Kino No Tabi

[MephistoWaltz]

Has anybody read the Kino No Tabi novels? I want to read it so badly. I have all the episodes so I can't wait to read it. XD

[Blu_Moon]

It will come out in September. ^_^

[SaiRong]

I'm looking forward to it as well, though I've never seen the anime. Does anyone know if you need to have seen the TV show to understand the book?

[Blu_Moon]

You don't need to be familiar with anything if you start with volume 1, but the anime is absolutely worth checking out.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Yeah, since the novels were written first, you can start with them.
I think they're even better than the anime...

[MephistoWaltz]

I wish Tokyopop would put some info on their website.

[MephistoWaltz]

Please don't tell me this is the cover for Kino No Tabi. It's so ugly. Why didn't you just use the beautiful Japanese cover?

http://www.tokyopop.com/popfiction/images/kino_lg.jpg

[elisegrey]

Why didn't you just use the beautiful Japanese cover?
Coming from someone completely unfamiliar with the original cover, I think this one's rather pretty, if undistinguished.

Any links to what the original looked like?

[PeterAhlstrom]

The Japanese cover is inappropriate for an English novel. End of story.

[EDIT: Because it has an anime/manga-looking character on it, and we don't want to shoehorn the book into the market of only people who like anime/manga, which is a small minority of the book-buying public. The book itself does not read like it has anything to do with anime/manga, but in Japan that art style has no special prejudice against it in the market, so it's appropriate for that market, not ours.

Perhaps in time the book-buying public can change and grow to the point where covers of that type are not immediate turnoffs, but that day is not yet here.]

[MephistoWaltz]

This is inappropriate? How? What's wrong with the picture?

http://kino.ming-ling.net/artwork/novel-01-front.jpg

[elisegrey]

This is inappropriate? How? What's wrong with the picture?
Perhaps it's the gun? But then again, Saiyuki . . .

Maybe the cover's style just wouldn't sell in this market? I've got to say, I prefer the TP version, aesthetically, even though I usually love to see the original artwork.

((ETA: Oh my, but I love your signature. :D))

[MephistoWaltz]

Perhaps it's the gun? But then again, Saiyuki . . .

Maybe the cover's style just wouldn't sell in this market? I've got to say, I prefer the TP version, aesthetically, even though I usually love to see the original artwork.

((ETA: Oh my, but I love your signature. :D))

Yeah I was thinking about the gun too but then I thought about mangas that have guns on them so it wouldn't have made any sense. That's why I'm disappointed. I really like the original artwork. I was so happy to hear the Kino No Tabi was going to be released and I see this cover and I'm like "O_O PRETTY ART IS GONE!" That's what made me mad. But since you can't please everyone I know there are a couple of people who like the new cover.

Maybe one day I'll learn Japanese and read the original. Are you talking about my signature? If yes then thank you, that makes me happy.

[Blu_Moon]

Please don't tell me this is the cover for Kino No Tabi. It's so ugly. Why didn't you just use the beautiful Japanese cover?

http://www.tokyopop.com/popfiction/images/kino_lg.jpg


The art on Kino's cover is interior art FROM the novel, BY the original artist, and colored by one of our cover designers. So "ugly" is in the eye of the beholder.

We didn't change the cover to censor out the gun or anything. We changed the cover b/c anime/manga-looking art is not what the Young Adult fiction line is all about. We know the otaku will be excited to see these books, but we also feel that these are titles which can cast a wider net, reach young adults who have maybe never picked up a manga or seen an anime--and Pop Fiction will perhaps draw these new readers into the otaku world, perhaps not. But we're trying to break into the business translated Young Adult fiction, so none of the Pop Fiction titles will have original covers--however the licensors must approve all covers before we go to print, so it's not like the original creators hate what we're doing. Pop Fiction novels come from all over the world, not just Japan. Some have comics and films, some don't. All the books in Pop will have manipulated cover art--a minimalist, 2-3 bright colors, somewhat edgy/dark theme--so that the line looks cohesive on the bookshelves. This choice was made by Nicole Monastirsky, Senior Editor and creator of the Pop Fiction line.

[MephistoWaltz]

Yes I totally understand what you guys are doing, but seeing as how many people know Kino No Tabi to also be an anime, someone would expect it to be in the anime/manga section. Or at least I would. But I think it would have been better to just put Kino in the section with other novels such as .hack and Gravitation. They seem to sell just as well. But you know money makes the world go round.

[Blu_Moon]

This isn't just about money (although profit is always a concern of this industry, of course.) We are trying to take light novels (some of which will have manga and anime recognition and some won't at all) that would otherwise be relegated to the comics or novelty section, and to push them out in the big bad cut-throat world of Young Adult fiction. It's an extreme risk. It's a big deal.

It might not seem like it to the average reader, but to the bookstore content buyer and the industry as a whole, this is nothing short of revolutionary. It's never been done before. Non-native speaker authors on books? Competing on the same level as the Harry Potters and the Eragons? Madness! Interior black and white art with a Pokemon look? These titles have cartoons on TV? It's for kids! It's not "real" literature! That's what we're up against--and that's just from the shelf space buyers, who knows what the readers will think.

Do you understand what it took to get these topics, artworks, translations, and trim sizes to be accepted into a Borders or a Barnes and Nobles? They've never seen something like this before. It's absolutely groundbreaking.

And in the end, you know what happens? The otaku finally get to see some kickass books in English, but more than that--the average fiction reader gets exposure to stuff which might turn them on to manga or anime or Japanese (or global, even) culture. Ten years from now, the industry will be all over translated books for teens. Just remember, TOKYOPOP did it first.

And if to do that, we had to shed the cartoony covers, well, I still sleep at night. A good story is a good story no matter what you wrap it in. But, of course, you are welcome to your opinion and your tastes--no disrespect to your stance. But I'm curious--are you really going to forgo the pleasure of reading about Kino and Hermes traveling to six different lands, fighting in the arena--getting caught up in a war game--visiting a city run entirely by machines--not to mention Kino's back story and how she got her name . . . are you truly going to miss out on that b/c you don't like orange on the cover?

