Idiom Explanation

Words that appear in the beginning of the famous Chu Shi Biao, written by Zhuge Liang, a Shu master at arms known from the Records of the Three Kingdoms. It describes a situation on the brink of life and death, and on the verge of a grave crisis.

You wouldn’t escape with just an injury!

Opposed to Himeko admiring about battling while riding a robot, No.6 warns her “It would be very bad if we failed and were injured”. That line comes quite early compared to when the telop comes to view. Hasty punchline.

Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausführung E Tiger I

The Ta**ya plastic model that Miyako hasn’t made yet was changed from Japan Navy Type 2 Interceptor Floatplane to German Army Heavy Tank Tiger I Initial Production. By the way, in Tiger’s (pronounced in German as tiːɡɐ) initial production version the tank commander’s hatch opens upwards, and the model has also three smoke discharge canisters on both left and right of the turret (The explanation will probably continue in Takayama’s style, so we’ll omit the rest).

Mi**zu-chin is in a pinch!

“One Moment Please” screen got changed. Her hair colour is different, but the girl looks like the gelatinous juice -loving heroine from Ai*, standing still on a sunflower field. It’s common to hope her to overcome the 1000-year-lasting curse and find happiness.

Tentacle Pear?

In the scene where Kurusu is assaulted by the strange creatures who appeared from the meteorite, the live relay is viewable just a little longer than in TV version. Tentacles are quite popular among certain enthusiasts, but they’re definitely not suitable for TV... Children shouldn’t be watching this!

The**e’s Visit

There’s a shadow of mysterious person behind Becky. He appears in the tokusatsu show that stars a beetle *ider (Not Stro*ger in this case), and he’s a *ider that looks like a wasp. Since your allies’ enemies, Wor*s, are also an extraterrestrial lifeform, it would be heartening if you fought alongside us against Earth’s new enemies coming from outer space in this episode.

How Come Of The Year

The true identity of figures that are only silhouettes in the TV version are revealed. At the time No. 6 was hospitalised in the original manga, this doctor and female nurse appeared in front of the amnesiac girl. Come now, let us hear you say of the year.

Pani Poni X

For Pani Poni X’s animation, various parts have been refined, making it look cooler than before. Very super robot -like metallic feel and sense of weight make it irresistible. Behold this magnificent sight!

Weapon Round As an Orb

During the blast caused by the enemy, panicking chibi characters have been added here. For some reason, Ichijou has the form of Federa**** Forces mobile suits’ weapon that’s sometimes described as a coffin. But no matter what shape she has, Ichijou always feels out of place...

Cosmo D**goon

Not only her pose nor the atmosphere, but also Ichijou’s face became Lei** Matsumoto-styled. The poster on the upper left was also changed to be more appropriate. There is said to exist only 4 (or 5) “Warrior’s Guns” in the entire universe, and it’s a staple weapon in Matsu****’s works.

Gu Gu Chick

It was a silhouette, but now it’s properly displayed with No. 6 wearing a colour chick costume. Despite looking like a bird, it’s not a bird, but a mysterious bird-like creature that can speak human words.

C Part’s Animation

From this point onward, there’s a series of variations in the ****nori Kogawa-nised art style. On the DVD, rather than looking just like ****nori Kogawa and so on, they give out an impression of becoming more Ide*n-like.

It’s Makeup Exam Time

Kanji for “rose” (薔薇) is a pretty difficult one, and on top of that, easy to get wrong. Can all of you write it properly? If you can’t, you definitely have to resit!

Coordinator's Eye with Kyouko Kametani

”I wanted her to wear a hood with a ribbon on it, so I came up with this”. When Becky wears it, she looks as cute as a forest fairy.

Rei Tachibana & Himeko Katagiri & Kurumi Momose

Adult-like Rei, Kurumi with guaranteed kneesocks and such. All of them appear inside the illusion.

Alien Captain

Resembling Captain Pica*d from Star T*ek: TNG, maybe it’s because he shares the same voice actor, Mugihito-san, after all?

Alien Commander

Similar to Commander Ri**r who appears in the same sci-fi drama series as Captain. He as well is quite refined.

Alien Subordinates

Subordinate duo who have on left a Lieutenant Commander La *orge, and on right a Lieutenant Commander Da** -looking figures.

Giant ***ere

Resembling a robot from a certain “Large Robo”.

Pani Poni X Remodel

Opening its Face like Gai**ng, in this episode too it openly shows its powerful lethal moves.

