Match of the Millennium

The following interview was held with Coco prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) Why did you decide to return to the NFG as a fighter and mentor? A1.) I'm not particularly interested in mentoring. I suppose I already serve as enough of a cautionary tale for whatever hopeful young idiots they manage to shuffle into the deck this time. But the NFG owes me, and I intend to collect. Q2.) What advice would you give to the next group of fighters entering the NFG? A2.) Don't get your face burnt off. Next question? Q3.) What kind of fighter/s would you like to mentor? A3.) I'll know them when I see them. Q4.) What do you think you can offer as a mentor? A4.) I've done the whole not-a-fighter-to-fighter thing, and I've earned the scars. I'm not going to give anyone an easy ride, but some people just need a kicking to learn their place. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? A5.) Not getting my face burnt off a second time? *bitter laughter* Whatever. I'm here to do better than last time. Q6.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you previously faced, would you most like to fight again? A6.) I'm sure she knows who she is. Q7.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you never got a chance to face, would you most like to fight? A7.) Maybe Nixie. We both had great records in the first half, but we never crossed paths. Plus, I'm pretty good at football-kicking, and she looks aerodynamic. Q8.) What improvements do you hope to make on your Season 1 performance in the NFG? A8.) Winning it all. Q9.) What opportunities have opened up to you since Season 1 of the NFG? A9.) Plenty of offers of experimental medical procedures. For some reason, all the modelling prospects I was expecting mysteriously dried up. Q10.) If you could summarise your NFG Season 1 experience in one sentence, what would this be? A10.) Worst facial ever. Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: Are you kidding? Of course not. I did a whole year on cruise ships once. Why?

The following interview was held with Hawksley prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) Why did you decide to return to the NFG as a fighter and mentor? A1.) The first season of the New Fighting Generation was the best fecking experience of my life. I had no hesitation at all when I was asked to compete again. The mentor bit I was less sure of. I've not had to be responsible for anyone before, so it was a bit daunting, so it was. When I finally got my head around the idea though, I decided I should just be myself and go for it. I might not be some highly trained fighter or have lots of words of wisdom to pass on but I'll be there for whoever I get to work with, be it in a fight, to let off some steam after a training session or to just give them a hug if their day has been shite. Q2.) What advice would you give to the next group of fighters entering the NFG? A2.) Enjoy every fecking second. This is something special you've signed up for, so savour it. Don't worry too much about winning, although that's always grand if you can. Focus on making friends, fighting with all your heart and having lots of fun. Q3.) What kind of fighter/s would you like to mentor? A3.) Anyone who is up for a laugh, you know? I'm probably not everyone's cup of tea and I'll be as much of a mate as I will a mentor. I don't take myself too seriously and I'm not going to be expecting perfection from anyone. I mean feck, I'm far from that myself. All I ask is that they give it a bloody good go. Q4.) What do you think you can offer as a mentor? A4.) Humour, support and a fecking good time. I'm a grand fella to have on your side, be it in a fight or as a friend. Sometimes both. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? A5.) To have as grand a time as I did the first season. I'm so excited to see my friends again. I've missed their gorgeous faces, so I have. Q6.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you previously faced, would you most like to fight again? A6.) Coco Pops. She can probably kick my arse by now but it'd still be a laugh. The last time we had a fight was all the way back in Southtown. Physically at least. Q7.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you never got a chance to face, would you most like to fight? A7.) I'm gonna go with Buford. Me and the big fella never crossed paths, other than briefly at the party back in the Hotel Southtown. I know he gets a lot of bad press but I'd like to spend some time with him and see what he's truly made of. I don't know any better way to do that than in a brawl. Q8.) What improvements do you hope to make on your Season 1 performance in the NFG? A8.) Well it would be grand to win and have a hundred thousand in my bank account. I'd love to be able to treat my mammy to something special, so I would. I'll probably step up on the gym sessions too. Maybe I'll try and upgrade my six pack to an eight pack and I'm not just talking about beer. Q9.) What opportunities have opened up to you since Season 1 of the NFG? A9.) Well I've got my own drink. Lucky's Fiery Ale is the name if you haven't tried it yet. As well as it being available in both cans and bottles, there's now t-shirts on sale. They come in Lucky Green or Fiery Red. The money I'm earning from that let me go on a lad's trip around Europe. Me and Jimmy visited Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen and Cardiff. We had a grand old time so we did. I even got to meet a couple of the new fighters along the way, Xander and Tanwen. They both seem lovely and I'm sure they'll be a credit to the New Fighting Generation. Q10.) If you could summarise your NFG Season 1 experience in one sentence, what would this be? A10.) A fecking riot. Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: Not that I know of but then I've only ever been on a rowing boat at Gougane Barra Forest Park in County Cork.

The following interview was held with Genie prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) Why did you decide to return to the NFG as a fighter and mentor? "Ah, well, I think the last NFG was a great growth opportunity for me. I really improved as a fighter and, ah, I think as a person as well? Maybe this round will help me grow a bit more, and do the same for someone else!" Q2.) What advice would you give to the next group of fighters entering the NFG? "Do not get discouraged! It can be very frustrating during your first few matches, especially if you are inexperienced like I was. It also takes some getting used to, well, getting beaten up often!" Q3.) What kind of fighter/s would you like to mentor? "Oh, that is very difficult to answer! I would say that I would like to mentor someone like me who has potential but maybe does not have much practical experience." Q4.) What do you think you can offer as a mentor? "Well, I know that some people have---unusual talents, and may not know very much about them. I believe I could help with those. Well, ah, powers of the mind, that is...not anything else!" Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? "I hope to perhaps meet more great people, or see some of those people who supported me in the first round again! I would also like to continue to grow as a fighter." Q6.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you previously faced, would you most like to fight again? "Ah, well, I fought Djamila twice, and I felt like I did much better the second time. I think I owe Kenzo something of an apology for an unintended insult. I would also like to show him how I have grown, so I seem like less of an amateur! Oh, but Coco is good too!" Q7.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you never got a chance to face, would you most like to fight? "Oh, most definitely Chevy! I ran into her briefly in the free for all, but I would like to have a full match with her this time." Q8.) What improvements do you hope to make on your Season 1 performance in the NFG? "Oh, there are too many to name! I have been really practicing mixing my powers with practical skill, so that maybe this time I will be less reliant on them." Q9.) What opportunities have opened up to you since Season 1 of the NFG? "Ah, well. This is a difficult question to answer. Can we move on?" Q10.) If you could summarise your NFG Season 1 experience in one sentence, what would this be? "I still have room to improve, but I would have never become a fighter without this opportunity!" Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: "Um, no. Usually, at least. There was this one time on Papa's yacht..."

