【艦これ】提督「艦娘百人一首」【其の十】
The tenth installment of the "Kanmusu Hyakunin Isshu" created by Admirals for the popular game *Kantai Collection (Kancolle)* is currently taking the internet by storm!
Fans are showering praise, calling the *waka* poems featuring the unique Kanmusu characters "deeply affectionate" and "pure art."
This passionate work, born from the creativity of the Admirals, is once again drawing significant attention.
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Kantai Collection -KanColle-
"Kantai Collection -KanColle-" is a browser game developed and operated by DMM GAMES and KADOKAWA. Players collect and train personified warships, known as "Kanmusu," to battle enemies. Since its launch in April 2013, it quickly gained popularity for its unique concept and charming characters. Players, called "Admirals," organize fleets of beautiful girl characters based on real Japanese naval vessels and strategically deploy them. The gameplay involves gathering resources to construct and develop Kanmusu, deploying them for experience, and upgrading them through remodeling. A distinctive feature is the incorporation of naval battle elements based on historical facts. In particular, the detailed profiles and historical episodes associated with each Kanmusu foster deep affection for the characters. More than 10 years after its launch, it remains a popular title with a strong fanbase, having branched into anime, manga, merchandise, and various other media, continuing to exert a significant influence not only in the game industry but also in Japanese subculture as a whole. Fan-made creations like this "Kanmusu Hyakunin Isshu" are a testament to its rich fan culture.
Kanmusu
"Kanmusu" is the collective term for the characters appearing in "Kantai Collection -KanColle-," who are personifications of real warships, primarily from the former Imperial Japanese Navy. They are one of the game's greatest attractions, and players, known as "Admirals," lead them in naval battles. Each Kanmusu's design, personality, and dialogue meticulously reflect the type of ship it is based on (battleship, aircraft carrier, heavy cruiser, destroyer, etc.), its performance, and historical anecdotes or characteristics. This also serves to pique players' interest in history. For example, the battleship "Nagato" is depicted as a dignified and reliable presence, while the destroyer "Yukikaze" has her "lucky ship" episodes reflected in her character. Numerous famous illustrators have contributed to their appealing visuals, and the character voices provided by popular voice actors further accentuate their individuality. There are hundreds of Kanmusu, and their rich variety is another reason for their popularity. Players seek encounters with new Kanmusu, acquiring them through construction or drops, and forge deep bonds through training. This "Kanmusu Hyakunin Isshu" is a fan-made creation that attempts to express the individuality of each Kanmusu in the form of *waka* poetry, a project that could only be born from deep understanding and affection for the characters.
Hyakunin Isshu
"Hyakunin Isshu" (One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each) is one of the most representative anthologies of Japanese *waka* poetry, with the "Ogura Hyakunin Isshu" selected by Fujiwara no Teika being particularly famous. It compiles one poem from each of 100 poets, totaling 100 *waka* in the *tanka* format of five lines with a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable structure. Beyond its status as classical literature, it is widely enjoyed as a traditional Japanese card game called *Uta-karuta*, where players search for cards inscribed with the latter half of a *waka* read aloud, making it a common sight during New Year's celebrations. This format is sometimes adapted in modern subculture, especially for fan-made content of character-driven franchises, as "character Hyakunin Isshu." This involves creating *waka* that fit the Hyakunin Isshu format, using a character's personality, famous lines, or episodes as themes. It requires not just writing poems, but also deep consideration and creativity in deciding which character corresponds to which poem and what the poem expresses about that character. This "Kanmusu Hyakunin Isshu" follows this tradition, aiming to condense each Kanmusu's individuality and historical background into 31 syllables, expecting a high quality that allows readers to empathize, thinking, "Yes, that's truly a poem for that Kanmusu." By merging a classical form with modern character culture, it is highly regarded within the fan community as a creative endeavor that brings forth new appeal.