That makes the penguins sad, yo.

[MephistoWaltz]

This isn't just about money (although profit is always a concern of this industry, of course.) We are trying to take light novels (some of which will have manga and anime recognition and some won't at all) that would otherwise be relegated to the comics or novelty section, and to push them out in the big bad cut-throat world of Young Adult fiction. It's an extreme risk. It's a big deal.

It might not seem like it to the average reader, but to the bookstore content buyer and the industry as a whole, this is nothing short of revolutionary. It's never been done before. Non-native speaker authors on books? Competing on the same level as the Harry Potters and the Eragons? Madness! Interior black and white art with a Pokemon look? These titles have cartoons on TV? It's for kids! It's not "real" literature! That's what we're up against--and that's just from the shelf space buyers, who knows what the readers will think.

Do you understand what it took to get these topics, artworks, translations, and trim sizes to be accepted into a Borders or a Barnes and Nobles? They've never seen something like this before. It's absolutely groundbreaking.

And in the end, you know what happens? The otaku finally get to see some kickass books in English, but more than that--the average fiction reader gets exposure to stuff which might turn them on to manga or anime or Japanese (or global, even) culture. Ten years from now, the industry will be all over translated books for teens. Just remember, TOKYOPOP did it first.

And if to do that, we had to shed the cartoony covers, well, I still sleep at night. A good story is a good story no matter what you wrap it in. But, of course, you are welcome to your opinion and your tastes--no disrespect to your stance. But I'm curious--are you really going to forgo the pleasure of reading about Kino and Hermes traveling to six different lands, fighting in the arena--getting caught up in a war game--visiting a city run entirely by machines--not to mention Kino's back story and how she got her name . . . are you truly going to miss out on that b/c you don't like orange on the cover?

That makes the penguins sad, yo.

Well I have all 13 episodes and have seen episode 0 and the movie Life Goes On so it really wouldn't matter. BUT of course I TOTALLY respect what you guys are doing. I mean editing and going something over and over can be such a pain. (Portfolios in school, fun) Seeing as how you somewhat changed my mind, cause I mean, I really LOVE this series, I may give it. The last thing I wanna do is nag. I was just surprised at the packaging.

[alucard666]

i've never heard of it what is it about.

[Blu_Moon]

Yes, but the books have stuff in them that the anime and artbooks don't, so, stay tuned! (And you weren't nagging, I just didn't want you to think we were gleefully or mindlessly butchering the original covers for kicks, is all.)

^_^ Yours, K

[MephistoWaltz]

Yes, but the books have stuff in them that the anime and artbooks don't, so, stay tuned! (And you weren't nagging, I just didn't want you to think we were gleefully or mindlessly butchering the original covers for kicks, is all.)

^_^ Yours, K

Thanks, you've made me feel a little better.

[Andrew Cunningham]

I think it's also worth pointing out that there are a lot of stories not covered in the anime. Even the first volume has one new story, and the later ones have several. The anime basically chose a random assortment from the first five volumes (the movie from a later volume.)
A lot of my favorite stories weren't even animated.

[sentaku-san]

I think the Tokyopop cover looks really classy, and when I look at the original cover I deifinitely understand why it was changed. Kino no Tabi is an anime series I've been vaguely interested in watching for quite a long time, but I've never gotten around to it. I just might pick up the novel instead.

Given the reasoning you've provided, I'm kind of surprised the title is being left in Japanese, though. I hope the "foreign-ness" of the title is not a turn-off to the average consumer. Even the Region 1 DVDs of the anime bear the title "Kino's Journey." However, I'm not personally complaining for a second -- "Kino no Tabi" sounds much more elegant, and the word "journey" does vaguely ring "Pokemon." *laughs*

Yes I totally understand what you guys are doing, but seeing as how many people know Kino No Tabi to also be an anime, someone would expect it to be in the anime/manga section. Or at least I would. But I think it would have been better to just put Kino in the section with other novels such as .hack and Gravitation. They seem to sell just as well. But you know money makes the world go round.

Hahaha. That made me think. Just imagining the reverse -- the Gravitation novels being marketed to the general book-buying public -- nearly sends me into spasms of laughter. Yep, the reason those types of things target the otaku community is that they have no actual literary merit and virtually no chance of catching on in other markets. I must admit, Gravitation would confuse the crud out of me if I were a "normal person" and not already used to it. :D

[kokorochan]

Well, i must say you guys has convinced me, i'm going to buy this saga, i like the title remained in romaji, but i will be sincere, like more the original cover but understand the change, if TP wants olders readers or people who dont like read any relationed to manga/anime and this people dont be interesed for the books simply because in the cover has a "cartoon" If the story and inside art is the same, really import the change in the cover art?

[Angel of Chaos]

Okay, the fact is that most people who know about Kino No Tabi is from the anime Kino's Journey. I'm ONE of them. I wouldn't mind the original Japanese cover, in fact I really do prefer it to the cover that I saw that it will be. And I must say, there are probably a lot of fans who will agree with CafeSociety and myself.

[kinonotabi]

Wow. Being a HUGE fan of the Kino's Journey anime, I'm really excited about this. I've known that the anime was based on a series of books, but I never imagined that they would be translated into English. So now I'm going to be ridiculously happy for a very long time...

Personally, I really like the cover and I don't care what the book looks like anyways... I'm just glad it exists (it's the content I'm intersted in). I feel lucky that it's being translated at all...
I do like the original cover better as well, but it's a much better idea to use the one it has now.

[bookviper]

I've been looking forward to this title since it was announced. I got over the cover change and warmed up to the new one even though the original remains my favorite. Really the cover could be blank with just title and I would still pick it up even trough all my complaints. Sadly this is one of the most underrated titles as far as anime goes. If it can get more people interested in the novels by going into the YA market then I'm all for it even if the chances of that are slim.

[ShinigamiIllusion]

The anime was stellar could have been longer but meh, Im excited for the novels its a really amazing series that would do well here with the proper advertising but seeing how many people are already going to pick it up i think it will do well<3 I liked the original cover more but the new version is ok its not great but not bad and as long as the story is the same im happy:)

[RUMBLE_FISH]

Wow, I guess I'm one of the few people that actually likes the Tokyopop cover more than the original.

