The Editorial Department Discusses Countries We Want to Visit This Summer
—One day at the note editorial department—
Tantan: "Here, a souvenir!"
Yama: "Thank you! Tantan-san, you really love traveling, don't you?"
Tantan: "Yama-san, you love traveling too, right?"
Yama: "Indeed, I do. I'm interested in worlds I haven't seen yet, and lately, I have this desire to see with my own eyes the scenery I've seen in books and movies."
Tantan: "Ah, that's what you call a 'pilgrimage to sacred sites' trip. We couldn't go for a while due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but more people are traveling abroad lately, so I'd love to go on an overseas pilgrimage too."
Yama: "I'd love to! Summer vacation is just around the corner, so let's think about countries we want to visit!"
Tantan: "Let's do it! We're going to have a blast this summer!"
This time, the SKY PerfecTV! note editorial department discussed countries we want to visit this summer.
1st Country: Jordan (Movie: "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade")
Dr. Henry Jones, Indiana's father and an authority on the "Holy Grail," has gone missing.
Archaeologist Indiana, in the process of searching for his father, learns that the Nazis are also looking for the "Holy Grail." This "Holy Grail" is said to be able to grant immortality by receiving the blood of Jesus Christ, and it is said that it can be obtained by overcoming three trials.
A grand story begins as Indiana and his father race to reach the "Holy Grail" before the Nazis do...!
This is the third installment of the "Indiana Jones" series, a pinnacle of adventure films that depicts the adventures of archaeologist Indiana Jones, played by Harrison Ford.
The story follows Indiana, who uses his extensive knowledge of archaeology, quick wit, and action to overcome dangerous adventures. Isn't the charm of the "Indiana Jones" series also in how it depicts his human and humorous side?
And because it was filmed in beautiful locations around the world, the filming locations are a must-see!
In "The Last Crusade," the Petra ruins located in southern Jordan appear. Petra, depicted as the place where they search for the "Holy Grail," is a beautiful pink rock city and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985.
Yama: "I love adventure movies. Among them, 'Indiana Jones' is great because you can enjoy ruins and cities from all over the world. Just hearing the familiar theme song stirs up a sense of adventure, and after hearing that song, I want to set off on a journey and end up browsing travel sites. It's like Pavlov's dog."
Tantan: "The theme song is the best. I've played that song while driving on bumpy roads to get into the 'Indiana Jones' mood (or maybe more of an amusement park ride mood?), but I really want to feel the work alongside the ruins and be moved!"
2nd Country: Hong Kong (Movie: "The Confidence Man JP: Romance Episode")
With themes of "greed" and "money," this is a thrilling entertainment work where three confidence men—Dako (played by Masami Nagasawa), Boku-chan (played by Masahiro Higashide), and Richard (played by Fumiyo Kohinata)—use grand and bizarre plans to swindle large sums of money from greedy people in various glamorous industries such as tourism, real estate, medicine, and sports.
The setting for this movie jumps out of Japan and into Hong Kong!
The scale of both the setting and the guests has been upgraded! Now, the curtain rises on the highest peak of the 'con game' in Japanese film history!!
This is the movie version of the original TV drama "The Confidence Man JP" by screenwriter Ryota Kosawa, who has worked on numerous hits like "Legal High." It is a popular work that has had three movie releases so far: "Romance Episode," "Princess Episode," and "Hero Episode."
The "Confidence Man JP" theatrical versions have carried out "con games" set overseas, such as Langkawi Island in Malaysia for the "Princess Episode" and Malta Island in the Republic of Malta for the "Hero Episode" (filmed in Japan due to the pandemic). I selected the Hong Kong edition, which is the setting for the "Romance Episode," my personal favorite!
Tantan: "From the beginning to the end of the movie, you can fully enjoy Hong Kong's residential areas, downtown, and night views! I was especially overwhelmed by the 'Monster Mansion,' which is a view unique to Hong Kong! The sightseeing and gourmet scenes in the city of Hong Kong right after arriving might also be useful for travel reference (?). By the way, Official Hige Dandism's 'Pretender' was written as the theme song for this movie. The music video for that was set in Taiwan, so I'd love to go to both and go on a pilgrimage!"
Yama: "That sounds great! I love this movie too. I like the colorful feel, so I want to go to the Chun Yeung Street market where Dako walked with the con man Jesse, played by Haruma Miura. I didn't know the 'Pretender' music video was in Taiwan... Both are exotic and enchanting, aren't they?"
