This week’s header image comes from the otome game Destiny’s Princess: A War Story, A Love Story which was released on Steam this week. Check it out here! If you get any error messages loading this page, just refresh it and they should go away! We’re still dealing with some technical issues from a major server upgrade. – Tay
Hello generous VNTS readers! If any of you are interested in helping out one of our own, Loe (of Loe TL, the guy who put out the HaraKano patch last week and is picking at other projects) has run into some health issues and is staring down some hefty medical bills. If you have a buck or two to throw his way, please do so. Here’s a link to his paypal.
Loe’s facing some big medical bills. Click here to give him a buck or two.
I don’t have any connection to Loe, nor will I get any of the money you donate. If you have questions about paypal/helping him out, you can contact him directly.
Anyway! Welcome to our weekly VNTS (Visual Novel Translation Status) series, in which we track visual novel translation updates in-house (we don’t rely on /jp/ posts on 4ch, for example) and post it for your enlightenment and enjoyment each Saturday. If you find any errors, or you think a project is missing from this list, please let me know in the comments.
The Short Version:
Only the New Stuff
A Clockwork Ley-Line: The Borderline of Dusk (Sekai Project) – Moved to the Sekai section. This was formerly the Kohaku team’s patch.
AstralAir – TL: 72.75% > 73.24% (47521/64880); Edit: 72.75% > 73.24% (47521/64880)
Ayakashi Gohan! – Looking for translators, re-inserter(s) or proofreaders. If interested, see this post.
Bishoujo Mangekyou -Norowareshi Densetsu no Shoujo – TL: 358,4 kB/710 kB (50.5 %)
Dare ka ga Koi Shita Hankagai (Sekai Project) – TL: 28.75%
(Otome!) Destiny’s Princess: A War Story, A Love Story – Released! Get it on Steam right now!
Dracu-Riot! – Nosebleed, Oxford Comma, and Their Ilk are going to finish the DR patch. See their post here.
HaraKano – See my note about Loe up above
Harumade, Kururu. – Common Route: 0% > 25%
Hoka no Onna no Ko to H wo Shiteiru Ore wo Mite Koufun Suru Kanojo – TL: 13584 > 14319 Lines
Irotoridori no Sekai – TL: 6% > 8% (4301/50663); Edit: 3% > 8% (4301/50663)
KARAKARA (Sekai Project) – TL Progress: 77.22%
Koi ga Saku Koro Sakura Doki – TLC: 48% > 82%
Koiseyo!! Imouto Banchou – TL: 4% > 5%; Edit: 2% > 4%
Lucid9: Inciting Incident (Sekai Project) – Releases on Steam on April 14, 2016 (this week!)
Maitetsu (Sekai Project) – TL: 6.39%
Majikoi A (1 + 2) – A-1 Overall: 64% > 72%; UI is done for both A-1 and A-2
(Otome!) The Men of Yoshiwara: Ohgiya – Coming out in April 2016; Steam page is live
Monster Girl Quest Paradox – Patch v1.21.30 released (see this post)
(Otome!) My Secret Pets! – Coming out in May 2016; Steam page is now up
Root Double -Before Crime * After Days- Xtend Edition (Sekai Project) – Releasing this month (April 2016). Was originally slated for March 2016.
Sharin no Kuni, Himawari no Shoujo – Kickstarter for localization to launch 06/2016 (link)
Sonicomi (JAST) – Voice acting is coming to the game
Still, I Missed Her (Sekai Project) – TL: 1.29%
Tokyo Necro – Added to the list this week; TL: Story Scripts: 2.5% (1010/39657); TL: Encyclopedia Entries: 50% (60/120); Looking for an English editor, and image editor; Fuwanovel thread (link); 1-hr video will be coming soon to showcase the project
New Releases
(Otome!) Destiny’s Princess: A War Story, A Love Story – Released! Get it on Steam right now!