It's great and all to have the main character posing with a gun on the front cover, but I just don't think that's as...grabbing as a woman and a child (a young Kino, I'm guessing?) sitting on ground covered in bones and surrounded by barbed wire. And I think the minimalistic color scheme really sets it off. xD Not that I know much about cover design, but I think it's more visually appealing and personally, that cover's made me more curious about this story than any AMV I've seen at conventions.

I'm definately going to be picking this up first chance I get. :D

[Pandagruel]

Since there are so much polarity in the opinions of covers, why not make an optional paper cover with a different cover or something. You know, that paper book cover thingy that goes over the cover.

[watashiwamae]

Since there are so much polarity in the opinions of covers, why not make an optional paper cover with a different cover or something. You know, that paper book cover thingy that goes over the cover.

I agree! I'd like to have a mail in slip to get a book cover with the original Japanese version of the cover! :D I was just about to post that idea when I saw this post, but yes I really would like that alot better then losing the authentic Japanese cover. That way those who are a fan of the Japanese authenticity still have their save little cover.

[MephistoWaltz]

Since there are so much polarity in the opinions of covers, why not make an optional paper cover with a different cover or something. You know, that paper book cover thingy that goes over the cover.
If Tokyopop did that, I'd buy Kino No Tabi instead of just reading it in the store.

[Andrew Cunningham]

I think after you start reading it in the store, you will be strongly tempted to buy it anyway.

[MephistoWaltz]

I think after you start reading it in the store, you will be strongly tempted to buy it anyway.
Maybe. But I wouldn't count on it.

[PeterAhlstrom]

I've held the book in my hands, and it is one beautiful book. Everything about it is different from the books in our Manga Novels line, and it looks and feels and smells great.

[MephistoWaltz]

I'm happy for you.

[RUMBLE_FISH]

Mmmm, newly-printed book smell...

Can't wait to find this in stores! :D

[kinonotabi]

If Tokyopop did that, I'd buy Kino No Tabi instead of just reading it in the store.

Whoa. You mean you wouldn't buy the book just because of the cover? O_o;

After reading the preview chapter I can't wait 'til it comes out. :)

[MephistoWaltz]

I am really picky on what I buy, I'll read it but I won't buy it.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Well, it's not like I get royalties or anything, but I hope most people don't think like you, because I'd like to translate all ten volumes, and then do the eight non-Kino novels he's written.

[MephistoWaltz]

Well seeing all the other comments others have made I don't think you'll have to worry any. Besides, I never said I wouldn't change my mind.

[kinonotabi]

From what I've read in the preview chapter, you did a really great translation and I hope I can read those ten translated books as well. It would be really cool to read Sigsawa's other works too.
It'll fun to see the differences between the anime and the books and I'm glad I can look forward to some new stories from the series. :)

[kokorochan]

I had read the preview... and i want more, hope soon can have the book in my hands *see the calendar* awww ;__;

[kinonotabi]

Just got the book today... (Yay!) I'll be reading it over the weekend and so far it's really good... :) *the Kino's Journey fan is happy* Kind of wish the pictures weren't so tiny but... -shrugs- it's Kino no Tabi, it's translated into English, and there's not much else I'd want.
Hope the books are successful enough to get the rest translated...

[charmwitch]

Thank you so much for translating the first novel of Kino no Tabi.
I really enjoyed reading it, I've been a big fan of the series for quite some time now but have not been able to see much of it because it's a novel-based fandom. I enjoyed the book immensely and the typographical errors were a minimum.

I have a question, though. This might be considered a Spoiler.

In the last chapter, Shizu is stated as an "only child", though in the original novel this is not true. In both the original novel and in the anime it's stated that there were two children that made it out. Was this an error or was this an intentional change for future referrence?

Again, sorry for the possible spoiler, it made me wonder though.

[takethebackseat]

I've held the book in my hands, and it is one beautiful book. Everything about it is different from the books in our Manga Novels line, and it looks and feels and smells great.

I picked it up a couple weeks ago and I agree. The total package in terms of design is actually what made me buy it.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Aw, crap.
It does say two children -- my mistake.
That said, there's never any mention of a second child ever again, and Shizu is clearly moving alone. Sigusawa has never shown any signs of telling their story, though he has written stories with Shizu before Coliseum.
I wonder if it might not be a typo in the Japanese, or something he wrote intending to come back to, but completely forgot about.
The only real way to catch this kind of slip is if something jars with the text around it. Honestly, if I had translated it as two children, I'd probably have marked it to double check while I was proofreading...
Maybe the second child is Riku.

[charmwitch]

Hax, wasn't expecting such a prompt reply by the actual translator. Hello!

It's not a big deal of a mistake, especially if they don't mention the other child ever again. Perhaps Sigsawa hasn't reached that point in the novels. So many possibilities, so many theories! The world may never know!

I wanna thank you for the translation though. It makes me so happy to finally see one of my favorite series in a format I can read well. It reads coherently and fluidly. I smiled a lot while reading it, I think you brought out Sigsawa's language well. In a way, the writing in the first chapter has a sort of feminime voice to it. I do not know if you did anything special with The Land of Grownups arc, but it did feel like they were Kino's thoughts and not a static form of translation.

Please accept my humble thanks.

---

Additonal Question - I'm just wondering, how/why did you (or whoever is incharge) decide to keep the title of Kino no Tabi in Japanese? Kino's Journey fit well for me, and it seems that from some of the responses here that Tokyopop wanted to make the title more available to the general public (young adult fiction fans?) than for the manga/anime (I don't like the word otaku D: ) community. I would think that translating the title would suit that job better, perhaps it was because the names in the novel were Japanese anyway? I'm just a little curious.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Thanks!
I was, obviously, writing in Kino's voice for that chapter, since it is in first person. I know other translators develop voices by charting phrases and creating the character that way, but with me, it works a little more instictively. Once I get an impression of the character, I start to hear their voice in my mind, and then just write in that voice and it seems to turn out sounding different.
As for the other question, I work freelance, and don't have anything to do with decisions like the title.
I actually recommended Kino's Travels, since Journey's have an end, and Kino's doesn't. But the editors for the book have said in other interviews that they simply liked the way the title sounded in Japanese.