The following interview was held with Max prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Unlike most contestants, Max is accompanied to her interview by a second individual. A young but serious looking Japanese woman dressed in a loose lab coat, Dr. Eiko Maeda is listed as the caretaker and spokesperson for the young fighter. Throughout the interview, most of the questions are answered by Dr. Maeda while the actual contestant Max fidgets quietly at her side. Q1.) What inspired you to join the NFG? Dr. Maeda: An interesting question that has a more complicated answer than you might expect. After the actions of the rogue Gear Justice and the subsequent dismantling of the UN's Special Projects division, Gears have since become something of a touchy subject. Many people believe them to be little more than bio-weapons. Others consider them monsters or abominations. While there are a few organizations that have taken steps to try and integrate the remnants of the failed uprising into normal society, the general consensus of the average person seems to lean towards distrust or hatred. It is my hope that I can show them that Gears are capable of co-existing with us peacefully. What better way than demonstrating the ability of a Gear to engage in a contest of physical might while maintaining control over its base urges? Q2.) Did you watch the first season of the NFG and if so, what was your overall impression? Dr. Maeda: Naturally. Extensive research was done on both the nature of the Neo Fighting Generation and the sorts of contestants that might join in order to ascertain the suitability of the contest. Needless to say, there were a great many concerns raised by the actions of both the organizers and the previous round's participants. But, after a long discussion with those in charge, I am confident that measures have been taken to prevent such extreme incidents. Q3.) Who was your favourite fighter in the first season of the NFG and why? Dr. Maeda: Favoritism is discouraged in scientific study. I merely observe the data and draw conclusions. That being said, as a specialist in Magic Particle Theory, it's always interesting to see the various arcane practices that have manifested in the public sphere in recent years. That young woman, Iris, and her ability to manifest matter was rather intriguing. Max: *blurted out suddenly* I liked Braun! He was the biggest and fuzziest! Dr. Maeda: Indeed... Q4.) Which Season 1 NFG Fighter do you feel could teach you the most? Dr. Maeda: I suppose this question would be best answered by her. Max, do you have any thoughts on this? Max: A lot of the people in the first season used weapons. I suppose learning how to defend myself properly from swords and bombs could be important. But, I'm more interested in understanding how humans think! I've only ever spent much time with my mom - oh, I mean, Dr. Maeda - so I guess I'm hoping to learn something from everyone! Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? Dr. Maeda: Primarily, that the viewers can come to see Max and others like her as people capable of living alongside us in harmony. Their origins may be a bit unsavory to most but Gears need not be defined by that past. What is important is how we walk forward towards the future. Max: I think I'll be pretty happy if I can make a few new friends. Winning would be fun too! Q6.) What have you been doing to prepare for your time in the NFG? Dr. Maeda: I've spent the past three years teaching Max what it means to be human. While she still struggles with a few things, I am confident that she is ready to participate. This will be learning experience for her, one which will help her adapt to the social expectations of our society. As for her combat capabilities... as a Gear, she was inherently designed to be dangerous. I've actually had to spend more time teaching her how to fight -safely- than how to fight. Max: Yeah! My claws are super sharp! I can slash right through a car door! And tear a pig in half! And...! Dr. Maeda: *coughs pointedly* Max: Eh? Oh, um... I promise to be careful? Q7.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become friends with and why? Max: I have NO idea! Everyone, I hope! Q8.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become rivals with and why? Max: I have NO id... wait, isn't one of them a knight? Knights are supposed to fight monsters, right? Like in the books? Does that mean we'll be enemies? I don't really kidnap princesses or anything though. I guess I could try. Do you know of any royalty that I can hold hostage? Dr. Maeda: *pinches the bridge of her nose* Q9.) What is your favourite thing to do in your free time? Max: Oh I do lots of things! There's so many different things to learn about! Like... oh, I love to eat! Mom isn't a very good cook so I started learning how to do it myself. My favorite is ham. And bacon. And sausage. If it comes from a pig, it's tasty! Let's see... I also go fishing in the woods outside our house. And I learned how to sew up all the holes I got in my clothes from playing around in the trees. Sometimes I watch movies. And I like to play my guitar! That one's probably my favorite. Q10.) If you win the NFG, what would you spend your prize money on? Max: Don't know! I've never had money to spend before! I'll probably just give it all to Mom and let her figure it out.

The following interview was held with Roxana prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) What inspired you to join the NFG? A1.) When I left the place that I grew up I was all alone in the world. I was both excited and terrified and didn't know what to expect. I checked into a hotel in a strange city and there was a television in the room. When I turned it on, there was a wonderful thing named the New Fighting Generation happening! I loved everything about it. The people, the costumes, the fighting. Me and my brothers and sisters used to fight each other a lot, so it was something I related to. I just knew there and then that I wanted to be involved in this world. At first as a fan but if I should ever get the chance, as a competitor too. Being accepted is truly a dream come true. Q2.) Did you watch the first season of the NFG and if so, what was your overall impression? A2.) I have to confess not all of it originally, because I only discovered it once the fighters were in Sunshine City. I have caught up with the events in Southtown since though. My overall impression was that it was the most exciting thing I had ever experienced. It wasn't just a wonderful display of athleticism but also a real story! There was action, romance, mystery and tragedy. It was so entertaining. Q3.) Who was your favourite fighter in the first season of the NFG and why? A3.) This is a difficult question because there were things I loved about all of the fighters. Every single one of them had their own qualities and special something that they brought to the competition. On balance though, I'm going to choose Kenzo. He has such dignity and I admire the fact he is coming back after such a horrific injury. Q4.) Which Season 1 NFG Fighter do you feel could teach you the most? A4.) I think either Coco or Chevy. I know they aren't the best of friends but both women are incredibly skilled fighters and know how to put on a performance for the crowd. I would be honoured to have either of them as my mentor. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? A5.) I'd love to become a fighting star. To be famed for my skill would be incredible. It would also be good to meet other people I could relate to. I've mostly kept myself to myself lately and that can be a lonely life at times. Q6.) What have you been doing to prepare for your time in the NFG? A6.) I have been training both my body and mind. My body with a mixture of cardiovascular and strength training and my mind with yoga and meditation. I've also been experimenting with practising how much pain I can withstand. It's been an enlightening experience. Q7.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become friends with and why? A7.) I think Max. She reminds me of someone very special to me. Q8.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become rivals with and why? A8.) What a horrible thing to have to answer! I'll say maybe Arisa because I'm not a fan of guns. Q9.) What is your favourite thing to do in your free time? A9.) Listen to rock music. I even went to a few live gigs when I was staying in Metro City. Q10.) If you win the NFG, what would you spend your prize money on? A10.) I would put it towards owning my own apartment. It doesn't have to be a fancy place but it would be somewhere that would be my very own private space. It would be a lot of fun decorating it and giving it my own personal touches. I can just see myself relaxing on the sofa listening to records and eating some good food. Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: I'm unsure because I've never been in or on the sea.

