Edited Manga List

[Junker Woland]

Manga in question: 7 Billion Needles Volume #1
Image in question: nipple (singular)

So, Chapter 2 features a scene of the main character bathing in a tub (she’s not loli in appearance, but is in high school). At one point, she slides under the water, giving readers an unexposed shot of her right breast, accompanied by some SFX for bubbling sounds (one of which is near her breast). Best as I can tell from what’s available on the Internet, the original artwork does depict the noticeable impression of her nipple, though not in great detail.

In terms of the US edition (page 41), the bubbling SFX near the girl’s breast has its translation (“burble”) placed exactly across her nipple area, almost completely obscuring the artwork.

Now, while I’m big fan of Vertical and and hate pointing something insignificant as this out (wanting rather to believe it’s just an unfortunate mistake), I’m having a hard time accepting it as accidental.

For the record, I didn’t go searching for censorship: the placement of the translated SFX is odd (particularly given the available empty space in the panel), and still visible are some slight portions of the original artwork, enough to be noticeable and make one think there was something under the text.

[Ingraman]

Originally Posted by Junker Woland

For the record, I didn’t go searching for censorship: the placement of the translated SFX is odd (particularly given the available empty space in the panel), and still visible are some slight portions of the original artwork, enough to be noticeable and make one think there was something under the text.

When I saw that frame, I was wondering about the same thing... I wasn't curious enough to go and seek out the original, but I figured that someone else would do the work. ^_^ The effect was a little too well-placed.

I am disappointed with Vertical in this instance, but I'll probably keep buying the series. If this becomes a habit with them, then I'll have to give more thought to purchasing their products.

[chloes_fork]

Disappointing indeed, assuming this was by design (as seems all too likely). It would be nice if Vertical_Ed would comment on this, since he tends to be fairly active on the forum. I really have no desire to add Vertical to the already overlong list of Companies That Can't Be Trusted.

[Vertical_Ed]

Originally Posted by Junker Woland

Manga in question: 7 Billion Needles Volume #1
Image in question: nipple (singular)

So, Chapter 2 features a scene of the main character bathing in a tub (she’s not loli in appearance, but is in high school). At one point, she slides under the water, giving readers an unexposed shot of her right breast, accompanied by some SFX for bubbling sounds (one of which is near her breast). Best as I can tell from what’s available on the Internet, the original artwork does depict the noticeable impression of her nipple, though not in great detail.

In terms of the US edition (page 41), the bubbling SFX near the girl’s breast has its translation (“burble”) placed exactly across her nipple area, almost completely obscuring the artwork.

Now, while I’m big fan of Vertical and and hate pointing something insignificant as this out (wanting rather to believe it’s just an unfortunate mistake), I’m having a hard time accepting it as accidental.

For the record, I didn’t go searching for censorship: the placement of the translated SFX is odd (particularly given the available empty space in the panel), and still visible are some slight portions of the original artwork, enough to be noticeable and make one think there was something under the text.

Wow! That's the first I have heard of this and the first anyone here in the office even knew about this as we do our lettering in house. This was not an editorial decision. It was entirely accidentally done by our letterer. Heck we keep them in everything else we do (including covers of Peepo Choo and Season of Infidelity).

Great catch, though. But let me clear things up cause I don't want people to freak out.

I had to look closely at the original file as there is no nipple shown in the original. Instead, as the character is underwater the areola is partially drawn in, with lines on the far right and far left and a small impression at bottom of what would be the pigmented area. Sadly an SFX translation (all of which are placed to the right of the Japanese to maintain flow) partially obstructs the far right & far left. Looking closely one can see that there is something covered up.

As I noted, this was entirely accidental and not done with any intent. Now that we are aware of the situation we will consider having that fixed in future printings.

Also I want to remind our readers to expect to see all the appropriate bits untouched in our future releases of "Ayako," "The Lychee Light Club," "The Book of Human Insects" and Jiro Matsumoto's "Velveteen & Mandala".

[chloes_fork]

Thanks very much for that response, Ed. It's great to know that, contrary to my earlier fears, Vertical remains on the list of Companies We Can Count On.

[Junker Woland]

Always nice to see a company actually respond to these issues.

Hopefully Vertical can do a corrected second printing. If so, I'll definitely continue with their edition of the series.

[einhorn303]

Originally Posted by Vertical_Ed

As I noted, this was entirely accidental and not done with any intent. Now that we are aware of the situation we will consider having that fixed in future printings.

Now that would really be going the extra mile.

[miraworks]

Originally Posted by animalia

also what about the scene where robins hands grab the outline of franky's nuts that was edited in english wasn't it?

I don't remember seeing an edit to that. I remember reading it and laughing how it was all there.

But back on Viz edits, I don't know if anyone cares about Prince of Tennis but chapter 0 is edited to remove Nanjiro's boob grab (so that's around volume twenty-something). I can tolerate an edit if it's not obvious but the lines they drew were unnatural. Of course PoT has an All Ages rating so they feel justified...

[JmfSilentHill89]

Bummer to hear about the mistake in 7 billion needles, but it doesn't bother me that much. I think I'll be buying it regardless.

[DocWatson]

Reported and confirmed: Reiko the Zombie Shop has at least one minor edit. Source: "Jason Thompson's House of 1000 Manga - Reiko the Zombie Shop".