Saki. The battle for control of the deep wall has begun...
Toki. I'm sure Toki won't do anything reckless...
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Shinohayu 121: Mass
Someone asked me if I could translate the Saki Biyori omake chapters. That's the extra chapters published in the tankobons. They are not too long and it seemed like a fun little project so I decided to do it. I expect it will be ready some time in November. Anyway, something else to look forward to.
In the mean time, Shinohayu...
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Saki 279: Under the Stars & Toki 79: Good Opportunity
Saki. The original title for this chapter (星行 seikou) is one of those poetic words with a very specific meaning that are never used in normal conversation. Ritz often uses these kind of words for chapter titles. In this case, it means something like "to leave the house very early in the morning when it's still dark and the stars shine overhead". The only thing that matters here is the word "star" since, in case you didn't know, Oohoshi means "big star" and Ritz usually uses star-related words for anything Awai-related.
Also, Ritz pointed out a scoring mistake which was corrected in the translation.
Toki. Mekimeki did their best coloring Toki's eye in page 4 (it's an important eye...). On the other hand, you'll notice that in Saki's color pages, the coloring is too plain (Ritz admitted to that and promised to fix it for the volume release).
Friday, September 27, 2024
Shinohayu 120: Like a Sparrow that Turned into a Clam
The Saki characters poll has ended. The final results are not out yet but halfway through the voting, Toki (not Saki) was leading. The halfway results were like this: 1st Toki, 2nd Saki, 3rd Nodoka, 4th Hisa, 5th Teru, 6th Hiroe, 7th Ako, 8th Koromo, 9th Shino, 10th Kasumi.
There was also a blog post by Ritz saying she's not too fond of popularity rankings but could not refuse a request from SquareEnix. And if it helps with sales and publicity and such then one can only be grateful. Ritz asked that ALL characters be included, which is why there were as many as 300 different characters to vote for. Ritz apologizes to the staff for the trouble it must have been to set this up with so many characters. Still, Ritz notes that about 50 characters or so were left out including, most notably, the mysterious Hikari-chan. Ritz will also strive to make special illustrations, not just for the top 9, but for any character in the top 50, to be distributed for free with the volume releases.
P.S.: Mekimeki refrained from voting for any Toki-related characters and voted for Yoshiko Kainou and the MaiHime combo (Mairu & Himeko).
Shinohayu. The chapter's title is an expression used when talking about something or someone that experienced a significant change. It comes from an ancient believe that said when the cold arrives and sparrows are less numerous is because they jump into the sea and become clams.
Sunday, September 8, 2024
Friday, August 30, 2024
Toki 78: Pair Wait
I hadn't listened to it in years but as the chapter ends, Futuristic Player begins to play...
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Shinohayu 119: Strengthening
This month, we have both Shinohayu and Toki. As usual, Shino comes first and Toki will be ready some time next week.
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Saki 277: Counterattack
The first direct confrontation of this captains match: Saki vs Awai!
But don't miss the even greater struggle in page 11: those tiles sure are strong... (Ritz had some fun).
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Shinohayu 118: Trap
As expected, the "character contest" that was recently announced will be a popularity poll to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Young Gangan magazine where Saki is published. Additionally, the 9 most voted characters will enter some kind of lottery to receive special art drawn by Ritz. Nine characters is because of the Nine Gates yakuman. Voting is in September so the results won't be known until at least October.
Also, no Toki chapter this month. Mekimeki might be busy with Comiket or something...
Sunday, July 7, 2024
Saki 276: Head Start & Toki 77: Beginning
Saki. The end of the chapter has an announcement about a "character contest". It's not exactly clear what that's going to be but a character popularity poll, maybe? But in that case, I wonder why they didn't just say popularity poll. More details on the next issue, but unfortunately next issue doesn't have a chapter. Anyway, if it's something like a character poll, we'll probably provide a translation when it gets published.
Toki. How will Toki react to Ryuuka's merciless attack...?
Thursday, June 27, 2024
Shinohayu 117: Breeze from the Flapping of Wings
Shino's skills are being tested at the match of the three champions. What kind of player is last year's Interhigh winner Muguruma Sui?