The following interview was held with Tanwen prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) What inspired you to join the NFG? Well, I wanted to be a wizard, but it hasn't been going very smoothly, so I decided I would try being a fighter instead! Plus, I really wanted to meet some of the NFG fighters and find out if any of them are dragons, too. Q2.) Did you watch the first season of the NFG and if so, what was your overall impression? I did! It was very exciting. It's a lot like live-action roleplay, but instead of rolling, they attack each other for real! I'm very excited to try it, I am! Q3.) Who was your favourite fighter in the first season of the NFG and why? Probably Buck! He's the one who turns into a dragon sometimes, and I reckon he's a very high level druid! Oh, but Iris is a wizard! And Hawksley is all fiery... Q4.) Which Season 1 NFG Fighter do you feel could teach you the most? Definitely not Hawksley. He tried to explain what 'fecking' was to me, and it made even less sense by the time he was through. Maybe Buford? He's a good sword fighter, he is, and I want to get better at it! Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? Well, I had a dream that I was chasing sheep last night. Do you think that was about the coming season? I hope it wasn't. I'll be good, Winn! I promise! Q6.) What have you been doing to prepare for your time in the NFG? I've got a shiny new 'replica' sword and shield for fighting! And I've been doing extra practice walking on two legs, I have! Q7.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become friends with and why? All of them, I hope! But especially Kahuna. Us reptiles aren't as cold-blooded as they say! Q8.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become rivals with and why? Probably that Albert. He's going about like he's the next Saint George, and all of us dragons know what a rascal Saint George was. Maybe if the dragon had a spear and a sword, things would have been more fair! Q9.) What is your favourite thing to do in your free time? I love reading, I do! I'm a bit of a book wyrm. That's a pun, it is. Q10.) If you win the NFG, what would you spend your prize money on? I'll have it all changed for gold coins so I can start my own proper dragon hoard! How many coins do you reckon I can get with a hundred thousand dollars? Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: Not usually! My Fortitude save must be pretty high.

The following interview was held with DJ Supernova prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) Why did you decide to return to the NFG as a fighter and mentor? A1.) I learned a lot in the first season that helped me improve quite a bit, so I decided to go for it again and learn more. I also figured that, with all that I've learned, I could help one of the newcomers get the feel for things quicker than if they were going solo. Q2.) What advice would you give to the next group of fighters entering the NFG? A2.) Do the best you can do and don't worry about winning or losing. Each fight you take part in is how you learn to identify your strengths and weaknesses! Q3.) What kind of fighter/s would you like to mentor? A3.) Anyone, honestly! I'm always eager to see how other people fight! Q4.) What do you think you can offer as a mentor? A4.) I feel that I could help whoever takes me on to understand that they are more capable than they believe they are! Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? A5.) To be able to improve myself even further while seeing what other fighting styles there are in this world! *she smiles* Q6.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you previously faced, would you most like to fight again? A6.) Any and every one of them! It's always nice to have some nostalgic encounters, especially when you consider we've all improved since we last saw each other and will have new surprises for each other! *giggles* Q7.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you never got a chance to face, would you most like to fight? A7.) Good question. I'm not sure. Q8.) What improvements do you hope to make on your Season 1 performance in the NFG? A8.) Definitely I want to look back at the mistakes I made and see what I can do to rectify them in this season. I admit I kind of slipped up during the finals, which is why I took the time to do some extra training. Q9.) What opportunities have opened up to you since Season 1 of the NFG? A9.) Well, I had the chance to visit my old capoeira school and did a meet and greet there. she smiles The children were especially excited to meet me since I've apparently become a bit of a heroine to them between my competition in the NFG and how I'm a disk jockey. *she giggles* Funny how things work, isn't it? Q10.) If you could summarise your NFG Season 1 experience in one sentence, what would this be? A10.) A truly one of a kind experience that I would never have missed for anything! *Sarah takes her hat off briefly and twirls it around on her finger before tossing it back onto her head, at which point she giggles for a moment before giving the camera a cute grin* Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: Nope, I sure don't!

Q1.) What inspired you to join the NFG? Many of my skills have been practiced in solitude. I have not been so fortunate as to find a Shaolin master in my hometown. So I would like to improve my skills in combat with others. Q2.) Did you watch the first season of the NFG and if so, what was your overall impression? Yes. It was inspirational to see all of the fighters from beginning to end. Not a one was unshaped by the process. Q3.) Who was your favourite fighter in the first season of the NFG and why? Kasumoto-san. Her career began with humility. It was not long before grew into one of the most formidable fighters. She would emerge stronger from each challenge. She spoke of the "Warrior's Road." That is a path I would like to follow. Q4.) Which Season 1 NFG Fighter do you feel could teach you the most? Jaegerbrud-san. He has a great inner strength, which he puts to excellent use. He has a powerful spirit. I feel that he would have much to teach me about fighting. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? I hope that I can learn as much as the fighters in the first season had. Each will go on to do great things. Q6.) What have you been doing to prepare for your time in the NFG? In addition to daily training, I have familiarized myself with each fight of the first season, and with the limited information available on the other Season 2 competitors. Q7.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become friends with and why? Gallardo-san. He is well-versed in facing those much bigger than himself. And he has a certain... panache. Q8.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become rivals with and why? Sumithson-Powers-san. He walks a very different path from myself. And yet, I feel we each have much to learn from one another. Q9.) What is your favourite thing to do in your free time? Practicing bass guitar. Bettering oneself is its own reward. Q10.) If you win the NFG, what would you spend your prize money on? A number of my classmates were displaced by natural disasters.. I would donate to the charity that helped their families find new homes, and helped them to stay in school. Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: I am unsure. I have never sought to answer that question before.

The following interview was held with Chevy prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) Why did you decide to return to the NFG as a fighter and mentor? Life just ain't been the same since I learned how to fight. I used to think I'd just sit and on my car once I was out. But I realized that just ain't good enough any more -- I gotta get myself up there in the ring! Q2.) What advice would you give to the next group of fighters entering the NFG? I'd say: take it easy! Everyone picks up stuff at their own rate. Q3.) What kind of fighter/s would you like to mentor? Lemme think for a moment, hmm. I would... want someone willing to keep an open mind. If you already knew how the best way to fight, why join the NFG? I would want someone who's willing to make the most of a rare opportunity. Q4.) What do you think you can offer as a mentor? Apple stack cakes as incentives for getting better! Haha! Okay, for real, I'm told I'm hard to follow, so whoever the lucky guy or gal is can count on me throwing down some tough challenges. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? I ain't thought about it, really! I just wanna get even better than before! Q6.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you previously faced, would you most like to fight again? Oh, now that I -have- thought about. I wanna fight Coco again, first and foremost. Plus, I'd wanna see how I stack up against the champ, Miss Fadel -- when she comes around. Now, I'll be honest, there ain't anyone I *won't* fight again. Especially when it comes to my Team Thunder buds! Q7.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you never got a chance to face, would you most like to fight? Technically I got a swing in on Genie but I done owed her a real proper fight ever since. So I guess her! Plus, Hated R -- it was a dang crime we never got to say hey! You best bring your "A" game though! Q8.) What improvements do you hope to make on your Season 1 performance in the NFG? Well, this go-round, I ain't gonna fret none about empty buckets. Just make sure the cameras are waterproofed! Q9.) What opportunities have opened up to you since Season 1 of the NFG? I'm doing lots of advertisements now! Plus there's some new things about to wash ashore in the coming months. I gotta keep things under wraps but -- lemme just tell my Chevaliers: y'all best keep your eyes and ears open! Q10.) If you could summarise your NFG Season 1 experience in one sentence, what would this be? Well, I started as a light drizzle but you best believe I was a category three hurricane by the end of it all! I'm hopin' we can kick that up to a four or five this season! BONUS.) Do you get seasick? Answer: Ain't but just that one time with Aunt Bertie's flat-bottom skiff. But you get a good V-hull goin' out there it ain't so big a deal. Why'd you ask?