It's not the Romance arc, but... here is the broadcast schedule for the Hero arc!
3rd Country: United Kingdom (Manga/Anime "Black Butler")
19th-century England—
Sebastian Michaelis, the butler of the prestigious Phantomhive noble family,
along with his 13-year-old master, Ciel Phantomhive,
undertakes dirty work in the underworld as the "Queen's Watchdog."
One day, Ciel receives a letter from the Queen stating that
several students, including his relative Derrick who attends the prestigious Weston College, a top-tier British boarding school,
have gone missing.
Thus, Sebastian and Ciel infiltrate Weston College to investigate the incident.
What is the truth behind the incident...?
"Black Butler" has been serialized in "G Fantasy" since October 2006.
This work, which depicts the young Earl Ciel and his butler Sebastian operating in the underworld, is known for its intricate story structure.
・Jack the Ripper Arc
・That Butler, Talented Arc
・Noah's Ark Circus Arc
・Phantomhive Manor Murders Arc
・Luxury Liner Arc
・Public School Arc
The story is divided into major episodes, each of which carefully depicts the historical background and culture of late 19th-century England. Furthermore, each episode is filled with foreshadowing to unravel the mystery of the incident Ciel was involved in the past, making it a story that can be enjoyed even more deeply through analysis.
Yama: "There are many works set in the UK, not only those by British authors like 'Harry Potter' and 'Sherlock Holmes,' but also domestically produced works like 'Moriarty the Patriot' and 'The Ancient Magus' Bride.' Since the anime series aired for the first time in 10 years this year, I decided to introduce 'Black Butler.'
In particular, the 'Public School Arc' that aired this spring was set in a prestigious British boarding school, so I would love to visit Eton College, which is famous as a prestigious British school as well."
Tantan: "I didn't know the historical background and culture of the UK were depicted so realistically! I was bad at world history, so if I had known that in high school, I might have relied on 'Black Butler.' There are indeed many works set in the UK. It's perfect for a pilgrimage to sacred sites!"
4th Country: Czech Republic (Movie "Nodame Cantabile: The Movie I & II")
A two-part theatrical version of "Nodame Cantabile," which was adapted into a hit TV drama starring Juri Ueno and Hiroshi Tamaki based on Tomoko Ninomiya's popular manga of the same name, sparking a classical music boom.
It follows the eccentric Megumi Noda (known as Nodame), who has extraordinary talent for the piano, and Shinichi Chiaki, an elite music student aiming to become a conductor.
It depicts Nodame's musical growth despite repeated setbacks, as well as the future of the romance between Nodame and Chiaki.
A two-part film produced as a sequel to the "Nodame Cantabile" TV drama that aired in 2006.
It was filmed not only in Japan but also in various overseas countries such as France, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria.
Meeting through music and connecting hearts through music—continuing from the drama version, it is a masterpiece that goes without saying, where you can enjoy classical music itself while being moved by the emotions and souls of the performers!
A movie set in Europe, which can be called the home of classical music, allows you to immerse yourself even more deeply in the world of Nodame.
Tantan: "I chose the 'Nodame' movie because I still remember the street scenes in every single scene, even though it's been 14 or 15 years since I saw it in the theater. It was filmed in many countries, but Smetana Hall, where Nodame performed Chopin's 'Piano Concerto No. 1' at the concert of Stresemann, played by Naoto Takenaka, is a famous spot as a cultural property of Prague, even if it wasn't a filming location. The cityscape is beautiful, so I want to take a walk while listening to the Nodame soundtrack!"
Yama: "That's a choice only a music lover like Tantan could make. Indeed, the Czech Republic has an image of being a country of music. A pilgrimage to sacred sites where you listen to the soundtrack in the very place where the characters in the work actually played music is very elegant and wonderful! I can only play the maracas, but I'd love to join you...!"
Yama: "Thinking about the countries I want to visit has made me really want to go."
Tantan: "I get it, I'm already searching for flight tickets! I've always wanted to visit Europe... wait, what? That's expensive..."
Yama: "The weak yen..."
Tantan: "Ugh... oh, but if I cut back on eating out locally, maybe I can keep costs down a bit!? I'm going to look for a suitcase that can fit a lot of instant ramen!"
Yama: "That's a tough life."
▽ Click here for the "Editorial Department Discusses!" magazine