We Are Dropping "Orange Chocolate"

After much consideration and tracking the series for the past few months, I have decided to drop "Orange Chocolate".  This series started out very strong and then got bogged down with a sports festival arc and then continued down a road that neglected its original premise.  It looks like this series has no end in sight and I can't commit to this series indefinitely.  I'm sorry to all the Orange Chocolate fans out there.  Hopefully another group will pick up the series and upkeep the quality.  Dropping this series, though, will allow us to continue our new series without stress and without breaks.  We will also be able to bring you more fun one-shots and short-series.

Orange Chocolate Chapter 21: Sports Festival Arc Pt. 1

I am only the messenger, so please don't jump on me about this arc of the story because I already feel bad enough.  Yes, it's a dreaded three chapter story arc about a sports festival and it comes complete with a cavalry battle. Nevermind the the hints that Ritsu could hit "the wall" due to exhaustion.  Nevermind that Ritsu can't repeat Chiro's dance performance.  Nevermind Chiro's sudden fame...no, it's time for a sports festival!  Let's just get this over with:

Links to Orange Chocolate chapter 21: (Zip) (PDF)

Next up is the final chapter of "Kimi ni XOXO"!

Orange Chocolate: Keepin' it Real...

Heheheh....thank you Silver Lunar for the laugh :)

"In Jack Out" Update

"In Jack Out" will be presented in two parts in Betsuhana 2 and 3.  Considering that February is shot, I think I will save "In Jack Out" until both parts are released in Japanese.  I'm also on the fence about doing the project.  The first part of the story doesn't catch my eye.  I think I will know after the second half whether I want to do the mini-series.  If I  decide to do the series, then I will present the entire 92-page story after February.  This means that Orange Chocolate goes back on the schedule and we will check-up while the series is on hiatus.

Orange Chocolate Chapter 20

Finally, we come to the end of the whole "Alice in Wonderland" photo shoot arc, but unfortunately, this isn't the end of the need for Hal.  Hal seriously bugs me, but I guess that's his duty.  Most of this chapter is fan service with a nice pair of surprises from Ritsu.  Chiro, though, finally asks a rather important question -- why does Ritsu have to be an onnagata?  Yeah, it's traditional, but Ritsu actually seems to enjoy it.

Links to "Orange Chocolate" Chapter 20:  (Zip) (PDF)

The next four chapters of Orange Chocolate is an arc about the school's sport's festival with the obligatory cavalry contest.  Hopefully, there's a good reason for going down with well worn-out path.  Next month, though, we will take a break from "Orange Chocolate" and instead present Yamada-sensei's one-shot "In Jack Out".  Orange Chocolate ended on chapter 24 before going on hiatus.  The series will resume late February.  The hiatus will give us some time to catch up on the translation.

I had intended to translate the Christmas one-shot "Merry Unbalance Christmas" now, but I just got "Akagami no Shirayukihime" chapter 22 today and Zen finally grows a "pair".  As for the pretty boy and who Shirayuki is...it looks like we have to wait longer...boo.  Regardless, I don't want to keep myself or anyone else waiting, so I will get started on it right away.  Also, I'm now eagerly awaiting chapter 23.  Anyhow,  please see the release schedule for the latest schedule changes.

Orange Chocolate is on Hiatus until February 2011

"Orange Chocolate" is going on hiatus until the end of February so Yamada-sensei can work on a new project.  Fortunately, we are 4 chapters behind, so none of the readers of this blog will feel lapse between chapters.  I will update this entry later with more news about Yamada-sensei's new project.

Orange Chocolate Chapters 18 and 19

First of all, I want to apologize to all the "Orange Chocolate" fans for the long delay since chapter 17.  From now on, there will be at least one chapter of "Orange Chocolate" released each month (unless the we're caught up and the mangaka takes a break).  And now here are chapters 18 and 19 of Orange Chocolate.  Finally, we're getting back to the main story.  I think chapter 19 is a beautiful little gem of a chapter and probably my favorite chapter of this series so far.

Links to "Orange Chocolate" chapter 18:  (Zip) (PDF)
Links to "Orange Chocolate" chapter 19:  (Zip) (PDF)

Chapter 20 is basically another fan service chapter with the character doing "Alice in Wonderland" cosplay for real -- however, there's a twist!  And it's a good twist! Heheheh!

Support "Orange Chocolate" by purchasing the books.
Link to purchase Orange Chocolate and other series by Yamada Nampei at YesAsia

Next up will either be "Seirei Produce" chapter 6 or "Pika Ichi" chapter 4.  I will start by finishing the translation of "Pika Ichi" chapter 4 while the cleaners continue their excellent work on "Pika Ichi."   And if I get that done before the cleaners are done, then I will move on to finish up "Seirei Produce."   Please check the release schedule to check the progress of both efforts.

Teaser: Orange Chocolate Chapters 18 and 19

Here's a little teaser to get you ready for the double release of "Orange Chocolate" chapters 18 and 19.  I decided to do a double release because these two chapters go together well and it would be cruel to keep you all waiting in between chapters.  Also, I didn't want to break the emotional momentum that builds in chapter 18.

We're aiming for the release of both chapters on the 10th and it looks like we are going to be able to deliver :).

Orange Chocolate Chapter 17

The Ouran raw delay gave me time to finish "Orange Chocolate" chapter 17. Looking forward, it seems that the whole body-swapping gimmick has been dropped  or forgotten.  We'll have to see where this goes, but it seems after the next two chapters, "Orange Chocolate" degenerates into a typical high school comedy romance complete with a pointless love-triangle and what appears to a sports festival starting in chapter 21 (???)-- UGH-WTH!!!.  This is truly disappointing to me and stinks of the mangaka losing control of the story :(.  Hopefully, this is an indication that things are wrapping up soon before the story completely loses originality and I stop caring.  Anyhow...

