[Game] Umineko no Naku Koro ni - Ep. 1 Legend of the golden witch

[nagare]

Spoiler for Maria:

My memory of EP 01 is pretty vague, but I'm not too convince that Maria shows exceptional memory despite what her character profile says. Maria seems to be regurgitating information that was already in her notebook. I don't think she could read the Hebrew, she is just recognizing words or phases. While I'm not too familiar with autistic-type traits, just the fact that Maria has odd knowledge isn't too strange. She does not have exceptional understanding of the topic, nor does she go on for eons about the symbol explaining every bits and parts of it, the history behind it, etc. She just stated simple facts. It's not like Ryukishi isn't adept to writing forever on small issues and topics

If I had to place a mental disorder on Maria, I would say she shows many similarities with borderline disorder or another personality disassociation disorder. Maria pretty much thinks in black or white. Maria has anxiety problems which lead to uncontrollable temper tantrums and crying. Her anxiety stems from her fear of abandonment of Beatrice or from Rosa. She also shows poor judgment in things that she knows are self harming (eg she knows if she cries U- U- U-, she'll be hit). She also lacks understanding of emotions of her peers and surrounding. Rosa's constant abuse and the rest of the family looking the other way showing negligence on the matter is a pretty common source for that disorder. I'm not an expert at all at psychology, but I do personally know someone with Borderline and Maria reminded me of that person during her childhood. For that person I know, reading books was an escape from reality so Maria having odd knowledge didn't strike me as being too strange. Disassociation is also pretty common from what I know of Borderline. Maria's witch persona reminds me of that.

I don't think Maria displays the traits of DID (aka multiple personalities). IMO there isn't a drastic enough of a switch of personalities or enough drastic unexplainable irregular fragmentation of memory. This is just an uneducated opinion though.

[k//eternal]

Spoiler:

Honestly, given that she's 9 I'm not sure she's all that weird, and if she actually does have a mental disorder it's probably from the trauma of Rosa beating the crap out of her.

I remember even in middle school people had silly catchphrases of that variety anyway.

[Asashio123]

Originally Posted by k//eternal

Spoiler:

Honestly, given that she's 9 I'm not sure she's all that weird, and if she actually does have a mental disorder it's probably from the trauma of Rosa beating the crap out of her.

I remember even in middle school people had silly catchphrases of that variety anyway.

Spoiler for Maria and Personal Experiences:

When I was nine, I don't recall anyone having weird catchphrases, especially when repeating the catchphrase in question could cause harm to the self.

Rephrased; If saying "Uu-uu" caused your mother to hit you, you would associate saying "Uu-uu" with physical (and sometimes emotional) pain, and thus, stop saying "Uu-uu". (This was already stated by Peroyasha, wasn't it?)

Spoiler for Ushiromiya Family:

Actually, I've noticed that most of the (blood) members of the entire Ushiromiya family have various problems with social situations and relationships. Kinzo locks himself in him room, and practices black magic all day. Krauss doesn't seem to care about his wife, daughter, or father. Eva just simply is crazy (seriously, that's the impression I got when I read her long monologue directed towards Natsuhi.) Rudolf is involved in some sort of crime, and Rosa has obvious problems with her temper. It really begs the question; how did the Ushiromiya siblings fare at school?

Otherwise, I just wonder... could there be a chance that Kinzo (or more likely, some of his older relatives) practiced inbreeding? Considering the Ushiromiya Family's status, and the fact that marrying a cousin is not considered incestuous in Japan, this seems like a somewhat plausible theory. Obviously, the inbreeding could not have been that severe, or else the Ushiromiyas would be way more messed up than they currently are, but heck, the English Royal Family has practiced inbreeding for quite the long time, and they aren't experiencing that many problems... are they?

[Exilon]

Originally Posted by Asashio123

Spoiler for Ushiromiya Family:

Actually, I've noticed that most of the (blood) members of the entire Ushiromiya family have various problems with social situations and relationships. Kinzo locks himself in him room, and practices black magic all day. Krauss doesn't seem to care about his wife, daughter, or father. Eva just simply is crazy (seriously, that's the impression I got when I read her long monologue directed towards Natsuhi.) Rudolf is involved in some sort of crime, and Rosa has obvious problems with her temper. It really begs the question; how did the Ushiromiya siblings fare at school?

