING STUFF...

Next time you
draw a crowd,

just say you need
to cut off the line.

[AMANE AND MARIN]
Cut off the line?

If your line ever
gets too lengthy,

go up to the very
last photographer

and politely ask them
to cut it off for you.

Then they'll turn around and
tell any other photographers

that the cosplayer has already
decided to cut their queue.

[AMANE] I didn't know there
was such a simple solution.

Glad I helped.

I can cut off this line.

Thank you very much.

You ready?

Look over here.

About my pose, any ideas?

I get to pick?

You're an angel for that!

Uh--

[HOKUTO NEON
singing in Japanese]

You should do the Venus
pose from the chorus.

I love it!

That's such a cute one.

Here we go!

[giggles]

Dangerous!

[AMANE]
Hey, you asked for this.

[MARIN]
My new fave idol.

I'll go to all your shows.

[AMANE aughs]
Take the picture.

[SUZUKA] Well, he's definitely
a boy when he laughs.

[camera shutter clicking]

Thanks so much for the photo.

And thank you
for your helpful advice.

You're a lifesaver.

Great job!

You k*lled it,
just like you always do.

You're too sweet to me.

Hey, could Wakana
not make this one?

No, he's here.

He's busy meeting up
with some propmaker.

How interesting.

I came with a couple
of my cosplay friends, too.

One is in full
costume right now,

and the other makes
awesome props.

She's meeting up
with this high school

girl who's a big fan of hers.

[phone dings]

Nice!

[phone dings]

It's from Akira!

[phone dinging]

A dragon jacket.

[phone dings]

I'M WEARING A SAMUE COAT.

Ah! He'll be here any minute!

All right. Now I just need
to find the dragon.

[dramatic sting, whoosh]

That sure looks like a dragon.

Is that a samurai?

Huh? I, uh-- are you Akira?

You're the high school girl?

Dude?

[camera shutter clicking]

Cute.

I've seen that anime before.

Uh!

[twinkling]

This dreamboat
is my friend Miya.

Oh, hey there.

Are you seriously
cosplaying Reno Q

from Double Clutch right now?

OVER 50 MILLION COPIES SOLD!!

It's a pretty old manga,
so I'm shocked you know it.

I'm glad some high schoolers
appreciate the classics.

I've read all the manga,
watched the anime,

and even watched the movie!

Narukami High?

Sign me up yesterday.

All the characters
are so sexy.

The fan service in that
series is servicing,

and I am thankful.

I don't remember
any fan service.

[MARIN squealing]
Your features are so chiseled.

Your face is a work of art.

That's right.

It's my art. I just painted it.

Say what?

My natural features
are pretty round,

so I wear lots of makeup
to look more angular.

I wash my face,
and boom, I'm a stranger.

[chuckles] Same goes for me.

It's so fun to swap out
your face for a new one.

And swap out your hair.

I think that
your favorite things to swap

are your genders.

Miyako, do you care
if I snap some pics?

- Go for it.
- Yay!

Thanks so much.

I'm ready.

[MARIN]
Sweet!

Looking good.

[camera shutter clicks]

[whimpers] Dreamy!

Wow, you look handsome.

Thanks for your time.

Yeah, no prob at all.

Now it's my turn.

Huh?

[MARIN] Hey.
- Hmm?

[MARIN] Why do you
crouch down for pics?

Because it can really take
your photos to the next level.

Watch and learn.

If I take it from
my normal sight line--

[camera shutter clicks]

- I get this.

[MARIN]
Right.

She looks hot.

- Just wait.
- Huh?

Huh?

If you take it
from this angle--

[camera shutter clicks]

[MARIN]
It's totally different!

Yep.

It's theexact same pose--
[MAN] Long.

- but her legs look longer.
[MAN] Small.

And her face,
it looks a little bit smaller.

[gasps] Come to think of it,
at the photo sh**t for Blaze,

Shinju crouched down
for a bunch of pics.

