Happy Birthday

We would like to wish Seph a very Happy Birthday, hoping all your wishes and dreams come true on this very special day.

P.S - I wanted to post some pics from the Haru Daieta art book just for some birthday wishes eye candy however my scanner is not working argh.... Here's hoping I can get it up and running.

Manga Review - Basara

Shuri and Sarasa

Well I thought tonight I would put of a review of a manga series that I have been currently reading called Basara by Yumi Tamura released by Viz Media. I have been meaning to talk about this series for a while now, since I have to say it's one of my top choices. The story centers around a young girl named Sarasa, who is a twin to her more popular brother Tatara who is also known as the child of Destiny. It is said that Tatara will free post apocolyptic Japan from the tyranny of the ruling kings, The White King, The Black King, The Red King, The Blue King and one more I cannot remember. In anycase the area where Tatara and Sarasa live is ruled by the Red King. Sarasa grows up in the shadow of her twin brother, always ignored unintentionally by her father and the villagers as they tend to her brother in everyway. As the story progresses The Red King sends his troops to Sarasa's village where they kill Tatara. Sarasa then cuts her hair and takes the place of her brother to give her people hope and to lead them. Through a series of events Sarasa meets a young man named Shuri aka the Red King, they both fall in love with each other ignorant of the other's real identity. Shuri unaware that Sarasa is really Tatara his sworn enemy and Sarasa unaware that Shuri is the Red King the murderer of her brother. All I can say about Basara is this is an epic story, it is not your typical gender bending romance. Sarasa struggles with her duty as Tatara as well as her desire to be seen as Sarasa even more so when she meets Shuri. It takes about 15 volumes before Shuri and Sarasa discover each other's identities, and boy what a moment it is. In the heat of battle as Sarasa and Shuri stare each other down shocked with the discovery that they are sworn enemies, it dramatic, thirlling and heart wrenching. Sarasa is torn between her love for Shuri and her vow to kill the murderer of her brother. The supporting cast is excellent with a variety of characters and personalities to keep things interesting. I have to say my most favorite character would be that of the Blue King Asagi, Shuri's brother who sneaks himself in as a member of Tatara's followers; Asagi finds ways to manipulate Sarasa and Shuri before they know of each other identities. Tamura-sensei art work is excellent, her characters are easily distiguishable, but her art can get pretty busy and confusing especially during some of the battle scenes; that being said the scene where Shuri and Sarasa realize the real identities of each other is truly something to behold, the emotions captured by Tamura-sensei is top notch stuff. I highy reccomend this series, Viz has released up to volume 20 of what I believe is a 27 volume series(I think, may be more, may be less). If you get a chance give this series a try borrow it from your local library. It's an adventurous saga that should not be missed.

Fruits Basket chapter 134!

Almost there!

Yes it seems we're almost to the end now!

1.
Three chapters remain to the inevitable end!!!

Let’s look at the same fireworks the summer of next year…the two of us.

2.
Of course
I know
My beads
in her room

And her mother
even now in one place

They have not been
Thrown away

3.
Its a lot like her
heart itself
thinks.

Kyo-Kun
Kyo-kun, Kyo-kun
please look

It’s a
mini Isuzu-san...

Its a pony.
A pony.
It is small
right?

It’s
cute…♥

Give something to me.

Kyo-kun, where
shall we
go next?
The path has
divided into
two parts.

I said give something to me.

To go around in the
order which we would
like to see is good.

Eh, serious?

4.
Then elephants!
I want to see the elephants!

There is no giraffe...

I was not
asking you two---

Idiot, What else
are you looking at if not
an elephant.
Well, at least show
us the polar bear.
I want to see
the polar bear.

There is
no giraffe...

If you have a problem
just return home......
You were the one
who decided to go.

They are fighting.

Don't fight.

Ah…

This place
here is the problem.

If its your first date
then take her to the amusement area
or just somewhere more grand.

Ah.
Uh...

At least
a larger zoo…
Ah-!!

