boutique manga circle
@whalehead.bsky.social
boutique manga adaptations
project of @shoebill.moe
- high joke density
- occasional accuracy
- unauthorized and just for fun
project of @shoebill.moe
- high joke density
- occasional accuracy
- unauthorized and just for fun
Pinned
Dragon Ball, Chapter 1: "Of Monkey Kings and Underthings"
Art + Story by Akira Toriyama, Dec. 1984.
30 pages 🧵⤵️
Art + Story by Akira Toriyama, Dec. 1984.
30 pages 🧵⤵️
Quick note: By god, he really says his name is "ミケ"-- "Mike". There's not a lot of wiggle around here, even if it has the quality of rendering him more from Dayton, Ohio than from medieval Europe. Never afraid of a looser translation in search of an accurate effect, I massaged this as best I could.
July 9, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Quick note: By god, he really says his name is "ミケ"-- "Mike". There's not a lot of wiggle around here, even if it has the quality of rendering him more from Dayton, Ohio than from medieval Europe. Never afraid of a looser translation in search of an accurate effect, I massaged this as best I could.
Hey! Short update-- Don Dracula is not dead! Life's been a little extra-busy so translation's had to go on the wayside. I'll be jumping in and finishing things up soon! Thanks for your patience!
November 18, 2024 at 5:19 PM
Hey! Short update-- Don Dracula is not dead! Life's been a little extra-busy so translation's had to go on the wayside. I'll be jumping in and finishing things up soon! Thanks for your patience!
Don Dracula
Art + Story by Osamu Tezuka, Dec. 1979.
20 pages 🧵⤵️
Art + Story by Osamu Tezuka, Dec. 1979.
20 pages 🧵⤵️
October 31, 2024 at 3:42 AM
Don Dracula
Art + Story by Osamu Tezuka, Dec. 1979.
20 pages 🧵⤵️
Art + Story by Osamu Tezuka, Dec. 1979.
20 pages 🧵⤵️
@akitoaihara.bsky.social Aihara-sensei! I made a fan-translation of your work. They're all in this 🧵. There's a few jokes added, but I tried to be faithful to the intention of your work. Seeing your recent drawings of Bell made me very happy. Good to see you on this site!
Discount Sell-Sword Bell by Aihara Akito.
Originals posted: x.com/a_akito17/
Originals posted: x.com/a_akito17/
October 18, 2024 at 1:35 PM
@akitoaihara.bsky.social Aihara-sensei! I made a fan-translation of your work. They're all in this 🧵. There's a few jokes added, but I tried to be faithful to the intention of your work. Seeing your recent drawings of Bell made me very happy. Good to see you on this site!
Notes roundup🧵for the back-half!
You might have noticed I stopped doing notes posts-- the reason why is partly because I got a head of steam to finish the chapter, and partly because there's not as much to comment on.
Here, they're just screaming, so a couple jokes slow the reader down on the page
You might have noticed I stopped doing notes posts-- the reason why is partly because I got a head of steam to finish the chapter, and partly because there's not as much to comment on.
Here, they're just screaming, so a couple jokes slow the reader down on the page
Dragon Ball, Chapter 1: "Of Monkey Kings and Underthings"
Art + Story by Akira Toriyama, Dec. 1984
"WAIT, WHERE DID THE ROAD GO!?"
Art + Story by Akira Toriyama, Dec. 1984
"WAIT, WHERE DID THE ROAD GO!?"
October 11, 2024 at 6:19 PM
Notes roundup🧵for the back-half!
You might have noticed I stopped doing notes posts-- the reason why is partly because I got a head of steam to finish the chapter, and partly because there's not as much to comment on.
Here, they're just screaming, so a couple jokes slow the reader down on the page
You might have noticed I stopped doing notes posts-- the reason why is partly because I got a head of steam to finish the chapter, and partly because there's not as much to comment on.
Here, they're just screaming, so a couple jokes slow the reader down on the page
Notes:
- In Japanese, Bulma calls them "Hoipoi Capsules". ほいほい is an onomatopoeia for being careless, ぽい can mean "to throw something out". So ほいぽい might be a play on "toss 'em without thinking". Making a pun on "pop a cap" seemed correctly careless and toss-y, plus it keeps that double sound thing.
