Hana-Kimi May 2009 Omake

Update:  Wow!  You all are so great!  I got a proofread on this quite quickly! (Cheers to Paikea!)  I'm still looking for a back-up proofreader, though, so see the message below for more info.
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Here's the last of the Hana-Kimi omakes.  My regular proofreaders are very busy for the next few weeks, so if one or two of you could proofread this and give me some feedback if there are errors, that would be great!  Also, if you would like to be a back-up proofreader in general, please send me a little e-mail.  It'd be much appreciated.

Link to the Hana-Kimi May 2009 Omake (Retired)

I've also included a lovely wallpaper with all your favorite Hana-Kimi boys (sorry, Nanba not included).

And now back to "Orange Chocolate!" Speaking of "Orange Chocolate" I just got the raw for chapter 16 today and Chiro and Ritsu do a photo shoot dressed as Alice and the Mad Hatter!  As usual, the drawings are gorgeous!  But alas, that's some time off, since I'm just now starting chapter 8...T_T...

List of Manga Magazine Freebies

Because some of you requested it, I started a list of the freebies that are included in the manga magazine I get from Japan.  This way, even if you don't speak Japanese you can get yourself a magazine for the collectible you want.  If you do get the magazine, but don't want it, please either recycle it or put it up for sale on the Internet so some other folks can enjoy it.

Here's a link to the webpage: Link

Or you can access the page through the link on the first right sidebar column :).

For those of you wondering how to purchase these magazines, if you live a big city with a Japanese district, just visit a bookstore like Kinokuniya or Sanseido Books (inside of a Mitsuwa marketplace).  You can also order magazines through the Internet via Amazon Japan, Akadot, and Books Sanseido to name a few.  Books Sanseido actually will host a subscription for you, if you want to get the magazine regularly an avoid the pricey International postage.

Saiunkoku Monogatari Fans Go Get Asuka 5/2010 Issue!

In the May issue of Asuka magazine there is a large Saiunkoku Monogatari poster!  It's really nice :)!

Additional stuff in the magazine:

• Psychic Detective Yakumo Book Cover
• Zone-00 Postcards (the package is nice, so I'm afraid to open it)
• Bookmarks
• Anime series preview DVD
• Oh, and the Kyou Kara Maou color title splash page is ADORABLE!!!!

I bought my copy from Amazon Japan.

How do you Feel About Ouran Ending -- Poll Results

I ended the poll a few days early because the results seem overwhelming clear.  85% of you projected warm feelings towards Ouran.  Here's a summary of the results:

No!!! Ouran forever - 97 votes (26%)
I'm looking forward to a great ending - 215 votes (59%)
Get it over with - 19 votes (5%)
I lost interest long ago - 26 votes (7%)
What's "Ouran"? - 5 votes (1%)

I voted "Get it over with" -- but after reading chapter 79, I'm feeling a bit more positive.

And now the new poll!  Let's speculate on the whose feet those are at the end of Ouran 79...

Thoughts on Ouran Chapter 79

In general I liked Ouran chapter 79 because it gets back to the original spirit of Ouran and finally gets to the kidnap-Tamaki-from-the-main-residence heist that we've all been waiting for.  I am bothered by one thing, though.   If the host club members understand that Tamaki's mom is not seeing him out of respect for Tamaki's feelings, then why doesn't the Host Club have that same respect for Tamaki's feelings?  It seems to me like nobody is willing to give Tamaki the time work through his issues with his grandmother and father.  It's not like Tamaki can't visit Anne-Sophie once things are worked out.  It seems with the last conversation between Tamaki and Shizue, a breakthrough was made and, perhaps, Shizue realized that Yuzuru doesn't hate her, but rather, he loves her and tried (rather clumsily) to make a family bond through Tamaki.  I think there's no doubt, now, that Shizue has accepted Tamaki and that they will have a lovely grandparent-grandchild relationship because they have so many common interests.  I think at this junction, it's only natural that Shizue lighten up and grant Tamaki freedom.  I think it's also only natural for Shizue to finally recognize Yuzuru and tell him he's worthy of carrying on Suou and that his wife and son are her family too.  I don't think any Host Club interference is needed.  Personally...I think the ending with the woman's shoes and the corner of another person's shoe indicated that their planned heist will be short lived because those feet probably belong to Anne-Sophie or Tamaki's grandmother.  My guess is that it's Tamaki and his grandmother because that pair would best accelerate the ending of this story.  But I guess we shall see ...Hmmm...I think after the current poll ends, that will be the next poll...

10 Years of Wedded Bliss!

Hooray!  This Wednesday, March 31st, marks 10-years of wedded bliss to Mr. Kuroneko003!  I can't believe 10 years went by so fast.  It must mean we're having fun!

