Hey all, I'm a newbie who just finished the anime. I loved the characters and premise, but the story didn't really go anywhere and the comedy got tired pretty quick.
I'm hoping the manga will fix most of my gripes. Even though I will miss the slapstick insanity of the show I think the rest of it (comedic wit, characters, story and artwork quality) should make up for that. Therefore I've been researching the best way to get into it.
I live in Europe. I'm considering buying the first few volumes off amazon, but then I read about the digital edition. It's not available in my region, but if these are cheaper it may be worth it to circumvent that with a proxy. At least to get a taste, because without an e-reader I'll prefer reading TPB's.
So does anyone here know the quality and price of the digital release? What format does it use, and is there some form of DRM?
Thanks in advance!
Unfortunately, the digital releases are no longer being sold by Viz, so the only way to purchase the volumes is through print. :sweat:
That's a shame! What about other outlets though? Amazon has previews of later volumes as Kindle books. Are those unlisted too?
I checked Amazon, and I don't see a way to preview the books on kindle, or a way to purchase them through there, and I checked other sites as well, and there really just doesn't seem to be any avenue to purchase the series digitally at this point in time. :(
Welcome to the forum! Glad to hear you're interested in the manga; it's definitely a lot better than the anime IMO. :)
Sadly, the ability to purchase digital versions was removed in late January of this year, right after the final volume released. This could be for any number of reasons, though my personal belief is that Viz dropped the license as soon as they finished the series. While annoying, it's certainly understandable, as Excel Saga was never a big seller, and it may have been too expensive to keep a hold on.
If you do decide to start picking up the print editions, shoot me a private message should you come across any volumes that are out of print/too expensive to afford - I'll do my best to hook you up! :el_hail: Also, the first couple of volumes are definitely enjoyable, but not too representative of what comes later. If you can, give Excel Saga until around volume 5 or so to impress you.
Happy reading!
Thanks guys, you're very helpful!
Funny that the manga is supposed to get good at about the spot where the anime runs out of source material. I might get the first 6 volumes to start then, since 7 and 8 are the really expensive ones. I'll keep you posted when I make some progress. ;)
Great, sounds good. I hope you like it!
As a fan of the anime, I've tried reading some of the manga but it's definitely challenging for a few reasons, not the least of which the different humor style than the show. Also, the tone seems a bit darker and the art style less appealing to me.
That said, I appreciate how the anime wasn't just a 1:1 copy of the manga which is sadly all too common, so reading one and seeing the other gives you a different experience. Related to that, I would've loved to see some stories in the manga adapted for the anime, such as the plot where Excel goes to jail.
Quote from: Speedy on September 25, 2014, 12:12:50 PM
As a fan of the anime, I've tried reading some of the manga but it's definitely challenging for a few reasons, not the least of which the different humor style than the show. Also, the humor seems a bit darker and the art style less appealing to me.
Yeah, the art style in the early volumes is pretty rough. Rikdo's illustrations become fantastic later on, though. It develops from looking like a shoujo manga to looking pretty much like the anime to looking unique and kind of cartoony.
The humor is certainly quite dark compared to the anime, but it becomes a lot sillier and less cynical over time. The first few volumes have this "angry at the world" edge that isn't particularly representative of the series as a whole. The biggest difference is mainly that the manga is much wittier and more character-based.
First hi goody2shoes!!!
But moving on, yeah like Foggle said the humor is presented in a different (though in my opinion much better for my tastes) way, the humor is shown less as spastic movement and silly expressions, and more through clever dialogue and crass humor that actually reflects real life more, such as, for comedic effect when someone got hurt, they actually got seriously hurt instead of shrugging it off seconds later (yeah no such thing as getting hit by a truck, literally dying, and then reviving the next moment), yet the comedic effect works with the way Rikudou does it, and the few times he finally does rely on giving characters priceless expressions they are truly priceless, and while it's going for a more realistic approach, you'll still see some pretty exaggerated stuff going on, and it's glorious when it happens... Champagne, you'll know when the time comes... :kabapu:
I'm so tempted to give examples of how fantastic it can get, but honestly, turning the page yourself and getting that first impression means too much to me, just try and carry on with the series, but don't lean too much on the anime and get your hopes up for 1:1 remakes of scenes, the anime took ALOT of liberties as you probably noticed :il_hahaha:
Also Elgala, the third member of Across, she adds alot to the series imo..!
