[Comptiq February 2018]

Raws: https://www.mediafire.com/?1t85gio8dsja9tu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DT7SvfiFpI

Cover
KanColle
Two-Part Lead Article Feature
KTKM: Whew~ Congrats~ Looking forward to 2018 with ya~

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Page 005
KanColle Two-Part Cover, Part 2!
Kantai Collection: KanColle
Finally, 2018, the turning point of the fifth anniversary, is here! In part 2 of our two-part feature on KanColle, we bring you resplendent New Year's seasonals, as well as the latest* info on this winter's decisive battle!

First up, special projects for the New Year! Gravure photos and interviews with shipgirl seiyuu in their New Year's best!
006: Fujita Saki
010: Touyama Nao
014: Nomizu Iori
018: Santa Shipgirls' Christmas Seasonal♪
022: Comptiq Editorial Department's Winter Event Preparation and Review!
026: A Beginner Admiral's Fall Event After-Action Report
028: KanColle Management Naval District's Latest and Earliest New Year's Info!
Comptiq's first 2018 KanColle articles!
Presenting New Year's 30-page KanColle special!

* Sure it is.

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Page 006
Seiyuu Bulletin 2018 New Year's Special Gravure Photos #1
Fujita Saki
We're giving you the New Year's Seiyuu Bulletin alongside the cast dressed in kimono! Beginning with a continuation of our conversation with Fujita Saki last issue, we'll now be able to talk about events that transpired during the Fall 2017 event, as well as the various events throughout 2017 and thoughts for the upcoming year.

Profile:
Fujita Saki
Born October 19.
Affiliation: Arts Vision
Serves as the voice of Fusou, Yamashiro, Akagi, Kagerou, Shiranui, Kuroshio, Yukikaze, Tokitsukaze, and Suzutsuki in KanColle.

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Page 007
2017, a year spent together as an admiral and as a seiyuu

- First off, as it's New Year's, I'd like to start off by looking back on 2017 with regard to KanColle. As is typical of KanColle, many unique events and collaborations were held, but what did you think of the ones you participated in?
Fujita: The event "KanColle Naval District Saury Festival in Yokohama Anchorage" was held in 2016, but this year I again experienced that same energy admirals displayed back then coming to life. I felt it was actually even greater than before during 2017's "KanColle Naval District Zuiun Festival in Fuji-Q Highland Anchorage". Perhaps it was because everyone was brought together, or because of that sense things had come together in the "Kanmusu Ondo" dance, but it ended up becoming this valuable experience for me. (laugh) Another experience that really stuck with me was how all the admirals jumped for joy as I announced the summer event, "Second Western Breakthrough! European Relief Operation", on that stage. Then at the "Fourth KanColle Naval Review", I teared up as everyone cried out, "Great job!" as it ended... And in the fall event, where Fusou, Yamashiro, and the rest played a huge part - I really think that this past year has been thanks to everyone's support. I really treasured those opportunities to meet all the admirals in person.

-Please tell us about some of the changes and events in 2017 that you felt had a deep impact on you during your playtime as an admiral.
Fujita: As a whole, the increase in coastal defense ships and other ships with new characteristics left an impression on me. And I really put a lot of energy into grappling with the fall event. First of all there was the preliminary recording for "Tsukiyomi"; followed by the announcement at the Naval Review that Suzutsuki was being implemented and that I would voice her; and finally the resounding response and cheers from all the admirals. All of this was in the background as the fall event arrived, making it all the more emotional, you know? I don't mean to make this all about me, but 2017 felt like it had these turning points and really left me with these strong emotions.

-There quite a few mechanics on the game's end for the fall event, weren't there?
Fujita: There were. The new "Vanguard Formation" and "Single Ship Withdrawal" increased the number of elements to the game, and I thought they were pretty interesting. Being able to sortie with seven ships was pretty revolutionary. While I did get fired up while sortieing combined fleets, that got me about as excited. (laugh) You were able to bring together all seven of the Nishimura Fleet ships, and at the live events with all the admirals I had already long suspected the Nishimura Fleet would come, so it felt like, "It's finally time!"

-Looking back in that way, the Fusou-class sisters really stole the limelight in 2017. What did you think of that?
Fujita: Fusou and Yamashiro were the first of my shipgirls to get Kai Ni, so I was really thankful they got to be in the limelight. That was a given in their role as shipgirls, of course, but I thought everyone also loved them for their strength in the fleet. I'm really happy to have been able to take on an event lead by these two girls.

