Angry Rants About Uesugi Kenshin

Hey fellow designers and creatives out there!

What started as just identifying the font used in the English game of Ikemen Sengoku has ... evolved! I couldn’t find anything specifying the font family used (though I did find Cybird’s warning about apparently, too many screenshots and copyright infringement). So I made these to share. Please note, my intention and the files below are shared out of FAN PASSION, personal-use only.

Font family: Roboto, 48pt. Regular (400 weight) for text, Medium (500 weight) for names. 

Font color: #453E36

Character spacing: is -7 or -8. 

Line height was 57pt in Photoshop, so it will likely be different in other creative programs. 

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Download the font on Google: Roboto font

Download the textbox (2 flower sizes in PNG): Sengoku Textbox

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Why I did this:

Too dissatisfied with Uesugi Kenshin’s English MC, I was planning on using these assets for my personal entertainment i.e. NSFW things, and then I realized, it’s possible that there might be others who would also appreciate this. Also, as other players have pointed out, Cybird is really too expensive for most people (I’m always in favour of marginalized communities). Please use these files as you wish - memes, stories, things you wish were said or written but never happened in canon routes... no need to credit (I don’t wanna get sued lol).

If these files turn out to be very popular among people who don’t have access to Photoshop or other design tools... I may set up a Google form for quick requests with your selected screenshot. 

I’m just saying... if Cybird’s English team rewrote all of Ikemen Sengoku’s English MC’s lines, ruining most of the authenticity of the historic Japanese experience. They might as well rewrite her backstory too. Have some disclaimer, like “I was watching Crunchyroll anime when I got transported into an isekai of 14th-century Japan” rather than Japanese urbanite who had a tourism magazine of ‘Top 10 Hottest Guys from Kyoto’ the day before her job as a FASHION DESIGNER probably in Tokyo... 

Just keep things consistent!

Though, I am aware (while I was making this) that technically, none of the Sengoku warlords were realistic either, as someone else pointed out. Their histories were completely changed for this fictional story (no concubines, children, families). 

And visually, I gotta admit, finding a naturally blond-haired and heterochromia man who is dressed like a very stylish cosplayer... is ridiculous to expect of those times. The real Uesugi Kenshin didn’t look particularly attractive in his historic scroll on Wikipedia. 

Image credit: Luna Zhou 

I’d want someone who was crazy about me the way I’m crazy about them. Equal. Consensual. No less, no more. So, it may be unpopular opinion, but I find his intoxicating personality totally a turn on. (Also... relationships differ dramatically in other countries... please try to remember there are other cultures out there, and not all of us define ‘love’ the same way). 

Chinese disclaimer: 我就是一个新加坡华人， 可能我的翻译不好。如果你有更好的翻译，请信息我。我当然会改变。谢谢。aka if you’re more fluent in Chinese than me, you’re welcome to message me to update any errors below.

Rough translation of his intro:

I was born to fight wars; I have no interest in love.

It’s difficult to tell... how does he treat you...?

I love you... to the extent I can’t breathe without you.

I was pleasantly surprised! 

Kenshin doesn’t seem to have a very big fanbase in the English-speaking community, compared to e.g. Date Masamune, Nobunaga, or even Mitsuhide. He seems more like a side character that many (probably U.S.) players write off as crazy, or simply have no attraction to. So I was happy to see the above screenshot in the Chinese app store preview - I think his was second or third! I’m so happy he’s popular - that means there’s gotta be more fans who like love him as much as I do!

Even their intro graphic looks different. The music soundtrack feels very authentic, like I’m definitely in Kyoto. 

FYI, the Chinese name of Ikemen Sengoku is  美男战国 (simplified) | 美男戰國 (traditional) měinán zhànguó . Which translates to ‘Beautiful Men of the Warring States period’. Much more insightful than just ‘IkeSen.’

Their intros also feel richer. I’m excited! I remember (even initially when playing) that I was admiring Kenshin’s handsome looks, but he wasn’t available as a playable route then. Yeah, I played a LONG time ago, when it was only Nobunaga, Masamune, Yukimura, Ieyasu, and Hideyoshi. I don’t think Shingen was even available yet.

