completely un-guilty obsessions

Masterpost

We've now reached the point in the timeline when the DS version of the game, along with Rise From the Ashes, was released. This article therefore feels more like product placement than anything else.

NOTE: Putting this first today. Part of this article is basically impossible to localise because there's a section where they discuss English language conversation. In other places I've just switched this with German, but this time it's a pretty substantial part of the article (and I do not, alas, actually speak German). I've decided that the fandom will, in this case, just need to cope * with the implication of the story being fully set in Japan here (though I do refer to currency as $).

I THINK that they're also supposed to be mispronouncing the English here. I have therefore decided to write this out pretty close to just the actual romaji. Because of this, they call Phoenix (wrongly pronounced) 'Naruhodou'. These romaji sections are indicated with bolded text.

*sarcasm marker, just in case. I know some people get real pearl clutchy about the setting.

Congratulations: Release of Rise from the Ashes

Phoenix and the others have immediately gotten their hands on the new DS release of Ace Attorney! Since the game can also be played in English, maybe we can all test our language skills…?! 

Maya: Go’mounin, Misuta Naahodou! Haw do ya do?! 

Phoenix: W-what are you doing, Maya? 

Maya: What’s up? It’s “Haw do ya do". And the reply is “I’mu fine zen kyuu. An' jyou?” - that’s how it goes, right?

Phoenix: You know, I’ve never actually seen foreigners use greetings like that. 

Maya: Huh?! But. I learnt it in school! 

Phoenix: Maya… You actually went to school?

Maya: How rude! I memorised my entire English textbook! Isn’t that right, Pearly?!

Pearl: It is. I’ve been learning English conversation from Mystic Maya. 

Phoenix: That’s impressive. Can you actually say anything?

Pearl: Of course I can! Uhm. Misuta Naahodou. Aryu a boy oar a gaaru? 

Phoenix: Woah, that’s great… even if the question itself didn’t make sense.

Pearl: ……………*sniff* 

Maya: Hey! Answer her properly! 

Phoenix: Woah, okay, I got it. Uh, I’mu a boy. 

Maya: Okay! Right on cue, Pearly. 

Pearl: Uhm. Oh! Yuah notto a boy enimor. 

Phoenix: …..Huh? What does that mean? 

Maya: What are you talking about? You’re not at the “boy” age anymore, right?” 

Phoenix: What on earth are you teaching her?! 

Pearl: A-uhm. That’s exactly as it’s written in the text book… 

Phoenix: Right… This is a terrible textbook. Why are you speaking in English anyway?

Maya: That’s because today is the day of the “Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney” DS release! 

Phoenix: That’s right, so it is. 

Maya: And, get this, “Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney” also comes with an English translation! 

Phoenix: Ah. So that’s what this was about…? 

Pearl: I’m really looking forward to seeing how “ladders and stepladders” was translated. 

Phoenix: …That’s probably the perspective of deep level stans. 

Maya: Look, look. I went and bought it! The package shape is different from usual somehow. 

Phoenix: Oh. So you had enough money for that. Even though you’re always begging me for funds. 

Maya: Pearly lent me $30! 

Pearl: Anyway, it really feels like the whole town is into this “turnabout” now! 

Phoenix: Huh. Really? 

Maya: I mean. Whenever we walk down the street, everyone turns to look at us. 

Phoenix: Maybe the problem is your outfits? 

Maya: Well, anyway. Let’s give it a try right away, Pearly! 

Pearl: Yeah! …Ah.

Maya: What’s wrong?

Pearl: Somehow, this cartridge is smaller than usual. 

Maya: Well, science is amazing. It can make anything smaller. 

Pearl: M-mystic Maya! I-I can’t put it in this game console! 

Maya: Huh?! Seriously?  Yeah, there’s no way you can fit this in. Shit… to think they’d sell a defective copy to the heroine herself…

Phoenix: No, no, hold it! Isn’t that the Game Boy Advance?! 

Maya: That’s right. 

Phoenix: Ah. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a Nintendo DS game. 

Maya: Whaaaat?! I don’t have it! 

Pearl: Does that mean we can’t play it? I was really looking forward to it…

Maya: That’s like… the kind of TV promo that’s like “Phoenix Wright got murdered! What truth will the beautiful young Detective Maya uncover?! Ace Attorney: airing at 8pm tomorrow on satellite TV!” ….Except we can’t even get satellite TV at our house! 

Phoenix: I guess that’s about it… Well, excuse me. I’m going to go play it myself.

Maya: Huh, what’s what?! That cool, big black box. It’s different to mine! 

Phoenix: Ah, mine’s the “ limited edition”. 

Pearl: Is such a tiny cartridge really inside such a huge box? 

Phoenix: Don’t say things like that, if anyone from CAPCOM hears they’ll get mad… It comes with all kinds of extras like a manga and CD.

Maya: Woah. I want that too! I’m going to go get mine swapped! 

Phoenix: Ah. They’re already sold out. They flew off the shelves. 

Maya: Huh?! What’s that supposed to mean?! If this was a TV promo, it would say something like “a dark shadow looms over the beautiful Maya. Who’s the villain after her $5 million inheritance?! Ace Attorney: Last night at 8pm!” ….And it’s already over! 

Phoenix: What’s with you and this series of cheesy promos lately? 

Pearl: Anyway, Mystic Maya. Let’s go buy this Nintendo DS thing! 

Maya: Let’s do it! How much do you have, Pearly?

Pearl: $6!  

Maya: I have 50 cents. Then, how much was this “Dee ess?” 

Phoenix: …Fine. Take my wallet. 

Pearl: Okay, I’m off! 

Maya: And that’s that. In the end, let’s have fun playing Ace Attorney together! 

Masterpost

This one was the final boss of localisation for me. Prepare for MANY notes. Some lore about Phoenix's blood pressure?

Typhoon

A typhoon is coming! - So, Maya and Pearl are preparing for every worst case scenario. Meanwhile, Phoenix seems worn out from being so busy?!

Phoenix: Ugh… It’s already morning? I’m so hungry…

Maya: Quick, Pearly! Let’s board up this window too! 

Pearl: Yes! Mystic Maya, here’s a hammer and nails! 

Maya: Alright! Let’s get this done! 

Phoenix: W-what are you doing? It’s first thing in the morning…

Maya: It’s an emergency! Phra Phirun is nearly here already! 

Phoenix: P-phra Phirun ? What’s that, some kind of monster? 

Pearl: “Phra Phirun” is the name of Typhoon 13 - which is approaching! 

Phoenix: Typhoon…

Maya: According to the news, every typhoon has its own official name. 

Pearl: The people on the Typhoon Committee put their hearts into choosing these names. 

Phoenix: I’ve never heard about that. So, this Typhoon 13 is “Phra Phirun”? 

Maya: It’s cute, isn’t it? It sounds like polypropylene. (1)

Pearl: By the way, in Thailand, “Phra Phirun” means “Goddess of Rain”. 

Maya: Whaaaat, Thailand?! So I guess that’s what it meant…

Phoenix: W-what’s with the shocked look? 

Maya: I’ve always wondered if that’s why it was called “typhoon”. A “Thai boon”...(2)

Phoenix: ..Just so we’re clear, that’s absolutely not right.

Maya: Anyway, we need to do the reinforcements! Move out of the way of the window! 

Phoenix: S-stop it! This building is made out of reinforced concrete. (3)

Maya: But I heard Phra Phirun is meant to be really serious! 

Phoenix: Typhoon 13 is fine. We don’t need that plywood. 

Maya: …Hey, Nick. You should have more fun. In life, I mean. 

Phoenix: W-what do you mean? 

Maya: You just seem a little underwhelmed. Typhoons make you think of festivals, right? (4)

Phoenix: I can’t help it. I haven’t slept properly in the last three days. 

Maya: Right. You’ve been totally holed up in that room.

Phoenix: I wish you’d stop saying “holed up”. It’s work. 

Pearl: Is today’s trial really that difficult? 

Phoenix: Yeah. Somehow this room is starting to look like a jail cell. 

Pearl: Ah! So that makes you a prisoner, Mr Nick? 

Phoenix: I’m definitely starting to feel that way, with the windows boarded up. 

