Plenty of Nothing

Oh, That Katamari

I don't read Japanese, but with the help of my friend the internet I can sometimes construe a bit of it. But, man, what a language. There are three different writing systems at work in this panel. I think what's being said is, "Oh, that Katamari. Choir club?" Katamari is a video game publisher, so I imagine this character is reacting to the news that the school choir is going to rehearse a song from some video game. If this were Genshiken Kio Shimoku would have used a parody name for the company, but as the practice of Hashikko Ensemble is to reference real songs the reader will know he uses the company's actual name.

Figuring out Japanese texts is a rewarding mental exercise, but I will be very much obliged to the publisher who brings Hashikko Ensemble out in English.

Year of the Rabbit Ogiue

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Jin as the White Rabbit

The Year of the Rabbit started two weeks ago, but here is Kio Shimoku's drawing of Jin from Hashikko Ensemble as the Alice's White Rabbit, who's late. Source.

Sohosai 2022

Camera club.

Model train club.

Readers of Genshiken can confirm that the fall cultural festival is an essential feature of the Japanese university club calendar. The University of Tsukuba student clubs held their first festival in three years earlier this month. Check out the pics here.

Comiket 100

University of Tsukuba Genshiken's table at Comiket 100. Source.

Hashikko Ensemble Sheet Music

Music publisher Ongaku No Tomo Sha Corp. tweeted a reminder that those are real songs in Hashikko Ensemble, and you can sing them too. Source.

Tsukuba Genshiken Clubroom

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Official Hashikko Ensemble Twitter Account

There are working drafts and bonus art to be seen at the Hashikko Ensemble Twitter account.

More Genshiken Recruitment

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Genshiken Welcome Pamphlet

Incoming members of the University of Tsukuba Genshiken are issued this orientation booklet. I want one! Source.