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Page 008
-They had Zuiun seasonals and such during the Zuiun festival too, right?
Fujita: Even I wore a happi coat during the Zuiun festival. (laugh) We touched on Shiranui last interview as well. Of course I'm glad to see my own ships get more seasonals.

-There were special voice lines when the fall event was cleared. What kind of thoughts went through your head as you took on that recording?
Fujita: I thought that I knew how these girls felt breaking through Surigao Strait and had to express that in my performance. Fusou and Yamashiro aren't really the types to outwardly convey their emotions, I believe, but in this battle where they had sunk before the sense that "this time, we'll break through" emerges. Yamashiro had also expressed very strong feelings in combat, but I had also hoped to express her chillingly powerful urge as the flagship to "save neesama" and "protect the Nishimura fleet" and to convey Fusou-neesama's feeling of "overcoming fate", as befitting a neesama. For the clear lines, I took it upon myself to show in the recording a sense of breaking through the past and opening a path toward the future. The dialogue between Fusou and Yamashiro was recorded as a continuous sequence, but it's impossible to perform the part where they all spoke at the same time, so that part was layered together afterward. It's just a little unsynchronized, but I thought that was just like the Fusou sisters as well and was a good thing. It was moving, wasn't it?

-By the way, I heard that as Admiral Sakki you also made a fine break through Surigao Strait. Could you once again tell us how it felt to clear?
Fujita: Starting with Air Defense-chan's last line, all the breakthrough lines including Shigure's really moved me. "Ahh, I managed to break into Leyte," I thought. In my heart I gradually began to realize that, compared to all the events before, this was the one with the most historical elements packed within. By the way, my finisher was neesama.

-How'd you feel about meeting Suzutsuki?
Fujita: The Night Strait Princesses were tough, so tough that I thought, "I'm not going to make it through, am I?" I was really relieved when I got to meet her. Putting together getting her with listening to "Tsukiyomi" anew with the Suzutsuki version has quite the destructive power!

-2017 was probably quite a busy year for you. Please tell us if you have any tricks to being able to continue as an admiral through all that.
Fujita: The answer's obviously meeting the admirals, right? (laugh) I think it's probably because so many admirals also participated in the Naval Review and Zuiun Festival. It really strengthened this feeling I had that admirals are supporting KanColle and doing their best together with me. Everyone's resounding responses really gets you motivated.

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Page 009
The Winter Event and Toward a New KanColle

-Continuing on, the winter event will serve as part 2 of the Battle of Leyte Gulf. What kind of event do you think it will be?
Fujita: This time around it was the Shima and Nishimura Fleets, so going forward I'd like everyone to play a big part. Treasuring history and the feelings that come with it is the most appealing part of KanColle in my opinion, but I'm warmly looking forward to an emotional event like this time's or a hypothetical "if" one as well. I think I'd like to treasure that while touching on many shipgirls' appeal and sense of loss as I take on the operation. Suzutsuki is a new ship, but I'm sure she'll serve well. I'd be glad if all the admirals who met her would continue to raise her and allow her to play a role in the part 2.

-KanColle also begins to enter Phase 2 this spring. What kind of hopes do you have for KanColle in 2018?
Fujita: Let's see... I would like to see even more seasonals. (laugh) More shipgirls, of course. I think all the admirals have feelings for the shipgirls that have worked hard by their sides from the beginning, so I think it'd be great if the light could shine on those girls again as well. As for Phase 2, I also look forward to the new KanColle's form. For example, they announced that "friend fleets" would become a reality, right? We had something like an ally acted out during the drama portion of the Naval Review. I can't wait for the emotional scenes that might be born from a development like that in the game. Allies lending admirals with underdeveloped fleets the strength to break through difficult maps, the further growth of admirals' circles - that'd be great.