And then finally... he ... he appears!

Did you know?

The background music (BGM) soundtrack that plays for the characters, changes when it gets to Kenshin’s turn. He’s SPECIAL. Also, while we’re at it... I’ve been meaning to post about this... but his name:

上杉謙信 (Shàngshān qiānxìn)

In Chinese, this roughly translates into:

上 = Up, High, e.g. mountain top

杉 = Japanese cedar, Chinese fir tree, national tree of Japan

謙 = Humble, modest, amiable, a gentleman (Chinese phrase 谦谦君子)

信 = Confidence, trust, belief, faithful

it's incredibly fitting for him. Humble gentleman. Frankly, I'm just done with others who misunderstand him or portray him in a terrible light; it is runing the authentic Japanese experience.

Fangirl moment that you can totally mock me for and I don’t care:

Tall. Fir trees, like winter and snow-covered trees, humble, modest, faithful gentleman. He is truly perfect for me in every way, what with my Chinese name meaning ‘refined, beautiful, kind, virtuous lady’ with literature about [people like us] belonging together. I won’t share my Chinese name in characters because of privacy/safety reasons, but let’s say my last name is also associated with horses galloping. God of War? With powerful horses? That’s a totally natural fit.

Anyway.

They talk about Sasuke saving Kenshin ‘when he fell to the ground’: 

The part that follows is interesting:

Translation:

With me saving Oda Nobunaga, Sasuke saved Uesugi Kenshin the same way. 

I know, maybe I’m reading too much into it. But the way the sentence structure and symbolism here works, could mean that Uesugi Kenshin is very much equal to Oda Nobunaga. I bring that up, because I really don’t think Kenshin gets the respect he deserves in the English community. Even in the anime that I briefly looked up (haven’t watched yet):

I noticed that Kenshin was fighting Oda Nobunaga. Considering Oda’s basically the leader of that entire side, it’s interesting that he’s fighting someone who has been treated like a side character on the enemy lines. If they’re going neck-to-neck, doesn’t that make Kenshin an equal leader (even if it’s of the enemy side)? I really think this is another point that shows Kenshin is more powerful and popular than the English-speaking community wants to believe. 

Finally, his ‘selection route’ card:

It’s probably the only screen that the Cybird English accurately translated, where the words are the same meaning. 🙄 Wow, good job, Cybird. You had one job, and you did one screen out of hundreds okay, so, congratulations. 

Of course, I watched the route preview below (spoilers!!)

The Chinese main character (MC) says:

If other people catch sight of me, will this cause Lord Kenshin some kind of inconvenience? Maybe?

And Kenshin’s kind reply:

Translation:

I don’t know. Just the thought of it alone makes me extremely unpleasant/unhappy. 

Kenshin’s confused and uncomfortable about his own feelings, but at least he’s aware that something’s going on inside. It sounds a lot less like what the shit American English MC had to say, which was ‘idk it brings me pain.’ There was no pain.

Translation:

It’s pointless (meaningless) to resist. It’s truly pathetic, [your name here].

It’s not clear whether he’s referring to himself, the Chinese MC, or the situation. From the context, I’m guessing Kenshin’s referring to himself. Like he can’t resist falling in love with the MC, and he jokes about being pathetic. Either way, it’s a very soft and warm moment. 

And then... he says the thing that makes my heart melt even though it’s only a preview so I can’t imagine how I’d feel if it were the full chapter:

Translation:

I won’t let you run away from me. Forever [eternally], I won’t let you go.

永远不会？！哇！！！Google translate was like ‘never’ and I was like ‘yeah no, I know better.’ There’s like 10 different ways to say never in Chinese, and this is a very intentional “forever,” “till the end of time, till death do us part” statement. 

Translation:

I’ve already fallen in love, to the point that I have lost all reason [logical, rational thought]. [My love is at] that level.

I know there was another line I translated (no screenshot), where Kenshin’s love was described in a way that, yes, it’s intense, but more than that, strong, overpowering, almost suffocating. If I could sum it up in one English word, it would be: intoxicating. 

I think that’s the most accurate description, and hopefully it sparks some naughty ideas for fellow fans... 