[SUZUKA] When I shot Amane,
I was going for cuteness,

so I angled myself above him

and had him
look up at my camera.

Playing with angles
can be super fun.

Useful, too.

For sure.

[soft, upbeat music]

Now that I know,
I've got to try more shots.

[chuckles]

[MIYAKO]
I wanted to ask,

do you two have
any big plans after this?

[AMANE AND MARINE]
Huh?

[MIYAKO] If you're both
free, we should hang.

You down?

Ma'am, I am
so terribly sorry!

I assumed from your name
and photo online

that you were a gentleman.

It's an easy mistake.

To be honest, I thought
you were a girl.

Sorry.

May I ask why?

I'm pretty sure I referred
to myself as a guy.

Maybe so, but that
term is super neutral.

The same thing
goes for girl, too.

I guess I wasn't aware.

Thinking back, Usami has said--
- Us girls.

[WAKANA] And I sort
of remember Liz saying--

- Us guys.
[WAKANA] Interesting.

- Us guys.
- Us girls.

[WAKANA]
I guess those words

can correspond to a moment

or feeling,
instead of a gender.

Tell me, where'd the Wakana
handle come from anyway?

Favorite character?

No, it's my name.

It's a nice name.

That makes sense.

I use my real name, too--

Akira.

We have something
in common then.

Yeah.

Right away, I wanted
to ask about this.

See?

It's an amazing cosplay.

But what series is
the character from?

I tried to find it,
but I didn't have any luck.

[AKIRA] Yeah, because it's
not from a series.

Huh?

It's mine, a random OC.

[bright music]

[scissors snipping]

[AOI] Aoi's--

[scissors snip]

- Let's Learn About Cosplay.

[cheerful music]

Thank you for joining me today.

You don't know me,
but I'm Suzuka's friend, Aoi.

When cosplaying, you must first
focus on the special character

that you wish to bring to life.

One option is to choose someone
from a pre-existing series,

copyright cos.

You can also cosplay
as a specific occupation.

Or perhaps you would
prefer to cosplay

your own OC,
an Original Character

you concoct
in your very own mind.

So creative!

For example, Akira dreamt
up this rugged ranger

all on her own.

Isn't that cool?

Awesome!

I've never heard of an OC!

That's so unique!

You like traditional designs?

[AKIRA] Yeah, and stuff that's
usually catered toward men.

How neat.

I appreciate
the praise, but calm down.

My cosplay isn't particularly
unique or impressive.

I like traditional
Japanese art and patterns,

and I'm into swords.

It's practically
been done to death.

It's not really that creative.

[WAKANA]
What!

Oh?

[stammering]

What's up?

I'm sorry.

It was rude of me to raise
my voice at you like that.

It's fine.

Well, then.

Fine! What you're saying
might be true,

but that doesn't make
your art any less impressive!

That's why I reached
out to you.

To me, it's no
less than perfect!

[gasps]

[gasps] When I said what
you're saying might be true,

I meant in the way
that I don't really

know what I'm talking about,
so I defer to your expertise.

I wasn't trying to double
down on your criticism.

[chuckling] It's OK.

Yeah, I get that. Thank you.

- Sure. Of course.

[AKIRA] So you want to learn
about propmaking, don't you?

[gasps]

[AKIRA]
Let's get to it then.

I'm very thankful.

To start, there are a few
comments I didn't send.

[gasps] You have more?

Uh-huh.

You sent so many.

That's a crazy word count.

But I'm here because I
was impressed

by your attention
to detail, so I suppose

I should have expected this.

That was half
of what I wrote.

Just wait.

Like I was saying
before, the detail

you captured in the blade
was seriously on--

[phone ringing]
Oh!

Ah! Eek!

Ah!

It's fine.

Uh, so sorry.
It's Gojo.

[MARIN] I'm aware.
Where are you at?

[WAKANA] I'm on the same bench
where we chatted with Himeno.

[MARIN]
Nice. We're close.

