Sanseto

Sanseto is a fictional town, and the main setting of *Heartbreaker.*

It is a developing town in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, south-west of Osaka city; While its exact location is never specified, Sanseto is implied to be near or on the coast of the larger northwestern Misaki area.

While its name in Japanese is primarily written with the kanji 三瀬戸町 *("Sanseto-machi")*, its name can be inferred in three ways:

* 三瀬戸 *("San Seto")* | "Three channels" from the three large rivers that were built over / modernized as the town developed.

* サンセット *("San Setto")* | "Sunset" relating to the town's beautiful coastal sunsets.

* 赤外 *("Setto")* | "Infrared" relating to Banzen's advancement of infrared technologies.

## History

Sanseto's first incarnation was a small coastal village, established during the Heian period. It originally functioned as a small trading port, where citizens and visitors alike would use the three rivers flowing through it to sell their wares and usually move on to the mainland. This practice can still be seen today, in the many small stalls that line the rivers. Many merchants in Sanseto often learn their trade this way from an early age.

The effects of World War 2 ravaged Sanseto's economy, leaving it almost desolate. Seen as disposable and overly friendly to "undesirables", many of its people were among those displaced by the Kenpeitai.

This left the village as prime real estate for the Kitaseto-gumi yakuza group to form from within. Much of the town's survival was attributed to this group's influence & efforts - while Sanseto's economy did not grow under their influence, they were able to keep it alive by sapping resources from neighbouring villages, many of which were abandoned as a result. Prefectural law enforcement did little to prevent similar incidents all over Osaka, mainly due to the chaos of Japan's wartime defeat and subsequent transition from the Edo period *(江戸時代* *Edo jidai*) to the new Chūkō period *(中興時代 Chūkō jidai)*.

Returning from the war in 1947, Rokuro Sera used his smithing business to revitalize the town's economy, scrapping and repurposing vehicles & weapons from the war into local infrastructure. With the help of his son, the town began to thrive. This economic boost was called the Gilded Restoration. Even with Japan's prosperity following the Crystal Miracle, Sanseto likely would have been left to rot by governments & corporations, similar to many of the smallest & poorest villages who were only seen as labour sources, had Rokuro's efforts not made the town noteworthy. Whether Rokuro had dealings with the Kitaseto-gumi is debated.

Following the political reshuffling under the Meiyogami shōgunate after the failed Meiji Rebellion in 1868, there was no daimyō assigned to Sanseto or its surrounding territories, until the adoption of the prefecture system following Japan's defeat in World War 2 as in our own timeline. However, the system was adapted under different conditions as Japan entered the Chūkō period - a *Shugo* was assigned to govern each prefecture, with *Daimyō* beneath them to govern each town or city that demonstrated significant economic or strategic contribution to Japan. The Gilded Restoration made Sanseto significant enough to be considered, and as such, a daimyō was appointed to ostensibly handle its local affairs. As of the events of Heartbreaker in 1996, Sanseto and its surrounding smaller villages are officially governed by the controversial daimyō Nishi Nanmen *(南面西 Nanmen Nishi)*, under governance of Osaka Prefecture's shugo Yūkan Meishudo *(盟主土勇敢 Meishudo Yūkan).*

In 1962, Rokuro's son met with the CEO of the British tech company Urban Zenith. Though it took some convincing, Urban Zenith moved their headquarters to North Sanseto, taking advantage of the Crystal Miracle and rebranding in Japan as Banzen Enterprises. Banzen quickly became the largest general manufacturer of entertainment-related technology in Osaka Prefecture, until many smaller companies began to outperform them. As of 1996, most of Sanseto still use Banzen products out of local nostalgia & brand-loyalty, but many are beginning to switch to their more efficient competitors, such as Acerola Corp. The rest of the country, however, has largely left Banzen behind. The further one strays from Sanseto, the fewer general Banzen products are still seen.

Much of the town's general appliances & electronics are made either by the Uniphonic or Maxtril corporations.

In the late-1980s, public paranoia was at an all-time high, with fear of serial killers prowling the streets, and the two yakuza groups constantly at each other's throats, following the Setsudanken-kai moving in. Law enforcement eventually re-established control, but even today, people would hesitate to call Sanseto an especially peaceful place to live.

Today, Sanseto exists as a largely independent town, with many of its neighbours passing through to conduct trade. It has earned the ire of many smaller village communities nearby who feel slighted by Nanmen's office, as they rely on Sanseto's commerce but see little economic growth of their own. Some even dub it the "Vampire Town". It is widely regarded as a blight on Osaka Prefecture due to its corruption & history, and is known to have once been deliberately avoided by Emperor Gintenki *(銀天来)* during a trip south.

