Notes

Chapter 1

Thomas Hobbes

English philosopher best known for his work Leviathan (1651), in which he theorizes about the nature of humanity and the necessity of strong, central authority to avoid societal collapse.

Koban

A small, local police box found in Japanese neighborhoods. Kobans serve as the first point of contact between the public and the police, and officers stationed there often handle minor cases or provide assistance to the community.

Dahon Boardwalk D8, Maruishi Frackers, Giant TCR Advanced

Popular bike models in Japan.

Mercari, Rakuma, Jimoty

Popular Japanese online platforms for buying or selling second-hand items.

Toyota Allion

A compact sedan for the Japanese domestic market. It is closest to the Toyota Corolla E210, the 12th generation.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)

The dominant political party in Japan, generally considered conservative and pro-business. The LDP has maintained significant influence in Japanese politics for decade

Toyota Crown

A luxury sedan model made by Toyota, often used by officials and law enforcement in Japan.

Chapter 2

Komeri

A Japanese home improvement store chain

Shukutoku University

A private university in Chiba, not particularly prestigious.

Todai

The shortened name for the University of Tokyo, the most prestigious university in Japan.

...in the Philippines during a civil war…

In reality, the conflict between the Moro separatists and the Philippine government had quieted by the 2020s. However, in this case, it worsened. Maoist insurgents, organized crime, and the influence of radicals from outside added fuel to the fire.

Chapter 3

Rolls-Royce Phantom

A British luxury vehicle known for its opulence and exclusivity.

...to another world, where he might build a harem of beautiful elf girls…
Exactly what happened in the delightful fanfic My Trans-Dimensional Overpowered Protagonist Harem Comedy Is Wrong, as Expected by Sage_Of_Eyes. If you haven't read it, I recommend it.

Woody Allen

American filmmaker, famous for his neurotic humor and existential themes.

Chapter 4

Edogawa Rampo

The father of Japanese detective and mystery thrillers. His most famous character is private detective Kogoro Akechi.

Koji Suzuki

A contemporary horror and thriller author, most famous for his novel The Ring.

Keiji Nakazawa

A Japanese manga artist, author of Barefoot Gen. He survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Akiyuki Nosaka

A Japanese journalist. His autobiographical story was adapted into the Grave of the Fireflies.

Tadaima

A Japanese phrase typically used when someone returns home, roughly translated as "I'm back."

...The Mariners win the Japan Series in four games…

The Chiba Lotte Mariners won the Japan Series only once in their history, setting a championship record for the longest final series.

USS Ronald Reagan

A Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, based in Yokosuka, Japan for many years as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5 of the Seventh Fleet.

Madara Uchiha

A very powerful antagonist from Naruto.

Gurren-Lagann

A mecha from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, which can use galaxies as weapons.

Chapter 5

USS Missouri

An Iowa-class battleship where Japan signed the instrument of surrender after its defeat in World War II. It has been preserved as a museum in Hawaii.

Shochu

A Japanese distilled spirit that can be made from various ingredients, including barley, sweet potatoes, and rice. It's stronger than sake but typically consumed in smaller quantities

Mitsubishi Debonair

A luxury Japanese sedan produced from 1964 to 1999, primarily for the domestic market.

Nissan Dayz

Also known as Nissan Otti and Mitsubishi eK, a kei car for the Japanese domestic market.

Chapter 6

Twelve tatami bachelor studio apartment

About 19 square meters or 210 square feet.

Imōto Sae Ireba Ii

A Sister's All You Need, a Japanese light novel series written by Yomi Hirasaka. It's a romantic comedy about young writers that parodies genre clichés. The protagonist idolizes Komachi Hikigaya!

Gagaga Bunko

The imprint under which Oregairu was published.

The Reiwa era

The current era in Japan, beginning in May 2019 with the ascension of Emperor Naruhito

Senbei

Traditional rice crackers, a common pastry.

Natto

A traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans. It is known for its strong smell and sticky texture

Itadakimasu

A common Japanese phrase said before a meal, expressing gratitude for the food

Miso soup

A staple in Japanese cuisine

Dashi

A broth made from fish stock (typically bonito flakes and seaweed), which forms the base of many Japanese dishes.

Chapter 7

The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF)

The military of Japan, which, due to Japan's post-World War II pacifist constitution, is not classified as an "army" in the traditional sense.

Tagalog, Maguindanao, Cebuano

Common languages spoken in Mindanao Island.

Chapter 8

Nitori

A well-known Japanese furniture and home décor retailer.

JS Shimokita

An Ōsumi-class tank landing ship of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Toyota Mega Cruiser

A large, heavy-duty four-wheel-drive SUV of the JSDF, essentially Toyota's answer to the Humvee. It could be armed and somewhat armored.

KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)

Business metrics that measure a company's performance

Chapter 9

Murasaki Shikibu

The pen name of the author of The Tale of Genji, a 11th-century Japanese classic often considered the world's first novel.

Renkoho waza

Judo techniques developed for apprehending criminals by the police. These are not used in competitive judo.

