Recommending Characters #7: Tsukasa Tenma (Project SEKAI)

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Introduction:

Welcome to Recommending Characters! In this section of the blog, I’ll be making an overview of a certain character from one of the franchises I’m into once every two weeks, as well as highlighting their best and most important moments in canon, in hopes that it’ll make the readers interested both in the character and in the game itself!

It’s finally time for the second entry on Project SEKAI characters in this blog, Tsukasa Tenma! Unlike the last characters featured from the regular series I cover, he was chosen at random between the voted candidates because of a tie in the votes. Nonetheless, last doesn’t mean least, much less after all the big celebrations in Project SEKAI because of its 3rd Anniversary (in which Tsukasa’s card actually came home to me!), so let’s get started!

Tsukasa Tenma is one of the members of the theater troupe Wonderlands x Showtime, in charge of the Wonder Stage along with his tropemates, Emu, Nene and Rui. His passion for theater and performing goes all the way back to his childhood, as he saw it as a way to make Saki, his sickly younger sister, smile. Since then, he’s got the objective of becoming a ‘future world star’ (self-proclaimed). However, he might have forgotten about this as he sets off in yet another audition… But before explaining anything else, let’s go over his profile first!

Profile and General Overview:

"This man is destined to be a star!"

Out of the five units in-game, Tsukasa is a member of Wonderlands x Showtime, a four-member theater troupe that puts on shows at the Wonder Stage in Phoenix Wonderland, a notorious amusement park. He was born on May 17th, making him a Taurus, and he’s 1,72 tall, the shortest of the original male characters. His voice actor is Daisuke Hirose, whose other roles in mobage include characters like Misumi Ikaruga (A3!). As for schooling, he attends Kamiyama High School and is class 2-A’s representative. Other data in his profile includes a few of his hobbies and specialties (like musicals, sewing and piano) and a few likes and dislikes. 

"This is the prologue to Wonderlands x Showtime's new chapter!"

As the story in-game progressed, Wonderlands x Showtime are no longer exclusive to Phoenix Wonderland, and will be putting on more shows elsewhere, now independently. He also grew to 1,73m, making no changes in his height placement compared to the rest of the cast, and got placed in class 3-C along with his troupemate, Rui. He also stopped being his class’ representative, though the reason why is unknown/unclear. We still have yet to see more details on how the story develops, but for now, nothing else has changed. 

Stories:

Main Story Highlight:

Wonderlands x Showtime’s Main Story focuses mostly on Tsukasa as he’s the leader of the group, however his interactions with the other characters and how they see them is what truly sets the story forward. As he gets rejected by the Phoenix Stage auditions but gets picked up by Emu instead, fights with Nene over a mistake in a performance, and has to chase after Rui after he tells Tsukasa he isn’t fit to be a star in the argument that comes after, he finally remembers what his true motivation for becoming one was – putting smiles on everyone’s faces, which is what leads to his reconciliation with everyone else, through a play in their SEKAI that reflects their feelings, with help from Miku and KAITO. However, WxS’ story doesn’t stop there, nor Tsukasa’s – let’s go review some events next!

Song Events:

Wonder Magical Showtime

“Age and gender do not matter. It doesn't matter if you're an alien from outer space who speaks an incomprehensible language!

At the very least, I want my show to make everybody smile!!

And this park is a place that made so many people smile. It's a place that's full of precious memories.

A place that can make everyone smile. That is why so many people used to visit! That is what everybody loved about Phoenix Wonderland!

That is why I'm doing this show! To prove that this park is still just that!”

Similarly to Kanade, covered a few entries ago, Tsukasa’s first focus event didn’t come until almost a year into the game’s lifespan, as the group’s Main Story focused mostly on him, and although this event follows in a similar vein, it’s absolutely worth it! Taking place right after WxS’ previous song event, Smile of Dreamer, the troupe has to figure out a way to keep Phoenix Wonderland alive by putting on what might be their biggest show up to date, and for that, they will have to unite everyone together for their cause. With a heartfelt ending that moved me to tears, this is one of my favorite events in the entire game, and I recommend it greatly!

Associated song: Tondemo Wonders (tl.: Unthinkable Wonders) by sasakure.uk.

On the Stage of Dazzling Light

“No, this still doesn't feel right…

I was under the impression that Thorpe looks up to the stars here to flee from his issues because he knows he can't overcome them before the contest…

But am I wrong...?”