Maya: Come to think of it, don’t they say “we’re all prisoners locked up in the cage called life”? 

Phoenix: Huh? Who are you quoting? 

Maya: I don’t know. But it sounds like something someone would say, right? You know, like the kind of phrase that sounds deep at first, but then you think about it and it’s like “so what!”? 

Phoenix: …..Don’t just make things up. Anyway, is breakfast ready yet?

Pearl: Oh, it should be ready any minute now. I’ll go check on it! 

Maya: Nick, you’re really not a morning person, huh? 

Phoenix: Guess not. Maybe I have low blood pressure. 

Maya: Around 975 hectopascals? 

Phoenix: Isn’t that atmospheric pressure? 

Maya: If you think about it, you’re kind of like a typhoon, Nick. 

Phoenix: What do you mean? 

Maya: I mean, come on. You’re always causing major disasters wherever you go.

Phoenix: Disasters…?

Maya: Kurain Village, Lordly Tailor Department Store, the Hero of Heroes ceremony, also Hazakura Temple? 

Phoenix: Oh…Oh right. You mean my cases?

Maya: It’s like you cause typhoon level trouble everywhere you go, isn’t it?

Phoenix: You’re blaming me?! 

Maya: It’s like how they say the eye of the storm is silent, right? I don’t think the person in question is aware of it themselves. 

Phoenix: B-but! Weren’t you there for all of those cases too, Maya? Right by my side! 

Maya: Well, I guess you could say I was like a “weather girl”, reporting right from the scene while getting blown about by the wind? 

Phoenix: ….I feel like, if we’re talking about roles, I’m the one who fits that description better. 

Maya: Alright. In honour of Typhoon 13, I’ll call you “Phra Phirun” for a while!

Phoenix: Cut it out. That’s the “goddess”, right? Phra Phirun. 

Maya: Would you prefer Polypropylene?

Phoenix: Enough already.

Maya: You’re such a buzz kill… Well, I’ll simply call you “Number 13”, shall I?(5)

Phoenix: What’s that supposed to mean? 

Pearl: Here’s breakfast! I made this for good luck, since you have a trial today.

Phoenix: Ah, thank you.

Pearl: There you are. Help yourself. 

Maya: Hey, Number 13. It’s Lucky Charms.(6)

Phoenix: …That comment just then made me feel even more like a prisoner. (7)

Maya: Come to think of it, don’t they say “Lucky charms are equally charming whether you’re eating them in a solitary cell or the cafeteria”? (8)

Phoenix: This is why you shouldn’t just make things up! 

Note

(1) I promise the words sound closer in a Japanese accent.

(2) [Country]+風(fuu) basically means ‘in the style of [country]. 風 is the kanji for wind, and also used in ‘typhoon’ (台風 (taifuu) - this is itself a loanword from Chinese). タイ(tai) is also Japanese for Thailand. So タイ風 (taifuu), meaning ‘Thai style’, is pronounced the same as typhoon. There's probably a slight tonal shift when spoken but I'll admit tones have always been a weak spot for me. ‘Thai boon’ was the closest thing I could come up with that plausibly maintained the effect of the pun - though the meaning ends up slightly distorted. 

(3) More for interest - Phoenix speaks using imperative form here. This is a very harsh sounding command - and pretty uncharacteristic for the way Phoenix typically speaks. You could translate this as “fucking stop!” for example.

(4) Festival season and typhoon season in Japan pretty much directly coincide. Some festivals are specifically about calming the weather. For example.

(5) Basically, this a pun. The way she says “number 13” sounds a lot like "重合" - which is polymerisation. So it relates to her calling him polypropylene - which in itself is meant to be a pun on the typhoon’s name. There was zero way to maintain this effect in English - believe me I did try to scour lists of chemistry related terms that even remotely sounded like numbers. There's several layers of puns at play.

(6) Obviously this isn't Lucky Charms in the original. Pearl actually gives him katsudon (pork cutlet bowl). This is basically a pun about good luck, because “katsu” is also the word for victory in Japanese.

(7) In Japan, prisoners are referred to simply by their inmate number. 

Masterpost

In this one... I'm honestly not sure if the end is intended to feel like such a dirty joke. It's interesting.... to say the least... Also contains some specks of character lore.

Swimming in the ocean

Summer is finally in full swing! Phoenix has also finally gone outside (or was he dragged by Maya?), and he’s heading to the beach with the usual crew! What’s going to happen?! 

Pearl: Ah! I can see the ocean! 

Maya: Hey, Gumshoe! How long till we get there? 

Gumshoe: About 15 minutes, if we run a few red lights and floor it. 

Phoenix: Uhm. Please drive safely, Detective Gumshoe. 

Maya: Is that the beach house where Larry’s been working? It’s called Paradise, right? 

Edgeworth: Hm. I heard Larry was cooking yakisoba there. Even in this heat. 

Phoenix: ….Ugh. Anyway, I’m beat.

Maya: What are you talking about, Nick?! We’re not even there yet! 

Phoenix: I still haven’t really recovered from Golden Week.

Pearl: Huh? But, wasn’t that two months ago already? 

Phoenix: Whaaaaat?! Has it seriously been that long? Already? You’re kidding? 

Maya: You’re really shocked…

Phoenix: I’ve been crazy busy lately. Time is flying way too fast.

Maya: Don’t worry about it. If you end up dying from overworking, we can just summon you back. 

Phoenix: …Anyway, looks like I’ll have to go in the sea today no matter what.

Gumshoe: It’s been ages since I last went to the sea! My heart’s already pounding! 

Maya: Me too. I even bought new swimwear specially for today! 

Phoenix: Huh? 

Maya: It’s a bikini, you know? 

Phoenix: Oh. I see. 

Maya: It’s a small, cute one from Shopping King. 

Gumshoe: Shopping King… You mean the teleshopping channel?

Phoenix: More like “shocking pink”... 

Maya: I think it’ll look good, though. Right, Pearly? 

Pearl: Yeah! I can’t wait to see it! 

Maya: I’ll show you later. Look forward to it, huh, Nick.

Phoenix: Huh? …Uh, sure. 

Gumshoe: Anyway, you guys brought a bunch of stuff, huh? 

Maya: You bet! We bought all kinds of things specially for today.

Pearl: A jumbo beach ball, a jumbo rubber boat, jumbo beach mats, jumbo rubber rings…

Phoenix: I thought I was gonna die yesterday, being dragged on that shopping trip. 

Edgeworth: …I suppose you’re the Shopping King? 

Gumshoe: Bigger isn’t always better, you know?

Maya: But, see. The air is always free! 

Edgeworth: But, what are you going to do? I didn’t see a pump anywhere. 

Maya: It’s fine. We have Gumshoe here. 

Gumshoe: Huh? 

Maya: What is it you usually say? “My chest is bursting with gas”? 

Phoenix: Please use some of that mysterious gas to inflate them. Until they’re about to burst. 

Gumshoe: Do I look like some kind of human gas cylinder to you, pal? 

Phoenix:  ….Ah, by the way. I used to really like this song back in the day. 

Gumshoe: Of course, this Japanifornian folksy ‘New Music’ is perfect for the beach! (1)

Edgeworth: New music… hm? Now that I think about it, this sound brings me back 

Maya: How should I put it, “nostalgic”, right? 

Phoenix: …That’s not quite right. 

Pearl: Uhm…But, how can it be “new” music if it’s something old?

Maya: Yeah, Pearly. The world is full of oxymorons like that.

Pearl: R-really?

Maya: The worst one is probably “old newspaper”, right?

Pearl: Old newspaper…?

Maya: Is it meant to be “old” or “new”...? Seriously, it’s confusing! 

Phoenix: …You’re getting way off track here.

Gumshoe: Ah, we’re here, the Paradise beachhouse! 

Pearl: Woah! It’s so nice! The ocean is the best! 

Maya: Ah. That’s definitely Franziska’s black Mercedes Benz over there. 

Pearl: Well, here you go. This is your swimsuit, Mr Nick! 

Phoenix: Thanks… W-what the hell are these? 

Maya: I told you, I got new swimwear… Bikini bottoms from Shopping King. 

Pearl: So small and cute! 

Phoenix: Those are for me?! 

