Will the FMP! Novels ever come to the US?

[PookaKitten]

Don't be so defensive. I don't see anyone discrediting Brandi or Boku-tachi.

I guess I wasn't clear enough. I was pointing out why they're the only ones to do the FMP novels and the only group to do novels that I've seen. My apologies for the misunderstanding.

Come to think of it, I can't come up with any examples of non-English contemporary fiction that's been translated into English (outside the Slayers novels, etc.) that's in bookstores. The only examples I can come up with are older works such as religious books (Koran, Vedas, etc.), literature (Dante, Cicero, etc.) and mythology/folktales (Iliad, Gil-Gamesh, Arabian Nights, etc.) The most recent translated works (easily obtained) that I can think of are Jules Verne's books and they're over 100 years old now.

I guess I'm saying based on current availability of translated books, it's not likely we're to get translated FMP novels.

On the other hand, it's possible ADV hasn't announced it yet. I saw in one of their press releases a reference to the novels, perhaps a slip on their part. On the other hand, I could be reading too much into it. Here's the excerpt I'm referring to: "Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU is only the latest face of the Full Metal franchise, which includes the original prose novel, two successful manga series, and the first hit anime series ADV Films brought to America in 2003." The emphasis is mine, not theirs.

Samantha

[Taurec]

Well there is this "asia mania" going on and the anime / manga market is still expanding.
Maybe not in the next few months but who knows what a few years of emailing and begs will bring.

Good catch there pooks we can mention those slip-ups in the begmails <g>

[KashimArbalestAS]

I didn't know that Full Metal Panic! was ADV's first hit anime series ADV Films brought to America in 2003. They should feel some acknowledgement to their hit series. So that means Slayers and Rahxephon are more popular than Full Metal Panic!? That can't be right...

[Weltall Elite]

Actually, FMP isn't all that popular compared to some other series. Rahxephon is pretty dang big. Slayers and Evangelion are HUGE. Then there are the long series that you watch on CN which are even bigger in the US.

I think TSR may be the first time that FMP has made any real waves. And I think time will tell if that will make it a huge success in the US. But we probably really won't know until it comes out through "proper" channels. (not fansubs)

PookaKitten: Parden me for misunderstanding you.

I'm sure there have been other novels. I know that there have been several anime novels as well as the Battle Royale novels. But maybe that's not exactly what you mean.

It's possible that ADV could be considering bringing over the novels. But it's possible that they were just explaining the history of the series with the excerpt. But who knows?

[Tulip Baroo]

There are quite a few asian novels available, I remember seeing a Japanese specific display at Borders a few months ago, with books like the Ring, Battle Royale and quite a few others (mostly I hadn't ever heard of them before) but the FMP! novels aren't really in the same league as those kinds of books, since FMP is more light hearted and aimed at teenagers. But I think there's still a chance, I really want to see them brought over.

I was always under the impression that FMP! was generally more popular with American anime fans than Japanese fans, but now that I think about it I don't know where I got that from

[KashimArbalestAS]

No way, it seems we are surrounded and outnumbered...Cartoon Network anime are probably only real big because Cartoon Network is pretty much easily available, and all you got to do to watch it is to stay up late. Meaning, anybody is going to watch the animes they show and become a fan of at least one or more of them. The Anime Network does help though. The Anime Network OnDemand is how I first got into Full Metal Panic!, and then recently, Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU. Also having it as a channel also helps. I just can't believe that Full Metal Panic! is actually smaller in support than I initially thought. I guess it has a decent number, but then all of the FUMOFFU dvds didn't come out yet, and we'll have to wait and see when The Second Raid arrives in the US. I think both when finished in completion as in dvds, will probably bring in waves of fans flocking to the Full Metal Panic! series...Also, the Anime Network OnDemand I've seen has consistently shown Full Metal Panic!, it must be pretty popular.

With all the animes and mangas of the Full Metal Panic! series out there, not having the novels available in the US is really omitting a lot of things, and also for those who live in countries outside of Japan. It's a pretty big thing actually not having the novels available in relation to the Full Metal Panic! universe.

[kupwark]

It make take a while but hopefully ADV will try and translate the novel. You would think after the anime and manga were so popular that they would consider bringing over the novel. The Slayers Novel and the .Hack Novel were brought over here.

[justin]

sorry if i offended any1; i especially wasn't trying to be mean toward: boku-tachi; i think they are so kind to do that on their own free-will; and having tried learning several languages (unfortunately dont have the time) i know it isn't an easy thing

and well, i guess you're right about the manga being easier than the novel to translate; also i suppose even the (japanese to english) manga community (granted i don't read like any manga, just read ichigo 100% that was my first) isn't very large (again on my very very little knowledge of it) so it's hard to find dedicated people

well, what can i say, we just have to hope that kind people like the people @ boku-tachi continue to translate the novels for us!