Already
you have a
loud voice…

5.
Then, obviously
you're useless with heights right?
You can't ride things like
the cable cars right?
That--
Is--

Ah!
How should I know?
I've never been on one before.
Don't shout single words
like that in the street!!
You sexually harrassing female.

Ah...Uh

Stop whining and lets
go see the elephants.
Elephants. Hey?!

Giraffe...

Elephants!!

(Sign says about a cat corner.)

Are you two from a collecting agency!?

Ah...
over there

It looks like we can pet many cats over there.

6.
Although elephants are good,
cats are good too.

Even if you underwear falls down
you still have to pet them don't you...cats...

They make me tired...

Ah...
Uo-chan
Hana-chan
It was I who wanted to go here and asked

However...
should I have picked out a different place...?

Ah
That isn't it.

We are merely
giving Kyo
a tough time.

This place is ok, right.
You just relax.

Ah...

We should get soft ice cream later.

Yes...

Not having giraffes
is really cool and
interesting too...

...

Hey, Kyon
You will be left behind---

7.
Oh--
Cats---

You're a
sweetie, hey---

It's
cute...

Oh?

Kyon,
Kyon.

Huh?

That.
That.

.........
The black cat goes well
with her doesn't it...
That not cute expression---

It looks like its a witch's familiar, right.

8.
...

9.
On that day

I watched
quietly

while Tohru

Collected my beads
that had scattered.

10.
It would not cause me both right now,
if my beads that were that proved
I was a monster, were burned, but
I also had
a feeling
that

A lot of years from
now I would feel regret

that "they should
have been collected
and kept."
but I was

unable to move.

She collected them
in my place

it could have been
that she was protecting

this me and
the me of the future too.

11.
Or maybe
even further

even going
past myself

She was trying to
collect the distant
distant feelings.

The feelings of everyone who had to wear the beads so that they could live.

All of it.

I'm not sure,
but

The
thing I

do
know

is
"to love"

does not just mean
to love what is
before you but

also the past
and future.

12.

It could mean to
hold all of that.

That

is what I think

when I look
at her.

13.
That is what I think.

Eh
Really?

The university you
are applying to
is so far away?

Yeah.
They've got a course
I find interesting.

So by spring
I'll be living alone.

Will you cope~?
I don't want
to visit you
and find a dead body.

14.
"Practise makes
perfect" right...
Or instead,
I want to.

Does Chi-chan
know about
this plan?

(Chi-chan means Machi.)

She knows
it's alright.

I see,
that's good then.

Ho--
ho--
ho--

Becoming an adult...
You have moved on up to it...

If you say that
to Machi you'll
get hit for sure.

But
is it alright?
Looking for a room.

What about
the guarantor?
Your parents?
You probably want
to do that least....

I thought
that also but
at home things
are messy right now...
It's not the time
to ask them about it.

When I spoke to
Nii-san about it...

Oh
that's rough.

15.
Don't tell
me.
He's gotten
really involved
has he not.

Yeah
that's right...

Yesterday and with
A short holiday too he’s
looking for a place for me.
So soon.

I’m grateful
I’m grateful
But it is…

Look
Mine.

The sky which is clear blue
And burning green.
You can’t help but
recognize that this
gets approval for
being Yuki’s new world!

You think so too

Let me state what
I intuitively know
have decided
and will do next!

16.
We shall have Yuki’s
Home made here!!!

That’s good

How would that
be good
This area is not
residential!!

(The lines cut off what he says in the small writing. Can you have a go at translating it? *I’m using the billwang scans* )

I hope he starts
Looking for
Somewhere normal
If it is possible
…you know.

What, are you
Having a kind
Of little dream?

So, what
are you going
to do for
university

Nn?

I’m going
Where I want.

I really
didn’t want
to go honestly.

I had plans
To help Komaki’s family
with their business after
graduation.
But they all
repeatedly told
me to go.

We own a
Cleaning business.

