SPS main story done, what next?

November 13, 2011. Five months after I was done with my brief review on Sayonara Piano Sonata, I was giving serious consideration to whether I should translate what is, in my opinion, a pretty amazing LN. My translations are shit, and I knew jack shit about music other than my brief stint in the school band during my middle school days.

But after that horrible chapter 13 (Eroica) in volume 1, everything seems to be smooth sailing after that. Sort of. The musical terms and Sugii Hikari's metaphors are still a pain in the ass to deal with though. And the translation remains shit. Futari wa Pretty Anon's SPS manga translations gave the title quite a bit of notice, so I guess the we kind of got some free publicity as a result. Not to forget, free publicity from Baka Tsuki as well.

One and a half years later, the main series is finally completed. Pretty decent timing, considering I have quite a bit of distractions in my hand. Things are not getting any faster though, with Dota 2 and perhaps my first work waiting for me. I welcome any comments, feedbacks or constructive criticisms you guys may have for the series. But pardon my grammar, really. I am just horrible with them. And my English grades are not exactly stellar.

Now to Encore Pieces. There are five stories in the volume, but to me, only first and last chapters are the only ones that really matter. I don't mind doing all, and I don't mind doing those two only either. It sort of depends on whether you guys want me to finish SPS completely or to have me move on to a new title asap. Again, feel free to comment on this. I'll probably make my decision after I am done with "sonate pour deux". 

Before I end it off for SPS, I'll like to thank those who've helped me out with SPS before, especially when it comes to the edits. They are the ones who makes the translations sucks less, so props to them. Thanks goes to, but not limited to, Alice, Drkmerc, Kiydon, Yebanis, and of course, our two new editors Asololo and Trarc. They'll be much more active as Kiydon gets on track with Mismarca.



Depending on the situations, Encore Pieces will probably take me anywhere from three months to a year to clear. I guess with only a volume left for me to work on, it's time I think about what I'll be doing next. There's still quite a bit of flame left in me, so I guess I'll work on another title or something? Here's some titles I have in mind. Nothing concrete yet. Personally, I'll only work on titles that are not yet ported to the anime as a medium, and I won't touch anything that's touched by others. I guess it's more of my aim to give deserving LNs more exposure to the English community. I'm pretty pleased to see how much attention Hyouketsu Kyoukai has received, though it's kind of a shame I'm no longer do it. But sinemerald's doing an excellent job with it, so I guess it's all for the better. And hopefully, I've done my part with SPS as well.

Here are a few titles I have in mind. Do inform me if any of the titles are already translated by someone out there.

Gakusei Shoujo
One of the two leading contenders I have in mind as of now. It sort of make sense to do this, since it's a music title which features the son of Naomi and Mafuyu. One problem I foresee is that readers (and perhaps even me) may get tired of a second music-related title, though the fantasy themes may mitigate that issue a little. Other things which makes it slightly less appealing for me are the musical terminologies and again, Sugii Hikaru's metaphors. A strong plus going in its favour is the fact that it's unlikely for the LN to get an anime, and I can get my hands on the official CH translations as I am purchasing the novels.

Shinonome Yuuko series
The other leading contender. I enjoyed it immensely based on the first volume alone, and the series scores well on the LN charts. It's a decently realistic romance title, and it just somehow reminds me of Biblia Koshodo for some unknown reason (probably the female protags). Should be much easier to translate compared to Gakusei Shoujo, which is a plus. Also planning to get the official CN translations. A huge factor going against it is the fact that I can't get my hands on the raws other than <東雲侑子は全ての小説をあいしつづける>. That's the (currently) last volume of the series. Not good. I'll appreciate it if anyone can direct me to the source for the raws for the first two volumes.

Fukanzen Shinkei Kikan Ilis
LN of my waifu. I'm on the balance with this one. Since I'm no longer working on Hyouketsu Kyoukai, I am not too sure if I want to do this. Moreover, this series is enjoyable only to a more "niche" group of audiences. I'm unsure of whether the series will be appealing to readers who has not read or do not enjoy Hyouketsu Kyoukai.

Dress na Boku ga Tangotonaki Katagata no Kateikyoushi-sama na Kudan
The mouthy title from Nomura Mizuki featuring a crossdressing MC. Personally, it's the most interesting series I've read from her. I am not a fan of Bungaku Shoujo, though Hikaru ga Chikyuu is pretty decent. Not a main contender due to one reason only - there's currently no official CN translations for this title. Can be a pretty scary prospect judging from what happened to Onii-ai initially.

MiX!
Yet another title with a crossdressing MC. It's a story about the MC who joined the gynmastics club due to some circumstances. Nice title, but not too sure about the appeal of a cute trap in the eyes of the typical readers.

Kakikake no Love Letter
One-shot from Yamaguchi Noboru, the author who did Zero no Tsukaima. I've never read ZnT before, but the impression I have from this one-shot is very different from my impression of ZnT based on the few anime episodes I've watched. It's a romance title talking about the relationship of a couple as they graduate high school and the main character enrols into a university. Pretty nice one-shot, but it's a one-shot.



That's all I have in mind for now. Not too sure if I'll entertain any requests, since I won't really work on any title unless I've read it before and am sure I'll enjoy translating it. Again, feel free to voice out which title you guys are more interested in, and I may then them into consideration.

That's all for now.