Poll: Short Series Release Preference

Thanks to those of you who voted in the poll about short series release preference. I think for one volume series it's very reasonable to release the chapters back to back. As for longer series I think two chapters a month would be more appropriate.

Favorite Water Themed One-Shot Poll Results

Here are the results of the favorite August one-shot poll. I'm kinda surprised that "Over the Blue" was so popular.  I wasn't expecting such a big spread between the top 3 picks and I was expecting better performance for "Summer Blue" and "Kaizokuhime."  The bottom two, I'm not surprised about at all.  Anyhow, this is good data and gives me some clues about what kinds of manga readers like.  I think I have an idea of what readers aren't big fans of, but I also see in this particular poll, my favorite "Summer Blue" wasn't a top pick.  Hahaha!  It helps me stay grounded :).  But my instincts are correct that "typical shoujo" like "Shima x Dan" and "The Day I Kissed a Whale" aren't expected or preferred amongst our readers.  I think that's the case too amongst OS group members.  I can tell you, no "typical shoujo" is planned moving forward.  In fact we're expanding the types of shoujo we cover and we'll be taking some chances this fall and winter with some weird, horror-themed, ecchi, and josei manga.  The good thing is right now, many of the magazine I subscribe to are trying different things in a effort to find a hit, so I'm seeing a lot more experimental one-shots and short series.

Anyhow, if you would like to expand on your favorite or what you think was the worst from August, please feel free to go nuts in the comments section.  I would love to hear your opinion and I keep those opinions in the back of my mind as I select projects for the group.

Hugo Poll

Love him or hate him, Hugo is an interesting character.  Is he Ayato's friend, enemy, or both?  Seriously, what IS his deal?  Personally, I think he's there on a specific mission, but I don't think things are going as planned -- though, I admit I have no idea what his mission is.  I think Hugo is getting a little side-track because, regardless of the Magnolia smell, he likes Ayato.

I look forward to the development of Hugo's character.  Will someone eventually take him down a couple of notches?  Will Ayato eventually wrap him around his/her finger?  Or will he be a damned-dirty-dog forever?

What do you think?  Take the poll in the right hand column.  If you want to rant positively or negatively, please leave a comment.  Go all out!  Let's talk about Hugo :).

Torn About AnS from the Magazine

Update: Thanks to everyone who thoughtfully responded right away.  Your love of AnS is clear and I hear it.  I think the majority of you understand the difficulty of working with a bad raw and that we as a group don't want to do mediocre releases if there's an alternative.  So...here's what we're going to do:

• Chapter 28 will be released as scheduled in December
• In place of releasing a mediocre Chapter 29 in January, we will release the extras from Volume 6.
• Chapter 29 will be done from the tankoubon as soon as we get it.  My hope is that it will be released sometime in February.
• Chapter 30 and beyond we will consider month to month.  Hopefully, at least chapters 30 and 31 will be printed in the nice section of Lala so there won't be much of a gap.  I will do the translation along with the Lala releases and post summaries for those who want to be spoiled. 

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Favorite New Series Poll Results and "Pika Ichi"

Here are the results of the poll about what your favorite new series is:

Magnolia 28% (87 votes)
Pika Ichi 26% (80 votes)
Junketsu + Vampire 46% (145 votes)

I'm not surprised that "J+K" won by a wide margin. However, I am surprised at how closely "Magnolia" and "Pika Ichi" are.  The main reason I put out this poll was to gauge "Pika Ichi."  I felt the first two chapters were great, but I was greatly let down by the third chapter and I see a very mediocre and predicable path ahead for the series.  My mentality always seeks what's optimum, so if it's not working for me and the other group members, and, I see a better opportunity, I'm inclined to go for for new opportunity.  And so the question for me is whether to continue along with "Pika Ichi" or take a chance on another series?  I do have another series in mind and it's one with more action and intrigue.  At the same time, though, I hate to subject the readers of this blog to my whims.  The ideal solution would be for us to pass "Pika Ichi" off to another group who feels passionately about the series.  If you belong to or know of another group that would like take over "Pika Ichi" please contact me via the "Contact" link at the top of this blog.  In the mean time, we will continue "Pika Ichi," but the release schedule will not be as regular.

Poll Results: Will Haruhi Study Abroad?

A total of 180 votes were cast.

People who predict Haruhi will study abroad: 133 votes (74%)
People who predict Haruhi will not study abroad:  47 votes (26%)

Hopefully we'll find out the answer in chapter 82.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

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.

Poll: Kimi ni XOXO or Orange Chocolate Chp 13 First?

Update 5/26 -- It's abundantly clear that most of you want OC 13 first.  Your wish is my command :)
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Please take the quick poll if you care and help me decide what to work on next.

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.

Quick Poll -- Manga Chapter Previews

Take the quick poll in the far right hard corner of this blog!  Do you like short previews and teasers before the chapter releases on this blog?

Poll Results: Who Feet are Those at the End of Ouran Chp 79

Anne-Sophie and Tamaki: 13 votes (16%)
Shizue and Tamaki: 5 votes (6%)
Shizue and a cane: 7 votes (8%)
Ranka: 2 votes (2%)
Kousaka: 8 votes (10%)
The Devil in Disguise: 10 votes (12%)
I have no Clue: 25 votes (31%)
I Don't Care: 10 votes (12%)

Hahaha!  I'm surprised that so many people voted that they didn't have a clue and how many think it's the Devil.  I think a little Satanic intervention would be hilarious!  Anyhow...we'll all know in a couple of weeks who it is.

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...

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?

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.

New Survey: Which OC Character is your Favorite so far?

It's in the top right corner!  Have fun!  If you wish to elaborate on your choice leave a comment or use the chat box.

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.

February Lala DX 3 Bonanza Poll

Lala DX Volume 3/2010 comes out on February 10th and it's crammed full of good stuff.  Please give me some feedback about which series you would like translated first.  The survey is in the upper corner of the right side menu.