17.
It ended with it can’t be helped
And so I’ll go.
Ah-I’ll not have money again-

If they can
let you go
you should go.
You are smart.

With a brain
like that you
should be able
to go to any
University…

If you say
something like that
I will have a love
affair with a university student!

He himself
says that…

No worry I have
never had worrying
feelings about something
like that happening.

Don’t you think we are
a foolish couple!!

Yeah you seem
Quite foolish.

Perhaps you are likely
to two-time more Yun-yun?

Would not.

Also than that
You two?

Don’t you worry
at all… That
perhaps…
you won’t be able to enter?

18.
No?

If the normal entrance
exam applicant heard you the would
be sad…

Kua~
We’ve walked
a lot, right.

It
was fun though
wasn’t it…

Yes
Very much!!

Ah-
Do you mind if I
go to the bathroom
before we leave?

Will you be
Ok alone---?

Yes…
I won’t
be long.

I…
I am tired…

19.
…but even now

Why does she
although wearing black
all the time
never sweat at all?
Its weird right,
for a person…

Spirit power…

Woah
Do not do
that.
Reading hearts!!!

Or…
Is it
something spirit power
affects!?

My level is
different that yours…
Level…

No, I
meant why do you
not sweat like
everyone else…

…

Wh…

What is it…?


20.
You are taking
Her away…

…its right.

Some day
I knew,
its right,

that kind of time

would arrive.

21.
But…

…

!?

Selfishness……

…Ah

Sor………
…

Bu
But even
then I

Now

22.
Call me “mama” right now
And I will pardon you…

Eh……
What is it.

You mean
Die……?

Ha-na-ji-ma
Relax, you should
not tease him
much now.

True…
Fuck.

She just said “fuck”…!!
(Translation Note: Hana actually says vagina but most english people probably would just think it weird, not be shocked like Kyo is. Rememer there is a considerable lack of swear words like ours in the Japanese language, normal words instead can have more offensive meanings. Eg Otaku.)

Hey, Kyon.
Despite how
we seem,
we like
you.

Although you are stupid
we can not hate you.
You’re a nice guy.

23.
Although you are stupid…

Although you are stupid.

..........

Tohru is…

Our buddy
our true friend

And family.

We are seriously, seriously

Depending on you, alright?

24.
Leave your father
with me…

Th…
This has totally
no relation to that…
Is it so…

Right…?

I am sorry
for taking
such a long time…

It was extremely busy
some a reason…
Huh?

No good still
but saying no good still
Is me
Shishou is the one
to decide on
Shishou’s happiness.
I should not speak
if he is alright with it, but?
Have those two got
so far along yet?

Ha…
Huh?
Where are those two?

…returned.

Eh!!?
E-Excuse me
I made you wait
for so long…

No, that not it.
Its alright.

Does she want
to be called
mama?

……

25.
Fuu…
Tohru

There is another
place I want
to go next.
It is ok?

Eh? Ah, yes
I have no
problem…

Where is it
you want
to go to?

…so.

Here.
My family
sent it.

It is

Meat.
If you want…

Uwaa♥
Thank you
Chi-chan.

In the end, you
would probably burn
it if you made it.

…Quiet.

But
I’m glad.
I was unsure
if you would come
or not.
You weren’t
Too set on it right?

Lets
go to
Kakeru’s.

Eh…

“I wanted
Just the two of us
To be together…”

It is different!!

I hadn’t wanted to
Because you were here
And would say things like that!!

Becoming an adult...You have moved
on up to it more...

27.
It is why
I said to him…

(Remember what Yuki said to him on page 14 about being hit for sure.)

The meat--!!!

Eh
Worrying
for that!?

……

Some time ago…
I had
begun…
To tell somethig, right?

To

Continue…

28.
I’m

Thinking that

I would like to
move away
after graduation.

Ah…
It is different.
It isn’t

Because an odd looking back sense…

I was avoiding
this world
all along…
Living but
not being involved.

It was acceptable
In some way…
I was spoiled I think.

