Visual Novel Translation Status (10/07/23)

Welcome to the Fuwanovel VNTS, where we shamelessly copy the work of one illustrious 4chan /jp/ member in collating translation progress and add minor dabs of value through corrections and additions. Entries with updates this week in bold. The cover for this week is Stella of the End because it completely blindsided us.

After AX 2023 concluded and we posted our extremely long and detailed articles of the event. At this point there might another section added with photos showcasing how it actually looked like at the event and how the publisher booths were designed. We also caught that we were missing a FAKKU furry game title, since there wasn’t much information on it online. These articles should contain everything important now!

But as strong as last week was, the more it is evident that this week is significantly weaker. In fact, there might be nothing to really talk about, so prepare for me and Zaka to ramble about random stuff. Without further ado, let’s get into what’s there.

Visual Novel translation status

Fan Translation

Aikano ~Yukizora no Triangle~ – Common Route translated
Aiyoku No Eustia – 100% Translated and edited and TLC
Akatsuki no Goei ~Principal-tachi no Kyuujitsu~ – 100% translated, 72.41% edited, 36.78% through QA
Akatsuki no Goei ~Tsumibukaki Shuumatsuron~ – 19,949 lines translated (32.82%)
Amagami – 3rd public Beta patch released
Baku Ane 2 – Prologue, Ritsuka Fully translated, Wakana 8/8 Lessons, 5% route, Mashiro 5/8 lessions, Miran 2/5 events and Sayaka 1/3 events translated, Ritsuka patch released
Caucasus – 100% translated, image editing complete, editing, QC/TLC , and playtesting remain
CHAOS;HEAD Love Chu Chu! – 65.04% translated, 6.17% edited
CHAOS;CHILD Love Chu Chu – Being translated
Chicchakunai Mon – 100% translated and 39.5% edited
Chusingura 46+1 – 23717/82770 (28.65%) lines translated, Kuranosuke route partial patch released
Deatte 5-fun wa Ore no Mono! Jikan Teishi to Atropos – Common Route patch released
Dragon Knight 4 – 57% translated
Eiga Go-toubun no Hanayome ~Kimi to Sugoshita Itsutsu no Omoide~ – Common + Ichika + Nino + Yotsuba routes translated, Miku route day 1 of 5 translated
Fate/Extra CCC – 100% translated, 631/2499 main scripts edited
GinIro Haruka – Mizuha route released, Mizuha edits finished, Yuzuki route fully translated and more than 50% edited
H2O √ after and another Complete story Edition – 100% translated, 97.6% edited
Hakuchuumu no Aojashin – Restoration patch focused on Case 1 released, work being done on the rest of the untranslated scenes
Haruka na Sora – Sora and Yahiro routes translated, Kozue 29% translated, overall TL 70% TLC 70% ED 26%
Houma Hunter Lime – Patch in development
If My Heart Had Wings: Snow Presents – 23% translated
Jisatsu no Tame no 101 no Houhou – 17% translated
Junketsu Megami-Sama – 2nd Alpha patch released, Astarotte route finishing up
Koukan no Toriko-Tachi – Prologue, common, and Cuckold Play route translated, Swinging Route 35%, Yukari POV 40%
Kud Wafter – AA Version 23,835/31,579 (75.5%) Lines translated, 18+ Version 13,283/33,113 (40.1%) lines translated
Kusarihime ~Euthanasia~ – “Translation finished. Rest of the processes ongoing.”
LOVELY×CATION2 – Scripts released that translate 25% of the game, project being dropped
Lucky Star ~Ryouou Gakuen Outousai~ – episode 1 patch released
Lovely Cation 2 – 25% TL script
Maji Koi A-5 – 85% translated
Manakashi no Yuri wa Akaku Somaru – 66% translated
Miagete Goran, Yozora no Hoshi o – 1 of 4 routes translation finished for the restoration patch, Houkiboshi Hika 2 of 4 H-scenes translated
Mienai Nitousei – Released
Nursery Rhyme – 100% translated and edited, text insertion 100% complete, testing ongoing
Otogirisou – 100% translated
Planetarian Snow Globe – Editing/proofreading/image editing finished
Pure Pure – 100% translated, needs proofreading, partial patch released, all routes have been inserted
Sakura Wars 2 – Being translated, demo patch released
Sukimazakura to Uso no Machi – Translation 100% complete TLC, editing, QA, image editing left
Sen no Hatou, Tsukisome no Kouki – Both original and fan disc 100% translated, in need of editing
Shabura Rental – 100% translated, 32732/33358 lines edited (98.2%), aiming for a July release
Shangrlia 2 – Menu patch released, patch in development
Shin Hayarigami – 48% translated
Shirotsume Yubiwa – 100% translated, 50% beta patch released
Tenshi no Inai 12-gatsu – 100% translated, TLC and Editing upcoming
Tokimeki Memorial 2 – Being translated
Tsui no Stella – Released
Tsuma Netori – 40% translated, 35% edited, 35% proofread
Umi kara Kuru Mono – 91/138 scripts translated
Walkure Romanze – Common + Celia + Lisa + Mio routes patch released
Yosuga no Sora – Translation finished, editing and TLC ongoing, Total: TL 100% TLC 71% ED 55%, Common/Kazuha/Motoka routes fully edited

