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Merck

Merck in his Official Art

「アステル、 次はどこへ行くんだ? いつまでだって、付き合うぞ。」

“Astel, where are you off to next? I'll stand by you forever.”

Merck (メルク) is one of the crew members of the NefeloMakion. He is Playable Character 1 (PC1) in the Hajimari no Kioku game. He is 20 years old during the events of the game. His crew position is listed as Goods Procurement Officer (物資調達担当) and his role is listed as Systems Engineer.

His short profile states that he is a very reliable individual with a strong sense of justice. Merck infiltrates dangerous places and carries out espionage missions on a daily basis. He trusts Astel with all his heart[1].

Merck is from the Other Dimension, but has a counterpart STAR AnimaL in this dimension. As stated in the events of Twin Crew Stars, the animal Merck in this dimension has the memories and abilities of the humanoid Merck from the other dimension due to a special inter-dimensional communication mechanism.

Introduction

In his detailed introduction[2], the following are stated about Merck:

  • Skilled at stealth, Merck often works to gather information about enemy organizations.
  • He can invent small machines and gadgets, and has created his own communication device to stay in touch with the crew.
  • He's close friends with Astel and there is no sense of hierarchy between them.
  • He's a young man with a strong sense of camaraderie. His skill at stealth is due to the fact that he is constantly surveying his environment and monitoring hostile organizations. He does this to ensure that he is not endangering his friends back home.
  • Invited by Astel, he was one of the first to join the crew of the NefeloMakion.
  • Has a kind heart.

Inter-Dimensional Communication

Aside from Knoll, Merck is a confirmed contributor to the inter-dimensional mechanisms used by Astel and his crew, seemingly in-charge of the communications from the STAR AnimaLs side.

Astel says the following to him days before the events of Twin Crew Stars[3]:

How's preparations for the communication system going, Merck?
It's necessary for our mission. I'm counting on you for the adjustments till the end.

STAR AnimaL

Merck in his Intro Card

New friends!!
Came back from Mercury with Apolleon, “Merck”!
Favorite fruit is pear, hobby is making machines.
With the addition of Merck, the system has greatly expanded and evolved.
It seems like it has became easier to sense beings affected by the dimensional energy.
And that means…??[4]

Basic Information

Merck in this dimension comes in the form of a gray owl-like animal. He was retrieved from the planet Mercury. He likes pears. His hobby is making machines. His hex color code is #8CA3C2. He was found on Mercury by Apolleon and Pollneu. He is the first of the NefeloMakion crew counterpart animals to join Astel in this dimension.

Personality

Merck, both in the other dimension and in this dimension, is close friends with Astel and there is no sense of hierarchy between them[5]. He has a strong sense of camaraderie, always keeping his friends and their well-being in mind when he does things[6]. Astel has mentioned that he has similarities with Merck when it comes to their personalities and how they react to situations, helping them get along well[7]. When performing in 3D, Merck smiles and winks, maintaining both friendly positivity and the ability to do fanservice[8].

Recruitment

Before Mercury

On July 19, 2022, Astel mentions that Apolleon found something the previous week. When Apolleon came to this universe, he was able to determine that there were already several beings affected by the dimensional energy fluctuations. One of the first things he'd sensed faintly was the presence of Mercury, so that is what he is investigating at the moment. They suspect that Mercury might be the location of one of Astel's friends from his original crew. Astel also states at this point that he is currently busy with Holostars activities, so Apolleon and Pollneu will go together instead. At this point, they still do not have the exact location yet and cannot give further details[9].

As part of Apolleon's diary on August 10, 2022, he says that there is a reaction from Mercury in the solar system and that he is continuing the investigation. Astel confirms that he may have met one of his friends on Mercury originally, and that he is currently leaving the investigation to Apolleon[10][11].

On August 18, 2022, Apolleon states on his diary that it is almost time for him to go investigate Mercury in person[12]. A few days later on August 22, 2022, Astel mentions in an unarchived twitcast that Apolleon is preparing to leave for Mercury the next day[13].

Apolleon and Pollneu leave for Mercury on August 23, 2022. Come August 24, 2022, Astel starts using a feather transition[14].

Arriving On Mercury

1st image of Mercury as tweeted by Apolleon

On August 25, 2022, there is a tweet in english from Apolleon's account[15] that states

◎-◎
Even small changes can mean big things.

followed by a black and white image of what seems to be Mercury[16].