It is divided into four sections: North Sanseto, West Sanseto, South Sanseto, and Old Sanseto.

## Notable Locations

**Old Sanseto** *(先三瀬戸町)*

The first settlement of the town is its eastern section, which was at first only connected to the coast by a single road. It lies on the other side of the east river. Its original name has been lost to time.

**West Sanseto** *(西三瀬戸町)*

The first section of the town to be developed was around its western point, between the three rivers. This was largely due to the main road from Old Sanseto being the most convenient point to build on. It is the second-largest population centre of the town, and is where all the schools are. Before the Gilded Restoration, this was the only remotely modern area of the town, but its infrastructure was greatly improved during this time.

**North Sanseto** *(北三瀬戸町)*

The second section of the town to be developed was past the north river, during the Crystal Miracle's economic boom. As more companies and businesses spread out, smaller communities were seen as ideal testing grounds for new ventures, and even better for warehouses, particularly those near coasts. Most of Sanseto's heavy industry is conducted here.

**South Sanseto** *(南三瀬戸町)*

This is the most recent section of the town, past the south river. There is largely nothing of significant importance here, as it is mostly a residential district. It is much quieter, away from the affairs of the main town, and so is appealing to older residents to seek retirement, or for new families.

**Kareji General Academy** *(可零時総合単科大学 "Comprehensive College")*

> *Main Article: Kareji*
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The primary setting of *Heartbreaker*. Kareji is an elite college established in 1956, where only those who have truly proven themselves may attend. As with many Japanese colleges, Kareji is not as strict or stressful as high schools. It focuses on providing a general education to prepare young adults for the trials of life, with many clubs & activities available to help them focus on their true passions. Since its founding, Kareji has consistently turned out graduates who went on to excel in their fields, and achieve great success in their lives.

**Mount Kisetsu** *(季節 "Kisetsu-san")*

The first settlers in Heian-period Sanseto believed the large hill in the easternmost point of Old Sanseto to be the dwelling of a kami, who should be appeased with the decoration of beautiful flowers growing on it, to ensure good, clean weather in every season.

**High Street** *(ハイ街 "Hai-Machi")*

> *Main Article: High Street*
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High Street is the central shopping strip in West Sanseto. Due to being connected to the central road, and in the middle of most of the key areas of Sanseto, it is here that the average citizen will spend most of their money. It is also frequented by youths who spend their time either shopping or socializing.

## Notable Individuals / Organizations

**Rokuro Sera** *(冴来路工労 Sera Rokuro)*

Also known as "The Hero of Sanseto". Rokuro's work in the 1940s & 1950s revitalized Sanseto's economy and brought prosperity to the town, in an event known as the Gilded Restoration. While not a politician himself, Rokuro is revered by most of Sanseto's citizens for his boundless contributions to the town's growth, and is frequently invited by daimyō Nanmen to sit in on discussions of local affairs.

**Junpei Toryōtsumi** *(塗料罪純平 Toryōtsumi Junpei)*

A famous woodblock & ukiyo-e artist from Sanseto, the last master of his craft in the area. Born in 1858, and tragically murdered in 1949. Despite being relatively unknown outside of Osaka Prefecture, Toryōtsumi's paintings are said to sell for tens of millions of yen, and can be seen hanging in the homes of some of the town's wealthier citizens. One historical account states that while his family had been artists since the Edo period, he had rebelled against them and created outlandish pieces in his teen years, most of which were burned when his family disowned him. The prevailing theory around his name is that he initially refused to follow the surname adoption order of 1875, and was publicly forced to wear the surname Toryōtsumi, meaning literally "paint sin". An alternate theory is that this was merely his pen name. A social outcast while he was alive, his paintings found value following his untimely death. One of his lesser-known works hangs in the Kyōdai family's mansion.

**Shinobu Meiyogami** *(名誉神忍 Meiyogami Shinobu)*

The great-great-granddaughter of Prince Yorokobi Meiyogami *(名誉神喜来弥 Meiyogami Yorokobi)*, and current heiress to the Meiyogami shōgunate. Born in 1966, Shinobu has been known to visit her family's holiday home in Old Sanseto each summer. Her claim to the administration was only possible as her father was unable to bear a son - his efforts leaving Shinobu with three younger sisters - and could not bring himself to adopt an heir. Set to become the first female shōgun, Shinobu's position is a source of both celebration and apprehension in Japan's political system.

