Thoughts on Ouran Chp 81

First of all that was an extremely long wait!  And 52-pages was a lot of translating for me.  Fortunately, the print quality of that section of the magazine was excellent, so the pages were easy to clean.  Speaking of the quality, one thing I did notice is that a lot more care than usual was given to the drawings themselves.  There were some nice shadows:

And some all-around fine drawing:

It was a real treat to prepare the images for this chapter.

Onto the story itself.  Taken on the whole, I liked it, though, I thought it was a little long.  Finally, both Haruhi and Tamaki confess to one another and as expected, in the end, Haruhi is the rational one who screws Tamaki's head on.

I didn't like the early on thrash in which Haruhi tries to take back her confession after Tamaki goes stupid.  Before continuing on, let me say I called the cliche of Tamaki not being able to hear Haruhi initially over the jet engine noise.  I was hoping that wouldn't happen, but it did.  I was also hoping at that moment Tamaki would go stupid in a different way.

Summer 2010 Anime I'm Watching

So far the only shows I'm watching are "Occult Academy" and "Shiki."  The rest of the new shows I found quite dismal.  However, I am watching a lot more American TV.  So far I'm hooked on "Warehouse 13," "Eureka," "The Glades," "Haven," and "Covert Affairs."

Ouran High School Host Club Chp 82 Previews

Here are the previews for Ouran chapter 82

So...what do you think? Will Haruhi accept the offer to travel aboard? (Take the survey!) It is my sincerest wish that she does and that Hatori-sensei continues these characters into a spin-off series. I would hate to see the end of these characters now.   Though...I suppose, Hatori could do a big fast forward several years into the future in the last chapter. That would suck.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for more of these characters after the end of Ouran.

Also, Lala 10 will include the final Ouran drama CD as one of the freebies.  If you want the drama CD, then order this issue of the magazine.  I will put up an Amazon Japan link to Lala 10 once the listing for the issue appears.

Ouran High School Host Chp 81

Here it is!

Link to Ouran Chp 81 (07/27/2010 -- updated to include chp 82 previews and minor edits from Kuma-chan. Edits do not impact the story.)
Link to Ouran Chp 81 in PDF Reader Format -- RETIRED

I will be retiring Ouran one month after the release of the last chapter.

Also, please support the author and the publisher by purchasing the manga.  Volume 14 is currently available from Viz. Here's a link to purchase Volumes 1 - 14.

Chapter Notes
Here are some notes that will help you with some of the references within the chapter.

Aphrodite and Adonis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphrodite

Apollo and Hyacinthus
http://www.online-mythology.com/apollo_hyacinthus/

Castor and Pollus - Gemini, the Twin Stars
http://www.online-mythology.com/castor_pollux/

Uranus and Kronos - (rather brutal of Kyouya wanting to castrate his own father)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronus

Gokenin Zankurou
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1320213/
images: 
http://www.jidaigeki.com/thanks/2009/img/photo_gokenin.jpg
http://www.baijaku.com/images/cd/cdshop/zankuro.jpg

Ouran Chp 81 Teaser #2 -- Baka Tamaki

Here's another teaser from Ouran chp 81.  This is from the first of many scenes where Tamaki is acting like an idiot.  He acts like an idiot through most of this chapter.  Personally, I think he's far better when he gets his head screwed on right.  Anyhow, don't look if you don't want any of the chapter to be spoiled.

Teaser #2

Judging from my progress and pace, the entire chapter should be ready before the 31st.  For the latest updates, check the schedule page.

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."

Merit in "Ouran" and "The Scarecrow of Oz," Plus, Other Fun Stuff

Here's some bits from an e-mail discussion I had with Corgi about "Ouran" and "The Scarecrow of Oz."  This might, also, give you some insight into the thought that goes into translation.

Black Text = Corgi
Red Text = Kuroneko003

Please feel free to add to the conversation or make you own comments.  I really like "The Scarecrow of Oz" and found a lot of meaning in it.  Furthering the discussion about "Ouran" is welcomed too :).
-------------------------

Page 6: 'Merit' - heh.  Reminds me of Haruhi's discussion with Kyoya during his fake assault.  I keep thinking there's implications to the word-as-translated that I'm missing ever so slightly.