I hope you'll stay around for a long time goody2shoes, it's nice still seeing fans finding their way here to discuss the series in all its shapes and forms..!
Speaking of Elgala, I kinda wish J.C. Staff would make a sequel series just so Elgala could be adapted for the anime. They could adapt some of the manga-specific stories while they're at it. :)
Thanks for the welcomes! ;D
Micki, what you wrote about the humor sounds appealing to me. Not that I mind rubber hose animation and 4th wall jokes, but I do prefer comedy with some weight behind it. I was curious about the early artwork too, so I snuck a peek at the scanlation for vol.1 and I was ...pleasantly surprised! Both by the humor and art. Seeing the differences from the anime definitely helped keep me interested. It is slower paced, and the scanlation quality did put a damper on my enjoyment, but I got through the volume with a smile on my face nonetheless. :)
The only thing that really bugged me seems to be the wordplay jokes. The editor's notes were helpful, buut... Joker will elaborate. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bhsKlz8xkg) It can't be helped, of course, but it's a bigger problem here than in the show. On the other hand, the pointless side characters won't be missed! ;D
I'm still deciding on buying used vs new copies. I thought I would go for the 3$ a piece ones, but those cost more than twice that with shipping... So I'm sorry to use you guys as QnA, but what are your experiences and recommendations regarding this? Quality vs price of both the product and shipping? Btw, amazon is the best outlet, right?
There aren't too many joke explanations, actually, especially later on. There's a lot of really great wordplay in the official translation which doesn't come across in the (honestly terrible) scanlation and is left up to the reader to understand/laugh at. :)
Whatever you do, don't read the scanlation of volume 2. It's awful...
That's great to hear. And I'll stay away from the scanlation from now on. :P
Mosho moshi
I am Kabapu Hakase
:pedro_nooo:
Quote from: Micki! on September 28, 2014, 05:05:30 PM
Mosho moshi
I am Kabapu Hakase
:pedro_nooo:
:kabapu: I must stop Access...
Quote from: Foggle on September 28, 2014, 07:17:23 PM
Quote from: Micki! on September 28, 2014, 05:05:30 PM
Mosho moshi
I am Kabapu Hakase
:pedro_nooo:
:kabapu: I must stop Access...
:kabapu: muu..?
seriously... muu...
:wth:
I see nothing wrong with those lines. :??:
Spoiler
jk
I take it you guys don't know what's the best option for purchase, then. It's highly subjective, I know.
In that case, do you think buying new copies will support the franchise? IIRC it's out of print, so the ones in stock are the final supply, right? Viz even dropped the license completely, didn't they?
I'm also thinking about buy the printed version (as Cartoon X mentioned is the only one available now) but i've read in some places that some volumes are bit hard to find, can anyone tell me what volumes are more rare. I'm planning to read this series for so long but i've lost my hope of some company release a portuguese version of this manga, will be the first time i import a manga and depending of the brazilian publishers will not be the only time.
That would be vol. 5, 7 and 8. They were printed in shorter supply for some reason (and one introduces a character iirc).
As for the in-stock volumes, some more research decided things for me. The used market in Sweden for this manga is completely dry, and shipping even the cheapest used books over would cost me more than buying them from a national retailer. ::)
Getting the oop ones might get pricey though, so Foggle, I'll check with you if you might have a better deal. Expect a PM soon.
Quote from: goody2shoes on September 29, 2014, 01:13:20 PM
I take it you guys don't know what's the best option for purchase, then. It's highly subjective, I know.