Ouran Chp 80 Previews

Here are the previews for Ouran chp 80:

Ouran High School Host Club Chp 79 + Chp 80 Previews

Finally, we get a chapter that takes us back to the Ouran we all know and love!  I have great expectations for fun and humor in chapter 80 :).  As for whether chapter 81 is the last chapter, I don't know and I really don't understand how the rumor got started.  So far, I have not seen anything in the magazines to indicate that Ouran is ending soon.  My best guess is that the Suou-family-strife story arc will conclude in chapter 81.  Either way, we'll just have to wait and see.  Moving on, here's the link.

Link to Ouran Chp 79 (Retired)

Next up is the last Hana-Kimi omake.  Since we finished Ouran ahead of schedule (thanks to some last minute cleaning help from Sephyna!), the some of the release dates of our other series have been moved up!  Please check the release page for the latest schedule updates!

Ouran Chp 79 Spolier

Update:  I finished translating the chapter and it actually more like the Ouran we all know and love again!!!  Yay!!!  And with the developments in this chapter my faith is restored and I'm very much looking forward to chapter 80.  It will take me 2 - 3 to edit the chapter and then the proofreaders will need a day, so my current release ETA is Tuesday, March 30th. 
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I think another scanlation of Ouran should be out very soon -- most likely before I can finish.  I will still do a translation of Ouran 79, regardless, because I like to translate Ouran for myself.  Until a translation is ready, please enjoy this spoiler.  Note:  I made the images intentionally small so they would be of no use to anyone who can read Japanese.  My hope is that if you can read Japanese, then you should go out and buy Lala magazine and support Bisco Hatori.

Link to the Ouran Chp 79 Spoiler

It will take me about a week to get my translation done :).  For those of you interested in La Corda d'Oro, that story is finally moving and if there is not a quality scanlation done of the latest chapter and the past 2 soon, I may squeeze it in because I'm curious myself.  I can't promise anything though ...

New Manga Purchases: Week of March 21st

• Trinity Blood Volume 6
• Trinity Blood Volume 7
• Hana to Yume Issue 7
• Hana to Yume Issue 8
• Lala 5/2010 (Pick-up date 3/25)
• Lala DX Issue 4/2010 (Delivery date 4/12)
• Bessatsu Hana to Yume Issue 5/2010 (Delivery date 4/12)
• Asuka Issue 5/2010 (Delivery date 4/12)
• Gakuen Alice Volume 10 (purchased last week)

Orange Chocolate Chapter 7

Here is Orange Chocolate chapter 7.

Link to "Orange Chocolate" Chapter 7

At the end of this, it seems the story is taking a turn.  I haven't read ahead of this to understand where to, but  I hope it's someplace good.  Anyhow, this chapter is full of lovely images of Ritsu and Chiro in traditional costumes.  It was a tough chapter to edit, so please give thanks to Silver Lunar and Sephyna who did a great deal to help get this chapter out in a timely manner :).

It looks like I have a few days before Lala issue 5/2010 is released with the raw for Ouran Chp 79.  I figured I'd use the time to start on the last of the "Hana Kimi" omakes, but at the same time I want to continue on to "Orange Chocolate" chapter 8.  Well, let's see what this last Hana Kimi omake is about.  It looks like it covers the events right after Mizuki leaves.  It's another chapter that centers around Nakatsu and it looks like Nanba makes him the new dorm leader.

Adding Additional Webpages

Blogger now allows functionality to easily add web pages to blogs!  Yippee!!  Tonight I added a page with our release schedule so you never have to ask when something is going to come out.  I have also added an archive so you can quickly find past releases in one place :).  The links to these new pages can be found in the first column of the right sidebar.  I will put up some more useful pages as time permits, but for now, I thought those were the most important for the readers of this blog.

Take the New Poll: Ouran High School Host Club is Ending!?

Express your views about the ending of "Ouran High School Host Club" by taking the survey in the top right hand corner of this blog.  If you would like to express more about Ouran in your own words, leave a comment to this blog entry.

Me, personally, I hope Ouran ends on a high note!  And I'm looking forward to picking up a new series after it's done :).  My thoughts, now, are to give "Love Sick" a second chance.  It's actually a short series and after looking at some later chapters, I'm kinda curious about the characters.  Tell me what you think?

Orange Chocolate Chapter 7 Preview

Here's the preview for Orange chapter 7.  It's taking a long time to clean and edit the imges, so please be patient.  A couple of this page took me 4-hours each to prepare!  UGH!  Anyhow, the art in this chapter is GORGEOUS!!!  I've saved the best image for the actual, release ;p.  As usual, click on the images to see them full size!

