Sensei's Mark

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Revision as of 05:59, 16 May 2023 by Aislynweaver (talk | contribs) (→‎In-Universe Legacy: Removed a comma. I always write with too many commas.)
Sensei poses with her bike, which she painted her symbol on in her youth.

Sensei's Mark is a symbol created by Koumi'ishi Alpha in her youth, and carried with her by various means through the course of her life. It takes the shape of an upper portion made of a dot inside of a circle. Connected to the circle is a line that curves left, before ending in a semi-circle. Below the circle is another semi-circle curving upwards, around the bottom half of the circle.

Origin

Appearance

- Ultramarine blue

- Appears similar to the "ko" in sensei's family name "Koumi'ishi."

Meaning

When Sensei paints the symbol on her bike in her youth in chapter 53, she explains to Ojisan that it means "[s]omeone who enjoys going here and there and seeing what there is to see." Those that wear the symbol of Sensei share this common vision. When Director Alpha is asked about it in chapter 59, she recalls that "[t]he meaning was something like 'wander and see the world.'" In Sensei's older years, the symbol takes on a different meaning. When Sensei gives her necklace bearing the symbol to Alpha Hatsuseno in chapter 132, she ask Alpha to "[t]hink of it as my eyes and legs, back when I was young."

Appearances

The following is a list of places in the manga where Sensei's mark appears. When this mark appears, it is worn by or appears on someone or something that shares Sensei's common vision to go see what there is to see.

Volume Chapter Page Number (Original JP) Wearer
2 15 "Sandy Road" 113 Koumi'ishi Alpha's Bike
2 15 "Sandy Road" 114 Koumi'ishi Alpha's Bike
2 15 "Sandy Road" 115 Koumi'ishi Alpha's Bike
2 15 "Sandy Road" 118 Koumi'ishi Alpha's Bike
2 15 "Sandy Road" 120 Koumi'ishi Alpha's Bike
4 26 "The Blue M1" 45 Director Alpha
4 26 "The Blue M1" 46 Director Alpha
4 26 "The Blue M1" 47 Director Alpha
4 26 "The Blue M1" 49 Director Alpha
6 53 "Sensei's Mark" 137 The Misago (Ship Class)
6 53 "Sensei's Mark" 138 Koumi'ishi Alpha
6 53 "Sensei's Mark" 139 Koumi'ishi Alpha
6 53 "Sensei's Mark" 144 Koumi'ishi Alpha's Bike
6 53 "Sensei's Mark" 145 Koumi'ishi Alpha's Bike
6 53 "Sensei's Mark" 146 Koumi'ishi Alpha's Bike
6 53 "Sensei's Mark" 147 Koumi'ishi Alpha's Bike
6 53 "Sensei's Mark" 148 Koumi'ishi Alpha's Bike
6 53 "Sensei's Mark" 149 Koumi'ishi Alpha
6 53 "Sensei's Mark" 150 Koumi'ishi Alpha
6 53 "Sensei's Mark" 151 Koumi'ishi Alpha
7 59 "Two Drops of Indigo" 49 Director Alpha
7 59 "Two Drops of Indigo" 50 Director Alpha
7 59 "Two Drops of Indigo" 51 Director Alpha
7 59 "Two Drops of Indigo" 52 Director Alpha
7 59 "Two Drops of Indigo" 53 Director Alpha
7 59 "Two Drops of Indigo" 54 Director Alpha
7 59 "Two Drops of Indigo" 55 Director Alpha
14 132 "One Who Sees, Walks, and is Delighted" 28 Koumi'ishi Alpha, Alpha Hatsuseno
14 132 "One Who Sees, Walks, and is Delighted" 29 Alpha Hatsuseno
14 132 "One Who Sees, Walks, and is Delighted" 31 Alpha Hatsuseno
14 139 "A Calm Evening's Communication" 129 Alpha Hatsuseno
14 139 "A Calm Evening's Communication" 130 Alpha Hatsuseno
14 139 "A Calm Evening's Communication" 131 Alpha Hatsuseno
14 139 "A Calm Evening's Communication" 133 Alpha Hatsuseno
14 139 "A Calm Evening's Communication" 134 Alpha Hatsuseno
14 139 "A Calm Evening's Communication" 135 Alpha Hatsuseno
14 139 "A Calm Evening's Communication" 136 Alpha Hatsuseno

In-Universe Legacy

Sensei's symbol is carried into the future by Alpha Hatsuseno and Director Alpha. When Sensei gives her necklace bearing the symbol to Alpha Hatsuseno in chapter 132, she asks Alpha to "[t]hink of it as my eyes and legs, back when I was young," and to "[t]ake it into the future." Alpha responds by assuring Sensei by saying "I understand. As far as I can go, we'll go together."

In chapter 139, Alpha is walking with her camera while wearing the necklace, and pauses to say "I... still am... going many places. Seeing many things," likely in reference to Sensei and her Owner. The somewhat sombre and reflective tone of this chapter, along side it's chronological location in the manga as the second to last chapter seem to indicate that at this point Sensei is no longer alive, and her legacy is being carried on by Alpha Hatsuseno and Director Alpha - the bearers of her symbol.

Real-World Legacy

- A few pieces of merchandise feature it

- Some fans have recreated sensei's mark on various items

- It has become synonymous with Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou to those who know about it