I think they're probably gonna' be about the same price anywhere you go. I'm not really knowledgeable about non-American storefronts, sorry. :(
QuoteIn that case, do you think buying new copies will support the franchise? IIRC it's out of print, so the ones in stock are the final supply, right? Viz even dropped the license completely, didn't they?
I actually have no idea if Viz dropped the license or not, but it would make sense, because they removed it from their digital storefront and no longer seem to field questions about it on their Twitter. Like, they list the print volumes on their official website, but they don't seem to even acknowledge it exists outside of that.
Buying new copies will give money to Viz and maybe Rikdo as well (I'm not too sure how much mangaka actually make off of translated versions). However, there really isn't a franchise to support anymore; the series has been over since 2011 in Japan and I don't think there will ever be more Excel Saga manga, anime, or merch.
Even if Viz hasn't dropped the license, the remaining volumes for sale are almost certainly the last new copies that will ever be printed. Once they're gone, they're gone, and prices will no doubt drive up considerably. I wouldn't worry about them running out for at least another 5 years, though.
Quote from: Timeseeker on September 29, 2014, 03:40:44 PM
I'm also thinking about buy the printed version (as Cartoon X mentioned is the only one available now) but i've read in some places that some volumes are bit hard to find, can anyone tell me what volumes are more rare. I'm planning to read this series for so long but i've lost my hope of some company release a portuguese version of this manga, will be the first time i import a manga and depending of the brazilian publishers will not be the only time.
5, 7, and 8 are the out of print ones, though 5 has never really risen from its retail price for some reason. 7 and 8 range from decently priced to unfathomably expensive depending on who's selling them.
Quote from: goody2shoes on September 29, 2014, 06:45:54 PM
That would be vol. 5, 7 and 8. They were printed in shorter supply for some reason (and one introduces a character iirc).
Volumes 5 and 7 introduce new characters, and #8 establishes the character introduced in #7. Volume 8 also includes the first major plot point in the entire series, while volume 5 is when the series really starts to get good IMO. They are not to be missed.
QuoteAs for the in-stock volumes, some more research decided things for me. The used market in Sweden for this manga is completely dry, and shipping even the cheapest used books over would cost me more than buying them from a national retailer. ::)
Getting the oop ones might get pricey though, so Foggle, I'll check with you if you might have a better deal. Expect a PM soon.
Sorry to hear about that. :(
This goes for everyone: if you have trouble finding specific volumes of Excel Saga for a good price, PM me and I'll help you out! :im_nabeshin:
I really do hope you guys find them available, a few good sites for the books to check would be:
bookdepository.com
abebooks.com
They're most likely not going to have volumes 7 or 8 though, but I've been using these sites next to amazon when ordering every single volume I own so far, and who knows if they do magically have one of the rare ones in stock, it could be worth a check, but otherwise, i got some good prices there and I especially like bookdepository.com as they ship for free within Europe (it's UK based), which means i could go nuts with orders to Denmark without worrying about overseas shipping costs, could be nice for someone like you in Sweden Goody..!
Other than that, lurking on ebay from time to time and seeing things pop up for not-ridiculous prices is also another way to got, for the 7-8 volumes, good luck on finding them, otherwise get to Foggle as he said, he can most likely help you out with something too :sumi_embarrassed:
Quote from: Foggle on September 29, 2014, 11:14:27 PM
Quote from: goody2shoes on September 29, 2014, 01:13:20 PM
I take it you guys don't know what's the best option for purchase, then. It's highly subjective, I know.
I think they're probably gonna' be about the same price anywhere you go. I'm not really knowledgeable about non-American storefronts, sorry. :(
Np, I was more talking about used vs new from amazon but that's irrelevant now :D
Quote from: Foggle on September 29, 2014, 11:14:27 PMI actually have no idea if Viz dropped the license or not, but it would make sense, because they removed it from their digital storefront and no longer seem to field questions about it on their Twitter. Like, they list the print volumes on their official website, but they don't seem to even acknowledge it exists outside of that.