Indeed, there is more packed into the words than can come through in English.   But I think the discrepancy is cultural and I feel bad that I can’t get it across in English without writing an essay.  In this case there seems to be two themes about merit – what’s useful to a person and what’s useful in the competition.  Silvy Rose in her choice of a familiar wanted a companion and in her experimentation to heal the humans.  Whereas, Lillian Berry is wholly focused on the competition to become the next chief witch.  Interestingly enough, Lillian is so conceited that she thinks Silvy too thinks of nothing but the competition.  This is classic wisdom vs. vanity ;p.  It seems that Lillian will always continue to lose to Silvy, even though Silvy isn’t actively competing.  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS ASPECT OF THE STORY :)  This is why I think it a good story for children.  I wonder, though, about the other witch who sought power…maybe there will be a sequel???

Oh, it's not just here - it's how Haruhi uses it too.  It's clear, but it also seems deeper than just 'merit' suggests, if that makes sense.

"Ozu no Kakashi Tsukai" ("The Scarecrow of Oz") Chapter 1

 

Here it is!  "Ozu no Kakashi Tsukai" or "The Scarecrow of Oz"
Link to "Ozu no Kakashi Tsukai"

This is one of those stories that kinda sneaks up on you when you start to think of its deeper meanings.  I think the key themes in this story are what is merit and what does it mean to have merit.  Also, this story is rife with references to the "Wizard of Oz" and the themes within that story.  See how many of them you can catch :).

I had a very interesting e-mail conversation with one of my proofreaders, Corgi, about this story.  I will post this exchange in a day or two after enough people have had the chance to read the story.  I don't want to spoil the story or color your opinions of the story before you read it.  Anyhow, check back in a couple of days and give your own opinions if you want.

Check Out Silver Lunar's Sketches!!!

Silver Lunar (one of Omari's Sister's wonderful cleaners!) got a new toy and she's using it to great effect.  Jump on over to her blog to see what's she's been up to :).

Link to Silver Lunar's blog

Here's a sample!

New Manga Purchases: Week of July 4, 2010

• Mixed Vegetables, Volume 8
• Ouran High School Host Club, Volume 14

If you like Ouran, I recommend that you get this volume because the translation is closer to the actual Japanese and different in some parts than what's available in the scanlation.  This is especially true for the situation in which Haruhi is kidnapped.  This volume covers chapters 62 to 66.

• Natsume's Book of Friends, Volume 3

Nemurenu Kishi ni Hanataba wo (Bouquets of Flowers for the Sleepless Knight) Preview

We're slowly slogging through "Nemurenu Kishi ni Hanataba wo" so I figured to get to folks interested, I've post a short preview of the story.  The first part is mostly humorous, but the ending might induce a few tears.  Anyhow...this isn't the final version and there maybe typos, but here you go:

So, You Want to Order Lala Magazine from Amazon Japan...

Are you excited about the last chapters of "Ouran?"  Do you want to get some of that Ouran loot?  Well, here's some helpful hints on how to get some!

Direct links to Lala 8 and Lala 9 (pre-order):

Lala 8: http://tinyurl.com/23lpg6j
Lala 9:  http://tinyurl.com/2cqk68z

Here’s a link to the “English” version of their website.

Link:  http://www.amazon.co.jp/In-English/b?ie=UTF8&node=1094656

There’s still A LOT of Japanese, but it's manageable (the links and buttons are the same configuration as the Amazon US website, so if needed, just refer to the Amazon site in your country to figure out what the buttons and links are.).

Hints:
The little shopping cart icon is, indeed, your shopping cart.

Poll Results: Joshua's Punishment

• 21 Sack Beatings
• 17 Sack Full of Nickels Beatings
• 13 Hugs
• 26 Convenient Disney Deaths

I'm actually quite surprised by the number of people with sympathy for Joshua.  Well...I guess we'll see what will become of Joshua in a chapter or two.  I still maintain that he will be sacrificed.

On the matter of "Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen," I did read that chapter 17 was the climax of the story.  I suppose this means the series is ending soon.  I don't know how many chapters are left, but chapter 18 or 19 will be the end of the fourth volume.

New Manga Purchases: Week of June 27, 2010

• La Corda D'oro Volumes 11 and 12  -- 3/5 the story moves glacially and there's lots of filler extra stories (they aren't very interesting).  I do recommend this version over the scanlation for better image quality and smoother English.  It was interesting enough, though, to make me want to go back through the Lala magazines I have to catch up to the current chapter.  Perhaps I'll write up some chapter summaries.
• Two Flowers for the Dragon Volume 6
• Kaichou wa Maid-sama (Maid-sama!) Volume 5