Light Novel |OT| Slightly Better than Manga and Anime!

Hey guys. First time posting in this thread, but glad I found you! Nice to meetcha.

On that note, for those of you that read raws, anyone have any luck with JP-Eng dictionaries? Rikaikun works wonders for web novels, but I'm having a heck of a time with epubs and Kindle LNs. Right now I'm trying to get dictionaries to work with Kindle PC for legitimate amazon jp purchases and the dictionaries are barely functional. Should I just use a tablet?

Also,

Quixzlizx said:
Have you tried Risou no Himo Seikatsu? It's a low-magic fantasy setting, and the romance is based on a real relationship instead of a harem. The premise sounds stupid, but I've really enjoyed it. It also helps that it has a good translation instead of the usual 2 steps above machine translation script.

And I agree that almost every harem setting would be better if the protagonist was dating one character instead of not dating a bunch of them.
Click to expand...

I was juuust about to start reading this series coincidentally, are you going through the web or light novel version?
 
Dedication Through Light said:
YenON bringing

The Asterisk War, both the manga and the light novel, in Summer 2016!
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Sword Oratoria light novels in 2016!
Re:Zero both the manga and light novels in Summer 2016
Click to expand...

Looking forward to reviewing. I have to finish reading Progressive 3 soon, I've haven't been good about getting that done. Have a copy of Durarara Vol. 2 sitting on my desk too that I really need to get to.
 
Can someone explain how spoiler rules work in this thread?

I'm reading:

AntiMagic Academy The 35th Test Platoon
Dragon Maken War
I was reincarnated as a Magic Academy!
Konjiki no Word Master
Kuro no Maou (WN)
Maken no Daydreamer
Marginal Operation
Nidome no Yuusha No chapters
Ore ga Heroine o Tasukesugite Sekai ga Little Mokushiroku!?
Reincarnated as a dragons egg～ Lets aim to be the strongest
Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!?
So What If It’s an RPG World?!
The Man Picked Up By The Gods
World Customize Creator

Does this thread follow the same rules as the Manga thread?
 
Furyous said:
Can someone explain how spoiler rules work in this thread?

I'm reading:
Click to expand...

Personally I would just use spoiler for big revelation in story. most of us here probably reading raw or reading LN that not available in most country.
 
Hastati said:
Hey guys. First time posting in this thread, but glad I found you! Nice to meetcha.

On that note, for those of you that read raws, anyone have any luck with JP-Eng dictionaries? Rikaikun works wonders for web novels, but I'm having a heck of a time with epubs and Kindle LNs. Right now I'm trying to get dictionaries to work with Kindle PC for legitimate amazon jp purchases and the dictionaries are barely functional. Should I just use a tablet?

Also,



I was juuust about to start reading this series coincidentally, are you going through the web or light novel version?
Click to expand...

The LN version from what I understand.
 
mdubs said:
Looking forward to reviewing. I have to finish reading Progressive 3 soon, I've haven't been good about getting that done. Have a copy of Durarara Vol. 2 sitting on my desk too that I really need to get to.
Click to expand...

I have both waiting for me as well.
Along with 5 other LNs.
And I'll get 3 more next week.
Backlog is hell.
 
Just started reading Maou no Hajimekata. This is some disturbing shit. Strangely compelling. Has anyone been reading Grimgal/Grimgar? Thinking of taking up something else in addition that's a bit less ... dirty.
 
Hastati said:
Just started reading Maou no Hajimekata. This is some disturbing shit. Strangely compelling. Has anyone been reading Grimgal/Grimgar? Thinking of taking up something else in addition that's a bit less ... dirty.
Click to expand...

Maou no hajimekata is intresting because it's fun to see the other side for once .

Main character is the bad guy, period , no other justification needed and it's not badly written.

Got intrested when the manga got fan translated and i saw the potential , so far so good i guess.
 
Well. Looks like Kadokawa just potentially killed bakatsuki. Pretty sad given how good they are about removing things once they get licensed. Was only a matter of time though I guess.

