One Potato Two

I'm almost done with the Code Geass DVD #1 booklet;
I'm waiting for a pdf file from Company BEI because there's a part I can't read with what they provided me.

Until then, I am starting on Sunshine Sketch #2.

The art for Sunshine Sketch is very similar to Honoka Level Up!
I was looking at the artwork on Company B's website and thought, "isn't that Miya-chan?"
But apparently the two authors are good friends.
That is mentioned in volume 1.

It's too bad I'm not working on Honoka, but maybe it's a good thing because I won't get confused?

I finished Shoulder a Coffin Kuro #2.

Since most people didn't read #1, it probably won't make sense to talk about it here...

But oh well.

Kuro & Sen's past is a little bit more revealed in this volume.
It gets dark at the end with some deaths, but overall it was a cute story again.

I really like Sen's character; he's pretty cynical and cranky...just like me!
So in the translation he talks like me.

Those who know me will enjoy what he says.

I finished Sunshine Sketch #1.

There were a lot of Japanese culture references.

The one that I had to explain was Janken Steps.
Actually, the name is called "Glico" in Japanese, but there's no explanation of why it's called that.
"Glico" is one of the terms you use in the game, but...weird.
I'm sure it's because it's a kids' game and all kids know what Glico is (a candy company...they make Pocky!)
But I can't put an assumption as a translation note.


I used to play "Glico" (Janken Steps) as a kid in Japanese school.
I wonder if kids still play it?


There is another translation note about foxes/kitsune/inari sushi.
It's a three-step translation note!
I felt like I'm in Geometry class.
Where you take steps to explain something?
Using the "therefore" sign?

I used to eat inari sushi (it's actually inari zushi because of linguistics) as a kid too.
They were also known as "footballs" too.
Because the color and the shape is similar.

Two of the titles I'm working on were announced at NYAF.

These are for Company YP.

Shoulder-a-Coffin Kuro, originally called "Hitsugi Katsugi no Kuro."



Sunshine Sketch, originally called "Hidamari Sketch."



Both are 4-koma comics.

Shoulder-a-Coffin Kuro is a story about Kuro, who is traveling with a bat and two cat-eared kids.
She travels with a coffin and is looking for a witch.
I don't want to say anymore because I don't want to spoil anything.

Sunshine Sketch is about a group of girls who live in a dorm.
They attend an art school.
It's basically everyday life.
I would say it's similar to Azumanga, but I haven't read Azumanga so I'm not really sure.

My good friend and editor, Tania, sent me some information looking for an intern.

Here is the information:

Internship opportunity to work in the Yen Editorial Department at Hachette Book Group USA in our New York office.

Candidate will provide support to members of the Yen Editorial Department.

• Work with Yen Editorial department to maintain and organize Yen Press files on the server.

• Assist in trafficking editorial projects through Production, Copyediting, and Marketing.

• Enter title data into proprietary databases system and track data throughout publishing process.

• Organize and maintain Yen library, including samples and submissions

• Perform administrative duties, including: photocopying, sorting mail, filing, directing/responding to phone calls, etc.

• Co-ordinate information and images for marketing and sales purposes.



Requirements:
Degree focus in publishing, literature or English preferred.

Knowledge, interest and experience with manga, comic books or graphic novels required.

Location is New York, NY.

I've met several people at Company YP and they are all very friendly and nice.
And this is a great way to get your foot in the industry.

You can apply online here.


One tip regarding your resume, since I used to work a little in Human Resources.
A lot of "fans" do this...they write in their qualifications that they love anime.
That's not a qualification!!
You should write that in the cover letter/email, since they ask for someone who is familiar with manga.

Anyway, if you're interested please apply and help poor Tania!
She is busy, busy, busy...from what I can see.

I finished With the Light #8.

In this volume Hikaru and the gang are at karaoke.
It made me want to go karaoke.

So I'm heading off now.

La la la.

Happy Halloween!