- In Japanese, Bulma calls them "Hoipoi Capsules". ほいほい is an onomatopoeia for being careless, ぽい can mean "to throw something out". So ほいぽい might be a play on "toss 'em without thinking". Making a pun on "pop a cap" seemed correctly careless and toss-y, plus it keeps that double sound thing.
Dragon Ball, Chapter 1: "Of Monkey Kings and Underthings"
Art + Story by Akira Toriyama, Dec. 1984
"Do all your city vehicles come with this much padding?"
Art + Story by Akira Toriyama, Dec. 1984
"Do all your city vehicles come with this much padding?"
October 3, 2024 at 2:38 AM
Notes:
- In Japanese, Bulma calls them "Hoipoi Capsules". ほいほい is an onomatopoeia for being careless, ぽい can mean "to throw something out". So ほいぽい might be a play on "toss 'em without thinking". Making a pun on "pop a cap" seemed correctly careless and toss-y, plus it keeps that double sound thing.
- In Japanese, Bulma calls them "Hoipoi Capsules". ほいほい is an onomatopoeia for being careless, ぽい can mean "to throw something out". So ほいぽい might be a play on "toss 'em without thinking". Making a pun on "pop a cap" seemed correctly careless and toss-y, plus it keeps that double sound thing.
His best friends are named Nut Monk, Flute, and Vegetable.
October 1, 2024 at 3:25 PM
His best friends are named Nut Monk, Flute, and Vegetable.
Notes!
- 孫悟空 really does mean that! 孫 is the character for grandchild, but if you just add a "tail" stroke it turns into monkey. 悟 is "wu", or spiritual awareness; 空 is "nothingness", or "sunyata"-- the state of nature's insubstance. Of course, this is Sun Wukong's name in Journey to the West...
- 孫悟空 really does mean that! 孫 is the character for grandchild, but if you just add a "tail" stroke it turns into monkey. 悟 is "wu", or spiritual awareness; 空 is "nothingness", or "sunyata"-- the state of nature's insubstance. Of course, this is Sun Wukong's name in Journey to the West...
Dragon Ball, Chapter 1: "Of Monkey Kings and Underthings"
Art + Story by Akira Toriyama, Dec. 1984
"I gotta kill HOW MANY meters!?"
Art + Story by Akira Toriyama, Dec. 1984
"I gotta kill HOW MANY meters!?"
October 1, 2024 at 2:59 AM
Notes!
- 孫悟空 really does mean that! 孫 is the character for grandchild, but if you just add a "tail" stroke it turns into monkey. 悟 is "wu", or spiritual awareness; 空 is "nothingness", or "sunyata"-- the state of nature's insubstance. Of course, this is Sun Wukong's name in Journey to the West...
- 孫悟空 really does mean that! 孫 is the character for grandchild, but if you just add a "tail" stroke it turns into monkey. 悟 is "wu", or spiritual awareness; 空 is "nothingness", or "sunyata"-- the state of nature's insubstance. Of course, this is Sun Wukong's name in Journey to the West...
Notes for this one:
- continuing my running joke of swapping Japanese and English excessively, where I say "yojimbo" and "ikuyo", Bulma says ボディーガード (badigarudo "bodyguard") andレッツゴー (rettsugo "let's go")
- the "smooth" bit comes from Bulma using the word "umako", I liked the smooth connotation.
- continuing my running joke of swapping Japanese and English excessively, where I say "yojimbo" and "ikuyo", Bulma says ボディーガード (badigarudo "bodyguard") andレッツゴー (rettsugo "let's go")
- the "smooth" bit comes from Bulma using the word "umako", I liked the smooth connotation.
Dragon Ball, Chapter 1: "Of Monkey Kings and Underthings"
Art + Story by Akira Toriyama, Dec. 1984
"Let's hit the trail, happy campers!"
Art + Story by Akira Toriyama, Dec. 1984
"Let's hit the trail, happy campers!"