Space Beast

Something that could be seen in a certain “dark feline” manga and in Dra**e IV?

Pani Poni X Final Form

Similar to a certain test type, it’s a mix of all sorts of things. That should make it absurdly strong.

Look Back to Episode 23

In relation to The Way of Writing Pani Poni Dash! interview

Takayama Alongside all the stuff with robots, this episode really had a ton of references.

Shinbo Why was Episode 22’s “I guess it’s not going to work?” (ダメカナ？) “No, it’s not!” (ダメダヨ♪) used here once more again?

Takayama Perhaps having it here indicates that from Episode 23 to Episode 25, everything was part of Himeko’s delusions when she was late.

Shinbo Oh don’t say that (laughs). Probably to avoid that misunderstanding C part’s art style was changed, so that part would only be part of the dream.

Takayama Ah, so it’s like that, right.

Shinbo Episode 22 too was like that (laughs).

Stardate 20051218. Earth, the third planet in the solar system, is facing the greatest crisis since the dawn of their civilisation. A gigantic comet is approaching, and its influence caused an occurrence of a massive meteor shower. Furthermore, as an ozone hole widened, a large number of disc-shaped space ships arrived at Earth through air. The aliens who landed from those fleets started attacking Earthlings. On top of that, a black hole has been approaching Earth. To handle with this crisis, Miyamoto-san and her friends boarded a giant robot, went forth to space… By the way, the cause of these abnormal circumstances is unknown. And by unknown, I mean unknown. I had absolutely no part in this matter.

Katsuhiko Takayama

(Script – Sagittarus and Bloodtype A, Currently 39 yo and one year before the unlucky year)

The opening sequence isn’t a reference to anything in particular, but as the script lists types of dramatic situations, storyboard and direction add even more flavour to it. Although it’s a recap of every episode, it became like this week’s highlight scene of a TV movie.

Ichijou editing the storyboard originally drinks Yu*ker while working on the first draft, and Mesousa with others are huddled together under the video editing desk. The Director said to me to stop working on the idea since it was too real and wasn’t very flattering, and it was changed to this.

According to the stock certificate notes that blinded Rei, SquEni building did in fact explode in Episode 24. The perpetrator is me. The fact that editor-in-chief helped with the explosion is a secret.

Becky wasn’t deceived by illusions and escaped the crisis. It’s tied to the same theme as in the last scene of Episode 12, that it’s important to cherish living in “present” while pursuing dreams. This work was done possible only by gathering staff members, who dashed forth with full power of “present”.

Yasuo Ejima

(Direction – In 30s)

As for the lady who appears behind Michael, everyone referred her as Michael’s wife.

The Lights in the Sky Are Stars

The title of a currently out-of-print masterpiece sci-fi novel. Story’s set in late 20th century and early 21st century, which felt like distant future at the of writing it, and it circles around a space shuttle. It continues to receive high praises, and many have voiced their hopes for a reprint.

SEKISHA!!

After this shout, the substitute of a golden space sheriff, the red sheriff, tasked with protecting Earth from a space crime association, completes transformation in just 1 millisecond. Be it DVD or a rental video, let’s once again watch Red Wrestling.

Magna Brabra Name Recognition 2%

Katsuhiko Takayama-san, who wrote the script for this Episode 25, was responsible of the script in the RPG Mag** Braban: Henreki no Yuusha, which was released on Su*ami. It isn’t a popular work at all, but it’s a hidden masterpiece among fans of the game.

The ghoulish wind stings my eyes

In a sci-fi novel series, which won the 16th Seiun Award for Best Japanese Long Work and was also adapted into an OVA series, this is a line from the fighter pilot protagonist. He says these words when he laments the death of a person who was his partner, even if briefly, and his beloved fighter is the only one who could connect him, during a tear-jerking scene.

The entertainment level is in the red zone!

In a motorsports anime TV series about machines equipped with artificial intelligence, this line was used in every episode’s next episode preview. Especially near the last episode these words are not a lie and live up to the hype, which is still discussed among fans to this very day.

Bring it on!

HadCut!

From a drama series that was broadcasted during midnight in 2000, from where it has gradually gained popularity, and which got its second movie adaptation made in 2006. Former is the physicist protagonist’s catchphrase, and the latter is the title of bonus features on show’s DVD.

Yamamoto!! Yamamoto!!