The following interview was held with Skye prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) What inspired you to join the NFG? "That's such a great question! A great question! Well, to be honest, I mostly was inspired by the advice of my great agent and my coach. They thought NFG would be a great ne---first step for my career!" Q2.) Did you watch the first season of the NFG and if so, what was your overall impression? "Oh, I went back over a lot of it! Like, Chevrolet was definitely great. The samurai lady was pretty cool, too. The blind woman who fought with the staff was also really impressive! I would never have guessed she was that good! -- um, not because of her disability, or anything, I mean, she was great for anybody --- can we, um, can we move to the next question please?" Q3.) Who was your favourite fighter in the first season of the NFG and why? "Oh, cool, another question about other people. I mean, well, honestly that's a hard pick for me. Oh! I loved John Doe's debut film. Probably him! But everyone was really great." Q4.) Which Season 1 NFG Fighter do you feel could teach you the most? "Well, I kind of have a trainer right now, but I'm sure someone else has a lot to teach. I think Coco's very Thai style is super cool. ---oh, uh, Muay Thai? Sorry, I thought it was like, ya know, muy, as in muy bien. Like a hybrid of Spanish-Thai style. Uh, my bad. Sorry! Can we move on?" Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? "Well, I hope to do really well and make it to the finals! This is my first big event like this, so I'm hoping to do my best and really impress the people at home. Like, I think I've got the talent, ya know, I just need a shot to show what I've got!" Q6.) What have you been doing to prepare for your time in the NFG? "Oh, soooo much training. You wouldn't believe it. Erin, oh, uh, she's my trainer. Erin is teaching me all kinds of holds, and we do drills and exercises. And I have to lift sooo many weights. Then we go out to eat and ... oh hold on, Erin is texting me. Oh, uh. That's about it! Yeah! Moving on." Q7.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become friends with and why? "Oh, well, I haven't met any of them. ---uh! But if I had to guess, I think Henry seems cool. It must be really hard being the kid of two big stars like that, but really awesome too? I know a bit about show business, ya know, and it's hard work!" Q8.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become rivals with and why? "Oh, that's a toughie! I don't think there are any other wrestlers, soooo...maybe, uh, that Xander guy? Isn't he like, a sailor or something? Maybe it could be a sea and Skye thing. Get it? See it's funny because ---" Q9.) What is your favourite thing to do in your free time? "I don't really have any free time because I'm always working or training or---oh, hobbies? I have so many cool hobbies, like. I can write, and I can sing, and I can play piano and I used to do cheer and...well, uh, anyway. I've got a lot of great skills! For hobbies. When I have time. Which I don't right now." Q10.) If you win the NFG, what would you spend your prize money on? "Well first I have to pay my---oh, hold on, I've got another text. ... so I guess I'd probably try to pay off my student loans, then maybe replace my car?" Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: "I haven't really been on boat since I was a kid, so I don't know?"

The following interview was held with Kenzo prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) Why did you decide to return to the NFG as a fighter and mentor? NFG gave me an opportunity to improve my skills that I probably wouldn't have otherwise. Q2.) What advice would you give to the next group of fighters entering the NFG? Ask questions. Take advantage of the knowledge and experience the mentors have. Your mileage may vary on this depending on who you end up with. Q3.) What kind of fighter/s would you like to mentor? Those who seek to improve their fight IQ. Q4.) What do you think you can offer as a mentor? I have been described as a film junkie by the training staff. Because of that, I can usually come up with good game plans against opponents. I wasn't always able to execute on them but, 'No plan survives first contact with the enemy.' In addition, I believe I can help with making refinements to attacks to make them the best they can be. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? Honestly, I am just trying to build on the improvements I made on my style in the first season. The final tournament showed me how much farther I need to go. Q6.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you previously faced, would you most like to fight again? Hands down, Buck. We've both expanded on our capabilities. I'm eager to avenge my loss against him and I'm not likely to make the same mistakes that I did before. Also, I've heard that he has developed an attack based on mine. I wonder if the original or the imitation will reign supreme. Q7.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you never got a chance to face, would you most like to fight? I never had a chance to face Nixie one on one. Our fights never lined up when we were on opposing teams and when we were on the same teams, our training schedules didn't quite line up either. Q8.) What improvements do you hope to make on your Season 1 performance in the NFG? If I'm being honest, I want to be better at taking advantage of opportunities presented to me and minimizing mistakes. With some exceptions here and there, most my losses were either committing small errors that had huge effects on the outcome or failing to capitalize on opportunities that were presented in front of me. Q9.) What opportunities have opened up to you since Season 1 of the NFG? I've had multiple offers from tech companies post graduation. There have also been a couple of offers from news crews wanting me to help with research for fight analysis. Q10.) If you could summarise your NFG Season 1 experience in one sentence, what would this be? May you live in interesting times.

The following interview was held with Rodrigo prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) What inspired you to join the NFG? I enjoyed studying the combat manuals and I enjoyed training against others but I felt that in order to grow, I would need to encounter people who don't fight like me. Q2.) Did you watch the first season of the NFG and if so, what was your overall impression? It was interesting to see the variety of styles but there were too many people who took themselves way too seriously. Q3.) Who was your favourite fighter in the first season of the NFG and why? Hawksley. That guy knows how to have fun. Q4.) Which Season 1 NFG Fighter do you feel could teach you the most? It would be a toss up between Ichika since I believe I could benefit from her understanding of tactics even if I'm more of an instinctual fighter, and Iris since her familiarity with sword and additional weapons could give me a wealth of experiences to learn from. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? To make this season as fun as possible for the audience and the other fighters! Q6.) What have you been doing to prepare for your time in the NFG? Sword drills, footwork drills, and just attempting to incorporate a variety of movements into my particular style. Q7.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become friends with and why? Henry. We have a lot in common. Swordsmanship, a love of the beach. In a year or so, I could see us picking up women at the bars in Puerto Banus. Q8.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become rivals with and why? Probably, Albert. While Guts is important, skill will usually mean more. Q9.) What is your favourite thing to do in your free time? Go out dancing. While I have a particular fondness for flamenco, I do like a variety of dance styles. Q10.) If you win the NFG, what would you spend your prize money on? I don't know. Maybe throw a massive party?