Regarding the Deletion of Lots and lots of projects (December 18, 2015)

Alright guys, this one's a doozy:
Baka-Tsuki just got hit by a DMCA from Kadokawa. And this time, it's crippling,
Series affected by this are (all languages):
DAL, Itsuten, Haganai, DYD, Index, LH, Mondaiji. Nobuna, Arisu, Nareru SE, Kuusen, Sakurasou, Shana, Slayers, Chaika, Ero-manga, Spice & Wolf, Baccano, Black Bullet, Accel World, Index, Oreimo and Papakiki

Also, a note from Big Boss (tlg):
"Hey guys,
Looks like this time it's Kadokawa's turn to send DMCA, and it's a doozy. There are so many series listed that I think the jig is pretty much up. The server will need to be move from US if B-T wants to survive.
If this is the case I don't think I can continue to pay for the server anymore (as outright copyright infringement conflicts with my job). We will need to find a person to take over the operation. The server requirement shouldn't be that expensive. $20/month would suffice, I believe.
tlg"
This message reached us at 0104 GMT on December 18, 2015

As of 0300 GMT, December 18, 2015, offending pages were deleted.

Currently, the BT council is looking for ways to salvage the situation. I can assure you that furious discussion is currently underway.

For all translators involved, they can head to the BT forums to request for their translations back. Follow this link: http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=14765
Merry Christmas everyone
--Teh Ping (talk) 02:37, 18 December 2015 (UTC)
Click to expand...
 
Quasar said:
Well. Looks like Kadokawa just potentially killed bakatsuki. Pretty sad given how good they are about removing things once they get licensed. Was only a matter of time though I guess.
Click to expand...

With Kadokawa wanting to sell their properties in English directly through their Book Walker service this was pretty much inevitable.

Quixzlizx said:
Wow, that sucks. You're right, B-T takes down licensed projects anyway, so this definitely seems like overkill.
Click to expand...
The translations don't disappear from the internet once B-T takes them down, and fan translations probably depress sales of the early volumes of official localizations, at least for known properties (ie things that have an anime).
 
Basileus777 said:
With Kadokawa wanting to sell their properties in English directly through their Book Walker service this was pretty much inevitable.

The translations don't disappear from the internet once B-T takes them down, and fan translations probably depress sales of the early volumes of official localizations, at least for known properties (ie things that have an anime).
Click to expand...

Though I'd argue that fan translations and the community build the demand for official translations. Thats certainly true for me where without the community I'd never even heard of titles. Same is true of manga.

As for depressing sales, its interesting with stuff I find via the anime I usually just try and pickup from the end of the anime rather than buy/read the early volumes the anime covered.
 
Basileus777 said:
With Kadokawa wanting to sell their properties in English directly through their Book Walker service this was pretty much inevitable.


The translations don't disappear from the internet once B-T takes them down, and fan translations probably depress sales of the early volumes of official localizations, at least for known properties (ie things that have an anime).
Click to expand...

I know I may be an outlier, but I buy manga volumes of stuff I don't even plan on rereading if I enjoyed the scanlations, and the same with LNs. I'm much less likely to just buy a random volume of something I know nothing about.
 
Quasar said:
Though I'd argue that fan translations and the community build the demand for official translations. Thats certainly true for me where without the community I'd never even heard of titles. Same is true of manga.

As for depressing sales, its interesting with stuff I find via the anime I usually just try and pickup from the end of the anime rather than buy/read the early volumes the anime covered.
Click to expand...
Quixzlizx said:
I know I may be an outlier, but I buy manga volumes of stuff I don't even plan on rereading if I enjoyed the scanlations, and the same with LNs. I'm much less likely to just buy a random volume of something I know nothing about.
Click to expand...

For lesser known properties the promotion probably helps. But for better known series, especially in cases where the fan translation is 6 or 7 volumes in before the first volume is officially localized, I can definitely see the fan translations hurting sales. Or least I can see why a business would view it as potentially damaging. Though the relationship between official localizations and fan works (and piracy) can get pretty weird for niche mediums. I know that for visual novels, MangaGamer actively avoids licensing games with fan translations because it hurts their sales.
 
