Stinkoman Email/2

Stinkoman Email #2: Manga

Summary: Stinkoman reminisces about some of his past acting gigs and delves into the history of his show, Stinkoman K 20X6.

Cast (in order of appearance): Stinkoman, 1-Up

Places: Stinkoman Headquarters, Library, Japanese High School

Date: June 15, 2020

Stinkoman Email #2: Manga
''{Stinkoman is sitting in front of his holographic computer as you'd expect. He types "stinkomail.exe" hits enter, activating his email client. Granted, you'd think he'd be using more modern software to check his email, but if it ain't broke.}''

STINKOMAN: Email deeeuuuuuce!

{An email pops up on Stinkoman's screen.}

Hey Stinkoman,

Have you done any acting gigs prior to Stinkoman K 20X6?

Crapfully yours, Ricky Z

STINKOMAN: Stinkoman K 20X6? Ah, those were the days. And by "those days" I mean today since 20X6 is the current year. It all started way back when to this one time!

''{Page flip transition to two generic looking kids reading a manga book leaning against a book shelf. The camera zooms in on the shelf, focusing specifically on a manga graphic novel titled "Stinko Man K 20X6", with a detailed picture of Stinkoman standing in a battle pose on the moon, holding a knife.}''

STINKOMAN: {voice-over} This is the "Stinkoman K 20X6" Japanese comic book. Some guy drew it and it became incredibly popular! The fighting in it was decent, but it wasn't thaaaat greeeeeat yet!

''{Cut to a white screeen. Black outlines of Stinkoman standing completely still in the field appear.}''

STINKOMAN: {voice-over} It lasted about six volumes before some animation company got a hold of it, traced the comic books, coloured 'em...

{Colour is added to the still image of Stinkoman.}

STINKOMAN: {voice-over} ...and added animation...

{Stinkoman starts moving his ball-like fists up and down and his hair waves in the wind.}

STINKOMAN: {voice-over} ...and then voices.

ON-SCREEN STINKOMAN: 私は今活気づけられる. それは驚くばかりである {Subtitles; "I'm animated now. Awesome it is very much!"}

STINKOMAN: {voice-over} The subtitled version waaaaasn't translated very well. But then the English dub came out.

ON-SCREEN STINKOMAN: 挑戦を頼んでいるか Double deeuuuce! {Subtitles; "A challenge you asked?! Double deeuuuce!"}

STINKOMAN: {voice-over} A-hem! AND THEN THE ENGLISH DUB CAME OUT!

ON-SCREEN STINKOMAN: {with 1-Up's voice} Oh, so that's what Stinkoman K 20X6 is!

''{Cuts back Stinkoman at his desk with 1-Up standing there, having interrupted as usual. Stinkoman is now wearing glasses to appear smart. Stinkoman jumps back, looking confused.}''

STINKOMAN: What?

1-UP: I said, so that's what Stinkoman K 20X6 is!

STINKOMAN: Um, yeah. What are you doing in my house, kid-star?

1-UP: You said something about mag-nah or mangos...

STINKOMAN: {correcting him} Manga.

1-UP: And it made my tumbly all rumbly for some pudding.

STINKOMAN: Talking about manga made you hungry for pudding?

1-UP: Yep!

{Stinkoman looks at 1-Up angrily, leaning forward a little bit.}

STINKOMAN: Then why don't you go get some in the kitchen and leave me the diggedy-dang alone!

1-UP: Sounds great! But when I get back, you have to tell me all about mag-nah!

{Stinkoman would turn back to his holographic computer that does not have a definitive name at this point.}

STINKOMAN: {typing} For Pete and Pete's sake, what am I going to do with that kid? He just doesn't understand boundaries.

{Stinkoman clears the screen and resumes typing.}

STINKOMAN: So, anyway, did I have any acting gigs before my big break into the comic book an animation industry with Stinkoman K 20X6? Well, I don't really like to talk about it, buuuuuuuuuuuut there was a couple of failed auditions from my youth that I dare not bring attention to.

{Cut to Stinkoman in a high school setting dressed as a stereotypical anime high school girl.}

STINKOMAN: {shaking his fist at the camera} Hey! What'd I just say? No flashbacks! No flashbacks!

{Cut back to Stinkoman sitting at his familiar computer desk, typing.}

STINKOMAN: At the end of the day, it's important to look back at where you've been to give you much more solid idea of where you're going. Thanks for the email, Ricky!

Easter Eggs

 * Click on the word "Stinkoman K 20X6" from what's written on Stinkoman's screen and it shows a picture from the previously mentioned manga, as it is read aloud by a narrator.
 * PANEL 1: {View of Stinkoman HQ from the game, drawn in extreme Shonen Jump-style detail} IN A BULDING.
 * PANEL 2: {Dramatic zoom up of Stinkoman's face. Only the right side of his face is seen. He looks surprised.} ".....!!"
 * PANEL 3: {A zoomed out view, looking up on Stinkoman who is starring at a blank shelf above him.} "The breakfast pudding..."
 * PANEL 4: {Dramatic zoom in on Stinkoman's face again.} "...is..."
 * PANEL 5: {Zoom out to show Stinkoman holding out his red spherical hands, as the rest of his body goes muscular and he holds his mouth open really wide.} "...GOOOOOOONE!!"
 * PANEL 6: {Comedic chibi view of 1-Up holding a bowl of pudding and a spoon.} "I'm eating your breakfast pudding with a spoon!"

Fun Facts

 * Kidstar is not just the name of a user on the Homestar Runner Fanstuff Wiki 2, but also what some fans refered to 20X6 Homestar Runner as before he got an official name in the game.
 * "Stinko Man K 20X6" is the show that the titular character, Stinkoman, appeared in within the Strong Bad Email, japanese cartoon.
 * Manga refers to Japanese comic books which are often adapted into anime, which is what the whole fictional backstory for "Stinkoman 20X6" is refering to.
 * Stinkoman's line, "for Pete and Pete's sake" is a reference to the Nickolodeon children's television show, The Adventures of Pete & Pete.
 * Nearing the end of the email, 1-Up pronounces manga as "mag-nah". This is a reference to TrogdorCon '97, in which 1-Up's present-day counterpart says it in the same manner.
 * The second easter egg refers to the Strong Badman comic featured in alternate universe and is read in a similar manner.
 * "IN A BULDING" could also be a reference to mistranslated Japanese. Engrish can be quite amusing.
 * The easter egg's punchline is a reference to the Stinkoman 20X6: Reloaded sprite comic, a popular comic from the original Homestar Runner Fanstuff Wiki created by the user, Joshua.