Main story translation by Hikari Kaitou, editing and the rest by Silver Arrows.
Hikari's Notes: "Around the time of the Hanami Festival." Flower viewing (hanami) season is a big deal in Japan, where a lot of people make a point to visit parks with flowering trees and hold picnics and drinking parties under their branches.
Episode 6 — February 2005 Issue
Takushuu Column — Ace Attorney 3
Hello! Last time and the time before, we looked back on the trilogy, but now we come to the end.
Ace Attorney 3.
Actually, at the point that AA2 was completed, I already had an image of what AA3's final story would be. The final version was completely different, but this time, let's start with that story.
In front of an extravagant hotel, an assassination, seemingly by a professional hitman, takes place. The hitman's name is Koroshiya Sazaemon [Shelly de Killer]. However, 17 years earlier, he was already declared dead. His final moments are revealed, and we learn Sazaemon's true identity... for 17 years, he was a spirit medium, Ayasato Maiko [Misty Fey]!
Yeah... astonishing. I'm being serious. It's a good thing I didn't go with this.
I worked on the AA series for 3 years. Certainly it was a difficult job, but I never once felt like "I hate this!". For sure, when AA1 was completed, I felt I knew joy.
Finally, I want to show my gratitude to Suekane-san, who drew the illustrations.
3 years ago, she taught me the way to think to develop characters. Anyway, even if she doesn't work here anymore, she brought that world to life. Thank you so much!
Everyone who played the series: it's because of you that Ace Attorney is still going strong. By borrowing this space, everyone got to know Ace Attorney better, and I'd just like to say a big thank you one more time.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Outtake Theatre
Phoenix Wright vs Maya Fey
We've visited this corner 6 times, and we've run out of material. So in the end, this exchange between the two of them felt the most appropriate. (—Takumi)
Outtake Theatre Part 1
Phoenix: (We're in deep trouble. I'll turn this around, whatever it takes.)
Maya: That's right! Pulling out a turnabout from the depths of despair is an overwhelmingly better feeling!
Phoenix: Pulling out a turnabout from a minor difficulty is an overwhelmingly more relaxing feeling...
Outtake Theatre Part 2
Phoenix: (I have a bad feeling about this, but after all, a hunch is a hunch.)
Maya: Hold on. When you have a bad feeling about something, you're usually right. I've had feelings before that I have a bad feeling about something.
Letters Corner
• After getting into Ace Attorney, I've become interested in the game world again. I seem to want everything! This month, I'm in a tight spot, too! (Kikorin, Fukuoka Prefecture)
~ Do you want merch, perhaps? An original Dorimaga phone card would be welcome!
• Naruhodo Gyakuten Saiban! is so funny. Takumi-san's superb stories are time and again irresistable. I hope you get more pages! (KF-san, Hiroshima Prefecture)
~ They really are superb, aren't they? People are a little jealous as, being in charge, I get to read it first!
• I enjoy reading every issue. Everyone gathers in Nick's office, and it's so lively and fun! I wish I could join in, too! (Kiriseishou (?), Shizuoka Prefecture)
~ There's always someone paying a visit, isn't there? I wonder if having a trial would be better?
Reminiscence 3 — At the Wright & Co. Law Offices
Perhaps due to an ongoing string of chilly days, Phoenix finds himself coming down with a cold. While reminiscing about his history with colds, he comes to realise a certain truth..?! And now in our third installment, is it finally time that a certain person who's so far only been mentioned by name to make a proper appearance?!
Ughhhh... I've got some serious chills.
Pearl: Here you are, have some hot chocolate. Drink it while it's still warm, okay?
Maya: Sounds like you've definitely got a cold, Nick.
Phoenix: That'd be unusual though. I mean, this'll only be the fourth cold I've ever had in my life.
Pearl: Wow, it's amazing that you can remember a detail like that!
Phoenix: ...This might sound strange, but it always leaves an impression on me. Having a cold, I mean.
Maya: So then, when did you catch your first cold?
Phoenix: That would've been... the summer of my fourth grade year.
Pearl: In the summer? ...That's unusual.
Phoenix: I caught it from stinkin' Larry.
Maya: Oh, from Larry.
Phoenix: I started feeling bad when I got to school that morning... I think I ended up skipping gym class.
Huh... W-wait, you mean — Don't tell me that was when–?!
Yeah, the time Edgeworth had his lunch money stolen.
Maya: Y-yeah... You told me about that time.
Phoenix: That was the time I had to sit in the defendant's chair in the class trial. I'll never forget that incident.
Maya: And? And? When was the second time?
Phoenix: That would've been... the spring of my junior year of university. Around the time of the Hanami Festival.
Pearl: Waaaah! I love that time of year!
Phoenix: Larry'd just been dumped, so I stayed out pretty much all night with him while he drowned his sorrows in alcohol.
That sounds like kinda, how do I put this... a depressing way to spend Hanami.
I woke up the next morning in the park all alone, realising that I'd fallen asleep with my belly sticking out. I can't tell you how empty I felt then.
Ahh...
Phoenix: Right after that there was an incident where someone in my class was murdered.
Maya: Talk about awful timing.
Phoenix: That was the time I had to stand trial as a murder suspect. I'll never forget it.
Maya: So then... what about the third time?
Phoenix: It was that time. You know, at Hazakura Shrine.
Maya: O-oh... You mean the time you fell into Eagle River in the dead of winter?
Phoenix: If Larry would've stopped me a little sooner, I could've avoided falling into the river.
Pearl: ...There's an event I'll never forget either.
Phoenix: On top of being as sick as I was, I still had to stand as the defence in court. I'll never forget it
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pearl: What's up? You're so quiet all of a sudden.
I suddenly noticed something: a common thread in all the times when I've caught a cold.
You mean that they always seem to come when you're about to get wrapped up in some traumatic incident?
Phoenix: That, and the fact that when I catch a cold... "that guy" is always involved somehow.
???: Yoooooooooo, Nick! Ya here? *cough cough cough cough!*
Pearl: Ah! That voice...!
Man, I caught this crappy cold from my baby, Miss Nuribilge, see.
S-So? What's that got to do with why you're here?
Larry: There's no medicine for this kinda thing in this country, so if you wanna get better your only choice is to hand your cold off to someone else!
Phoenix: GO HOME!