The title is a little dangerous, though. The Barnes and Noble near me had the books filed in the Teen Manga section under B, for Beautiful World.

[charmwitch]

I, sadly, had to special order the book from Borders. Barnes and Nobles hasn't extended their branches to the Caribbean islands, sadly. It's been hard to find books down here too. I'm still trying to find the latest Dramacon! Maybe I'll have to special order that too.

Wow, though. I honestly wasn't expecting prompt replies from you. I feel very enlightened now. Thanks so much for your input! (Can't ... stop... thanking!) You do a great job with the translations, so please keep it up. I hope to see all of Kino no no Tabi out in the market some day.

[Andrew Cunningham]

The advantage of working at home means I can distract myself by checking forums all day long.
I've translated four of them now, and certainly hope I'll get to do the rest...and then the Alison series as well.

[nekochi]

Well, it's not like I get royalties or anything, but I hope most people don't think like you, because I'd like to translate all ten volumes, and then do the eight non-Kino novels he's written.
You're my hero. o.o Seriously. I mean... I'm the person who owns all of the Allison books dispite only being in Japanese 2. I'm the person who has "converted" a ton of people in the real world and online to Kino. I'm the person who owns one of the only Kino no Tabi forums in English. I'm the person who owns the anime and the artbook and the first novel and all the songs from the series. I even own two of the Lillia and Trace books. I'm the person who e-mailed Tokyopop about this series because I was worried that they said there were only 8 books in the series when there are really 10. I am obsessed with this series. Nothing would make me happier than if all of Kino no Tabi was translated and all of Keiichi Sigsawa's other works. X3

Keep up the good work. You did a fabulous job on the first translation (though you did acidentily use 'his' instead of 'her' in one part when you were refering to Kino. :3) I can't wait until more comes out. Please continue to translate and try and get Allison, Lillia and Trace, and Gakuen Kino translated as well!

Oh... And as for the person who said they weren't going to pick up the Kino novels because of the cover... Isn't a big message of Kino "Don't judge a book by it's cover?" :P Though I think it would be nice if you included the original cover someplace inside the book. I mean if they flip through the book people are going to see the manga style pictures anyways. I see no reason not to include the cover in there somewhere. :3

[Andrew Cunningham]

No matter how many typos I leave in the text, we can cheerfully blame the editors for any that survive.

[BAKA]

I just got this today, and i'm really looking forward to reading it. I LOVED the anime, its one of my all time favourite animes. I'm quite impressed with the quality of the book too, the cover is very swish.

[Calamari]

I'm sorry for reviving a dead thread, but I'm rather confused. I just got Kino No Tabi from the library today (absolutely loved it), but noticed that inside the front cover it says:

"This English edition is presented as a linear narrative. We join with Keiichi Sigsawa in bidding you happy reading."

It also has credits on the inside cover for both "translation" and "English adaptation".

Was the original Japanese not a linear narrative? What do you mean by "English adaptation"? Was the story changed somehow?

Thanks.

[midorihebi]

Normally translated books will have an "English Adaptation" in order to make the text flow better and make more sense to the reader. All of our manga receive the same treatment.
As for whether or not the book was not a linear narrative originally, I'm not sure. I haven't read either versions of the book.

[Andrew Cunningham]

I'm sorry for reviving a dead thread, but I'm rather confused. I just got Kino No Tabi from the library today (absolutely loved it), but noticed that inside the front cover it says:

"This English edition is presented as a linear narrative. We join with Keiichi Sigsawa in bidding you happy reading."

It also has credits on the inside cover for both "translation" and "English adaptation".

Was the original Japanese not a linear narrative? What do you mean by "English adaptation"? Was the story changed somehow?

Thanks.

Kino no Tabi is a collection of short stories with no particular order.
Usually.
Grown-Up Country, however, is an origin story. It originally appeared later in the book, but the surprise twist of the story relied upon a unique feature of the Japanese language - Kino's gender was not identified one way or the other until this story.
The only way to recreate the effect was to move that story to the front of the book.
Otherwise, the stories can be read in any order, and don't really have a clear chronology...even from book to book. There are websites out there in Japanese that attempt to create a rough chronology based on which guns Kino has, what the season is, and what references to other stories there are...but it's a hopeless task and I doubt Sigsawa knows himself.

As for the Translator/Rewriter thing...
I'm a good writer, but not a great writer. I can create the basic tone of a story, but not extend it to every line of the book - just based on the speed which I need to work to make a living doing this, there are times when I can't get all the clunky writing or awkward phrasing out of a book.
The rewriter's job is to back me up and polish the book so the incredibly busy editors don't have to spend as much pouring over the book and correcting it for style.
At least, this is how it works for me - different translators need different kinds of rewriters. I might be wrong, but I think the system originally arose because of a lack of native English speakers with enough Japanese skill to work as translators. So they hired native Japanese speakers, and a rewriter to make it read like English.
In my case, it's a little less work.
I could be (and have been) published without a rewriter, but I prefer working like this - I can translate a novel a month, and actually make a living doing this (it doesn't pay a lot) and I don't have to spend hours polishing every sentence. I absolutely hate rewriting and proofreading, and this lets me turn in what is essentially a first draft proofread once for embarrassing typos and clarity.

[Calamari]

Thank you very much for answering my questions! It's so nice that the translator can actually reply to translation questions... (^_^)

Please keep up the good work!

[GP_Kahless]

First of all I would like to praise all the staff members and publishers who are trying to offer an opportunity for the foreign (non-Japanese) market to experience a medium like light novels.

When it is in my ability to do so I prefer to experience the original work before any adaptations. So when I heard about an anime adaptation of Kino no tabi I did some research and found out it was based on a light novel series. Out of curiosity I bought a few books and loved them. Yes, I can read Japanese.