I was chatting with Ed from MangaCast, and he told me that he couldn't find With the Light #1 anywhere.

I had thought it was going to be released next week, but I guess I had old information...(I think I got the date from Amazon).

So it's released.



Working on this manga changed my life.
I hope it has a similar impact to those who read it too.

By the way, volume 1 is pretty tear-jerking, so keep tissue handy!

I finished With the Light #6.

This entire volume is about Hikaru going on a school trip.

There is some cross-dressing at the end.


I got a small project from Company DR today, so I'll start on that now.
Then Yozakura Quartet #2, Shugo Chara #4, and Title T from Company TP.


And I managed to learn a new anime song.
It's called "Getchu! Love Love!?" from Pretty Cure.

And Kei is in the US Open qualifiers.
He won his first match.
Go Kei!

I'm (still) working on With the Light #6, and this is the volume where Hikaru goes on a trip for his school.

I'm currently working on the part of the manga with a lot of naked bodies and bathing scenes.

Gee, it feels like one of those seinen manga made for older men.


Oh, wait.
Since all the naked bodies are boys and men, maybe it's more like yaoi.


Of course, the characters don't do anything sexual.
The naked bodies aren't depicted in a sexy way.


It's weird.
This is probably the first time I see a public bath depicted in manga that's not fighting/action (Ranma 1/2) or sex (hentai/yaoi).



Hmm.
I hope my editor at Company YP doesn't get mad at me for writing about With the Light like this...


Anyway, volume 6 is mostly about Hikaru's school trip.

I remember I went when I was a 5th grader too.
I went to Philadelphia and Washington DC or something.

I don't remember much about it...I remember the Lincoln Memorial a lot, but nothing else.

I finished With the Light #5.

Since I don't really want to talk about the story because they will be spoilers, I'll talk about a translation note I had for this volume.

There is a scene where the author writes, "Akiko nee-san" next to Sachiko, who is peeking from behind a door to see if Hikaru is doing okay.
This is a reference to Kyojin no Hoshi (Star of the Giants), a famous famous baseball manga from the 1960s-1970s.

I'm sure Ed from MangaCast knows about this manga, being a baseball player.

There are many references from Kyojin no Hoshi that are parodied today.

To me, the most known scene is when Hyuma rips off his shirt and shows that most of his body is covered with braces to strengthen his muscles.

I think the most famous line in Kyojin is "I'm extremely touched," which is meant to be serious in the manga, but now used as a joke.

Anyway, I didn't talk much about Kyojin no Hoshi or With the Light, but that's because I'm rushing to finish two deadlines.

Gomen!

I'm working on With the Light volume 3, and there is a segment where Hikaru grows tomatoes in the school garden.

I guess if kids can grow them, adults can too.

In the condo I live in, the man who lives downstairs is growing tomatoes too.

Compared to the ones pictured in With the Light, ours is HUGE!

I guess the California sun makes a difference?


Tomatoes...I wonder if we can have some when they ripen?
We can make homemade salsa!

I finished With the Light #2.

Hikaru will be in elementary school.
Since volume 1 was pretty depressing in the beginning, this volume seemed happier...although there are a couple of "incidents."

Lucky for USA readers, you can read volume 1 and volume 2 together.

Please look for it in September.

My editor at Company YP told me today that they announced my first title with them.



With the Light: Raising an Autistic Child, by Keiko Tobe.

The story revolves around Hikaru, a boy with autism.
I've always had this image that the Japanese are not as sensitive towards disabled people, so I'm glad there are books like these out.

One of my friends, a semi-bilingual elementary school teacher, used to work with autistic kids.
She is currently helping me out with questions I have.

I also have another acquaintance (a fellow freelance translator/interpreter) who has a son who is autistic.

I hope the readers enjoy it as much as I like working on it.




I haven't read much manga about disabled people, but here is something I read before.



Flower, by Naoko Wada.

It is about the difficulties of being on a wheelchair.