Otherwise, I just wonder... could there be a chance that Kinzo (or more likely, some of his older relatives) practiced inbreeding? Considering the Ushiromiya Family's status, and the fact that marrying a cousin is not considered incestuous in Japan, this seems like a somewhat plausible theory. Obviously, the inbreeding could not have been that severe, or else the Ushiromiyas would be way more messed up than they currently are, but heck, the English Royal Family has practiced inbreeding for quite the long time, and they aren't experiencing that many problems... are they?

Spoiler:

...I don't know if inbreeding causes -only- psycological condtions :S which also makes me wonder if it isn't just perfectly normal personality issues?
For example, rudolf being involved in some crime can happen to many people who aren't "ill" or "screwed" up, so it doesn't prove anything. Of course, one can say he just wasn't affected, or was a little lucky. thing is, all of the siblings have their little issues - and I don't really think that's caused by inbreeding, even if the Ushiromyia's did something like that.

[Asashio123]

Originally Posted by Exilon

Spoiler:

...I don't know if inbreeding causes -only- psycological condtions :S which also makes me wonder if it isn't just perfectly normal personality issues?
For example, rudolf being involved in some crime can happen to many people who aren't "ill" or "screwed" up, so it doesn't prove anything. Of course, one can say he just wasn't affected, or was a little lucky. thing is, all of the siblings have their little issues - and I don't really think that's caused by inbreeding, even if the Ushiromyia's did something like that.

Spoiler for Reply:

That's true. I guess there's always the chance that the Ushiromiya's upbringings made them that way. After all, terrible, traumatizing childhood = messed up life. And besides, if Kinzo's always yatterring away about how people with Ushiromiya blood are the best people in the world, it wouldn't really cause the children's self esteem to decrease, do you think?

There is the chance that the children just happened to each have some individual problems coincidentally, but considering these problems occur with all four siblings, it's probably more likely that there is a substantial reason for this. (At the bare minimum, you could just say that, 'the Gold/Kinzo's reputation screwed them up'.)

And about Rudolf, it's been recorded that many criminals do possess poor social skills. Let's leave it at that.

[nagare]

Originally Posted by Asashio123

Spoiler for Reply:

And about Rudolf, it's been recorded that many criminals do possess poor social skills. Let's leave it at that.

Spoiler for SPOILER: Requires knowledge from EP 03:

Rudolf isn't convicted of a crime yet. His corporation is involved in a large lawsuit which is most likely a white collar crime of some sorts more than a personal felony he committed.

Also there are people who do have great social skills who committed horrible crimes. While having poor social skills may indicate psychological problems, you can still have superb social skills to the point you're extremely charismatic and still be mentally insane. Example is Ted Bundy.

As for the parents' social skill, Hideyoshi and Rudolf seem to have loyalty from their employees in their respective companies. Eva was the class president and seemingly was a model student during her high school years (according to EP 03) although she does have childhood trauma that is still gutting her inside. That's why she's edgy at these family gathering, but Battler and Hideyoshi do say she isn't like that otherwise.

Also I don't think Krauss treats Natsuhi or Jessica that horribly. I'm not saying he's the BEST husband, but he's not so absurdly terrible either. Krauss never hits them and never yells at them. When he tell Natsuhi to shut up, it's in the presence of Eva who he knows whatever Natsuhi will says will carry no weight in her presence. Also he does say he feels bad for not being a good brother to his siblings especially Eva in EP 03. However, it does seem that both Natsuhi and Krauss have separate bedrooms if I'm correct in my speculation.

Kyrie seems pretty level headed until you read her thoughts in EP 03.

Rosa is just plainly a mess all around. Several things that left scarring childhood traumas (especially that truth revealed in EP 03); a missing husband; a child who she has no idea how to control, she has no idea how to control her own frustrations and uses her child as an outlet of her swelling emotions; she has no voice in the family; owns a business her siblings laugh off as a joke; on top of that she has big financial troubles. But she does love Maria.

I do agree that the parents are messed up because of Kinzo. Even before he locks himself up, he wanted to mold his children in images that did not fit them, and his wife constantly accusing him of cheating with his mysterious mistress. Growing up in a family like that will leave scars one way or other. Although it doesn't seemed that Kinzo physically abused any of them. But Kinzo "little" secret is just creepy imo and if true, is a pretty clear sign he was insane prior to him moving on the island.