September 30, 2024 at 7:26 PM
Notes for this one:
- continuing my running joke of swapping Japanese and English excessively, where I say "yojimbo" and "ikuyo", Bulma says ボディーガード (badigarudo "bodyguard") andレッツゴー (rettsugo "let's go")
- the "smooth" bit comes from Bulma using the word "umako", I liked the smooth connotation.
- continuing my running joke of swapping Japanese and English excessively, where I say "yojimbo" and "ikuyo", Bulma says ボディーガード (badigarudo "bodyguard") andレッツゴー (rettsugo "let's go")
- the "smooth" bit comes from Bulma using the word "umako", I liked the smooth connotation.
New Tinder bio dropped
September 30, 2024 at 3:00 AM
New Tinder bio dropped
Okay, here's the page I've been dreading: Bulma flashing Goku.
In the original, its a step beyond; Bulma urges Goku to give her butt a quick grope. We get the fun subversion of Goku's "ew butts" line, but... you see how this joke hasn't aged well, right?
So how to make this funny again?
In the original, its a step beyond; Bulma urges Goku to give her butt a quick grope. We get the fun subversion of Goku's "ew butts" line, but... you see how this joke hasn't aged well, right?
So how to make this funny again?
September 29, 2024 at 5:04 PM
Okay, here's the page I've been dreading: Bulma flashing Goku.
In the original, its a step beyond; Bulma urges Goku to give her butt a quick grope. We get the fun subversion of Goku's "ew butts" line, but... you see how this joke hasn't aged well, right?
So how to make this funny again?
In the original, its a step beyond; Bulma urges Goku to give her butt a quick grope. We get the fun subversion of Goku's "ew butts" line, but... you see how this joke hasn't aged well, right?
So how to make this funny again?
Gacha games tryin' to trick me into buying another pull
September 29, 2024 at 4:15 AM
Gacha games tryin' to trick me into buying another pull
For complicated reasons involving @rangedtouch.bsky.social's Shelved by Genre podcast and a particular confluence of panels, the first time I tried editing a manga was to do a joke about this using a half page from Junji Ito's Tomie.
September 28, 2024 at 8:09 PM
For complicated reasons involving @rangedtouch.bsky.social's Shelved by Genre podcast and a particular confluence of panels, the first time I tried editing a manga was to do a joke about this using a half page from Junji Ito's Tomie.
Translation notes:
So, at the top of this page, Goku asks if Bulma wants to turn the Dragon Balls into Buddhist prayer beads, along with this cute drawing of Bulma as a monk. Its a real specific reference-- how to translate? VIZ has him call it a "necklace", but keeps the prayer in Japanese! Hm.
So, at the top of this page, Goku asks if Bulma wants to turn the Dragon Balls into Buddhist prayer beads, along with this cute drawing of Bulma as a monk. Its a real specific reference-- how to translate? VIZ has him call it a "necklace", but keeps the prayer in Japanese! Hm.
September 28, 2024 at 3:02 PM
Translation notes:
So, at the top of this page, Goku asks if Bulma wants to turn the Dragon Balls into Buddhist prayer beads, along with this cute drawing of Bulma as a monk. Its a real specific reference-- how to translate? VIZ has him call it a "necklace", but keeps the prayer in Japanese! Hm.
So, at the top of this page, Goku asks if Bulma wants to turn the Dragon Balls into Buddhist prayer beads, along with this cute drawing of Bulma as a monk. Its a real specific reference-- how to translate? VIZ has him call it a "necklace", but keeps the prayer in Japanese! Hm.
I really hope one day shots from this Dragon Ball translation find their way to the larger internet, and someone detail oriented gets really confused why Bulma's name is suddenly written in katakana.
I have an important reason for it, but it's a nonsensical change outside of the eventual context.
I have an important reason for it, but it's a nonsensical change outside of the eventual context.
September 27, 2024 at 5:21 PM
I really hope one day shots from this Dragon Ball translation find their way to the larger internet, and someone detail oriented gets really confused why Bulma's name is suddenly written in katakana.
