fate/grand order: ( type-moon ace ) A BUSINESS CHAT WITH NEW TAKASUGI HEAVY INDUSTRIES

[poppyseed]

 

TYPE-MOON ACE DOCUMENTARY SERIES: 

 A BUSINESS CHAT WITH NEW TAKASUGI HEAVY INDUSTRIES

Translation: Mandy, English & Japanese Proofreading: Ery.
 

[ In-depth interview with the President of Takasugi Heavy Industries! ]

A TRUE ACCOUNT, from our up-and-coming news reporter.

“Live interestingly in an uninteresting world.”

A man who consistently stays ahead of the times—President Takasugi Shinsaku, the driving force behind Takasugi Heavy Industries' emergence as a top company representing the Restoration City of SAITAMA. On a journey that was by no means smooth sailing, how did he overcome the obstacles he encountered and reach the success they now celebrate? In this exclusive interview, we take a closer look at President Takasugi's management philosophy and his vision for the future, while getting a glimpse of his personality amidst his busy daily schedule.

Good morning. Why don’t we start by having you introduce yourself?

President Takasugi: Oi, oi. There are people in the glorious Restoration City of SAITAMA who don’t know who I am? I’m literally Takasugi Shinsaku, you know. Takasugi Shinsaku, the miraculous hero born in Choshu, and a remarkable Archer.

R-Right. Of course. Today, we're going to be shadowing you, President Takasugi, the driving force behind the innovation at Takasugi Heavy Industries, to get a closer look at what you’re like. Let’s kick things off with your morning routine. What do you usually have for breakfast?

 

President Takasugi: Uwah, what a boring question right off the bat. Honestly, who’s going to want to know what I eat for breakfast? Plus, I went out drinking last night, and my head is still pounding, so I haven't eaten anything yet today.

C-Clearly you were just so absorbed in your work that you forgot to eat. On that note, do you usually get to work before everyone else to boost your concentration?

President Takasugi: Nah. I had such a bad headache that I couldn't sleep at all. I was thinking we should grab a drink to celebrate this occasion, actually. What do you think?

What’s wrong with this guy? Er, nevermind. I’m still on the clock, so I’ll have to pass. Anyway, there were quite a few executive meetings and reports from all departments that made their way to your desk this morning, weren’t there?

President Takasugi: I’d rather skip the unnecessary meetings, but with the company expanding, there’s a lot to manage. Fortunately, things have eased up a bit since we brought on some talented new team members. But even then, I’m still really busy with launching new weapons and presenting them to other companies. After all, I make sure to personally analyze everything with my own eyes before incorporating it into the Kiheitai. Nothing gets rolling without my input.

By Kiheitai, you mean your Noble Phantasm, yes?

President Takasugi: Yeah. It's an amazing Noble Phantasm that can assemble the most advanced army equipped with the latest equipment of the current age. Who was the one claiming it doesn't stand a chance against the stronger, more mystical Servants out there, again? Look. That might be the case, but you'll never know unless you give it a shot, right? There are instances like Nobunaga’s battle of Okehazama where it only takes one decisive battle to turn the tide, and honestly, winning as the underdog is way cooler.

I see. So you power through your heavy workload without breakfast. On a similar note, I heard you grab lunch at the company cafeteria.

President Takasugi: If you mingle with the company, you can get their opinions straight from the source. How about it? I’m a great commander, right? Back in the Kiheitai, we didn’t have any hierarchy. We would just hang out and party together. Be sure to jot down how approachable I am here.

Enough with the drinking parties. Speaking of weapons, can you share more about the Eccentric God Arahabaki that once threw the city of restoration into chaos?

President Takasugi: Arahabaki is, frankly speaking, an eccentric god I revived into the modern age using the power of the Holy Grail. By the way, the kanji "eccentric" (奇) here is a clever play on the word for miracle (奇跡), which is part of the Kiheitai (奇兵隊).

So that’s why it’s called the Eccentric God (奇神), then.

President Takasugi: Nope. I actually came up with that just now.

Why, you… Erm, okay. Nevermind. Setting that aside, what do you think about how it turned SAITAMA into ashes?

President Takasugi: I built it at the risk of my company’s future, but Ama-no-Sakagami taking hold of it was something I…

Never considered?

President Takasugi: What are you, stupid? Of course I did. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have put together all those backup plans, like my very own AI, or Arahabaki Mk. II. Are you even looking at those records? You could at least review my achievements before the interview.

Who’re you calling stupid, huh? It's a good thing you had the help of those heroes from Tosa, Sakamoto-sama and Takechi-sama.

President Takasugi: Haah? Hindsight is 20/20, you know. 20/20. If I hadn’t had a Sakamoto-kun who lost control of his body and if that fool Takechi hadn't been such a tryhard, things would have gone a lot easier.