Basileus777 said:
For lesser known properties the promotion probably helps. But for better known series, especially in cases where the fan translation is 6 or 7 volumes in before the first volume is officially localized, I can definitely see the fan translations hurting sales. Or least I can see why a business would view it as potentially damaging. Though the relationship between official localizations and fan works (and piracy) can get pretty weird for niche mediums. I know that for visual novels, MangaGamer actively avoids licensing games with fan translations because it hurts their sales.
Click to expand...

That's true. Index being one I always bring up as its 35 volumes in (the fan translation) when it gets licensed. So anyone who was reading those but wants to switch has perhaps to wait 10 years (assuming the official translation doesn't get abandoned).Though that's more to do with age and length of series than it is popularity.
 
Finally got that review done of SAO Progressive 3. Liked it a lot, still probably the best LN series on the market today. Was cool to see them actually fight in a large scale battle that isn't just a bunch of players against a boss.

Halfway through SAO 6 atm, good stuff. Got Black Bullet 2 and Devil is a Part Timer 3 arriving soon as well
 
Well what a sad day.
B-T took a massive hit.

This wouldn't be bad if there was a worthwhile legal alternative ( for me ) , but right now , there isn't.

For most of the popular series , it'll just mean that the fan work will continue anyway , it'll just be harder to find
 
Read volume 4 of tne Failed Knight series. This one follows on from where the anime looks to be finishing. Was interesting enough. There's less Ikki/Stella than I would have liked in the wake of volume 3. And it did bring in elements that I didnt like, though in the end it pulled back on them. And several characters are shown to be more powerful than ever. Wonder if it means more than just allowing them to survive the climax of the book.

In any case it was alright. I still want to read more. Hopefully we get more relationship stuff and less big picture conspiracy and combat.
 
Quasar said:
Read volume 4 of tne Failed Knight series. This one follows on from where the anime looks to be finishing. Was interesting enough. There's less Ikki/Stella than I would have liked in the wake of volume 3. And it did bring in elements that I didnt like, though in the end it pulled back on them. And several characters are shown to be more powerful than ever. Wonder if it means more than just allowing them to survive the climax of the book.

In any case it was alright. I still want to read more. Hopefully we get more relationship stuff and less big picture conspiracy and combat.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've read the first chapter so far, and I can tell that it isn't going to be one of my favorite volumes, especially with the foreshadowing at the end of v03 taken into account. We already have plenty of over-the-top battle academy LNs that are practically identical, and it's the Ikki & Stella relationship that has set Failed Knight apart so far.
 
And speaking of Kadokawa, they just announced a new imprint.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-12-19/kadokawa-launches-novel-0-light-novel-label/.96523

Kadokawa announced on Monday that it will launch a new light novel label named "Novel 0" on February 15. The label will produce works aimed at 30-year old males, and it will have the theme of "A cool adult way of living." Kadokawa has opened a website for the label, which shows the label's concept visual.
Click to expand...

With the imprint skewing older, I'm really curious to see how different the works are in terms of length and language level.
 
Quixzlizx said:
Yeah, I've read the first chapter so far, and I can tell that it isn't going to be one of my favorite volumes, especially with the foreshadowing at the end of v03 taken into account. We already have plenty of over-the-top battle academy LNs that are practically identical, and it's the Ikki & Stella relationship that has set Failed Knight apart so far.
Click to expand...

Yeah. That relationship is one of the things that makes it stand apart for me too.
 
Dedication Through Light said:
Owari no Serafu/Mokushiroku Arisus writer, also the writer for the video game club LN, I doubt these will be any different than the current novels being pumped out.
Click to expand...

Well writers can write different genres. Its not like all YA writers stick with writing YA all the time.

I'd be sad if they do though. Might as well just do alternate covers for adults like Rowling did with Harry Potter. Hopefully its not just the same stuff with added sexiness..
 
Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan
Volume 4
I started this volume expecting a boring training arc before the main dish in volume 5
And everything pointed out to that...and then it happenned ...this volume went nuts
All my expectations were betrayed , but the end result , that end result was sublime.

I can't say more without spoilers but that volume certainly got me pumped for more .

Well done Riku Misora.
 
I''m 4 novels into Mushoku Tensei and dear god, it's the most pandering tripe I've ever read.

Why can't I stop reading it?
 
R_thanatos said:
You've seen nothing yet.
Really wish i could forget mushoku tensei and re-read it again.
Click to expand...

I really need to go back and finish that series, I'm like on volume 11 or something? Cant recall and the app I was reading it on doesnt show what volume im reading haha. But yaeh is a fun read.

I actually just bought a paperback of Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari. Liked the manga and wanted to read more. God I wished retail English translations would release volumes closer together, like every month as opposed to like every 6 months
 
Has anyone read any of the English web novels written in the LN style?

I'm a huge fan of The Devil's Spice (https://thedevilsspice.wordpress.com).
The guy even does illustrations, which are pretty decent. There are 4 volumes currently.
It's a dark near-future action story with cyborgs, deception, and some comedy mixed in. Definitely not the usual pandering stuff.

There's also Mother of Learning (https://www.fictionpress.com/s/2961893/1/Mother-of-Learning).
Think Harry Potter cross Groundhog Day or Edge of Tomorrow, except a whole month's timespan. The main draw here is the main character being super paranoid and meticulous about the time loop. While the guy desperately needs an editor, the story is pretty compelling and there are some fairly interesting characters.

I've also read Daybreak on Hyperion (http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Daybreak_on_Hyperion).
A bit of an odd transported-to-another-world story that takes place in a weird alternate reality Europe with magic. Volume 3 is being written right now.
 
kewlmyc said:
I''m 4 novels into Mushoku Tensei and dear god, it's the most pandering tripe I've ever read.

Why can't I stop reading it?
Click to expand...

To be honest, I think Mushoku Tensei is way less pandering than your generic LN/manga/anime where 6 different supermodels all entirely focused around their singular waifu trope are thirsty for the milquetoast, personality-free "nice guy" protagonist for no/little reason within the first couple of volumes.

And the plot eventually starts approaching mind blown levels, so don't stop reading.
 
Quixzlizx said:
To be honest, I think Mushoku Tensei is way less pandering than your generic LN/manga/anime where 6 different supermodels all entirely focused around their singular waifu trope are thirsty for the milquetoast, personality-free "nice guy" protagonist for no/little reason within the first couple of volumes.

And the plot eventually starts approaching mind blown levels, so don't stop reading.
Click to expand...

Pandering might be the wrong word to use. It makes sense why the girls who like him do, but the whole premise of Rudeus actually being 40+ years old makes the whole romantic/sexual dialogue come off as creepy and extremely offputting. Rudeus interactions/descriptions of Eris, the beast girls in the village, and Aisha are disgusting to be perfectly honest. For example, this from Volume 6:

I'd like you to think about it and see.

On the nearby bed is a little girl who after being stripped once is now wearing my baggy clothes after she just wet herself and is currently crying.

Obviously with no panties.

If it's a gentleman, then anyone who falls into such a situation would normally be excited.
Click to expand...

Like, what the fuck? Is writing like this common in reincarnation LNs or LNs in general? I don't read LNs that often (only really read the Oregairu and Rokka novels), but I've watched and read plenty of anime/manga/visual novels.

I still like the world building and writing when the series isn't focusing on Rudeus being creepy with kids, though. It's too bad that it happens at least 3 times per volume. I'm assuming that he'll grow out of it at some point and be a better character.
 
kewlmyc said:
Pandering might be the wrong word to use. It makes sense why the girls who like him do, but the whole premise of Rudeus actually being 40+ years old makes the whole romantic/sexual dialogue come off as creepy and extremely offputting. Rudeus interactions/descriptions of Eris, the beast girls in the village, and Aisha are disgusting to be perfectly honest. For example, this from Volume 6:



Like, what the fuck? Is writing like this common in reincarnation LNs or LNs in general? I don't read LNs that often (only really read the Oregairu and Rokka novels), but I've watched and read plenty of anime/manga/visual novels.