Edgeworth: Looks like you’re the King of the Beach today. 

Notes

So, this sent me down a rabbithole, but 'new music' is a specific genre in Japan from, like, the 70s. I'm sure you'll appreciate that this is kind of.... impossible to google. It has a kind of folksy sound to it... According to the Japanese language Wikipedia article, this was a pretty big hit, as an example (it's a bop honestly).

As for Phoenix's cute bikini bottoms: let's enhance the image, shall we?

Yeah he is literally wearing them.

Masterpost

Some lore about Phoenix's hobbies and Kurain this time.

Seasonal Wardrobe Change

The season has changed, and now it’s finally early summar. People think that Phoenix and the others always dress the same, but they must change their clothes occasionally… right?! 

Phoenix: Good grief… I’m back. 

Pearl: Welcome back! Have some cool barley tea. 

Phoenix: Thanks, that’ll perk me up. 

Maya: So? So? How did it go? Did you get the case?

Phoenix: No, well… They turned me down, in the end. 

Maya: Huh?! How come? 

Phoenix: That’s anyone’s guess. I even went all the way to the Detention Centre to interview them this morning. Turned out to be a waste of time. 

Maya: That was the suspect accused of murder, right? And they were the one who called you in the first place. 

Phoenix: It sucks. This month has been a total bust. 

Maya: Totally. What do you think, Pearly?

Pearl: Uhm… Maybe it’s because you look a little tired?

Maya: Nick. Did you have too much fun during Golden Week?

Phoenix: …And whose fault is that exactly? 

Maya: But hey, me too. I’ve been on a bad luck streak recently. 

Pearl: What about you, Mr Nick?

Phoenix: Hm, let me think. I guess the only thing that happened recently is I won a T-shirt at a raffle.

Maya: Oh, really? What was that for? 

Phoenix: I bought a CD. It was a bonus prize. 

Pearl: Mr Nick, what kind of music do you listen to?

Phoenix: Some punk rock lately. Galaxy Demon Killer Panthers. 

Maya: That’s a pretty low brow kind of name.

Phoenix: That’s the kind of music it was. The T Shirt design was also pretty low effort.

Pearl: But, that’s great, isn’t it? You’re on a roll, Mr Nick! 

Maya: It’s the demons. 

Phoenix: Come to think of  it, it’s already June. I guess it’s the time of year for 'sky’s out thighs out'. (1) 

Pearl: Uhm. What exactly do you mean by “sky’s out thighs out”? 

Phoenix: ….It’s not really a big deal worth explaining. 

Maya: Well. If you think about it from a shrimp’s perspective, I guess it’s kind of like switching from panko breadcrumbs to tempura batter. 

Pearl: …Ah! So that’s what you mean! 

Phoenix: That’s a pretty terrible metaphor though.

Maya: Alright, Pearly. Let’s break out our summer wardrobe today! 

Pearl: Yes, Mystic Maya! 

Phoenix: Summer wardrobe… But, don’t you always just wear that? 

Maya: Heh heh heh… You’re so clueless, Nick. 

Pearl: We actually have special summer outfits too. 

Phoenix: Hm… What’s the difference?

Pearl: I think it’s the material! I’m not fully sure, but it’s cool to the touch...

Maya: Exactly! 

Phoenix: What kind of “material” is it, Maya? 

Maya: Huh?! Well… It’s that, uh… polypropylene? 

Phoenix: What’s that supposed to mean?

Maya: It kind of looks cool, doesn’t it? Polypropylene? It’s cute too.  

Phoenix: Let me guess, you just want to say polypropylene, don’t you?

Maya: Hm… Yeah, sometimes I just have an urge to say polypropylene out loud. 

Phoenix: Anyway, polypropylene is a synthetic fibre. 

Maya: But you’re hardly one to talk, Nick. 

Phoenix: Huh? How come?

Maya: You never wear anything except that blue suit and pink tie, right?

Phoenix: I change my undershirt every day. 

Pearl: Of course you do.

Phoenix: Well, I should probably start changing to summer clothes too. 

Maya: Polypropylene?

Phoenix: It was super hot in the detention centre today too. I ended up taking my jacket off. 

Maya: It’s pretty hot in the office too. Why don’t you take it off now?

Phoenix: Ah, god. Glad to finally have that off. 

Pearl: Ah! Mr Nick…

Phoenix: Hm? What is it, Pearls? 

Pearl: You can see the writing in your T-shirt through your white shirt! 

Phoenix: Ah, damnit! I ran out of time this morning, so I just threw my shirt on over the T-shirt.

Maya: Nick,  could it be… You went to the detention centre after that?

Phoenix: That’s right… what does it say? 。

Maya: “KILL YOU!!!”...In huge letters, clear as day.

Phoenix: Huh?

Pearl: Uhm. Did you go to the visiting room and meet a client like that?

Maya: Makes sense why they’d turn you down as an attorney. 

Phoenix: Ah! This is the Galaxy Demon Killer Panthers T-shirt! 

Pearl: …I knew it, Mr Nick. You really had some luck! 

Maya: It’s the demons.

Note:

Obviously, the original doesn't say "sky's out thighs out". What Phoenix actually says is just a phrase for 'changing seasonal clothes'. However this was an issue since Pearl didn't understand the meaning of the phrase. But, any normal way of translating it would not plausibly be misunderstood by a kid of Pearls' age here. Thankfully I managed to think of one expression that still conveyed the right idea. I thought it was also a funny nod given this is the illustration where Phoenix's thighs are indeed out.

Masterpost

This time, the squad make plans for Golden Week. Look at the end notes if you'd like to read a rant about Shu Takumi's niche references driving me insane (they only get worse)

Initial note: Golden Week is basically a week of consecutive public holidays, which is very rare in Japan. Since most people have time off, it's the busiest time for travel and going on daily outings.

Golden Week

With the long holiday weekend just around the corner, Maya and Pearl are busy making plans. What kind of Golden Week do Wright & Co Law Offices have in store?! 

Maya: Uhm, well we definitely can’t skip the zoo and theme park. 

Pearl: Oh, and the circus is coming to town for a regional tour! 

Maya: We can’t forget that! We also have hikes and picnics. 

Pearl: I’d love to cook some curry rice over the campfire! 

Maya: Oh, that sounds great! Then, we’ll have a barbeque after that. 

Pearl: Would it be okay if we go cherry and strawberry picking the next day? 

Maya: To our heart’s content! …Oh, there’s an event at the children’s ninja museum! (1)

Pearl: I heard a mermaid is coming to the aquarium! (2)

Maya: Come to think of it, we should also do some shopping at the department store. 

Pearl: It looks like they’re putting on a Steel Samurai show on the roof of this supermarket..

Maya: You should have said sooner, Pearly! 

Pearl: But when would be fit in the Ultra Course at Hazakura Temple?

Maya: Hm… Maybe after we visit the graves in Kurain village? 

Phoenix: …Hey. What are you two all excited about? 

Maya: We’re deciding on our plans for Golden Week. 

Phoenix: How many weeks do you think it lasts? There’s no way you can fit all of that in! 

Maya: But Nick! You’re always so busy, you never take me anywhere! 

Phoenix: Ugh… W-well first of all, don’t you have a bit of overlap with these plans?

Maya: What do you mean by that?! 

Phoenix: You know I’ve always thought it was kind of weird, what’s the difference between a hike and a picnic anyway?

Maya: Well, that depends on how you look at the “lunch box”, doesn’t it?

Phoenix: How I look at it…?

Maya: A picnic is where the lunch box takes centre stage. During a hike, it’s just a stop along the way. 

Pearl: That’s so wise of you! 

Phoenix: A-anyway. You were talking about shopping at the department store? Just get it done while you’re at the supermarket. 

Maya: What are you on about?! You have to go to the department store if you want stylish clothes for summer! 

Phoenix: You say stylish, but… Don’t you always dress like that?

Maya: …Huh. Now you mention it, I guess you’re right. 

Phoenix: (She admitted it) 

Maya: Anyway, Pearly! When does Golden Week start this year?

Pearl: Uhm… From May third to ninth, I think, roughly. 