The following interview was held with Hated R prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) Why did you decide to return to the NFG as a fighter and mentor? "So I had to drop out last tick cuz my passport was all gentrified, ja' feel? And I can't be lettin' down my fans, MY HATERS! They wanna' see me dope all over the competizzle? So I'm back baby! Ready to GET MINE! Wait... Mentor? AYO! I kinda' like that! That's dope! Just call me... THE FRESHMAKER!" Q2.) What advice would you give to the next group of fighters entering the NFG? "Fight for your right to party." Q3.) What kind of fighter/s would you like to mentor? "Can I mentor myself? Cuz don't nobody know how to be the best me but me, ja feel? My humblenosity gives me grace and the self-bewareness to know what's up with me. BUT! If I gotta' pick somebody, I'ma' go with some hot chick. TROPHY MENTORED PERSO-- look, I don't know what you call 'em. BUT JA' FEEL!" Q4.) What do you think you can offer as a mentor? "I'm the dopest there is, was or ever will be." Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? "To be the best! Around! And also, sell a ton of merch. HOLLLLEEEEEEEEER!" Q6.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you previously faced, would you most like to fight again? "Uh... I can't lie. I don't even remember them. I think cuz I got rocked like my tour bus be on Girls Night. BUT! I loved every second of it so I'ma' tell you like I tell my favorite mailman every time he forgets a package... RUN IT BACK!" Q7.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you never got a chance to face, would you most like to fight? "Put 'em up, put 'em up! I'll take 'em all on! Hated R don't say no names cuz Hated R don't play no games! I know how y'all medias be takin' ish outta' context clues. So I'ma' just say... all challenges? Consider 'em ACCEPTED. BOOM-CHAKA-KHAN!" Q8.) What improvements do you hope to make on your Season 1 performance in the NFG? "My drip was on point. My tour bus was on point. My lyrics was on point. My DOPENESS was on point. I think the only thing I gotta' do now is, y'know, win a fight." Q9.) What opportunities have opened up to you since Season 1 of the NFG? "I got DMs from Taylor Swift annnnnnnnnd Megan Thee Stallion. WHAT ELSE DO I NEED, BABY?! Still waitin' on Laura Matsuda to hit me up. WHERE YOU AT, LAURA?! Call me!" Q10.) If you could summarise your NFG Season 1 experience in one sentence, what would this be? "Supercalifragilisticexpialidopeness! Which, coincidentally, is the name of my new single. Check it out." Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? "I got yachts on yachts on yachts. The sea loves me!"

The following interview was held with Buford prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) Why did you decide to return to the NFG as a fighter and mentor? Before the NFG, I was just an unknown loser who lurked in the West Edmonton Mall, eating leftover cold tendies thrown away by young ladies whose eyes were too big for their stomachs. But like the caterpillar emerging from it's cocoon, I have become the world's most respected Canadian Swordsman who lives in Metro City. In fact, I can include a haiku in this answer, to better explain. From Eating From Trash The Ronin Grub Of Canada Now A Butterfly As to why I've returned, I've noticed several young men, no doubt inspired by my personal journey, arriving to join the NFG. And all armed with swords! In a way, I see myself in them, hungry for the cold tendies left behind by the young women of the NFG, when all they need is a hot platter from a kindred spirit much like myself. Thus, I have put my career as both the Rapping Ronin of Rationality and a kingpin of Mad Gear on the backburner, in order to mentor and guide these fine young boys to instruct them on what it means to not only be a swordsman, but also a Man's Man. Q2.) What advice would you give to the next group of fighters entering the NFG? Your greatest enemy isn't yourself. No, it's women. Women will be your downfall. Never be ready to treat a woman like a queen. She will only take advantage of your stupidity, and betray you at the last minute. They will never truly make concessions, they will never respect you unless they fear you, and will only pretend to show empathy to take advantage of your kindness. This advice doesn't apply to women, obviously. My advice to the new females is that they should learn to respect and show empathy to men, and be willing to at least make concessions to them if they try. Every man is ready to treat a woman like a queen, but only if she behaves like one. Q3.) What kind of fighter/s would you like to mentor? Obviously, the new crop of sword fighters! Henry! Rodrigo! Albert! They all are just like me, ready to study and master the blade. I can give them all a step up, a step that I myself lacked unfortunately. Q4.) What do you think you can offer as a mentor? One of the most important lessons I can bestow on these new swordfighters, other than my own mastery of the vapor blade, is the lesson that only be granted through understanding the Japanese sword traditions. See, while the western world idolizes the ideal of a knight in shining armor, western swordfighters just fundamentally pale in comparison to superior Japanese techniques. Samurais are essentially the eastern Knight, and Western Knights have proven time and time again to be completely incompetent in the field of battle. Some peasants with bows and arrows, or crossbows, just murder them wholesale! And when you consider it, the greatest fighters in Europe weren't the knights in shining armor, but Italian and German mercenaries who learned Japanese techniques through the silk road, and applied superior Nippon techniques in both sword forging and fighting to dominate the western world! Where Western Knights were being crushed by the serfs, Samurai Knights were dominating them! This is just one of the many important lessons I can teach these fine young men. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? My hopes and dreams is that where the beautiful young ladies of the first season of the NFG had disappointed me, that instead, the handsome young swordfighters will fill that void left inside me. They can consider me not only their big brother, but their super big brother, or cho aniki in my adopted native tongue. Q6.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you previously faced, would you most like to fight again? Obviously, it's Braun. Braun set me on the path that helped steer me away from the distracting obsession with being the Prince to a Queen, and that my attentions are better served with fighting women just like I fight with men. I would be excited, and dare I say, eager to pursue a martial relationship with Braun, especially when training some fine young men. I've discussed about pursuing, mayhaps, something more than just a martial relationship on the side. I've of coursed talked with my girlfriend who is very busy fighting overseas. It came up when my fight with Kenzo was published, and she noted that our chemistry together was very hot. She is very comfortable with it as long as it's recorded like the fights. Such a thing is best explained in haiku. Internet Girlfriend Not Unfaithful If It's Men Or With An Anime Q7.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you never got a chance to face, would you most like to fight? Well since the beautiful bare foot young lady apparently exploded into fire, the other person I wanted to meet, but never got to face last season was Hawksley. While the MacClanky clan is traditionally Scottish, that's practically the same as Irish, and I am sure we can partake in some of those traditional shared values such as drinking, fighting, beating annoying women, and enjoying unemployment. Q8.) What improvements do you hope to make on your Season 1 performance in the NFG? It's very hard to improve on perfection and mastery, obviously, but something I hope to work on more is standing up for myself. I've always been a bit of a push over, I feel, and if I can start standing up for myself more, and not tolerate people disrespecting me, I know that I will finally get more of the respect I already deserve, which people choose not to give me. Q9.) What opportunities have opened up to you since Season 1 of the NFG? Outside of being a kingpin of Mad Gear, Abigail's gang of cool people? I would bring up my chance meeting with Hated R. After our fight, I believe he hasn't stopped obsessing over our meeting, the potential of our collaboration. You see, we were working together on a rap album as the Rapping Ronin of Rationality, and he was going to hook me up with a production posse and everything. I even am trying to get Katana to come in, and bring his own gentle Japanese lyrics to the album. While he hasn't gotten back to me yet, I know it would be a big lift to his career if he could be seen with me. I know he hasn't stopped thinking about it, being busy with the NFG and all, but it would be really, really important for him to finish what he promised. Q10.) If you could summarize your NFG Season 1 experience in one sentence, what would this be? A haiku with a period at the end is a sentence, so let me explain. Mastering The Blade Meant Showing Myself Respect Before All Others Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: The official term is motion sickness. In that case, I only get it when I am being driven around by my Mad Gear homies, when they let me sit in the front seat.