-Of those hopes, what kind of things do you wish you could do yourself?
Fujita: What I'd love the most is still more opportunities to meet the admirals after all. So I'd like to hold events that allow that regularly. (laugh) For example, a radio show or some other format that allows the admirals and I to go "Let's do it!" together. I think in that way we can all share the same feelings as we face down events, right? Also, in 2017 had a new surprise in the form of getting to voice Suzutsuki, so if they'd like to, I'd love to convey more and more emotions and make the Fujita Fleet a reality, (laugh)

-You were in furisode for the photos, as it's New Year's.
Fujita: I don't get the opportunity to wear this kind of kimono very often, so I'm pretty thankful for it. Wearing a kimono really does make you feel kind of tense, and it makes me feel quite clean. Quite a few of the shipgirls themselves are in their New Year's best kimono - I think it'd be pretty fun for there to be more and more of them like that and more opportunities like this for us as well. But at the same time, it does feel like this makes walking and standing pretty tough. (laugh)

-Greet the admirals for the new year, if you please!
Fujtia: To all the admirals, happy New Year! In April, KanColle will celebrate its fifth anniversary and enter its sixth year. Phase 2 has been decided upon as well. I'll continue to cherish the shipgirls while striving on in the field of admiral, so I'd be happy if we could all continue to work hard together! Please continue to support us in 2018!

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Page 008-013
[Touyama Nao]
http://en.kancollewiki.net/wiki/Nao_Touyama_Interview:_Comptiq_Magazine_February_2018

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Page 014
Seiyuu Bulletin 2018 New Year's Special Gravure Photos #3
Nomizu Iori

Last in our shoot is Nomizu Iori, performer of Shoukaku and Zuikaku, Kinu and Abukuma (who appeared on the cover of last issue), and more. Nomizu participated in many live events during 2017. We talk about how she feels on various things.

Profile:
Nomizu Iori
Born October 18.
Affiliation: Production Ace
Serves as the voice of Shoukaku, Zuikaku, Kinu, Abukuma, and Hayasui in KanColle

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Page 015
Her feelings for her shipgirls are so strong she drew them herself!?

-For this New Year's project, the dress was kimono. How did you find the photo shoot?
Nomizu: I haven't worn kimono since my coming of age ceremony and totally forgot what it felt like to wear one. It doesn't look like it, but when you try it on you realize just how heavy the thing is - that's when I remembered thinking the same thing back then too. I wore a black kimono for my coming of age ceremony, but this time I got to pick from all these extravagant colored patterns, which was lots of fun. They let me see a lot of patterns to find what would fit with the obi and such, so by the end I ended up pretty worried about what exactly to wear. Even minor details like changing the obidome from orange to red totally changes the atmosphere; I managed to discover a lot.

-Now then, let's look back on KanColle in 2017. Firstly, Nomizu-san performed on KanColle Arcade's stage at the Japan Amusement Expo in February.
Nomizu: They had me demo the game in front of everyone back then, which got me pretty nervous. You can see a lot of the shipgirls' movements in KanColle Arcade, so it's a different sort of fun from the browser version and gets people all excited to take a look. I used Shoukaku, Zuikaku, Kinu, and Abukuma - it was refreshing seeing all their movements.

-Following that, Nomizu-san performed as a guest at the KanColle Orchestra Concert in Taiwan. How'd you think about the Taiwanese admirals' response to the concert?
Nomizu: I served as the concert hall announcer using Shoukaku's voice, which got a huge response that left me thinking, "Taiwan's admirals are pretty passionate, huh?" Afterward, even though I greeted them in Japanese, I got this huge "Uwahh!" from the crowd, which made me really happy. They let me enjoy the orchestra playing from just off stage and dance "Kanmusu Ondo" as a backup dancer to their live performance - it was a really valuable experience for me. Not only being a live performance but also getting to be the backup dancer - these aren't opportunities you get very often! Not to mention getting to do all that in Taiwan. That left me with very good memories. I think we also got to show the Taiwanese people a little bit of Japanese culture.

-In June and July, you also performed in the "KanColle Naval District Zuiun Festival in Fuji-Q Highland Anchorage" in Fuji-Q Highland.
Nomizu: In the "naval Review" and other prior live KanColle Events, I'd say you thought of yourself as the shipgirls standing on stage, but at the "Zuiun Festival" I felt I stood there as the seiyuu Nomizu Iori. It was a really fresh feeling. Competing in drawing contests, dancing the "Kanmusu Ondo" around the 1/1 scale Zuiun - there was a lot of fun to be had, wasn't there? Getting excited along with the admirals was a very enjoyable time.

-As for the drawing contest, you lead your team to victory with your drawing of "Zuikaku, unable to equip Zuiun, feeling down", right?
Nomizu: It's not like I'm particularly good at drawing, but I'm not particularly awful either. I'm sorta halfway, so I figured the reactions by everyone there would get me in hot water. (laugh) But the reaction sorta seemed like, "Better than average, huh?" The admirals sure are nice, I thought. My impression is that overall it was a very warm atmosphere during the event.