I recently bought a few novel (Boogiepop and others, Kino no tabi, Crest of the stars, Trinity blood) which I might use for review and start reading a few pages. This is my preliminary reaction towards Kino no tabi, note this is just based upon flipping through the book and reading the "first" few pages:
I can understand why the cover has been changed. I don't have a strong opinion about it, don't dislike it or some thing. But what bugs me is why the original coloured art work had been left out. I don't think the argument for the cover holds up for the other coloured art work. So are there other reasons why it is missing?
The absence of liner notes. It is not obligatorily, but I know out of experience how difficult it can be to translate. Some times extra info is needed to broaden the understanding or convey the decisions made during translations. Like the explanations above, about the difficultly of kino's gender and changing of the order of the story's. This should have been in the book in my opinion.
The sub-titles. The title of each story has been translated but the sub-title has been left out. Why? It was not a translation of the Japanese title and sometimes it had an extra meaning in the original novel so I do not understand why it would be left out.
Maybe it is because I am used to reading light novels and English paper bags, I find the size of the fond a bit too big for my taste. This is of course not a major issue and would probably get used to it after a while.
Now... about the translation...
Andrew Cunningham, I do not want to discredit you in any way, You did a fine job with the translation. Like I said, I know how difficult it can be. But I am a bit disappointed about the translation. Not that it is bad or any thing, but I think it differs to much from the original text. To give an example (if it infringes copy write please remove it or tell me so):

プロローグ「森の中で・ｂ」 -Lost in the Forest・b-
そして暗闇が生まれた。
まったく光のない。
月も星も見えない。
緩やかな風で森がざわめく音だけが、闇を飾るようにきこえてくる。
「そうだな......。なんとなく、だけどね......」
ふいに人間の話す声が聞こえた。少年のような、そして少し高い声だ。
「なんとなく、だけど？」
別の声が発言を促すように聞いた。さらに若い感じのする、男の子のような声だった。ほんの少し静寂があって 、最初に聞こえた声が語り出した。まるで自分に言い聞かすような、誰もいないところへ向かって喋るような口 調だった。
「ボクはね、たまに自分がどうしようもない、愚かで矮小な奴ではないか？ものすごくく汚い人間ではないか？ なぜだかよく分からないけど、そう感じる時があるんだ。そうとしか思えない時があるんだ......。でも そんな時は必ず、それ以外のもの、たとえば世界とか、他の人間の生き方とかが、全て美しく、すてきなものの ように感じるんだ。とても、愛しく思えるんだよ......。ボクは、それらをもっともっと知りたくて、そ のために旅をしているような気がする」
それからほんの少しだけ間をおいて、こう続けた。
「辛いことや悲しいことは、ボクがが旅をしている以上必ず、行く先々にたくさん転がっているものだと思って いる」
「ふーん」
「だからといって、旅を止めようとわおもわない。それをしてるのは楽しいし、たとえば人を殺める必要があっ ても、それを続けたいと思えるしね。それに」
「それに？」
「止めるのは、いつだってできる。だから続けようと思う」
最初の声は、きっぱり言った。そして訊ねた。
「納得したか？」
「正直いって、よくわからない」
別の声が答えた。
「それでいいと思う」
「そう？」
「ボク自身も、ひょっとしたらよく分かっていないのかもしれない。迷っているのかもしれない。そしてそれを もっと分かるために、旅を続けてるのかもしれない」
「ふーん」
「さてと。ボクは寝るよ。明日まただいぶん走らなくちゃ。......おやすみエルメス」
「おやすみ、キノ」
暗闇に、がさごそと厚い布が擦れ合う音が聞こえ、やがて止んだ。

Prologue[b]
[b]And then there was darkness.
There was no light. No moon, no stars. Only the sound of the wind in the trees, wafting through the darkness.
“You know... it's kind of like...” Kino trailed off. A contemplative silence followed. Or perhaps sleep.
“Kind of like what?” Hermes asked.
“I sometimes wonder if I'm really just a terrible person. Sometimes I feel like I am. Sometimes, it actually makes sense that I am. Because I can't change things; or worse – I just tell myself I can't, so I don't. But whenever i get like that – feeling terrible, I mean – everything else – the world, the people I meet – it all becomes incredibly beautiful to me. I fall in love with it. That's why I keep traveling – because I want to experience more. Because sometimes, I get to see some good. Maybe even do some good.”
Kino paused to entertain another thought. “Still, i know if I keep on moving, I'll always see more sadness, more tragedy – experience more sadness and tragedy.”
“But if you experience it – if you know it's tragic – how can you be a terrible person? Terrible people don't experience other people's pain... do they?”
“I don't know. I only know it doesn't mean I'm going to stop traveling. I love traveling, and even though I see so much death – even though I have to kill people sometimes – I want to keep doing it. And...”
“And?”
“I can stop anytime.” Kino's tone was resolute. “So I keep going... You see?”
“Honestly? Not really.”
“Oh. Well, that's okay.”
“You sure? I mean, it helps if we're of one mind about things...”
“How can I expect you to understand it if I don't? And I don't. Not really. I'm still confused, Hermes. And in order to find my way out of this confusion, I keep traveling.” As if there were a road that led away from it.
“Ah...”
“I'm going to sleep. We've got a long way to go tomorrow. Good night, Hermes.”
“Good night, Kino”
Thick cloth softly rustled, and then utter silence filled the darkness again.

