Let's make one thing clear.
*The Dark Rebirth Fantasy* wasn't just popular—it was a smash hit. The original novels sold like hotcakes, and even before the anime adaptation was greenlit, the franchise already had a board game under its belt.
So when agent Ippei Kashiwai heard Yin Ze landed a role, he was overjoyed. Opportunities like this didn't come often.
The author himself was a seasoned host, someone who often "powered projects with love," uploading free scripts for fans online. With that kind of pedigree behind it, the Dark series became a beloved staple in the community.
Now backed by a deep-pocketed sponsor like SonySan, the animation quality was top-notch. Episode one alone burned through an extravagant budget. Everyone in the industry seized the chance to hype it up, eager to attract fresh viewers.
Enter Elredo Charles Trivis Jessin—commoner-turned-noble royal knight, master court swordsman, sworn protector of the princess, and the 24th champion of the Twin Nations Nightlark Sword King Tournament. Hailed as a once-in-a-generation prodigy.
He also served as the classic benchmark character: beat him, and you were the real deal in the show.
Yet he died in the first episode.
Somehow, despite getting killed off almost immediately, Elredo still managed to place fourth in the male character popularity rankings. Fans adored him. Yin Ze… had just learned all of this.
Series veterans giggled knowingly and tossed memes around. Newcomers were left baffled, thinking the knight was the main character—only to watch him drop dead in minutes.
Setting aside all that chaos, the episode was genuinely impressive. Everyone in the room was glued to the screen, enjoying the top-tier animation and soundtrack.
Meanwhile, dumplings were cooked, scooped out, and heaped into a massive bowl.
People passed around dipping sauces and took their first bites. Junsuke Iwazawa, the sporty type, devoured his by the mouthful. Ayane Sakura, ever composed, ate with quiet elegance.
The cheerful dumpling feast unfolded as the first episode drew to a close.
"Wait, your guy really dies right away?" Iwazawa asked curiously.
"Yeah. Totally dead," Yin Ze replied, complicated emotions swirling inside.
"No flashback scenes or anything?"
"Maybe someone mentions him later, but I doubt I'll even get another line. Nothing else showed up in the script." Yin Ze speared a dumpling with his chopsticks.
The princess, miraculously alive, set off on a journey with the all-powerful protagonist from another world. A gentle ending theme played, and the credits rolled—complete with voice actor listings.
Miron Clade – Satoshi Hino
Pennis Roy – Rina Hidaka
Elredo – Satoru Takizawa
Kosse Most – Kanshi Nakajima
Opening Narration – Yoshiyoshi Ko
Coachman A – Tomokazu Mukai
Coachman B – Taichi Doi
Masked Bandit A – Masato Fujin
Masked Bandit B – Tomokazu Mukai
"That's Takizawa's name!" Yoshitsugu Matsuoka seemed more excited than the man himself, eyes wide as he pointed at the screen.
"Third billing too! Even if it's just a supporting role, that's pretty big." Haruka Yoshimura clapped.
Ayane Sakura coughed gently, shot a few glances his way, and murmured, "Congrats."
"Flawless performance," Matsuoka said with a faraway look. "Tone, delivery, timing, emotion… nailed it."
"A fiery debut! You've got to ride this momentum!" Iwazawa gave a big thumbs up.
"Thanks, really." Yin Ze cupped his fists playfully. "It honestly means a lot hearing that."
"Didn't you record something recently too?" Iwazawa turned to Matsuoka.
Matsuoka blinked, then waved it off with his usual warm smile. "Kind of, yeah. Just a few throwaway lines though."
"That's still something! I've bombed so many auditions already," Yoshimura encouraged. "How about you, Ayane?"
"Me?" Ayane glanced at the boy still stuffing dumplings into his mouth. "Well… I auditioned too. Got lucky and landed a part."
"Everyone's leveling up," Iwazawa said, raising his glass of oolong tea. "We might not get to hang out like this once we're all busy. Here's to work and studies going well—and to pushing myself harder, too!"
Cheers and clinking cups followed.
"Hmm?" Ayane suddenly chewed something strange. She spat it into her palm—"A 100 yen coin?"
"Looks like Lady Luck's picked her champion," Yin Ze grinned. "Good fortune might be heading your way."
"You planted this?" she asked.
"Yup."
"It nearly cracked my tooth." She took a swig of water.
"I really should've warned you…" Yin Ze reached out to reclaim the coin, only to find her refusing to return it.
"Huh? Give it back?"
