Fruits Basket Volume 1 Comparison: Chuang Yi vs Tokyopop vs Yen Press vs Hakusensha Bilingual

I should've done this years ago. Ever since Yen Press rescued Fruits Basket from the "out of print" void, I knew the decision to redo my original post was inevitable, but given that I've recently acquired the bilingual edition, by Hakusensha Comics, and the ending of the 2019 anime reboot, my Furuba fever has not quite abated. Posts by fan and content creator, Jacob Chapman, have also inspired me to delve deeper than I did originally and think harder about how little differences can build to a different reading of these beloved characters and their unique situation.

This series needs no further introduction, but I'll give it one anyway just in case. Fruits Basket is a Japanese shojo manga series, written and drawn by Natsuki Takaya, that ran from 1998 to 2006 in Hana to Yume magazine. It tells the story of an orphan named Tohru Honda who through tragic circumstances comes to live in a house whose family hiding a dark secret that has completely torn them asunder. Through learning about them, laughing and crying with them, Tohru will uncover the mystery and potentially save them from the centuries-old curse that threatens to forever silence any chance at happiness they have. The first English translation for the series was done by Hakusensha in 2003 who released it as part of a line of bilingual editions meant to help Japanese schoolchildren learn English. Tokyopop then licensed and distributed the manga for English territories, primarily in the US and Europe from 2004 until 2011 when they closed their doors. Chuang Yi Publishing did likewise for English speaking territories in Asia and Oceania from 2003 until they too went out of business in late 2013. The licence was then rescued by Yen Press in 2015 until present who now distributes to all English speaking territories. The takeaway message from this is that throughout almost two decades Fruits Basket has been translated into English four times, three of which have covered the entire series, and we will be looking at those different translations in this blog post, starting with volume one. 

So let's get the party started. One where everyone can follow along...hopefully...we'll see.

Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 2 (Viz Media and Chuang Yi)

Happy Halloween Everybody!

Believe me when I say I've been meaning to get back into doing these posts for months and several posts about other titles are half complete. However, it was always a struggle to complete them as it was often a series I wasn't very motivated to look into. Last week I decided I'd had enough of my own laziness. I thought to myself, What series am I motivated to compare and the answer hit me immediately. And here we are.

I have kept collecting and am currently only two volumes away from my Chuang Yi Fullmetal Alchemist collection being complete. So now I really have no excuses other then I'm lazy and can't keep a consistent schedule. However, I still plan to do those other titles to mix things up.

Additional: Yes, I am aware of the Fruit's Basket Collector's Editions. I have bought the first omnibus so you can expect a do-over of that comparison in the future. I have also pre-ordered Yen Press's Twinkle Stars release for a future comparison with it's Chuang Yi counterpart.

Last Important Note: Because I don't own a copy of the Japanese volume nor have any knowledge of the language, I will not be comparing the English releases to the original Japanese. 

That's enough stalling, let us move on!

Apologies and the Loss of Chuang Yi

My Apologies To Anyone Who Reads This Blog

I am very sorry for this delay and do my best not to let it happen again. I'm really embarrassed it has taken me so long to get this out.

So what are my excuses? Procrastination mainly.

My next post was going to about Chuang Yi's "Vampire Knight", but to be honest my feelings towards this series as a whole are lukewarm at best so the motivation just wasn't there at the best of times. It was a chore to read and a chore to write about.  Several months passed before I could borrow the Viz edition out of the library. What I should have done is switch to another title. I moved house in January too to be closer to work.

None of these are valid excuses, but I hope you can forgive me. Vampire Knight will come out at some point, but for July I have other plans, which I will detail below.

Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle Volume 1 Comparison (Del Rey and Chuang Yi)

Today, I give you an overview of the differences between Chuang Yi and Del Rey releases of Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle volume 1. The tale of the ongoing struggle of one boy and the measures he was forced to resort to in order to restore his childhood friend's memories. Teaming up with a foul-mouthed swordsman and an easy going sorcerer, he travels through the different parallel worlds looking for these memories all the while knowing his friend will never remember the bond they once shared due to the price he paid to save her.

So...it's the anime equivalent of "Sliders"....cool! 

Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 1 Comparison (Viz Media and Chuang Yi)

"Alchemy: the science of understanding, deconstructing, and reconstructing matter. However, it is not an all-powerful art; it is impossible to create something out of nothing. If one wishes to obtain something, something of equal value must be given. This is the Law of Equivalent Exchange, the basis of all alchemy. In accordance with this law, there is a taboo among alchemists: human transmutation is strictly forbidden - for what could equal the value of a human soul...?"   (Narrator, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood)

The answer is a right arm! It says so in the FIRST VOLUME!

Fruits Basket Volume 1 Comparison (Tokyopop and Chuang Yi)

	Tokyopop	Chuang Yi
Translator	Alethea and Athena Nibley	Shiroi T. Omo
Editor	Jake Forbes	Low Sin Lu

You can't delve very deeply into the world of shoujo manga without having heard the title 'Fruits Basket'. The story of the orphan, Tohru Honda, whose optimistic nature is tested who, upon meeting the Souma family, is thrust headfirst into the world of the supernatural. After getting to know them and learning of the tragic curse that has befallen them for generations; she resolves to break the curse and end their suffering. Cuddly animals, goofy hijinks and romantic subplots ensue. 

I first read fruits basket through my local library and gradually fell in love with the complex character relationships that drove the plot forward. Being considered one of the most famous shoujo, it seemed an appropriate place to begin with Chuang Yi releases.

Introduction

Greetings to all manga fans, otaku, wherever you may be!

Let me begin by thanking anyone and everyone who reads this as this is my first blog and am still unsure of the ins and outs of writing one of these. The story of my love of anime and manga goes back to when I was, but 10 years of age. It was long ago, in times of old, when saying you liked Pokemon was actually acceptable and even prompted praise. 

Anyone else remember those times?!

My life began in merry old England, among the cobblestone streets and thatched cottages...oh, who am I kidding?! I was born in the city port of Southampton. Still England though! I didn't make that up!  I spent most of my happy childhood there before my Dad's job sent us abroad for a number of years (Switzerland and Thailand). A story for another time though. Back to the anime.