Inbreeding seems unlikely. Kinzo's parents chose his fiancé. I did think of the possibly with Maria, but I still think it's unlikely even there.

[Exilon]

Spoiler:

I guess we can conclude that all those problems are just "coincidental" and aren't derived from one single event or problem, or in other words (by comparing it to Higurashi), everyone's past greatly influences their personality. (this is also one of the things I appreciate in Ryukishi, the ability to make such great character personalities, and make them evolve with their various experiences.) I'm pretty sure everyone remembers Higurashi, where we only understood how many characters acted the way they did after we've seen their pasts. I'm pretty sure this will be the case with Umineko.

[Kets]

Originally Posted by Peroyasha

Spoiler for SPOILER: Requires knowledge from EP 03:

Kyrie seems pretty level headed until you read her thoughts in EP 03.

Spoiler for Kyrie:

Could you explain this part a little further?

[Sterling01]

Originally Posted by Kets

Spoiler for Kyrie:

Could you explain this part a little further?

Spoiler for :

Let's just say she has some unresolved issues with Battler's mom

[Larrave]

Hi,
I watched Episode 1 too now and want to first thank the Translation-Team WH for their good Job and who made it possible for those not able to speak Japanese to watch this beautiful game=).Thanks again and keep up the good work=)

Now to ask a "crazy" question before i share my thoughts:

Spoiler for Deaths:

If we assume that some faked their deaths,is there a possibilty that someone fakes another person to be?
What i mean e.g. that the Kinzo Natsuhi saw the second day wasnt the real Kinzo.Most time of the visit, she saw him just from behind and even when he turned once his face i cant say for sure Natsuhi saw his face(since she was turning back) and it was quite dark(wasnt it?) due to the typhoon.Of course this is vague but i think on both sides.I think we lack here on information (or maybe i just cant remember the details)-what do you think?

*edit*PS:Pardon me if this was mentioned before

[Exilon]

Originally Posted by Larrave

Hi,
I watched Episode 1 too now and want to first thank the Translation-Team WH for their good Job and who made it possible for those not able to speak Japanese to watch this beautiful game=).Thanks again and keep up the good work=)

Now to ask a "crazy" question before i share my thoughts:

Spoiler for Deaths:

If we assume that some faked their deaths,is there a possibilty that someone fakes another person to be?
What i mean e.g. that the Kinzo Natsuhi saw the second day wasnt the real Kinzo.Most time of the visit, she saw him just from behind and even when he turned once his face i cant say for sure Natsuhi saw his face(since she was turning back) and it was quite dark(wasnt it?) due to the typhoon.Of course this is vague but i think on both sides.I think we lack here on information (or maybe i just cant remember the details)-what do you think?

*edit*PS:Pardon me if this was mentioned before

Spoiler:

Given the situation, it's possible someone faked not only his/her death but the death of someone else. As for Kinzo, I find that highly unlikely, because, for one, Kinzo talked, and if no one was "cosplaying him" then just who was that Kinzo? And also, I'm pretty sure that it would be mentioned if it was dark and Kinzo was hard to see. And finnaly, his tachi-e appeared. Even though it's not completely reliable, I think it's pretty safe to assume that's the real Kinzo.

[Larrave]

Originally Posted by Exilon

Spoiler:

Given the situation, it's possible someone faked not only his/her death but the death of someone else. As for Kinzo, I find that highly unlikely, because, for one, Kinzo talked, and if no one was "cosplaying him" then just who was that Kinzo? And also, I'm pretty sure that it would be mentioned if it was dark and Kinzo was hard to see. And finnaly, his tachi-e appeared. Even though it's not completely reliable, I think it's pretty safe to assume that's the real Kinzo.

Spoiler for some thoughts:

