Manga/Hourou Musuko Licensed

I recently found out that Hourou Musuko by Takako Shimura (of Aoi Hana fame) has been licensed by Fantagraphics books and is slated for a hardcover release in December under the title Wandering Son.

I don't know how well known or popular Hourou Musuko is, but either way I never seriously expected it to actually be officially translated. For those unfamiliar, the basic premise of the series is a slice of life drama which focuses on a boy and girl who would much rather be a girl and boy and the various situations that occur as a result.

For me, the lure was how they treated the subject seriously, as opposed to just making it joke-fodder. But this fact also made me think it was unlikely to see a US release. I'm curious now what others think of this development in particular and the series in general.

HELLS TO THE YEAH

(does the happy dance)

I'm not displeased, though I'm a bit worried that scanslations may stop, and I'll have to wait years for Fanta to catch up to where they are now. I'm slightly impatient when it comes to this sort of thing...

I was quite happy to hear this. Hourou Musuko is a favorite of mine.

It's also getting an anime.

More good news: The Hourou Musuko anime has been officially announced to air in January on the Noitamina block. Which means Funimation already owns the license to simulcast the series.

It seems to be going in the same artistic direction as Aoi Hana.

AWESOME!!!

I'm hoping they don't bastardize it too much. But then again, trans stuff in Japan is a thing people are interested in.

Considering that the Aoi Hana anime was actually an improvement over the manga, I'd say there's not much to worry about.

Very true.

Plus it's Noitamina...

Three more days until the anime airs. Crunchyroll currently has it picked up for simulcasting.

First episode aired, and... WTF ? Who thought starting with the fifth volume was a good idea ?

That's actually not a bad idea. The series was always long and slow. They wouldn't have been able to make it to some of the major developments before the season would be up, otherwise.

Also, goddamn, still hits hard there...

edited 13th Jan '11 3:42:03 PM by Miijhal

I have not read the manga yet, so this is the first time I've seen any of Hourou Musuko.

...when they started playing Clair De Lune...

Needless to say, I'm definitely going to keep watching this.

I also have never read the manga before, but I just watched episode 1 of Hourou Musuko and I have to say I liked it. I thought it was a good first episode. I have to say, I really loved the way the art looked, especially the way it was colored. And hearing Clair de Lune was a pleasant surprise - I thought it really fit tonally as well.

Overall I really liked it and am looking forward to seeing where it goes.

Also the OP and ED were quite good.

edited 13th Jan '11 4:35:52 PM by Sporkaganza

part of me is admittedly just glad Sarashina was in the first episode. There's just something awesome about a combination Cool Big Sis and Cloud Cuckoo Lander.

I can safely say I wasn't expecting the first episode to be like that. The ending theme nearly had me in tears.

edited 14th Jan '11 3:28:22 PM by KrazehPenguin

I predict massive Adaptation Distillation.

Just watched the first episode. :D

I'm going to go find the manga. All of it. Right now.

Ooh, really? I might have to go watch it now if that's the case.

What the hell, stories aren't allowed to be this heartwarming... ;w;

Yyyyyeeep. Same old Sarashina. :P

Soooo... Saori still has as many issues as in the manga, I see.

Alright, this is cutest thing I have watched in a while.

Though I nearly died out of laugher at Takatsuki's reaction to being told she has to wear a bra. Chi-chan laughing all the while didn't help things.

Saw the first two episodes.

I kind of like the entire In Media Res thing they did. It worked very wellor grabbing my attention.

Saorin is clearly the most interesting character. It's very enjoyable to see someone who is so desperately pissed ff at the world.

I can't really make up my mind about Saorin. I feel a lot of sympathy for her, and yet I'm also incredibly annoyed by what she does sometimes.

On another note, I need the OST to this anime.