Blu Ray volume 2: Review + Scans/Rips

I'm happy to say that my copy of the 2nd BD arrived on Saturday. It's pretty much exactly like the first one, it includes a bonus CD (with the soundtrack) and a small booklet with character designs and keywords. The set also came with a small ad that confirms the release date of the manga will be May 10th - not too far away!

Weiss Schwarz Trading Cards

Yesterday I got a package in the mail, it was a trial deck for some Symphogear cards. In Japan, Bushiroad makes a series of collectible card games based off of different anime and runs them under the label of "Weiss Schwarz." I have no idea how to play the game, but I wanted them for the collector's value.

Volume 2 BD/TV Comparisons

The second Blu Ray volume was recently released in Japan. My copy is unfortunately still on it's way, but when it arrives I'll be sure to put up scans a rip of the OST. For now, here's some comparison shots between the broadcast and BD versions of episodes 3 & 4.

Figma & Nendoroid Pre-Orders open!

Good Smile Company officially announced and opened pre-orders for Hibiki's figma and nendoroid figures. As I expected the cost for each runs about $35-$40 depending on who you order from. Both figures are set for release in September of this year!

Translation Corner: Twitter Edition 1

I've previously mentioned that the director of Symphogear, Mr. Tatsufumi Itoh, has an active Twitter account. He uses it to talk about various things and promote his current work. For some time he's been tweeting a series he likes to call: "Symphogear Reflections," where he talks about parts of the production. I've decided to start translating these before they disappear from Twitterland, so here is the first installment.

Figma / Nendoroid update

Good Smile Company has an online stream they do every so often where they showcase new products. Hibiki's figures made an appearance recently and as you can see, the figma (and the nendo) will be coming with a berserk face. They also showed off some neat accessories.

A brief thanks

A kind soul uploaded the translated chapter of the manga to Batoto and sourced the group to this blog. I didn't want to deal with any credit pages or slap the URL on the translation, because I'm not necessarily interested in driving traffic here. However it's nice to be credited for what I did and I'm really glad that some fans are finding this place.

Merchandise Overview

I've been meaning to do this for a while, but haven't had the time. Previously I did an overview of all the BD/DVD release information, but what other Symphogear merchandise are we getting? Well quite a bit actually. There's trading cards, pillow covers, phone straps, figures, shirts, towels, wall scrolls and CDs. And before anyone asks everything I'm listing here is available at CDJapan and amiami (except the figma/nendoroid).

Translation Corner #7

Ever wondered if there was a Division 1 that came before Division 2? Want to know why the Symphogear System has to be such a big secret? Will you be shocked to find out the origins of the Special Disaster Response Team? This post will answer all of those questions because the next keyword details a lot information about the formation and responsibilities of the government agency that's commanded by Genjuuro. To no one's surprise there is a bit of politics involved.

Translation Corner #6

Another day, another keyword translated. I'm hoping I'll have all of them done before the last BD comes out, since they get progressively more interesting later on. Basically, the keywords were posted on the official site as the series aired. So as we get further, the keywords get more specific to the events of the anime.

Symphogear Manga Chapter 1

I finished translating the first chapter of the manga. It was only 32 pages, but it took quite a while because of the large amount of dialog and technical jargon. Unfortunately I don't have any raws for the next chapters, but the first volume of the manga is tentatively set for release in May. I'll be buying it, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to scan it or not. Hopefully some raws pop up around that time so I can continue.

Translation Corner #5

Rolling on with the next keyword translation. I also edited 6 pages of chapter 1 of the manga today, so progress is slow but it is definitely happening! Hopefully I'll have it done within the next week. Also enjoy one of my favorite fan art images of the manly men of Symphogear.

Translation Corner #4

Someone's still reading these, right? Nah, I'm just kidding myself. Tonight I have another short keyword translation for you, this one relating to the pendants that Tsubasa and Kanade have around their necks (and Chris too, although she isn't mentioned by name).

Symphogear Manga?

Did you know there was a Symphogear manga that runs in Japan's Newype Ace magazine? Well there is! I've managed to find a raw for chapter 1 that I intend to scanlate, but it will take time since I am a slowpoke at translating stuff if you couldn't tell already. However, even if I get this done I don't have a chapter 2 raw to work with if I want to continue. So if anyone out there in internet land knows where I can get my hands on a raw for the remaining chapters I'd sure appreciate it.

COLORED PROTOYPES1!!1!

I'm excited, can you tell? That's because thanks to the Miyazawa Model Show currently going on in Japan, we now have colored versions of both Nendoroid and Figma Hibiki! Doesn't she look great?

Translation Corner #3

I try to do a little something every day in order to keep the blog updated, but sometimes it can be hard if I get distracted. Today is the translation of the website's third keyword, it's pretty short.

Fan Art Corner #1: Chris-chan's Adventure

When Genjuuro gave Chris a communicator he mentioned that it could function like a credit card - able to buy from vending machines and pay for public transportation. Here's a short fan art comic translated into English that depicts what Chris does after that encounter. It's pretty cute.

Translation Corner #2

You know, 40+ terms with long ass explanations and complicated Japanese phrases are not very fun to translate, but damn it sure makes the show seem more interesting when I know what the fuck things are actually supposed to be. I really wish FUNi would translate these themselves and put them on the English site, but I suppose they don't really have the time or money for that. I wonder if they'll even bother trying to localize it for a US release. I hope so. Anyway, with any luck someone out there in internet land is enjoying this insight into the anime as much as I am.

Translation Corner #1

The Japanese site has a set of 40+ "keywords" that are detailed explanations of terms and names from the show. Having skimmed quite a few, I can tell you they reveal a lot that was never spoken about in the dialog. It helps certain parts of the plot make more sense, so I'll be translating them as I can and posting them with my analysis.

BD/DVD Release Information

Today the official site updated with information about future BD/DVD releases. The important news is the 4th volume will come with a character CD for Miku. Yes you read that right, Miku, as in Hibiki's best friend and lesbian lover. This isn't surprising because Miku's voice actor will be making an appearance at the concert and she's going to need something to sing, right? Also the 6th volume will come with the character CD for "First Love Song," which is the song sung by Hibiki/Tsubasa/Chris in the final episode. Anyway, I'm detailing all the current information in this post. Picture is the cover for the 2nd volume, btw.

BD vol 1 Limited Edition: Scans and Rips

I bought vol 1 of the BD since I wanted to snag the limited edition that comes with Kanade's CD before it sold out. I actually had pre-ordered it at CD Japan and it arrived a few days after the Japanese release date, but I've only now had time to scan the booklet and rip the CD. Anyway I'm including download links here for you guys. Please share these links at other forums or wherever people talk about Symphogear!

Nico ratings and etc.

Took a glance at 4chan tonight and found some interesting statistics regarding the ratings and comments on the Niconico streams for Symphogear, among other information. In other news, /a/ cannot into happy endings.

Of Figmas and Concerts

After initially being revealed at Wonder Festival 2012, Good Smile Company's Figma Hibiki recently made a brief appearance on MikaTan's blog for its display at the Anime Contents Expo last weekend.

Sales

Symphogear BD/DVD volume 1 went on sale 3/28/12 in Japan. Yesterday, sales numbers were posted. Did Symphogear make a profit or did it bomb like most animu? The answer is neither: It did alright. Not bad, not great, but just about average. The surprise is that no one expected this.

Introduction

Hi. My name is zoid9000 and I'm symphogear addict.