Full metal panic Novel 1:Fighting Boy Meets Girl - Spoilers

Moonshadow · Post by **Moonshadow** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:42 am

Hahaha!!! This book is awesome!! The translation is a little rough in patches, but on the whole, I thoroughly approve so far! *is on page 115* So very very worth buying!

Anyone else notice that they misspelled Sousuke's name on the back cover? XD

Post by **Taurec** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:02 am

The translation is a little rough in patches,

Are you willing to give examples ?

cullenk · Post by **cullenk** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:39 pm

Yesterday I checked my favorite mega-chain's orders web site, which said "Not Published Yet". Even so, I thought "What the Heck.." and stopped by their local store and hit paydirt!

It's interesting to see the subtle differences between the anime, the manga and the novel. Also, the novel gives you some of the internal dialog and motivations they couldn't put in the more visual media.

I know the storyline inside and out, but I still found places where I laughed out loud. I have no way of knowing how good the translation is, but it is a fun read.

Moonshadow · Post by **Moonshadow** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:57 am

Taurec > All I mean is that the grammar feels a bit awkward in patches. Here's an example:

He literally was seeing red; it must have been "red out" from the G-force of the crash.

There's nothing really wrong with that sentence, but I think "He was literally seeing red," would flow better. It's not the best example of what I mean, but it's that kind of thing. It's all perfectly readable, but, on the whole, I think Brandi's translations actually had a better flow is all. It's nit-picky stuff. I'm a bit of a grammar snob. It wasn't enough to really detract from my reading experience or anything.

The book was a lot of fun and does a lot to illuminate things like Sousuke's thoughts, Kaname's Whispered experiences, and the way Arm Slaves work. I also laughed out loud in several places. It's a fun, fresh perspective on the story we already know! *thumbs up*

cullenk · Post by **cullenk** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:17 am

As I said, I enjoyed the novel, but I agree with Moonshadow in that I think I prefer Brandi's prose style.

I liked the explanation of why Kaname went all "Whispery" while Sagara was battling Gauron. In the manga and the anime, it just sort of happens, but in the novel it has a stronger explanation.

Okay, so now I have to wait until January for the next one? I may have to try an issue of "Overload" before then just to feed the addiction.

Moonshadow · Post by **Moonshadow** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:44 am

4 months isn't such a bad wait between releases, really. Not when you consider how much text they have to get through. It's got to be a bit more challenging that a volume of manga after all. Just watch, the time will pass before you know it!

Tigerbyte · Post by **Tigerbyte** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:14 am

but but 2015 2014 or something was what i last herd till all of them are published.

its like a >>>>>

MegaDaffy · Post by **MegaDaffy** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:28 pm

I finally got the book on Wednesday, I would've posted sooner but I'm having internet problems.

Anyways, there are some errors in the book that would disappoint Mr. Gatou.

1. "Sousuke Sagaka"

What the heck? Good thing they only did this once.

2. "Kaname lowers her gun..."

Well, I can sort of understand this simple mistake. But come on, Kaname doesn't even use a gun till TSR.

3. "Her black hair reached her hips..."
O.K., obviously the translator and editors are not familiar with this series or only saw the B&W inserts while editing the book.

Other than that, the book is pretty good!

Raishinshi · Post by **Raishinshi** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:49 pm

MegaDaffy wrote:2. "Kaname lowers her gun..."

Yeah I was kind of like "Uhhh, what?" When I first saw it. I didn't know if it was a misprint or what. I read further and still didn't find anything about that so it obviously was one.

MegaDaffy wrote:3. "Her black hair reached her hips..."
O.K., obviously the translator and editors are not familiar with this series or only saw the B&W inserts while editing the book.

I actually believe that in the novels she is always described with black hair. But when they drew and colored it was in green/blue. I never understood why but meh. Here's a quote from ODBD Translated from Brandi.

"She had long black hair and was wearing a sailor uniform" from Chapter 1b.

Don't ask me why though...

Oh right and @ Tigerbyte: I actually think the finish date is 2011, but I still think it's wayyyy too long...Maybe I'm just too impatient

KiLlEr · Post by **KiLlEr** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:34 pm

To make sure everyone is on the same page: (pun intended)
Novels came before the anime.

Now with that out of the way:

Kaname was given the blue/green hair color in the anime simply because thats what they do in anime.

There is no rhyme or reason, just that the studio felt that the image of her on cell persona was a better match.

And before anyone starts up with something about the author's intent, remember that Gatou *APPROVED* the idea.

MegaDaffy · Post by **MegaDaffy** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:45 pm

I understand that Gatou approved the idea but come on, wouldn't you be disappointed to see stuff like my first two examples in a translation of a book you wrote?

KiLlEr · Post by **KiLlEr** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:11 am

no.

If I get disappointed each time I see a typographical error in a book, I would stop reading all together. I've seen issues in vehicle service manuals that instructed a mechanic to perform a step in such a way that it seriously injured the mechanic working on the car, and these were not translation errors.

Of course they could make it perfect, but that would mean delaying the release until it multiple editors and proof readers have read through it several times. but they you have to wait ALOT longer till they were 100% sure there are no mistakes.

Here's a question for you, when you work on a 20+ page term paper, and you've read it over and over checking for mistakes, you still get it back with red marks (minor typos like "the the" and such) . Imagine if the teacher failed you for that.

So don't be so disappointed over these very minor things.

Now had they went the way of Harmony Gold.... that would be another story.

Raishinshi · Post by **Raishinshi** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 2:00 am

KiLlEr wrote:Kaname was given the blue/green hair color in the anime simply because thats what they do in anime.

There is no rhyme or reason, just that the studio felt that the image of her on cell persona was a better match.

Well actually, they did it in the novel also, the front of the novel(Though you know this already) also has her with blue/green hair sooo, yeah. Maybe they were like..."Hey lets color the hair green even though we call it black!" xD

I don't know, but that blue/green sure does suit her alot more than plain black!

Getting close to the end...Loving it so far. Like moonshadow said, it's a fresh new view on the story we all love!

Post by **Taurec** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 4:18 pm

W00T I got mine !!!!

We already had a hairy discussion, most of us could agree with whats written here.

Moonshadow · Post by **Moonshadow** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 7:43 pm

Yes, exactly. I mean, look at Sousuke. His hair is a different color in all three media forms! In the anime it's drawn brown, in the manga it's purple, and in the novel artwork it's maroon. Now, does he strike you as the type of person who would spend time dying his hair? Not really, right? And he's supposed to be at least of Japanese ancestry, so of course his hair is black. Same goes for Kaname.