Official work

MangaGamer

Shiei no Sona-Nyl – In Beta
The Pillagers of Raillore – About to enter Beta
Ciconia – Phase 1 Released
Hadaka Shitsuji fandisc – Picked up
Rance 03 – 48% translated, 29% edited
Rance X – 56% translated, 5% edited
Luckydog1 – Translation nearly complete
Funbag Fantasy 4 – 51% translated, 49% edited
Eve of the 12th Month – 91% translated and 8% edited
Hana Awase New Moon – Picked up
DEAD DAYS – Picked up
Beat Valkyrie Ixseal – Picked up
Welcome to a Sexy, Open World – Picked up

JAST

Gears of Dragoon: Fragments of a New Era – Septemberish
Sumaga- Slow progress ongoing
Katahane – Progress being made again
Django – Not actively making progress
Tokyo Hero Project – Translation finished
Machine Child – Still being developed
Goblins on the March: Breed All Humans! – About to enter QA
Yomegami: My Sweet Goddess – Picked up
Yamizome Liberator – Picked up
Mojika: Truth Rears Its Ugly Head – Picked up
Djibril – Being translated
Sisters: Last Day of Summer – In QA
Masquerade: Hell Academy – Picked up
Paradise – Picked up
VNTS !!UcDDlzwANFs 07/09/23(Sun)22:46:05 No.43972038
Sekai/Denpa
Happy Saint Sheol – In editing, Demo in Q3, release in Q4
Harumade Kururu – Waiting on build
Rewrite+ Harvest Festa – Finishing up translation, image editing ongoing
Hoshizora no Memoria (retranslation) – In QA
Subete no Koi ni, Hanabata o. – 50% translated
Sumire – Picked up
Sanarara R – 100% translated and edited, waiting on build
Glass – Picked up
New Glass – Picked up
Karakara 3 – 100% translated and edited
Yume to Iro de Dekiteiru – 90% translated, 30% edited
Zutto Mae Kara Joshi Deshita – 100% translated, in editing
Gakkou no Seiiki – 100% translated and edited, Waiting on build
Chiisana Kanojo no Serenade – 50% translated, 20% edited
Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi 10% translated
Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi AA – Announced
Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka – 40% translated
Re;Lord 3 – In QA
Marshmallow Imouto Succubus – In QA
Hamidashi Creative – Announced
Inupara – In Development
Nekopara After La Vraie Familie – In Development
Nie no Hakoniwa – 100% translated, 30% edited
Parfait Remake – In translation
Raspberry Cube – Announced
Uso Kara Hajimaru Koi no Natsu – 50% translated, 30% edited
Animal Trail Girlish Square 2 – 100% translated and edited, waiting on build
Animal Trail Girlish Square LOVE+PLUS – 100% translated and edited, waiting on build
NEKO-NIN exHeart SPIN – In Development

