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[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Via Automaton West

Kawade Shobo Shinsha, one of Japan's major book publishers, is running out of copies of an unlikely publication – Dante's Divine Comedy. According to the publishers themselves, this is likely due to aspects of the classic poem being incorporated into the highly successful mobile game Fate/Grand Order. While the publishing house is working hard to restock, demand for the thirteenth-century poem has apparently never been higher.



Post translation: Breaking News! Due to shortages, we have decided to urgently reprint Dante's "Divine Comedy: The Complete Edition.. Sales are up 130% compared to last year, likely due to the Fate/Grand Order effect. Even though the book costs 5,900 yen, I can understand why people would choose the complete edition, as it features illustrations similar to those used in the game.

In addition to Dante Alighieri being a summonable servant in Fate/Grand Order, elements such as the nine circles of Hell are also featured in the recently completed Ordeal Call IV: Tribunal of Humanity – Trinity Metatronius storyline. Given Fate/Grand Order's references to Divine Comedy, it is understandable that hardcore fans would want to read up on the source material.

Divine Comedy is a massive narrative poem that follows Dante Alighieri's fictional journey through the three realms of the dead: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. His experiences in each realm carry a philosophical meaning and provide deeper insight into the human soul. The Divine Comedy also includes graphical representations of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven (as well as its denizens), which is why illustrated versions of the poem by different artists are sought after.

It seems "the Fate/Grand Order effect" has worked its magic on other things in the past. When it was revealed that the in-game version of Japanese samurai Saitō Hajime was fond of croquette soba, demand for the dish increased. While reader retention for Divine Comedy remains to be seen, at least Fate/Grand Order has helped increase interest in classic literature.
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[Londo]

I very doubt the average japanese gamer can read it without some sort of commentaries.

 

[Black_Stride]

I very doubt the average japanese gamer can read it without some sort of commentaries.

Why?

 

[Drell]

Devil May Cry: "Am I a joke to you?"

 

[Peroroncino]

Dante Alighieri probably rolling in the grave as we speak due to being labelled as "servant".

 

[near]

Why?

Because they're illiterate even in their native tongue.

 

[killatopak]

Why?

I'd imagine because of all the people Dante mentions in the book. Like Virgil is this great poet that Dante idolizes. All the people Dante asks if his city is doing alright are also people of renown. Like there are a lot of celebrities in Dante's book.

 

[Black_Stride]

I'd imagine because of all the people Dante mentions in the book. Like Virgil is this great poet that Dante idolizes. All the people Dante asks if his city is doing alright are also people of renown. Like there are a lot of celebrities in Dante's book.

The version I read had footnotes.
I didnt know half the fuckers in that shit, was still a good read and i imagine most people who read it in modern times would need footnotes or an appendix of some sort.

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

And PS Studios won't bother to develop a big JRPG with this IP. The idiocy of these people is mind boggling.

 

[Kilau]

 

[GHound]

And PS Studios won't bother to develop a big JRPG with this IP. The idiocy of these people is mind boggling.

Stop trying to will Sony owning Type-Moon properties into existence.

 

[Dr Cowley]

I very doubt the average japanese gamer can read it without some sort of commentaries.

I doubt the same for the average western gamer too.

The version I have doesn't start "Once upon a time there was a man named Dante" buts its defo translated into mor modern (1970) english. Is there no Japanese translation of that?

Huh, I own a copy of dante's inferno and a canvas print of "The fall of phaeton". Ooohhh I might learn polo next like a propper posh cunt

 

[Jack Videogames]

 

[Kadve]

I very doubt the average japanese gamer can read it without some sort of commentaries.

The average European probably cant either. The entire thing is mostly just Vergil ranting about his political/sociological views. Most of which makes no sense unless you also know the political/sociological climate of the time.

Devil May Cry: "Am I a joke to you?"

Nah, this is.

 

[Londo]

I believe the overall story is known to the most of the western world, at least the journey through the Inferno.
The book mentions hundreds of characters, mostly italian. It's written in poetic meters (rhymes and verses) from which the standard italian was formed, and you can't read it without commentaries or footnotes, unless you're content to barely glimpse what's going on (or you are well versed in renaissance humanism).

It's true that the mileage may vary depending on the translation/edition, but it's very difficult to find a good and complete work printed outside the original language, and this is a very common problem among ancient books. Also, the tweet mentions only one publisher, suggesting that there aren't many Japanese editions readily available.

 

[nial]

And PS Studios won't bother to develop a big JRPG with this IP. The idiocy of these people is mind boggling.

Funny that you care so much about this IP that you can't even bother to research who actually owns it.

 

[Drell]

The average European probably cant either. The entire thing is mostly just Vergil ranting about his political/sociological views. Most of which makes no sense unless you also know the political/sociological climate of the time.

Nah, this is.

Yeah this one too

 

[Northeastmonk]

sure. Just like how everyone becomes a historian when an Assassin's Creed comes out. It ignited curiosity in literature, which is great. What happens when they move on to some other reference?