Finally, Tsukasa’s first true focus event, and just like the previous one, they clearly put a lot of care into it. With its main conflict being Tsukasa having to take on a lead role completely different from his true personality, he finds himself thinking about his past as he tries to find something in common with his role… Although this event is sort of infamous and misinterpreted around the fandom, it shows a side of Tsukasa never explored before, as well as a few flashbacks, so I consider this a good read (with an incredible song, too!). 

Associated song: 88☆彡 by Shota Horie (kemu) and marasy. 

Towards the Phoenix at the Sky’s Edge

“I’ve found it. I’ve found the Phoenix that I’ve been seeking, chasing after, and longing for all this time.”

If you thought the previous event was already emotional enough, this one will surely surpass your expectations! Set shortly after the previous WxS song event, Amidst a Dream, Towards the Shining Stars, the troupe is called to perform together with the cast over at the Phoenix Stage for Phoenix Wonderland’s 30th anniversary, putting on a very familiar play for Tsukasa – the one that inspired him to become a star when he was little. However, while auditioning for the second lead role, he becomes aware of one very crucial problem regarding his abilities as an actor. Like I mentioned before, the fans tend to exaggerate the troubles Tsukasa faces, but I think this event deserves mention of it, as it contains many emotional scenes that even if they end up resolved, can easily move you to tears!

Associated song: Mr. Showtime by Hitoshizuku×Yama△.

Other Events:

Unlike other characters in the game, Tsukasa has been featured as the banner of not just one, but two non-song events: The Gentleman’s Thrilling White Day!? and A Brand New Year! Lion Dance Robot’s New Year Show!

In The Gentleman’s Thrilling White Day!?, Tsukasa takes on a small job at a chocolate museum which needs a skit to entertain the guests during a special event on White Day in which they can make their own chocolates. However, his partner for said skit starts feeling bad halfway, but fortunately, Akito and Mizuki are there to help him out (more or less willingly, that’s another story!). A fun event that doesn’t contribute much to the plot, but offers interactions between this trio of characters, and that has spawned a few AUs within the fandom because of the fantasy-themed cards!

On a similar vein, A Brand New Year! Lion Dance Robot’s New Year Show! is an event commemorating New Years that has Wonderlands x Showtime putting on plays all through New Year’s Day, with the help of all the characters in the game, which are also celebrating it in their own way, throughout the different locations WxS perform in! 

Other important events that don’t feature Tsukasa as a banner include Amidst a Dream, Towards the Shining Stars (if you want to see more of Tsukasa’s efforts, or as a build-up for his third song event) for song events, and The Tenma Household’s Hinamatsuri (if you want to see more of Tsukasa’s relationship with his sister, Saki) for miscellaneous events. 

Funfacts:

• He and Rui are known as the ‘Oddball One-Two Combo’ (officially translated as ‘Weirdo Wombo Combo’ in the Global version of the game) at Kamiyama High School because of their loud and boisterous antics that often involve a few explosions here and there – they can be heard at least one per day in the school.

• His association with the number 88 goes beyond his song from On the Stage of Dazzling Light, piano keys and visible constellations – Towards the Phoenix at the Sky’s Edge was also the 88th event in the game!

  • As a bonus: his, Saki’s and Touya’s birthdays are all 8 days apart, as Touya is a childhood friend of the Tenmas and they all know how to play piano, being once again a reference to this number.

• He’s stated in a few area conversations that he simply wears whatever is on display at clothing stores, and sure enough, you can find both of his casual outfits (from before and after the 3rd anniversary) displayed in the store window of the Shopping Mall area!

Closing thoughts:

I’d say that Tsukasa is the most popular character of the game, at least in the international fandom, so covering him this early on was a must! Project SEKAI is really good at showing character development throughout the stories, and Tsukasa is no exception, as he has never forgotten his objective since he’s part of WxS, and he still regains as much confidence as ever even faced with setbacks, as much as the fandom likes to think otherwise! 

This entry required me quite a lot of reading since I’m more behind in Project SEKAI compared to the other games I cover, as I believe I also mention in Kanade’s entry, as well as the troubles that the year skip for the 3rd Anniversary had for the entry format as I had to restructure some parts (the profile section), but this was fun to write up! And watch out for more Project SEKAI soon, as the second poll’s results are in, and one of the characters will have its entry done before the end of the month! I hope you enjoyed this entry and the next ones to come! 

Credits:

• Towards the Phoenix at the Sky’s Edge quote taken from tsukasa’s #3 fan’s translation.

• Other stories' quotes are taken from the Global server’s scripts.