Dark Rebirth Fantasy, adapted from a light novel with a strong fanbase and backed by Sony's deep pockets, was destined to be no ordinary production.
The author, a former tabletop game host, had a wild imagination and sharp storytelling, making the data-driven isekai novel a standout.
As a dedicated voice actor, one should buy the book, read it overnight, and study the role's core.
As a practical one, Takizawa opted for a cheaper method—freeloading.
The first five volumes were online for a fee, but his knight character didn't survive past chapter two of volume one, dying before even reaching paid content. Still, he took it seriously: wearing soft cotton to avoid rustling, memorizing the first episode's lines, ready to project subtitles in his mind via his Life Corridor.
At 8:27 a.m., Takizawa was squashed against the train's glass, face pressed to the cold window, admiring March's bleak cityscape.
He didn't mind the crowd, but being wedged among guys in tight quarters felt improper. His hand was trapped between two hefty men's backsides, their body heat palpable. All three avoided eye contact.
Damn, I'd kill to be in the women's car, crushed and overwhelmed! their eyes screamed.
Pushed out by the crowd, he wiped sweat and gulped fresh air.
How could tiny Tokyo hold so many people, all acting like Sengoku warlords storming the capital? Who's left to develop their hometowns?
Lamenting the era's ambition, Takizawa walked to the studio.
With his Tokyo U acceptance in hand, the vice-principal acted like he'd cured baldness, and the principal rewarded him handsomely. The money let him rent a place, eat hearty rice bowls, and solve his urgent needs.
Now, it was steady work and saving up.
Wait, I'm not planning to marry. No one's nagging me to wed. So no house, no car, no 20-year loan?!
In the elevator, this revelation hit. The overhead light glowed like divine radiance, his soul soaring, brimming with hope and positivity.
Striding out confidently, he spotted a familiar face in the corridor's smoking area. The sound director looked well-fed, maybe a few pounds heavier.
"Nagasaki-san! Happy New Year!" Takizawa called.
"Hey, newbie, you're early. Recording's not till 10," Nagasaki Yukimasa said, cigarette in hand, surprised.
"Getting a feel for a real set," Takizawa said.
"Fair. Had breakfast?"
"Two rice balls."
"There's a heater and snacks in the lounge. Wait there," Nagasaki said. "Another voice actor's early too. Since you'll act together, chat a bit. Man, you young folks have energy. I just want a nap."
Someone's here earlier than me?
He pictured Matsuoka, the tireless warrior.
Must be another bit player, grinding for fate, banking on hard work.
Takizawa hit the vending machine, grabbing three hot coffees—one for Nagasaki, one for himself, and one for the mystery actor as a greeting.
The lounge door was open, morning news drifting from a small TV.
Stepping in, his gaze passed steaming tea, a table with rice crackers, and landed on a girl on the sofa, intently reading a script. She wore a fluffy white vest, hair falling softly over the pages, lashes fluttering as she read.
A warm heater, lively news, a serene girl—a cozy, beautiful scene, evoking sweet milk, Natsume Soseki's moon, or a breeze over evening fields.
A girl? Takizawa blinked.
His footsteps broke her focus. She looked up, her youthful, clear eyes meeting his.
"Morning. I'm here for recording too," He said, smiling, offering the coffee. "Hope you don't mind bitter stuff this early."
"Oh… hi. I'm Hidaka Rina from Osawa Agency," She said, setting down her script, standing to take the coffee.
"Takizawa Satoru, I'm Enterprise. Nice to meet you," He said.
They shook hands politely.
"Let's do our best today," She said formally.
"Haha, I'm done in one episode. Not much to guide," He joked. "Sit, sit."
Caught off guard by his energy, she sat, picking up her script again.
"When'd you get here?" He asked, noticing the snacks. "Oh, can I have some cookies?"
"Around 8," Hidaka said, sliding the cookie bag over. "I made them. If you don't mind…"
"Rich flavor, super tasty. Great work," He said, chewing, giving a thumbs-up.
"…Thanks," She said, surprised by his warmth, speaking softly. "You seem thrilled. Something good happen?"
"Nothing big. Just realized I don't need a house or car," He said, sighing.
A baffling comment, but Hidaka kept a polite smile, murmuring, "Is that so?"
"I thought I'd be the first here, but you beat me by half an hour," He said.
"It's an important job. I don't want to let my agent down or hold anyone back. Plus, I'm nervous—arriving early calms me," She said.
"I get it. Newbies like us worry about screwing up or getting chewed out. But we get some slack, and it's just a few lines. No need to stress!" He said, cheering her on.
"Thanks for the encouragement," She said, her expression odd.
"But prep's key. Gotta have confidence," He said, flipping open his pristine script.
Hidaka glanced at his untouched script, then at her own, marked with colorful notes and bookmarks.
"You seem diligent too, Takizawa-kun," She said, forcing a comment.
"Just doing my part," He said modestly.
She gave a strained smile, looked away, and focused on her silent rehearsal, ignoring the seemingly flippant guy.
Takizawa sat straight, script in hand—but in his mind, Schrödinger's Life Corridor was streaming a sitcom.
The lounge fell quiet, save for the gentle voice of the morning news anchor, as serene as before he arrived.
***
If you like the Classroom of the Elite and Danganronpa series, don't hesitate to check out the new project I'm currently working on:
[COTE: The True Perfect Human]
Synopsis:
Since the era when humanity was still focused on steam and coal, people have already been questioning what the Perfect Human truly looks like.
Some say the Perfect Human possesses overwhelming physical strength… others claim the Perfect Human has unparalleled intelligence.
Of course, there are also those who believe the Perfect Human possesses both... strength and intellect.
Like Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
That's why when people ask who the most perfect human in all of fiction is, they often point to the Masterpiece of the White Room as the Perfect Human.
But… only the OGs know that the only Perfect Human who has ever walked this earth is...
The Ultimate Hope…
Izuru Kamukura.
...
This is the story of Izuru Kamukura as he challenges Classroom of the Elite searching for whether there is anything in this world capable of dispelling his boredom.