anime manga guys: February 2012

Mixed Cool Desktop Wallpapers Free Backgrounds 13

13 Mixed Cool Free Desktop Wallpapers for Computer Backgrounds :

"Magnolia" Chapter 19

Nagi's taking off the gloves...hee! I think "Lost Lamb" describes Nagi's situation in this chapter more than "beast". Hahaha! This chapter is such a tease! Still it's fun to see Nagi suffer sweetly. He makes a great martyr.

This chapter ends the Tea Party arc. I suppose in the next chapter we'll get to see what happens the night after the tea party or the next day after the tea party. Personally, I think it's time for some Ayato x Nagi time. Ayato needs to have a heart-to-heart with somebody. In the end, I'd say that outside of family, Nagi is Ayato's best friend. Nagi will listen.

On to the links!

Please do not upload this to any of the manga aggregation websites. There is no need to since the files are readily available here, and in light of recent evens, it doesn't help anyone to support criminal websites.

Link to "Magnolia" Chapter 19 (Zip) (PDF)

Next up! The Nari Kusakawa one-shot and a double release of the last two chapters of "Seirei Produce".

Please Boycott MangaFox and Other Manga Aggregators

Update 2/28/2012 --

Mangafox still won't remove our releases after 3 requests this week...

MangaFox has shut the part of their forum that allows scanlation groups to request takedowns of their materials. MangaFox, also, removed take down privileges from their moderators. (more info) After doing this, the owner of MangaFox, NOEZ, has been reposting materials that groups have specifically asked to be removed. MangaFox clearly has no respect for scanlation groups or manga in general. It clear to me that it is MangaFox's intent to suck English translated manga dry and when it's dead, move on to the next victim. I realize that MangaFox makes it easy to read a wide variety of manga series and I realize that this group's existence enables MangaFox. However, it was never my intention to enrich anybody else but the creators of the series we translate. This leaves me in a difficult place because I want to give unknown artist and unknown titles exposure, continue having fun discussing manga with fans, and create wonderful translations, but at the same time, I can't stop parasites like MangaFox.

The truth of matter is only the artists and the Japanese publishers can put an end to sites like MangaFox. I have no rights in the matter (beyond the use of my translation). As I see it, there are only two things I can do. One: I can close this group and effectively quit supplying MangaFox with content, and two: I can encourage each and every one of you not to visit MangaFox and instead read licensed manga series legally through purchase or at the library and for unlicensed manga, get the materials directly from the scanlation group's website. Baka Manga Updates is a good resource for finding unlicensed manga: http://www.mangaupdates.com/releases.html

I know I'm asking a lot of you, but sites like MangaFox rely on your clicks to get money from advertising. If you love manga and you want to see more of it in English, don't support sites like MangaFox. Support the publishers and the artists and if you see something you like being scanlated, let the publishers know that there is an eager audience.

Comments are welcomed, but any hostile or inflammatory comments will not be published.
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Reprint of some comments from and ex-MF staff member:

Being a former staff member on MF, this does make me feel sad seeing things come down to this. People who upload your manga most likely do it with the intention of trying to get that top contributor spot on MF's main page. I doubt that most of them even care about any scanlation groups' hosting policies now that NOEZ controls the backend. They'll just accept every chapter or series uploaded.

As for NOEZ, it's frustrating trying to get them to do anything. They could care less about scanlation groups who offer very little profit to their site. The big 3 mangas are the ones that generate majority of MF's profit. While NOEZ is openly breaking every scanlator's hosting policies, the volunteer staff often takes a lot of the blame. I remember having staff members removed from staff due to NOEZ because they were trying to follow the policies of the scanlation groups. At this point, I doubt that any volunteer staff will truly have control over the Backend in the future.

If you really wanted to show NOEZ something then I suppose you could try to get groups that are scanlating any of the big 3 to hold it back for some time. I do recall NOEZ staffers going ballistic in the past over not having a steady source of scanlations for Naruto. Whether or not others want to do that really depends but it's worth a shot.

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From what I recall, MF and mangareader are competing hosting sites and Red Hawk has them both as affiliates. I don't think Red Hawk is paid by them in any way. The only way for MF to shut down is for, as you said in your first post, for Japanese publishers to file a lawsuit. I know Viz basically slapped down onto MF a letter stating they would take legal action if any of the manga on their list of mangas they published remained up. I don't know how Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece are up. I'm assuming they pay the company a fraction of what they make from ads but who knows what is really happening.

If you are going to boycott any NOEZ sites then I can list a few:
Mangahere
Animehere [ZOMG]
Otakuzone
Otakushop (I personally think this is the worst site NOEZ has come up with so far. They basically sell counterfeit merchandise made by their factories in China. I had heard from a friend of mine that the shipping was free but I haven't confirmed it since I would probably rip apart most of the people who purchase items from there. I suppose that's a nice way to reel in ignorant customers. Yay free shipping -_-)

If you want to spread this message, maybe it would be a good idea to include a page on being against hosting sites rather than it being together on the credit page.