Can Suzuka and I swing by?

[WAKANA] Uh,
give me just a moment.

Hey, so I actually came
by here with a friend today.

And they want to meet up?

That's fine.

Oh, thank you so much!

Come on by.

[MARIN]
Will do. I already found you.

[gasps]

[MARIN]
I'm over here!

Hiya, goober!

Look up!

Oh. [laughs]

[gasps]

See me now?

[cymbals crashing]

Hey!

[gasps]

[gulps]

[MARIN] I've got
some super fun news!

Get ready, get ready!
You ready?

Suzuka's sexy friends invited
me to their afterparty

and even told me
I could bring a buddy.

- A party?
- Uh-huh.

Apparently, they throw shindigs
after all these events.

Fun.

Huh?

Oh, hey, I forgot
to introduce you two.

Kitagawa, this is Akira.

[MARIN]
You're Akira?

[gulps]

Hey down there.

How goes it?

My name's Marin.

[quirky music]

Uh, hello.

What the?

Aki!

Oh, hey, girlie pop.

Wait, is this
the propmaker friend

you were telling me about?

That's like a level


[SUZUKA]
Yeah.

This is him.
Meet Gojo.

Huh?

It's nice to meet you.

I'm Wakana Gojo.

You are?

I think of Wakana
as a woman's name,

so I totally thought
he was a girl.

I see now I was mistaken.

He's Akira's fan
and Marin's friend.

That can only mean one thing.

I've spotted a real-life
high school boy in the wild!

Goo-goo, ga-ga, baby.

I'm Marin's mature lady friend.

Huh?

[SUZUKA]
That wasn't normal!

I wonder if Amane and Miyako
have wrapped up yet.

I've never been
to an afterparty before,

so I'm mega-hyped!

So am I.

[SUZUKA]
Miya, emergency!

This afterparty is risky!

Aki and Marin?

This is bad!

[sighs in relief] I loved
the look, but I feel so much

better without all the tape.

Do you always hold mini
parties after cosplay events?

[bright music]

[scissors snipping]

[AOI]
Aoi's--

[scissors snip]

- Let's Learn About Cosplay.

Hi, it's Aoi again.

Have you ever been to a party
after a cosplay event?

They're one of my favorite
parts of the day.

You see, though events are
fun, they can be stressful.

There's so much to look at and
so many pictures to pose for,

you might not have time
to talk to your friends.

That's why it's best
to go somewhere

you can chat like
a karaoke room,

restaurant, or collab cafe.

Whenever we get
really sweaty,

we celebrate at the spa.

How fancy!

The spa?

Oh! I have to show you
Miyako's epic Reno Q.

I'd love to see it.

[MARIN]
Ta-da!

What an awesome shot!

I got a better one.

Check it.
- [gasps]

Suzuka shared all her
photographer magic with me.

She looks completely
different there.

[MARIN] I know. Insane, right?
- Absolutely.

I didn't realize adjusting
the angle could do so much.

[MARIN]
Samesies!

[WAKANA] Let's play with
that next photoshoot.

[MARIN]
Yeah. For sure.

[door opens]
- Dang, that was speedy!

[twinkling]

How pretty!

Akira, could you grab my bag?

[AKIRA]
Here.

[MIYAKO]
Thank you.

[hums]

Huh?

[gasps]

Your baby Reno Newy
is so cute and squishy!

I thought he could really
amplify my pancake pic.

[heart thumping]

[WAKANA]
Huh?

[shimmering]

So adults walk around
with dolls, too?

Not a bad angle--

[WAKANA gasps]
And she's talking to it!

I'm planning to sew you
a beautiful new outfit today.

And then tomorrow,
it'll finally be ready for you

to try on.
[whimpers]

[shimmering]

So it's not just me!

I'm obsessed with
its tiny costume!

I decorated my Shion Newy too.

Yeah.
I think you posted a pic of it.

The outfit is one
of my favorites!