Links to Orange Chocolate Chp 17 (Zip) (PDF)　updating...

Okay, this time I promise the final chapter of Ouran is up next followed by "Junketsu + Vampire."

Orange Chocolate Chapter 16

Here is "Orange Chocolate" chapter 16! I want to give a special thanks to our newest proofreader, Holanio. Not much progress is made in this chapter but the second half of the chapter contains some gorgeous artwork.

Link to "Orange Chocolate" Chp 16 (Zip) (PDF)

Due to the "Ouran High School Host" chapter 82 delay, I will release the "Seirei Produce" volume 1 omake early.  It's only 8 pages, so it should be ready by tomorrow evening.  It features Gojou and Amane when they were children in heaven. It's super cute!  Here's preview:

After Ouran, the "Junketsu + Kareshi" and "Pika Ichi" trials continue, followed by "Seirei Produce" chapter 5.

Orange Chocolate Chp 15

I thought my eyes were going to melt out of their sockets while editing this.  I caught one of those irritating summer colds that starts with burning eyes.  Tears were streaming down my face as a I chased dots.  This chapter was particularly nasty in terms of the backside bleed through problem...ugh!!! 

Here's a minor translator's note:

Here's an example of "forest friends" to keep in mind as you get toward the end of this chapter (image used solely for educational purposes!):

And now the link --

Link to Orange Chocolate Chp 15

This chapter gives us yet a little more insight in Chiro's actual wish.  Enjoy the last four pages of this chapter :).  Chapter 16 is full of Chiro and Ritsu themed cosplay.  I guarantee that chapter will be lots of fun.  At the end of the next chapter a new character will be introduced that will drive Chiro and Ritsu closer together, culminating in a very lovely, visually and story wise, 20th chapter!

Next up the long awaited resumption of "Ouran High School Host Club" and the climactic chapter of "Kimi ni XOXO."

Orange Chocolate Chp 14 + Wallpaper!

Rejoice!  Sephyna has made "Orange Chocolate" fans a lovely wallpaper for this release!

Thanks Sephyna!

Here's "Orange Chocolate" chapter 14.  This is the lead-in to a new story arc and the introduction of some new characters.

Link to "Orange Chocolate" chapter 14 (wallpaper included!)

Chapter 15 and 16 are really fun and have some wonderful illustrations.  I can't wait to bring those chapters to you. 

Next up is "Kimi ni XOXO" chapter 2.  So far the chapter is good and I think I will be sticking with this series.

Orange Chocolate Chapter 13

Here is "Orange Chocolate" chapter 13.  Just a note so you'll be aware as you read this, the narrator changes to Ritsu towards the end of the chapter (pg 37-ish).  It's hard to convey this in English since English has no male or female version of "I."  Anyhow, this chapter starts to give us insight into Ritsu thinking and into Chiro's seemingly surprising confession. 

Link: Orange Chocolate Chp 13 (update 5/31/2010 minor correction from Kuma-chan)

Kimi no XOXO Update

Update 5/31:
Things have picked up quite a bit now that the fairy creature appeared.  The sweetness is quickly going away...yippee!!!!  There's hope for this :).
----
I just finished translating the first chapter and it ended nicely.  I can't make the decision whether to pick up this series based on the first chapter alone, so I will extend the trial to the 2nd chapter.
update 5/30:
Next up after this is the "Kimi no XOXO" trial.  I've translated a little over a quarter of the first chapter and so far, it's different from what I expected (I was hoping for a farce...).  First of all, it's extremely verbose which slows the pacing quite a bit when compared to a series like "Orange Chocolate."  So far it takes itself more seriously than I expected and, over all, it seems to be aimed at late "tween"/ early teen audience.  My initial feeling from these first few pages is that, though it is not bad, there may be series that are more suited my and the group's taste than this.  I'll see if it picks up once the fairly-like creature is introduced.  If it stays on the sweet with light humor track, then I will complete the first chapter so people will have an idea of what this series may be like and then move onto some other series that I've flagged. If that happens, hopefully, a more appropriate scanlation group will pick up the series.

Orange Chocolate Chapter 12

Here is "Orange Chocolate" chapter 12:

Link to Orange Chocolate Chapter 12

Next up is the bitter-sweet ghost drama one-shot, "Shinobigoto," followed by the first chapter of "Seirei Produce."  I hope to be able to release Orange Chocolate chapter 13 during the first week of June before AnS and ZHD.  June is an exciting month!  Look forward to it!

Orange Chocolate Chp 12 Preview

Here's a short preview of "Orange Chocolate" chapter 12

Chapter 12 is an important chapter that moves things along quite a bit :).  (No worries, the series is not ending anytime soon as far as I know...though I hope it doesn't drag on for years...)  It will most like be ready before the 22nd and I'm mulling over the possibly of putting chapter 13 out in early June to relieve myself and everyone from a very evil cliffhanger.

Oh, FYI ... "Orange Chocolate" is currently on chapter 18 in Japan.  I've been trying to maintain a pace of two chapters a month until I catch up with the current release.  Once I catch up, it will become a monthly release that will come out in English about 1-week after release in Japan.

Orange Chocolate Chapter 11

Here is Orange Chocolate chapter 11.  Enjoy the kitsunes in their human forms.  Personally, I like them both together because they are a matched set like Chiro and Ritsu.

Link to Orange Chocolate Chapter 11

Chapter 12 is an important chapter that you don't want to miss!  But before that we will release the last chapter of "Kaichou-san no Koneko"  which will include two very short special stories.

New Poll: Ukon or Sakon?

Top Right Corner!  Go take it!  If you want to elaborate on your choice, please leave a comment to this post.