I still like the world building and writing when the series isn't focusing on Rudeus being creepy with kids, though. It's too bad that it happens at least 3 times per volume. I'm assuming that he'll grow out of it at some point and be a better character.
Click to expand...

You're expecting that from rudeus who
stole her teacher panties(roxy) when he was 4
?

But you're not wrong it'll stop at some point once the
main character will mature and his POV as an adult will change

As for the last question . no it's not common , really , but rudeus as a narrator is describing things like a 40-year old NEET will do ..
 
kewlmyc said:
Pandering might be the wrong word to use. It makes sense why the girls who like him do, but the whole premise of Rudeus actually being 40+ years old makes the whole romantic/sexual dialogue come off as creepy and extremely offputting. Rudeus interactions/descriptions of Eris, the beast girls in the village, and Aisha are disgusting to be perfectly honest. For example, this from Volume 6:



Like, what the fuck? Is writing like this common in reincarnation LNs or LNs in general? I don't read LNs that often (only really read the Oregairu and Rokka novels), but I've watched and read plenty of anime/manga/visual novels.

I still like the world building and writing when the series isn't focusing on Rudeus being creepy with kids, though. It's too bad that it happens at least 3 times per volume. I'm assuming that he'll grow out of it at some point and be a better character.
Click to expand...

Yeah, he's a total creepo at the beginning. A big theme of the story is his internal conflict about where his old worthless self ends and Rudeus begins, especially as he matures and becomes entwined with the world.

And no, most LNs aren't setup like this, although most LNs aren't as well-written either. And most of the anime you've watched are probably based off of existing LNs/manga.
 
Anybody have a review of the translation quality for Yen Press' releases for Log Horizon and Devil Is A Part-Timer? First couple volumes of each are on sale at Right Stuf through tomorrow and was thinking of doing a mass purchase for a few series.
 
Articalys said:
Anybody have a review of the translation quality for Yen Press' releases for Log Horizon and Devil Is A Part-Timer? First couple volumes of each are on sale at Right Stuf through tomorrow and was thinking of doing a mass purchase for a few series.
Click to expand...

Both of those are good/great, the only one that has issues for its first two volumes from YenON has been No Game No Life and theres many writes up on the net about the issues with NGNL.
 
Articalys said:
Anybody have a review of the translation quality for Yen Press' releases for Log Horizon and Devil Is A Part-Timer? First couple volumes of each are on sale at Right Stuf through tomorrow and was thinking of doing a mass purchase for a few series.
Click to expand...

Devil is a Part Timer is a great translation, I've read all 3 volumes.

No problems with Log Horizon either, I've read the first volume
 
Dedication Through Light said:
Both of those are good/great, the only one that has issues for its first two volumes from YenON has been No Game No Life and theres many writes up on the net about the issues with NGNL.
Click to expand...

I got curious from this and googled it.

https://fantasticmemes.wordpress.com/2015/05/03/stay-away-from-the-no-game-no-life-english-novel/

Are all of these 'issues' accurate? if so, all of them apart from B (internet memes don't really bother me. At least in most situations lol) would bother me.

I've not considered getting No Game No Life and now I'm kinda glad I haven't despite liking the sound of it.
 
Stuart444 said:
I got curious from this and googled it.

https://fantasticmemes.wordpress.com/2015/05/03/stay-away-from-the-no-game-no-life-english-novel/

Are all of these 'issues' accurate? if so, all of them apart from B (internet memes don't really bother me. At least in most situations lol) would bother me.

I've not considered getting No Game No Life and now I'm kinda glad I haven't despite liking the sound of it.
Click to expand...

Those are true, only affects NGNL though. The rest of the Yen ON translations range from good to great. Devil is a Part Timer, Durarara and Sword Art Online are very good translations in particular.
 
