Just wondering if anyone actually reads the Foreword/Preface or Afterword of scanlated manga/doujin if they're translated.
While it's good practice to translate them, some are so filled with slang or cultural references that it's hard for me to translate properly.
So if no one reads them, then why bother? =)
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Does anyone actually read Author's Notes?
From User
Message Body
Member
9:45 pm, Jul 6 2009
Posts: 4
zzzz
Member
9:47 pm, Jul 6 2009
Posts: 75
I never read them ^^;. I guess because when i'm reading the manga i'm very eager to start reading it and don't bother with the author's notes.
Namehage
Member
9:56 pm, Jul 6 2009
Posts: 1619
It depends on what they're about and how interesting the mangaka is. I particularly appreciate them if the mangaka shares details about the story which will likely never make it into the story - not just horoscope profile details, but more specific background pieces which we wouldn't otherwise know.
Things of a more personal nature, such as the games the mangaka is currently obsessed with or what she did on her last vacation really depend on the topic being discussed and the writing style of the mangaka. If the mangaka is a fun writer and can make the topic enjoyable to read, then I'll read it. But if they aren't all that interesting and I don't like the topic, then I'll skim and skip.
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If you've ever thought or said "Nice Guys finish last" and really meant it, then you should probably read this LJ post by DivaLion. It's incredibly insightful whether you're male or female.
From a bumper sticker I like:
"If you're gonna ride my ass, at least pull my hair."
Things of a more personal nature, such as the games the mangaka is currently obsessed with or what she did on her last vacation really depend on the topic being discussed and the writing style of the mangaka. If the mangaka is a fun writer and can make the topic enjoyable to read, then I'll read it. But if they aren't all that interesting and I don't like the topic, then I'll skim and skip.
________________
If you've ever thought or said "Nice Guys finish last" and really meant it, then you should probably read this LJ post by DivaLion. It's incredibly insightful whether you're male or female.
From a bumper sticker I like:
"If you're gonna ride my ass, at least pull my hair."
Hardly.
I skim them, and if there is something that catches my eye, i'll read that sentence, then make a decision whether to read it all or not.
The short ones I read regardless of how boring they are, because they're short and it doesn't take me long to read
If there is information on the characters however, I do actually read them. It helps my understanding and might highlight things I didn't know or notice before.
I skim them, and if there is something that catches my eye, i'll read that sentence, then make a decision whether to read it all or not.
The short ones I read regardless of how boring they are, because they're short and it doesn't take me long to read
If there is information on the characters however, I do actually read them. It helps my understanding and might highlight things I didn't know or notice before.
Post #304200
Member
10:20 am, Jul 7 2009
Posts: 539
10:20 am, Jul 7 2009
Posts: 539
I read them.
Post #304202
Raw
Member
10:24 am, Jul 7 2009
Posts: 874
I don't, I find them very annoying sometimes.
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No one gives a shit what trite garbage you write here.
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No one gives a shit what trite garbage you write here.
Vampire Prince
Member
10:24 am, Jul 7 2009
Posts: 19
I almost always read them!
I love hearing what they have to say about the manga i just read/ am about to read n_n
I love hearing what they have to say about the manga i just read/ am about to read n_n
Rebel Rebel
Member
10:29 am, Jul 7 2009
Posts: 1230
Quote from Dakotakun
I almost always read them!
I love hearing what they have to say about the manga i just read/ am about to read n_n
I love hearing what they have to say about the manga i just read/ am about to read n_n
Yes. Sometimes, my interpretation of the theme of the story is a little different and I like seeing how they view their work/etc. Sometimes they're funny. If I especially like the mangaka, it's nice to get a sense of what their personality is like.
Post #304214
Herder of Pigeons
Member
11:13 am, Jul 7 2009
Posts: 132
Some notes are good.. Fullmetal Alchemist, Mushishi..
Sometimes mangaka don't do themselves any favours in them though, like the Kenshin author constantly pointing out rip-offs that you'd never notice normally, (for this one we took Ayanami Rei and gave her different hair) (this one looked too disturbing so we toned him down) (this plot-twist completely buggered the world we had going, but never mind). Im all for being self-depreciating, especially in one of the best manga I'd ever read at the time, but all the 'don't worry kids, it'll end happily...' kinda ruined the suspense.
But then they're always educational, and you've only got to read about one cultural in-joke to notice it next time, so I'd still rather get to read them than not..
Sometimes mangaka don't do themselves any favours in them though, like the Kenshin author constantly pointing out rip-offs that you'd never notice normally, (for this one we took Ayanami Rei and gave her different hair) (this one looked too disturbing so we toned him down) (this plot-twist completely buggered the world we had going, but never mind). Im all for being self-depreciating, especially in one of the best manga I'd ever read at the time, but all the 'don't worry kids, it'll end happily...' kinda ruined the suspense.
But then they're always educational, and you've only got to read about one cultural in-joke to notice it next time, so I'd still rather get to read them than not..
Post #304251
Member
2:32 pm, Jul 7 2009
Posts: 135
Oh I do! I read all the Parfait Tic, I found it adorable to read them.
Post #304254
Member
2:42 pm, Jul 7 2009
Posts: 1000
I always do. ^^ I think it's nice to be able to learn more about the mangaka. The writing style is often familiar and letter-like, so it feels like you're being invited to get to know them better.
Post #304270
Inactive Phantom
Member
3:51 pm, Jul 7 2009
Posts: 1078
I certainly do. Be it an account of the author's travelling (like in Mushishi) or a simple random paragraph about something that happened recently in the author's life (like how Toriyama Akira does), I enjoy reading them.
I especially like the notes where the author talks about his inspiration for the story or where certain characters came from.
Some of the most interesting afterwards in recent memory are by Endo Hiroki, of Eden fame.
I especially like the notes where the author talks about his inspiration for the story or where certain characters came from.
Some of the most interesting afterwards in recent memory are by Endo Hiroki, of Eden fame.
Post #304279
Member
4:14 pm, Jul 7 2009
Posts: 422
I read them all time. I always love to know what's on the author's mind.
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Post #304284
The Gorilla Killaâ„¢
Member
4:20 pm, Jul 7 2009
Posts: 3229
I usually do because they always have a weird or funny picture accompanying it and I'm always wondering how their notes relate to the picture.
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Member
4:59 pm, Jul 7 2009
Posts: 1762
4:59 pm, Jul 7 2009
Posts: 1762
Occasionally, it depends on my mood and if it's interesting or funny.
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