In a stream the next day, Astel speculates that the figure is Apolleon and that the picture is from Pollneu's POV. He is unsure what is in the background, however, and wonders if those are trees or rocks[17]. Astel confirms that Apolleon and Pollneu are on Mercury to investigate, but states that they seem to have run into an issue.

Astel's Dreams and STAR AnimaLs Story

Star AnimaLs Story as tweeted by Apolleon

In the same stream on August 26, 2022, Astel also talks about his recent dreams which seem to be related to the NefeloMakion crew[18]. He recently had dreams wherein he was on a planet that wasn't earth. They were about 8 or 9 people standing in front of a huge door, wanting to open it but unable to do so. And when they tried to turn back, they were tormented by a big something.. and then Astel woke up. Astel thinks those people aren't people he met while on Earth but they were very close to him. It felt like they had always been with him. He thinks maybe the dream was something he had experienced in the past.

His other recent dream seems to be directly related to Merck. Astel mentions having dreamed of flying in the sky. But the scenery he was flying over was not that of the Earth. It was a world surrounded by rocks and trees. And he thinks that at that time, there was someone flying with him. He has that memory of a second person there with him.

That same day, Apolleon's twitter posts an image of Apolleon and Pollneu together along with a caption that reads:

“Know the past and future. The story of star animals, the souls of the stars/planets.[19]”

Finding Merck and Coming Home

2nd Mercury image
Merck silhouette
Conflict on Mercury

On August 27, 2022, there is another image on Apolleon's twitter depicting him in front of what looks like a large tree with a house nestled in its branches[20]. The next day, he confirms that he found what he was looking for but it will take some time before he can return to earth[21].

The first sighting of Merck himself comes on August 30, 2022 where his silhouette is depicted reaching out a wing towards Apolleon's paw in what appears to be a handshake[22]. A tweet the comes after this states the following in english[23]:

His name is Merck

Several hours after Merck has been successfully encountered, it appears that Apolleon and Merck have encountered an enemy on Mercury. Pollneu sends out an image of this[24].

Thankfully, it appears as if Apolleon and Merck were able to work together to overcome the monster that attacked them. Come August 31, 2022, Apolleon is ready to return to earth with Pollneu and Merck. He has a conversation with Astel before he does so[25]:

…We've solved the problem on this planet.
Fighting with the huge monster felt life-threatening.
Its zigzag movements are still burned into my eyes…
I will now return with Merck and Pollneu.
Astel… where are you now…?

Astel replies[26]:

I've just been at home.
Did something happen? For now, take care and come back safely!

Apolleon replies[27]:

I see. I understand.
Thank you.

On September 2, 2022, Merck is introduced to Astel's viewers via a drawing stream[28]. In this stream, Astel also mentions that there is a different meaning to “STAR AnimaLs.” A and L are capitalized for Astel Leda, but there is another meaning that could be found as well.

Post-Recruitment

Recruiting Phruity

Merck is personally involved in Phruity's recruitment. On September 13, 2022, Apolleon states that 3 new points of interest were found after recruiting Merck. As such, Apolleon, Pollneu, and Merck are continuing the investigation into the dimensional energy fluctuations and have just landed on Venus. Apolleon's comment on the planet is “There is no freedom here either.”[29]

Merck is mentioned by name by Astel the next day, as Astel wonders why there is bad connection with the team on Venus. He says that this is strange since “they have Merck with them, so communication shouldn't be too bad” but he hopes that everything is going alright anyway[30]

On September 15, 2022, Pollneu sends out a message in Morse Code message indicating that they are in danger[31]:

－－・－－　－－－・－　・－・－－　－・－－・　/　
・・－・・　・・・　・・－　－・・－　/　
－・－・－　・－・－・　－・－・　・－・－・　・－・・　・・　/　
－・－・・　－・－－　・－・－・
アステル　トラウマ　サンニンカ゛　キケン
Astel.. Trauma.. The three of us are in danger..[32]

The next day, September 16, 2022, while in the midst of a singing stream[33], Astel receives a phone call from Merck:

Nn?
Yes.
Sorry, I can't hear you.
Merck? What's wrong?
Leon?
Is Leon alright?
That… Phruity? I'm sorry, I don't understand.
I understand.
I'll go now.
Merck, stay safe. Thank you.

He ends stream and leaves for Venus[34]. Astel returns on the next day, September 17, 2022, having successfully retrieved everyone from Venus[35]. The new friend is officially introduced to Astel's viewers on September 21, 2022 after Astel draws her on stream[36]. During her reveal, Astel mentions that Phruity will help with preparing the food for the investigation team while Merck can keep up the communication even if they have to travel to further places from now on.