Buying new copies will give money to Viz and maybe Rikdo as well (I'm not too sure how much mangaka actually make off of translated versions). However, there really isn't a franchise to support anymore; the series has been over since 2011 in Japan and I don't think there will ever be more Excel Saga manga, anime, or merch.
Never lose hope :srs:
Yeaahhh... you're probably right though.
Quote from: Foggle on September 29, 2014, 11:14:27 PM
Quote from: goody2shoes on September 29, 2014, 06:45:54 PMAs for the in-stock volumes, some more research decided things for me. The used market in Sweden for this manga is completely dry, and shipping even the cheapest used books over would cost me more than buying them from a national retailer. ::)
Getting the oop ones might get pricey though, so Foggle, I'll check with you if you might have a better deal. Expect a PM soon.
Sorry to hear about that. :(
This goes for everyone: if you have trouble finding specific volumes of Excel Saga for a good price, PM me and I'll help you out! :im_nabeshin:
:worship:
Quote from: Micki! on September 30, 2014, 05:41:59 AMbookdepository.com
Wow, nice. That just reduced my expenses by 1/4. Thanks a ton!
Also forgot about ebay. I'll check it too just in case.
Quote from: goody2shoes on September 24, 2014, 08:57:48 PMFunny that the manga is supposed to get good at about the spot where the anime runs out of source material.
I've a feeling if the source material from Rikdo went much more beyond what Shinichi Watanabe originally had to work with at the time, he may not have been the person to make the ES anime at all. The reason would simply be the amount of depth and sometimes dark nature Excel Saga took as events unfolded. I'm not saying he wouldn't be capable of doing it, but... it wouldn't seem to be his cup of tea to make.
Welcome to AR, BTW! :e_hail:
I received my first batch of volumes this monday. Boy was the translation an improvement, even volume 1 makes a lot more sense! ;D
My only gripe is the way sound effects were treated. Seems like it's the standard for manga translations, but it did throw me off initially. Having to flip through a list in the back is bothersome, thankfully it's not necessary all the time. It may be heresy but I still would've preferred what they did with chapter 1. :bleh: The translation otherwise is top notch, and it's great that they brought Kanemitsu on board since I loved the anime translation.
I'm really enjoying the things the anime left out. The difference is staggering even this early on: The manga gives the characters a lot more room to breathe and interact, and they do feel more like actual people. I'm warming up to the neighbours as a result, who I didn't like in the anime at all!
For the anime, it's like Nabeshin took Excel's "zaniness" and let it spill out into the whole show, for better and worse. It certainly made the aforementioned neighbours feel out of place in the show.
And granted, props to some of the animation from the anime, but wow is Rikdo's art an improvement (just look at Kabapu's face). The paper was pretty yellow but I got used to it.
Just starting vol. 2 btw. :thumbup:
Glad to see you're enjoying it! :e_hail: Just keep on reading; it just keeps getting better from there. :)
Quote from: goody2shoes on October 17, 2014, 07:16:21 PM
My only gripe is the way sound effects were treated. Seems like it's the standard for manga translations, but it did throw me off initially. Having to flip through a list in the back is bothersome, thankfully it's not necessary all the time. It may be heresy but I still would've preferred what they did with chapter 1. :bleh:
I agree, though I eventually stopped caring about the sound effects at all.
QuoteThe translation otherwise is top notch, and it's great that they brought Kanemitsu on board since I loved the anime translation.
Sadly, he leaves the series after volume 5 - which is, coincidentally enough, the last book released when the anime was made. Thankfully, Carl Horn is there for the entire English adaptation, so there's a consistent voice throughout the entire run. :)
QuoteI'm really enjoying the things the anime left out. The difference is staggering even this early on: The manga gives the characters a lot more room to breathe and interact, and they do feel more like actual people. I'm warming up to the neighbours as a result, who I didn't like in the anime at all!
