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J. ‘Segreti’: Good morning Karakura. This is the first episode of The Daily Paranoia’s Ephialtes Radio; the only radio station in Karakura that brings you conspiracy and mystery in the same place!
Today’s episode is going to focus on something everybody should be pretty familiar with: the abandoned power plant! You all, the listeners, might have some conspiracies of your own — feel free to put them in the suggestions box in the station lobby — but the one I think is true.. Is the question of: Does the abandoned power plant still produce power? And, if it does, where is the power going to?!
But, for those who aren’t super familiar with it, Karakura’s abandoned power plant is located in the northwest of the city, beside Block H and the Diaoyu Tunnel. To find out more of the history, we’ll move onto a segment with Eli!
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J. ‘Segreti’: Right, for the sake of this interview, I'm J. Segreti. You've been around in Karakura for a while, right?
Eli: Aye, I have. Since I was 16, so that would be 26, 27 years.
J. ‘Segreti’: I'm wanting to ask a few questions about the history of the Karakura Power Plant. Mainly the history, and why it's abandoned now. Could you provide some insight on that?
Eli: The power plant has always been down since I was going to Karakura High here. From my time in the government. I did get some insight on why that was. Powerplant was starting to be abandoned over the decades it had been there, eventually Karakura City got their power from elsewhere on the Island with Tsubasa and other smaller villages on the Izu-Karakura. But, the power plant here in Karakura City, still produces power to an extent, such as the explosion that killed Mayor 'Mike' Akihito when his Yakuza Clan was having a fight with Yamaguchi-gumi, a Mainland Yakuza group.
J. ‘Segreti’: So, it still produces power despite the explosion?
Eli: It is highly possible, at the scene and according to the former News Report on it. Explosives were stored in the old power plant, but why would someone use the old site if it didn't hold some sort of power? The elevators still work, even to this day, inside of the site. The Underworld here in Karakura still needs power, even abandoned locations in the sewers still produce power but since they were abandoned. The Government didn't link these locations to the new power source unless they planned on reusing them for something.
J. ‘Segreti’: So, if hypothetically it did still produce power, you'd say it's used by the underworld? And the majority of the power is supplied by the main power source on the mainland? Or outside of the main city, at least.
Eli: It's a mainland company that runs the power company for the Izu, but that isn't the point right now. I do believe that the criminals of Karakura City are using the power that is coming out of the powerplant for their own needs. As for not to get the Government and mainly the police on their trail on where they are hiding out.
J. ‘Segreti’: Thank you so much. And just a final closing question, are there any other rumours or.. conspiracies surrounding the powerplant that you've heard of?
Eli: Sometimes, and it could just be how old the building is, but screams could be heard coming from the basement. By the elevator that is. But it is not often.
J. ‘Segreti’: Thank you for your time, Eli!
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J. ‘Segreti’: So, to TLDR it for those who skipped that interview for whatever reason (don’t know why you would, by the way), the power plant has been abandoned for upwards of two decades! However, it’s speculated that there’s still power running through the place, even after an explosion that killed the old mayor, Mike Akihito!
With the majority of Karakura’s power coming from the mainland, supposedly, one could assume that the criminals of Karakura are using the energy from the power plant to use facilities hidden in the sewers! While sitting in the area, brainstorming this topic as a whole and doing some research of my own, I bumped into Jareth, who was kind enough to have a quick chat with me!
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J. ‘Segreti’: For the sake of this lil' interview, I'll go by Segreti. Few questions for you, just – first off, what name d'ya want to be named as? Or, just anonymous?
Jareth: Jareth. Ain't got nothing to hide from anyone.
J. ‘Segreti’: Awesome, Jareth Can you initially provide some insight on. the history of the powerplant, and why it's abandoned now?
Jareth: When I first arrived at Karakura the entrance wasn't closed yet. I remember coming to hang out here back then just to get caught by surprise by a lot of criminals, usually 10 or more in my experience. All from different gangs and all with different motives, but in the end it was all pure senseless violence. My brother Zagao saved me few times back then, eventually gang activity spread around the whole city and when the government identified the powerplant as a big source of crime, they sealed the entrance, or at least that's how I remember it, eventually some criminals opened the back alley somehow, I think it was... Rakki? Old racing crew I got along with. It’s been a while, sorry.
J. ‘Segreti’: No worries! Rakki.. I can't say I've heard of them, but I ain't been 'round here very long. The government sealed the entrance because of crime rates, right? With the powerplant being closed, do you know where the power comes from? To power the city?