Maya: Well, then let’s remember it as “the week that was free for five to get sick, ‘cos seven ate nine”! (3)

Phoenix: That’s a totally unnecessary mnemonic.. And ridiculous. 

Franziska: Golden Week…? We don’t have that in Germany.

Edgeworth: That said, Japanifornia doesn't have much in the way of public holidays. 

Phoenix: What are you two here for?

Edgeworth: …I’m just tagging along with Franziska. 

Franziska: I had a strange hunch. It told me I should come here today. 

Maya: Alright, with this minute by minute schedule, we’ll definitely pull all of this off! 

Pearl: I also heard that the whiskery detective and Larry are also joining us. 

Maya: Make sure you keep a copy. I’ll send it to you later. 

Pearl: Got it. These are for Mr Prosecutor Edgeworth and Miss Franziska. 

Edgeworth: Hm….

Maya: Well then, you can count on me!

Phoenix: This year, I was actually thinking of challenging myself to see how many hours I could sleep straight. 

Edgeworth: That might be a bit much even for you, Wright.

Phoenix: Just imagining being out in the middle of all those crowds is giving me a migraine. 

Franziska: Such frailty… You truly live up to the “Golden” name, Phoenix Wright! 

Phoenix: What’s that supposed to mean?

Franziska: … “Golden Weak” 

Phoenix: …….

Maya: Could it be, did you come all the way from Germany just to say that? 

Franziska: Yes, I suppose… Somehow, I feel refreshed. 

Maya: Ah, by the way, Shu Takumi said he’s super busy right now, so he can’t make it.

Pearl: Making video games sounds really tough.

Maya: With that in mind, please cut us some slack this month!

Pearl: Well, have a great Golden Week! 

Note:

(1) I need to spell out the anguish Shu Takumi caused me with this reference. So the original sentence here is 忍者の里にナンジャ - or somrthing like 'Nanja in the ninja village'. It took me. So long. To figure out what the hell this was in reference to. It turns out to be this one specific ninja experience for kids place (link here). At least, I believe this to be the case with other context. I even had to check its page on Japanese wikipedia to make sure it existed at the time Shu Takumi wrote this. I ended up translating it as 'ninja museum' or whatever because honestly, this is such a niche thing it felt like the best I could do. I gather that this is also kind of famous for its food offerings.

(2) So, this ninja village is SPECIFICALLY located in a shopping centre called Sunshine City in the Ikebukuro ward of Tokyo. This formed part of the anguish. Anyway! Sunshine City also has a pretty famous aquarium in it - which is probably while the topic drifts to that.

Fun fact: I once lived about 10 minutes away from Ikebukuro and know it pretty well. Ikebukuro is kind of like the yaoi capital of Japan. So, do what you want with the information that Phoenix and the entire gang seem to have spent at least a day there...

(3) I had to change the dates of Golden Week slightly to make this work. Basically, Maya is making a number pun based on the sentence “ヒトに刺しゴロな”1週間 which effectively means "a week for stabbing people". Each syllable sounds like the numbers 1-7. My attempts to localise it into English don't work as smoothly, but I tried to fit in some kind of pun that was suggestive of violence, at least.

Masterpost

Some Miles Edgeworth lore! We learn about his second trial! Also... Winston Payne lore?

Fledglings and Rookies

With spring here, many of you are probably starting a new chapter of your lives. Just then, while Phoenix and Maya were relaxing at the café, someone appeared before Prosecutor Edgeworth - and it was anyone but a rookie?! 

Edgeworth: ….This table appears to be free.

Maya: So this is the courthouse cafeteria? It’s the first time I've been here.  

Phoenix: I have some bad memories here. So I tend to avoid it. 

Maya: Do you ever have any good memories, Nick?

Phoenix: It’s April, huh…? Guess it’s that time of year where new recruits turn up in court. 

Maya: The courthouse really does get crowded around this time. 

Edgeworth: Certainly… It’s not uncommon for prosecutors to not even know each other’s names. 

Phoenix: Still. I don’t really want to think about my rookie days. 

Maya: Huh, how come? Not another one of your bad memories?

Phoenix: I had a pretty lousy debut after all. 

Edgeworth: Ah… Yes, your first client was Larry Butz. 

Phoenix: I actually read the casefile for your first trial too recently… That death row inmate.

Maya: Larry, and a death row inmate…

Edgeworth: Back then, I was only ever assigned bad cases. 

Maya: Woah… really? 

Edgeworth: Verily, the second case I was ever assigned was also somewhat terrible. 

Maya: So even a prosecutor like you gets cases where you struggle, huh?

Edgeworth: The case itself was simple. The culprit turned themself in. 

Maya: Huh?! Then, what was the matter? 

Edgeworth: It was a cold case. Fifteen years after the fact. 

Phoenix: F-fifteen years… That’s right up to the statute of limitations. 

Edgeworth: In any case, I had to endure reading over the old case file… it was near intolerable. 

Maya: Ah. 

Edgeworth: The investigation was all over the place, and the charges were based on a misunderstanding. Add to that evidentiary mix-ups and a completely off-base closing argument… And yet somehow, I ended up taking all the flack. 

Maya: Mixing up evidence is a pretty big no-go, right?

Payne: Well, such is life, Edgeworth. 

Edgeworth: …Oh, who's that? 

Payne: Rookies are bound to have some tough experiences… Can I sit here, Wright? 

Phoenix: Ah… T-take a seat. 

Payne: Well, no need to be so stiff, you two. Just relax. 

Phoenix: S-sure…

Payne: How many years have you been here now…? 

Phoenix: Three, for me. 

Edgeworth: …..six years. 

Payne: As for me… yes. This year will be my 20th time. 

Phoenix: 20th time… Do you have some kind of “milestone”?

Payne: Yes… For me, it is. Spring in particular is a season I’ll never forget. 

Maya: Somehow… I feel like you’re about to tell a story. 

Payne: It was April the year I turned 33. As a rookie, I ended up handling a murder case for my very first trial. 

Maya: Just like Nick did. 

Payne: I swore to the victim’s family, “I’ll definitely get the culprit convicted”. 

Maya: Woah, how cool! What then…? 

Payne: I was naive. I fought with all my might but… I lost, and it turned into a cold case. 

Maya: Oh, really? 

Payne: Well, as for me, after the trial I went to apologise to the victim’s family. 

Maya: Did they forgive you?

Payne: They poured a bucket of ice water over my head. 

Phoenix: The fact that it’s not just “water” is what really adds insult to injury, huh?

Payne: I went to visit that family the following April… and once again, they poured the ice water.

Maya: Y-you don’t mean to say… every year? 

Payne: Up until now, it’s been an annual tradition for that family. The sharp edge of that ice hit my forehead so hard I almost fainted once. 

Maya: If you did it in February, you’d only get some small blisters 

Payne: Even as a veteran, you must never forget your naivety… You’d do well to remember that. 

Maya: Yeah. That’s a nice saying. 

Phoenix: Everyone says that though. 

Payne: Well. It’s time for me to go again this year, to welcome my 20th “spring”. 

Maya: ….He’s gone. 

Phoenix: Anyway, Edgeworth. The thing we were talking about before. 

Edgeworth: What do you mean?

Phoenix: The name of the high prosecutor who made that blunder 15 years ago… What was it again?

Edgeworth: Verily… “Payne”, I believe.  I don’t know what he looks like, though. 

Phoenix: “Payne”... 

Maya: You know him?

Phoenix: Nah. Never heard of him. 

Edgeworth: Or perhaps it was “Mundayne”?

Maya: Could even be “Layme”, huh? 

Phoenix: Prosecutor Layme… I don’t know him. 

Edgeworth: Well, I don’t suspect that prosecutor will last long. I’ll probably never run into him again. 

Maya: This really is a dog eat dog world, huh? 

Notes:

As you may know, Payne is "Auchi" in Japanese. So the wrong names here were originally 'Kauchi' and 'Pauchi'. I didn't think the meaning was super important for the joke, so I had a bit of fun making them a little 'mean'

Masterpost

White Day

Following last month’s ‘Valentines Day’ feature, this month we’re talking about ‘White day’. What kind of childhood memories of White Day will Phoenix, Larry, and Miles have? And what shocking revelations will happen this time?! 