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Page 016
-I still remember vividly how in the last issue (January 2018), you provided us with a wonderful illustration of Kinu and Abukuma.
Nomizu: I got so happy when I heard that Kinu and Abukuma were getting a cover illustration for the occasion that I wanted to draw them myself...! I got responses like, "It's even better than before", so it was worth the effort. Back then, I actually took it upon myself to do it digitally instead of on paper, so I took the rough draft on paper and carefully split it up into a line layer, a colored layer, etc. as I drew. I wasn't used to this kinda work, so I mixed up layers and made lots of amateur mistakes, but I somehow managed to pull it off. (laugh)

High expectations for KanColle in 2018!
-The "Fourth KanColle Naval Review" was the largest one to date. How was performing at the Naval Review?
Nomizu: When I saw the venue, I thought, "There are moving floats!?" and "An island! There's stages scattered around like remote islands!". One thing after another impressed me. It was a huge venue, so I was worried if the guests sitting in the back could see the stage at first, but with the floats we could get driven near them - it was a really new experience. My best memory from back then was during the night performance, where I wore an Abukuma Kai Ni costume and served as backup dancer for Yuubari's character song, "Tameshitemitemo?" I was actually the one put in charge of the choreography for "Tameshitemitemo?" you know. Getting to watch from behind as a dancer made me happy.

-Ah, that's right. Would you please tell us about your memories and some of the motivation behind the choreography at that time?
Nomizu: I thought each of the admirals who had come to see us had their own, "this is my take on KanColle", right? I felt I didn't want to break those kind of images, so I was quite worried. I ended up quietly incorporating salutes and other motions that seemed KanColle-like. When the day came and the admirals enjoyed it, I was really glad. One of the motivations behind the choreography was to make sure admirals could steadily dance along. For the part of the song that repeats, "La La La La La~", only hand motions were used so that everyone in the stands could follow along easily. On the other hand, other parts of the song featured quite detailed movements to add some variation and liven things up.

-Then in December, Shoukaku's Christmas seasonal was unveiled. What was your first impression upon seeing that illustration?
Nomizu: "So cute! So captivating! I can't help it!" (laugh) Abukuma, Kinu, and Zuikaku look great in western clothes, but Shoukaku is sort of a "Japanese beauty", so it was hard to imagine how it would turn out if she wore something other than Japanese clothing, right? When I saw the actual illustration, it was super-cute and the pose was captivating - really enticing. Abukuma and Kinu also got Christmas versions on the cover of Comptiq-san, so winter 2017 was really packed with my shipgirls' charm. Thanks for the meal!

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Page 17
-Other than that, what other events in KanColle during 2017 left an impression on you?
Nomizu: In 2017, I was happy to see Hayasui's figure, real-life jersey, and loads of other goods. I hear in 2018 many other goods related to my shipgirls like a Zuiun seasonal Hayasui jersey and Abukuma Kai Ni Nendoroid will be coming out, so I'm really looking forward to that. I got to see the prototype for the Abukuma Kai Ni Nendoroid, and her range of expression was incredible. It comes with loads of posing stands and splashing and other effects - I was surprised by just how far Nendoroids have advanced recently.

-The second half of the Battle of Leyte Gulf is planned for this winter event. Historically, it was in those fateful waters of Leyte that Zuikaku sank, so you expect Zuikaku to play a significant role, right?
Nomizu: Part of the lyrics of Shoukaku and Zuikaku's character song "Two Cranes" envisages the scene of Shoukaku and Zuikaku sinking.* I've been thinking of "Leyte" ever since I sang that song. I have no idea how the event will turn out, but admirals, please take Shoukaku along and change those girls' destinies.
* Perhaps the lines speaking of the summer of partings and fall of endings.

-In 2018, KanColle plans to enter "Phase 2". What do you hope will come to KanColle in 2018?
Nomizu: As of now, I'm really looking forward to seeing what Phase 2 will turn out to be like. For me, I'd be satisfied with Zuikaku and Shoukaku getting swimsuit seasonals, totally! (laugh) And for me, I'd be totally OK with another Naval District Zuiun Festival! Personally, I think I want more festival-like events where I get to get excited with the admirals to be held. I'd like to continue having fun with the admirals in 2018!

