FunKnee

Synopsis

One day, "Right Knee" and "Left Knee" suddenly awaken as the knees of high school girl Mikari. Holding fragmented memories of once being human, the two observe Mikari's daily life while attempting to decipher why they became knees and who they were in their past lives.

Involving Mikari's mother Manaka, her gyaru friend Ageha, and the mysterious author Hisashi Karasuma, the story gradually uncovers the hidden truth behind LiNA—a legendary singer who disappeared 18 years ago—and her best friend Miki who supported her.

Characters

Right Knee

The comic relief. with a gyaru mindset. Uses "Uchi" as a first-person pronoun. Her memory fragments include "alcohol," "men," "money," and "the neon district." Her true identity is believed to be Miki, the head and manager of LiNA's agency.

Left Knee

The cool-headed straight man. Loves professional wrestling. Uses "Atashi" as a first-person pronoun. Her memory fragments consist of "cheering crowds" and a "mask." Her true identity is believed to be LiNA, the legendary singer who once performed as a Masked Singer.

MikariMikari Orita

The "host" of this story. A quiet 17-year-old high school student who loves reading. She is characterized by her bob cut and round glasses. Uses "Watashi" as a first-person pronoun. Her father is pro wrestler Moses Orita, and her mother Manaka is an unknown singer. Her name originates from her mother's best friends, "Miki" and "Hikari." Born on February 1, 2009 ("Knee Day").

ManakaManaka Orita

Mikari's mother, a singer-songwriter from Gifu Prefecture. Uses "Watashi" as a first-person pronoun. She was best friends with Hikari and Miki, forming an inseparable trio. She moved to Tokyo and entered the music industry to search for them. She stays true to the 1990s gyaru fashion-a symbol of the Heisei era. Plays the guitar well. Born on September 20, 1984.

TakeshiTakeshi Orita / Moses Orita

Mikari's father and Manaka's husband. A professional wrestler from Gifu Prefecture known for his buzz cut. He was high school classmates with Manaka, Hikari, and Miki, and Hikari was his first love. His signature move is "The Ten Commandments," a jumping chop executed from the top corner post.

AgehaAgeha Karasuma

Mikari's friend, a Reiwa-era gyaru aiming to become a nail artist. Uses "Uchi" as a first-person pronoun. Daughter of novelist Hisashi Karasuma. She believed Miki was her mother, but it is later revealed that she is Hikari's biological daughter who was adopted. Born on April 28, 2008 ("Gyaru Day").

Hisashi Karasuma

A renowned novelist and a naturalized Dutch citizen in Japan. Recognizing Miki's talent, he took the orphaned girl in as his adopted daughter. As Ageha's foster father, he deeply knows the past of Miki and Hikari. His notable works include "Aida" (Fallen Love), "Shazai" (Pardon), and "Rinne" (Reincarnation).

ToshiyaToshiya Hijikata

A 36-year-old man with a distinctive stubble beard, Toshiya serves as Hisashi Karasuma's secretary and is Ageha's boyfriend. He grew up in the same orphanage as Miki, where he spent countless hours playfully reenacting professional wrestling matches with Hikari during their childhood.

Miki (Student Years)Miki Wakanishi / Miki Karasuma / Aoi Hinata

Hailing from Gifu Prefecture, an aspiring novelist. Hardworking with top academic scores, she attended high school on a scholarship. Raised in an orphanage without family, she was Manaka's best friend before dropping out of high school and moving to Tokyo without telling anyone. Rumors spread that she left following an older man, but in reality, she moved to study under Hisashi Karasuma and be adopted by him. Born on November 13, 1984 ("Good Knee Day").

Hikari (Student Years)Hikari Sato / Rina Sato / LiNA

Hailing from Gifu Prefecture. Scouted in Harajuku during a school trip, she aimed to become an actress and dropped out of high school to move to Tokyo. Loved by everyone, she was described as "bright, beautiful, kind, and like a warm spot of sunshine." At Miki's suggestion, she transitioned to singing and debuted as the Masked Singer "LiNA." Born on November 13, 1984 ("Good Knee Day").

Manaka (Student Years)Manaka Senda

Born in Gifu Prefecture, Manaka is the childhood friend of Miki and Hikari. After the two left for Tokyo, she remained behind in her hometown and withdrew from society for a long time. She later came to compare herself to the hikagami—the back of the knee—seeing herself as someone who could only watch the path the others had taken, never walking beside them. A professional wrestler figure hangs from her cellphone as a lucky charm, and she deeply admires the iconic J-pop singer Namie Amuro, who shares her birthday.

Keywords & Glossary

LiNA

An artist signed to KNEEZ Productions (Niz-pro). A legendary singer who took online video streaming by storm. She released "Aida," "Shazai," and "Rinne" as a Masked Singer during an active career of just one year (2007–2008). Her true identity is Hikari, who switched from acting. Her stage name comes from "Light in New Age." Since Miki wrote and composed her music, "LiNA" effectively serves as a unit name for both Hikari and Miki.

Aoi Hinata

Miki's pen name. She became a taboo figure for ghostwriting for a famous author and is currently missing. The name was created by combining Hikari and Manaka ("Himari" → "Himawari/Aoi" → "Aoi Hinata"). Mikari notices this connection, leading to the discovery of Miki's identity.

Record of the Songstress

A banned book written by "Aoi Hinata." It details memories with LiNA (Hikari) and features her unmasked appearance on the cover design—even though LiNA was never supposed to have revealed her face to the media. Unusually for Japanese novels, it is bound on the left side, inheriting Hisashi Karasuma's stylistic design. While all copies of the canceled book were kept by Hisashi Karasuma, one copy found its way to Mikari.

Hidamari no Gakuen (Hidagaku)

A high school drama series in which a young Hikari landed her first lead role. The show was canceled due to sponsors pulling out. Though credited to Hisashi Karasuma, the original novel was actually written by Miki during her Student Years. This event triggered rumors of Aoi Hinata acting as a ghostwriter.

KNEEZ Productions (Niz-pro)

An entertainment agency established by Miki for Hikari, with LiNA as its sole artist. Miki Karasuma served as representative and manager. The company name is a play on "Knees" and "Needs."

Mask

A Mexican lucha libre mask brought back by Mikari's father, Takeshi, as a souvenir from an overseas tour. "Mask" is a crucial keyword in this story, connecting Left Knee's memory fragments to masked singers, masked authors, and more.

Professional Wrestling

Left Knee's strong love of professional wrestling suggests Hikari was a big fan of pro wrestling. Additionally, Manaka had a pro wrestler figurine on her phone strap in her school days and is now married to a pro wrestler, hinting at her own passion for wrestling.

Related Songs

KNEEZ Projects

Theme songs for this work, focusing on knee-related concepts.

• FunKnee - The Silent Promise
• BEE’S KNEES
• BEE’S KNEES: Battle Scars
• Nii Nii Nii
• No Knees No Future
• KNEEZ UP!
• H.I.Z.A.
• Dreaming Knees

D.E. Universe

Songs themed around the characters of this work, acting as side stories connecting the past and present.

• The Voice Beneath the Mask
• Between Lives
• Neon Butterfly
• Song of Eternal Bond
• HIKAGAMI
• TWIN

The Quotes of Dere Elege

A trilogy sharing titles with LiNA's representative works, exploring themes of soul rebirth beyond love and sin.

• AIDA
• SHAZAI
• RINNE