Prologue “In the woods・b” -Lost in the Forest・b-
And then there was darkness.
There was no light.
No moon, nor stars could be seen.
Only the murmur of the forest caused by a loose wind seem to decorated the darkness.
“Yes... it's kind of like...”
Suddenly a human voice could be heard talking. A young light soprano.
“It's kind of like, what?”
Another voice urging his utterance. An even younger voice, like that of a boy. A moment of silence and then the first voice began to talk. As if it was talking to one self, in a tone directed towards nobody.
“I sometimes wonder, am I not a foolish and insignificant person? Am I not a totally disgusting human being? I am not sure why but I sometimes feel that way. There are times when I can't but feel that way... but then, always, other things, like this world or other people and there lives, it all becomes beautiful, it feels wonderful to me. It all becomes dear to me... I want to know more and more about it, I think that is the reason why I am travelling.”
After a short pause, it continued.
“I believe that sadness and tragedy, while I continue travelling, is a certain fact which is spread over the roads ahead.”
“Ah...”
“But that doesn't mean I would want to stop travelling. I enjoy it and, for example, if a situation rises where there was a necessity to kill some one, I still want to keep continuing. And...”
“And?”
“I can stop when ever I want, so I keep on going.”
The first voice said in a resolute tone and returned a question.
“Do you understand?”
“To be honest, not really.”
The other voice said.
“That's okay”
“Really?”
“Maybe I don't fully understand it my self. Maybe I'm just lost. And maybe to understand that better I keep travelling.”
“Ah...”
“Well, I'm going to sleep. We have a long ride ahead tomorrow...... Good night, Hermes.”
“Good night, Kino.”
Darkness, only the sound of thick cloth rubbing against each other could be heard and eventually it died out.

I'm not proclaiming my version better or anything, I just want to point out the differences for the people who can't read the original text. And as you can see, there are quite some differences. For example Hermes reaction to Kino's “it's okay”, In the original Japanese version Hermes just asks for Kino's conformation on that, while in Andrew's version he ads another line to it.
Also the names of the two characters are not revealed until the end of the dialogue, I think that will impact the reader most and I tried to keep that.
Over all I think in Andrew's translation he took the liberty of changing things for the sake of the story, so it won't be an unreadable literal translation, to a point that it could harm the characters.
But this is of course my first impression based upon a few pages. It does not mean it is a bad novel and I still would like people to try to read it.

[Andrew Cunningham]

I'd like to make it clear that I do have a rewriter on this book.

[PeterAhlstrom]

To be fair to Andrew, here is his translation:
Prologue: In the Forest
-Lost in the Forest b-
And then there was darkness.
There was no light.
No moon, no stars.
Only the sound of the wind in the trees, embellishing the darkness.
"Yeah...it's kind of like..." Suddenly, a human's voice. A slightly high voice, boyish. [Kino]
"Kind of like what?" A second voice prompted the first one. An even younger voice, like a child. [Hermes]
There was a very brief silence, and then the first voice spoke again, quietly. Like it was trying to persuade itself of something, addressing its words to a place where no one stood.
"I sometimes wonder if I'm really just a terribly unimportant, shallow person. A terrible person. I don't know why, but sometimes I feel like I am. Sometimes it seems to be the only thing that makes sense. But whenever I get like that, everything else, the world, the way other people live, it all looks incredibly beautiful to me. And I fall in love with it. And because I want to know more about it, I keep on traveling."
The voice paused for the smallest of intervals before continuing.
"I know the more I travel, the more sadness or tragedy I'm going to see."
"Hmm..."
"But this doesn't mean I'm going to stop traveling. I enjoy traveling, and even if I have to kill people, I want to keep traveling. And..."
"And?"
"I can stop anytime. So I keep going." The first voice said, resolutely. Then asked, "You see?"
"Honestly? Not really," replied the other voice.
"I think that's okay."
"Yeah?"
"It's quite possible I don't really understand it either. I may still be confused. And in order to find my way out of this confusion, I keep traveling."
"Hmm..."
"I'm going to sleep. We've got a long way to go tomorrow. Good night, Hermes."
"Good night, Kino."
Briefly, the soft rustle of thick cloth could be heard in the darkness...and then it stopped.
Just a note on dialogue tags: English prose relies on them a lot. You don't need 'em in Japanese, but that's just a small example of conventions that do not correlate well between the two traditions.

[GP_Kahless]

To be frank I like Andrew's original translation, which you peterahlstrom have posted, better than the version which has been published.
And could some one comment on why the subtitles where left out?

[PeterAhlstrom]

Editorial choice based on how English books work. It makes zero sense in English for a prologue entitled "In the forest" to have a subtitle of "Lost in the forest." That is yet another example of a Japanese prose convention which does not have a good correlation with an English prose convention. Different kanji/furigana readings likewise—it just does not work in English.

[GP_Kahless]

A pity, although the the sub title of the prologue and epilogue are bit unnecessary, most of the sub titles where complementary to the story.

Oh and I forgot to ask, but what about the color artwork which is missing?

[PeterAhlstrom]

Too expensive.

I'm sure we could go back and forth all day. It's impossible to make everyone happy when a foreign edition of anything is made.

[Blackthornhiei]

I understand if it's expensive.

So... if the novels sell well, we might see the color art in an art book sometime in the future?

[PeterAhlstrom]

I wouldn't speculate on that.

[Andrew Cunningham]

I understand if it's expensive.

So... if the novels sell well, we might see the color art in an art book sometime in the future?

You can always just import the art book from Japan. It does collect a number of the plates from the first book - maybe all of them, but I'm not 100% on that.

Amazon.jp listing. (http://www.amazon.co.jp/KUROBOSHI-KOUHAKU-Beautiful-World%E2%80%95%E9%BB%92%E6%98%9F%E7%B4%85%E7%99%BD %E7%94%BB%E9%9B%86-%E9%BB%92%E6%98%9F/dp/4840222967/ref=sr_1_2/249-5177040-9803566?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185309862&sr=1-2)

[Reffia]

i just bought the book a while ago..
so, i havent started reading it yet :D
but if you wanna know the contents of it just pm me. ok :p

[Crab13]

At this point I would be happy to get the second book.:(

[Reffia]

the first chapter of the book was kinda sad.. sumone died :(
_

they havent released the 2nd book right?:confused:

[Crab13]

At this time I'm not sure, but I have high hopes on finding it soon.;)

[Reffia]

oh ok :)

[Reffia]

http://www.tokyopop.com/product/1625/KinonoTabi/2.html


:eek: weeee! found it! the 2nd book :D

[Crab13]

That is great news. Thank you.:)

[PeterAhlstrom]

Um, please ignore the info on that page. It's not correct. The availability date seems to say today's date, whichever day it is. But the book is not coming out anytime soon.