Lastly, I checked their events (which I’m sure will change weekly):

Maybe I’m missing something, because I haven’t played the Ikemen Sengoku English version very much. But Kenshin appeared in like 4 out of 5 events (I just happened to take 2 screenshots of ones I liked). Correct me if I’m wrong... but doesn’t that mean he’s super popular? Ieyasu, too. I’m curious about what happens if I purchase from the store, since it seems to be the Taiwan version, so I’m holding off buying anything just yet. But if it works, that could be a wonderful thing. 

I’ll likely keep playing this Chinese version, and slowly translate chapters. After all the chaos, I’m finally feeling at peace (big thanks again to @mischievouslymasamune​  @oh-my-otome​). Even if my series of posts only helps one person out there feel less bad about themselves, I will feel very satisfied. Thanks for reading! Time to disappear to my real world...

Chapter list of Probably quit Ikemen Sengoku because I hate the English MC/Uesugi Kenshin’s route series:

Part 1: Why I chose Uesugi Kenshin’s route

Part 2: Why I hate the English MC/Uesugi Kenshin’s route

Part 3: Depression, Trauma, History, and encouragement for other fans who might feel the same way 

Part 4: Probably Quitting Ikemen Sengoku / Should I finish it?

So, now that we’ve covered why I hate the English MC here and here, you can imagine after Part 3, that I promptly closed the game and wanted to quit for good. After Chapter 8, she really pushed me over the edge, and I don’t know if I could continue the story without feeling attacked or triggered again (anyone who has completed Kenshin’s route know? If she transforms from a totally rude and selfish b with American slang, to a considerate human being with standard English?).

On one hand, I feel like I should finish it, especially after spending USD$70 already (even though I have heard, and am estimating from ‘rankings,’ that people are likely spending hundreds or thousands on it, so my money is just spare change to Cybird). And I kinda wanna know Kenshin’s ending. 

On the other hand, I’m really not keen on feeling like shit. I feel like I’ve given the English MC several chances for redemption, and this was the final straw that I am not accepting. I’ve definitely left money behind in previous apps or professional situations, when I prioritized my mental health over the money I was owed, so it might turn out the same way for Ikemen Sengoku.

It’s been a tumultous week of barely sleeping and not eating. My mind went from:

I’m in love and married to Uesugi Kenshin

I’m unlovable and can’t even get a 2D boyfriend, fml

This is about cultural relativism, isn’t it?

Someone mentioned the English version is ‘occidentalized,’ which means there has to be a Chinese or Japanese version available somewhere

*searches Tumblr and Google*, finds this blessing

Installs Ikemen Sengoku Chinese version via QooApp (let me know if you need help with this, seems like it’s Android only)

I’ll post about the Chinese differences shortly (with what little info I have so far, since I started it yesterday). But I also wanted to say that I’m seriously considering writing Isehime x Kenshin fanfics, and erotica for a different MC x Kenshin pairing. I have many ideas, but I don’t know how well it would be received here (especially since I’m new to Tumblr). So they’ll likely be saved on my private blog until someone asks for it. 

View a few screenshots on the Chinese version (and last post about it) here.

Chapter list of Probably quit Ikemen Sengoku because I hate the English MC/Uesugi Kenshin’s route series:

Part 1: Why I chose Uesugi Kenshin’s route

Part 2: Why I hate the English MC/Uesugi Kenshin’s route

Part 3: Depression, Trauma, History, and encouragement for other fans who might feel the same way 

Part 4: Probably Quitting Ikemen Sengoku / Should I finish it? (we here now)

of Ikemen Sengoku (Kenshin Uesugi’s route) aka: Depression, Trauma, History.

Previous post:

And overnight (or rather, over Chapter 8), my heart shattered into a million pieces. Because, here’s the last, but possibly most important point:

She discriminates against people with depression. I would share the screenshot, but I was so heartbroken that I didn’t take one of that scene. Where she not only expresses 0 compassion for Isehime’s depression and suicide... but goes on to say something like ‘I will never be like Isehime. I will always fight to live, and I will behave differently; I’m nothing like her.’

