According to Natalie, new Youkai manga “Higanbana no Saku Yoru ni (At Night When the Amaryllis Bloom)” by Higurashi creator Ryukishi07 starts serialization in Dragon Age magazine’s May issue on sale April 9th. The art will be handled by newcomer mangaka Tsunohazu Ichiro. The story will be about the popular urban legend “The Seven Mysteries at School” and a rumor about the eighth mystery “Mesomeso-san.” Read the rest of this entry »
Over the last two weeks I caught up with watching Ookami Kakushi. The last time I had watched it was when I spent my 21st birthday immersing myself in everything 07th Expansion. I watched the first two episodes and after only that I was pretty much able to formulate a solid theory which later proved to be correct with each subsequent episode. The ease at which I solved the “mystery” was the main reason I fell behind it in the first place. Yet I find that very fact the reason I believe Ookami Kakushi is a better anime than Umineko. When put next to the Higurashi anime it definitely doesn’t compare but still I would place it above the likes of the Umineko anime. To put things into perspective I place the Umineko sound novels on equal terms as the Higurashi anime.
As a mystery series Ookami Kakushi pales in comparison to the Higurashi anime and the Umineko novels. As previously mentioned it is a lot easier to predict than would be expected. In fact I wouldn’t even classify Ookami Kakushi as a mystery series at all but rather as supernatural suspense. The show does not really have to rely on the mystery elements at all and can focus on character interaction and the moment-to-moment events that befall Hiroshi. At times the show can seem shallower than Higurashi or the Umineko sound novels but it also doesn’t place the same expectations that made the Umineko anime a letdown in many respects. In a way this allows the series to sidestep several of the many big faults with the Umineko anime–the terrible transition of the mystery to animated form. Get ready for possibly massive spoilers as is always the case when I discuss stuff about 07th Expansion. Read the rest of this entry »
Exactly two years ago I posted “my ideal family” if it were to consist of anime, manga and game characters. Basically the idea came to me when I stumbled on an amazing thread randomly in which people would post a list of characters to form a family. Think of Kyouran Kazoku Nikki and that’s pretty much the basic premise. I found the idea so amusing that I started seriously thinking about it and after some major contemplation I posted my list a few days later. Suddenly two years have passed and I’ve finally gotten around to updating my family roster. I’ve been planning to redo it for a while since I have an even bigger “gene pool” from which to select family members from. The list is divided into the family I grew up with and the family I raise as an adult. Continue on for some strange shenanigans. Read the rest of this entry »
For some reason I spent yesterday in 07th Expansion Mode and ended up watching the first two episodes of Ookami Kakushi. From the very start I couldn’t help but get my tablet ready to take down notes as per usual for mystery-solving purposes and before I knew I had enough to make a post. In my theory-induced mood I also finally got around to watching the second half of the Umineko anime. If you haven’t watched/read Higurashi no Naku Koro ni/Kai/Rei, Umineko/Chiru or Ookami Kakushi be prepared for tons of spoilers. Read the rest of this entry »
I hope everyone in the US enjoyed this Thanksgiving. Aside from relaxing I decided to translate Umineko’s new theme song today. This one was interesting to work on but I think it turned out well. Right after the translation I added a bunch of translation notes since I noticed a bunch of stuff while working. I hope you enjoy it. Read the rest of this entry »
For the past 3 days I’ve been missing in action on the internets due to Nekocon 12. After getting tired of not ever going to conventions with my friends I decided this year that I would finally go to one. Though my wallet is aching in the end it was definitely worth the price and time I paid. Get ready for a ridiculously long write up of my Nekocon adventure. Read the rest of this entry »
A bunch of online sites have started to take preorders for 07th Expansion’s newest entry in the Umineko franchise, Episode 5 End of the Golden Witch, and there are a few interesting things to note. Unlike Higurashi which used “kai” (解, answer/solution) to differentiate its second half, Umineko will be using San (散. scatter) instead. It’s an intriguing choice and I wonder if it may have to do with “scattering” the pieces on the game board or something to that effect.
While some sites have generic picture pending entries others such as D-STAGE have revealed Episode 5′s new portrait which appears to be yet another new witch. I personally believe this new witch looks quite lovely but the hand at the bottom right corner makes the portrait just a little disturbing (not nearly as much as all the murders mind you).
In addition D-Stage has also revealed one new screenshot featuring the said character in what appears to be the parlor. This new character looks suspiciously like Bernkastel so this makes me wonder whether this could mark Bernkastel’s corporeal appearance on the game board. Of course it’s not necessarily Bernkastel either since the eys are not quite the same; Bernkastel has purple eyes and a glazed-over look. I guess I’ll just wait until after Episode 5 is out to discover the “truth”.
Episode 5 will be on sale August 15 for a mere 1750 yen.
I don’t normally do TV size lyrics but considering that I’ve been on a 07th Expansion translation frenzy lately, I decided I might as well. The reason I don’t usually do TV size cuts is because I can’t guarantee the same accuracy from listening and transcribing as I can from looking at lyrics booklets. Anyway I am pretty confident that this is mostly accurate. Special shout out to atlantiza for helping me figure out two of the lines. Enjoy.
Earlier this week I was approached by Nabiki to help scanlate the Umineko no Naku Koro ni manga with the promise of cleaning and typesetting. I had been thinking about translating the manga as well except that I didn’t have any help so I decided to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. After a little bit of hard work we are proud to present our first release! We picked up at chapter 6 where other groups have stalled. It can be downloaded here. New releases will be updated on the WTDND blog. I hope you guys enjoy!
Earlier today a new trailer for the upcoming summer anime Umineko no Naku Koro ni was unveiled on Famitsu.com. Unlike previous teasers this new one actually features scenes taken from the anime instead of graphics from the game. The art and animation look really good although admittedly it really isn’t that hard to top Higurashi with the sole exception of Rei. The girls look really pretty and so do the guys who themselves look rather bishounen. The adults look surprisingly good as well and the expressions look perfect especially Maria’s creepy stare. Too bad there is no footage of any of the supernatural beings including Beatrice herself. How am I supposed to know how sexy Mammon and the other Stakes of Purgatory are!?
It also appears that the first airing will be on Chiba TEREBI July 1st at 25:30 (Wednesday) which corresponds to midday where I live. I wish it was a Friday since that would be easier to schedule for subbing purposes but whatever.
EDIT: My group SEACATS released a translated version.
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