Ryoshka Ryoshka ch 2

And a quick turnaround to Ryoshka so I can put some more work into Kindaichi and play TF2 tonight. Remember that the Golden Wrench Charity is at 6:30PST tonight, so play then to hear the 13 "Failure" messages.

Ryoshka Ryoshka ch 2

Ryoshka Ryoshka ch 2 PSD source

Cyber Blue ch 20

This fight is awesome and perfectly logical...until we get to the part about the smelly and combustible helium gas. I should consider replacing it with methane or something.

Cyber Blue ch 20

Cyber Blue ch 20 PSD source

Noririn ch 5

Even if there's no action so far, the dialogue between the characters are pretty hilarious

Noririn ch 5 (v2)

Noririn ch 5 PSD source (v1, just fix the chapter title so it's "Ch 5" instead of "Ch 6")

Random Dump

Kaibutsu Oujo 61 raw

I figure that we would eventually get a voodoo or doll chapter sometime. Come to think of it, this series doesn't borrow that much from Japanese horror.

By the way, Nakua introduces Hime as Private Detective Ootori Yuri (鳳百合). That's a clever play on words, since Ootori is "phoenix" (what Hime is) and Yuri is Japanese name for the Lilium flower (her name).

Kaibutsu Oujo ch 61 raw

Ryoshka Ryoshka C76 Poster

I found the second "volume" of ABe's drawings of Ryoshka. Well, it's actually just one drawing, identical to the one in the credits for chapter 1, but it's way larger at 5720x8000, so you can print it up into a poster.

Ryoshka Ryoshka C76 Poster

Mai Mai Miracle Theme Song: Kodomo no Sekai (the World of Children) by Kotoringo - Lyrics

This is the theme song to a new movie directed by one of Miyazaki's former assistants and produced by Madhouse. I translated the song while downloading the Taiwan official DVD; I only watched the first 20 minutes or so, and though it isn't interesting enough for me sub it (1200 lines take a substantial amount of work, especially since the Taiwan official sub's timing is weird), Sunao Katabuchi's directing definitely has the Ghibli feel. Anyways, here's the lyrics if someone wants to pick it up:

気まぐれ 神さま

A whimsical god

遠い昔 あの場所に

at that place, a long time ago

流れ星 ひとつ 落とした

made a single shooting star fall

あれから随分 時は経ち

It's been so long since then

見渡す限りの / 青い麦の海

To the pale ocean of wheats as far as the eye can see,

君だけに 教えてあげる

I will only tell you

たからものの 隠し場所

where the treasure is hidden

蜩(ひぐらし)

Cicadas,

雀(すずめ)に

sparrows,

女郎花(をみなえし)

and yellow patrinas

淡色(うすいろ)

Light red,

花闇(はなやみ)

dark red,

紅絹(もみ)のあか

and silky red

双六(すごろく)

Sugoroku,

草笛(くさふえ)

reed pipes,

瑠璃(るり)の玉

and marbles

わたしの小さなたからもの

They're our small treasures

明日また 笑って遊ぼう

Let's play and laugh again tomorrow

待っているよ 海の底

The bottom of our ocean is waiting

誰も知らない ふたりだけの

A secret promise that only the two us knows

ひみつの約束 こどものせかい

That is world of children

神さま 突然

God suddenly

あの子 連れてった

took that child

会えるのは 夏の一日

on a summer day

それだけじゃ ちょっと寂しい

and I felt a bit lonely

牽牛星(ひこぼし)

Altair, [the star]

太白星(ゆふづつ)

Venus,

神楽歌(かぐらうた)

and kagura songs

松尾(まつのを)

Matsunoo,

八幡(やはた)に

Yahata,

大原野(おおはらの)

then Oobarano

あの道歩けば すれ違う

If you walk down that path, you'll surely pass by

何時かの国の お姫さま

a princess from another time and place

明日をずっと 覚えていよう

Remember tomorrow,

甘い甘い風が吹けば

that if a fragrant wind blows by,

いつか見た 船が浮かぶよ

you'll see a boat come floating

麦の波を きって進もう

through the waves of the field

思い出せれば 何時でも

No matter when we remember,

ここに来て 手を繋いで

if we come here holding hands,

明日また 笑った遊ぼう

we can play and laugh again tomorrow

Ryoshka Ryoshka ch 1

This is the 4th and (probably) final new series I'm picking up in a while. It's "Ryoshka Ryoshka", a fully-colored slice-of-life by Yoshitoshi ABe about a girl with an overactive imagination. Yea, I know the katakana says "Ryu-shika Ryu-shika", but ABe spells her name as Ryoshka in English on his blog, YouTube and Flickr accounts, so that's what I'm going with.