Everyone has a past; to act like Isehime is a scar, a burden to be erased and replaced like ‘light over the darkness,’ over things that were out of her control and not her fault... is incredibly insensitive to anyone out there who’s suffered (or is still suffering) from depression. I’m sure Isehime had her ‘light’ days too, not only darkness and despair. 

Isehime is not worth anything less because she had depression.  

I’m going to talk about my personal history with depression and sucide, and unpack what’s wrong with the situation above. If any of this makes you uncomfortable, please stop reading (or skip to Pt. 4)

Wow. I was speechless reading that chapter. I was dumbfounded by how similar I think we are. Like Isehime, I had been forced to enter a convent (school) at a young age, and remained there for 7 years. Like Isehime, I had been locked in tiny rooms, barred from the outside, and any whisper of the opposite gender would equal family disownment. Granted, Isehime’s captors were Kenshin’s clan members, whereas mine was family (I felt my situation was well-represented in Virgin Suicides, the movie). 

Despite our differences, I believe I can understand and empathize deeply with Isehime, and I’m gonna share a quote from the Virgin Suicides book summary on wikipedia:

“Local newspaper writer Linda Perl notes that the suicides came exactly one year after Cecilia's first attempt and describes the girls as tragic creatures who were so cut off from life that death was not much of a change.“

Can we all think about that for a moment? 

For someone to be so cut off from life, that death was not much of a change. 

To be in a situation where life is barely living - or perhaps, a life that feels even worse than death could possibly be. Even if you haven’t experienced depression yourself (and it’s different for everyone), I’m sure you’ve experienced difficult, painful things in life. Even if you have moved past those moments, there are still people in this world, who feel their pain is unbearable and overwhelming. If you don’t believe me, please check the suicide rates for your respective country (or country of origin). 

Please, have some compassion for those around you. Consideration. Kindness. And even if you can’t understand their problems, their suffering, or their struggle, there is no need to alienate them further and engage in victim-blaming or bad-mouthing, the way MC did. It may be ‘just a game’, but if games are setting the standards for our relationships or reflections of people, I think this is truly an unhealthy one. Insensitive at best, toxic at worst.

As someone with a history of depression, trauma, and abuse... someone whose first attempt was at 15 years old, yes, the same age as Isehime, and someone who is still getting professional psychotherapy treatment and medication for her mental health (kinda in recovery, but almost lost it over this chapter lmao), I was beyond offended at this chapter. I was appalled, outraged, heartbroken, all kinds of negative emotions. 

What was probably supposed to be a happy moment in their ‘romance journey’ transformed into the most painful one for me. And I felt betrayed, like Kenshin was cheating on me for the American girl MC (I know, that’s kinda dumb, but that’s how I felt). Talk about PTSD. Felt like I got dumped when I was supposed to feel like I got together with him. I already wanted to quit the game because of the MC, but this was the breaking point.

And I know:

I’m probably not Cybird’s target audience. Way too old.

Not everyone has depression or knows someone with depression (though the chances are high, you do know someone). 

Even fewer females out there have a similar experience to mine, or Isehime’s. They probably never expected anyone to actually have that kind of backstory (shit, I didn’t expect myself to have that kind of backstory either 🙄, hahahaha, I never asked for it)

But, I do know that there are many girls and women out there who suffer from mental health issues, and depression is a major one. I know that I’m not alone in this kind of struggle - that there may be even one person out there who reads this and says “Thanks, I felt that too as someone with depression.” So this post is for even that one person. 

You are loved, just the way you are. 

You are beautiful, even with your scars. Even the invisible ones. 

You still have worth and goodness, even if people say otherwise. 

If you feel like you can’t think of 10 reasons to stay alive, just 1 will do for now. One day at a time. One hour at a time. One minute at a time. 30 seconds.

It might be hard to believe, but there are people out there who won’t judge your pain or where you come from. There are people who exist in this world who want to help you, who are trained to listen to you, and trained to provide a safe space for you. There are people who will sit with you in your silence; even if you can’t find the words to say. There are people who won’t give up on you, even when you give up on yourself. 