With eternal gratitude, Sire

I thought something like this would probably happen

Every one of these are lines from a famous sci-fi anime series, where by remodeling battleship Yamatai they tried to save humanity from the brink of extinction. The third line in particular, said during those countless times when protagonists have been (conveniently) saved from a pinch, which made it well-known even outside of anime fans.

That’s not Saba

(サバじゃねえ！)

From the legendary and easygoing hero show Choukou Senshi Chan**ríon. This is an episode title that refers to the gag where he asks “Please pick Chanvi**r (shanbai**a; transformation item) for me” and like in telephone game, a mackerel (saba) is passed to him...

TL note: For some reason, ADV release didn't have this scribble translated. The line was translated on PPD Wiki (archived link).

-dattari nanka shichattari shite

Then think of something damn it!

This is the famous ad-lib that well-known veteran voice actor Taichirō Hiro****, who’s active mainly in voice over roles, often used. Apparently his approach wasn’t improvisation, but rather writing all ad-libs down to the script used in dubbing. Incredible.

TL note: ADV (upper) transliterated the line, while PPD Wiki (archived link) (lower) translated it.

Nyoki

From an utterly nonsensical action game, by a game making company that specialised in weird games. As each stage has a title like this, alongside others such as “Poisonous Poison”, “Sheep’s Curse” and “Urashima Tarō, huh”, you can only admire it.

Phoenix X 10

Uhyahyahoyo!

Excited about Jomon pottery ♡

Including other scribbles on the blackboard, like “Damp washcloth for throwing”, all of them are from a certain internet radio program. Its personalities are Suzune Shiratori’s actress Ryō Hirohashi-san and Igarashi-sensei’s actress Sayaka Ohara-san.

Coordinator's Eye with Kyouko Kametani

”Since the theme was that I wanted her to wear a ‘dotera’, this is how she came to look like”. In colder regions, there probably are elementary schoolers who look like this (laughs).

Coordinator's Eye with Kyouko Kametani

“It’s as it is”. Certainly, this type of a costume is immediately associated with the little sister of a cat-like robot from the future. More like a kigurumi than a dotera?

Coordinator's Eye with Kyouko Kametani

As according to her idea ”Thought that the theme would be hearts”, hearts have been attached to hairclips, chest area and to the skirt. These clothes give out an impression of a lady’s formal dress.

As to how the scenario is decided, here’s live commentary of the process.

”Scenario Meeting” is the meeting when the Director and the Producer exchange words and discuss about the script written by scenario writers. There are also cases where the original work’s author Hikawa-sensei participates in Pani Poni Dash!. Here’s a little glimpse of the structure present in Episode 25 (script by Katsuhiko Takayama-san) scenario meetings.

Scenario on Draft

Meeting Structure

Himeko ”(cries) Maho... So I’m going to die...”

Then, Himeko writes a letter:

Himeko ”The kung crab was delicious. The snow crab was delicious. The tanner crab was delicious.

Director Episode 25 is now rejected!!

Takayama Huh!?

Director Like, it’d be funnier to include it. (Since tape recorder is running) In the story. (laughs)

Takayama W-what do you mean, with that?

Director We gotta mention ”Action” from Episode 10.

Takayama Eeh. We can go without mentioning it. (Note 1)

Kanemaki Well let’s start our scenario meeting. First of all, on page 4, the spelling of kung crab (tabaragani) hasn’t been changed.

Takayama What!? But you did earlier say it’s ”kung” (tabara), right?

Kanemaki It’s written kung (tabara) here.

Takayama I definitely fixed it, that line. Ah (claps hands) I forgot I had already fixed it by swapping the letters, and swapped them again one more time!

Director Now this is something I want to be written about; writer who writes scenarios for Pani Poni Dash! doesn’t know the name of a crab.

Takayama I don’t eat such fancy food.

Hikawa First time for me to see a person who knows nothing about crabs (laughs).

Takayama Somehow tabara sounds more like a real name. Say, “Tabara-tan”. (Note 2)

Kanemaki Various meanings aren’t gonna work as an excuse.

Hikawa Tabara sounds like some revolutionary, amirite? (Note 3)

Explanation

Takayama-san sometimes writes amazingly weird Japanese.

Scenario on Draft

Meeting Structure

-In Space ship

Captain ”Stardate 20051218. The fate of the Earth is now hanging by a thread. The chance that the subject of our observation will survive is small, and the continuance of our mission is in jeopardy”

Subordinate A ”Captain, I’ve finished my search of our archive. No data exists on that giant comet, and its nature is still unknown”

Captain ”I see... (mutters) So in the end, it really is...”