Nekonyan

My Klutzy Cupid – July 21st release
Clover Day’s Plus – Steam page up, August release
Dracu Riot – “Waiting on Warmsoft for a QA Build”
Melty Moment – 80% translated
Aoi Tori – “Porting work is still ongoing”
Fureraba Complete edition – Vita exclusive content to be added to Fureraba a couple months after the fandisc release
Secret Agent of the Knight Academy – “Image editing complete, Engine work wrapping up, Nearly ready for QA”
Floral Flowlove – 100% translated, 60% edited
Kakenuke Seishun Sparking – 15% translated, 5% edited
A Colorful World – 100% translated and edited “Image editing/integration of HD assets in progress”
Love, Elections, & Chocolate – 100% translated, 17% edited, “Unity port in-progress”
Love Love Love, Burning in my Heart! – 100% translated and 74% edited
Ready or Not: The Deadline is Coming! – 100% translated, 17% edited, “Image editing complete, Engine work in progress”
Mysteries of the Heart: The Psychic Detective Case Files – 100% translated and edited, “Image editing in progress” working with developer on engine work
Tenshi Souzou “Angelic Chaos” RE-BOOT – 10% translated
Secret Project 2 – 100% translated and edited, queued for Unity port
Secret Project 3 – 100% translated and edited, image editing complete, waiting on QA build

VisualArts

LUNARiA -Virtualized Moonchild- – 2023 release
Tsui no Stella – 2023 release
Summer Pockets Reflection Blue – 2024 release

Frontwing

Grisaia Chronos Rebellion – July 26th release
Sharin no Kuni – August release
Aikagi After Days – Upcoming release

Aksys

Radiant Tale – July 27th release
Norn9 ~Norn + Nonette~ Last Era – August 24th release
Virche Evermore: Error Salvation – 2023 release – Fall 2023 release
Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II – Fall 2023 release
Tengoku Struggle -Strayside- – 2024 release

Age titles

Kiminozo – Kickstarter for English release planned pending success of JP Crowdfunding

Spike Chunsoft

Anonymous;Code – September 8th release

LoveLab

Sugar Sweet Temptation – July 28th release

Fakku

Two Beasts Or Not To Beast!! – Upcoming release

Shiravune

Queen of the Otaku: THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE – July 18th release
Succubus Sessions: Mami Mamiya’s Sweet Slice of Hell – July 21st release
Kara no Shoujo I- July 28th release
ONE. – December 22nd release
WHITE ALBUM – 2023 release
Kara no Shoujo II – Announced
Kara no Shoujo III – Announced
Sacrifice Villains – Announced
Nukitashi 2 – Announced

Kagura Games

Samurai Vandalism – Upcoming release
Forsaken Quartet – Upcoming release

PQube

Archetype Arcadia – October 24th release
KONOSUBA – God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World! Love For These Clothes Of Desire! – Picked up

dualtail

Venus Blood -Gaia- – Kickstarted succeeded, July 28th release

Aniplex

Hira Hira Hihiru – Demo released, 2023 release
Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- – 2024 release

DLsite

Friendly lab – unlock(); – August 25th release
Club Suicide – Picked up

Idea Factory

My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! ? Pirates of the Disturbance – Winter release
Sympathy Kiss – Early 2024 release