Removed from the list this week
Dorei to no Seikatsu -Teaching Feeling- – By Spacegodzilla. Follow it there if you want. It’s been released and more will come piecemeal in the future.
All the Game Updates:
Fan Translation Projects
Fan Translation Projects
wdt_ID
(Hidden) Title
Game
Group & Progress
New Update?
Notes
1
Akaya Akashiya Ayakashino
Akaya Akashiya Ayakashino
AkaAka TL
11/15/15 Update – Work still ongoing, but some of the team are unresponsive. You can see everything completed here.
2
Amagami
Amagami
Ni Shi Shi TL
TL: 68.70% (1587/2308 scripts); three routes complete (link)
Edit: 19.5% (452/2308 scripts)
3
Anniversary no Kuni no Alice
Anniversary no Kuni no Alice
Märchen TL
TL: 59%;
Edit: 42%;
Proofread: 29%
4
Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm (Aokana)
Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm (Aokana)
OriginalRen
Still needs TLers; Looking for N2 or N3 level TLers; Contact Ren if interested (link)
TL Update: TL of Ch 2 from Azure done; ~950 lines edited by Ren
Watching to see what quality the other group puts out before moving forward with retranslation
5
AstralAir
AstralAir
AstralAir TL
New!
TL: 72.75% > 73.24% (47521/64880)
Edit: 72.75% > 73.24% (47521/64880)
QC: 0%
6
Ayakashi Gohan!
Ayakashi Gohan!
Hanataba TL
New!
Looking for translators, re-inserter(s) or proofreaders. If interested, see this post.
Overall: ~58%
Trial is translated and patch is available! (link)
7
Bishoujo Mangekyou -Norowareshi Densetsu no Shoujo-
Bishoujo Mangekyou -Norowareshi Densetsu no Shoujo-
Euphemic Translation
New!
TL: 358,4 kB/710 kB (50.5 %)
Being translated from Finnish TL, but checking JP as goes along, too (link)
Recruiting: needs editor, JPN to EN TLCer, proofreader, QCer (more/contact info here)
8
Black Wolves Saga -Bloody Nightmare-
Black Wolves Saga -Bloody Nightmare-
Golden Spirit
1/8/2016 - Potential legal trouble with their Starry Sky In Summer has put Black Wolves Saga and Ken ga Kimi on semi-hiatus status. (Link)
1/29/2016 - Slator wrote an article about the group's predicament.
3/11/2016 - Trying to get in touch with her team members to finish BWS and KgK. (Link)
9
Brother Conflict PSP
Brother Conflict PSP
Passion And Brilliance
Passion Pink: TL – 100%; Still needs formatting and inserting (link)
Brilliant Blue: TL – : 5%
Note: Despite JP Vita release, the team is continuing the project (link)
10
Clover Day’s
Clover Day’s
Yakusoku TL
Common TL: 100%;
Anzu TL: 49%;
Anri TL: 100%;
Hekiru TL: 10.25%;
Tsubame TL: 100%;
Izumi: 12%;
JAST USA Projects
JAST USA (Updates; Archive)
wdt_ID
(Hidden) Title
Game
New Update?
Notes
1
Django
Django
Waiting on TL
2
Eien no Aselia
Eien no Aselia
Pre-order the game here
Extra content coding
Greenlit! Coming to Steam Soon*
18+ version is "possi
3
Flowers
Flowers
Game is delayed, release date unknown. Read their statement here.
Pre-order now availab
4
Nympho Sensei Ryoko
Nympho Sensei Ryoko
Pre-order here!
Done: TL, Editing, Mosaic removal, Interface translation
(02/20/2016) Now: Beta testing, QA
5
Seinarukana
Seinarukana
Pre-order the game here
Has gone "Gold Master!" (Link)
6
Sonicomi
Sonicomi
New!