Not really. Without Sakamoto-sama there, we wouldn't have had any chance of making a comeback, would we?

President Takasugi: Well, yeah. That’s the reality of it. Sakamoto-kun always takes the best parts for himself, which is why everyone’s got a bone to pick with him.

It doesn’t seem that way to me.

President Takasugi: That’s because you just don’t get it. Listen. Sakamoto-kun has this serious smile that creeps everyone out, making them think he's up to no good. At first, he seems nice and easy to get along with, but normal people just can't handle that shady, two-faced vibe he’s got going on. I’m probably the only one in Choshu who really got Sakamoto-kun for who he is.

My, you understand Sakamoto-sama quite well!

President Takasugi: … Okay. Let’s drop this topic. This is supposed to be an interview about me, right? What’re we talking about Sakamoto-kun so much for?

Fine. Let’s move on to talk about Takechi Zuizan then, shall we?

President Takasugi: We had a bit of an on-and-off relationship, but he got along well with us in Choshu for a while. Me personally, though? I kept my distance. That Takechi was a real hardhead, after all. We would never see eye to eye. And besides, he always had those two manslayers at either side of him. Who would want to get near that?

You mean Okada Izou-sama and Tanaka Shinbei-sama of the Four Hitokiri of the Bakumatsu, yes?

President Takasugi: I suppose that’s what they’re called nowadays. Out of the four, those two were direct subordinates of Takechi and got way too comfortable with cutting people down.

I could hardly hold back my tears during that final swing of Tanaka-sama's blade.

President Takasugi: Yeah. It was one powerful blow. The more respected members of the Shinsengumi claimed that the initial strike of the Shigen-ryu style was impossible to avoid, but honestly, a swing like that isn't really about whether you can dodge it. Which, just so you know, I’m also pretty confident in my swordplay.

No one asked. Anyhow, I understand that you've known Okada-sama for quite a while.

President Takasugi: We’re not really that close. He just shows up begging me for cash to buy alcohol. He talks a big game in Chaldea, but when it comes to booze, he’s actually a total loser. Be careful if you’re thinking of lending him any money.

I’ll manage. Incidentally, when we talk about Takasugi Heavy Industries, there was a time when it went by New Takasugi Heavy Industries as well, right?

President Takasugi: Ah, that. When I woke up in SAITAMA again, it was like a crazy stupid dream where my company had been taken over by Shouin-sensei, and there was this epic showdown between a black ship and a giant robot. Only it wasn’t a dream. It actually happened.

Are you referring to your mentor, Yoshida Shouin-sama, from your lifetime?

President Takasugi: Reflecting on my time at Shokasonjuku Academy, he was really strict and insanely demanding. What’s more, he always praised Kusaka, even though I was the top student. That really hurt my soul. You hear that, Shouin-sensei??

Of course he doesn’t. Can you tell us about your relationship with Kusaka-sama?

President Takasugi: He and I used to really go at it in the academy. That idiot could hold his own against me, but then he took a step ahead of me and… Nevermind. Let’s not talk about this. It’s a boring story. 

You’re the one who started telling it. Well. After overcoming those numerous crises, you still made it to Chaldea.

President Takasugi: Pretty much. I heard it was some dodgy place where the heroes of old gathered, but I didn’t think it would be this insane of an organization. In terms of being a global threat, Takasugi Heavy Industries doesn’t even come close. Yeah. Which clearly means we need to up our game and start working on something to replace Arahabaki and make a real impact. Actually, we’ve got this amazing new weapon that—

Nevermind all that. It’s time to move on. Is there anything else you’d like to say before we wrap up?

President Takasugi: Hello? Isn’t this supposed to be around-the-clock coverage? We’ve still got half the day left. Let’s take this chance to go out and cause a little mischief.

You spent so much time on trivial stuff that we ran out of page space!

President Takasugi: Seriously? I gave you special permission for this, Okuni-kun, but you’ve got to add more pages, alright? More pages. I can fill an entire magazine on my own. What’s the editorial department thinking? Do you even want to sell this?

Sure thing! Zanzaburo, straighten up this stupid excuse for a president, would you?

Zanzaburo: Zan!

President Takasugi: Hey, quit that. Actually, let me take a closer look at this doll of yours. That whole story about it being made from a god's remains is so dubious. Hey, are you listening to me? Okuni-kun!

There you have it. We uncovered the truth about President Takasugi! You just read a special report from Chaldea, brought to you by Izumo no Okuni. And with that, the case is closed!

Zanzaburo: Zan!

Is this project actually going to fly, though?

Zanzaburo: Zaan? ( You attached some great photos, so it should all be good )

You got a point!

Restoration City SAITAMA - On a Specific Day in a Specific Month, 2025

MA - Takasugi Heavy Industries Company Building