Fruitbat Factory

MAMIYA -DoomsDay Dreams – 2023 release

qureate

Sentimental Death Loop – Released

CRAFTWORK

Geminism – September 29th release

Harukaze

Monkeys! – English release planned

Moonchime

Haunted Obachestra Vol.1 Awaking – Upcoming release

Alice In Dissonance

Fault Milestone 2 – Side Below – Upcoming release

Voltage

even if TEMPEST Dawning Connections – 2023 release

Playism

From Madness with Love – Demo released, July 18th release

Inter De Pendence

Kagitori -Bird in the Cage Hiding the Key- – Demo Released, upcoming release

The Zakabox

「Hi. So due to AX, the biggest VNTS of the year was posted to 4chan Tuesday last week. As you might expect, this next one is somewhat more modest given the fewer days to accumulate updates and the lack of official news. I think some of these “updates” are not even really updates but stuff that was known last week but VNTS just put it as “picked up”.

https://twitter.com/SnowyRyujinTL/status/1678475458646769664?s=20

There are actually some major news this week: Just today, Tsui no Stella had a translation released. I’m going to be honest, this writer is not the easiest to work with, and I’m expecting a probable failure to capture the original. Who knows, I could be wrong. I could also win the lottery tomorrow and stop having to work in the VNTS mines (wait, nobody pays me for this… fuck). I get about the same probability vibe from both.

Other than that, various recent events have struck me with inspiration. It is time to rant like the moderately old gentleman I am about things that annoy me in EVN Kickstarters, ladies and gentlemen.

As you might be aware, I’ve always had an interest in Japanese indie VNs, which I usually call doujin VNs because the weeaboo leaves its indelible mark upon every soul. The weeaboo has not been able to corrupt my preferences to the degree that I am a Japanese media supremacist, however, which means I’m uniquely positioned to enjoy both the Japanese and English-language doujin scenes (Hata will put that doujin in cursive so it looks fancy). Some of my highest rated VNs are EVNs, and both my 10s are doujin. If you want recommendations on what to try to broaden your horizons, you can check out this forum thread.

Unfortunately, Sturgeon’s law seems to apply near-fractally to EVN crowdfunding. We can start with the basics: the writing. Back in the day, I used to amuse myself by reviewing the prose of every VN Kickstarter page someone shared. In the vast majority of cases, there were several clunky moments right out the gate. In many cases, the language was downright terrible throughout. Apart from the expected ESL, there also seems to be a genre of seemingly-deliberate imitation of the excreble style of bad Japanese-to-English translations. Shitty Shit Shitnova is a prime example of that trend, but I also know an otherwise reasonable guy that writes all his sex scenes like a literal jp h-scene translation. In an embarrassing amount of cases, the screenshots the devs took to advertise their product had obvious errors of grammar or spelling. This despite the project listing editors as part of the crew! Once you eliminated those, you were still left with all too many cases that were too vague as to what the actual hook for the VN was. Okay, not interested I guess. Now if there’s anything that makes me doubt you, it’s when the text you have specifically selected for public presentation puts you in a bad light. Either you’re utterly clueless, or the rest of your material is even worse.

Maybe it’s because a lot of creators have English as their second language and have understandably bet on it getting more views than something in their native language. Maybe I’m expecting too much when I want something comparable to the prose of an average author I would actually read in English. I don’t feel like I’m asking for too much: my experience is mostly with genre fiction, I’m really not a snob! Just… please, I don’t want to be mentally editing every damn line I see into some better form.

Were I a disgusting normie I would complain about the art or something here, but honestly I don’t give a shit. I literally read ONE with the original graphics. Who the hell do you think I am? No, let’s bring up something more important: the clueless practice of web-only demos. I don’t get why this even exists, it’s going to be like 20 minutes of work to get proper downloadable versions of your VN up with any decent engine. If your demo is in the browser, with the lag and inconvenience that entails, I will simply not read it. Like an hour ago, we had a writer on staff say they didn’t feel like playing a demo because it was web-only. I’m sure the accessibility of the web format helps, and by all means keep the web demo, but let us download it too.