I have an important reason for it, but it's a nonsensical change outside of the eventual context.
I have an important reason for it, but it's a nonsensical change outside of the eventual context.
When a woman replies to the trolls in her comments:
September 27, 2024 at 3:32 PM
When a woman replies to the trolls in her comments:
Notes for 21!
- The "some poor dragon" joke is directly lifted from the VIZ translation. It's not in the original text. Credit where it's due: it's a perfect joke, I wouldn't dare remove it.
- VIZ uses "cellar" for 倉; knowing she's a Capsule Corp brat, I went "warehouse". What's in that crate...?
- The "some poor dragon" joke is directly lifted from the VIZ translation. It's not in the original text. Credit where it's due: it's a perfect joke, I wouldn't dare remove it.
- VIZ uses "cellar" for 倉; knowing she's a Capsule Corp brat, I went "warehouse". What's in that crate...?
September 27, 2024 at 1:37 PM
Notes for 21!
- The "some poor dragon" joke is directly lifted from the VIZ translation. It's not in the original text. Credit where it's due: it's a perfect joke, I wouldn't dare remove it.
- VIZ uses "cellar" for 倉; knowing she's a Capsule Corp brat, I went "warehouse". What's in that crate...?
- The "some poor dragon" joke is directly lifted from the VIZ translation. It's not in the original text. Credit where it's due: it's a perfect joke, I wouldn't dare remove it.
- VIZ uses "cellar" for 倉; knowing she's a Capsule Corp brat, I went "warehouse". What's in that crate...?
Light notes for 20:
- Since most of this was just folks saying "That's a Dragon Ball!" or "That's a Grandpa!" this was actually pretty easy to work through.
- The logo gag I snuck into panel 2 makes me really happy.
- Since most of this was just folks saying "That's a Dragon Ball!" or "That's a Grandpa!" this was actually pretty easy to work through.
- The logo gag I snuck into panel 2 makes me really happy.
September 26, 2024 at 12:20 PM
Light notes for 20:
- Since most of this was just folks saying "That's a Dragon Ball!" or "That's a Grandpa!" this was actually pretty easy to work through.
- The logo gag I snuck into panel 2 makes me really happy.
- Since most of this was just folks saying "That's a Dragon Ball!" or "That's a Grandpa!" this was actually pretty easy to work through.
- The logo gag I snuck into panel 2 makes me really happy.
MFW u have a Dragon Ball
September 25, 2024 at 8:46 PM
MFW u have a Dragon Ball
#19 Notes:
- In the final, Goku calls Bulma "Miss Trippy-taker", which is a pun on Bulma's analogue in Journey to the West, the monk Tripitaka.
- Bulma's SO MEAN to Goku! I can't get over it. My original translation for panel 5 used "Goomba" instead of "Minion" but I thought it might confuse things.
- In the final, Goku calls Bulma "Miss Trippy-taker", which is a pun on Bulma's analogue in Journey to the West, the monk Tripitaka.
- Bulma's SO MEAN to Goku! I can't get over it. My original translation for panel 5 used "Goomba" instead of "Minion" but I thought it might confuse things.
September 25, 2024 at 1:42 PM
#19 Notes:
- In the final, Goku calls Bulma "Miss Trippy-taker", which is a pun on Bulma's analogue in Journey to the West, the monk Tripitaka.
- Bulma's SO MEAN to Goku! I can't get over it. My original translation for panel 5 used "Goomba" instead of "Minion" but I thought it might confuse things.
- In the final, Goku calls Bulma "Miss Trippy-taker", which is a pun on Bulma's analogue in Journey to the West, the monk Tripitaka.
- Bulma's SO MEAN to Goku! I can't get over it. My original translation for panel 5 used "Goomba" instead of "Minion" but I thought it might confuse things.
Notes for 18!
- Goku saying "Dead Grandpa" is really funny, had to play that.
- Bulma keeps calling Goku a hillbilly in this. I don't think the tail or his general naiveté really works here, so I snuck a noodling joke in
- I also kinda wrote Grandpa Gohan from down in the Holler. Grandpappy Gohan.