This series is only 12 pages long per month, though, so it's like Yotsuba-lite. However, given how often ABe's series get adapted to anime, it might be the closest we're ever going to get in regards to a Yotsuba anime.

Ryoshka Ryoshka ch 1

Ryoshka Ryoshka ch 1 PSD source

Given the short length of this manga, it might be more regular than Kindaichi for a while, at least until Cyber Blue finishes. I'm actually slightly worried that I might be running out manga to translate after I catch up with Noririn and Ryoshka Ryoshka and finish Route 225 in around October and November. As I mentioned to commenter Touma, I want to tackle Master Keaton and Red, but the total number of releases I've made so far doesn't even match half their length, so I'll continue to hone my skill and maybe contact other scanlators before even attempting them. I'm reconsidering Himizu (since I recently changed my policy towards requests) and keeping tabs on Deus X Machina (how can a steampunk version of Claymore get so boring?) and a weekly manhua about Yip Man, but as always, I'm open to suggestions. I don't guarantee that I'll translate it, or pick it up immediately, but it's always worth a try.

Speaking of which, here's the tentative chart for the next two months. Noririn and Cyber Blue will be paused (one final time, I promise) for Pokemon Special frenzy next month. Kindaichi 38 doesn't have a goal date so far, because the chapters are fairly hard to produce.

	August	September		October	November
Slot 1	Cyber Blue 3	Pokemon Special 33	Pokemon Special 36	Cyber Blue 4 [END]
Slot 2	Noririn v 1			Noririn v 2 (ch 8 on)	Route 225 vol 1 [END]
Slot 3	Kindaichi v 38 (Legendary Vampire Murders)
Slot 4	Ryoshka Ryoshka ch 1 - 12

Cyber Blue ch 19

Alright, back to normal business. Well, I'll be picking up yet another new series tomorrow, but that's only monthly and 10 chapters behind, so it won't get in the way, unlike Kindaichi, which is weekly and 10 volumes behind. I don't really plan to catch up to Kindaichi, however, since it's episodic anyways.

Anyways, the action is ramping up, though the story gets more and more bizarre from here on out.

Cyber Blue ch 19

Cyber Blue ch 19 PSD source

Satoshi Kon's Last Will and Testament (will be updated)

Source: http://otsune.tumblr.com/post/1007778226/5-18

Update 2: Complete translation: http://www.makikoitoh.com/journal/satoshi-kons-last-words

(artist: http://spacecoyote.deviantart.com/art/Satoshi-Kon-RIP-176698524)

Kindaichi Case Files: The Legendary Vampire Murders ch 1

Of course, I wanted to free up slot 3 so I can use it for something else. It's Kindaichi Case Files, a detective mystery series. Think of it as Scooby-Doo, but with actual serial murders. Fans of Detective Conan, Q.E.D. and even Ace Attorney would love this manga. Like other detective manga, however, the scenes can be quite graphic, from beheadings to stranglings. It's different from the cartoony violence of Cyber Blue and Kaibutsu Oujo.

For various reasons, we're starting on the 38th volume of Kindaichi, but the thin overarching plot isn't important to this volume and the next 4. I've prefixed each release with "Kindaichi_Case_Files_v38", but MangaUpdates divides each individual serialization, so you have to actively search for it. Here's the entry for this particular case.

Without further ado, here's the first chapter of Kindaichi Case Files: The Legendary Vampire Murders:

Kindaichi Case Files: The Legendary Vampire Murders ch 1

Kindaichi Case Files: The Legendary Vampire Murders ch 1 PSD source

This series will be released irregularly due to the Pokemon Special blitz next month after Cyber Blue v3 and Noririn v1 are done.

Kaibutsu Oujo ch 55 + vol 12 omake script

Wow, 2 continuous scripts! Well, that's because this is the end of volume 12. FTH have decided to not release any chapters based off of magazine scans, so the next release will be based on volume 13 scans. But since chapter 56-58 is full of spoilers, I also won't release any scripts until volume 13 is out so your collective jaws can drop at what happens. And I can finally free up that 3rd slot.

Kaibutsu Oujo ch 55 + vol 12 omake English script (MF)

Kaibutsu Oujo ch 55 + vol 12 omake English script (pastebin)

Kaibutsu Oujo ch 54 script

This time it's a twist on the classic Hook Man legend.