The following interview was held with Kahuna prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) What inspired you to join the NFG? A1.) "Bruh, honestly bruh? No clue. Totally don't even know what NFG is, bruh. I just go where the waves take me." Q2.) Did you watch the first season of the NFG and if so, what was your overall impression? A2.) "Nah. I was probably on the beach. Or sleepin'. Who knows. Not I said the turtle guy." Q3.) Who was your favourite fighter in the first season of the NFG and why? A3.) "Uh, whoever was the most chill?" Q4.) Which Season 1 NFG Fighter do you feel could teach you the most? A4.) "No clue, bruh. Master Papaya already taught me a bunch. And I watched a ton of karate flicks growing up. Remember Kung Fu Theater? Love that." Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? A5.) "Really just hope to have a little fun scrapping with dudes and dudettes. If I can find some choice waves in between? Bonus. I'll take whatever kinda' waves may come. Gnarly Waves. Killer Waves. Bodacious Waves. Heavy Waves. Whatever, bruh. Bring 'em all on." Q6.) What have you been doing to prepare for your time in the NFG? A6.) "Surfin', mostly. Watchin' tv. Throwin' a beach bash or two. Chill times." Q7.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become friends with and why? A7.) "Ah, dude, I'm friends with everyone. It costs absolutely nothing to be chill so why not be chill? I'm just here to have a good time." Q8.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become rivals with and why? A8.) "I've only got one rival and that's anything that gets in the way of me and the ocean." Q9.) What is your favourite thing to do in your free time? A9.) "Surfin' is my life, bruh." Q10.) If you win the NFG, what would you spend your prize money on? A10.) "We can win cash? Dude. Uh, for sure? A Bitchin' Beach Bash. Total victory party vibes, bruh. Yeah. Love it." Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? One More Answer: "... Dude. Come on. /Dude/."

The following interview was held with Xander prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) What inspired you to join the NFG? There was a lack of proper karate in the NFG! How could you have so many fresh new fighters in a tournament with new fighters, and not have a single person who could proper karate! My training has stalled in karate, so I am coming to the NFG to bring karate to the world. Q2.) Did you watch the first season of the NFG and if so, what was your overall impression? I have detailed my impressions in my notes and scrapbook. I followed it all through beginning to end. My impression is that there is too much focus on esoteric fighting styles, and not enough on established fighting styles. Where is anybody going to learn how to slop a bucket of water around? Is that common in the state of Carolina, that they slop water and say y'all? There must be more focus on established martial arts this upcoming season. Q3.) Who was your favourite fighter in the first season of the NFG and why? I have a preference for more traditional, unarmed fighters who demonstrate strict discipline in their fighting technique. With that said, I very much liked Hawksley the most of the fighters. He is non-traditional in his execution, but I like his fire and boxing. I even shared some bitterballens with him. Q4.) Which Season 1 NFG Fighter do you feel could teach you the most? I have already spoken to Hawksley, and his fire boxing has been very interesting to me, as I use the Spirit of the Phoenix as trained by my karate master within myself. But the other one I can learn the most from is Coco. Not only is she trained in Muay Thai, a very well established martial art, she has also experienced first hand a 'fire of the phoenix.' I understand it was also not a very good experience, but I am convinced I can find a tactful way of discussing it with her. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? Truthfully, I hope and dream my old master, Kojima Sengan-Sama, will reappear again. I hope and dream he isn't hurt. And I hope and dream that my karate is worthy of his name. Q6.) What have you been doing to prepare for your time in the NFG? I have spoken to Jace Timmons, who I hope will be interested in contributing his karate expertise to the NFG. Other than that,I have researched the other fighters. Many of them are very unusual, and likely have opportunities and weaknesses that can be exploited with karate. I also plan on befriending them, because the NFG is like one big dojo, and we all can share in karate. Q7.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become friends with and why? Oh, well, who I plan to befriend specifically. Specifically, the person, of the fighters I have looked at, the list of fighters that I have researched and studied, the one that I think, or, feel, that I will most likely to become friends with. Well. I suppose it is... Kahuna? The surfer dude?! Because he could, uh, learn karate the best? Q8.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become rivals with and why? These questions are assuming a great deal before I have even sat down to talk with them! If I have a rival it will be based on the spirit of the phoenix, and the direction karate drives me! Not based on fluffy interview questions about how I feel! I don't know, I guess it is Arisa, the cowgirl from Texas! How absurd. Is she going to shoot me with her popguns, and yeehaw? I am very annoyed by Arisa, and that will contribute to a rivalry I suppose. Q9.) What is your favourite thing to do in your free time? My free time is karate. Well no, it's not. When I have time where I need to recover from karate, I like to ride my bicycle around, and study the birds that are in the area. One of the best things about all the traveling, is that I have seen birds I have never seen before, and I can write down their details. When it rains, I like to play board games. Maybe there will be fighters who have heard of Battlers Of Catan, where you are various dojos who have to collect resources, train martial artists, and then fight in tournaments! It was very popular at my academy. Q10.) If you win the NFG, what would you spend your prize money on? . I don't know. I haven't thought of the money. I will send it to my mother. Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: Why is this not Question 11? Everything else was formatted correctly as Q#. Fine. No. My grandfather was a sea captain on a fishing trawler. I have strong sailor blood.

The following interview was held with Iris prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) Why did you decide to return to the NFG as a fighter and mentor? -- When I joined the NFG it was really... on a lark? Something to do with my life because it felt like nothing else worked for me. I grew a lot during that whole time, though, and my life changed, especially because of the people I met and the things I experienced. I know I sound like a college recruiting brochure right now, but it's the truth. So if I can come at it from the mentor side and help someone else find that experience, it's worth it. Plus, well... I mean, I still have plenty to learn myself. Q2.) What advice would you give to the next group of fighters entering the NFG? -- Don't be afraid to ask for help. You're gonna be surrounded by other fighters and the competition part can make it feel real zero sum, but the truth is they often want you to succeed. It's a weird fighter thing I didn't get at first, either, but you'd be surprised the friendships you can make that way. Q3.) What kind of fighter/s would you like to mentor? -- Alright, cards on the table: not someone who needs extensive martial arts training, haha. I have a pretty specific skill set, but I am confident inside that skill set. First season NFG drew in all kinds, so if you've got someone out there with mystical powers they don't quite understand, well: I can help you with that, I think. Q4.) What do you think you can offer as a mentor? -- Haha, is it unfair to say "how to cope when you're getting your ass beat"? For real, though -- I came to the NFG without being a martial artist or "warrior" or whatever first, and sometimes that's perspective that can be helpful. Plus, you know, there's all the sorcery. I do know a bit of that too. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? -- Honestly, the end of the first season really inspired me for my craft, so I'm kind of hoping whatever happens in this round will do the same? Plus I'd like to keep narrowing the gap between my knowledge of magic and actually putting it into practice as a fighter. It's not as easy as it sounds. Q6.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you previously faced, would you most like to fight again? -- How can I NOT say Chevy at this point? You really need to bring your A game to fight Ms. Beaumont. If I don't get at least one rematch with her by the time this is all over, I'll be disappointed. Q7.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you never got a chance to face, would you most like to fight? -- This kinda doesn't count but Buck and I only faced off in the Rumble, which is sad. I feel like we would have a lot to discuss. Plus I need some exposure therapy on all the creepy gross stuff he can turn into! Q8.) What improvements do you hope to make on your Season 1 performance in the NFG? -- [sudden laughter] Basically everything? A long time ago Ichika said to me 'if you did it by luck you can do it on purpose' and that's stuck with me. Just want to keep shifting more stuff into the "do it on purpose" box. Q9.) What opportunities have opened up to you since Season 1 of the NFG? -- A bunch of them, though I... can't really talk about any of them, haha, sorry. I'm actually apprenticing to a blacksmith on the east cost of the US right now, believe it or not, and I would never have thought to do that if it weren't for the NFG, and specifically Ultratech. I mean I could already technically make my own swords but by the end of this I should REALLY be able to make my own swords. Q10.) If you could summarise your NFG Season 1 experience in one sentence, what would this be? -- "You thought it was gonna turn out that way, and you were wrong." Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? -- I don't... think so? Is this where I look shocked and go 'I guess we'll find out'?