Maya: Hah… I’m stuffed! 

Larry: What did you think? About my miso ramen full course menu, I mean?

Maya: Yeah. It was delicious! 

Larry: Nice! You say something too, Edgey! 

Edgeworth: …..It could be described as something of a delicacy. 

Larry: First the miso ramen salad as a starter, followed by miso ramen tempura, and veal simmered in miso served with ramen.

Maya: And of course the main dish was miso ramen! 

Larry: Then finally dessert. Miso sorbet topped with ramen! 

Maya: Kyah!

Phoenix: …Hey. What are you doing, Larry? 

Larry:  Don’t be a dummy. You know what day it is today, don’t you?

Maya: Look. Prosecutor Edgeworth gave me something too! A marshmallow. 

Phoenix: Ah… Got it. White Day? 

Larry: What?! Are you making fun of my Ms White or something?! 

Phoenix: I-I don't think that person really exists. 

Maya:  It seems like you have some kind of bad memories, Nick? 

Phoenix: I don’t like it. ……Ever since the day I received chocolates from Edgeworth. 

Maya: Whaaaaaat?! N-n-nick and P-p-prosecutor Edgeworth?! 

Larry: Woaaaah! S-sorry, Nick! I didn’t realise things had turned out like that with you two! 

Edgeworth: P-please stop making such leading statements that invite further questions! 

Maya: Then, tell us the story again this month! 

Phoenix: ….When I was in elementary school, there was this girl I liked. Her name was Ruby.

Larry: Hey, Nick. You had a serious crush on this girl, huh?

Phoenix: …Weren’t you also surprised to hear that last month?

Maya: Well, well, it doesn’t matter. So? 

Phoenix: It was White Day morning. I’d left some candy on her desk. I even worked up the courage to leave her a note. 

Edgeworth: You… Gave it to Ruby?

Phoenix: After lunch that day… Edgeworth came over. He was holding that candy. 

Young Edgeworth: “This is from her…. She says she can’t accept it.” 

Maya: That’s pretty rough… I feel sorry for you. 

Phoenix: Well, I pretty much got shot down, point blank. 

Edgeworth: …..So that’s how it was…?

Maya: Is something wrong, Prosecutor Edgeworth? 

Edgeworth: The story just now… seems to have a contradiction. It’s a minor detail, though. 

Larry: Well, it’s fine, isn’t it? It was ages ago! 

Phoenix: No way! I’m curious, Edgeworth. Tell me! 

Edgeworth: It’s simple. The girl who gave me the candy… wasn’t “Ruby”. 

Phoenix: Huh?!

Maya: T-then… Who was it? 

Edgeworth: If I recall, her name was… “Rosey”, I think. (1)

Phoenix: R…Rosey? Why would that girl… 

Edgeworth: Think back to it carefully, Wright. What exactly did you do that morning?

Phoenix: That morning… I went into school early carrying the candy… Ah! I asked where Ruby’s desk was. 

Maya: Woah, Nick. You didn’t even know where the girl you had a crush on sat?

Phoenix: We had just switched seats… Larry. Weren’t you the one I asked?

Larry: Huh? Ah. I-I guess so! 

Edgeworth: Back then, Larry. You must have misheard and mixed up “Ruby” and “Rosey”. 

Phoenix: Ah… Ahhhhhh…. 

Edgeworth: That’s why you were so surprised. You were convinced that Wright had a crush on “Rosey”. 

Larry: …….oops. 。

Maya: Rosey… She could have just returned the chocolates to Nick herself. 

Edgeworth: I suppose I was the class representative. 

Phoenix: L…Larry! Y-y-youuu….

Larry: Nah. I liked Rosey better, you see. 

Phoenix: That’s not a valid reason! 

Maya: But. Life works out in mysterious ways, huh? 

Phoenix: W-what do you mean by that? 

Maya: To think that you once couldn’t even handle exchanging chocolates, and now you’re dealing with matters of life and death! 

Larry: Yeah. That’s right! 

Phoenix: …I don’t think that’s the right way to close this conversation, Maya.

Notes:

Masterpost

From here on out there are no Shu Takumi blog parts, and it's just the characters talking. I've decided to post the pages out of order so that the illustration shows up first - so that these posts are a little easier to tell apart.

NB: I believe there is already a translation of this page and the next one floating about somewhere. I've decided to include my own for consistency and completeness.

Valentines Day

Valentines Day - a day that makes men’s hearts everywhere race with anticipation. Larry, whose ulterior motives are painfully obvious, seems to have shown up at Wright & Co Law Offices, but Phoenix isn’t in the mood. Will the chocolate turn out to be sweet, or not so sweet, for Phoenix?

Larry: Maya! I’m finished cleaning the toilet! 

Maya: Really? Thank you, Larry! 

Larry: What’s next? I’m ready to go all out. For you Maya, I’ll do anything… Especially today.

Maya: Well then. Could you redecorate the room for me?

Larry: Huh?

Maya: Could you take all of the furniture and put it outside?

Larry: …You know, I actually like a woman who knows what she wants… 

Phoenix: Hey. What are you doing, Larry? Today of all days.

Larry: Don’t be a dummy, Nick. You know what day it is today, don’t you?

Phoenix: Oh… Right. Valentine’s day, huh?

Larry: What?! Are you making fun of my Ms Valentine or something?! 

Phoenix: I don’t even know who that is.

Maya: It seems like you have some kind of bad memories, Nick? 

Phoenix: I don’t like it. ……Ever since the day I received chocolates from Edgeworth. 

Maya: Whaaaaaat?! N-n-nick and P-p-prosecutor Edgeworth?! 

Larry: Woaaaah! S-sorry, Nick! I didn’t realise things had turned out like that with you two! 

Phoenix: N-no! No! I didn’t mean it like that! 

Maya: Well, then, tell us! 

Phoenix: ….When I was in elementary school, there was this girl I liked. Her name was Ruby.(1)

Larry: Huh?! You liked that girl?! 

Phoenix: It was Valentine’s Day morning. When I got to school, there were chocolates on my desk. From her. 

Maya: Woah! But isn’t that a good thing?! 

Phoenix: Oh, I was over the moon… But. 

Maya: …But?

Phoenix: When I looked closer, it said “to Miles”. Written on the pink wrapper. 

Maya: To Miles… so it was for him after all, huh? 

Phoenix: His desk was close to mine. Miles Edgeworth’s. 

Larry: Ah. Yeah, that girl was pretty scatter-brained. I actually knew her pretty well. 

Phoenix: Well, for me, “scatter-brained” isn’t enough to resolve this case. 

Maya: Ah… So what then?

Phoenix: I had no choice, so I went to return it to Edgeworth. 

Larry: Hey. You really worry too much about little things. If it had been me, I wouldn’t have cared at all. 

Phoenix: I don’t know what you mean by “wouldn’t have cared”. 

Maya: So? What happened with Prosecutor Edgeworth?

Phoenix: I gave him the chocolates. And he said something like, “I’m sure you have a crush on Ruby, don’t you?” 

Maya: Huh? That’s kinda mean, Mr Prosecutor. Treating a girl’s feelings like that… 

Phoenix: I guess he tried to pass it off like a 'platonic chocolates'. (2)

Maya: How did he know that?

Phoenix: That morning, when he came to school, there were chocolates with that same pink wrapper on two different desks.

Maya: …So Ruby gave the same chocolates to another boy?

Larry: Ah, by the way. That was my desk. 

Maya: Huh?!

Larry: When I got to school that morning, there was a pink box on my desk.

Phoenix: W-what?! Y-you got some? From her?! 

Larry: Like I said before, I don’t care about the little things. 

Maya: …What do you mean by that? 

Larry: When I looked closer, it said “to Phoenix”. Written on the pink wrapper. 

Phoenix: ………………..What?

Larry: But hey. I figured, what’s on my desk is mine to keep. 

Maya: U-uhm. But Larry, your name isn’t… 

Larry: It’s just Larry. Larry Butz. 

Maya: So these chocolates… They were really for Nick… 

Phoenix: Ruby… got the desks… mixed up…? Again?

Larry: Didn’t I just tell you? That girl was totally scatter-brained. 

