to speak badly (of); to speak ill (of); to bad-mouth
black curtain; wirepuller; mastermind; backroom manipulator
to wriggle; to squirm; to crawl like a worm
to compare (something) to; to liken; to speak figuratively; to use a simile; to use a metaphor
compact; compact (cosmetics); portable powder case; compact car
to play with (a toy, one's hair, etc.); to fiddle with; to toy with (another's emotions, etc.); to trifle with; to do with something as one pleases; to appreciate
under the control (of); under the dominion (of)
finger flick to the forehead
to flick off; to give (someone) the flick; to send (something) flying; to hit (a person); to knock down
to take possession of (forcibly); to take over (a company, account, etc.); to capture (a castle, enemy position, etc.); to hijack (a plane, ship, etc.)
rise of the curtain; opening of a play; beginning (e.g. of an era); start; opening (of a tournament, festival, etc.)
opening; start; opening credits; title sequence; theme song (played during the opening credits of a TV show, etc.)
next generation; future generation
ability; competency; talent; skill; capacity
uncharacteristic; unbefitting; unworthy (of)
narrow (blade); slender (figure, build); thin
dirty joke; blue joke; indecent topic; bawdy subject; sex talk
gaudy; loud; garish; intense; harsh; extreme
another dimension; different level; whole other level
promise; vow; engagement; convention; rule; resolution
to draw in; to take in; to retract; to withdraw; to take back (e.g. words)
absolutely normal; perfectly commonplace; taken for granted
reins; bridle; control; the reins (on)
original story (as opposed to a sequel, spin-off, etc.); main story; this volume; the movie (as opposed to the trailers; at a movie theater); feature film (main item in a cinema program); movie based on a TV series
apiece; each; at a time; piecemeal
(national) capital (city); metropolis
field; plain; hidden interior part (of a structure or object); wild (of an animal or plant)
Kazusa (former province located in the central part of present-day Chiba Prefecture)
research (institute, laboratory, group, etc.)
study (of); discussion; discourse; inquiry; research article; academic paper
Maritime Self Defense Forces (Defence)