- Goku saying "Dead Grandpa" is really funny, had to play that.
- Bulma keeps calling Goku a hillbilly in this. I don't think the tail or his general naiveté really works here, so I snuck a noodling joke in
- I also kinda wrote Grandpa Gohan from down in the Holler. Grandpappy Gohan.
September 24, 2024 at 9:31 PM
Notes for 18!
- Goku saying "Dead Grandpa" is really funny, had to play that.
- Bulma keeps calling Goku a hillbilly in this. I don't think the tail or his general naiveté really works here, so I snuck a noodling joke in
- I also kinda wrote Grandpa Gohan from down in the Holler. Grandpappy Gohan.
- Goku saying "Dead Grandpa" is really funny, had to play that.
- Bulma keeps calling Goku a hillbilly in this. I don't think the tail or his general naiveté really works here, so I snuck a noodling joke in
- I also kinda wrote Grandpa Gohan from down in the Holler. Grandpappy Gohan.
Here's the notes for page 17. This is the first time I'm not labelling each kana-- by now, I'm remembering my characters pretty well, which is really helping my speed and flow. I can't memorize things normally for a damn, so having a project to work on is really useful.
🧵: Changing a joke-
🧵: Changing a joke-
September 23, 2024 at 11:53 AM
Here's the notes for page 17. This is the first time I'm not labelling each kana-- by now, I'm remembering my characters pretty well, which is really helping my speed and flow. I can't memorize things normally for a damn, so having a project to work on is really useful.
🧵: Changing a joke-
🧵: Changing a joke-
Notes for page 16:
- I really like the panel where Goku clutches his head. Its got big Peanuts energy.
- I don't like that in the final comic, I followed up "fair 'n square" with "hit him square in the head". I wish I had an editor!
- I couldn't resist doing the "Normal Men" ref in that last panel.
- I really like the panel where Goku clutches his head. Its got big Peanuts energy.
- I don't like that in the final comic, I followed up "fair 'n square" with "hit him square in the head". I wish I had an editor!
- I couldn't resist doing the "Normal Men" ref in that last panel.
September 22, 2024 at 1:14 PM
Notes for page 16:
- I really like the panel where Goku clutches his head. Its got big Peanuts energy.
- I don't like that in the final comic, I followed up "fair 'n square" with "hit him square in the head". I wish I had an editor!
- I couldn't resist doing the "Normal Men" ref in that last panel.
- I really like the panel where Goku clutches his head. Its got big Peanuts energy.
- I don't like that in the final comic, I followed up "fair 'n square" with "hit him square in the head". I wish I had an editor!
- I couldn't resist doing the "Normal Men" ref in that last panel.
Here's my notes for these pages. Finally getting into some weeds with translation now that folks are talking to each other.
My commitment to also translating English SFX into Japanese bit me in the butt this time-- of course Akira Toriyama would slightly curve his speed lines behind it!
My commitment to also translating English SFX into Japanese bit me in the butt this time-- of course Akira Toriyama would slightly curve his speed lines behind it!
September 20, 2024 at 1:52 PM
Here's my notes for these pages. Finally getting into some weeds with translation now that folks are talking to each other.
My commitment to also translating English SFX into Japanese bit me in the butt this time-- of course Akira Toriyama would slightly curve his speed lines behind it!
My commitment to also translating English SFX into Japanese bit me in the butt this time-- of course Akira Toriyama would slightly curve his speed lines behind it!
Dragon Ball, Chapter 1: "Of Monkey Kings and Underthings"
Art + Story by Akira Toriyama, Dec. 1984.
30 pages 🧵⤵️
Art + Story by Akira Toriyama, Dec. 1984.
30 pages 🧵⤵️
September 20, 2024 at 1:27 PM
Dragon Ball, Chapter 1: "Of Monkey Kings and Underthings"
Art + Story by Akira Toriyama, Dec. 1984.
30 pages 🧵⤵️
Art + Story by Akira Toriyama, Dec. 1984.
30 pages 🧵⤵️