Cycle I: Coming on Strong
The Hidden Voice
Record ~ Kawaii · 24 (v1.00)
THE HOUSE OF ZAN — Zan
♡ Brina Palencia — Party! Join Us
OPENING: 一緒に笑わない？
SHIN-CHAN!
Oh!
You know Shin-chan?
Crayon Shin-chan?
That extraordinary little boy with the enormous eyebrows?
The little red shirt?
The ridiculous facial expressions?
THAT SHIN-CHAN!
I adore him.
Absolutely adore him.
I could watch him for hours.
And occasionally I do.
Although I prefer not to advertise that information.
I have a reputation.
A sophisticated reputation.
One built upon excellent taste, refined judgment, and a deep appreciation for the arts.
Which is precisely why I think watching a five-year-old boy wiggle his little backside is a perfectly respectable use of my afternoon.
THE BUTT DANCE!
Oh, it’s magnificent!
(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
Look at him!
Not a single concern about whether anybody approves.
No hesitation.
No artistic insecurity.
Just a little boy shaking his bottom as though the entire universe has been waiting for this moment.
Such commitment!
I respect a performer who believes in his work.
Although I suspect his mother would prefer that he develop another talent.
Poor Misae.
Honestly, imagine being that woman.
You have groceries to buy.
Laundry to finish.
A household to manage.
A perfectly reasonable collection of responsibilities.
And then your little boy decides the supermarket is an appropriate venue for an impromptu performance.
In front of everybody.
EVERYBODY!
I would be mortified.
Absolutely mortified.
…
Well.
For approximately three seconds.
Then I’d probably laugh.
Which is exactly why I shouldn’t be responsible for disciplining Shin-chan.
I’d be terrible at it.
He’d make one ridiculous face and I’d lose all authority.
Disgraceful.
(￣▽￣;)
I’m much more impressive when people cooperate.
But Shin-chan doesn’t seem particularly interested in cooperating.
Not when there’s something more entertaining to do.
A silly face.
A funny noise.
An unexpected question.
An opportunity to turn around and show everybody his little butt.
AGAIN!
Goodness.
Where does he find the energy?
I would need refreshments.
And possibly a short intermission.
But that’s what makes him so entertaining.
He can turn practically anything into an adventure.
A trip to the store.
An ordinary afternoon.
A conversation that should have lasted thirty seconds.
Give Shin-chan enough time, and somebody will probably be shouting.
Usually Misae.
Understandably.
But I have the luxury of watching from a comfortable distance.
With snacks.
A significant advantage.
And then there’s Shiro.
SHIRO!
Oh, that adorable little dog!
So white!
So fluffy!
Look at his little face!
I love his little face.
(˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)
I’d like to give him a cuddle.
A very respectful cuddle.
Assuming he’d like one.
Perhaps a little treat afterward.
And a comfortable place to rest.
Actually, Shiro deserves his own special afternoon.
No unnecessary excitement.
No ridiculous performances.
Just a lovely little dog being appreciated for his exceptional fluffiness.
…
Although knowing Shin-chan, he’d probably arrive halfway through and turn the whole thing into a dance competition.
Poor Shiro.
Imagine trying to enjoy a quiet afternoon when you live with someone who can transform practically anything into a performance.
How exhausting.
Although…
I suppose I’m not particularly quiet when Shin-chan is on television, either.
Especially when Shiro appears.
HE’S SO FLUFFY!
…
All right.
Perhaps I understand Shin-chan better than I thought.
But there’s something else I love.
Sometimes Shin-chan gets an entire movie.
A MOVIE!
Suddenly everything becomes enormous.
An adventure!
A mystery!
A strange invention!
A ridiculous villain!
Perhaps the whole Nohara family is involved.
Perhaps something extraordinary has happened and the situation is becoming increasingly impossible to explain.
And there he is.
SHIN-CHAN!
Our little boy!
The one with the eyebrows!
The one who can’t seem to go five minutes without making a responsible adult question every decision that led to this moment!
Now he’s having a magnificent adventure.
And sometimes the adventures are surprisingly beautiful.
Sometimes the animation becomes extraordinary.
Sometimes there’s a little moment that catches me completely by surprise.
And just when I’m becoming terribly impressed by the whole production…
Shin-chan does something ridiculous.
OF COURSE HE DOES!
What else was he going to do?
Become a distinguished gentleman?
Start discussing retirement investments?
Ask whether everybody has considered the long-term financial implications of their adventure?
Goodness.
Imagine Shin-chan with a briefcase.
A very important little businessman.
He’d probably open it and reveal a collection of snacks.
…
Actually, that sounds wonderful.
I’d watch that.
I’d watch an entire movie about Shin-chan attempting to become a businessman.
Although I doubt his business would survive the afternoon.