[Crab13]

Bummer, now I'll be:( for the rest of the day:( :(

[Reffia]

oh sorry.. yea it said it will be shifted on i think january 2008 i dont know i'm not sure what month but i'm sure of the year

[Crab13]

:eek: The just keeps getting worst. I hope to see this book before I'm dead.:(

[Reffia]

oh yes you will see the book. all of them, until the last book. i think the last book is volume 8

[Crab13]

I just wish to read the book soon.:)

[Blackthornhiei]

oh yes you will see the book. all of them, until the last book. i think the last book is volume 8

It's 10 books now.

9 came out on October 10, 2005, and book 10 on Octuber 10, 2006.

http://www.kinonotabi.com/book.html

Maybe a new one might come out this year... or maybe not... who nows, since it seems a new Gakuen Kino came out recently.

My poor copy of book 1 is starting to get dog-eared because I always carry it with me to read when I have to wait for something...

[Andrew Cunningham]

Volume 11 is out October 10, 2007.

[Reffia]

yea thats for the japanese book

[Calamari]

yea thats for the japanese book

Yes, that's what they were talking about.

According to Amazon.com, there's no release date for the second volume in English yet. *sigh* I wonder if I'll be able to read the series in Japanese by the time the English books come out...

[Crab13]

But when is book two going to be out in the US.:confused:

[Kairi10116]

I read the first book, and I loved it. I was verry exited to hear that the next book would be coming out soon. That was a year ago. Does anyone have any clue what-so-ever why poor Kino no tabi's release date is being pushed back so darn far? Tokyopop will loose the licance before the 2nd book comes out, it seems o.o;

and I dont read Japanese, so theyre no way I can buy the japanese novels XD

[PeterAhlstrom]

There is an issue with the licensor, and until it gets resolved, the next book will not come out. There is no estimated timetable for this to happen.

[Crab13]

Thank you for the answer, but I hope you can get it resolved soon.:( :( :(

[Kairi10116]

ah. thank you. thats a real bummer.

to the "learn japanese" books instead then, eh?

[NeoKakashi]

There is an issue with the licensor, and until it gets resolved, the next book will not come out. There is no estimated timetable for this to happen.

Could you possibly elaborate?

[PeterAhlstrom]

I'm not at liberty to elaborate. Details of past, present, and future contract negotiations are not public information.

[Crab13]

All I can say is I wish you luck and I hope you can work it out.:( :( :(

[Crab13]

Is there any news on this light novel series??

[PeterAhlstrom]

There is no news.

[Crab13]

I'm very sad to here that.:( :(

[Blackthornhiei]

Just wait patiently, Crab. If there are any news they can tell us about, they will tell us. If they can't tell us, because of confidentality issues and stuff, they won't.

[Crab13]

That I know all to well, but I'm still sad.:( I only hope this in pass will be cleared up soon.:)

[NeoKakashi]

So I've been seeing the date of February 12, 2008 on some websites as the release date for the second book (such as on barnesandnoble.com). So does this book actually have a release date now or is this just some arbitrary date that's been thrown out there?

[PeterAhlstrom]

That's some arbitrary date that's been thrown out there. There hasn't been any status change on this series.

[Crab13]

Boo,Hiss:( :(

[soratan]

I'm still waiting for the next volume too, I was really happy when Tokyopop announced they would translate the novels. However, I really upset with the sloppiness of volume one. There were many inconsistencies (especially when referring to Kino's gender even after it was revelaed in the first chapter) and typos... and that really irked me.

In before comments like "learn Japanese"

Hopefully the long long long long break between the release of volume one and volume two will mean they will release a better translation. Tokyopop can definitely do it-- I loved what they did with "Missing." It would've been even better if they kept the original cover and inside illustrations *hint hint*

[Andrew Cunningham]

There were many inconsistencies (especially when referring to Kino's gender even after it was revelaed in the first chapter)

Forgive me if I'm jumping to conclusions (without you providing specific examples, it's hard to be sure what you're referring to) but other characters in the novel frequently mistake Kino for a boy. It's possible the pronoun switching was entirely intentional.

Thanks for the kind words on Missing, though; I'm a big fan of the series, and it needs all the worth of mouth it can get.

[NeoKakashi]

Speaking of Missing, I don't know why I haven't started reading it yet (I've had it since it came out last month). It's just sitting on the table, staring at me. Except the guy on the cover has no eyes.

But the manga was interesting, so I know I'll enjoy it when I pick it up. And then I've got the two Shana novels to read, and the big ol' Gundam book (you know, the first one...). Where will I find the time to read all of this? :D

[tomexe]

So do we have a release date for Vol 2?

Barnes and Noble show Feb 12, 2008.

Amazon has no date but does have the cover for Vol 3 up.

Rightstuf.com has changed its listing from "Pre-Order" to "On Order from Manufacturer."

What is the status?

[PeterAhlstrom]

The status is completely unchanged. I don't know why these other sites are changing their listings.

[Kyaa the Catlord]

*sigh* Why can't these releases be as well behaved as the Karin or Scrapped Princess ones? :)

[kokorochan]

As TokyoPop has not announced the cancellation of the Kino's novels i hope we see volume 2, 3 and the rest of them soon, would not matter to me if TP did just like Slayers, i mean sell 2 volumes at the same time, I would buy them. Go TokyoPop! :heart:

I really hope this will be the Kino year!! :D

[9351]

Does anyone have any news on this series? It was supposed to come out in February (as most sites put as). Now it's March and no news and the book wasn't released. Does anyone have any news on this?:confused:

[kokorochan]

vol 2 is on hiatus indefinitely due to trouble with the licensor U_U

[9351]

I kind of thought so....I can only hope for the best for now. Hopefully they decide to resume it in the near future. If not then I will have to learn Japanese. Also I think rightstuf.com has it listed as "cancelled." which only dampens my day even more.

[Matt122004]

The novels are NOT canceled according to a TokyoPop representative, however, the issues are not resolved and the outcome is grim.

TokyoPop, I know you can't talk about it, but by now its clear. The japanese liscensor and maybe the author are really mad at you for changing the cover. (I personally liked the chapter order change)

Please just do what you did with FMP and keep the original covers (which look way better).