I know, because I’ve met them. And I work for some of them today. Finally, here’s what I would’ve liked the English MC to say, after hearing about Isehime’s story (you’re welcome to write your own take on it) :

“I’m sorry. Even though I might not fully understand Isehime’s pain at that time, I can understand why she felt that way. I can understand why she did what she did. And, even though I don’t know her, and sadly will never get to, I believe she was a wonderful and precious person. If she felt strongly enough to do what she did, I believe she truly loved you more than anyone. 

I wish I could’ve been there for her. I wish I could’ve told her ‘it’s okay to be not okay,’ especially in that situation. I would’ve found a way to help her escape. 

If you want to cry, or want to take things slow because you want to respect her memory, I understand. I’ll cry with you, or just sit with you too. She is an important part of your life. The people who are important to you, are important to me also. 

We should acknowledge her, not erase her. 

Please tell me how I can support and comfort you. I’ll be here, by your side, for as long as you need. And I don’t think it was your fault; so you shouldn’t blame yourself. I think it was your clan’s fault. Let’s work together to find a way to change your clan, so that something like that doesn’t happen again. And I repeat. I will still be here, by your side. I’m not leaving you.”

Also, some potentially helpful resources:

NAMI helpline

Trevor Project

TherapyDen

Joon Care resources

Read Part 4 for my recent thoughts on quitting the game.

Chapter list of Probably quit Ikemen Sengoku because I hate the English MC/Uesugi Kenshin’s route series:

Part 1: Why I chose Uesugi Kenshin’s route

Part 2: Why I hate the English MC/Uesugi Kenshin’s route 

Part 3: Depression, Trauma, History, and encouragement for other fans who might feel the same way  (we here now)

Part 4: Probably Quitting Ikemen Sengoku / Should I finish it?

Disclaimer: I’m still not used to using Tumblr, so please forgive me if I’m not using this platform, or its features, the way everyone else does. I’m just hoping to express my often locked-away thoughts and feelings with like-minded people, and had the courage to do so, after seeing validating posts from a few precious people. If you don’t like what you see, please exit. Thank you.

To start: I hate Ikemen Sengoku’s main character (MC).

If you “adore” her the way many Reddit fans do, please stop reading and go away. 走开 。你说什么东西，我都不会听。

I do not know if she is equally unpleasant in other routes (since she was already unpleasant enough in Hideyoshi’s), so I’ll be basing my words off Uesugi Kenshin’s route. I was hesitant to share my honest description of her, which is: She is too American to be likeable for my taste.

But then I realized there is some validity in the American tag. Let me break down some reasons why I hate her:

She is rude.

She is obnoxious.

She uses a lot of American English slang that I’m not sure American players are even aware are region-specific to the U.S. e.g. “big ole guy” “because reasons” Who says these things in real life? Do you hear other English speakers using such terms? Huge other rant I am not talking about today, but related: Anime translators and subbers who use too many American English or Americanized words, piss me off. Newsflash: English is not only spoken in the U.S., it is widely spoken and taught across the world. Just because someone selects ‘English’ as a language, does not automatically mean they are culturally American, or that they even speak American English. British English came first. There are so many people who are billingual, trillingual, and more (e.g. Germany, Belgium, Italy, South Korea etc.), choosing to converse in ‘English’ has many reasons that may not always be tied to someone’s identity or even citizenship. This is probably a fault of Cybird’s team, but how they even thought this was okay, acceptable, is beyond me. It proves to me just how small-minded, presumptuous, and maybe even racis-... they are.

She has a bad attitude. Oh, I could wax lyrical about this. Despite the player’s obvious choice in Kenshin, her attitude towards him remains cynical, cold, mistrusting, and frankly, nonsensical. It makes their romance feel unnatural, and jarrs the reader from fully immersing themselves in the game world. The player’s in-game word choices are bad (imo), but the follow up lines in the route are often straight up confusing, as if the translators only rewrote the MC’s lines, and altered Kenshin’s answers to fit her dissociative identity disorder tendencies (read: split-personality disorder)

It got to the point (Chapter 5) that I was starting to look for a way to switch the language to Chinese, or Japanese, within the game settings, and didn’t find any. Anything but to read one more word of her prejudiced and judgemental drivel. I had a feeling that the English version was terribly bastardized, and salvation and sanity returned when I found this affirmative post.