Lala 4 AnS Freebie

Lala 4 includes a sweet "Akagami no Shirayukihime" alternative book cover. It's so cute. Do I sense wallpaper material??? (Hint, hint all you creative people out there!)

There are also "Ookami Heika no Hanayome" and "Gakuen Kindergarten", book cover included. Both are these are also very nice :).

Dual Release: Akagami no Shirayukihime Chp 31 and the February 2012 Omake

First, a shameless plug for Akidzuki Sorata! There will be a dual release of "Akagami no Shirayukihime" volume 7 and the "Vahlia Bridegroom" one-shot compilation on March 5th. Copies have been pre-ordered for those who have already sent requests to piggyback on my late February order. Also, the extra copies I ordered have been reserved. However, it's not too late! If you want your own copies of AnS Volume 7, "Vahlia's Bridegroom", and "Ao Rhapsodia" (the Akane Ogure one-shot compilation), I can piggy back your order onto my first order for the month of March (you will receive the books mid to late March instead of early march). Also, if any of you want the OHSHC Perfect Guide, I can orders those too for you. The books are $8.50 each and OHSHC Perfect Guide is $21. Those prices include shipping from Japan. There is separate shipping from my house to your on top of that. Please see the Piggy Back ordering information page for more information about domestic shipping.

And now onto the chapters!

Obi looks very nice on this title page. I would like to see a clean version of this drawing. Moving on, this is the "onsen" chapter. It always amazes how manga and anime, regardless of the over arching nature of the work, manages to either throw in an onsen, umi (beach), or swimming pool chapter/episode. Honestly, I never expected to see such a chapter in AnS. Back to Obi...this chapter continues Obi's character development. He is quite the "merry trickster" and his pot stirring rivals my own husband's (shh! Don't tell him I said that. Hee!). Fortunately, it's all in good fun and extremely funny to read.

A new character enters the scene and she has something to do with Obi's past. Who could she be and is the "sauciness" just an act? There all some evil Kiki x Mitsuhide teasing...too cruel...way too cruel...

There's also a lot of talk about "change" in this chapter. I found it rather strange since Zen and Shirayuki have already kissed at least a couple of times. I would think that they would be beyond the point of timidly linking fingers. I'm a bit confused because in my mind as soon as two friends kiss and confessed to one another, the relationship has moved beyond "friendship". Seriously, they should go find a back shed, a barn, or some darkened dungeon to go secretly make-out in. Linking fingers for 10 seconds is lame and a cop-out! Obi and the rest seriously need to catch those two red-handed so we can cut the shy bull crap...meh...

Onto the links! Futile as it may be, I beg you not to upload these to any of the online manga readers and aggregators. The files are here! There's no need to allow some sketchy company to make money off of work they didn't do.

Update 2/26/2012: Fixed some minor typos
Link to Akagami no Shirayukihime Chp 31: (PDF)
Link to the Akagami no Shirayukihime February 2012 Omake: (PDF)

Next up! Magnolia Chp 19 is currently being worked on along with the latest one-shot from Nari Kusakawa. Lala 4 should arrive tomorrow with lastest one-shot from Kaoru Ichinose. Any of those three could be our next release!

"Sekai no Hate no Sougen de" ("The Grassy Plain at the Edge of the World") by Keiko Ishihara

Update: The file have be updated to correct a couple translation errors. Those of you with digital collections may want to re-download the file.

First of all, as you can see in the bottom left corner of the title page, "Ojousama no Untenshu" volume 2 will be available for purchase on March 5th. Here's a link to pre-order it from Amazon JP. I'll post links to other online stores once the book is actually released.

On to the one-shot! This one-shot is rather subtle. It took 3 readings for me to get the entirety of the message. For those of you who find an anti-feminist message, I ask you to re-read the one-shot and chew on the end again. This is more about influence being a barrier rather than gender. That's not to say gender doesn't play a role, because it does play a big role. Also, after you read through the first time, go back and read the first 3 pages again, for a big "aha" if you didn't get what was going on during your first reading.

This is a new one to add to my list favorite one-shots. I love the story and the characters and the artwork is gorgeous. I'll search Comic Holmes to see if there are more untranslated one-shots from Ishihara-sensei, though I only have magazines dating back to September 2007. If she has many one-shots, hopefully, like our other favorite mangaka, she'll release a compilation of one-shots. I'll keep an eye our for her work in the future.

Oh! A note for parents: This one-shot has some partial female nudity. This one-shot is recommended for people 13 and older.

On to the links!

2/24/2012 Update: I had a brainfart on the English title (transposed two words) T_T. I updated the title page. I also corrected a major translation error on page 30. Those of you with digital collections may want to redownload the file. Sorry about that and thank goodness for the Internets!
Links to "Sekai no Hate no Sougen de": (Zip) (PDF)

Next up!
This weekend I'll be working on AnS Chp 31 and the omake that came out this month. Hopefully, I can release those by next Wednesday. Within that time period, we may also release the latest one-shot from Nari Kusakawa.

"Fushigi no Maria-kun" Bonus Story: "The Wounds that Cover Us" (Manshinsoui no Futari")

This is the extra short one-shot included in "Fushigi no Maria-kun" Volume 1. It's a cute little high school romance story. I always like it when authors are able to tell a complete story in very few pages.