Sorry for the stupid question but whats a tachi-e?:P
Of course your right, as i said my theory is really vague, however as far as i know kinzo wasnt speaking to any of the members during the meeting and those meetings are once a year so i cant say for sure if someone would recognize a difference in his voice immediatly.However of course its vague but we cant exclude this posibility totally, or?=)
To the suspicion:
Rudolf,Kyrie,Eva,Rosa,Nanjo and Genji
So far i think the 3 Siblings(Rudolf,Eva,Rosa) knew maybe that Krauss had a secret(knowing that the gold is for real?),so they were maybe teaming up to find the gold and decided to kill Krauss since he wasnt talking.Eva+Hideyoshi left to the gesthouse maybe giving Genji a sign to leave the gesthouse for the mansion.Since we dont know what happened after Eva+Hideyoshi entered the gesthouse we cant exclude that ANY of the servants left it.Meanwhile they killed Gohda+Krauss and maybe betrayed Rosa and killed her too ,while Genji arrived.After then they went to go for Natsuhi and saw the Scorpion on the doorknob, maybe about that time Shannon appeared by coincidence and they decided to kill her instead and made Natsuhis room look like Beatrice couldnt enter.Furtheron i think Kinzo died that night maybe they entered with Genji trying to ask Kinzo about the gold or maybe killed him instantly.At least it would explain why they burned him.

Next day and suspicious events:
After all, it might be "sadly" possible that the gold might be somehow cursed leading to some paranoia, maybe this might be a reason for Natsuhi mistaking Kinzo on the visit - since she saw some gold when Krauss showed her the hidden room.
Eva somehow made herself to me suspicious to make up such a prank,remember it was BEFORE they saw the bodies.This made her suspicious in my eyes, because why to come up with such a prank which would later on lead to make the family believe of an existence of a Witch later on in the story.

Genji+Nanjo:
Genji, especially, was very close to Kinzo so he new most of the black magic, maybe he painted those signs?At least he would have had the time for it.
-During the murder
-while "searching" for the lost members
-when Eva+Hideyoshi were murdered
more close on that Eva+Hideyosh-case:
Nanjo was thinking about a move for long maybe they were watching for a sign from the culprit outside.Or the mere "command" thinking for a move might be a signal that Eva+Hideyoshi are dead.So Genji, went with Kannon and saw that the door was locked , going back afterwards.But why did all have to leave the kitchen?Maybe the murderer had to pass through the kitchen.So Kumasawa+Kannon left for the Chain-Cutter and i guess Genji+Nanjo WENT BACK TO THE ROOM where Eva+Hideyoshi were lying in, painting the sign and maybe doing else?It might sound strange but Genji+the rest came later then Kannon+Kumasawa-strange or?
Kannon even said something about 5 Minutes... might be enough.
Next thing is the dirty key on Kinzos body for Kinzo´s room.Suspicious how did he manage to find it?He even asked for it to hide in Kinzo´s room.Maybe was he even putting down the letter?We cant exclude he found the ring or saw Kinzo throwing it outside.

I think this was most i had to tell, maybe i got something for addition and sorry for the bad english maybe its still "readable", and hopefully some things make sense.
PS:About the motives... it´s just a guess so dont take this as sure.

[Exilon]

Originally Posted by Larrave

Spoiler for some thoughts:

Sorry for the stupid question but whats a tachi-e?:P
Of course your right, as i said my theory is really vague, however as far as i know kinzo wasnt speaking to any of the members during the meeting and those meetings are once a year so i cant say for sure if someone would recognize a difference in his voice immediatly.However of course its vague but we cant exclude this posibility totally, or?=)
To the suspicion:
Rudolf,Kyrie,Eva,Rosa,Nanjo and Genji
So far i think the 3 Siblings(Rudolf,Eva,Rosa) knew maybe that Krauss had a secret(knowing that the gold is for real?),so they were maybe teaming up to find the gold and decided to kill Krauss since he wasnt talking.Eva+Hideyoshi left to the gesthouse maybe giving Genji a sign to leave the gesthouse for the mansion.Since we dont know what happened after Eva+Hideyoshi entered the gesthouse we cant exclude that ANY of the servants left it.Meanwhile they killed Gohda+Krauss and maybe betrayed Rosa and killed her too ,while Genji arrived.After then they went to go for Natsuhi and saw the Scorpion on the doorknob, maybe about that time Shannon appeared by coincidence and they decided to kill her instead and made Natsuhis room look like Beatrice couldnt enter.Furtheron i think Kinzo died that night maybe they entered with Genji trying to ask Kinzo about the gold or maybe killed him instantly.At least it would explain why they burned him.

Next day and suspicious events:
After all, it might be "sadly" possible that the gold might be somehow cursed leading to some paranoia, maybe this might be a reason for Natsuhi mistaking Kinzo on the visit - since she saw some gold when Krauss showed her the hidden room.
Eva somehow made herself to me suspicious to make up such a prank,remember it was BEFORE they saw the bodies.This made her suspicious in my eyes, because why to come up with such a prank which would later on lead to make the family believe of an existence of a Witch later on in the story.