Staying at Home

Merck, along with Phruity[37], stay at home with Astel while Apolleon and Pollneu go off to retrieve Arecos and Juke. When Astel's PC breaks on October 11, 2022[38], it is Merck who facilitates the file transfer to the new PC on October 14, 2022, prompting Apolleon to comment the following[39]:

Merck extracted the data from Astel's broken computer.
What you should have is friends(=´∀｀)人(´∀｀= )

On October 23, 2022, Apolleon's team returns with both Arecos and Juke[40]. Phruity prepares a fruit tart for Astel, which ends up unlocking his memories of his crew from the other dimension. These memories are what he shares with his viewers via Hajimari no Kioku[41].

The animals seem to stay on earth for a while, with Astel informing his viewers during a reply spree that they work on the investigation together while at home[42].

Animal Relationship Chart posted by Star AnimaLs

On November 5, 2022, a relationship chart[43] is posted on the Star AnimaLs twitter account. Merck's listed relationships are as follows:

  • Apolleon
    • Apolleon ⇒ Merck - “Hard worker”
    • Merck ⇒ Apolleon - “Respect”
  • Phruity
    • Phruity ⇒ Merck - “Listens to request”
    • Merck ⇒ Phruity - “Thank you always”
  • Arecos
    • Arecos ⇒ Merck - “Thankful”
    • Merck ⇒ Arecos - “Trust”
  • Juke
    • Juke ⇒ Merck - “Always working hard”
    • Merck ⇒ Juke -“Fellow DM (Digital Magic) Developer”

Preparing for Twin Crew Stars

On November 10, 2022, Apolleon mentions that there “isn't much time left.” As such, the STAR AnimaLs already with Astel end up splitting into two groups to continue investigating. One group goes to Uranus and the other group goes to Neptune[44]. Merck goes with Phruity and Juke to Neptune in order to retrieve Stridon. Apolleon, Pollneu, and Arecos, on the other hand, go to Uranus to retrieve Uratty[45].

On November 24, 2022, Apolleon's group returns first with Uratty. At the end of Uratty's reveal, Astel mentions that he's experiencing connection problems. This is the first mention of this issue, with Astel typing the following in chat[46]. After this incident, Astel no longer brings up his connection issues.

A few days later, at the end of a singing stream on December 4, 2022, Astel is overheard having a moment with Merck, Uratty, and Pollneu. Merck is asked how the preparations for the communication system are going, as it is a necessity for their mission[47].

ただいま。あーあれ？
みんな 出かけてるのかな？
おーなんだ？奥の部屋にいるのか？
ただいま。んーあれ？
ポルとメルクとウラティだけ？
他のみんなは買い出し？
そうか… メルクは通信システムの準備うまくいってる？
作戦には必ず必要だから… 最後まで調整よろしくね。
ウラティは… 今のうちにゲームを楽しんでおいでよ。しばらくできないだろうから。
ねえ ポル… 僕はどうして君のことだけ何も分からないんだろう？
あとさ… 君は本当は前から… アポレオンのことを知ってたんだよね？
I'm home!
Eh? Did everyone go out?
Oh? They're in a room on the inside.
I'm back. Hm? Just Poru, Merck, and Uratty?
Did the rest go out to buy stuff? I see.
How's preparations for the communication system going, Merck?
It's necessary for our mission. I'm counting on you for the adjustments till the end.
As for Uratty… (smiles) Enjoy playing games while you can for now. Since you won't be able to play for some time.
Hey Poru? Why is it that you're the only one I know nothing about? Also, the truth is that you've actually known Apolleon from before, right?

Twin Crew Stars to Present

Merck in 3D during Twin Crew Stars

The day before Twin Crew Stars, a teaser video describes Astel and the STAR AnimaLs as “a certain team, striving and striving for a change in their destiny.”[48]

During the events of Twin Crew Stars on December 7, 2022, Merck goes with the other STAR AnimaLs and Astel to confront [The One Who Rules The Universe] Astel. Their departure is shown both in the Namae wo Yobu yo cover and in Twin Crew Stars itself.

In a flashback, it is shown that Astel assigned Merck to support everyone from the air. During the travel to the battlefield, he can be seen talking to a slightly disgruntled looking Arecos on the train. Later on, in the scene wherein Apolleon is downed by the enemy, Merck is the one beside him and supporting him.

After their victory, his 3D is revealed during the song One day / The ROOTLESS. His partner in this reveal is Juke. After the song, Merck gamely smiles and winks at the audience. Astel expresses that he's glad they all made it back safely to be able to celebrate his 3rd anniversary together.