Pre-Orders are now live! (Link)
Game site is up
Almost everything is done
Voi
7
Sumaga
Sumaga
TL is done
Editing in prog
8
Sweet Home
Sweet Home
TL: 66%
9
Trample on Schatten
Trample on Schatten
TL: 86%
Other
Starless – Script check 10%, added new mosaic to fix list.
Shiny Days – Tweaks ongoing
MangaGamer Projects
MangaGamer (Updates)
wdt_ID
(Hidden) Title
Game
New Update?
Notes
1
Beat Blades Haruka
Beat Blades Haruka
RELEASED! Get the game here!
Game will remain on the list until 3/26
2
Bokuten
Bokuten
Translation: 79%
Editing: 50% > 70%
3
Da Capo 3
Da Capo 3
TL: 83%
Edit: 79.3%
4
Higurashi (Retranslation)
Higurashi (Retranslation)
Chapter 3: Tatarigoroshi – 100% Translated and Edited!
Chapter 1 - Released!
Chapter 2 - Released!
5
Himawari -a pebble in the sky-!
Himawari -a pebble in the sky-!
TL: 100%;
Edit: 100%;
Side Stories: done!
Updating Scripts: "We got the PC port of the Vita version in and the TL team has been updating the script to be inline with that version of the game" (Link). Most of these changes are minor (Link).
6
The House in Fata Morgana
The House in Fata Morgana
Pre-orders are now up! Get the game here!
Release Date: May 13, 2016
7
Imouto Paradise! 2
Imouto Paradise! 2
TL: 36.59%
Edit: 10%
8
Kuroinu
Kuroinu
TL: 35% > 40%
Edit: 18.13%
9
MYTH
MYTH
TL: 94% > 100%
Edit: 81%
10
My Boss’ Wife is My Ex!
My Boss’ Wife is My Ex!
TL: 100%;
Edit: 100%
In Testing
Other
Rance 5D, Rance VI, and Rance Quest fan translations on hold in anticipation of potential official release by MangaGamer.
Magical Eyes – Red is for Anguish – Pre-Order is up! (Link)
The translation of Kindred Spirits’ Drama CDs have been announced!
Free Friends hardcopy has been put up for pre-order and is releasing May 20th!
Sekai Project Projects
Sekai Project (Update Page)
These percentages should be seen as vague indicators of progress, and are not entirely accurate due to a variety of reasons.
wdt_ID
(Hidden) Title
Game
New Update?
Notes
1
A Clockwork Ley-Line:
The Borderline of Dusk
A Clockwork Ley-Line:
The Borderline of Dusk
New!
Sekai Project announced they've aquired the license for this game and will be releasing it sometime in 2016.
Link: Official Game page
The Kohaku team's patch is being used for the official TL. Congrats to them for all their hard work! (Link)
2
Chrono Clock
Chrono Clock
TBD
3
Companion
Companion
Picked up
Official site here.
4
Dare ka ga Koi Shita Hankagai
Dare ka ga Koi Shita Hankagai
New!
TL: 28.75%
5
Dizzy Hearts
Dizzy Hearts
TBD
6
Hoshizora no Memoria -Wish upon a Shooting Star-
Hoshizora no Memoria -Wish upon a Shooting Star-
Picked up
Will be a new translation, not the Fan TL
7
Human Reignition Project
Human Reignition Project
TBD
8
KARAKARA
KARAKARA
New!
US Release date set for June 27th.
TL Progress: 77.22%
9
Koenchu!
Koenchu!
TBD
10
Kokonoe Kokoro
Kokonoe Kokoro
Engine Integration/QA
Other
Here’s a handy link to sort Sekai Project’s Steam releases by release date: link
Misc. Projects
Other Projects
wdt_ID
(Hidden) Title
Game
Group & Progress
New Update?
Notes
1
Corona Blossom
Corona Blossom
Front Wing
Brand-spanking-new VN developed by Front Wing, to be released in English first. (Link)
Will be translated by Front Wing's internal translation team, staffed by native english speakers.
2
Corpse Party BloodCovered
Corpse Party BloodCovered
XSEED Games
It's a thing.