Genji+Nanjo:
Genji, especially, was very close to Kinzo so he new most of the black magic, maybe he painted those signs?At least he would have had the time for it.
-During the murder
-while "searching" for the lost members
-when Eva+Hideyoshi were murdered
more close on that Eva+Hideyosh-case:
Nanjo was thinking about a move for long maybe they were watching for a sign from the culprit outside.Or the mere "command" thinking for a move might be a signal that Eva+Hideyoshi are dead.So Genji, went with Kannon and saw that the door was locked , going back afterwards.But why did all have to leave the kitchen?Maybe the murderer had to pass through the kitchen.So Kumasawa+Kannon left for the Chain-Cutter and i guess Genji+Nanjo WENT BACK TO THE ROOM where Eva+Hideyoshi were lying in, painting the sign and maybe doing else?It might sound strange but Genji+the rest came later then Kannon+Kumasawa-strange or?
Kannon even said something about 5 Minutes... might be enough.
Next thing is the dirty key on Kinzos body for Kinzo´s room.Suspicious how did he manage to find it?He even asked for it to hide in Kinzo´s room.Maybe was he even putting down the letter?We cant exclude he found the ring or saw Kinzo throwing it outside.

I think this was most i had to tell, maybe i got something for addition and sorry for the bad english maybe its still "readable", and hopefully some things make sense.
PS:About the motives... it´s just a guess so dont take this as sure.

Spoiler:

Well, alot to say here. First of all a tachi-e is the character's "sprite", so to say, their image.

After all, it might be "sadly" possible that the gold might be somehow cursed leading to some paranoia, maybe this might be a reason for Natsuhi mistaking Kinzo on the visit - since she saw some gold when Krauss showed her the hidden room.

... I really don't see how that makes much sense. Cursed gold? How so? Remember this isn't Higurashi, paranoia would be a little repetitive. And if she was in fact paranoid she would have "freaked out" much sooner than she did in the game.

Nanjo was thinking about a move for long maybe they were watching for a sign from the culprit outside.Or the mere "command" thinking for a move might be a signal that Eva+Hideyoshi are dead.So Genji, went with Kannon and saw that the door was locked , going back afterwards.But why did all have to leave the kitchen?Maybe the murderer had to pass through the kitchen.So Kumasawa+Kannon left for the Chain-Cutter and i guess Genji+Nanjo WENT BACK TO THE ROOM where Eva+Hideyoshi were lying in, painting the sign and maybe doing else?It might sound strange but Genji+the rest came later then Kannon+Kumasawa-strange or?
Kannon even said something about 5 Minutes... might be enough.

Ok, that is a little confusing, I admit. First of all, let's recap what happened (this is, if memory does not fail me):
- Genji left with Kanon to check Eva's room. Upon the awkward response, they both came back to the kicthen.
- Nanjo and Ganji went (immediatly, I think) to the parlor room, while Kumasawa and Kanon went to get the pliers.
- Nanjo, Genji and everyone else reaches Eva's room. The symbol is already there.
- Kanon and Kumasawa arrive shortly after.

So, answering you:
1) They ALL had to leave the room because the murderer is around and being alone is not safe. This is explained in the game. That's why they go in pairs.
2) About the 5 minutes, this is the time that passed from the moment Genji and Kanon reached the door until everyone that was in the parlor came to check it. And what Kanon says is something like this: "What is that?!.... But...... Only 5 minutes, or less, have passed....! How is that possible?"
3) So it's highly unlikely Genji and Nanjo went to Eva's room before going to the parlor room.

Next thing is the dirty key on Kinzos body for Kinzo´s room.Suspicious how did he manage to find it?He even asked for it to hide in Kinzo´s room.Maybe was he even putting down the letter?We cant exclude he found the ring or saw Kinzo throwing it outside.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say, but I'm supposing you're talking about Genji or Nanjo?
1) The key was just there. "Supposedly" Kinzo died still having possession of it.
2) ...Well, pretty logical to suggest hiding in the suposedly safest place in the house.
3) Highly unlikely anyone saw Kinzo throwing the ring outside. And even if they did, I doubt it would be easy to find it.

