Ma Dai really begins to become more relevant from the Southern campaigns.
The art of guilt-tripping.
Honestly seems like an oversight for Kongming to let Dongtu Na return. I mean, if he were planning on releasing Meng Huo again, he should've foreseen what may have happened. The manga, unlike the novel, does add in the possibility that Dongtu Na didn't expect Meng Huo to know it was him who betrayed him so he could risk feigning ignorance, but it seems somewhat unsatisfying.
Every man brother for himself.
Sometimes, 3rd time's not the charm.
The good ol' naked dancing ploy. It's happened I think 2 or 3 times before, I'm surprised these generals aren't all used to it by now.
Hox, I would like to thank you for your work. It is truly commendable. I am immensely enjoying Sangokushi, thanks to your scanlations. You have a new fan.
As for Yokoyama Mitsuteru, I plan on reading some of his other works (Chinggis Khan, Date Masamune, Takeda Shingen). I was wondering if you have any additional manga recommendations of the same sort? I am primarily interested in historically accurate Japanese/Chinese settings. I already have Kingdom and Vagabond on my to-read list...
Lastly, seeing as you are a fan of history, I simply must recommend the following book: "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Dr. Harari.
Hmm... I think a lot of the more historically accurate Asian history manga are either untranslated or don't have much translated.
There are more stuff that simply uses historical settings and tells its own story with completely fictional characters with maybe a few historical guys thrown in, like Shigurui, Samurai Executioner, or Azumi.
There are some that use the time-travel gimmick but still maintain a level of historical accuracy like Nobunaga's Chef or Jin.
If you don't mind non-East Asian history, check out Cesare or Otoyomegatari.
Thanks for the book recommendation though. I'll give it a read. In return, I'll recommend my latest read, "War and State Formation in Ancient China and Early Modern Europe."
@Hox, thanks for the recs. I don't mind good fiction that uses a historical setting, I actually welcome it. Azumi was a glorious recommendation, I really like it! Excellent story telling and character development. I'll be sure to check out your other recs.
@Anonymous, Nobunaga no Chef sounds interesting. I might give it a try as well, thanks!
Yo Hox, I just finished watching the 2010 Three Kingdoms TV adaptation and I was wondering if you've watched it, and if you have, how do you feel it compares to sangokushi?
I have. It's alright, but it unfortunately does either skip over or simplify many events, both minor and major, due to time restraints.
If I were to be harsh, I could say that as an adaptation it's not faithful enough and that as a retelling, it doesn't shake things up enough so it saddles an awkward middle ground. But in the end, it's still an impressive effort to adapt such a long tale and the production values are quite nice for the most part.
If you liked the TV series, I still do recommend reading the original novel (especially for an actual ending) or Sangokushi.
the anime? Yes, it was sooo good! I contacted the director asking him why they never continued the series despite the massive success and following. He said it's because the executives and psychologists at TV Tokyo deemed the series too dark and too brutal after the climatic moments in Red Cliffs and wanted to finish off with "Three Kingdoms" (or rather path to it) while most characters were still alive and well.
Yes, I use the Brewitt-Taylor and Roberts translation of RotK as a reference to know how names or places should be translated. Occasionally, I do use their translations of poems (in which case, I do cite them), but I think I've only done that once or twice. Most of the time, I make my own translations to the poems.
Hox, I would like to thank you for your work. It is truly commendable. I am immensely enjoying Sangokushi, thanks to your scanlations. You have a new fan.
ReplyDeleteAs for Yokoyama Mitsuteru, I plan on reading some of his other works (Chinggis Khan, Date Masamune, Takeda Shingen). I was wondering if you have any additional manga recommendations of the same sort? I am primarily interested in historically accurate Japanese/Chinese settings. I already have Kingdom and Vagabond on my to-read list...
Lastly, seeing as you are a fan of history, I simply must recommend the following book: "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Dr. Harari.
Keep up the great work!
Hmm... I think a lot of the more historically accurate Asian history manga are either untranslated or don't have much translated.
DeleteThere are more stuff that simply uses historical settings and tells its own story with completely fictional characters with maybe a few historical guys thrown in, like Shigurui, Samurai Executioner, or Azumi.
There are some that use the time-travel gimmick but still maintain a level of historical accuracy like Nobunaga's Chef or Jin.
If you don't mind non-East Asian history, check out Cesare or Otoyomegatari.
Thanks for the book recommendation though. I'll give it a read. In return, I'll recommend my latest read, "War and State Formation in Ancient China and Early Modern Europe."
Jin and Nobunaga no Chef are both terrific, it's a shame their scanlations are out once every blue moon.
DeleteI'd recommend Thermae Romae, it's not a historic manga but it has quite a few interesting tidbits about roman life, and it's quite funny.
@Hox, thanks for the recs. I don't mind good fiction that uses a historical setting, I actually welcome it. Azumi was a glorious recommendation, I really like it! Excellent story telling and character development. I'll be sure to check out your other recs.
Delete@Anonymous, Nobunaga no Chef sounds interesting. I might give it a try as well, thanks!
Yo Hox, I just finished watching the 2010 Three Kingdoms TV adaptation and I was wondering if you've watched it, and if you have, how do you feel it compares to sangokushi?
ReplyDeleteI have. It's alright, but it unfortunately does either skip over or simplify many events, both minor and major, due to time restraints.
DeleteIf I were to be harsh, I could say that as an adaptation it's not faithful enough and that as a retelling, it doesn't shake things up enough so it saddles an awkward middle ground. But in the end, it's still an impressive effort to adapt such a long tale and the production values are quite nice for the most part.
If you liked the TV series, I still do recommend reading the original novel (especially for an actual ending) or Sangokushi.
I hear the 2003 TV series version was good, even if it took quite a few liberties. Did you see that one, by chance?
DeleteSorry, was thinking of the 1993 series.
Deletethe anime? Yes, it was sooo good! I contacted the director asking him why they never continued the series despite the massive success and following. He said it's because the executives and psychologists at TV Tokyo deemed the series too dark and too brutal after the climatic moments in Red Cliffs and wanted to finish off with "Three Kingdoms" (or rather path to it) while most characters were still alive and well.
DeleteBTW Hox, do you use the English version of the book (novel) to help you translate the manga?
ReplyDeleteYes, I use the Brewitt-Taylor and Roberts translation of RotK as a reference to know how names or places should be translated. Occasionally, I do use their translations of poems (in which case, I do cite them), but I think I've only done that once or twice. Most of the time, I make my own translations to the poems.
Deletethank you for finally completing this volume. I can't wait till I see kongming being defeated at the end of this volume/campaign!!!
ReplyDelete