Oh! This is also the debut project for our newest typesetter, Rien! Let's all welcome Rien :)

Links to "The Wounds that Cover Us": (Zip) (PDF)

The next chapter of "Fushigi no Maria-kun" will come out in March (hopefully).

January 2012 Manga Purchases

This post is quite late, but better late than never!

English Paperback:

"The Guin Saga: The Seven Magi", Volume 1
"Sumomomo, Momomo", Volume 1
"Nabari no Ou", Volume 1
"Durarara!!", Volume 1
"Black Butler", Volume 5 & 8
"Skip Beat", Volume 26
"Black Bird", Volume 12
"Dengeki Daisy", Volume 8
"Oresama Teacher", Volume 6

Japanese Paperback:

Hana to Yume Platinum
"Joousama no Shiro Usagi:, Volume 1
"Natume Yuujincho" Winter 2012 Special
"Sayonara Chocolate"

One-Shot: "Kirara to Shiro Ookami" ("Kirara and the White Wolf")

As you can see on this title page, "Ao no Rhapsodia", a collection of Akane Ogura's one-shots is now available for purchase. I have a copy and we will be translating some of the one-shots. If you wish to purchase your own copy, here are some links:

I can also piggyback order it for you ($8.50 + postage). If you are interested, send me an e-mail.

Okay, now onto the one-shot. This one-shot reminds me of a light comedic version of "Ginrou no Sakura" for a younger audience. It's a super cute one-shot. I really like Kirara's costume. I'm a sucker for ribbon accents.
Anyhow, onto the links!

Updated 2/16/2012: Small edits from Kotomi. No change to the story.
Links to "Kirara no Shiro Ookami": (Zip) (PDF)
Next up are one-shots from Keiko Ishihara ("Ojousama no Untensu") and Nari Kusakawa. We are also working on AnS Chp 31 and the short omake from Lala 3/2012.

Commentary: My Views on the MangaStream vs. Viz News

There are a lot of things I want to say about this issue both as a manga fan and a scanlator. As a fan, I say true fans show their support through rewarding creators with money. I think if you are reading scanlations, whether you read Japanese or not, you have an obligation to buy at least one volume of the Japanese version of your favorite series. You have the translation, so the "I don't know Japanese" excuse isn't valid.

As for the reading scanlations as a try before you buy option, reading 1 or 2 volumes of a multi-volume series in scanlation is understandable. However, reading all 59+ volumes of something online is not "try before you buy". There is no reason to have an entire series online in scanlation when the series is licensed and available for purchase.
As for the quality of a translation, if you don't know Japanese, then you have no authority on the matter of Japanese to English translation. However, you can complain about the English adaptation in terms of word choice and flow. I admit that I continued to learn Japanese because after learning a little Japanese and seeing all the stuff that was edited out of Americanized versions, I felt cheated. At the same time, though, I realized many scanlations had numerous errors. I felt that I had to learn Japanese in order to fully enjoy manga. I'm not one of those people who's gonna tell you to learn Japanese if you really love manga. It took me 3-years and $7200 in lessons at UCSD Extension just to get to an intermediate level. However, what I'm going to say is the Japanese is hard to learn for native English speakers (and vice versa), so please recognize the difficulty and appreciate the effort. Viz is doing its best to write in a way that appeals to American sensibilities. If you don't like the English Adaptation, then please let the license holders know and be specific. To be constructive, quote a line and then suggest a better way to write something. Just don't tell someone "it sucks" or "I hate it". Feedback like that is not actionable.

As for MangaStream itself, as a scanlator I believe groups need to be humble and they need to promote the purchase of legitimate manga in order to support the artists. Groups exist at the mercy of the mangaka and the publishers. When they ask you to stop the first time, then stop and move onto another series. There's no need to cause a bunch of drama and strut about, especially when to trained eyes, there is no reason to brag. It reflects poorly on the scanlation community in general and thwarts the cause of more legitimate manga for everyone. The original point of scanlation was to make unknown manga series and mangaka visible so these works could get licensed and we can give our favorite mangaka money. Once a series is licensed, our job as scanlators is done. Yes, I understand the frustration of being years behind in a series and in my mind, have the latest chapters of series that years behind will not have such a big impact. However, still having volumes online that are available for purchase is not helpful.

On the subject of legitimate digital manga, we are still at the forefront. As someone who in her past work life experienced a major Japanese publisher from the technology side, I know that the digital transition is something that has been looming over the publishers' heads for at least 7 to 8 years. There are business and cultural forces in Japan at play here. It's not very easy to unravel a system that has worked for many years and the Japanese, as a culture, are not historically good at change or accepting risk. My feeling is if you want to accelerate the digital transformation, then support the current efforts. Show the Japanese publishers that there is money to be made with very little risk. In other words, send a message with your dollars and warm encouragement.

As for the future of scanlation, I hope for the day that scanlators and publishers can work together to provide manga in every language for a reasonable price in a user friendly manner.

Sorry for babbling on like that. Now that I've said my peace (piece), what do you think?