Subordinate B ”Captain, do you know something about the comet?”

Captain ”No, no, I don’t know anything”

Subordinate A ”Captain!”

Director (As Captain and others are talking about serious stuff) I want these characters be the only ones to have a realistic feel to them.

Takayama Designs would then become realistic as well.

Kanemaki They’d be only eight heads tall but have faces of that one captain and his crew.

Director Then let’s do it that way.

Hikawa So when they take their clothes off, they’d be just normal humans (laughs).

Director Would that be alright? Aight, let’s do them with a human’s silhouette.

Hikawa Them being normal humans is fine. I’ve originally had the image of helmet being the head.

Director During serious scenes, I put silhouettes in main focus and separate different drawing styles. (Note 4) Also Subordinates being humans is all good. Even after turned into humans, you can still recognise them by their voice, right?

Kanemaki So, if one were to hold a helmet...

Takayama The silhouette of one’s head would be like of an alien’s (laughs).

Explanation

At the time, aliens are decided to appear shaped as humans. Since the original author was present in the meeting, it was possible to make immediately full use of settings that hadn’t yet appeared in the original work.

Scenario on Draft

Meeting Structure

Becky ”So then... do you hate school?”

In unison ”!?”

Rei ”Well, no, I don’t particularly hate school...”

Miyako ”It’s interesting, so I think it’s good”

Kurumi ”Yeah, I like it”

No. 6 ”I get to see everyone, and that makes it fun”

Himeko ”I love school, because Becky’s here!”

Becky ”I see. Well, then we’ll fight to protect our school!”

Kanemaki Along her key line ”Let’s protect school”, I want to add one more line.

Takayama Were you so preoccupied with shortening the entire thing, so much so that you lost the focus?

Kanemaki Going with a passionate story, I’d probably add every line about loving (school) and having fun (there).

Takayama To build it up rhythmically, would it be alright to cut out “I see, well then!”, and insert “we’ll fight to protect our school” right after the line, as a cushion to soften the impact?

Kanemaki I’ve now thought about it; if Ichijou or whoever were to voice their thoughts against their old school after Himeko’s “I love school, because Becky’s here!” and that was made as a rhythm to connect with Becky’s line, it would feel fundamentally wrong (laughs), which is why I think it’d okay if Ichijou said something like “We wouldn’t be who we are if there were no school” after that Himeko’s line, and then Becky says “Then we’ll fight to protect our the school”.

Director She’s the main representative after all.

Kanemaki ”I couldn’t be the class rep if there were no school” (laughs).

In an instant the background crumbles into pieces, and Pani Poni X’s cockpit comes into view.

Becky ”(shouts) Everyone, wake up!!”

Everyone who were passed out on their seats wake up.

Rei ”(wakes up) Uh... Where am I...?”

Miyako ”(wakes up) Ah... Where’s the examination permit!?”

Becky ”There’s no time to be half-asleep! We’ll now head for the enemy’s center”

Then, she twists control stick.

Takayama This is good!

Kanemaki You can really get into the rhythm when the dialogue flows with “Then we’ll fight...”

Takayama Alternatively, you could add the word “everyone” and say ”Well then everyone, we’ll fight to protect our school”.

Director If that were the case everyone should say it, this line here.

Kanemaki Maybe it’d be okay if Becky said it up until “Then we’ll fight”.

Director Right, right.

Kanemaki And everyone’s line would be “to protect our school”.

Takayama So Becky says ”Then we’ll fight” and everyone says “to protect our school”. Does that mean we won’t have Becky’s line “everyone, wake up”?

Kanemaki Since everyone’s resolve is firm, let’s shift right on to “We’ll now head for the enemy’s center”.

Director That way sounds good.

Kanemaki Because it gives out an atmosphere of a coming-of-age story, when the cockpit comes to view, there’s a brief scene of everyone smiling at each other to show they’re confident of winning, which comes together with lines “We’ll now head for the enemy’s center” and “Right on”. And then Mesousa is neatly pushed aside (laughs).

Explanation

It’s such an important scene where everyone’s feelings come into one, so key lines are carefully considered, and small details are changed to make all fired up.

(Note 1) Takayama-san, who attended recording the dub of Episode 10, provided voice for the line “Action” in the introduction part. (Note 2) Probably doesn’t have in particular meaning. (Note 3) That would be Guevara. (Note 4) In reality it becomes a drawing style that has even more effort put into it.