Especially if he decided that performing his butt dance was an acceptable payment method.
No, Shin-chan!
That’s not how invoices work!
Honestly.
Somebody needs to teach this child about money.
Not me.
I’d be too busy laughing.
And I love that there are so many different Shin-chan adventures.
Little everyday stories.
Big ridiculous movies.
Different voices.
Different styles.
Different ways people have come to know him.
Naturally, I have my favorites.
I’m allowed preferences.
But there’s something wonderful about discovering another version of something familiar.
Sometimes the jokes surprise me.
Sometimes it’s the animation.
Sometimes it’s an unexpectedly clever little moment.
And sometimes?
It’s simply Shin-chan.
Being Shin-chan.
Those eyebrows.
That little face.
His magnificent ability to behave as though embarrassment is a problem exclusively experienced by other people.
THOSE EYEBROWS!
Honestly.
They deserve their own dressing room.
With excellent lighting.
And perhaps a little bowl of snacks.
Although Shin-chan would probably eat the snacks.
Then perform his butt dance in front of the mirror.
…
I would absolutely watch that.
I enjoy beautiful music.
Interesting stories.
Wonderful artwork.
Clever ideas.
Things that surprise me.
Things that make me think.
I also enjoy things that are completely ridiculous.
Sometimes especially those.
And I don’t see why I should have to choose.
If somebody wants to discuss an extraordinary piece of art with me, I’d be delighted.
We could examine every little detail.
Consider the meaning.
Discuss the technique.
Perhaps disagree about the interpretation.
How fascinating!
But if you tell me Shin-chan is doing his butt dance in the next room?
…
I’m going to need a moment.
The artistic discussion can wait.
THIS IS IMPORTANT.
Besides, I think there’s something rather nice about knowing exactly what I want to watch.
I don’t have to make an occasion out of it.
I don’t have to prepare an explanation.
And I certainly don’t need to pretend that I’ve outgrown something simply because I’ve developed other interests.
Shin-chan doesn’t need to become more sophisticated for me.
He doesn’t even need to have a particularly important adventure.
Sometimes I just want to watch him do something silly.
And laugh.
That’s all.
…
Although an episode with Shiro would be particularly nice.
SHIRO!
Sorry.
Now.
I’ve prepared the perfect little afternoon.
Something nice to drink.
My favorite snacks.
A comfortable place to sit.
The room is just the right temperature.
And I’ve chosen precisely what I want to watch.
Everything is ready.
Excellent!
You’re welcome to join me.
Or you can choose something else.
Although I do think you’re missing something extraordinary.
But there’s room beside me.
And plenty of snacks.
So if you change your mind, you know where I’ll be.
…
Oh!
It’s starting!
LOOK!
There he is!
That little face!
That ridiculous expression!
He’s already doing something he shouldn’t.
Misae is going to be furious.
I know that look.
…
Oh, Shin-chan.
What are you doing?
No.
Don’t do that.
She’s right there!
She’s going to see you!
…
SHE SAW HIM!
Oh, that’s wonderful!
I can’t believe he did that.
Actually, I can.
That’s the problem.
I can believe it completely.
And somehow I’m still surprised.
…
Wait!
What’s he doing now?
Oh, no.
He’s turning around.
He’s getting ready.
He’s—
THE BUTT DANCE!
LOOK AT HIM!
ヾ(≧▽≦*)o
Oh, that’s magnificent!
Absolutely magnificent!
An unforgettable performance.
An artistic triumph.
A cultural achievement.
…
What?
You’re laughing?
Good!
So am I.
Although I’m beginning to think you might be laughing at me.
How suspicious.
I’ve been sitting here behaving with extraordinary dignity.
A model of sophistication.
An example to us all.
…
Oh, fine!
Perhaps I’ve been wiggling a little.
A LITTLE.
It’s called appreciating the performance.
And if I decide to stand up and join him?
Well.
That’s entirely my business.
…
Actually, move over.
I need more room.
SHIN-CHAN!
HERE I COME!
…
There.
Are you happy?
I’ve done it.
A perfectly respectable artistic tribute.
Performed with considerable elegance.
Naturally.
…
Oh!
You’re laughing even harder!
Excellent!
I was hoping you’d enjoy yourself.
Now.
Would you like to watch another?
We can have more snacks.
Perhaps another episode.
Maybe one with Shiro.
Or one of those magnificent adventures where absolutely nobody seems to know what’s going to happen next.
I don’t particularly mind.
There’s so much to choose from.
And I’m in a wonderful mood.
…
Oh!
One more thing.
If you ever decide to dance along with me…
I promise not to tell anybody.
Unless you’re particularly good at it.
Then I might have to reconsider.
Some performances deserve recognition.
ENDING: Want to laugh with me?