EDIT: caught a mistake in page 13 as soon as I posted it. It's fixed now.
Sunday, June 23, 2024
Saki 275: Delay
I hope no one gets confused by the title lol. The chapter is not delayed. "Delay" is the chapter's title.
Anyway, the captains match begins!!
Sunday, June 9, 2024
Sunday, May 26, 2024
Shinohayu 116: Gap
This is a very short chapter but that's what we have. Ritz assumed responsibility for not submitting the draft sooner but also, every series had new volume releases this month, so it's not entirely unexpected.
On top of that, there is no Toki chapter this month. It seems that the Mekimeki duo have been very busy with other works lately (not related to Saki) so Toki is skipping this issue.
Finally, this chapter's original title is buranku, which is a borrowed word from the English 'blank'. In Japanese, this is often used to mean 'time without doing something'. So 'gap' would be a better translation, in this case, than the literal 'blank'.
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Saki 273: Captains
It's all been leading up to this moment. The captains match is finally here. Shizuno, Awai, Nelly, Saki... Who will come out on top in the end?
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Toki 76 & MakoMeshi 30 END
Well, this is it. This is the last chapter of MakoMeshi. The series is now fully translated. It was fun doing something that's a bit different from the other series.
And here's Toki. Double release because it's not a long chapter.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Shinohayu 115: Okinawa
Last chapter, I didn't think of making a note of Kokoro's message in page 23. The text is barely readable and mostly hidden behind a speech bubble so it's just disconnected bits, but it appears to say that Kokoro repeatedly talking about Shino in front of the prefectural governor is what led to Shino's invitation. It also mentions someone from a TV channel. None of that is really important but it gives a bit more context.
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
MakoMeshi 29: Aspara Bacon of Youth
Only one chapter left now. To be released either later this month or early the next, perhaps jointly with one of the other series.
Mako, the popular girl...
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Shinohayu 114 & MakoMeshi 28
As expected, Toki is skipping an issue this month so normally it would be just Shinohayu, but another MakoMeshi chapter has been completed so it's a double release. Next will probably be more MakoMeshi around mid-April.
Sunday, March 10, 2024
Toki 75: Sign
Toki is facing an uphill battle against Ryuuka at the district individuals. And that memory... Is that a sign of "reawakening"...?
Sunday, March 3, 2024
Saki 272: Obstruction
Like it says at the end of the chapter, Saki is taking a short break and will resume in May. Nothing special about this. It usually means new volumes to be released in April or May.
For those following MakoMeshi, we'll try to finish the remaining chapters during this break (only 3 chapters left). Before that, Toki, most likely next weekend.
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Shinohayu 113: Preening
Toki is a bit long this time, no time to finish before the weekend so next release most likely will be Saki and then Toki next week. Meanwhile, enjoy Shinohayu...
Sunday, February 18, 2024
MakoMeshi 27: A Feast!
It's been a while since the last one but finally found the time to do another chapter of MakoMeshi. This one is about Hisa and Mako and The Niku!
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Toki 74: Pile
The individual tournament begins! How far can Toki go? Or is she already doomed?
As already said, there will be a new MakoMeshi next week, probably on the weekend, maybe sooner if I have time.
Sunday, February 4, 2024
Saki 271: Hot-blooded
Getting closer and closer to the captain match! Or at least to some story events in between matches...
Toki is nearly done and will be released probably on Wednesday and MakoMeshi the week after.
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Shinohayu 112: Waterfall Meditation
A very short chapter of just 10 pages. Apparently, Ritz was very late in submitting the rough draft. Toki isn't too long either so there might be time for a MakoMeshi chapter sometime in February.
Sunday, January 21, 2024
Saki 270: Scuffle
When drawing Saki characters, the one Ritz likes to play around with the most is definitely Awai. Definitely, definitely Awai. And there are lots and lots of characters in Saki but for some reason Ritz has a thing for Awai in particular. Sometimes other characters too a little bit, but none like Awai.
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Toki 73: Deal
Happy New Year!
First chapter of the year, it's Toki!
Ryuuka wants to have an honest conversation with Nanami but...