Jareth: No clue sir, my time here was cut short after they closed this place due to some uh... Problems I had, not here but back in Russia. Still this place has been abandoned for a long time so doubt they had to look for a new source, when the entrance was sealed it was already in a horrible condition, mostly criminals around here back then and not a single worker.
J. ‘Segreti’: Interesting.. Say, if.. hypothetically, it still produced power - even a little bit.. Who would be using it?
Jareth: That's.... something I've never even thought about, you know. If you think about it this place was filled with criminals back in the day so maybe a big criminal faction? Who knows though, I can't say anything for sure. Just my crazy theories.
J. ‘Segreti’: Crazy theories are what I'm all about! Now, a final closing question for you, Jareth. Have you heard any other rumours or conspiracies surrounding power plant
Jareth: No sir, I can tell you for sure that the things that have gone down in this place are horrible but that ain't no theory. criminals were ruthless back then and I can only tell people to stay safe if they come round here, who knows what could be lurking in the dark.
J. ‘Segreti’: Thank you so much for your time.
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J. ‘Segreti’: Two views with the same outlook, and similar histories. Karakura’s power plant, once a place that almost promoted the independence of the country, supplying its own power, reduced to a crime-infested area! Not only that, but the criminals of Karakura might be using the limited power from the power plant to fuel their endeavours! Though, make sure to keep in mind that these are all theories!
Obviously, not everyone shares the same views as Eli, or as Jareth - proven by the impromptu interview conducted with an individual wishing to be referred to as The Collective.
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The Collective: I've read a few articles published regarding the area, and have even written one or two for my own, personal, Archive, but the true nature regarding the area is much of a mystery to me.
J. ‘Segreti’: Mystery is what we're looking for! Have you read, or written anything about the.. theeee.. The power, and if the power plant still produces energy?
The Collective: My project was on that topic, but it's hard to get straight answers out of people. To my knowledge, no. Karakura actually gets its power from a different location altogether. The powerplant in town has no workers, covered in dust, not a single piece of machinery moves. I'd be surprised if the city could get any power out of it now.
J. ‘Segreti’: What if the city isn't the one using.. the power?
The Collective: I'm unsure why anyone would want to use that for power.. I'm unsure anyone could use it for power anymore.
J. ‘Segreti’: You really think so?
The Collective: Yes, I am. Although I'm curious about your view regarding this little theory.
J. ‘Segreti’: There's a buzz in the basement. Means power is still around. I think it still produces power, but not enough for a city. With its history, it might be a source for criminal places, right?
The Collective: Right..
J. ‘Segreti’: I think it might still produce power. Just not enough for the city. Y'know?
The Collective: And you think it may serve to power... Criminal locations?
J. ‘Segreti’: Maybe, maybe not! There's no real way to prove it by myself. That's why it's just a simple theory! Anyway, just to finish this interview off. Have you heard any other rumours about the power plant?
The Collective: Not many whispers about the location anymore, not like when I was younger. Most criminals seem to have moved on from the location, likely hanging out.. Elsewhere.
J. ‘Segreti’: Well, that's a shame. Still, thank you for your time!
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J. ‘Segreti’: So, The Collective is under the belief that people have long since moved on from the location, and that nobody enters the power plant as often as they used to. Still, the place is regarded as a crime-ridden area, and upon my own personal research (also known as: sitting by the entrance for twelve hours on a random Saturday) – nobody entered except the odd KPD officer.
Crazy, right? No workers, no nothing! But, that isn’t the only entrance or exit - so maybe my research wasn’t as good as it could’ve been. To wrap up this little project, the last thing I did was go to Town Hall and ask them, as a last ditch effort, where the energy powering Karakura came from! I conducted a very brief interview (because these people have busy lives!) with Rein Saotome, an individual who works at Town Hall.
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J. ‘Segreti’: Do you know where Karakura gets its power from?
Rein Saotome: Where the city gets its power from? . . . Humm, I believe that would be the powerplant?
J. ‘Segreti’: That abandoned old place?
Rein Saotome: I mean the power plant would be where it used to get its power from . . . As of now I'm unsure to be quite honest.
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J. ‘Segreti’: There you have it! The government itself doesn’t know where Karakura gets the power from, and they assumed it came from the power plant itself! What does this mean for the theory? Is there still power running through the dusty, spider-webbed machinery? Is the government hiding some sort of ulterior usage of it from the population? Or was that one specific worker just unaware of where the power comes from?!
That’s what we answer here on the Ephialtes Radio! Do you have a conspiracy of your own you’d like to get covered, or do you want to be a surprise guest on the station? Contact us at 020-980-4487, or drop us a message in our drop-off box!
That’s all for today, anyhow. Happy hunting.