Finally, let’s consider the features promised by these VNs. I swear half of them are purposely trying to make their stories worse. No, don’t promise fifty damn endings with a four-hour playtime. No, don’t have seven characters with like five minutes of route each. No, I don’t want to be able to name my character, that implies they’re a boring self insert! I swear people will put effort into anything but actually producing a good story. I don’t know, maybe this is what western audiences want. But many successful EVNs don’t even have choices, so honestly I think it’s just Kickstarter stretch goal bait. This goes out to the audience too: just because it sounds good doesn’t mean it is! Take a good look at what the enterprising gentlepersons on the other hand are trying to give you with the budget and time allotted. Realize that what you’re getting out of a shallow narrative structure is inevitably a shallow game. Reject more love interests, add more love interest. If you’re not trying to deliver a compelling story, why are you writing at all?

P.S. if you’re using Unity please for the love of god make numpad enter advance text like normal enter does, also make scroll wheel and page up open the backlog and have it close with something sensible like scroling down or page down or right click, also I hecking hate the default renpy scrollback behaviour give me a normal ass backlog, also… No, I think I’m done. NURSE! GET ME A TROCADERO ZERO, STAT!」

The Hatabox

「When Zaka told me he had produced a rant, instead of talking about the meagre amount of translation scene productions this week, I got worried what this might mean. I was fretting that it would include targeted namedropping that may potentially lead to the necessity to exercise damage control and severe headaches in the aftermath, but I guess while he did namedrop something in a slightly obscured way, it might be alright. Let’s get to the projects.

When SnowyRyujinTL, who are still working hard on Planetarian ~Snow Globe~, posted the surprise translation patch for Tsui no Stella (Stella of the End) I was immediately taken aback, and went to post it full of excitement on every related server I could think of gauging the reactions. Now there’s only LUNARiA -Virtualized Moonlight- left untranslated among the New Age Kinetic Novels by famous Visual Arts Brand Key. I personally started Tsui no Stella in Japanese already, but due to my ADHD brain, I turned off the game right after leaving the facility where the android was found in and didn’t click the icon since. Maybe I should do it again, or just play it in English.

H2O‘s team finally finished their steadily progressed editing phase. This was posted half a day ago on our forums. The speed and management with which Studio Frisay work is truly admirable. They could educate other translation teams, maybe for some Minori games? I stumbled across Haru no Ashioto today and I felt this would be a great game for them to work on. Maybe someone should pitch to them?

Someone who is definitely not known in the fan translation scene has dropped 25% of translated text for LOVELY×CATION on 4chan. We reported about it in an article that actually got some good traction on Twitter, thank you very much for that! Someone else on 4chan then also threw the 25% of text into the already existing machine translation patch to make it possibly easier for the next person to work on it. So far no one picked it up, but it’s there… Maybe this could also be the impetus for an official publisher to pick it up and not have to start from fresh? We can confirm that the translator who dropped the files is definitely a proven individual in both translation and editing fields.

Last, I want to talk about Mienai Nitousei, a semi-officially translated doujin title that was released by the completely unknown group Shinzou Translations. (We also reported about them this week). The reason why it was completely new to me that this group already had three projects under their belt, was that they dropped three titles at once for their debut. Doing this at 0 followers is a death sentence for the publicity of each project, I swear.

It would’ve been much better if the group teased the projects one by one, posted translated CGs, maybe mentioned the official endorsement/cooperation by the original devs and slowly but surely grown all brands involved. Yes, I’m indeed complaining about the branding strategy of an unknown translation group, because in this case, with a semi-official translation endorsement in the bag, I see the potential how this could have contributed to more people gaining awareness of the original rights holders. Shinzou Translations so far has exclusively translated free games and creating translations of freege in order for a bigger audience to be able to play them is in no way finanically harmful to the original creators – even if you were to distribute a prepatch. (Aaeru mode)

In my opinion, more fan translators should be encouraged to reach out and collaborate with the original creators. After all if you are a translator, then there shouldn’t be a comprehension barrier between the two sides that hinders that? Maybe offer them to pay the 100 dollar Steam submission fee as guaranteed compensation they would have otherwise never gotten? I would love if this became a thing.

Look forward to my The Invisible Star review throughout the week. 」