Kaibutsu Oujo ch 54 script (MF)

Kaibutsu Oujo ch 54 script (pastebin)

Redline Long PV

Despera has been so lonely in the "good anime" tab, so let's give it a friend. This is the trailer for Redline, a racing anime directed by Takeshi Koike, the key animator behind Trava and Dead Leaves. Those of you who saw the original Iron Man anime teaser might be familiar with this style. Unfortunately, since Koike is busy finishing up his precious movie (that took 6 years to make, no less), Iron Man will be done in CGI instead. Well, at least we still have Redline.

This trailer has actually been languishing on my drive for a month now. I'm surprised that no one else has released their own subbed PV, though there isn't much to be subbed. Early reports from UK and Swiss anons who saw an earlier version in their film festivals are very good, so you can bet that dudebro and I will work on this if no one else does. Well, that's assuming that I get some sort of reference such as Chinese softsubs or Japan DVD VobSub, because I suck at timing and spoken Japanese. I'm actually unsure about the 2 lines in this trailer around 0:50 and 0:53, but at least I can rest assured that the Chinese sub for the PV is more incorrect than me.

Anyways, enjoy the trailer

Redline Long PV (softsub, MF)

Redline Long PV (hardsub, Youtube)

Redline Long PV (original raw, Youtube)

Noririn ch 4

Huh, I didn't know Breathalyzer tests were this sensitive. Well, Nori better get to riding that bike.

Noririn ch 4

Noririn ch 4 PSD source

Pokemon Special vol 33 raws

Don't get too happy, progress won't get started until I'm done with Noririn v1 and Cyber Blue v3, which both have 5 chapters left.

And starting from this volume, I'm trying something new by releasing primarily 2400p releases. Anime has already made its move beyond 480p, so manga should now move beyond the standard 1200p. So from now on, you can get 4 times the Pokemon Special! Of course, for people who aren't interested in HD manga, I'll still release downscaled 1200p chapters.

Edit: Of course, I mean manga I scan myself. Everything except Noririn volume scans (1600p) are only available in standard 1200p.

Also, volume 36 will use up the last of the donations. While I would be willing to pay for future volumes out of my pocket, you can help me by donating (every volume costs around $15). I want to say that every penny counts, but PayPal does take out a percentage of the donation and doesn't round; larger amounts would be more preferrable.

Pokemon Special vol 33 raw (unfiltered)

Pokemon Special vol 33 raw (2400p, dpi set to 72)

Pokemon Special vol 33 raw (1200p, dpi set to 72)

Cyber Blue ch 18

And here's where the plot starts getting a little more stupid than usual. Having read the last two volumes, I can tell you that writing is a big weakness of this series. Nevertheless, let's read on for the sake of Hara's art.

Cyber Blue ch 18
Cyber Blue ch 18 PSD source

Noririn ch 3

If it hasn't been clear from the first two chapters, I'll spell it out: this is not going to be a manga about suffering children, mass genocide, etc. Instead, it's going to be a pleasant biking manga. Alright? Good

Noririn ch 3

Noririn ch 3 PSD source

Also, the layout of the blog has been changed in order to divide the large column to the left. More changes are probably coming to make this blog easier to navigate.

Kaibutsu Oujo ch 53 script

Well, volume 12 raws have finally appeared, so FTH doesn't have to buy their own copy. (Damn, I was hoping for a short break)

Anyways, this chapter is pretty relevant to the announcement of Bioshock Infinite. The concept of a flying city attacking the surface world comes from Laputa, in Gullivers' Travels (not Studio Ghibli's Castle in the Sky). The original story was a criticism of Britain's treatment of Ireland, so Irrational Games probably have something to say by changing Laputa into Columbia, an fascist version of the regular American town.

While Yasunori cheaps us out by making the typhoon into a typhoon monster instead of a flying Nazi town, in the end this chapter does explain why the mansion is always covered by poor lighting.

Kaibutsu Oujo ch 53 English script (MF)

Kaibutsu Oujo ch 53 English script (pastebin)

Noririn ch 2

I heard from Hox that the most probable reason why this manga is so...normal so far is because Kitoh is concentrating his guro powers on Nanika Mochigatte masu ka, a manga about a kid with psychic powers. I downloaded the first two raw chapters, and indeed, someone died on chapter 2. Although it's only bimonthly, I just ordered two volumes of a new project along with Pokemon Special vol 33, so I won't pick up yet another running manga.