I didn't care for them in the anime either, but I actually ended up liking them more than the "main" characters thanks to the manga!
QuoteAnd granted, props to some of the animation from the anime, but wow is Rikdo's art an improvement (just look at Kabapu's face). The paper was pretty yellow but I got used to it.
His art gets really, really great later on. It's very expressive and lovable. :im_nabeshin:
QuoteJust starting vol. 2 btw. :thumbup:
Volume 2 is kind of slow. I remember not liking it much the first time I read it, but it's grown on me a lot over the years.
Quote from: Foggle on September 29, 2014, 11:14:27 PM
Volume 8 also includes the first major plot point in the entire series
It appears that way. Past the halfway point in 8 and wow, things are happening fast. That Iwata chapter and the start of the one after that... Man, Rikdo is a dick :lol:
Spoiler
I doubt he has the guts to kill anyone off for real, but it had an interesting outcome nonetheless. :D
Iwata becomes so goddamned awesome from that point onwards, and it suits him perfectly :kabapu:
So after finishing my last bought volume, 12, I'm not that excited to keep going to be honest. Rikdo is good at hijinks (many chapters like the pistol chapter and AI van almost fit right into/outshine the anime), but his storytelling abilities outside of that leave me something to be desired. I'm not sure what's missing really, but it might be a sense of thematic cohesiveness, direction and characterization/character progression. The sort of thing I take for granted in almost all the anime I watch, and the few manga that I've read (I don't follow ongoing stuff like One Piece). Since he's making shit up as he goes along, the writing quality goes through peaks and valleys without much of a "throughline", if that makes sense.
Also, Rikdo's ability as an artist fluctuates. Maybe he was too short on time to produce consistently good art, but he seems to put an unhealthy emphasis on the "full body shots" of the ladies in recent volumes. Is this what people were talking about regarding a "genre shift" to seinen? It's almost like he entered puberty. :il_hahaha:
You're in that awkward transitional period for the manga at the moment. Volumes 12 and 13, though the latter has some excellent moments, are probably the weakest books in the series IMO.
There is lots of fanservice starting around now, but the genre shift comes once it starts having more plot/character development. In terms of demographic, it was always a seinen.
I don't think he made shit up as he went along at all. The storyline and character development have a lot of direct continuity between the latest and earliest volumes, and there's quite a bit of foreshadowing near the beginning if you go back and re-read the series.
I have to say though, i'm not enjoying his storytelling as much as i am enjoying his characters, the people he created in this series were what always made me keep on going honestly, it also made the hard-to-get moments seem more acceptable to me since i didn't feel the need to always fully understand the situation as long as i get to see some reactions form his characters..!
The series storyline gets more and more confusing and hard to decipher though, I really think people are better off falling in love with all the characters (which by vol 14-18 should be more or less fully established) and treat the story as a side-interest, because the dialogue and interactions between them are worth more than any part of the plot from this point onwards imo... I mean i'd have liked a story that felt more connected, as in easier and a bit more logical to follow..! As it is now it requires alot of looking back and work from the reader, and at one point-
Spoiler
it even requires knowledge to another one of Rikudou's series, Holy Brownie
to fully grasp whats happening...
Quote from: Micki! on January 18, 2015, 03:51:00 PM
I have to say though, i'm not enjoying his storytelling as much as i am enjoying his characters, the people he created in this series were what always made me keep on going honestly, it also made the hard-to-get moments seem more acceptable to me since i didn't feel the need to always fully understand the situation as long as i get to see some reactions form his characters..!
The series storyline gets more and more confusing and hard to decipher though, I really think people are better off falling in love with all the characters (which by vol 14-18 should be more or less fully established) and treat the story as a side-interest, because the dialogue and interactions between them are worth more than any part of the plot from this point onwards imo... I mean i'd have liked a story that felt more connected, as in easier and a bit more logical to follow..!
Agreed 100%. As I've said many times before, the actual storytelling is probably the weakest part of Excel Saga. The character development and interactions are what make it my favorite manga of all time.