The following interview was held with Arisa prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) What inspired you to join the NFG? -- If I say "it seemed cool" do I lose points up front or something? Because it did look really cool! I have some personal reasons I don't want to necessary be posting through right now but after watching the first season I was like, "I gotta get in on that!" Q2.) Did you watch the first season of the NFG and if so, what was your overall impression? -- Definitely. I wasn't really a big fighting fan before because I didn't have a lot of time; I just started college, I still help out at my parents' barbecue place, but during the summer the customers asked us to put the livestreams on and it was really intense! I'm not like a super martial artist or anything but I've got some skills, and I could tell I was into it because I really wanted to see how I'd do in that situation! Q3.) Who was your favourite fighter in the first season of the NFG and why? -- Favorites are hard especially since like some of those people might... come... back? I really was rooting for Genie, though. It felt like she was giving it 110% every time even when things weren't going her way and I respect that hustle a lot. Q4.) Which Season 1 NFG Fighter do you feel could teach you the most? -- That's a hard call. Probably Kenzo? I think we could have a productive chat about hidden weapons, probably. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? -- Well obviously I want to kick serious ass and take home the gold but have you seen the other folks on the roster?! There is some seriously wild stuff going on! I wanna see like... swords and GUTS! and iron shirts and all this other stuff people do. It sounds wild. Q6.) What have you been doing to prepare for your time in the NFG? -- Training, training, and more training? Wait, that's what I do anyway. Uhhh I have been going back and watching season 1 on my own instead of with a bunch of rowdy Texan drunks while I brought them more brisket so I could actually like... focus. Q7.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become friends with and why? -- I dunno, dude, I can't tell if I'm gonna get along with someone when all I know about them right now is "big sword" or "laconic guy." It would be great if I could be friends with everyone but that's probably not realistic. If I had to pick one, maybe... Albert? I feel like I get his vibe. Q8.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become rivals with and why? -- Probably... this Homura guy. I got my reasons. 'Nuff said. Q9.) What is your favourite thing to do in your free time? -- I just realized I have like... no free time?! Ever?! I train a lot because my parents can be kind of strict about that, but they've got good reasons and hey, it means I'm good at what I do. I fool around with chiptune trackers now and then? Oh, and I will thoroughly bust anyone's ass at DDR. Come at me, bro. Q10.) If you win the NFG, what would you spend your prize money on? -- Probably going into savings? I'm going to college because I think it's worthwhile, and Dad really wanted me to go, but like... I don't think my skills really translate to late capitalism all that well so I think making a nest egg for when I'm too old to fight or chase bad guys or whatever. Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? -- NAH BRO. I'm great at boats. Theoretically. I'm sure it'll be fine.

The following interview was held with Zarine prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) Why did you decide to return to the NFG as a fighter and mentor? It is quite simple. My journey is not complete. My stated goal was to return to the strength I possessed before my long sleep, and I am clearly not there, given my performance in the first tournament. I doubt I will be there when this one is over, but the more I fight, the stronger I get. Q2.) What advice would you give to the next group of fighters entering the NFG? Abandon your fear. Look forward. Move forward and never stop. Pull back, and you will lose. Hesitate, and you may die. Q3.) What kind of fighter/s would you like to mentor? My skills are based in the blade and in mystical power. Ideally it will be someone with a weapon, or mystically talented. I am not a brawler most of the time, and if I do such, things have gone terribly wrong. Q4.) What do you think you can offer as a mentor? I am quite old. While my innate powers are currently lacking, I still maintain my decades of fighting experience. I am quite able to offer advice on technique and mindset. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? Of course I would like to win the mentor tournament. I would also like to see whomever I teach win the main event. Even if neither of those comes true, a trip around the world in a luxury ship will be pleasant. Q6.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you previously faced, would you most like to fight again? Miss Beaumont. Hands down. She gave me quite the challenge and I would like to see if I could beat her should we clash again. Q7.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you never got a chance to face, would you most like to fight? I am unsure. Perhaps Miss Colebridge. For a human, it seems as if she has the heart of a predator. It might be interesting. Q8.) What improvements do you hope to make on your Season 1 performance in the NFG? I would like to win more, of course. Fine tune my control. At the very least, I would like to be competitive. Q9.) What opportunities have opened up to you since Season 1 of the NFG? Various cosmetics companies have reached out to me to promote their 'Goth' pallettes. Also, many comments on the internet have suggested I start an 'OnlyFans'. Whatever that is. Q10.) If you could summarise your NFG Season 1 experience in one sentence, what would this be? Disappointing and enlightening all at the same time. Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: As far as I am aware, I am incapable of such.

The following interview was held with Buck prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) Why did you decide to return to the NFG as a fighter and mentor? I wasn't done yet. I felt like there was more I could do and I'm glad to be getting an opportunity to return to, well, I guess prove myself a bit more. And this time I'm not going to be late to the show. Q2.) What advice would you give to the next group of fighters entering the NFG? Have fun with it. Sure it's a competition, but you're going to meet some people who will become friends, others will become rivals. It'll change your life, win or lose. So above all, just savor the experience and enjoy it. Q3.) What kind of fighter/s would you like to mentor? Well, I heard there's a few fighters that might have some talents a little similar to my own. I think having a mentor that is experienced in that sort of thing might be helpful, and heck, maybe they have some tricks to teach me in return. I just hope I can be as helpful as my Thunder mentors were to me. Q4.) What do you think you can offer as a mentor? Well, other than my now less than unique talents? I'm not sure. I know that's not a good answer, but hey, this is the first time I'll be doin' something like this. Like I said, I had some great mentors to model my own style on, and I'll figure it out as I go. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? I just want to cross fists with more great fighters, and maybe have a few rematches along the way. Q6.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you previously faced, would you most like to fight again? Hawksley. Hands down, I almost had him. Maybe a chance to take another crack at Coco. Honestly, I'd take any of them on again. Q7.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you never got a chance to face, would you most like to fight? Chevy. No hesitation. I sparred her as her teammate, sure, but I've never actually had the chance to fight her when the chips were down. Q8.) What improvements do you hope to make on your Season 1 performance in the NFG? I guess make it further? I know I said I'm not done, but I was also happy with how my run ended. As long as I can keep feling like I'm doing my best I'll be happy. Q9.) What opportunities have opened up to you since Season 1 of the NFG? Well, I got an agent. And weirdly a few wildlife protection associations have asked me to be a spokesperson for them. Said yes of course. Also I've been getting offers for ad deals, but I want to make sure I like the products before agreeing to those. Q10.) If you could summarise your NFG Season 1 experience in one sentence, what would this be? It was the time of my life. Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: I can literally turn into a fish.