Then why are you gripping
the poor thing like a baseball?

I used to keep her
on my bag, but I suck

at taking care of my stuff.

Now my Newies sit
by my TV at home

so they can't get all nasty.

You bring your dolls with
you sometimes, too, right?

It would be a crime not to!

Agreed! It's always nice
to have a version of your fave.

When you feel like you're
about to k*ll someone at work,

seeing it brings
you peace of mind.

Yeah!

[AMANE] I don't think
Gojo caught that.

[phone dings]

- Hmm? Aw.
- Huh?

Aoi's not going
to make it either.

That's too bad.

AOI'S LET'S LEARN ABOUT COSPLAY
COSPLAYER NAME: AOI

[sobbing]

Is everything OK?

We had a fun group cosplay
planned out for next Sunday,

but all the other
cosplayers had to drop out

because they're needed
at their jobs.

It would be such a bummer
not to get weekends off.

We already reserved
the studio, so maybe just

the three of us should go.

It's better than nothing.

What are you guys cosplaying?

Play Coffin?

We're doing that.

Coffin?

I'm obsessed with it right now!

It's so freakin' awesome!

I'll need those pics.
- Um--

Huh?

What's Coffin?

A horror game.

It's about these cute nuns
who live together and slowly

get k*lled off one by one.

The goal of the game is
to figure out who k*lled them.

So it's a mystery game.

There's Sister
Mira, Sister Rose,

Sister Shar, Sister Emma,
Sister Claire, and Sister Soph.

You're still looking
for people, right?

So, uh, may I join your group?

[MIYAKO AND SUZUKA]
You want to?

[AMANE] A habit would
hide my physique,

and I'm a really
big fan of the game.

You're the best ever!

I'm begging you to let
me give you money.

Thank you!

You're saving our lives!

I'm just happy that
you're letting me join.

Did you make the outfits?

[MIYAKO] Nope.
They're pre-made.

They sell them at Akoss.

[AMANE] So they'll probably
have the character wigs, too.

I'll buy one today.

Oh, they're cheap!

[WAKANA]
Today?

So proactive!

Now you only need
three more people.

You should join, Marin.

[gasping]

[lightning crashing]

You are a Coffinfan, right?

[MARIN]
I am, but--

[AMANE]
You have to do it!

I was just thinking about how I
want to cosplay with you again.

Would that be OK?
- [gasping]

That would be great,
as long as Marin doesn't mind.

Yeah. If you're free,
you should do it.

Well, I would,
but, uh, I'm actually

on a diet at the moment.

I can't do any new
cosplays right now.

[AMANE] Ah, that explains
your unsweet tea and the salad.

Also, that's a real
quick turnaround.

Nah, we couldn't get
it ready in time.

[AMANE] Then you should
buy a pre-made costume

like the rest of us.

Oh.

Since we're a group,

the matching outfits

will look cohesive.

We would love to have you

if you're willing to join us.

Mm.

Mm?

Sounds like a good plan.

[gasps] I'm so down!

Your girl Marin is
putting the N in Coffin!

We really appreciate it.

This is going to be gnarly!

What a huge win.

Just two members away
from the full party.

This rocks.

I love group cosplays.

Oh, I know! Question.

Hmm?

Is it cool if I
invite somebody, too?

Of course it is!

You're the best.

I'll call her later.

It's fine.

Just call her now.

Well, if you insist.

[line ringing]

[WAKANA]
She's calling someone.

Who could it be?

[gasps] Is it really?

Is it someone scary?

[WAKANA]
No, that's not it.

She's just a very
particular person.

Getting her to agree
could be a challenge.

[phone vibrating]

[quirky music]

♪ ♪

It's Marin.

Hey, JuJu.

Well, well, well.

What do you want?

[theme music]

[singing in Japanese]

♪ ♪

[ANNOUNCER]
Next time.

EPISODE 21: BECAUSE I DON'T
INTEND TO SLEEP TONIGHT