Hana-Kimi September 2008 Omake

Here's the second Hana-Kimi omake published after 2007.

Link to September 2008 Hana-Kimi omake (Retired)

It hasn't been proofread yet, so if you wanna proofread it, please go ahead and do so and send me back some feedback and I'll give you some credit.  Anyhow, this omake is very short and doesn't really add anything to the Hana-Kimi story, but it is cute.  The last of the omakes will come after Orange Chocolate chapter 7 and Ouran Chapter 79.  Here's the updated release schedule:

Orange Chocolate Chp 7 -- ETA:  3/22
Ouran Chp 79 -- ETA:  end of March (depends on when I get the raw)
Orange Chocolate Chp 8: Early April
Zettai Heiwa Diasakusen Chp 16: Mid April
Orange Chocolate Chp 9: Mid April
Hana-Kimi Aug 2009 Omake -- ETA: Late April
Kaicho-san no Neko Chp 1 -- ETA:  Late April

Lala Wallpaper, Part 1

I found some calendar postcards from a 2009 issue of Lala magazine.  I'm making 13 wallpapers total, but here are the first 6 tonight.  Hopefully I can finish this up this weekend.  I will also bundle up the raw images so you can make your own creations!  Click on the image to see the full size image and download.

 

The Dust Has Settled

The dust has settled and the new graphics for this blog are finished and implemented.  Hopefully my love of orange, yellow, and green don't drive you away.

Omari's Birthday!

Omari's birthday is this week!  Happy birthday Omari! from your doting sister ;p!

Orange Chocolate Chapter 6 Preview

Hopefully, the chapter will be released by the end of the week.  Anyway, here's a preview (click on the image to see it full-size):

 

2010 Oscars Poll Results

Hana-Kimi July 2008 Omake

 

Here is the first of the three Hana-Kimi extra stories that were published after 2007.  This is a really good one and I wish it had been published while the series was still running so it could have been included in the Viz release.

Link to the Hana-Kimi July 2008 Omake (Retired)

Next up is "Orange Chocolate" chapter 6 followed by the Hana-Kimi omake from September 2008 (it's very short at only 8-pages).

Saiunkoku Monogatari Wallpaper and Images

There was treasure in this month's Asuka magazine for "Saiunkoku Monogatari" lovers!  This magazine was a bit hard to come by because it sold out quickly.  Anyhow, there are 11 images in all.  Two are PC desktop wallpaper sized 1600x1200 pixels and the others are 800x1200.  Enjoy!

Link to Saiunkoku Images from Asuka 3/2010

If you really must have your own copy of this picture book (there are more images and an extra story), you may be able to get a copy of Asuka 3/2010 from Akadot on backorder.  You can still get it from folks selling on Amazon Japan, but it's gonna run you at least $42 + plus waiting for a very slow boat...

Taking a Little Break to get my Game On

I'm taking a break this weekend to sooth my gamer itch ("Bayonetta") and to partake in Oscar night.  I'll be participating in the Oscar "Twitter Party," so if you want to join me, follow me!

Omari's Sister on Twitter

I did it last year, and it was lots of fun!

The first Hana-Kimi omake should be ready for release tomorrow morning and then on Monday, I'll start working on  "Orange Chocolate" chp 6,

It's Oscar Time! Take the Poll!

I know this has nothing to do with anime or manga, but it's Oscar time!  I love Oscar night!  I like the Oscar telecast and I like seeing the stars in their beautiful clothes as they walk the red carpet.  I hope someday to actually see the read carpet live since I live within driving distance of the venue.  Anyhow, in honor of Oscar night, I've set up a very quick poll.  Choose which movie should win best picture this year.

Of this year's best picture nominees, I've seen:

• Avatar
• The Hurt Locker
• Up
• Up in the Air
• District 9
• Inglourious Basterds

I'd like to see the other movies, but they didn't come out near me, so I have to wait until they are out for rental or on-demand.

If any of you have been paying attention to my Twitter feed, then you know which movie I want to win Best Picture and which movie I absolutely despise.

Help! We Need Another Translator

There's too much lovely manga out there for me to keep up with, so I need some help with Japanese-to-English translation.  At the minimum I need someone who's around who can answer my translation questions when I'm stuck.  At the most, the sky's the limit -- translate as much as you want and work on whatever projects you want.  Requirements:  I'd love to have a native speaker, but if you're better than I am, that will do.  Also,  please don't apply if you are under 18.  It's too much of a hassle dealing with parent restricted computer usage.  Please send me an e-mail if you are interested (use the contact button in the menu bar).  I'll give you a little test.  The group is fast paced, but I'm pretty easy-going as long as I know when you can do what.

Kuma-Chan Headband!!!