The following interview was held with Buck prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) What inspired you to join the NFG? I think I have something I can bring to the competition, and it seems like a good arena in which to prove myself. Practice can only get you so far, eventually to get better you need to put yourself out there and do it. Q2.) Did you watch the first season of the NFG and if so, what was your overall impression? I enjoyed it. The skills on display were amazing and everyone really seemed to be giving it their all. I knew that if they did another season I'd have to get on myself, so as soon as the call went out I threw my name into the ring. I'm just grateful I was picked. Q3.) Who was your favourite fighter in the first season of the NFG and why? Ichika, even if she is from Justice High. Well, that skill with the sword, it was something next level. I'm hoping I can show even half as much improvement as she did over the course of this. Q4.) Which Season 1 NFG Fighter do you feel could teach you the most? That's a tough question. Obviously one of the weapon using combatants would be an easy choice. But I think one of the brawlers might actually help me more with my footwork and being able to think on the fly. Honestly, I'd be happy for any of them to take an interest in helping me. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? I simply want to improve my skills. Winning would be nice, but that's not why I joined. I just need people to see I really know how to use the sword and I can still get better, I know I can. Q6.) What have you been doing to prepare for your time in the NFG? I've been training with my father when I can, and I've been taking some kendo lessons in order to learn a different style of sword fighting to see if I can work any of those lessons in. Q7.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become friends with and why? I'm not sure. There's some interesting people already, but I'd hate to make the call now and be wrong. It's not why I signed up, either, but I'd be open to forming friendships. Sometimes the best friendships are the ones you don't expect. Q8.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become rivals with and why? I don't know if rivals is the right word, but Rodrigo's matador style is something I'd love to test my own sword against and something I can learn from. Q9.) What is your favourite thing to do in your free time? I love to spend time at the beach. Swimming, surfing, just hanging out on the sand. Q10.) If you win the NFG, what would you spend your prize money on? I, well, I don't really need it. So I guess I'd probably donate it or something. I'm not going to jinx my chances of winning by planning on it. Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: No, I love being out on the water.

The following interview was held with Braun prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) Why did you decide to return to the NFG as a fighter and mentor? What can I say? I had fun. More fun than I thought I was going to have and in a different sorta way. Who doesn't like gettin' burned, slashed, frozen, drenched, stabbed, electrocuted and flattened, yeah? I guess I figured, why not share the wisdom gleaned from that while claimin'' more experience out of it! Q2.) What advice would you give to the next group of fighters entering the NFG? Probably a lost cause to warn 'em about getting too emotionally attached or wound up in all the tabloid generatin' nonsense that's no doubt bound to happen but Imma say it anyway. Almost lost my footin' myself for a moment there. I saw a share of broken hearts and twisted perspectives during that last bit. Focus on the fight and focus on the win. You got your whole life for the rest of the soap operasque stuff. Come to win. Q3.) What kind of fighter/s would you like to mentor? Weeellll....I'm probably best suited for the physical types. The folk not afraid to take a hit and get in there and get brutal with it....or the ones that need that type of push to start doin' so. Otherwise, frankly, I ain't picky. Q4.) What do you think you can offer as a mentor? I think it's important t'note that us returners are still 'new' to the fightin' scene ourselves and that folk should' be entering this with heads swollen like they don't have much to learn. We a long way from masters and one tournament experience doesn't make you a 'mentor' but what we do have is the experience of the first NFG and the things we saw and witnessed. If we can act as a template for do's and do nots and help folk wantin' to take this journey who are startin' behind us then I'm all for it. Experience is the best thing any of us can offer and that's all I got for 'em. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? Still on a journey to unlock some things and push my potential higher. The mission' aint changed, just the venue. Q6.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you previously faced, would you most like to fight again? That's a tough one. I got fond memories of all o'the fights. I think the fight that surprised me the most was the one against Chevy. It was real close. She got back up. I didn't. I think another shot at that would be pretty fun and Kenzo as well. That also surprised me. I feel like it was just the right match of skills and abilites to keep it interestin' and I wouldn't mind another run at that. Q7.) Which of your fellow Season 1 fighters that you never got a chance to face, would you most like to fight? Folk were sayin'' that they were surprised that the organizers didn't pair me up against Buck. If he's back in the mix that'd be worth doin'. Q8.) What improvements do you hope to make on your Season 1 performance in the NFG? I'll admit I came into season 1 all aggressive like and thinkin' I was gonna be a monster so it was a good reminder that there's other monsters out there. Even with all that, I aint losin' none of that aggression even if's tempered a little so I'm aimin' for a higher rankin' and reputation. I made it into the finals last time by the skin o'my teeth so whatever the organizers got planned for us this round, I'm lookin' to come in swingin' for the fences.... Q9.) What opportunities have opened up to you since Season 1 of the NFG? I've been layin' low since the first season. Decided to take a break and look at things a little differently and have a ....word with the folks back 'home'. Let's just say that there's stuff I aint about to talk about here that might be loomin'. We'll see. Q10.) If you could summarize your NFG Season 1 experience in one sentence, what would this be? Irony is good medicine. Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: You sure better hope I don't.

The following interview was held with Homura prior to the start of Season 2 of the NFG! Q1.) What inspired you to join the NFG? I was sent here from the sky. You see, I have a 'particular mission' I am tasked to complete in the lower world. This mission made my participation necessary. Q2.) Did you watch the first season of the NFG and if so, what was your overall impression? Based on my information, there were so many unique abilities, and so many untamed personalities. There was even a vampire? To be impressed or disappointed, however... I'll leave that to those with ambition far superior to mine, a lowly person without merit. Q3.) Who was your favourite fighter in the first season of the NFG and why? Ah. Kuroiwa-san.. an admirable technique. He re-re~MINDS me of someone I think I used to know. Q4.) Which Season 1 NFG Fighter do you feel could teach you the most? Ohh. Trying to teach me would be a regrettable thing, I think. I'm far too obstinate! So many people with their own 'ambition' to learn, to grow, to prosper... what a rose-colored fate. Q5.) What are your hopes and dreams for the coming season? Hopes and dreams? They're far from people like me. Everyone is put on this world to fulfill a goal. There is a moment in everyone's life that they are destined towards, and though they may not know it, the river inexorably draws them there. They may not know it, but they are the only person who can achieve that goal and realize that moment. That moment can be anything. Some people, to stand up for what's right. Others, to be the challenge that others must surpass to become strong. And then, there are people who are meant to be the river itself. Q6.) What have you been doing to prepare for your time in the NFG? I've been gathering so much information! I guess some of it has been rather difficult to get, some of the competition likes to make life hard on me. Ah, it's looking like I'll have to meditate a little more... Q7.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become friends with and why? Sadly! As much as I would like to know Arisa-san and that ... turtle guy...? Being too close to my ability for too long is very unsafe. Q8.) Which of your fellow NFG Season 2 fighters do you feel you are most likely to become rivals with and why? Rivals? That sounds far too quarrelsome for my tastes. Q9.) What is your favourite thing to do in your free time? Ah.. I don't know that I have a lot of that. It feels like I only have a certain amount of time here before something drastic happens. Q10.) If you win the NFG, what would you spend your prize money on? . prize money? Thanks for your responses! Just one more thing. Do you get seasick? Answer: Wouldn't that just be my luck? I--I think I remember being on a boat, o-o~once...