Just meet their demands and get us Kino no Tabi. It is your BEST series, please don't lose it.

-Matt :)

I want to read vol. 2 already and the rest of the 11 books (soon to be 12)!

[Crab13]

I would be happy if Tokyopop would give us some information on this.

[PeterAhlstrom]

There is no new information to give.

[Crab13]

There is no new information to give. This makes me sad.:( But I will keep waiting.:Robo:

[Kairi10116]

I reaaallly hope vol 2 comes out soon, for I've been waiting for it 'since back when the release date was scheduled for 2006 o.o if I had known it wouldve taken this long, in the 2 year wait, I could've simply learned Japanese! I would've been fluent by now.
Its very odd, wherever I go looking for it, they say that it is out already, but unable to order. Even the "pop fiction" section of tokyopop's sight doesnt have a release date, but instead says its not available at the time. Although there is a release date for vol.3. Are they releasing vol 3 but just simply skipping vol.2...or what? o.o
Is the cover change the problem? I really loved the original covers, and I dont think the new ones do it any justice (Although the one for vol.3 looks pretty nifty from the preveiws). but I guess they appeal to a wider range of people that way....
I really hope this problem gets resolved soon, the wait is pactically killing me. Kino no tabi is such a wonderful series....
I guess for now, I will have to do without the original books and watch the anime over and over Xp

[Crab13]

Is there any new news on this book?:)

[Matt122004]

Alright people, if you really want to know the reason why TokyoPop couldn't put out another book, I have the answer.

I recently got the JAPANESE version of the book.

Not only did TokyoPop change the cover art, but they also excluded 6 full page color pictures that were in the front of the book! They simply cut them out, for no reason! And in the chapter of LAND OF SHARED PAIN (which others have translated as VISIBLE PAIN) they cut out a small image of Kino's hat (similar in size to the picture of the dog). Also, it looks like they even changed the translation a little. My friend who translated the chapter "GROWNUP COUNTRY" (which others translated as LAND OF ADULTS) without having read TokyoPop's version, and when I compared, I realized at the end, there is the following line that he translated but DOES NOT appear in the TokyoPop version.

"Finally we decided to travel to a nearby country, but we got lost in a forest and met an old granny who taught me many things. If it weren’t for her I would not have become what I am today, I don’t know how to put my thanks into words.
But that is another story."

This is the reason why Keiichi Sigsawa told them they could never publish another volume of Kino no Tabi!

TokyoPop BUTCHERED Kino no Tabi.

However, for all you fans who have waited patiently. There IS hope!

An online group is translating the other 11 novels of Kino no Tabi. So search on google for it and you can finally start enjoying the rest of Kino's awesome travels. :)

-Matt

[Crab13]

Thank you for the answer.:)

[GP_Kahless]

@Matt122004
Is that some thing which sprung out from your own deduction? or do you have any source to back you story up?

To say that TokyoPop butchered kino no tabi is quite harsh. That Tokyopop alter some aspects of the novel in contrast to the Japanese release was know from early on and i question why you come now with you "revelation". After..... 27 months of Tokyopop's release? Tokyopop had there own reasons why they released it like it is and many questions regarding this where already answer in this topic. Like the exclusion of the color artwork being due to financial reasons. Changes during translation was also pointed out, by my self, in the same topic. So what lets you believe that the infinite delay is due to licensing trouble caused by that one particular line?

P.s. I have to say that I am personally not fond of the change of the chapter order and revealing the "gender" of Kino.

[Matt122004]

Eh? Oh, I wasn't saying that it was that line that did it. I was saying that it was all of those things that ultimatly probably drove Keiichi to block them from publishing anything more. And that one line is the only translation change that I personally know of, I'm sure there's more though. <_<

I actually thought the chapter order change was good. lol

Oh, and like I said, I recently found the japanese version of the book, so it was new to me. lol

Anyways, point is, TokyoPop is probably never releasing another volume, and at least there are online translations underway to fill the void.

-Matt

And that line can be found online, google for it. You'll find the guy, Xen, his translation for Nature Rights (yea yea, I know, he mis translated the subtitle. lol).

PS. Hmm, for some weird strange reason I seemed to have believed that I already had read the earlier pages of this thread. lol Sorry. I was only saying stuff that was old news already. Except for the online translations.

[GP_Kahless]

I'm perfectly capable of reading Japanese so I have no interest in fan translations (unless I want to ponder on what they srewed up). I bought Tokyopo's release to support translation of light novels.
Unless Tokyopop (or any other primary party) issues a statement about the reason of the infinite delay. Your reason, that the original author is preventing further release, is pure speculation and is viable as any other reason one can come up with. So unless you can back your story up, it's just why you think Tokyopop isn't releasing any further.

[Adventcloud333]

What the hell is going on its already 2010 and no second release, Kino No Tabi is an amazing book and anime Tokyopop needs to get there **** straight and start releasing the books.

[FujikageDaiki]

What the hell is going on its already 2010 and no second release, Kino No Tabi is an amazing book and anime Tokyopop needs to get there **** straight and start releasing the books.

In case you haven't checked the internet lately, TP went through massive cuts in the past year, and nearly half of their releases were delayed and several were dropped. Complaining to them through the forums isn't really a great idea, either, seeing as the editors that were responsible for checking the boards have disappeared.

[Adventcloud333]

oh great so we get completly screwed over, whats that other company i think its viz maybe we can get them to publish this. Oh crap does that mean well end up loosing The Twelve Kingdoms too the fourth volume is supposed to be out march 10 they better not cut that too.

[PururinEleven]

oh great so we get completly screwed over, whats that other company i think its viz maybe we can get them to publish this. Oh crap does that mean well end up loosing The Twelve Kingdoms too the fourth volume is supposed to be out march 10 they better not cut that too.

There are about 4-5 other major companies. Also, your basic grammar and sentence structure is horrid. A period should go at the end of every sentence, not just the last one at the end of the paragraph.

[YamPuff]

I'm sure Tokyopop did it on purpose just to annoy you.