29.
But, it is
different now. I’m

A regular
person.
As a regular
person,
with you

I will live
in this world

I’m very happy
about it.

So happy.

It is why
more

I want to be
involved more

And
challenge

Myself.

Even if I’m
Somewhere else…

30.
......

If possible
with you

together.

It is a new path I was taught, it’s why I would like to walk with you together---Kyo’s proposal(!?)Tohru!!?




Scans BW, hosted by myself:
http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c25/Seph-Noir/Fruits%20Basket%20chapter%20134/

Next chapter 4th November

(Please do not ask me to email you in the comments! I do not have the time to go through all the email addys there and check with the emails I've already replied to. I am busy. If you want the password, email me and I will reply asap.)

Translation notes:
I know some of you will be a little shocked at the language used by Hana in this chapter so I thought I would take a moment to explain it.
I tried to go for a fitting word for the scene but one that would shock people if Hana said it no matter what country they were in. Since another way to say vagina in Japanese is "manko" which when the "n" is removed can be used as "fuck" or "f**k" I thought it would be best to use that.
Most swear words in japan are just normal words that appear somewhat meaningless in english when just translated straight off. They have a considerable lack of colloquial language compared to us, so I made it a little easier for you all to understand Kyo's shock.
Comparing mine to Shadow's chosen word I guess most American fans will be a little shocked at my choice. For those that don't know words like damn, hell, bloody hell etc. aren't swear words in the UK so seemed a little tame to me to get such a reaction from Kyo. (It should be interesting to see what other translators have used and where they're from.)

New Fall Anime - Death Note

Light Yagami and L

Well with the new fall anime season upon us, Death Note is at the top of my list. I highly reccomend the manga and I can only hope the anime will follow suit. I am extremely excited about this series that's for sure and alos can't wait to see the live action version as well. This project is animated by Madhouse, so I expect exceptional quality from the animation. Death Note is a story that centers around a high school student named Light Yagami who finds a notebook in which when he writes the name of an individual that person dies of a heart attack, unless otherwise specified. In anycase Light begins to murder criminals worldwide drawing the attention of the FBI as well as a world famous detective known only as L. This begins the deadly game of cat and mouse between Light and L as they each try to stay 10 steps ahead of the other. The dyanamics of the relationship between Light and L is simply thrilling to rad and I am sure will be exciting to watch. Add in a few more characters and Shinigami and well you have a whole lot of psychological fun. I hope everyone will at least give a couple of episodes a try.

Fruits Basket Chapter 133!

(Sorry for the wait everyone!)

I've been really busy since starting back at school (its my final year before university) and I've had a chest infection too so I've not been able to work on anything recently.

1.
Merely a little time remains until the last…!!
The miracle of just me being projected in your eyes---

2.
Ah
It is Kyo-kun

I wonder if he’s
Going to return home!?
Perhaps I should try
Speaking to him!?

He has
A girlfriend?

Really!!?
G-girlfriend…
What girlfriend!!
Who is his
girlfriend!!

With Honda-san
of the
same class.

3.
Honda-san was injured
and was hospitalised
She couldn't make it for
the end of term.

Three minutes

Now she's likely taking
them late alone.

He’s likely waiting
for the end of it?
He just entered.

Bu…
But…
When is
it…
Maybe the time after Honda-san
had been discharged.
The two of them were stuck
together more than in
the past and when guys
teased them about it

Mm?
Now you two
have started
to go out?

Ahh
?

What
of it?

4.
Uwaaa
He said it like it was not something big!!
The kid said it like
it was not something big, you know!?

The man who transferred to the school
and on the first day became so nervous about
girls that he jumped out the window
said it like is was not something!!

A lot…
He had grown
a lot!!!

You are loud.

What’s happening?

Celebrate…
We must
celebrate.

Red bean rice…


We must make
red bean rice.

Don’t bother.

…they said.

………

Uwaaah
That is a great sho~ck.
It is the wor~st.