"No way. I found it. That makes it mine. You don't take back blessings once they're given." She smirked.
Yin Ze opened his mouth, then let it go with an awkward laugh, feeling like he'd just been robbed.
Seriously? Even a 100-yen coin?
"Eat up, everyone. Plenty left!" Matsuoka called.
"They're not bad, though the wrapping could use work."
"You've gotta fail a few times before you get it right."
"My drama's about to air—can we change the channel?" Yoshimura asked.
"Shouldn't we watch anime if we're voice actors?" Iwazawa countered.
"Only if I'm actually *in* it."
"Well, you're not in that drama either."
"…No wonder you don't have a girlfriend."
Their homemade dumpling night ended in warm laughter. After washing up, Iwazawa even walked them a few blocks before saying goodbye.
Matsuoka and Yoshimura shared a train heading the same way, so they left together.
As for Ayane—since Yin Ze had invited her and she was still a minor, he had every reason to walk her home. Moments like this always made him miss the cheap, chatty cab drivers back in his hometown.
The night was clear and bright. No clouds, just a glowing moon painting silver across the road, stars clustered like flowing threads.
"Full?" Yin Ze asked, mostly to break the silence.
"More or less." Ayane walked beside him, hands clasped behind her back, skipping lightly. "...My dad's been on my case to lose weight lately."
"A long-term battle, huh?" Yin Ze said solemnly.
"So you *do* think I'm fat?!" she snapped.
He turned to her and gave her a slow once-over.
Under his gaze, the teenage girl grew a little shy, cheeks blushing in the breeze.
"Objectively? A little."
She instantly went from bashful to furious. Just as she raised her foot to kick him, he darted out of reach.
"But for your age, it's healthy! Just baby fat!"
"Die!"
They chased each other like grade-schoolers in the moonlight, tugging at sleeves, smacking backs. After running across two intersections, they finally stopped, breathless.
Yin Ze leaned against a streetlamp, watching this overly energetic "friend" who could practically be his younger sister.
"Still staring? Do I really look *that* fat?" Ayane half-scowled.
"No, I was just wondering… did you feel okay tonight?" he asked quietly.
"Oh, that. You could've told me it was a reunion." She frowned.
"I thought if I said that, you wouldn't come. You're not great in big groups, right?" Yin Ze said. He noticed she and Matsuoka had something in common—quietly passionate, but tense in social settings.
"It's fine. Everyone's from the same training school. Not strangers. And honestly… I had fun. Especially watching your debut," Ayane said, remembering the comments online. Her smile crept up without her realizing.
"No matter the reason, if it makes people smile, then I've done my job," Yin Ze said humbly.
"I never said I'd forgive you for not telling me." Ayane tossed her hair, half-joking. "Make it up to me next time. It's what friends do."
"What do you want to do?"
"Well… We don't even know each other's hobbies yet. Friends are supposed to have shared interests. So, what do *you* like? Gaming? I'm decent at arcade fighters, you know."
"Really? You play King of Fighters?" Yin Ze perked up.
"Street Fighter's the real deal," she countered.
"What about run-and-guns? I love Metal Slug 3."
"Clearly the second game's better."
"Surely you like Mario?"
"Eh, more of a Mega Man and Sonic girl."
"…We're totally incompatible."
They stared each other down.
Meanwhile, the late-night train wasn't crowded. Yoshimura glanced at Matsuoka, who stared silently at the rushing cityscape.
"Something on your mind?" she asked.
He snapped out of it and smiled sheepishly. "I was just thinking about Takizawa's performance today."
"It *was* really polished. Didn't sound like a rookie at all," she agreed.
"Right? That's how a voice actor should sound." He looked down for a moment, hesitating. "My debut was just shouting for some crowd scene. I didn't mind the small role, but seeing my name in the credits… it hit me harder than I expected."
"Even if it was just a bunch of nonsense yelling, I still got paid. Still got listed."
He paused. The passing lights cast shadows across his face.
"To be honest, I felt a little unworthy. Especially after watching Takizawa's performance today."
"You're too hard on yourself."
She looked at him for a long moment. Then quietly, with a small fist pump, said:
"But worrying won't help. Just don't waste your chances. Give it your all, every time. That way, there's nothing to regret."
"You're right."
A smile bloomed on Matsuoka's narrow face. He looked out at Tokyo's dazzling night skyline.
And in that moment, he made up his mind again.
Yes—work harder. Be more sincere.
Give it everything he's got.