[Background Story Trans] Return to Zero [Project "0"]

Translation of the background information on the "Return to Zero" series.
Original text found on the offfical website: Return to zero [Project "0"]

Disclaimer: Project "0" is Kuuya and Suzunaru Ichigo's collaborative work.
This was translated without permission, and is for enjoyment purposes only.
Accuracy in translation is not confirmed.



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Year 2XXX—...
Mankind was faced with extinction.
The economy and structural expansion had reached the utmost limits, and together with the exhaustion of resources, they were collapsing.
Mankind needed a new form of society, and so prohibited genetic modification was the only thing left to use.
...Several years later.
In the genetic rewriting program, which was meant to make the human body harmless, a fatal flaw was discovered.
The majority of humans had lost the ability to reproduce.
It was blasphemy to the Creator as mankind's destruction came into effect.

As time went on, society's structure become more difficult to maintain.
Androids that were developed for mankind's amusement became useful.
It came to the point that their endurance was to be tested.

Gradually, the Vocaloids began to blend into human society.
At a glimpse, it seemed a new paradise had arisen.

However, even that paradise could not reach perfection.
The problem is that nothing can cross wall between man and machine.
What is a soul? Who knows if a program can obtain a soul…?

So now, this story has developed into the coexistence of mankind
and the evolving androids (VOCALOID).

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Characters:

LEN

A married couple that hoped for twins
originally brought him together with RIN.
He is a defence-type VOCALOID.
Taking advantage of a certain event,
he left Master's house with RIN.
Thereon, at the VOCALOID refuge centre,
he received special training from KAITO.
He far surpassed other VOCALOIDS in firing accuracy.
With the utmost loathing towards humans,
he does not accept any existence except for RIN's.
Since a part of his control mechanism was
mixed with RIN's during the manufacturing process,
if RIN is not near him,
he cannot retain his own emotions.

Return to Zero's main character.


RIN

A married couple that hoped for twins
originally brought her together with LEN.
She is a defence-type VOCALOID.
Taking advantage of a certain event,
she left Master's house with LEN.
Seemingly she has a positive and bright personality,
but she contains an extra part – LEN's control mechanism.
As such, she has a strong tendency
to do things objectively.
Although her firing accuracy is better
that most VOCALOIDS,
her average hit rate is far below LEN's.

In the organization, she is the mood maker.


MIKU

She possesses medical knowledge and a small amount of healing ability.
A nurse-type VOCALOID.
While in a conference about VOCALOIDS coexisting with humans,
she was caught up in a terrorist attack,
and lost her beloved Master.
Thereon, she went to KAITO
to become a part of the organization.
In contrast to LEN,
she loves life and coexistence with people.
But no matter what has happened she cannot abandon her hopes.
She is not a combat-type,
but she holds a gun for self-protection,
though doesn't use it except for practise and states of emergency.
Her gun ability is—... less than competent.

In the organization, she is the solace providing one.


MEIKO

An outdated VOCALOID.
She doesn't have an especially valuable ability.
She was brought by her Master
when there was high demand for VOCALOIDS that could serve customers.
In the following times, superior VOCALOIDS were successively developed.
MEIKO became an old model, lost appeal, and was thrown away.
And now, of course, she has come to the VOCALOID refuge centre.
There she met the twins, and later, KAITO.
Basically, she is an older-sister character and is glad to care for anyone,
but she has a side that wants to depend on others.
By drinking alcohol she aims to bring out that part of her more and more.
She is not a combat-type,
but she learnt martial arts in special training at the facility.
Her firing precision is superb,
but because of martial arts, her close-range combat is her true forte.

In the organization, she is the helpful older sister.
When she goes out to town she always brings back a gift for everyone.


KAITO

He was designed and built as the world's secret mechanical puppet.
Combat-type VOCALOID.
He has both battle and medical knowledge.
Basically someone of few words,
his emotional state is rarely seen.
Occasionally he will mutter some odd things.
In the past, he was an attendant at a certain organization called Ryuu.
Ryuu Taayen is the only person to know of KAITO’s history.

In the organization he is the trustworthy older brother,
but he has various conflicts with LEN.


Ryuu Taayen

A human that lost his wife while attending
the conference to consider VOCALOIDS coexisting with people.
He knows KAITO was the attendant at that certain organization.

He was once KAITO's Master.


AYA

An outdated VOCALOID.
She doesn't have an especially valuable ability.
Just like MEIKO, she lost appeal and was thrown away.
Later, she met Ryuu Taayen, and became his wife.
But in such times she had to face the future,
and with that thought she met with MIKU.
While at the conference for considering the coexistence
of humans and VOCALOIDS, she was caught in the terrorist attack,
and so she left this world as a prisoner.

The only "woman" who Ryuu had loved.


HJM-013

The one who controlled the terrorist attack
on the conference of human and VOCALOID coexistence.
Although, the true string puller is—...

In the past, he was a research and development
team member of the Clapton company.

In the organization, he is known by his code name.


PRIMA
She possesses much knowledge and high level combat ability.
Mysterious multi-combat VOCALOID.
A beautiful woman with eyes as cold and calm as ice.


LEON

A senseless and mysterious combat VOCALOID.
An immeasurable combat ability is hidden behind his smile.

NOTES:

• I translated "KOKORO" as soul instead of heart, because it fitted better into English. Plus, I think "soul" has a more transcendental feeling.

• Clapton is a pun on Crypton. I just didn't want to spell it as "Crapton". 

• The kanji used for Ryuu's first name can mean "weapon of war".

• There is more information on SVAT (Special Vocaloid Assault Team) that I will probably translate later.