My dreams are broke
now he had become
someone’s~

My condolences.

5.
Times over.
Good work.

Ye……
s…

Thank you…
Very much…

How is it
to answer

Ye……

Yes…all I’ve got…
I tried to
give it…

You seem to
not have a lot
to give…

Then, you enjoy
the final high school
summer break

Eh…
Yes

…Ah
Oh yes
Honda

6.
At the Sohma house
recently…
Has something
happened…?

Eh…
Eh, ah
Wha!?
Something
with!?

N---…

…Something
yesterday

was doing
it pleasantly…

“pleasantly”…?
Kyo-kun and Yuki-kun
were?

EH
Uh-Uh huh
Thats so!!
The two of them!!

Well, well well
It is
regardless!!
Anyway, be
Careful going
Home!!

Ah…

7.
…?
If you ask
“has something happened”

Many things
happened
Especially the fact where
Akito-san is a woman

For
Everyone

A complete
surprise…

Right…

I’m just surprised
that you have
known about this.

True.

I…
I’m sorry
That
I wanted to say to you
But was not able
To say it…

…

Was it…
A shock?

“Shock”?

…Um

Which is it.
In any case…
I was
Surprised…

………

…I can’t say it well
because

A lot has happened…

…for me

All what I
didn’t know
I was quite
Rough with a female…
That is…
What I think.

But

9.
I feel relieved
slightly…

Nn?
Relieved…
with?

…How to say it
Having more
guys than who
already like you

It is troublesome…

*snort*
(coughing laugh sound*

…Oi

I’m not laughing…

I’m not laughing…

?

?

You are
Laughing…

It isn’t a
manly way to think…

I’ve become
aware also
That the air
between the two

Is more
gentle than
before.

10.

When I tried
Asking why

He beat the
shit out of me.
(I had to giggle at the literal translation of this. Yes I’m like a five year old sometime.)

Eh!!?

And the largest
screw in my
head went
flying

Eh!?

That guy is bad
so don’t speak
to him ever again.

Eh!!!

…ha

Joking.

11.

Kyo-kun

Is starting
to smile
much more.

It’s

!

The original way
Kyo-kun was I think

Kyo-kun…

Kyo…
Kyo-ku…

12.
Kyo-kun…

It is
It is…

Are you
a dog?

Were you
waiting
for me…!?

Ahh…
Well.
(Can you read the small text on the side? My scans are too blurry. I think its “that’s right” but I’m not sure.)

Thank you
Very much…

You didn’t become tired
waiting for me did you!?

Ah---
I’m ok.

I was playing basketball
at the end of the day
with the guys from class.
Its really hot but
they have lots of energy.

Ahaha

I recognized
that also

Everyone around keeps getting caught
by Kyo-kun being such a way.

(Can’t make out this either.)

Therefore
it’s a miracle.

Compared to the crowd
for further studies
the crowd for job hunting
is taking things
really easy.
(Here too)

13.

Really…
And…
I too…

I must…
Hang in there…
With job activities…

……

Hey

You…

Uh

Y-
Yes?

………
well

No. Already
I’ll…
Speak to you later.

?

That however...
while
job activities
are good

after all
Summer vacation
starts soon,
a lot

a lot

14.
Lets go out
Together.

…
…Ye

Yes!!
A lot…
Yes!!

Ok.
(bluryness)

Ah,

Uo-chan
And Hana-chan
Said that they would
Like to come the
First time we went out.

Ohhhh~~…

…I
I suppose it can’t
be helped.

They are like parents
For you aren’t they…

15.
Miracle.

That I can
be here

by Kyo-kun’s
side.

For the miracle

much much

to
continue

if possible
always

I want to give more power for it.

Connecting hands

together

walking.

16.
Because it is most definitely
Not a “given”.

With this
I have
no regrets

When my time will come now
it matters not.

Th…
Th th-th That’s not
Good. You should
Not say that…
Sort of thing…

That’s right.
This isn’t a
Matter to laugh at!!

It isn’t a
Joke when you
Say about that!!

Ahaha

To laugh in such
A refreshing way--!!

17.
Please Shishou…
After all this
Is not the end…
It is the
“beginning”
Finally…

That’s right
That’s right
Also

If the two of them become married
And had a child, it would
Be your grandchild…
A grandchild
Right!?

“Grandpa~”
Right!!?

*Gr*
*and*
*pa♥*

I will still
Do my best…
A thing of pleasure. Don’t you think?

Y-yes
A thing of pleasure.
-> (can’t read tiny squiggles after the second character.)

Iya~
(Don’t know that kanji. ><) Oi… Just worked it out. ->
Ah—
I have to
Clean the
Floor.

18.
.........
You’re all stupid…

Isuzu-sa…
Ah

Isuzu-san…

…
What is
she upset about?
He…

Everyone and everything

Are not
in the same
state.

19.
Various

Things happened…

Why…

Is it possible
to be like
nothing happened?

Even Kyo

Various
Hateful things

Have been done

Even Tohru…

Was hurt
So much

The
Scar…

Won’t go for
A lifetime right!?

20.
I…
I

Forgiving and not forgiving
Between those

I won’t forgive
Akito

I won’t forgive…


I’m not saying she should
kneel on the ground
Being apologised to
would make me troubled

I’m not saying
that.

I’m not saying
such a thing…

Am I bad?

Am I
Mistaken?

Why can everyone
Just cut off something?

Why…
…

Whatever I do

21.
…The pain in my chest

Won’t go…

Various things

happened

Various things

ended

A variety

of pains

remain.

“It’s difficult
for me to explain.”

Like magic
It doesn’t suddenly

Simply
Go away

It could be

22.
There are pains
that

aren’t able to be
revealed in everyone’s
heart now.

Isuzu-san is…

not bad
in any
way.

In my place
to feel hurt
for what
happened to me

I’m very happy.

I’m very happy…

…

……
…I wonder

If Haru

Will be
unsupportive…?

23.
To say such
a thing so occasionally
maybe

he will begin
to dislike me…

Su
Such a
thing cannot
be!!

There is no
way to tell…

No, there is no way
to find out!!
Such a thing
cannot be!!

How are you
so sure…
you’re
irritating…

I understand,
I’ll go and ask
Hatsuharu-san effective
immediately.

No. Stupid.
Stop!!

They’re
Playing…?

Time

24.

I think it is necessary;

a large

large quantity of

time.

Today you went
to Ren-san’s
place it seems

but you weren’t
able to form much
of a conversation, I heard.

It would
probably be quicker
to expel her

...well
You’ve only
just decided to continue
to stay here

It might have
made things
increasingly worse…

25.
Young people…
are good

Simply being
able to change
the way they live

Having the vigor
And the physical strength

I…

Was born with the Sohmas
and brought up with the Sohmas
And don’t know another way of living

Than with the
Sohmas…

But
I…
I have become
this old

…Being this old,
after so long a time
40 years

50 years
60 years have
been spent building
my life

To change after so long
a time is not possible.
To change

I

26.
…I

have become

old…

now also…

Everything…

It changes

It is unreasonable…

Even then
just a little
is necessary

If

You stretch
out a hand.

27.
In the way
that

someone did
for me.

Tomorrow.

28.
On the day after tomorrow

everything will be
settled completely

is a sad lie.

Everyone everyone
feeling good

to line up
and smile comfortably

is still

a distant dream.

But

29.
No matter how many years

Spending many
tens of years

I want it to keep melting

Without abandoning it
I would like to endeavour.

sigh---….

There might be a
little trouble with
so many women
having Tohru
as their favourite…

30.
And, if
you laugh

That

Is happiness.

Banner: It is good not to hurry. Everyone, little by little moves forward.

Scans thanks to BW, hosted by myself:
http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c25/Seph-Noir/Fruits%20Basket%20chapter%20133/