Currently, he resides in Astel's house[49].

Major Appearances

Humanoid

Animal

Trivia

Meta Information

Creation & Reveal

Humanoid

Animal

References

[1], [2], [5], [6], [41] すべての始まりが、ここに。, streamed October 23, 2022.
[3], [47] 【Sing】こ～～～えが～～～きこえる～～～～～ / アステル , streamed on December 4, 2022
[4] Merck's Introduction Card Tweet, tweeted on September 2, 2022.
[7] 雑談とかいうくそ久しぶりな行為 / アステル, streamed December 2, 2022.
[8] 【＃アステル3周年】Twin Crew Stars ＃アステルコード / アステル・レダ, streamed on December 7, 2022.
[9] 『視聴者参加型APEX』ホロスタENがくっそうまいらしい。やばい俺はザコﾀｽｹﾃ / Astel Leda, streamed on July 19, 2022.
[10] Apolleon Diary tweet about Mercury, tweeted on August 10, 2022.
[11] Astel reacts to Apolleon Diary tweet, tweeted on August 10, 2022.
[12] Apolleon Diary tweet about upcoming departure, tweeted on August 18, 2022.
[13] といれいってきます / #アステル生ダ, streamed on August 22, 2022.
[14], [50] 『APEX』ホロスターズENとゲリラAPEX！？！？ / Astel Leda Regis Altare Noir Vesper, streamed on August 24, 2022.
[15] Even small changes can mean big things, tweeted on August 25, 2022.
[16] 1st image of mercury, tweeted on August 25, 2022.
[17], [18] ｱﾖ / Astel Leda, streamed on August 26, 2022.
[19] STAR AnimaLs Story tweet, tweeted on August 26, 2022.
[20] 2nd Mercury Image tweet, tweeted on August 27, 2022.
[21] Apolleon found what he was looking for tweet, tweeted on August 28, 2022.
[22] Apolleon and Merck silhouette tweet, tweeted on August 30, 2022.
[23] His name is Merck, tweeted on August 30, 2022.
[24] Mercury conflict tweet, tweeted on August 30, 2022.
[25] Mercury conflict resolved, tweeted on August 31, 2022.
[26] Astel replies to Apolleon's question, tweeted on August 31, 2022.
[27] Apolleon replies to Astel, tweeted on August 31, 2022.
[28], [51] 【Drawing!!】アポレオンが帰ってきて、同居人が増えました。 / Astel Leda , streamed on September 2, 2022.
[29] Apolleon's comment on Venus tweet, tweeted on September 13, 2022.
[30] 【トーキングアステル】, streamed on September 14, 2022.
[31] Pollneu Morse Code tweet, tweeted on September 15, 2022.
[32] Japanese Morse Code Decoder, retrieved on September 15, 2022.
[33] ちょっと歌！！, streamed on September 16, 2022.
[34] Astel's going to Venus tweet, tweeted on September 16, 2022.
[35] Astel's returns from Venus tweet, tweeted on September 17, 2022.
[36] 【Drawing!!】料理を沢山つくってくれる子を紹介します / Astel Leda, streamed on September 21, 2022.
[37] Phruity's fruit tart, tweeted on October 23, 2022.
[38] Astel RIP PC tweet, tweeted on October 11, 2022.
[39] Merck helps fix Astel's PC, tweeted on October 14, 2022.
[40] Apolleon is back tweet, tweeted on October 23, 2022.
[42] Astel's reply spree tweet, tweet from October 28, 2022.
[43] Animal Relationship Chart, tweeted on November 5, 2022.
[44] Heading for Uranus and Neptune, tweeted on November 10, 2022.
[45] 【Sing】( ^)o(^ ) うおお / アステル, streamed on November 11, 2022.
[46] 【Sing】He is very shy / アステル: »ああああ »なんか最近通信の調子悪いな »Aaaa »Something's wrong with my connection lately The connection issues later persist until Merck's group returns with Stridon on December 1, 2022. The new friend is introduced during a singing and announcement stream that is later hijacked by [The One Who Rules The Universe] Astel while Astel is experiencing connection problems and issues with his streaming software[(わ～い!! 告知だよ～!! Announcement. / #アステルコード, streamed on December 1, 2022.
[48] Twin Crew Stars teaser video, tweeted on December 6, 2022.
[49] 【振り返り】Twin Crew Stars を 見る / アステル・レダ, streamed on December 11, 2022.
merck.1672251067.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/12/28 18:11 by ika

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