Phoenix: For me, “scatter-brained” isn’t enough to resolve this case! 

Larry: N-no, hold on, Nick! Why are you looking at me like that?! 

Phoenix: Then, Ruby really had chocolate for me…

Larry: But that’s just what Edgey said, wasn’t it? They were 'platonic chocolates'. 

Phoenix: Right… 

Larry: And anyway, didn’t you eat them? The ones you got from Edgey. 

Phoenix: Well… yeah. 

Larry: Well, there you are. The punchline doesn’t change in the end. 

Phoenix: …I guess not…?

Maya: Yeah… I’m finding it hard to wrap my head around this story… 

Phoenix: That’s exactly why I hate Valentine's Day. 

Notes

(1) Her original name in the text is Rumi.

(2) I decided to localise "giri chocolates" to "platonic". The literal translation is 'obligation chocolates'. Though, the obligation part isn't such a direct meaning. It's more like, typical for girls and women to give chocolates to male friends and co-workers without it being a romantic gesture.

As another fun fact, the timeline of this is slightly messed up (possibly). The academic school year in Japan begins in April, and we know that the class trial took place in summer. Since DL-6 happens in December, Miles, Phoenix, and Larry shouldn't have been friends during Valentines. So either Shu Takumi messed that up, OR this explicitly takes place before the class trial (which is a possibility) - in which case the idea that Miles was aware of Phoenix's crushes is even funnier to me.

It has occurred to me that individually linking to each and every article in this is quickly going to be annoying as the number of them grow, so for easy navigation I've decided to just create a master post that I will continue to update. Links will be added when they're up!

Article 1 - Summer

Article 2 - Festivals

Article 3 - Autumn of…

Article 4 - Memories: 1

Article 5 - Memories: 2

Article 6 - Memories: 3

Article 7 - Valentines Day

Article 8 - White Day

Article 9 - Fledglings and Rookies

Article 10 - Golden Week

Article 11 - Seasonal wardrobe change

Article 12 - Swimming in the ocean

Article 13 - Typhoon

Article 14 - Congratulations: Release of Rise from the Ashes

Article 15 - Trip

Article 16 - Shiwasu (師走)

Article 17 - New Years

Article 18 - Memories: 4

Article 19 + 20 - Turnabout and Goodbye (1 and 2)

Article 21 - Final Farewell

Bonus Book

Ace Attorney 2 is released - feature 1

Ace Attorney 2 is released - feature 2

Ace Attorney 2 is released - feature 3

Nice to meet you

Circus

First Snow

New Year's Eve

This time we get some fun Phoenix lore (including his wild university days) plus some WILD detail about Shu Takumi's original plotline for AA3.

Masterpost

Text on image: Happy new year

Dialogue Page

On the theme of memories 3

Maybe because of the cold weather they’ve been having, Phoenix has caught a cold. And while thinking about his cold, he realises something…?! This time, the person only mentioned by name in episode three makes a comeback?! 

Phoenix: Ugh… I’m catching a chill. 

Pearl: Here. Have some hot chocolate. Drink it while it’s still warm.

Maya: I guess you really do have a cold, Nick. 

Phoenix: But that’s weird. Up until now, I’ve only ever had four colds in my life. 

Pearl: That’s amazing! You have a really good memory! 

Phoenix: …For some reason it always just sticks with me whenever I get a cold. 

Maya: Well then, when was the first time you caught a cold, Nick?

Phoenix: That was…. The summer of my fourth year of elementary school.

Maya: Summer? …That’s pretty unusual, huh. 

Phoenix: I caught it from Larry.

Maya: Ah, right, him. 

Phoenix: One morning, I suddenly started feeling sick at school… I just ended up skipping PE class. 

Maya: Hmmm… Huh. Wait. D-does that mean… 

Phoenix: That’s when it happened. Edgeworth’s lunch money got stolen. 

Maya: A-ah… and then what happened?

Phoenix: I stood as the defendant in the class trial. I’ll never forget that incident. 

Maya: So? What about the second time?

Phoenix: That was… The spring of my third year of university. During cherry blossom season. 

Pearl: Wow! I love cherry blossoms!

Phoenix: Larry had just got dumped, so he dragged me out until late at night while he drank away his sorrows.

Maya: Sounds like, how can I put it…? A pretty gloomy cherry blossom picnic, then. 

Phoenix: In the morning, I woke up alone, shirtless, underneath a cherry blossom tree. I can’t even describe that feeling of emptiness. 

Pearl: Huh…

Phoenix: Right after that, a fellow student got murdered. 

Maya: That’s some crazy timing. 

Phoenix: I stood as the defendant in the murder trial. I’ll never forget that incident.

Maya: Then… what was the third time?

Phoenix: You know that one. At Hazakura Temple.

Maya: Oh, right… That time you jumped into Eagle River in the dead of winter? 

Phoenix: If Larry had stopped me a little earlier, I wouldn’t have fallen in.

Pearl: …I’ll never forget that one either. 

Phoenix: I stood as the defense attorney while I recovered from my illness. I’ll never forget that incident……....

Pearl: W-what’s wrong? You went quiet all of a sudden. 。

Phoenix: I think I just figured something out. My colds all have “something” in common.

Maya: Your colds always trigger some sort of tragic incident?

Phoenix: And, on top of that… that guy is always there

???: Hey, Nick! Are you there? *cough* *cough*

Pearl: Ah. That voice…

Larry: Man, I caught a nasty cold from my girl Nuri Bilge. 

Phoenix: W-why are you here, Larry?

Larry: Apparently, there’s no medicine for it in this country. The only way to get rid of it is to pass it on to someone else.

Phoenix: Go home! 

TN: As with previous, I don't really know if Larry's girlfriend Nuri Bilge is meant to be a reference to anything.

Shu Takumi article

Ace Attorney 3

Hello! In the last two posts, we’ve been looking back on the trilogy, and this is the final instalment. 

AA3. Actually, by the time I finished AA2, I already had a vision in mind for the final part of Ace Attorney. It’s completely different from the finished version, but this time, I’d like to talk about that vision.

An assassination carried out by a professional hitman takes place in front of a luxury hotel. The hitman’s name is Shelly de Killer. However, it turns out he’s already been dead for 17 years. De KIller’s true identity, finally revealed is… none other than Misty Fey, who had been channelling his spirit for 17 years! Hm, that’s shocking… That’s true, you know, maybe I should have stopped there.

Those three years I spent developing the Ace Attorney series. It was definitely tough, but I never thought “I don’t want to do this”. I’m sure it’s because I experienced the joy of completing something with AA1. Completion can only be achieved through a collective…I learnt that lesson first hand during those years.

First, a word of thanks to Suekane, who drew the illustrations. Three years ago, she was the one who taught me how to bring characters to life. In short, without Suekane, that world would have never been born! Thank you so much!

And, to everyone who played the series. It’s because of your support that Ace Attorney has come this far. I’d like to take this opportunity to once again express my gratitude to everyone who’s familiar with Ace Attorney. Thank you so much! 

Maya box

Phoenix Wright VS Maya Fey. 

At its sixth entry, I’m running out of material for this column. This time, have some more casual banter between these two.

1-

Phoenix: (This situation is the worst… But no matter what, I’ll turn things around!)

Maya: That’s right! A turnabout from rock bottom always feels way better! 

Phoenix: …Though a turnabout from a minor pinch always feels way easier. 

2-

Phoenix:( A bad feeling… huh? But a hunch is just a hunch after all…)

Delivering some context behind this image! Small TW that a section at the end (the box with Larry on it) has a brief mention of domestic abuse (played for laughs).

Masterpost

Dialogue Page

[Mont Blanc for reference]

On the theme of "Memories 2"

At the Wright & Co Law Offices, Maya and Pearl - cousins - organised a Christmas party. But someone they haven’t seen in a long time crashed the party. And, will the famous scene from Ace Attorney 2 be resolved?! 

Phoenix: …Uhm, Maya… What the hell is this?

Maya: C’mon, Nick! It’s obviously ramen. 

Phoenix: No, not what I meant! Why is the ramen… on top of the cake? 

Maya: Woah, Nick. You’re as out of the loop as ever! Right, Pearly? 

Pearl: We’ve been doing some research especially for today. About cakes.