Check out this cute piece of Lala loot!  If you want you own Kuma-Chan headband buy a copy of Lala 4/2010.  It's available from Amazon Japan now, or you can wait a 2 - 3-weeks and buy a copy of Lala 4/2010 from Akadot.

 

It's so ADORABLE!  It even has a tail.  I'm thinking of making it my new "thinking cap" (my current thinking cap being a princess crown of flowers with flowing ribbons -- Oh, you wish I was kidding ;p).

Manga Reviews: "Alice in the Country of Hearts" Vol. 1 and "Portrait of M and N"

"Alice in the Country of Hearts" Volume 1 story by Quinrose and art by Soumei Hoshino: 3.5/5

This manga series should be call "Alice in Country of Bishies."  So far, in volume 1, Alice, the Red Queen, and Alice's sister are the only female characters in the story and the Red Queen and Alice's sister have negligible presence in the story so far.  The rest of the characters are all idealized pretty boys. Here's a list of them:

• Peter - the white rabbit who appears to be simply mad
• Hatter - the flirtatious and dashing mafioso
• The March Hare - a dandy
• Julius - a sensible fellow with some secrets
• Ace - a bad-ass knight who hides his murderous nature behind a kind smile, inability to navigate, and slap-stick behavior.  However, his dead eyes when he smiles indicate his true nature.  He works for both the Red Queen and Julius.  He, of course, is the character I'm most curious about.
• Gowland - a poorly named hot head who murders people's ears with his violin playing
• The Cheshire Cat - a slightly punk ne'er-do-well in a skimpy cat suit -- nothing says "hotness" more than a guy with an exposed pierced belly button,  wearing a cat collar, ear collars, a furry boa, and a kilt.  It's all about "attitude" I tell you!
• Nightmare - a black-haired demon who has lungitus and poor constitution
• The Twins (Deedum is one of them) -- token shouta-types who want to play with Alice

Anyhow...Alice is a world she somehow "dreamed" of, though it's not necessarily a dream.  Peter, the white rabbit tells her eventually everyone in this world will come to love her.  Alice, believing this is a dream, starts to question her subconscious desire to be loved and some issues around her ex-boyfriend, who the Hatter appears to resemble.  To get out this world, Alice must play a game, the nature of which she doesn't understand.

What I like about this series so far is that Alice appears to be in her late teens so there's no icky loli-ness to taint the whole story.  I also like the Bishies.  They all have very distinct personalities and the interactions amongst them is interesting and humorous.  I'm curious about how they are all related and what they are all truly want from Alice.  Alice is interesting in that she's a very normal girl and she's handling the situation she's been tossed into with a level headed manner.  Still this first volume doesn't knock it out of the park for me. I think this is mainly because the characters are still just caricatures to me and I don't feel any attachment or affinity for any of them yet.

My husband hated this first volume.  As for me, I think it's a good start to series and I'm looking forward to learning more about the Bishies and the world they inhabit.  3.5/5

"Portrait of M and N" Volume 1 by Tachibana Higuchi 5/5

This is a masterly written story from the author of "Gakuen Alice."  This is one of those series that I don't want to spoil by saying too much about it, so I'll be brief.  "Portrait of M and N" is the story of the encounter between two very troubled teenagers.  The two become close and share a bond through the terrible secret each one holds.  This manga has a carefully measured and balanced amount of humor, sweetness, romance, psychology, and heartbreak.  Both characters are complex and likeable and after the first chapter I was hooked and cheering the two of them on as they delt with their troubles.  I highly recommend this manga series and I'm looking forward to the next volume. 5/5

Over 100 of my Lightly Used Books Still Available for Purchase

There are still over 100 of my lightly used manga still available through Amazon.
Buy my manga so I can buy more manga!!!

New Additions:

• NG Life Volume 1
• Pandora Hearts Volume 1 Sold!

I have manga in Japanese!

• Skip Beat
• Nodame Cantibile

Popular Titles Still Available:

• Special A
• Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle
• Kekkaishi -- Selling Fast!!!
• Monkey High! (Saru Yama)  -- Only Volume 3 left!!!
• Samurai Deeper Kyo

There's AWFUL manga and manhwa available too:

• Les Bijoux (I have no idea what I was thinking)
• King of the Lamp (it doesn't get any worse and smuttier than this "gem")

Again, buy my manga so I can buy more manga!!!

Ouran Chp 78 Omake

Yay...It's done.  I eeked this one out quickly, so I apologize for any mistakes.

Link to the Ouran chp 78 Omake (Retired)

Have fun, though it's not the best Ouran omake out there...I like the Hani omake a lot better than this one.  I tried to have fun with it though, so I went a little fast and loose with the twin's grandmother's dialogue.

Next up, The latest Hana-Kimi omake!