I’ve been quiet on this blog for a while and by the end of this post you’ll understand why. (It’s all good news, don’t worry!)
I translated a Mushoku Tensei Book!
So… After leaving ANN, I entered the sphere of manga and light novel translation. Translation was always something I dabbled in, like when I worked on Mari Okada’s autobiography, but now I have more time to dedicate to it. I like translation because I can do it on a flexible schedule and at the same time focus more on my personal life; Additionally, some of the work may be projects that I am genuinely passionate about.
Mushoku Tensei is one of my favorite light novels, so you can imagine my joy when I got the chance to translate it. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation – Memories. This is a collection of short stories originally written to complement volumes 1 through 10 of the main series. Although it doesn’t advance the main plot or anything like that, it has some of the funniest scenes in the entire series, so I recommend it to any fan!
I hope this is the only one Mushoku Tensei novel that I translate. The main series is already finished in English, and although I received an offer to translate a separate side novel, it didn’t fit with my schedule. I’m happy to have been able to work on something related to one of my favorite series, definitely something to check off the bucket list!
Judged for JNC Original Light Novel Contest
A few months ago, J-Novel Club held its inaugural light novel contest. It received hundreds of submissions and I was involved throughout the process as a guest judge. At this point, the finalists are public. I can’t yet tell you which submissions I liked best or who will win the overall contest, so I recommend you read the previews for yourself.
Participating in this competition was a really interesting experience. I had the opportunity to read some incredible light novel-inspired works that I would never have found in the traditional sphere. But it does mean that my time reading Japanese novels or watching anime has been very limited these past few months. My pending work languishes!
Anyway, I’m excited for when the winners are announced at Anime Expo, and I hope you are too. I would have personally come to AX to participate in the JNC panel, but life circumstances prevented me from doing so, because you see…
I’m having a baby this August
Yes, this is definitely the most important thing that has ever happened to me, haha. I’m going to be a father!
If you had told me three years ago that I would end up here, I would have been incredulous. But after returning to Australia, I started to feel strongly that this was something I wanted to do. Being able to buy my own home was a big factor and my family is also there to support me, which I am very grateful for.
However, it wasn’t necessarily easy. Shortly after returning, I discovered that I had cancer in my left ovary, which not only made it physically impossible to conceive, but also would have threatened my life. Fortunately, the surgery went well and I had a healthy pregnancy a few months later, but the whole experience was very humbling. Whether it’s childbirth or just simple survival, life is never something to be taken for granted…
In any case, I really hope that this last leg of my pregnancy goes without complications and I am looking forward to starting this new chapter in my life!
A Quick Light Novel Recommendation to Wrap Things Up
Although I haven’t had much time to read light novels lately, I want to end this post with a shout out to a series I’ve gotten into lately: Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy.
Hanashi Media, a new publisher, published an English version of this popular isekai series a few months ago. It really took me by surprise how fun the translation was. Even if the plot wasn’t 100% my type, especially as it progresses, all the jokes landed. The dialogue is snappy and I always enjoy an MC who takes absurd events in stride. I haven’t been overly impressed with the second season of the anime, but I recommend the novel to anyone who loves a good comedy (isekai or not).
Anyway, that’s all for now! I know each of these things probably deserved their own post, but I hope you can forgive me for being busy 😀
Take care everyone!