The RPG That Begins with "Stealth Marketing" (Japanese: 「ステマ」からはじまるRPG) is the first episode of the second season of the PSO2COMI Anime series. It was published to Youtube on April 7, 2020.
Plot[]
Story 1: Stealth Marketing[]
Mitarashi feigns sadness over the Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle anime having just ended its run. Tetra plays along and comforts her friend who always tuned in each week to catch the newest episode. Their group of friends used to host watch parties together in the personal quarters and chat as each episode played. Tetra informs the audience that if they enjoyed those nostalgic and epic moments, then they too can now grab a copy of the official PSO2: EPO print copies on DVD and Blu-Ray! The two girls giggle as Ichika and Zect watch their antics. Ichika begins to ask who they are talking to when Zect silences him, explaining that they are currently "stealth marketing" the PSO2 anime.
Mitarashi continues her pitch, adding that the print copy comes bundled with item codes to dress their characters up like those seen in the anime. Tetra adds that the enterprising fans that order a Limited Edition copy can secure exclusive merchandise such as postcards and other wonderful bonuses. Ichika suddenly cuts between them and demands to know if they even understand what stealth marketing is. Tetra and Mitarashi jokingly tell him to calm down because they are getting to the best part. After listening to them, Zect starts to find himself wanting to invest in a copy for himself. Ichika also finds his interest piqued. When Tetra admits that so far she has only bought the first volume, Mitarashi brags to all of them that she managed to obtain not only all of the volumes and preorders on future merchandise, but also double copies for viewing and for collection purposes. Ichika and Tetra curse her status as an adult, with Ichika having to ask her parents for money and Tetra having to penny-pinch college funds on each payday.
Mitarashi shows off one of the item codes: a replica of Matoi's anime-exclusive outfit. Makino recognizes the outfit from the show and asks her if she got it from the tape. Mitarashi confirms but adds that "tape" is a thing of the past; now media is printed on Blu-Rays and DVDs. Makino apologizes for outdated language and confesses that his family often has to correct him. Mitarashi comforts him and wonders if perhaps they may be the same age. Zect and Mitarashi begin talking about the good old days, which alienates the much younger Ichika and Tetra from their conversation. Mitarashi notices how silent they are and asks them what is wrong. In unison, the two ask, "What's a video tape?" Mitarashi stares at them with her jaw wide open in disbelief, Makino is confused by their response, and Zect nods in understanding.
Story 2: That's Dangerous[]
Tetra is dying. The slow death of drowning in a sea of college papers is taking its toll and she logs into PSO2 to keep a shred of sanity. Unfortunately, the distraction of the game may actually be having the opposite effect and prolonging her suffering. Mitarashi advises her to log off so she can focus on her report. Tetra whines since she knows there will be an Urgent Quest soon and she was hoping she could run it with Mitarashi to take a break. Despite her pleas, Mitarashi scolds her. Doing that will just make the project take longer. Tetra bawls and with a whimper says, "You're too strict, Mama Mitarashi." Mitarashi sternly tells her that multi-tasking is a lie that will make the end result of her hard work sloppy. Tetra acknowledges the truth in her words and sadly admits that she may need to log out afterall.
On the other side of the monitor, Mitarashi is playing PSO2 in windowed mode. There is a window for a media player running the first episode of Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle and a window for an encounter in Ryu Ga Gotoku Online that is going poorly. On her phone, she is playing Idola: Phantasy Star Saga and just lost a match against an Idola. Mitarashi plants her face on her desk and sadly offers this carelessness as proof to her point.
Trivia[]
- Story 1 is an adaption of the comic Episode 51: Stealth Marketing.
- Story 2 is an adaption of the comic Episode 80: That's Dangerous.
- This episode features "stealth" advertisements for Ryu Ga Gotoku Online, Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle, and Idola: Phantasy Star Saga.
Gallery[]
| Playable Races | Human - Newman - CAST - Deuman |
|---|---|
| Playable Classes | Hunter - Fighter - Ranger - Gunner - Force - Techter - Braver - Bouncer - Summoner - Hero - Phantom - Étoile - Luster |
| Weapons | Sword - Wired Lance - Partisan - Twin Daggers - Double Saber - Knuckles - Katana - Soaring Blades - Gunblade Assault Rifle - Launcher - Twin Machine Guns - Bow Rod - Talis - Wand - Jet Boots - Harmonizer |
| Armors | Rear - Arm - Leg - Sub - Ring |
| Others | Auxiliary - Mag - Pet - Weapon Camo - Weapon Form |
| Guardian | Protagonist - Matoi |
| Council of Six | Regius - Maria - Casra I - Casra II - Atossa - Zeno - Klariskrays - Klariskrays II - Iris - Wolf - Huey - Quna |
| ARKS/Oracle | Afin - Aika - Aki - Azanami - Cofy - Echo - Euclyta - Filia - Fourie - Gettemhult - Io - Katori - Kyokuya Ludmila - Lukot - Marlu - Melfonseana - Melrandia - Oza - Pati - Pietro - Risa - Rojio - Saga - Sarah - Stratos Theodor - Tia - Ulku - Wright - Xiao - Xiera - Xion - Zig |
| Allies from Other Planets | Ro'Kamiz - Ko'Rela - Ko'Riu - Cabracan - Sukunahime - Kotoshiro |
| Earth Guide | Ardem Sacrid - Enga Yasaka |
| Earth's Other Inhabitants | Al - Hitsugi Yasaka - Itsuki Tachibana - Kohri Washinomiya - Phaleg Ives - Rina Izumi |
| Denizens of Omega | Alis Landale - Clarissa Maintainer - Florent Arlequin d'Ys Artia - Gettemhult Gwinner - Hariette Renata Reina Cuento Luther Lars Rey Cuento - Lutz Cero Rey Cuento - Margareta - Melfonseana Riesfeldt - Schreger Weyland - Varuna Lashiec |
| The Profound Darkness | Dark Falz (Apprentice - Elder - Gemini - Luther - Persona) - Elmir Weyland - Falspawn |
| Mother Corps | Aratron Tolstoy - Bethor Zelazny - Hagito "Hagith" Anie - Mother - Och Millar - Ophiel Herbert - Phul Janice Lasswitz |
| Photoners | Mitra - Shiva - Varuna |
| Planets | Naverius - Amduskia - Lillipa - Wopal - Harukotan - Earth - Omega |
| Locals | ARKS Ship (Casino) - City Area - Falspawn Den - Oracle Mothership - Forest - Tundra - Ruins - Volcanic Caves Floating Continent - Dragon Altar - Desert - Underground Shafts - Abandoned Mine - Coast - Seabed - Floating Facility Daybreak Province - Nightfall Province - Gemini's Inner Universe - Tokyo - Las Vegas - Bewitched Woods |
| Terms | Client Order - Partner Card (Friendship Level) - Story Progression (Divergence Matrix - Story Board - Story Quest) Cosmogenic Arm - Avatar Arm |