Stuart444 said:
I got curious from this and googled it.

https://fantasticmemes.wordpress.com/2015/05/03/stay-away-from-the-no-game-no-life-english-novel/

Are all of these 'issues' accurate? if so, all of them apart from B (internet memes don't really bother me. At least in most situations lol) would bother me.

I've not considered getting No Game No Life and now I'm kinda glad I haven't despite liking the sound of it.
Click to expand...

That is pretty bad (especially the use of leet - such a dated piece of slang). And its pretty unfortunate that you cannot just buy official translations under the assumption they would be better than a fan job.

As for accurate...well I think the blogger is trustworthy enough. Though its interesting seeing the commentary given the writer is the former fan translator of the SNAFU novels.
 
Stuart444 said:
I got curious from this and googled it.

https://fantasticmemes.wordpress.com/2015/05/03/stay-away-from-the-no-game-no-life-english-novel/

Are all of these 'issues' accurate? if so, all of them apart from B (internet memes don't really bother me. At least in most situations lol) would bother me.

I've not considered getting No Game No Life and now I'm kinda glad I haven't despite liking the sound of it.
Click to expand...
That's accurate, but at least to me it wasn't a dealbreaker. Having never read the series before, I still enjoyed the first volume quite a bit. All that stuff is cringeworthy, but it KIND of fits with the feel, and it at least doesn't completely ruin the novel (for another one that I actually don't know how much of it is the original versus the translation: the Kingdom Hearts adaptation reads so flat, bland, and directly translated that it comes across absolutely terribly, which I'd call worse, personally).

But translation quality concerns aside, I really am glad to see LNs FINALLY getting some penetration into the US market. The sales of Seven Seas' Boogiepop releases are particularly depressing as they really put some effort into trying to make it work, but it just wouldn't sell. (Also sucks that we didn't get more Kino, but IIRC there were some real issues with what they did with that release).
 
Finished Kizumonogatari yesterday and I really enjoyed it. I love the anime series so I can't say I'm surprised lol.

Really hope Vertical is able to localize more of the series. I'd love to read more.
 
Tyrant Rave said:
Finished Kizumonogatari yesterday and I really enjoyed it. I love the anime series so I can't say I'm surprised lol.

Really hope Vertical is able to localize more of the series. I'd love to read more.
Click to expand...

So how is the translation? substantially localised? literal?
 
Quasar said:
So how is the translation? substantially localised? literal?
Click to expand...

I thought it was good, I don't have really any complaints. Although I can't say I'm terribly picky about translations to begin with.

It was more of a literal translation, as Vertical even kept some of the signature wordplay that NisiOisin is known for. Even if it doesn't really work out in English. Beyond that though, everything, especially the banter, read very smoothly IMO. If you enjoy the anime at all, it's definitely worth a buy!
 
Does anyone have any suggestions for non-translated LNs that would be easier to read for those learning to be kanji literate?
 
I'm still quite early on the Kizumonogatari novel, around page 100, but it's fantastic. It's my very first light novel and I love it, but I guess I already loved the series. lol I was pretty surprised that I could found this, let alone almost at the same time as its release in US.

Anyway, do we know if Vertical plan to release the rest of the novels? If so, would Bakemonogatari's first part releasing on 2016 be possible? I really, really want to get my hands on these books.
 
If you guys are also interested in translated Korean, Chinese, japanese, original english webnovels, they are usually updated on this Subreddit
/noveltranslations
My Current favorite is World Of Cultivation which is currently translated upto 110 chapters, updated everyday. It's pretty funny and amazing
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Grok is so much better than ChatGPT now
2 3 4 5
208
7K
Critical Hit replied
Guys, which comics do you read? Manga aside!
2
62
849
Queso de Grande replied
I never understood why you can't go faster than light - until now
44
3K
ClanOfNone replied
Is there a better flavor combo than Grilled cheese and tomato soup?
2
93
4K
CokeDiet replied
Was there a better stage diver than Eddie Vedder?
25
2K
UltimaKilo replied
Top Bottom