K-ON! Discussion Thread

[Suwako Moriya]

Since I just got volume 1 today, I figured now is good time to start the thread for the series. In any case, over time, we'll be giving each volume it's own separate sub thread.

I guess there's also the idea of having threads for those comic anthologies. Not that I ever expect those to be officially released here. Although I wouldn't be against it.

In any case, let's get started and the very first thing I will do is create a sub thread for volume 1.

[Suwako Moriya]

Technically I've read this before, but I am still in the middle of reading the official translation. Sort of focused on doing stuff on the computer right now. In any case, a few random comments for now.


Ritsu dragging Mio into the Light/Pop music club is the moment that sold me on Ritsu. She's also a great example of a "spark" character. Ie the one that sets everything in motion.

I like the fact we have a cameo of Harumi from Harumi Nation. As so far, it is all we're getting of her. Hopefully we can get more of her. In other words, her manga needs be licensed.

Swimsuits and bathing. Ritsu's is quite different with her bangs down and her face covered like that. Oh, and fanservice of the girls is nice.

I might have more to say after I read more of the volume. I'm at the part where the girls are trying to get Sawako involved with the club.

[pianocello]

Any yuri? How ecchi is this?

[tenton]

Originally Posted by pianocello

Any yuri? How ecchi is this?

It's not ecchi at all. If you've watched the anime, that's pretty much the level of things in the manga. Though we do get to see shimapan and not a rice bowl

While we do not get glossy color pages, we do get color pages. Actually, we get more color pages than I got in my Japanese volume 1 (I got that pretty late); the pages are supposed to be in color, so props to Yen for that).

[kijakusai]

Originally Posted by Suwako Moriya

I like the fact we have a cameo of Harumi from Harumi Nation. As so far, it is all we're getting of her. Hopefully we can get more of her. In other words, her manga needs be licensed.

　
Also in Volume 2 of K-ON! Harumi made a cameo appearance, and Daioki contributed a guest manga to Volume 2, too.
　

[Gandalf]

Just recieved my copy, looking forward to reading it

One random thing I just noticed is it seems to be 2nd edition? I assume thats a typo in the credits page, unless they did 2 print runs in November?

[Goggen]

Originally Posted by Gandalf

One random thing I just noticed is it seems to be 2nd edition? I assume thats a typo in the credits page, unless they did 2 print runs in November?

I just received mine today as well, but mine says first edition.

[Gandalf]

Originally Posted by Goggen

I just received mine today as well, but mine says first edition.

I assume Im reading it right, mine has

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

Which I believe means 2nd printing?

[Goggen]

Originally Posted by Gandalf

I assume Im reading it right, mine has

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

Which I believe means 2nd printing?

Mine has

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

so I would guess you're right.

[einhorn303]

I only meant to read a few chapters of this today, but I ended up reading the whole thing. I loved it! Even more that Sunshine Sketch, I think.

I'm not even sure who my favorite character is yet. But my favorite part of the volume is when the club read the lyrics Mio wrote. And the panel of Yui's "I think they're wonderful..." "(Is she serious-?!)." The whole book is incredibly entertaining and has a nice, light sort of pacing.

Is it just me, or has the art style really developed a lot from the first chapters to the end of the book?

Yen Press's release really impressed me.
- All color pages retained.
- A very good translation that maintains a perfect balance between sounding natural and not being over-localized (I'm really glad they went with "Pop Music Club").
- More translation notes than are even really necessary.
- Great cover and design throughout the book, afterword translation, bonus comics, and random music lesson.

Originally Posted by tenton

It's not ecchi at all. If you've watched the anime, that's pretty much the level of things in the manga. Though we do get to see shimapan and not a rice bowl

Yen Press actually rated the series OT (16+) for Language and Sexual Situations. I first thought that's kind of high. There is Mio's shimapan, but also Sawako stripping her. Plus Tsumugi being all lesbian, which I guess offends some conservative sensibilities. For Language, there is "shit" and "crap" from Sawako-sensei and Ritsu.

There's just one yuri character, who gets hot and bothered by imagining the other girls as yuri couples. It's an interesting reflection on the nature of otaku sensuality, since so far she's only interested in love between third parties (so far).

I can see how this series could be a playground of yuri subtext, since there's already a character reading into the subtext for you. And so far, there's not a single male character.