Release: Until We Meet Again (sore ja, mata ne.)

[gp32]

Our localization of the 2005 short doujin visual novel by LUNA BLESS, "Until We Meet Again", is COMPLETE. Of special note is the fact that (a) it's very short, and (b) we began this project exactly 17 hours ago. Enjoy. Or don't.

[l|ammamama]

What the, thanks!

I love these little suprises ^^

[Haeleth]

世界新記録祝賀

Also I demand formal apology for plagiarism. :P

[gp32]

Originally Posted by Haeleth

Also I demand formal apology for plagiarism. :P

We hereby make that apology, although we also note that it was absolutely impossible to resist （´∀｀）

[Nanatuha]

Originally Posted by Haeleth

Also I demand formal apology for plagiarism. :P

I guess it must be entirely resemble to official version even details. horrible horrible.

[Haeleth]

Originally Posted by gp32

we also note that it was absolutely impossible to resist （´∀｀）

Curse you! Curse you I say!
I will have such revenges on you both that all the world shall--!

[Shii]

Why, this is like an unexpected holiday!

[edit] Oh, what was that now? Air of The Great Gatsby.

wow, 17 hours, very fast. or where you just bored?

[ChocoEd]

Originally Posted by adun50

wow, 17 hours, very fast. or were you just bored?

Things just fell into place. It was a short game, using an engine we'd already dealt with for a previous project. As I recall, the conversation went like this, shortly before noon on Monday (paraphrased):

gp32: "Check this game out..."

Ed: "Neat. Too bad you didn't find this on Friday: we could have done it as a special Labor Day long-weekend project."

gp32: "We still can!"

Add a generous dose of insanity spirit, and the rest is details... Heh.

Still, I think it's a nice example for any budding translator groups out there. If you want to get started, you don't necessarily need to jump right in with a huge commercial game that'll turn into a year-long commitment from a bunch of people: there are some (good!) short doujin games out there which a tiny team can get through with an amount of effort comparable to subbing just an anime episode or two, or a few manga chapters.

[gp32]

http://www.geocities.jp/lunabless/

And now it's official.

[Haeleth]

I see your Insanity Spirit™ had a most profound effect on the author. ^_^

[GreatSaintLouis]

That's because gp32 found his lack of Insanity disturbing...

[Haeleth]

Found time to play it. A charming little piece. The short story form traditionally benefits from a little more subtlety and a few loose ends, but I can hardly blame a translator for being true to his source.*

Definitely interesting, anyway, and anyone who's still wavering is hereby ordered to download and read it already. And it consolidates this new trend in the choice of material, too. Could dojin games be the future of fan translation? (Discuss.)

* Or, as Darth Gp32 would probably phrase it: "Translation is insignificant compared to the power of the source."

[Maceart]

Wow the creators seemed genuinely impressed that their short doujin visual novel got translated into english!! They even wrote in their best english: "Thank you for the person who made it.". Just amazing Insani!

[l|ammamama]

My sentiments regarding the actual piece echo Haeleth's - it was a well apriciated little treat. I found the artistic style (angles, artwork) enjoyable, and with the exception of mabye the protagonist i thought the character art was well drawn. I couldnt help but chuckle when browsing his site i saw the header containing the pamphlet 'やさしい人物画’.

As far as the future of fan translation, free doujin visual novels such as the above seem to be an awesome way to get around the piracy that at times overshadows comercial works. As an addition its' a great way to give the doujin writers some added publicity that so far they seem to have greatly appriciated.

From the fan's side of things it's a win-win as well - i didnt have any qualms about paying $10 for planetarian, but the impending translations of Wind and Kannon are going to clean me out! Doujin novels give a great way for poor college students to enjoy the genre while still paying for tuition ^^