Maya: We’ve been round and round all kinds of bakeries! 

Phoenix: …So, what kind of cake is this, then? 

Maya: It’s called a “Mont Blanc”. It’s a cake with ramen and chestnuts. 

Pearl: Mystic Maya and I joined forces and worked really hard to make it! 

Maya: …But, to be honest. It’s a bit weird, isn’t it? Ramen and chestnuts and cream. 

Pearl: It’s like I thought, Mystic Maya. The top should be soba noodles…

Maya: You were right after all Pearly… By the way, is Santa coming soon?

Phoenix: Santa…? I guess Edgeworth is invited today? 

Maya: He’s totally like Santa. Prosecutor Edgeworth will be dressed in that kind of colour, won’t he? 

Phoenix: I-I guess? His clothes are a bit dark though… for Santa. 

Maya: Fine, fine. We can just say he’s a Santa worn out by city life. 

Phoenix: …It might not look like it, but he’s really been through a lot, that Santa. 

Maya: Hey, you know what? Santa comes in a sleigh pulled by reindeer! 

Pearl: Woah! I can’t wait to meet Mystic Santa! 

…Crack! Eek! Crack! Eek! 

Maya: Oh, looks like he’s here. I can hear the sound of the reindeer being whipped. 

Phoenix: …There’s something kind of bloodcurdling about the reindeer’s cry, though.

Gumshoe: You gotta help me, pal! …Eeek! 

Pearl: Ah. Detective Reindeer! 

Gumshoe: No! I’m Dete… Ah. Detective Jim…. No… Gum… Eeek! 

Franziska: Frohe Weihnachte …. Phoenix Wright 

Phoenix: …I’d rather you didn’t look at me like that, Franziska von Karma. 

Pearl: Uh, Mystic Maya… Did you invite someone else? 

Maya: I-I don’t really know 

Franziska: …I’ve come to inspect whether this country’s judicial system is being run in accordance with the law. 

Maya: Throwa Whynotta, Franziska! …Eek! 

Franziska: …Your pronunciation is terrible. It’s “frohe”.  

Gumshoe: Ah, you messed up right from the start! Hahaha… Eeek! 

Maya: …So, Franziska. Why did you come here today? 

Franziska: I’ve come to deliver something forgotten. It’s been an eyesore.

Phoenix: Something forgotten? 

Franziska: A Christmas card… Something like a memento, I suppose. I haven’t had the chance until now.

Maya: Ah. That's…! 

Phoenix: What is it, Maya? Let me look too. 

Maya: L-later… Where’s Prosecutor Edgeworth…?

Gumshoe: He should be here soon. He’s finishing up some research or something. 

Phoenix: Good grief… typical him. 

Pearl: Okay, everyone! Help yourself to some “Mont-Blanc!” 

Gumshoe: Cake! Cake! It’s been so long! 

Franziska: That Mont-Blanc looks delicious. I’ll help myself to a piece. 

Maya: …Hey. Nick. Where are you going? 

Phoenix: I’m going to go pick up Edgeworth… I’d rather not be on the receiving end of a whipping, on top of everything else. 

Translation note: As should be clear from the image of the page, Franziska was obviously speaking English originally. I therefore just decided to localise it to German, given the effect is the same.

Shu Takumi article

Ace Attorney 2

“Let’s make up to AA3 for now!”. I’m incredibly grateful to the two producers who decided to turn this into a series. To be honest, when AA1 was first released, I was reluctant to make a sequel. I just couldn’t imagine being able to make anything that would surpass it easily. But I’m glad they gave me a push and got me in the right mindset. In the end, I think we created a game that’s every bit as good as AA1.

However, there is one point of personal regret when it comes to AA2… It’s uncharacteristically difficult… I played it recently for the first time in a while. How can I put it, it’s not just “difficult”, it’s down right “mean!” I even found myself getting a little worked up about it. Back when I was developing it, I kept thinking ‘this is just about right!’ but… How did you all find it?

When I was writing scenarios for AA2, I was really in my element and things were pretty intense. I wrote them with great momentum, and I was confident in them all… except one. Following on from last month, let me introduce that one. 

“Farewell, My Turnabout”. No matter how you look at it, the story structure isn’t bad by any means, but no matter how much I wrote,  I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Plus, it was mindbogglingly long. …I seem to remember feeling like I’d been wadding through muddy water when I finished it. I wonder what all these ups and downs during the writing process are about. Now, when I read it again… I actually think it’s pretty interesting. What did you think?

…Well, that’s all for now. See you again next month!

Larry box

Larry Butz vs Phoenix Wright

Here are some lines that were cut for various reasons! 

Today, we’re featuring a conversation with that best friend. Enjoy this artsy world! (Shu Takumi)

Larry: When the going gets rough, Nick. You have to power through with some cheer colours! Every night when Naomi slapped me, I put on my cheer colours…

Phoenix: …Uh, Larry. What do you mean “cheer colours”? 

Larry: Are you dumb? It’s obviously putting on some cheerful colours! You know how it is, there are times when black and white just don’t cut it! 

Phoenix: You mean “show courage”! What colour is your cheer, anyway?

Larry: Ah, if I had to say… Somewhere between crimson and yellow, but I’d lean a bit more towards yellow if I had to choose.

Phoenix: (Orange, then…?)

Some interesting Phoenix lore this time! I should note, that all of these articles are a serialised, continuous story. Later articles reference back to older ones, etc.

Masterpost

Dialogue Page

On the theme of “Memories: 1” 

‘Ace Attorney’ has a strong image of winter throughout the series. What kind of place does Phoenix want to stop by when it turns to winter…? In addition, this time the person everyone’s been waiting for makes an appearance! 

Maya: What’s up? You just suddenly said you ‘want to see the lake’. 。

Phoenix: We have court from 10am, right? I was thinking about dropping by, before that. 

Maya: ‘Gourdy Lake’... Ah. That was Prosecutor Edgeworth’s case, huh. 

Phoenix: That’s also part of it but… what can I say, I guess it’s a place of memories. 

Maya: Nick, did you also shoot someone to death here?

Phoenix: Of course not. Whenever it’s this time of year… I get the urge to come here. For some reason or another. 

Maya: Hmm. I have some kind of hunch it’s going to be  “romantic”. 

Phoenix: …It was the first place I came to pass time, in this city.

Maya: Eh? Nick, I thought you were a local?

Phoenix: I moved here to work at the Fey & Co Law Offices. 

Maya: Heeh… Is that so?

Phoenix: Back when I was getting familiar with this place, Mia and I used to come and eat manju buns on the bench.

Maya: …Huh? There’s a pensive person over there, too.

Phoenix: That’s true. They’re eating a manju bun. 

Maya: That fluttering chest looks familiar… Ah. He looked this way.

Phoenix: He looked away in a panic and started walk off at a brisk pace. 

Maya: Hey, Prosecutor Edgeworth! Over here!! 

Edgeworth: Ngoh… You found me. 

Maya: What are you doing? Did you get a weird letter again?

Edgeworth: That’s not it. Whenever it’s this time of year… I feel like visiting. For some reason or other. 

Phoenix: Of course, that incident, huh?

Maya: That case, wasn’t it completely resolved?!

Edgeworth: ….You really... came to my aid. I mean that whole heartedly. 

Maya: But, Prosecutor Edgeworth, the look on your face doesn’t seem like it’s completely resolved. 

Phoenix: As always, your forehead has some cracks in it.

Edgeworth: …would you please just say ‘crease’?

Maya: Speaking of creases, your clothes don’t have a single crease in them today, Prosecutor Edgeworth. 

Phoenix: Your forehead is still wrinkled like usual though. 

Edgeworth: …When you’re a prosecutor, sometimes you lose your peace of mind.

Maya: Ah, I get it. It happens to Nick all the time.

Edgeworth: In such times, I take extra time and care when dressing myself. I find that the fact that I am myself, without a stitch of discord, calms me down. 

Maya: Nick, you’re full of discord today.

Phoenix: …shut up. I was busy this morning.

Maya: Hey, Nick! Your attorney’s badge is missing! 

Phoenix: Damnit! I must have left it in the office! 

Maya: Ah! And your shirt is inside out! 