Instead, here's the second chapter of Noririn. Kitoh seems like he's very experienced with roadracing, given the amount of detail he's put in.

Noririn ch 2

Noririn ch 2 PSD source

Cyber Blue ch 17

Blue and Alan go off to the casino. Alas, Blue cheats, but I guess it's one of those morally ambiguous things, especially when the fate of an entire planet lies in his hands.

Cyber Blue ch 17

Cyber Blue ch 17 PSD source

Noririn ch 1

Wait, you might be asking, "where is Sin & Punishment?"

Well, I realized a few days ago that if I keep taking requests, I'll never get to the series I really want to do. It's like a loan that never stops borrowing. So to break this cycle, I'm defaulting on that loan and hoping that the government will bail me out by funding the translation of Sin & Punishment with your tax dollars. Maybe not, but I hope that someone will eventually pick it up. I also hope that I didn't upset too many of you.

So instead, here's a series I've been wanting to pick up for a while now:

It's called Noririn, a bicycle manga by Kitoh Mohiro (Shadow Star Narutaru, Bokurano). Readers who have ever read or watched one of those two might be setting up a betting pool for when the first fatality will occur, but having read through the 12 raw chapters released, I find that there is a strange absence of gloom and doom in this manga. In fact, the first result on Google if you search "のりりん" is a blog post entitled "鬼頭莫宏の自転車漫画『のりりん』が面白い、但し未だ人死には出ず", or "Kitoh Mohiro's bicycle manga 'Noririn' is interesting, but no one has died yet." Well, the ski jumping manga Nononono by Elfen Lied's author has been surprisingly good so far without excess gore, so maybe one day we'll see horror mangaka Junji Ito drawing a hockey manga.

Anyway, here's the first chapter. It seems like a standard sports manga intro so far

Noririn ch 1

Noririn ch 1 PSD source

Edit: Wait, I spoke too soon. Ito just started a manga about Rasputin in Big Comic:

What. The. Fuck.

Kaibutsu Oujo ch 52 script

So now we're finally on the magazine scans. That's good because that means we're getting closer to breaking ever, but it also means that the scans are going to take a hit in quality from Japanese scanners who don't know how to keep a scanner clean. Seriously, I know that monthlies are big, but at least check every 50 pages to make sure that fingerprints and other shit aren't clogging up the screen.

Anyways, here's the conclusion to the snake people arc:

Kaibutsu Oujo ch 52 script (MF)

Kaibutsu Oujo ch 52 script (pastebin)

Cyber Blue ch 16

Oh finally. Back to my flagship series. I hope I don't have to pause a series for so long again. Since Pokemon Special releases a volume every 3 months, I should make my schedule to account for that.

Cyber Blue ch 16
Cyber Blue ch 16 PSD source

Goddammit, guys

If I didn't mention it enough times, HnS is supposed to be for enjoyment but not archiving purposes. That means it's not to be registered, nor uploaded anywhere else.

I mean, this is messed up, man. I stated that I still haven't read the middle third of this series yet, but you guys are still willing to paste it everywhere. Furthermore, the version uploaded onto MangaFox was even the pre-proofread version. Not to mention that this was registered 2 days after otakami released theirs, to pour salt on a wound. I know that registering on MangaUpdates was probably a well-intentioned mistake (unlike the people on MangaFox), but the consequences still follow.

The only way to fix this, is to not translate 65 in advance. I started for various, nefarious reasons, but ended up wanting to finish what I started. Now that otakami caught up, you shouldn't have to wait too long for the last chapter.

Our Alliance ch 1

So in the end, Panty & Stocking raws didn't drop. That's to be expected, since Young Ace isn't regularly scanned anyways. I would pay a nominal fee to see Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, MPD Psycho, Upotte, etc. raws monthly (but not too much).

Instead, here's my propaganda contribution of the month in exchange for a lower sentence from the judge who convicted me of copyright infringement. Well, not really, but it's a pretty hilarious propaganda attempt about the Japanese-American alliance anyways. Artists on Pixiv have already made some 34s on Usa-kun and Arai Anzu-chan already, but I can't wait for the full-blown doujins.

Incidentally, today is the 65th anniversary of the A-bomb explosion over Hiroshima. What a nice day to release something like this.

Edit: October 3rd: Somehow, the release was removed without me noticing, so I reuploaded it

Our Alliance ch 1

Our Alliance ch 1 PSD source

I know I've said this too many times, but the next release WILL be Cyber Blue 16.