(Ms.) Tomo Kimura’s Translation/Tokyo Notes

Seems to be out.

Since this was announced at the NY ComicCon, I guess I can write that I’m doing the translation for the first NARUTO novel.

All 5 volumes have been translated/adapted.

At first I found the quirky humor difficult to get down right, but as I got used to the characters’ weirdness, it got easier. And doing a comedy definitely helped me prepare me for the black humor of Skip Beat.

The final volume will coming out…I guess in November?

Nijikai

It is common to first hold a wedding reception (inviting relatives and close friends), then holding a “nijikai” and invite the people you couldn’t invite to your reception. It is a much more casual party than the reception itself.

Akiko Yada and Akiko Wada

Akiko Yada is an actress. Akiko Wada is a singer who has a reputation for being, well, “scary.” One of her hit songs is “The one who rings that bell is you.”

Names

The character for “ichi” of Raichi means “one” and the character for “ji” of Ryuji means “two.” Usually, the elder brother would have a name with the character for “one” and the second one with the character for “two.” This is probably another joke about the names being reversed.

Asazumi Ichigo = Strawberries, freshly picked in the morning

Yanki

A term referring to juvenile delinquents. Yankis often dress a certain way, and form biker gangs. When I was in high school, girl Yankis used to dress like Ichigo does when she first appears in the movie (with the long long skirt). Nowadays, Yankis in big cities don’t dress like Yankis used to do (I guess it’s because you stand out too much), but depending on where you live, Yankis still dress like Yankis 20 years ago did.

Yankis in Ibaraki are the “traditional-type” Yankis. Ibaraki has this reputation for having lots of Yankis, and Yankis’ children becoming Yankis in turn.

Tokkofuku

What Ichigo is wearing when she first appears in the manga. This is a typical Yanki “uniform” and is also called “toppuku.” It looks like clothes a factory worker would wear, but the top is like a long coat. Ichigo’s also holding a “bokuto” a wooden sword.　This site sells various Yanki wear.

BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT

A Lolita fashion brand, with the main store in Daikanyama. Their design concept is “clothes for the Lolita girl who wore clothes with frills and lace when they were small, and could honestly say “How cute” and “How beautiful” just as if they were princesses.

BSSB has items made with the author of Kamikaze Girls, BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT x NOVALA TAKEMOTO Pour Lolita.

Names

In the novel, it is explained the Momoko is the name of the main character in the hit 80’s Yanki manga, “Highteen Boogie.”

Shirayuri = White Lily, Ichigo = Strawberry

So the joke here is that each has a name that suits the other more.

Sarashi

Sarashi, the white cotton cloth, is another part of the Yanki “uniform.” Instead of wearing a bra, you wrap white cotton cloth tightly above your waist. Yakuzas do this too, as a form of protection when fighting.

Kejime

Punishment is given out by the gang when a member breaks the rule of the gang. The punishments help keep members in line.

Orei-mairi

This is beating up a hated teacher after graduation, or attacking somebody in revenge (after the victim went to a teacher or the police for help). In the yakuza world, “orei-mairi” is going to attack the guys who put you in prison, after you’ve served your term.