3
Destiny's Princess: A War Story, A Love Story
(Otome!) Destiny's Princess: A War Story, A Love Story
Dogenzaka Lab
New!
Released! Get it on Steam right now!
Will stay on the list until 4/30/2016
4
Libra of the Vampire Princess
Libra of the Vampire Princess
MiKandi Japan
Kickstarter finished! (Link): $183,105 of $125,000 goal raised. First three stretch goals unlocked.
5
Little Busters Perfect Edition
Little Busters Perfect Edition
Fruitbat Factory
Licensed by Fruitbat Factory
Working with Doki Fansubs to finish TL
6
Harmonia
Harmonia
Visual Arts/Key
Release Date: Spring 2016 (Link)
Steam Greenlight: Link
7
Magical Eyes – Red is for Anguish
Magical Eyes – Red is for Anguish
Fruitbat Factory
RELEASED! Get the game here!
Congratulations to the team on this accomplishment!
Game will stay on list until 4/23/2016
8
The Men of Yoshiwara: Ohgiya
(Otome!) The Men of Yoshiwara: Ohgiya
Dogenzaka Lab
New!
Coming out in April 2016
Steam page is live
9
Muv-Luv Series
Muv-Luv Series
Degica
Game site is now live: link
Muv-Luv Extra and Unlimited will be released this summer, with Japanese language support; KS backers get beta in April
The team will be at Anime Expo 2016
Schwarzesmarken - Kouketsu no Monshou is now on Steam Greenlight!
Extensive editing and retranslation of the original fan translation is being undertaken. (link)
10
My Secret Pets!
(Otome!) My Secret Pets!
Dogenzaka Lab
New!
Coming out in May 2016
Steam page is now up
— Commentary Section —
Zakabox™ Commentary
「I never thought I’d be this late on the commentary and still actually do it, but this is going to be a month-long streak so I can’t just stop before the finish line! Things really didn’t sync up this time is all I can say.
This week we have some nice progress on the KARAKARA translation, SakuSaku tlc has finally(?) started moving again, and Tokyo Necro has been given Verified Project status by our almighty Lord of the VNTS Decay. Oh, and Root Double will hopefully actually be out this month.
Lucid9 is a project that’s been on Fuwanovel since… 1 May 2014! It’s been a while, and it’s cool to see them release something non-demo at last. There are more installments planned after this first one (“you can consider the current release as a common route of sort”). As for whether further parts will cost dollar money, I got “Should be all free, but then again I can’t predict what will happen in the future”. Further updates will add more routes to the base game, and apparently there should eventually be a true route. True routes are one of my fetishes, so I will be looking forward to that.
It looks quite nice, I do enjoy and the voice acting seems not-terrible, though the decision to go with Japanese names is going to wreck them. The project co-leader Diamon admitted his guilt to me personally though (and they weren’t exactly planning for VA from the start), so I’m going to give him a light sentence of medium-intensity scorn.
Diamon actually wrote an extensive guide to making VNs, which you can see on our blog here. If you’re planning to lead your own development team for one, it’s a good resource. Though looking over it now, I already spotted a grammatical error in the eighth paragraph. Sigh. Oh well, find it and mention it in the comments and I’ll give you an Internet and probably still not fix it because I’m too lazy.
The Destiny’s Princess release actually looks… p. decent writing-wise from the video excerpt on Steam. Not perfect, but certainly not a machine-translated horror like some other things having the translation credited to the Japanese publisher. The publisher, Dogenzaka Lab, has Zaka in its name and also put out Tokyo School Life and a few other otome VNs. Their upcoming release My Secret Pets apparently has the female protag’s pets turn into guys, consoling her after a break-up. Since I enjoyed Nekopara, I have absolutely no right to mock this setup. Damn.
