Following Makoto's kidnapping by the mysterious Man in White, Majima finds himself back in Sagawa's pocket and behind the eight ball. Seeking answers, we pick a fight with the Kijin Clan, join the troll cop Billiken on his empty pleasure barge, and fight a series of cartoon characters in an underwater coliseum, before learning the origins of one Homare Nishitani.

Also this week: Bobby's criminal origins, the Curse of the Colonel, Festy loves Jigsaw, and Bobby leaves for Osaka.

Content warning for a description of animal violence.

Character Profile: Billiken / Ryohei Nakao

Substories: #55 Calling the Future

Shop of the Week: Magutako

Socials: festy.bsky.social, nurvuss.bsky.social, youtube.com/@nurvuss

A Man's Worth? A smooth billy, apparently.

After a ramshackle getaway, the Tachibana Trio hide out in Little Asia, where Kiryu meets Elder Chen of the Chinese Mafia and learns the sins of his father. After a night under the stars and an encounter with homeless hunters, Oda surprises Kiryu with a trip to Tojo Headquarters, where Tachibana makes a deal...in cash!

Also this week: plot-relevant tattoos, made-up film terminology, improv games in first aid training, and we watch the Stranger than Heaven trailer.

Sorry about the audio issues during the intro!

Character Profile: Takashi Nihara / Shibata Hidekatsu

Substories: #10 The Show Must Go On, #16 Help Wanted!...Again

Real Estate Royale: A challenge from the Electronics King

Socials: festy.bsky.social, nurvuss.bsky.social, youtube.com/@nurvuss

Links: Homeless & Children (http://hc-net.org/about/history/)

On the Shoulders of Giants Podcast - BONUS Stream Checkin - Vanguard Bandits and Iron Harvest ft. Nurvuss and Kryo (https://on-the-shoulders-of-giants.zencast.website/episodes/bonus-stream-checkin-vanguard-bandits-and-iron-harvest-ft-nurvuss-and-kryo)

This week, we're Ensnared! Kiryu returns to Kamurocho in the midst of the Dojima Goons' biggest goon-fest yet. A freak case of arson sees our former yakuza-cum-real estate agent without a property to call his own. Reina takes mercy on Kiryu and hides him in Bar Serena, but it's not long before the gang comes calling. We square off with Kuze for one more throwdown before being rescued by a very bad getaway driver.

Substories: #15 Help Wanted!; #19 Heir to the Family

Shop of the Week: Kinryu Ramen

Bluesky: @festy.bsky.social @nurvuss.bsky.social

Youtube: @nurvuss