[Translation] Chaser Game W All the Good Stuff

This is an unofficial translation of Matsuyama Hiroshi's post on note.com here about all the good things he liked about Chaser Game W drama adaptation. Original tweet.

If you don't already know, Matsuyama is the CEO of CyberConnect2 which created the Chaser Game manga. A drama adaptation was created for Chaser Game back in 2022 too. The Chaser Game series follows the trials and tribulations of people working in the Japanese gaming industry. Matsuyama's company also produces video games like .hack, Naruto, and Dragon Ball.

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I'm the original creator [of Chaser Game], but I want to discuss all the things I like about it. I'm currently exploding with emotion after watching the latest broadcast of episode 4 last night (you might be shocked), let me tell you all the good things about the drama "Chaser Game W: My Former Girlfriend, the Power Harassment Boss" starting now.

First, I'll start by saying that although I'm the original creator of "Chaser Game," I am actively involved in the drama when it comes to the script and down to the production.

Let's be clear, I'm not the type of original creator who says things like, "I'll leave it all to the pros in drama production and I'll sit back and enjoy it as a viewer." I've been regularly attending meetings with TV Tokyo production staff and producers for this drama, even discussing and contributing in the planning and scriptwriting phases.

Now that I've put that aside, let me tell you about all the things I like about the drama "Chaser Game W" starting from episode 1.

You know, episode 4 was so amazing that I cried while watching it.

I thought, "Ah, this was all worth it to make."

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I like Fuyu's gaze

In episode 1, when Fuyu is wearing sunglasses and walks into DD Corp's dev room and greets everyone while taking off her sunglasses. I liked how Yurika briefly looks at Itsuki and looks away.

Even though Itsuki is clearly in her field of vision.

The brief look away was amazing. I liked it!

During the shoot, I felt, "This is real," and that was the moment I was convinced of Nakamura Yurika's acting.

Nakamura Yurika has an intense gaze. I liked it!

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I like how Itsuki helps Fuyu right away

In the elevator scene in episode 2, when the elevator shook, Itsuki quickly extended her arms to support Fuyu's shoulders. I love how Itsuki helps Fuyu so quickly.

This is more about the directing, but I like how it's established as a rule that Itsuki always moves first to support Fuyu when needed. This is incorporated effectively in episode 5 and beyond, so I'm sure you'll feel, "Ah, I love this about Itsuki," while watching.

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I like how Fuyu drinks water without putting her lips on the bottle

Also in the elevator scene, I like how Fuyu drinks the water from Itsuki but doesn't place her lips on the bottle, and right after that, Itsuki quietly reaches out to touch her shoulder, which causes Fuyu to let her guard down and put her lips on the bottle.

I love the acting that expresses this without words.

I like that Fuyu's innocence is portrayed, and it's done in a confined space of the elevator where no one else is watching.

I liked the moments when Itsuki would say, "Something something, you know," with a slightly forceful tone.

I like how the original relationship between the two can be seen from lines like this.

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I like the height difference between the two

I like the height difference between Itsuki and Fuyu which is roughly 10cm. (Itsuki is taller, and the image of Fuyu, as the vengeful one, confronting Itsuki even though she's smaller.)

I felt emotional watching Itsuki trying so hard. Even in the development room scene when Fuyu intentionally raised her standing desk high to speak (with her elbows on the desk). The way Itsuki is consistently shown in a lower stature to emphasize the power dynamics is something I like. (I conveyed this idea to the director)

I like that you can feel Itsuki struggling to stand up for herself.

I also love Nakamura Yurika's fragility, her delicate nature that she can't hide, especially when standing in contrast to Itsuki.

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I like the serendipitous scenes of the two at the coffee shop they used to frequent

This is more about the setting, but the coffee shop that occasionally appears is the cafe where the two used to frequent during their college days.

The fact that they quietly go to the same coffee shop and (naturally) run into each other without saying much is something I like.

In the end, the fact that they end up going to the same place and ordering the same thing, expresses their (unspoken) relationship, is something I like. It makes you think, "Ah, they still come here," and I like that nostalgic feeling.

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I like when Fuyu says "Thank you."

In the wedding scene in episode 3, when they are told to look at each other with love, Fuyu immediately gazes at Itsuki with loving eyes. Then when Itsuki, who was waiting in the studio, turns around to look at Fuyu at the last moment. I like the build-up and the way she finally turns around. Love it!

Another thing I enjoyed most about this scene is when Fuyu, after the shoot, hurries off and mutters "thank you" in a small voice (she was forced to be a model), but I still like how she said it.

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I like Fuyu undressing herself and Itsuki undressing Fuyu at the same time

When I saw the scene from episode 4 before airing, I couldn't help but let out a "whoa."

With the heightened emotions, I was surprised by Fuyu undressing herself, but I was even more surprised when Itsuki swiftly unzips the zipper from Fuyu's shirt in the back.

I like that these scenes expose the true nature of their relationship.

I like how Itsuki says, "I still love you, Fuyu!" and Fuyu responds with "I love you with all my heart too" (overflowing with emotion).

I like how Itsuki holds Fuyu when they're kissing, putting her hands around her neck. (She unexpectedly wrapped her hands around her, which expressed the explosive emotional feelings, I love it.)

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When White and Black intersect

This drama starts with a project to adapt the fictional manga "Celestial Goddess" into a game.

Itsuki and Fuyu are superimposed over the White Goddess and the Black Goddess that appear in "Celestial Goddess."

We deliberately from the first episode, had Itsuki wearing white, and Fuyu wearing black.

But as the distance between their two hearts gradually become one again from episode 3 and 4, their clothing becomes mixed with white and black.

This white/black aspect is more prominent in episode 5 to the end, so I hope you pay attention to this detail.

Also, the enemy that stands in their way is Chief Roh, who is called the Red Goddess.

Having a common enemy like the Red Goddess for the two, who have an emotional clash, is a similar setup to the fictional manga, "Celestial Goddess," which plays out the same way.

I love this kind of shonen manga-like feeling.

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Please enjoy the second half of this eight-episode series. The drama "Chaser Game W: My Former Girlfriend, the Power Harassment Boss" was produced with a total of eight episodes.

Episode 4 marks the first half, and from here, the story of the second half will unfold.

Please don't miss Itsuki and Fuyu's fate and watch till the end.

I'm sure it will become a story that will linger in everyone's hearts for a long time.

Thank you for your continued support.

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I might've surprised everyone by expressing all the good things I like about this drama while experiencing the heightened emotions of watching episode 4 with everyone.

I want to convey that even I, the original creator, enjoyed it a lot and I cherish this experience with everyone.

But not only in Japan, I am fully aware that viewers from around the world are supporting this drama.

It genuinely makes me happy to see the allure of this drama reaching and spreading to as many people as possible.

Please continue to support us until the end.

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Bonus:

Matsuyama Hiroshi made a guest appearance in the wedding episode.