Nomizu: Happy New Year. I'm really happy to be able to usher in another new year with the admirals. I think a lot of fun is waiting for us in 2018, both in and outside the game itself. I'll strive not to let the admirals best me in excitement for KanColle, so please continue to support us this year!

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Page 018-020
[Christmas Seasonals]

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Page 021
[Nya.]
[Camo bonus in northern waters. Comptiq confirms there's an effect - any verification?]

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Page 022-025
[KESSEN event preparation. Previously known keywords: Palawan, Sibuyan, Cape Engaño; Kurita, Suzuki, Ozawa fleets]
[Samar has not officially been mentioned, but Comptiq believes it should not be overlooked]
[Comptiq believes seaplane fighters will once again be important due to the lack of carriers to face enemy airpower]

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Page 026-027
[Comptiq's usual guide for beginner and intermediate players]

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Page 028
Looking toward the New Year, we sorta bothered the KanColle Management Naval District during the last days of the year!
This Month with the KanColle Management Naval District
with the Management Naval District's Tanaka [T]
and Comptiq's T-ko [Interviewer, I]
That look on Akigumo's face - I've made that kind of face myself... but anyway, two-part feature on KanColle, Part 2!

A Yuugumo-class Kai Ni finally arrives! And in the early stages of Phase 2, the Kagerou-class too!?
I: Merry Xmas! Merry Xmas, and good work this year! Comptiq's here once again!
T: Merry Christ- wait, is it already time for Comptiq to report on us again?
I: That's right, it's part of our two-part series on KanColle, fufun!
T: Really sends shivers down my spine. Thanks. Well then, no helping it, I'll get some Japanese tea for you. Ooph, here, it's still hot!
I: Ah, how relaxing - oh? What's this then, this freaky-looking thing?
T: Ahh, that'd be something from a collab with a convenience store we're paring to launch right this spring...
I: Oh, the first collab of the new year! Could this be...?
T: Yeah, edible! It's the Prototype Mark III we got just a little earlier from their plant. It's delicious. Wanna try some?
I: ...this isn't machinery, you know. Not to mention, it's huge. Thanks for the meal! (Nom-nom)
T: It's perfect for teatime with the torpedo squadrons, don't you think? Right, let me top-up your tea cup. It turned out pretty different from the original plan, but thanks to the incredible work by the folks at the convenience store chain and at the plant - look, you see this part that looks like a shell...?
I: Thanks for the snack! What's this, seasonal CGs? I've seen something like this. That's how everyone back then was...
T: That's the Yuugumo-class girl Kazagumo striving on-site as a seller alongside Akigumo, who's in the Shambles seasonal we'll be implementing at the end of the year.
I: Ah, folding chairs, drawing up catalogs... gives me a sense of déjà vu.

T: Speaking of the Yuugumo-class, they will finally get a Kai Ni at the end of this year, with Naganami first up to bat! Around the time this issue is published, the final update of 2017 will implement the 12.7cm twin gun mount Model D Kai Ni, a maturation of the flat-trajectory main destroyer guns that was optimized for use on the Type-A [Yuugumo] and other destroyers built for decisive fleet battles, as well as Kai Yuugumo-class** destroyer Naganami Kai Ni.
I: Ooh! It's finally time for Yuugumo-class Naganami-sama's Kai Ni! Looking forward to it!
T: Unlike the Type-B - or Akizuki-class air defense - destroyers, the final form of the Type-A destroyers - the Kai Ni of the Yuugumo-class - will place a greater weight on anti-ship combat strength for the sake of a decisive fleet battle. Similar to the great mainstay of destroyers - the Type-A Yuugumo-class - the class preceding them will...
I: Ooooh!
T: We are currently preparing to finally begin to implement Kai Ni in spring 2018 for the mainstay fleet destroyers that bustled about destroying (as the classification implies) targets across the Pacific as well as for the Kagerou-class. Several of them may already be implemented by the time Phase 2 arrives!
I: Seriously!?
T: Seriously!
* 12.7 cm/50 Type 3 Model A could elevate to 40° and C to 55°, while Models B and D could elevate to an even higher 75°. In practice these naval rifles were still not effective against aircraft due to other properties of the guns.
** Kai Yuugumo-class: a cancelled improvement on the Yuugumo-class, similar to plans for Super Shimakaze- and Super Akizuki-class destroyers.

