early on; earlier on; from early
soon; shortly; before long; nearly; almost
to be able to manage somehow or another
pre-war days; before the war
readiness; preparedness; resolution; resignation
baton (of command); order; command; direction
to advance; to go forward; to precede; to go ahead (of); to make progress; to improve; to deepen
to learn; to acquire knowledge; to carry; to wear (clothes, etc.); to put on
continuation; rest (of the story, work, etc.); flow (e.g. of a piece of writing); pacing (of a story); succession (of); sequence
challenge; defiance; dare; attempt; try
to rely on; to depend on; to count on; to turn to (for help)
charm; fascination; glamour; glamor; attraction; appeal
high power; high power output; explosiveness; explosive power; instantaneous force
to be fit (for a role); to be qualified (for); to be equal (to a task); to be able to fulfill one's duties (as)
corresponding to (in meaning, function, etc.); being equivalent to; appropriate; suitable; to be proportionate to; to be in keeping with
maximum preference; maximum priority; priority handling
important; significant; precious; valuable; careful
to discuss; to talk together
to obey (an order, law, etc.); to abide by (a rule, custom, etc.); to follow (a person); to accompany; to go alongside (e.g. a river); to follow (e.g. a sign)
attention; notice; care; caution; advice; warning
as you see; as you can see
far and away the best; the very best; cream of the crop; crème de la crème; decisive lead; commanding lead
results; record; grades; marks
specialized; specialised; boutique
opposition; rivalry; competition; antagonism
to brace one's legs; to stand firm; to plant one's feet (firmly on the ground); to hold out; to persist; to make an effort
fork; junction; parting of the ways; turning point
draining basket (traditionally made of bamboo); colander; something full of holes; zaru soba; strong drinker; someone who can drink like a fish
useless; no future in it; doesn't make sense; having no point
on the way; en route; in the middle of; midway; halfway
just right (time, size, length, etc.)
thin; pale; light; watery; thin; weak (taste, etc.); little (affection, etc.) not much (of a presence)
onigiri; rice ball (often triangular, sometimes with a filling and wrapped in nori)
food; foodstuff; eating; appetite; meal; portion
(one's) figure; build; physique; style
least; lowest; worst; awful; horrible; at the very least
until something reaches the very limit; until the very last minute; up to the breaking point