Even though this American girl MC was someone (I felt) was the opposite of me. And it’s hard for me to consume media with an unlikeable/unrelatable protagonist. I struggled through. I tolerated her, even though this was supposed to be a game about me x Uesugi Kenshin, because I fell in love with him. And made this blog.

And overnight (or rather, over Chapter 8), my heart shattered into a million pieces. Because, here’s the last, but possibly most important point:

She discriminates against people with depression. I would share the screenshot, but I was so heartbroken that I didn’t take one of that scene. Where she not only expresses 0 compassion for Isehime’s depression and suicide... but goes on to say something like ‘I will never be like Isehime. I will always fight to live, and I will behave differently; I’m nothing like her.’ 

Let’s unpack everything that’s wrong with that in the next post.

Chapter list of Probably quit Ikemen Sengoku because I hate the English MC/Uesugi Kenshin’s route series:

Part 1: Why I chose Uesugi Kenshin’s route

Part 2: Why I hate the English MC/Uesugi Kenshin’s route  (we here now)

Part 3: Depression, Trauma, History, and encouragement for other fans who might feel the same way

Part 4: Probably Quitting Ikemen Sengoku / Should I finish it?

Disclaimer: I’m still not used to using Tumblr, so please forgive me if I’m not using this platform, or its features, the way everyone else does. I’m just hoping to express my often locked-away thoughts and feelings with like-minded people, and had the courage to do so, after seeing validating posts from a few precious people. If you don’t like what you see, please exit. Thank you.

I’ve played a few otome games before, and previously tried Ikemen Sengoku in 2016? It’s been so long, I can’t remember. I only got to Chapter 2 of Hideyoshi’s route before I dropped the game because:

I didn’t like the main character (MC)

The romance felt quite forced and unrealistic

I recently picked it up again, after watching the ‘Kiss Him, Not Me ( Watashi ga Motete Dōsunda) ’ 私がモテてどうすんだ anime. 

Because my mood and preferences have changed a lot since then, I decided to switch routes. Lately, I’ve been really into Japanese seiyuu (voice actors), so Uesugi Kenshin’s was a huge turn on. He’s voiced by Miura Hiroaki, who I’m surprised isn’t more popular. His voice is unbelievably sexy. I don’t know how players swear by Nobunaga - Nobunaga’s voice sounds deep and uncouth, like he’s yelling at other men. Shingen definitely deserves a deeper voice to fit his broad, masculine physique. The rest have voices that are too high-pitched for me, even though I love their aesthetic visuals. 

In addition to Kenshin’s stunning character design, I also picked Kenshin, because his intro line “I was born to fight. I don’t have time for women,” really appealed to me. 

I have two jobs in real life, and three pets, so I don’t have a lot of free time, let alone time to date. Meeting an equally serious guy who’s passionate about what he does, and doesn’t play games (the way many modern men do) sounded perfect for me. Yes, I should be working on my second job right now, instead of writing. But I haven’t been able to sleep or eat because of this fictional 2D character, so I’m writing this post for my peace of mind - and then I will go back to the real world after.

Chapter list of Probably quit Ikemen Sengoku because I hate the English MC/Uesugi Kenshin’s route series:

Part 1: Why I chose Uesugi Kenshin’s route (we here now)

Part 2: Why I hate the English MC/Uesugi Kenshin’s route

Part 3: Depression, Trauma, History, and encouragement for other fans who might feel the same way

Part 4: Probably Quitting Ikemen Sengoku / Should I finish it?

I found this picture of Daisuke and Suzue kissing, somewhere on Tumblr (couldn’t find artist attribution. If it’s yours, feel free to message me for credit). But I really didn’t like the crying, sweat drop, or the nasty yellow on Suzue’s face. Like, why was he even crying?! Why is there such poor resolution on her beautiful face? So I fixed it, because I can’t help being a designer. 

Also changed Suzue’s make up look to one that matched the anime more - while I’m thankful for the kissing edit, I felt the artist took too many liberties and gave her American-style make up. Hopefully this one looks much more natural. Enjoy.