Shodan and Kyu ranks

In Japanese martial arts, ranks are denoted by kyu (beginner to advanced) and dan (black belt levels). Shodan is the first level of black belt, representing a transition from beginner to master

Momogaoka College

A fictional Tokyo music college, the setting for the first half of Nodame Cantabile. Nodame and Chiaki in this chapter visit their alma mater and can't resist playing with the new generation of talented classical musicians.

Chapter 10

Line

A popular messaging app in Japan, commonly used for communication across a wide range of contexts

Izakaya

A traditional Japanese drinking establishment, usually serving food alongside alcoholic beverages. Unlike high-end restaurants, izakayas cater to the working class, offering a variety of simple dishes at affordable prices. The atmosphere tends to be relaxed and informal

Kushiage

A dish of skewered and deep-fried food, typically including meats, vegetables, or seafood

...would keep our bottles...

Regular izakaya customers may leave their paid but unfinished bottles of alcohol at the establishment to come back for them next time.

Uniqlo

A popular Japanese retail brand known for its affordable, practical, and stylish clothing

Edamame

A traditional Japanese snack made from young soybeans, typically served boiled and salted.

Tatami iwashi

A beer snack made of dried young sardine fry, pressed together to resemble tatami mats.

Kappa

A mythical Japanese figure often depicted as a small, water-dwelling creature. It is said to have a strong connection to water and a mischievous nature

3.5-ton Type 73 truck

A standard cargo vehicle of the JSDF with a 3.5-ton payload capacity, manufactured by Isuzu.

Chapter 11

Poriko

A derogatory nickname for Japanese police officers.

From the Meiji, Taisho, or early Showa

Referring to the periods of the Japanese Empire, from 1867 to the end of World War II.

Chapter 12

Dogeza

A traditional Japanese gesture of deep apology or respect, where one kneels and bows deeply to the ground.

Daifuku

A type of Japanese rice cake filled with various fillings

PSIA (Public Security Intelligence Agency)

A division of Japan's Ministry of Justice. More an intelligence agency than a law enforcement department.

Ihai

A memorial tablet used in Japanese Buddhist funerals to honor deceased individuals

Chapter 13

Taiga Takasu

Taiga Aisaka from Toradora! Why couldn't she have become a lawyer defending children's rights, while Ryuuji Takasu became a chef?

Makiwara

A traditional Japanese training tool used for martial arts, specifically for practicing strikes

Bokken

A wooden sword used for training in various Japanese martial arts, particularly kenjutsu

Chapter 14

Garakei

The Japanese nickname for feature phones during the smartphone era. Many Japanese feature phones, in terms of functionality, were equal to or even surpassed the first smartphones, but nowadays their time has passed.

Chapter 15

Shogi

A traditional Japanese board game, often referred to as "Japanese chess." Unlike western chess, shogi pieces can be promoted, allowing them to gain more power during the game.

Tokin

A promoted pawn in shogi, which is stronger and can be used to threaten the opponent's camp.

Edo period

Refers to the era in Japanese history between 1603 and 1868, when the Tokugawa Shogunate ruled Japan. The term "Edo period" often symbolizes traditional Japanese aesthetics, with an emphasis on formal customs

Kuronaga-gumi

All names of yakuza gangs here are fictional

Akuma Zetto, Blackbird

Hachiman recalls the cars from the manga and anime Wangan Midnight, which had real-life prototypes.

Yagyū Munenori

A historical figure from the 17th century, known as a master swordsman and strategist in Japan. Munenori was a famous figure in the Tokugawa era, especially noted for his role as the head of the Yagyū clan and his expertise in martial arts and tactics

Hiroto Katagiri

A character from the TV series Tokyo Vice, based on the real-life Japanese police officer Chiaki Sekiguchi. The role was played by Ken Watanabe. I highly recommend Tokyo Vice to anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

Chapter 16

Ōba Yōzō

The protagonist of the novel No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai. The character is a deeply alienated and disconnected individual, struggling with a sense of inadequacy and a failure to connect with society.

Chapter 17

Minato

A special ward in Tokyo, Japan, known for being a hub of business and foreign companies

Independent People

A novel by Icelandic Nobel laureate Halldór Laxness about the life of a poor farming family in the early 20th century.

Chapter 18

Himeji

Aka White Heron Castle. The castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of Japan's most beautiful and well-preserved castles.

Chapter 19

Nokotan

Noko Shikanoko from Shikanoko Nokonoko Koshitantan, an absurd comedy about a deer girl in high school.

Attorney Tada

Banri Tada from the Golden Time

...My wife is Takasu-san's second cousin…

Non-canon addition to the Toradora! and Golden Time. Kouko Kaga is way too similar sometimes to Taiga Aisaka for them not to be related. After all, both characters were created by Yuyuko Takemiya.

Ameba

Popular Japanese blog platform

Mariana Trench

The deepest part of the Earth's oceans, 11 022 m deep

Chapter 20

Note

Popular Japanese blog platform

Kei Yoda

A brave journalist from Rideback, an obscure action sci-fi anime from Hachiman's youth.

Chiba TV

Real-life local TV station in Chiba prefecture.

Chapter 22

Isuzu Elf

A series of trucks better known worldwide as Isuzu N-series

Toyota Century

Toyota's flagship car within Japan, luxurious and very conservative.

Nagata-chō

Tokyo's political district, home to Japan's National Diet (parliament).