Cycle I: Coming on Strong
The Hidden Voice
Record ~ Kawaii · Contents
THE HOUSE OF ZAN — Zan
Cycle I: The Record ~ Kawaii Edition offers another way to experience the ideas explored throughout the original Cycle I: The Record. With its own personality, perspective, and creative identity, this collection brings something entirely different to those familiar subjects.
Across twenty-six encounters, you will get to know Emika Hanamori, or Emi for short, a young woman with an extraordinary number of questions, considerable confidence in herself, and a habit of getting a little carried away when something interests her.
What begins with a simple introduction gradually becomes something more personal as the reader gets to know Emi, one conversation at a time.
The questions move through expectations, independence, curiosity, and the choices that shape how we understand ourselves. As the encounters continue, another perspective becomes increasingly important: the person on the other side of the conversation.
Each Record offers its own experience, and you’re welcome to begin wherever something catches your interest. Reading them in sequence allows the conversations, recurring details, and changing questions to build upon one another.
Every piece also includes a Heart Track, hand-selected to accompany its particular mood, personality, or perspective. The music offers another way to experience the Record, but you’re equally welcome to enjoy the writing on its own.
For an introduction to Emi and the experience ahead, Starting the Cycle provides a natural place to begin.
Cycle I: The Record ~ Kawaii Edition — Table of Contents
- Starting Point! ~ Konnichiwa… (1-1)
- Onward and Upward! ~ Mite Hoshii Dake? (1-2)
- Great Expectations! ~ Kitai Shisugi? (1-3)
- Sacrifice of Control! ~ Tebanaseru? (1-4)
- Learning Through Experience! ~ Ima no Watashi? (1-5)
- Objects in Space! ~ Jibun no Supēsu? (1-6)
- The Gift of a Maybe! ~ Nani o Misetai? (1-7)
- What/ever! ~ Hitotsu Dake? (1-8)
- Reality of Fantasy! ~ Mō Sukoshi? (1-9)
- Handle With Care! ~ Arigatō Dake? (1-10)
- Getting Ahead? ~ Iya tte Ii? (1-11)
- From Darkness! ~ Kowai Mono mo? (1-12)
- For What It’s Worth! ~ Kore de Yokatta? (1-13)
- Earthbound Backtrack! ~ Dō Kanjita? (1-14)
- Saturn Return! ~ Ōdishon? (1-15)
- Neptune Nowhere! ~ Anata ga Kimeru? (1-16)
- Jupiter Obsession! ~ Hontō ni Okita? (1-17)
- Uranus Joy! ~ Hanashite Minai? (1-18)
- Pluto Reversal! ~ Sūji de Wakaru? (1-19)
- Mars Bars! ~ Mite Morau Dake? (1-20)
- Venus Breakdown! ~ Sore ga Hoshikatta? (1-21)
- Mercury Memories! ~ Naisho ni Shite? (1-22)
- Moon Shades! ~ Watashi no Mama? (1-23)
- Sun Stroke! ~ Issho ni Warau? (1-24)
- Universal Truth! ~ Dare ga Kimeta no? (1-25)
- The Great Beyond! ~ Hontō ni Owari? (1-26)
After the final Record, Breaking the Cycle offers something a little different, best discovered after spending time with Emi and reaching the end of the collection.
If one of these titles catches your attention, you’re welcome to start there. If you’d prefer to experience the conversations as they unfold, begin with Starting Point! ~ Konnichiwa… (1-1) and continue forward.
For those curious about what went into creating this collection, Kawaii by Design: The Creation of Cycle I: The Record ~ Kawaii Edition offers an extensive look at the development process.
Part of The Weight, this long-form essay explores the original inspiration, the development of Emi’s personality, the artistic decisions behind the writing and music, and some of the unexpected experiences that came with bringing the collection to completion.
It can be enjoyed independently, whether you’ve already spent time with Emi or are simply interested in learning how she came to exist.
Beyond the Kawaii Edition, The Hidden Voice also includes the original The Record, The Blacklight, The Nerve, and The Hidden Girl, each exploring the cycle’s themes through its own distinctive voice, perspective, and artistic approach.
For other rooms in The House of Zan, return to the House Map.
Elevator Music: “Voice of Autumn” — Nujabes