The other big news this week, the Sharin Kickstarter, is something that I actually feel like having opinions about. It’s being run by Front Wing on behalf of the original developers, and the usual porn presence and translation quality questions are there. The fan translator himself says he told people his tl was unusable, but some people think Front Wing will use it anyway. It’s all very confusing, and Front Wing are telling us to wait with the questions and not believe anything they haven’t announced officially. When it comes to both these questions, I say wait and see. Sharin doesn’t really need its porn much (there’s one debateable thing in there, but it actually shows no genitalia so idk); you wouldn’t be missing anything significant there.
I’m just going to say this, besides the other potential issues: do you want Kickstarter to be the premier marketing and pre-order platform for VNs? If not, consider not backing, even if it’s Sharin no Kuni. There’s really no reason Front Wing should need Kickstarter to bring it over as far as I know; the only conclusion is that this is just becoming how you do business in the VN market. And I’m not sure if I want that to happen.
And with that, I have a long-neglected dinner to attend to. I was loud with my mother about it after she told me the third time, and I really shouldn’t have been :(」
Decay’s Musings
Greetings, I come to you from the far-flung past! For a variety of boring reasons, I’m actually writing this before a single iota of VNTS work has been done. I’ve become quite the busy bee in recent weeks, and this week I took on a rather monumental obligation. I’ve become lead editor for the Dracu-Riot completion project. We not only aim to complete the translation, but to also give the entire work all of the tender love and care that Staircase had not the time or manpower for. I’m sure the entire internet is already descending upon the newly-released partial patch like a flock of starving buzzards, but perhaps you’re all better off waiting, instead. This was a surprise release, and it’s not like we’re currently lacking in other new releases. What’s a few more months, anyway?
Aside from the brief lull this week, the steady stream of new releases continues unabated. Dangan Ronpa 2 PC, Root Double, and Ozmafia are all releasing this month. I’m especially looking forward to the first two. I really enjoyed DR1 when I played the PSP fan translation upon its release years ago. I am but a Vita-less peasant, however, and DR2 has eluded me all this time. I suspect there are a fair number of Dangan Ronpa fans just like me, who have not been afforded the opportunity to play the much-vaunted sequel. Unfortunately, with my schedule as it is, who knows when I’ll actually be able to get to it? I do plan on playing Root Double first, whenever that is released. Here’s hoping that SP doesn’t push it back another month.
And then for May, MangaGamer has The House if Fata Morgana penned in. That looks like a pretty interesting gothic horror. It looks really neat, but I’m afraid that its appeal might be so incredibly niche that it will fail to find a market. I hope I’m wrong. Beyond that, who knows? I suspect Sekai Project might have a trick or two up their sleeve, and JAST wants to at least finish Flowers in May. It’s about time for that long-awaited second entry to the Grisaia series, no? On the fan translation front, there’s still no telling when any given project will actually finish, but the latest SakuSaku update at least seems very promising.
So yeah, there’s plenty of stuff to tide you over while waiting for Dracu-Riot. If you’ve waited all this time, surely you can wait a few more months. I believe the work we’re doing to all parts of the game, not just the unfinished Miu route, to be very much worth it. But I’m afraid no one will be there anymore to appreciate it by the time it comes out. Let’s see how many of you can exhibit the patience necessary to prove me wrong.
Oh, and that Sharin no Kuni news? Boy, that’s weird, huh? Yeah, that’s all I got. What do you want outta me, I spent all day neck deep in Dracu-Riot and Tokyo Babel (review coming soon!). I’m tired, leave me alone. I’m crawling into bed now, goodnight all.
TAYsteful™ Thoughts
I’ve been up for, like, two days straight working on Fuwa stuff. The server upgrade broke some stuff and consequently making this post was a nightmare that took all day. I’m tired, I’m grumpy, and I just want to go home.
If you can spare a buck or two, please give Loe (of Loe TL, the guy who put out the HaraKano patch last week and is picking at other projects) a hand with some medical bills. Glad to hear you’re feeling better, man. Much < 3.
Have a good week, everybody!