I intended to use ChatGPT only to transcribe the column to post here (which it did perfectly save for one word), but I also requested a translation for my own use rather than working through a wall of unknown words.
ChatGPT gave offers on making the column sound more like it’s from a newspaper (which it did well with), as well as formatting it into a newspaper column (which didn’t work out as well).
In the end, I took the translation and the general layout, and created the image above.
Fun first chapter. I have no idea what to expect from this manga, I must have decided to buy it when it was on sale a year or two ago and after reading the nomination post, but all I knew coming into reading it was what I could see on the front cover.
So I have no idea how dangerous or friendly is the world they live in, or whether there are any regular size humans around. So far, when I saw the insect my first thought was that they were in danger, but he turned out to be super friendly (and able to speak). The bird also looked very threatening when it first appeared but was equally friendly. Perhaps it’s all a very peaceful world, or maybe there are some dangerous creatures out there for midget sized people to be wary of.
Their house is very charming and rustic looking. I love how it is resting part way up a tree, but it looks like there are some windows in the trunk too, so perhaps the house continues inside the tree? I guess we will learn more with time. It also looks a bit vulnerable to any big creatures coming by…
My dictionary didn’t help me much with the word 号外 - what I needed to understand was the concept that newspapers might publish an extra edition outside of their usual schedule if there is important breaking news (like the spotting of a fabled bird…). I don’t feel too bad about not knowing this as it sounds like the practice largely (but not completely) died out in the 1930s after radio became widespread. But when someone in an old movie shouts, “Extra, extra, read all about it” they are selling one of the extra editions of a newspaper with a breaking news story. This perhaps suggests that the mange is set in a world without any telecommunications.
I managed to get through the newspaper column at the end, but thanks for your efforts on the AI generated English version Christopher! I was familiar with the word 望遠鏡 but not 遠眼鏡. Presumably the former word is the large telescope, and the latter word the spyglass in his hand. Again my dictionary wasn’t very helpful in explaining the difference.
Wowwww I really really enjoyed this!!! It’s at a really good level for me where the language feels generally pretty easy but there’s a lot of specific vocab that I just have never encountered before. I probably picked up at least 10 words in this chapter. The news article was harder than most books I’ve read, but it’s a nice challenge! Very excited for the rest of this volume now.
This is lovely, I can see why @rodan calls this out as a shining example of Harta’s style (the magazine it came from).
comments and a question
On the first page, it looks to me like Hakumei is asking Mikochi (carrying the big dresser) to cook breakfast, and Mikochi asks her to help. Hakumei says she will after eating… this just struck me as rather odd. Am I missing something or do we just not know why Hakumei doesn’t help carrying the dresser or preparing food?
Their impromptu adventure after reading the news extra cracked me up.
I did not know that!
I love the reveal that the kite is actually white and the name comes from it looking red in the evening sunset. I was guessing that might be that case since it was foreshadowed a bit, but very fun
The news article was so fun. The ending was bizarre, though, I was questioning my understanding and was glad to see it aligned with ChristopherFritz’s translation
My thoughts exactly I like the two characters so far though, and curious to find out more about them and their world.
Answer
Can’t tell their age of course, but Hakumei seems to be a bit of a spoiled / reckless child, while Mikochi is the more reasonable / grown up one. So I’d say the behavior is consistent!
I’ve read the first chapter before, but at the time I skipped the newspaper article. This time I read through it and it was like a little mini kanji workout! I love how it adds depth to the world.
answer without spoilers but informed from about 125 chapters of additional context
honestly this is one series where the first installments are hugely jarring to look back on because everything about the art style, word building, and characters get more refined over time (as does happen with long running episodic series like this).
Which is to say that dollars to donuts I think if they were the fully formed versions of the characters, Hakumei would carry the stuff (and Mikochi would still cook)
Edit to add: also, Mikochi bought the dresser so it’s presumably a bit of 自業自得, and it’ll become clearer over time, but cooking isn’t really a chore for Mikochi in the way that carrying a dresser is. So it does come across a bit overly pestering on Hakumei’s part for a very first impression but I suppose it’s trying to show they’re very familiar with relying on each other’s strengths even if it isn’t always completely frictionless.
Thanks Akashelia, that gives me some confidence. I was trying so hard to find something I missed to not accept this interpretation:
Probably that is it and just jarring as rodan said. I think I’ve been exposed to their and other views from peaking in much later Harta volumes.
That is an interesting take. One thing that crossed my mind is that it must be so firmly established that Mikochi cooks that it’s not even rude to assume that. It’s also interesting to hear your wider thoughts (and mostly I’m thinking, wow that means it gets even better )
I really like the illustrations and the world-building so far. The art is very pleasant and just beautiful to look at. The chapters seem like they will follow an episodic kind of pattern, which I also enjoy, since I guess we will explore a bit more of their world with each week. Looking forward to what’s coming next!
So, I’ve read up to volume 12 of this in English, and I found it a little bit jarring how bratty Hakumei is (“stop carrying that heavy load and make me some lunch!”) compared to her portrayal in later chapters. It’s definitely a fun story either way, though.
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