Any Japanese Light Novel Fans out there?

[Toastedpine]

I'm a fan. It's a good subculture if you don't let it run your life (harder to do than it sounds). Since I got my first ebook reader recently, it's been a blast finding out how to marry my twin loves of writing and anime.

I've noticed there aren't any light novels out in ebook format from publishers. Frankly, I can't really blame them. Even the major titles like Suzumiya Haruhi and Shana have pretty stiff and bland prose. I'm not sure whether or not this is because of the translation between languages or the inherent content, but bottom line is it's not very good, and I find myself having to read with my heart and ignore what my mind is screaming.

Then there's the market of people who would actually buy the stuff. There are some pretty strong opinions about honorifics, and other theoretically untranslatable terms. Deciding one way and not another on the translations alienates one of the two groups, which takes a bite out of potential sales.

Anyways, rant done. I just wanted to know if there are any other people out there with similar interests.

[wyndslash]

what is it?

[charmian]

I am not sure if I can call myself a light novel fan if I only read a single series, but I like Saiunkoku. It's not commercially translated into English, though.

I've heard light novels are often not very profitable, but maybe you could try contacting the English languages publishers? Maybe if there's enough fan interest, they might release ebooks.

[birdbrainbb]

Originally Posted by Toastedpine

Even the major titles like Suzumiya Haruhi and Shana have pretty stiff and bland prose. I'm not sure whether or not this is because of the translation between languages or the inherent content, but bottom line is it's not very good, and I find myself having to read with my heart and ignore what my mind is screaming.

Haha, I have to do the same thing! It can be really hard sometimes, especially if something else about the book is off (characterization, plot, whatever). In general, though, I think it's just that light novels are normally badly written and it's hard to translate Japanese prose into English.

Probably the best light novel I've read is Scrapped Princess-- the translation/writing is good, the characters actually have some depth, and the plot isn't over-the-top ridiculous. Have you read it?

[fantasyfan]

I enjoy the !2 Kingdom novels of Fuyumi Ono. The first four have been incorporated into an anime series but with certain changes. the novels have a great deal more character depth than the series and do convey a strong ethical perspective within the fantasy world she creates.

[Toastedpine]

Originally Posted by wyndslash

what is it?

It's almost like a genre when I think about it. Like how sci-fi has certain conventions. In this case, Japanese light novels are usually not as meaty as regular novels in terms of subject, come with a few pictures depicting scenes in the book, and they follow Japanese animation and comic kind of themes like mixing cute (as in marshmallow cute) and dangerous in girl characters.

There's a lot of them that have a bland everyman sort of protagonist, but the everyman is specifically calibrated towards a male Japanese teenager's general thought processes. I think the idea is supposed to be that you can put yourself in the main character's shoes. I don't know what the general trend is for the female-targeted light novels.

Originally Posted by charmian

I only read a single series, but I like Saiunkoku. It's not commercially translated into English, though.

I've seen the series, I wasn't aware it came from a light novel. Shuurrei is one heck of a female protagonist. I pretty much fell in love with her stength of character by the third ep.

Originally Posted by birdbrainbb

Probably the best light novel I've read is Scrapped Princess-- the translation/writing is good, the characters actually have some depth, and the plot isn't over-the-top ridiculous. Have you read it?

Hmmm, I'll see if I can get copies of the Tokyo pop translation here. My selection's pretty thin though unless I pay $60 dollars for shipping.

Originally Posted by fantasyfan

I enjoy the !2 Kingdom novels of Fuyumi Ono. The first four have been incorporated into an anime series but with certain changes. the novels have a great deal more character depth than the series and do convey a strong ethical perspective within the fantasy world she creates.

Thanks for the rec! I'll take a look at this.

[Ravensknight]

Originally Posted by Toastedpine

Thanks for the rec! I'll take a look at this.

In regards to 12 Kingdoms. Unless you can read japanese, I wouldn't bother. Tokyopop cancelled the light novels after volume 4 and as far as I'm aware, it hasn't been picked up or had any interest. Sadly. It was great stuff...

[fantasyfan]

If you go to this website you can read more of Ono which has been translated by Woodbury--including The Shore At Twilight.

http://www.eugenewoodbury.com/

All can be read online and Woodbury provides downloads for his specific translations.

[hidari]

Ta for the link!