What I meant by saying he makes shit up as he goes along, is that he follows the weekly formula of writing. There is a general idea of where the story will go, but most of it is made up on a week by week basis. Which has its pros, but it means the storytelling isn't as tight and refined as say, a book where the author goes through the whole text several times to make adjustments so that everything fits well into the whole. Or a well scripted movie/short TV series.
Good to know that it gets better. I'm just wondering, what will this transition lead to? Will there be less comedy when the plot becomes more important, or will it just mean that more interesting shit starts happening? If it's the latter, I'm on board with that.
If it has the guts to include more morbid/inappropriate humor, even better. I'm a bit worried that Rikdo didn't kill off Iwata for real, because it makes me wonder if he knows how to handle such heavy subject matters maturely and with a sense of humor. It's a tight line to walk, I guess.
It does occasionally become very serious when it decides to focus entirely on the plot, but, for the most part, the second half of the manga has much better humor than the first half IMO. Volumes 14-16, 19, 20, 22 are the funniest comics I've ever read.
Cool! I think I'll pick the series back up when I get my finances in check.
I hope you like it! But if you still aren't feeling it by the end of volume 16, I'd say it just might not be for you.
Volume 14 has got to make you laugh, and 15 might get a little confusing but i'd say wait up until 16 before you decide if it's worth moving on or not as well :kabapu:
Volume 14 is probably the best volume in the entire manga! :e_hail: :h_hail: :el_hail:
Pretty much every character gets a big moment, the art is top notch, the humor will make your cheeks hurt like crazy, and the pacing is very sinuous.
It was pretty easy for me to make the transition to the manga after watching the anime. I was getting burned out on shounen manga during that period and I wanted more of Excel and Hyatt's crazy antics. I also have a knack for alternative culture and things that are esoteric. I actually managed to find a retail copy of vol. 7 and my father ordered me vol. 8 (It was $20 something so that's better than most second hand prices) so that prevented me from feeling discouraged about not getting to read it all.
Quote from: Markness on January 21, 2015, 08:52:46 PM
Volume 14 is probably the best volume in the entire manga! :e_hail: :h_hail: :el_hail:
Pretty much every character gets a big moment, the art is top notch, the humor will make your cheeks hurt like crazy, and the pacing is very sinuous.
Yes! The first time I read volume 14, I absolutely died laughing. That was the moment I knew this was my favorite manga/comic of all time. :el_hail:
I had a similar experience acquiring #s 7 and 8, though I was actually able to find both of them in retail shops. (Different ones, but still.)
With how rare the early volumes are getting, they should make an omnibus edition. Won't happen, but it would be nice.
Yeah I agree, that would be too awesome, imagine extra paper large prints and all that .3.
Quote from: Micki! on January 22, 2015, 11:08:10 AM
Yeah I agree, that would be too awesome, imagine extra paper large prints and all that .3.
And the color pages left in... :blush:
Quote from: goody2shoes on January 18, 2015, 09:04:52 AMAlso, Rikdo's ability as an artist fluctuates. Maybe he was too short on time to produce consistently good art,
I love Rikdou's art. I really do. But I'm not going to argue that I had times within the span of the series where certain panels had me wondering...
"... the hell is that supposed to be?!?" :e_confused: It was as though such panels were missed for a final polishing.
I do attribute such fluctuations in anyone's art quality due to time constraints.
At least he has talent, unlike that woman who draws the Watamote manga... *shudder* :(
He's a very talented artist - one of my favorites, in fact - but it's hard not to notice that he cuts corners at times. That's what having three monthly comics running at once will do to you, I guess.
Rikdo may cut corners but he atleast keeps an appealing art style. It never looks boring and stays pretty consistent. :e_wink:
For sure! He makes some of my favorite comic art ever. Even when he's cutting corners, it's usually lovely to my eyes. His facial expressions are the best around, too. :im_nabeshin: