Manga Review: "Dawn of Arcana" Volume 1

The Loving Spoonful:  The first volume of this series is AWESOME!  Nakaba is my girl and Loki is scrumptious.   There's a good mix of action, romance, and biting insults.  Oh, and the pacing is great!  It doesn't get bogged down in explanations or forced sentiments.  This series, so far, has everything I love. 5/5
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It's been a long time since I've written a manga review, so forgive me if this one turns out to be crappy.  I really don't know where to start on this one.  Let's just say when I bought it, I didn't know what to expect.  Red-haired Princess, obviously brings to mind AnS.   It was a comparison I was ready to make as I read "Dawn of Arcana".  I'd say about 5 or 6 pages into it, I realized that this was no clone or relative of AnS (Actually, it's more along the lines "Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen").  This is a truly strong red-haired princess, and her prince, though weak now, is no puss.  After that, AnS flew out of my mind and I was swept away with "Dawn of Arcana".

Extras in "Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen" Volume 4

My gosh, that slow boat from Asia was EXTRA slow!

There are some cute extras included in the 4th volume of "Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen".  There's a thank you page with very nice drawing and a short omake about the baby prince!  So cute!  I love stories that end in marital and family bliss!  I'll try to get those out along with refreshed links to purchase your own copy of volume 4 in March.

Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen Volume 4 is Out!

"Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen" Volume 4 is out and available for purchase.  Please show Ogura-sensei some love by purchasing the book.  I just bought my copy from Yes Asia.  Here are some purchase links:

Amazon Japan
Yes Asia

Yes Asia only charges $3.99 shipping to the US and Canada.  Please see their website for information on shipping to other countries.

Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen Chp 19 (Final)

Here's the final chapter of "Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen."  Thanks for sticking with me on this one.  I started translating this series at chapter 4.  Back then I was just doing summaries.  I'm sad to see this series end, but at the same time, this is great ending.  I'm looking forward to Ogura-sensei's next series!  There's contact address on the volume 3 thank you page if you want to write a letter.  If you do send thanks to Ogura-sensei, make sure you buy at least volume of the manga in Japanese.  It would be rude to thank someone for something you didn't pay for.  Purchase information is here.   I will be getting volume 4 and if there's any extra material I will translate it.

(Update 10/14/10 -- a small change was made to the translation on page 40)
Links to "Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen" Chapter 19 + volume 3 Omake (Zip - High Quality) (PDF -- convenient)

Next up is Pika Ichi chapter 3!

Ordering Information for "Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen"

As I promised in reply to an anonymous commenter, here is some information so you can support the author by purchasing volumes of "Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen."  First of all some cover images so you can make sure you get the right thing.

Volume 1

Volume 2

Volume 3

Links:

• Amazon Japan
• Yes Asia
• Kinokuniya (I know of locations in the US and Singapore)
• Sanseido Bookstores US Locations

Be aware that Amazon Japan charges $30 shipping for the first item and them $3 each item after for International shipping.  Yes, it's expensive, but it's gets to you within two days.  You can also purchase through a　third-party seller on Amazon for $12 shipping per item.  Yes Asia offers free shipping in the US for purchases totaling over $40 dollars.  In light of this, it's best to purchase multiple items if you decide to buy from these sources.  Also, if you have a Japanese bookstore in you area, you can try purchasing it or ordering it through them. Depending on the chain, you may not have to pay for shipping.

I have the books and there are some nice extra color images on the cover flaps.  I will post information for purchasing volume 4 when it is released.

Kuroneko003's ZHD Ending Predictions

Here are my random predictions for the end of "Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen."  I really have no idea what's going to happen, but it's fun to speculate.

1. Johanne is saved at the last moment either by Joshua, the citizens, or military coup.  I put my money, though, on a Joshua redemption at which point he can get pneumonia and die in the arms of his personal assistant.
2. If Joshua saves Johanne it will be because Yuda has a "good talk" with him (personally, I'd crack up if Yuda starts the conversation by first laying down that little pistol she hides in her robe on Joshua's desk.)
3. Yuda's knocked up and gives birth to a girl who marries Daniel (That would make me super happy)
4. Claspel and his cronies are rounded up and tried for treason after Joshua spills about the entire conspiracy (and Claspel's final words, "I would have gotten away with it if it weren't for those darned kids!")
5. Joshua enters the "spanking machine" and at the end is greeted with smack and then a hug from his mother, the Queen.
6. Joshua abdicates the throne after giving up Claspel, Yuda's Dad gives up Canaan to be under the administrative control of Meteora (Canaan is broke and in debt to Judecca) and Jeremiah reveals himself to be a good guy.  Johanne eventually becomes the benevolent ruler of Canaan, Judecca, and Meteora and under unification there's finally peace and a railroad to Judecca and Canaan.

I was really looking forward to conmmando-Yuda, but chapter 18 put that hope to rest.  There will be no valiant Yuda led escape.  That would have been so like the beginning of "Return of the Jedi."  *boo-hoo*

Either way, I think we all want this ending (peek -- it's from here -- Ogura-sensei's blog)

What are your predictions?

I Finally Have Lala DX 9!

I finally have Lala DX 9!  Yay! AnS chapter 20 is 40 pages long and according to the preview chapter 21 will be 45-pages long.  ZHD chapter 18 is also 40-pages long.  I expect this chapter to bring fans much joy :).  Chapter 19 will be the final chapter of ZHD and will run 50-pages.

And now to get to work on AnS 20!

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.

Check Out Ogura Akane's Website

Here's a link to Ogura Akane's (ZHD) website.

Link

She has a wonderful gallery full of images inspired by her manga works :).

New Poll: What to do with Joshua?

First of all:
DAMN YOU, JOSHUA!!!!

He's definitely earned the "boo-boo" face from me ;p.

I honestly never though Joshua could be so despicable.   Yet, he's so pathetic that I can't completely hate him.  It's like, "There, there little monkey.  What happened?  Not enough hugs?"  And, yet, I want to leap into the pages and beat Joshua senseless when I think about poor Johanne who is now imprisoned in a comfy jail awaiting execution or rescue or the perfect time to escape in order to, perhaps, finish what he started at the end of chapter 14.  (I'm having popcorn while translating if Johanne flies the coop.  Personally, I was looking forward to commando-style Yuda -- eep! That came out wrong...)  Anyhow...I'm a nice person who doesn't condone fictional murder, but believes in a good fictional sack beating for those characters who deserve it.  However, I want to know how you all feel.  Does Joshua need a sack beating (2 varieties to choose from), a hug, or to die a convenient "Disney Death?"  Take the poll!  Leave comments if you want to talk about Joshua or anything ZHD chp 17.

Johanne Crack

Heh-heh....

We're almost done...

April at Omari's Sister!

Wow!  It's April!  The release schedule and release archive have been updated!  This month Lala DX 5 comes out with ZHD Chp 16!  Supposedly it covers the beginning of Johanne and Yuda's wedding celebration!  We're very excited about this chapter!  Later on this month in Lala 6 is the next chapter of Ouran.  We'll will also try to deliver "Orange Chocolate" chapter 8 and 9.  Look forward to it!

I've Got Lala DX 3

I have Lala DX 3!  I took a cursory look at each series and we will be releasing the series in order of the survey.

1. Akagami no Shirayukhime Chp 18
2. Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen Chp 15
3. Ouran High School Host Club Chp 78 Omake

Update:  Actually, I've decided to release Orange Chocolate chp 4 before moving onto the Ouran omake.  Personally, I'm in no hurry for Ouran, but OC Chp 4 - 6 are really good. Orange Chocolate Chp 4 will be released soon after Ouran because I have completed about 40% of the editing.  After that I will continue onto Orange Chocolate Chp 5 and look into releasing some one-shots alternating between chapters.  Recall, the next issue of Lala DX will not be out until April 10th and Ouran 79 will not be out until March 24th, so I've got some time (unless I miraculously get a job).  Please send me your one-shot and short series requests.  As a reminder, here are the magazines I get:

• Lala
• Lala DX
• Hana to Yume
• Hana to Yume Extra
• Asuka
• Bessatsu Hana to Yume
• Betsucomi (I quit getting Betsucomi after the Jan 2010 issue due to disinterest)

Lala DX 3 Poll Results

The Lala DX 3 Poll is over and the overwhelming winner in "Akagami no Shirayukihime" chapter 18.  I'm actually very surprised by the poll results.  I thought for sure Ouran would win since it's the most popular series on this blog.  However, the demand for Ouran came in last and so I'm happy to put that on the back burner because I'm feeling a little burnt out on Ouran.  Between ANS and ZHD, if ZHD continues from where it left off, I will translate that first.  If ZHD is a filler chapter, then ANS will be first.  As for the release schedule, don't expect any release from Lala DX 3 until after February 20th because next week I may be busy with family matters.

Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen Chp 14 Translation

Here's "Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen" chp 14.  I like this chapter a lot because it has a good mix of humor, romance, and action.  The ending, though, is ominous.  Anyhow, I think in this chapter, Johanne's brother, Joshua, forgot that Johanne is a "butcher" and believes in "enhanced interrogation techniques."  Haha...silly Joshua.  So much for "talking"...

Link to ZHD Chp 14 (Update:  12/17/2009 Minor edits from Kuma-chan!  Kuma-chan lives!!!)


The next chapter should be out in two months, around 2/10/2010.  Next up Ouran 77.  I decided not to do the one-shot because after translating the first few pages, I didn't like the story or the main character.

ZHD Chp 13 Update

I made some small changes to page 14, 15, and 16 to clarify the situation that begins chp 14.  I did this just in case it wasn't clear as to WHY Johanne lost the duel (hint:  Pantsu desu!!!).

Link to ZHD Chp 13 v1

Starting Wallpaper

I started some Ouran wallpaper today. I'm feeling very inspired yet, though. When I started looking for images, I found that none of the drawings really called out. Not even the bump-kiss. I pulled the bump kiss and some other images together in a collage so far, so see if I could squeeze any inspiration out of them. Still nothing. Anyhow, I cleaned the images down to a nice line drawings and I'll have to ruminate on how to put some life into the drawings.

The bump kiss it's self was unremarkably drawn to me. Rather I like the reactions afterward. What I need is an idea for the background ... sigh ...

I really wanted to do ZHD wallpaper because there are several images from the recent chapters that I love. I figured, though, Ouran paper would be more popular.

Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen Chp 11 Translation

Here is a translation of chapter 11 of "Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen"

Link to ZHD Chp 11

It looks like Aerandria is currently working on chp 9, so I will not go back and do scanlation for that and the preceding chapters. If Aerandria catches up with me, then I will not longer scanlate this series. Yay!!! My job may be done here :).

Anyhow, this is another very cute chapter. We learn a little bit about Canaan's past and the disposition of Yuda's mother.

As usual, this translation is by no means perfect, and if you find any errors, please send me a kind little e-mail detailing the error. Please do not upload this file to any of the manga aggregators because I will do it myself. You may, however, share the link.

ZHD Chp 8 Translation

ZHD Chp 8 Scanlation is out from Aerandria. It can be found at in the usual places.

Link

I will get back to ZHD chp 11 after I finish Ouran. It looks like Aerandria is picking up the pace, which means I don't have to translate this any further after chp 11. Yippee!! I can move onto translating a different manga.

Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen to Ouran Comparisons

I been browsing the ZHD forums lately and I got a couple of comments about the ZHD Kiss fan art I did and apparently there are some that think ZHD is like "Ouran". I've felt this way too while translating the manga. Obviously, Yuda and Haruhi look almost identical and have very similar reactions to the realization of their feelings. In many ways I feel that Yuda and Haruhi are the same character, but cast in a different universe. With respect to the Johanne and Tamaki, they too share looks and they both have delusional thoughts about their desired women wearing a cute sundress and a hat. I think, though, that is as far as it goes. Johanne is straight forward with his feelings and is a shrewd, kick-ass battle hardened killer whereas Tamaki is 100% "lover" and 0% "fighter", as well as a buffoon (well ... given that kidnapping episode, it's possible that Tamaki could go ape-sh** crazy if anything were to happen to Haruhi or any of his friends (BTW: that would be AWESOME) -- still, it doesn't seem to take much to make Johanne tear through some baddies). Clearly, Johanne is more mature than Tamaki, but strangely, I think I like both Johanne and Tamaki about the same. They are both great characters and I care very much about what happens to them.

What do you all think? Leave a comment.