Well, there. :P Those are some good theories, but there are little holes here and there, at leat from my interpretation. Your English is readable as well, (at least it's clear enough), so don't worry. :P

[tsaieric]

Originally Posted by kj1980

Yeah right. I tried numerous of times to sprout interest when Tsukihime came out. No one cared. The same reaction with KimiNozo, Fate, and Higurashi. Basically people outside of Japan are not interested in these games until they see it in anime form. It's only then they start saying the same incessant remark "is the an English patch for this game lol."

So I'll be blunt - yeah right. You're never going to see this game translated by any "group" until it becomes animated. I suggest that it'd be simpler to buy the game and work through it with a Japanese dictionary at hand.

Well, the reality is I have seen a translation of the Chinese version up to Episode , which was released months before the announcement about being animized. So, it is that people outside of Asia, are not going be interested until after the anime version is released.

[Vonmalvarius]

Hi everyone! I just finished Umineko 1 and it was awesome. Can't wait to play the second! And I really want to see the animated version and see who's going to voice Beatrice.
I searched through the BGM file and and found out a great song, Worldend dominator. But I'm nearly certain that it didn't play at all in episode one or the tea party. If someone know where it played tell me please.
Thankyou in advance!

[Klashikari]

Originally Posted by tsaieric

Well, the reality is I have seen a translation of the Chinese version up to Episode , which was released months before the announcement about being animized. So, it is that people outside of Asia, are not going be interested until after the anime version is released.

...Your post is kinda irrelevant considering KJ posted that a year ago you know... the chinese and english projects proved him wrong, but they appeared after he made that comment.

Originally Posted by Vonmalvarius

Hi everyone! I just finished Umineko 1 and it was awesome. Can't wait to play the second! And I really want to see the animated version and see who's going to voice Beatrice.
I searched through the BGM file and and found out a great song, Worldend dominator. But I'm nearly certain that it didn't play at all in episode one or the tea party. If someone know where it played tell me please.
Thankyou in advance!

Worldenddominator is only played during episode 2 and ownards. It wasn't in episode 1 track list.

[Shinigami_Mello]

Yep, I thought the exact same, but as Klash says. That's only played in Ep.2 in all it's epicness <3

[Wolfen]

Hi Folks. Apologies if this has been answered somewhere already, but does anyone know if Umineko is going to have it's various episodes combined into collections the way Higurshi did?

Thanks in advance.

Wolfen.

[Orophin]

Originally Posted by Wolfen

Hi Folks. Apologies if this has been answered somewhere already, but does anyone know if Umineko is going to have it's various episodes combined into collections the way Higurshi did?

Thanks in advance.

Wolfen.

Each new episode contain all the previous ones. What we still don't know though is if they will start anew once they begin the answer arcs like Higurashi or if they will continue putting all the previous episodes even after episode 5 since they are now on a DVD.

[kj1980]

Originally Posted by tsaieric

Well, the reality is I have seen a translation of the Chinese version up to Episode , which was released months before the announcement about being animized. So, it is that people outside of Asia, are not going be interested until after the anime version is released.

Originally Posted by Klashikari

...Your post is kinda irrelevant considering KJ posted that a year ago you know... the chinese and english projects proved him wrong, but they appeared after he made that comment.

Or to put it another way, hurrah - you guys finally made the move that I had hoped for from my tauting statement which lit the fire to show up to me that it can happen. It's was actually all part of my plan to widen the knowledge of Japanese otaku culture to the rest of the world; same with how I strongly advocated the use of the word ero-games, otaku terminologies such as moe and tsundere, etc. etc. Make a snark comment to light up a fire inside you guys to prove me wrong, and you did.

Congrats to all, if my memory serves correct, the people involved in translating Umineko has made a pivotal step in foreign otaku history - I think this is actually the first time any type of PC game was translated before it (obiviously will become) "mainstream" when the anime airs. Didn't happen when I tried advocating Tsukihime, did not happen at Fate, did not happen at Kiminozo, and nor did it happen at Higurashi. But you did it with Umineko! clap clap clap~.

Taking a look back for the entire five years I have been at animesuki, the base knowledge and the make-up of the members (esp. the number of fans who can read, write, type, and play games in Japanese) of this entire board has grown exponentially to become on par with otaku culture in Japan. Heck, only five years ago, practically no one knew that FMP was based on a light novel, moreso people didn't know what a light novel was!! Things has changed so much.