**Eiko Sanzu** *(三途英子 Sanzu Eiko)*

Inspector Eiko Sanzu is a hard-working detective with Sanseto PD. At only 28, she has been instrumental in solving multiple high-profile cases in & around Sanseto. However, she has been known to especially lose herself in murder cases, often to the detriment of her health. At any given time, she can be found musing over multiple unrelated cases, a fire of justice burning in her heart 24:7.

**Banzen Enterprises, Ltd.** *(万全エンタープライゼス株式會社 "Banzen Kabushiki Kaisha")*

Banzen's first incarnation was Urban Zenith, a British company established in the United Republic in 1940, manufacturing coin-operated game machines. In the 1950s, they relocated their HQ to North Sanseto, rebranding as Banzen. A lot of western influence can be found in the town because of this. Banzen's rebranding as a Japanese company was considered the first sign of the Crystal Miracle's effect on Japan's economy, and among the final thresholds of westernization due to the Meiyogami shōgunate's previous resistance to foreign business entities.

**Acerola Corp** *(アセロラ株式会社 "Aserora Kabushikigaisha")*

An American corporation who specialize in cellular device technology. They have been one of Banzen's chief competitors since the 1980s, and their cellphones are becoming widely more popular. Banzen have been known to begrudgingly use Acerola's processors in some of their heavier products.

**Kitaseto-gumi** *(北瀬戸組 "North Inlet Group")*

The first yakuza group in Sanseto, who established their presence out of a packaging warehouse in northern Sanseto, in the 1940s. They built much of the housing and business-related establishments in Sanseto, reducing the rate of its decline from the effects of World War 2. It is estimated that 50% of real estate in the town is in some way owned by the Kitaseto, and that they own approximately 80% of food-related businesses through a protection racket. For a time, they were key players in the smuggling of illegal drugs, primarily methamphetamine due to the wave of addiction in post-war Japan. However, the Setsudanken-kai took over the Kitaseto's drug racket in the 1980s. As they "own" the north river, it is not uncommon to be expected to pay a "toll" to pass one's vessels through its waters. The Kitaseto family surname uses the kanji 北瀬戸, meaning "North River". This harkens back to the surname adoption order of 1875, when the family adopted the namesake of their home. Due to this, people in Sanseto will often refer to the north river using English, as they do not want to risk accidentally getting the attention of Kitaseto-gumi members.

**Setsudanken-kai** *(切断拳 "Cutting Fist Group")*

A yakuza group originally from Tokyo who earned their name by interrupting and stealing other people's business, who muscled in on the Kitaseto-gumi's territory in the 1980s when they moved headquarters to Sanseto, seeing it as prime territory for their illegal drug trade. Both groups were at each other's throats for several years, with violent skirmishes breaking out in the streets and causing public panic. Eventually, law enforcement regained some measure of control, with the help of the Karma Family, and largely turn a blind eye to most of the groups' activities, providing they don't cause any public disorder. Today, the Setsudanken mostly control smuggling routes into Osaka Prefecture through their shipyards and fierce enforcement of the south river. The group also owns the nightclub & hostess bar "Shūtazu", where much of their illegal trade is conducted. The boss of the Setsudanken, Hiroshi Kimagure, is Yagi's father. While they don't attempt to levy the same "toll" on vessels in the south river, they do frequently "request cooperation" in "transporting wares".

**Tentoji** *(天と地 "Heaven & Earth")*

A religious sect founded in Sengoku-period Osaka (then *Naniwa*), who practice customs & rituals of Buddhism & Shinto. Largely regarded as a harmless pest among the largely secular population of modern Japan. They only tend to bother people when going door-to-door to peddle their religion. Each town where Tentoji has influence appoints a monk of particular experience to lead private ceremonies and conduct exorcisms in exchange for money, the excess of which is used to maintain that town's Tentoji shrine.

**The Karma Family** *(因果家)*

A mysterious group described as an "information mafia", The Karma Family appeared in the 1950s, brokering private information on what is now assumed to be 90% of Sanseto's local & adjacent citizenry. How many members they have - and how they obtain their information - is unknown, but they have eyes & ears everywhere. Their influence in Sanseto's governance has become so ingrained in local consciousness that few people in the town bother to hide secrets anymore; It has become culturally acceptable to speak openly (for the most part) about one's feelings & thoughts, as nobody knows when it could be used against them. To be contacted by the Karma Family is itself considered a threat.

## Notable Criminals

Sanseto is home to several high-profile criminal individuals, which has only served to further tarnish the town's reputation. These descriptions apply to noteworthy individuals during the events of 1996.