Phoenix: Of course! I did think the collar was difficult to fold down.

Maya: Shoes, shoes! You’re wearing rights on both feet! 

Phoenix: Yikes! I shouldn’t have bought such similar looking pairs. 

Maya: In the first place, Nick, your trousers! 

Phoenix: Oh no, I forgot to put them on! 

Edgeworth: …I don’t think so.

Maya: …You’re a stick in the mud, Prosecutor Edgeworth.

Phoenix: Well, that’s always been the case.

Edgeworth: …It’s about time now.

Phoenix: Ah. Later, then.

Edgeworth: Mm. …See you in court.

Shu Takumi Article

On “Ace Attorney” 

August 2000. A project known as <Detective Line (working title)> got underway. Ten months later, it would be completed as “Ace Attorney”. It was an incredibly intense year I thought I’d never forget. But, looking back on it now, it feels hazy… Maybe I’m just forgetful or something. My dream in the games industry was to create a new detective game. I was given that chance and, on top of that, a wonderful team came together… Honestly, I think it was a really happy year. In my case, the feeling of having enjoyed the creative process still lingers in my heart. 

However, when it came to the script, I went through hell every single time. It might look like a job that’s nothing but fun, but it’s actually a very difficult process. In any case, the memory of struggling through the writing process still lingers in my heart too. There are thirteen episodes across the series. Now that some time has passed, I can admit there were some that I wrote in a pretty terrible state. One each in AA1 and AA2… 

“Turnabout Samurai”. This was my first experience of a deadline crunch. No matter how much I wrote, I felt like I wasn’t making any progress, I was running out of time, I got so bothered I ended up getting ill and found myself on a doctor’s bed on the verge of tears saying ‘I’ll never make the deadline! It’s all over!’. Things were really piling up back then… in the wrong direction. Once I’d read it again after calming down, I didn’t think it was actually that bad… But whenever I write, I find myself in a weird state of mind somehow. 

Well then. Next time I plan to share memories from AA2. Until then, see you next month! 

Godot box

Once again, I decided to share some things that were cut from court proceedings. I hope you enjoy this academic exchange. (Takumi) 

Godot: Objection! “Counter-evidence” at this stage…  that’s just not on.

Judge: W-what do you mean?

Godot: 71 plus 25 is 96. No matter how many times you do it, it doesn’t change. 

Maya: …Why 71 plus 25? 

Phoenix: 96 sounds like ‘guilty’ 

Maya: Uh… It’s a pun. 

Phoenix: (Unfortunately, Prosecutor Godot... Sure, adding them up might make 96, but if you subtract 25 from 71... that’s 46, which means he’s “innocent”!)

Quite some time ago... I started translating these Shu Takumi dialogs, but never got around to finishing them. I've now finished the whole book, so I'll post one a day from here on! Masterpost

Dialogue Page

On the theme of “autumn of…"

The hot summer is over, and the pleasant autumn has arrived. The one who showed up at Phoenix and Maya’s place was that guy, as usual! 

Maya: Hello, everyone! Today’s theme is “autumn”! 

Phoenix: Speaking of autumn… that’s things like ‘the season of enjoying art’, ‘the season of good appetite’, ‘the season of sports’ and so on. 

Maya: You’re being too greedy! It’s not like a Nagoya speciality. 

Phoenix: …What are you so worked up about?

Maya: “Art” and “sports” aside, “appetite” is different! 

Phoenix: What do you mean?

Maya: “Appetite” is not just another word for “Maya”! 

Phoenix: ….Ha. 

Maya: If that’s the case, I’ll just eat my uiro mochi, miso katsu and tebasaki chicken wings completely coated in mayonnaise! 

Phoenix: Do whatever you want, but didn’t a customer come today?

Maya: Ah, yes. A perfect guest for this season. 

Larry: Yo! Long time no see, Nick! 

Maya: Speaking of ‘the season for enjoying art’, this is the man. It’s Mr Larry! 

Phoenix: …Sure, he’s living some kind of artistic existence, but… 

Larry: Art? On that thing, you should spread mayonnaise on it and feed it to the dogs!

Phoenix: If you put mayonnaise on it, Maya will eat it. 

Maya: What do you mean?! 

Phoenix: So? If “art” isn’t your idea of “autumn”, then what is? 

Larry: I’ve decided! It’s “the season of reading and writing”! 

Maya: R-reading and writing…?

Larry: For me, who’s fluent in English, “reading and writing” means German. 

Phoenix: German… you?

Maya: So, earlier, Larry. “The season of perusing” huh…

Larry: Perusing? That’s not a word in English, Maya. 

Maya: ….He gave me a refreshing rebuke, Nick. 

Phoenix: That can’t be helped. After all, the man speaks fluent English. 

Maya: But, but, Larry. Why are you doing German?

Larry: Well, my girlfriend doesn’t really know English. 

Phoenix: Your girlfriend… is she a foreigner? 

Maya: Hey! That’s amazing, love transcends borders. 

Larry: Well. She’s in Sri Lanka for a photoshoot. I can’t meet with her right now.

Phoenix: …A model, again?

Maya: Good luck with your German! 

Larry: I’ll do it. …For Nuri Bilge’s sake! (1)

Maya: Eh? For who?

Larry: Nuri Bilge. 

Phoenix: …With that name, isn’t it too ineffective in German? 

Larry: N-nick. Do you happen to know a good teacher?

Phoenix: Ah…. I know one. I can introduce you.

Larry: Really?! Please get me a cutie! 

Phoenix: Fine. I’m sure she’ll give you a good smack down… with her whip.  TN: This appears to be the name of a Turkish film director? I honestly have no idea what "ヌリビルゲ" is meant to reference - I did try researching it. Also, as should be obvious, I have just switched "English" for "German" here. I will also confess I have no idea what they're going on about with Nagoya and mayonnaise...

Shu Takumi article

Autumn of…

“Something everyone can enjoy”... That’s the golden rule of this column. However, is that really enough? “Something no-one can enjoy”... surely there’s room for a column like that too? …And so, taking ‘the season of reading’ as pretext, I’d like to talk about ‘mystery’ in a thoroughly self-indulgent and personal manner. 

…I’ve been obsessed with detective stories for a long time now. It’s been about twenty years since I first came across Edogawa Ranpo’s short story ‘Psychological Test’ when I was in elementary school. The stories I actively seek out are, to an eerie degree, exclusively ‘mysteries’. Nowadays, I’ve become so accustomed to them, I simply can’t accept stories without a twist ending… When it comes to this, it’s a little different than simply “liking” them… 

Considering my youth. [Arthur Conan] Doyle, [Ellery] Queen, [John Dickson] Carr… These were the so-called ‘golden age’ works from overseas, brimming with unknown, fresh surprises. To name a few famous ones: Sherlock Holmes, Arsène Lupin, Kogoro Akechi… I’m sure you’ll at least have heard of them. My heroes from my youth went a step further: Father Brown, Ai Ichiro, the lawyer Randolph Mason, and even a version of Sherlock where his first name was ‘Shrock’. I learnt everything about how to structure a story and write prose in “Ace Attorney” from them. 

For me, “surprise” is everything in a mystery. Regrettably, recent Japanese mystery stories seem to have forgotten how to deliver fresh surprises, and appear to be in the midst of a dark age…. But, someday. Dreaming that the ‘Golden Age’ will return, I find myself furrowing my brow once again at yet another rather lacklustre work on this long autumn night. …Well then, see you again next month! 

Godot Box

This time, I’d like to share a conversation that was cut from court proceedings. Can you guess where it’s from? (Takumi) 

Phoenix: Objection! If he’s  innocent, he wouldn’t pay up even if he was threatened! 

Godot: Hold it! You can’t measure others by your own yardstick… 

Phoenix: B-but! Paying hundreds of thousands of dollars! 

Godot: Tch. It seems like your yardstick… is measured in “inches”. 

Judge: I don’t think I’d pay either...

Godot: Your yardstick is… Yes. About a “foot”, maybe?

Atmey: …A man with a sense of romanticism should pay up with a smile

Godot: Tch.. He seems uncomfortable with this… A “centimetre” kind of man. 

Full spoiler warning!