Personal History

       On Earth, "2D culture" (anime, manga, and related media) is merely one of many forms of modern visual art, often viewed as relatively cheap and aimed at a younger audience. In the JDR, however, it commands a significant share of the cultural market; it is not uncommon for Security Bureau officers to refer to themselves as "Samurai" in public speeches. Ishtar, the owner of an audiovisual shop, played a pivotal role in popularizing this culture.

       Karula, a seasoned 2D culture enthusiast, describes Ishtar as a "magical girl who stepped right out of an anime." With her lively and charming personality, Ishtar always greets customers while dressed in outfits that exude a distinct 2D aesthetic. She has channeled her exceptional aptitude for learning into mastering this genre; she is intimately familiar with works from the past decade and can effortlessly offer recommendations based on a customer's preferred styles and characters. Not only does she cosplay anime characters with uncanny accuracy, but she also skillfully employs the language and concepts of 2D culture to evaluate real-world matters, as if treating reality itself as a 2D world.

       Leveraging her shop business, her remarkable drive, and her love for a lively atmosphere, she organized a "fanlation group"(tl note: O.O I swear I'm not part of it) that handled the entire supply chain: sourcing original materials, translating and remastering them, and finally duplicating and renting or selling the finished products. A key reason this was possible is that these cultural products originated from small companies that lacked the means to wield the "iron fist" of copyright enforcement against consumers on a different planet.

       While many of her fellow enthusiasts operate purely out of passion, Ishtar makes genuine profits by renting and selling pirated, "localized" versions of games, anime, and manga. In other words, while she harbors a sincere love for 2D culture, her actions simultaneously undermine the legitimate rights of the companies that create it. Whenever the topic comes up, she habitually murmurs, "It's a sin, a sin," as if seeking absolution for her conduct.

       To many in the Kingdom of Walentia, 2D culture is vastly different from the cultures of the two enemy superpowers; thus, they feel they can enjoy it without the risk of becoming spiritual captives of Earthlings. Ishtar, of course, is far too astute for such naivety; she is well aware that 2D culture is, in fact, an integral part of Earth's culture. However, the political hostility between the Kingdom of Walentia and Earth cannot obscure their cultural convergence; in its drive for development, the Kingdom of Walentia is voraciously absorbing everything from Earth, and its society is increasingly coming to resemble Earth's. Thus, it is hardly surprising that the people of the Kingdom of Walentia appreciate Earth's culture.