**Kaoru Kitaseto** *(北瀬戸顔流 Kitaseto Kaoru)*

Head of the Kitaseto-gumi yakuza group, and the son of its founder, Ichijō Kitaseto (*北瀬戸一條 Kitaseto Ichijō)*. Unlike his father, Kaoru is known for being exceptionally cruel towards any who cross him. Nevertheless, he attempts to conduct his business without violence where possible to avoid involving police, particularly after himself & Hiroshi Kimagure were forced to publicly apologize to each other, following a spate of gang violence in the late-1980s. He is publicly known to have a long-standing feud with his son.

**Hiroshi Kimagure** *(来魔供伶主人 Kimagure Hiroshi)*

Head of the Setsudanken-kai yakuza group. A businessman from Tokyo who moved his family to Sanseto to take advantage of its untapped economy in 1985. He is the father of Yagi Kimagure. Despite his company's bloody rivalry with the Kitaseto-gumi, Hiroshi attempts to avoid conflict where possible to avoid attracting unwanted attention, keeping the company's activities away from North Sanseto or its river.

**Gōkan & Okasu Kikyō** *(奇矯強姦 / 犯す Kikyō Gōkan / Okasu)*

A married pair of eccentric artists, formerly imprisoned for a spree of kidnappings in Osaka city between 1968-1974. At some point, they were released, and both were suggested to have fled somewhere in the greater Sanseto area, where they subsequently disappeared. Despite all of their victims surviving, none of them have spoken out about their experiences at the hands of the Kikyōs, and one victim disappeared completely.

**Aisei Nishō** *(愛性児小 Nishō Aisei)*

Born January 22nd, 1965. A wanted paedophile and prolific sexual predator targeting young boys, who has evaded police on multiple occasions. An active warrant has been out for her arrest as of September 9th, 1995.

**Nozoki Tomori** *(友利覗気 Tomori Nozoki)*

The prime suspect in a notable case of peeping & molestation. Tomori was acquitted due to lack of evidence and witness testimony, but he remains under investigation by Inspector Eiko Sanzu.

**Banjirō Nikutabe** *(肉食蛮滋郎 Nikutabe Banjirō)*

Known as "The Ghoul of Hinansho", a murderer & cannibal with over thirty victims. He has been sighted in multiple small towns & villages in Osaka Prefecture, and is believed to be somewhere near Sanseto.

**Teru Aizawa** *(愛座環手劉 Aizawa Teru)*

AKA "The Osaka Madman". A half-American wanted for seven separate crimes in 1974, ranging from the murder of Chiaki Tomoda, to the kidnapping of Akemi Fukumoto on December 13th. Said to have fled Osaka city to Sanseto in early 1975, assumed to be living under a new identity. Fukumoto's location is unknown.

**"The Barefoot Burglar"**

A unnamed cat burglar wanted for a spree of thefts around Sanseto. Believed to be a woman between the age of 20-40, who sneaks into houses through open windows at night, stealing valuables. The items stolen are always expensive or limited-edition goods made in the 1960s & early-1970s, and the suspect always leaves behind bare footprints. Only one victim reported glimpsing the suspect as having black hair, which did not particularly help the investigation.

## Trivia

* Sanseto was designed to feel like an "Anytown, Japan", but was specifically set in Osaka Prefecture to help the game stand out more.
* Like most people from Osaka in general, the English voices of Sanseto residents are primarily represented with a "Westminster accent".
* Banzen is the Abyzouverse's stand-in for the real-life Sega Corporation, sharing many similarities with their history.
* Acerola Corp is the Abyzouverse's stand-in for the real-life Motorola.
* Uniphonic is the Abyzouverse's stand-in for the real-life Panasonic Holdings Corporation.
* Maxtril is the Abyzouverse's stand-in for the real-life Samsung Group.
* Tentoji is roughly analogous to the real-life Jinja Honchō.

## Notes

* As with many parts of *Heartbreaker*, several "Japanese" names in this project were chosen using not only literal or phonetic puns, but also a variety & mixture of *-on,* *-yomi,* *nanori* etc. readings for kanji that would not be typically used for names in reality, a common technique in Japanese fiction; It is important to remember that *Heartbreaker* takes place in an alternate timeline that - while closely mirroring our own - contains several differences in its fictional history. Good-faith attempts have been made to create semi-believable names (with some artistic licence for fiction & entertainment's sake), but any suggestions for better names and / or kana & kanji should be sent to: AbyzouDev@gmail.com