I: Then next year will host the winter event, the first Kagerou-class Kai Ni, the migration to Phase 2 - sounds pretty busy!
T: That's right, so this year's going to be an admirably packed December crunch time festival as well. Although it ends up being like that every year! But, as is typical of us, we're also steadily building up to a mysterious collaboration. I brought up the collaboration with Mitsukoshi-san timed for the fifth anniversary in 2018 last time, right?
I: You're talking about that, right? From admirals' heads to toes, camisoles, skirts, and the like. And not just alcohol, but rice and umeboshi - that stuff?
T: Yeah. We've managed to get a lot in the works, and I think we will be able to start incrementally announcing things toward the latter half of January next year. But the point is we're preparing a lot of new things for this spring and summer, as well as this winter. Hopefully we can start talking about it a little this spring and some more around April. So we're basically working seven days a week here* to prepare all sorts of stuff. Hope you can get just a little excited! Ah, this is part of those plans. What do you think?
I: The hell is this!? This's gotta be that - that energy?
T: Seriously though - think it'd work?
I: Well, it is for the sixth year... Ah, speaking of the sixth year, there's that. Comptiq's preparing to serialize a new KanColle manga, starting maybe sometime next year.
T: Eh? Really? I'm really thankful, but... you don't have to overdo it in the sixth year, you know? I'm really, really thankful though.
I: (...a tsundere?) Well, if it pans out. If it really does, I'll come by again!
* Mon-Mon-Tues-Wed-Thurs-Fri-Fri: a Japanese refrain about working without days off that originally described conditions in the IJN.

T: Ah, that said, I've heard Kadokawa-san will be starting up another new comic next year, besides the one you mentioned with Comptiq-san. Oh, right, here, here. It's not bad, right? I like it, you know, this sorta thing too!
I: Gyaaa! Is this getting an official serialization!? No way. Wow.
T: I'm really thankful.
* The new series will be by Nobuyoshi-zamurai, who has previously done chapters in the anthologies. It will be hosted on ComicWalker. https://twitter.com/KanColle_STAFF/status/947658555284262912

I: By the way, about the cover of this issue of Comptiq...
T: Right. The one with Kitakami-sama in the center.
I: Kitakami-sama I get, but these girls on her left and right?
T: New coastal defense ships.
I: I see... wait, what?
T: New coastal defense shipgirls.
I: For real? Ehh!? Awesome, they get to be on the cover before being implemented - that's quite an honor to be chosen for!
T: It is, isn't it! These two new coastal defense ships, launched from Shibafu Arsenal, will be commissioned this winter*. I hope admirals find them as cute as the Shimushu- and Etorofu-class. They'll be commissioned and implemented very soon!
I: Wow, that really came out of left field.
* By analogy to actual warships' launching and commissioning.

T: And for New Year's 2018, first of the Yamato-class battleships Yamato and foreign-born battleships will be getting dressed up for a limited time. New Year's missions will be added right at the end of New Year's Eve in a live maintenance.
I: Yamato's best, huh! And foreign battleships too? Sounds like it'll be a lively New Year's!
T: On the firepower front, building off of Kai Yuugumo-class Naganami Kai Ni's end-of-the-year implementation, we plan for a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer and a light cruiser to get Kai Ni in the new year.
I: Ooh? Before the winter event? So sometime during January of the new year?
T: That's right. We plan to implement these two Kai Ni before the large event that will be the last event of Phase 1's development, "Showdown at Operation Shou-Gou! The Battle of Leyte Gulf Counterattack (Part 2)". And, and...
I: And...?
T: In "Showdown at Operation Shou-Gou! The Battle of Leyte Gulf Counterattack (Part 2)", which we're currently putting together, we plan for a certain vessel* who participated in Operation Shou I to receive her Kai Ni.
I: Really!? I feel like all sorts of crazy info just got casually dumped here. Whew...
* 艦艇 (kantei, naval vessel) seems like an oddly specific way to word this hint given IJN's tiered classification of ships, but this may be overreading. Likely to be the battleship tweeted about after the interview but before the publication of this issue. https://twitter.com/KanColle_STAFF/status/949082348477231104

T: As always, thank you for your time this year. To the throngs of admirals out there, and to the Comptiq editorial department - have a great New Year's! And, while it's a little early - "Happy New Year"! Please continue to support KanColle and the shipgirls in the coming year!
I: Looking forward to working with you in the coming year! Thanks for having me!
(Late December 2017, KanColle Management Naval District)
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[Merchcolle]