9/18/15

Kyomu Senki Vol 1 Ch 5

Woo! Kyomu Senki!! Another excellent chapter of Miroku for you all.
Praise be to Takeru Kyori and HappyScans!

Kyomu Senki Volume 1 Chapter 5

In unrelated news, I've started collaborating with the ever wonderful TallGirlTranslations to release Fujiyama-san wa Shishunki because that's my jam and I need a break from editing action comics. Check out the series if you haven't already, it's worth it. In related news, the first part of Shin Mazinger Zero volume 5 is in the works. So please bear with the wait for now while I try to slay both scanlation and work!


9/2/15

Majuu Sensen: The Demonbeast Battlefront Volume 1 Chapter 10

And here's another release of Ken Ishikawa's Majuu Sensen! In this chapter, Shin'ichi meets his unlikely allies and begins to learn of their past.

Majuu Sensen: The Demonbeast Battlefront Volume 1 Chapter 10

Ever thanks to Takeru Kyori and HappyScans!

8/28/15

Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 4 Complete

The epic finale of volume 4 is here!

Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 4 Chapter 5
Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 4 Complete

Brought to you in conjunction with OtherSideofSky and HappyScans! Next releases will be more Majuu Sensen and Kyomu Senki. Until then!

By the by, here's a small translation note (included in the final page of ch5/the volume):
pg 156 - "Ashura" (also known as Asura) refers to a concept in Indian mythology of a fighting demon from which Baron Ashura gets its namesake.

 
Thanks, Dr. Hell! You too!!

8/25/15

Majuu Sensen Volume 1 Chapter 9

In this chapter, Shin'ichi goes wild! But will his beast-like nature be his undoing?

Majuu Sensen Volume 1 Chapter 9

Thanks to Takeru Kyori and HappyScans! for another great chapter. The final Shin Mazinger Zero chapter of volume 4 is typeset and should be ready in a day or two friday once I finish up redrawing the remaining two page spreads and overlaid text portions. Until then!


8/18/15

Majuu Sensen: The Demonbeast Battlefront Vol.1 Ch.8

Coming face to face with the first of his many adversaries, Shin'ichi springs into action. What follows is the kind of pure insanity that only Ken Ishikawa could put to paper!

Majuu Sensen: The Demonbeast Battlefront Vol.1 Ch.8

This chapter is translated and edited by Takeru Kyori and released in part with our buddies at HappyScans!




8/16/15

Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 4 Chapter 4

Wow, it's been a long time coming for this chapter. I've gotta apologize - I never realized I'd get so tied up with real life stuffs before I had a chance to work on this chapter. Sorry! The turn around was far too long, but here it finally is. Thanks to OtherSideofSky and HappyScans!

In this chapter, Sayaka is a stone cold badass. Enjoy!
Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 4 Chapter 4


In other news, Takeru Kyori continues his onslaught of Majuu Sensen with chapter 7 where the story really heats up. Fans of Getter Robo Armageddon should notice a couple things adapted from this chapter in particular.
Thanks, Takeru!!

8/5/15

Kyomu Senki Volume 1 Chapter 4

And so begins the Kyomu Senshi Miroku portion of Kyomu Senki!

Kyomu Senki Volume 1 Chapter 4

Thanks to Takeru Kyori for translating and typesetting this release. Here's some links to his recent Majuu Sensen releases which you've probably seen over at HappyScans!:

Majuu Sensen Volume 1 Chapter 4
Majuu Sensen Volume 1 Chapter 5
Majuu Sensen Volume 1 Chapter 6

Concerning Shin Mazinger Zero, I'm sorry to say that I've been really busy so it's been slow going but it shouldn't be too much longer of a wait. Until next time!


P.S. Anyone recognize this dragon monster that was featured in a certain Getter Robo series? Hint: one of its heads got punched in half.

7/13/15

Majuu Sensen Volume 1 Chapter 3

Takeru Kyori continues his unstoppable rampage to scanlate Majuu Sensen! In this chapter, Professor Kuruma continues his ungodly experiments in defiance of any and all costs. Shinichi's despair reaches new depths in the face of his father's evil.

Majuu Sensen Volume 1 Chapter 3

Praise be to Takeru Kyori for his wonderful translation/editing and HappyScans! for their quality cleaning. Enjoy!


7/8/15

Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 4 Chapter 3 and Majuu Sensen Chapters 1 + 2

At long last, here it is
Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 4 Chapter 3

This chapter continues the battle between Kouji and Baron Ashura while also exploring the mystery of Kouji's alleged demise in a previous battle. Thanks again to OtherSideofSky for his great translation and all of the help from our buddies over at HappyScans!

Additionally, you may have noticed that Takeru Kyori has begun releasing Majuu Sensen in English! This is a great Ken Ishikawa series from the 1980s that combines his vivid imagination and style with biblical myth in a no holds barred action sci-fi manga that inspired two OVA series, a sequel manga and was a heavy influence on the visual direction (among other things) of the Change Getter Robo OVA (Getter Robo Armageddon). Be sure to check it out!

Majuu Sensen Chapter 1
Majuu Sensen Chapter 2

6/4/15

Kyomu Senki Volume 1 Chapter 3

I'm back with another chapter of Kyomu Senki scanlated by Takeru Kyori. This story focuses on a pivotal segment of Nobunaga Oda's history that is shrouded in mystery and its place in the overall narrative of Kyomu Senki will become clear soon enough. Enjoy.

Kyomu Senki Volume 1 Chapter 3

Don't forget to visit HappyScans! and I'll try to get out the next chapter of Shin Mazinger Zero soon. Until then.


3/16/15

Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 4 Chapter 2

The battle between Mazinger Z and Mechanical Beast Baron Ashura is in full swing! Meanwhile, we get a deeper insight into the mystery of Kouji Kabuto's demise after The Great Mazin War. Enjoy!

Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 4 Chapter 2

As always, thanks to OtherSideOfSky and HappyScans! for their continued work on this series. I wanted to get this chapter out last week, but I had to leave town for a few days and was unable to release during that time so this is a belated release. However, the next chapter of Shin Mazinger Zero will be out later this week. See you then!

3/8/15

Kyomu Senki Volume 1 Chapter 2

It's time for another release and this time it's a new Kyomu Senki chapter from Takeru Kyori and released in part with HappyScans! This chapter is from a short story called New Rashoumon originally published in 1994. It also features a couple of new pages for the Kyomu Senki compilation and a couple other pages borrowed from another series in this collection (which I will avoid naming for now due to potential spoilers).

Kyomu Senki Volume 1 Chapter 2

Oh, and by the way - I discovered a method of successfully removing the gunk from the Kyomu Senki pages! It means that I'll have to rescan and re-edit chapter 1 but it's well worth it. I've also got a message for you all from this series' translator and typesetter, Takeru Kyori, to clarify some of the terms used in the story and a couple of other points:

"Onmyou & Onmyouji - the term "onmyou" that was used in both this chapter and the last is the Japanese word for the Buddhist "yin yang" concept, and onmyouji were practitioners of the art. Although generally thought of like sorcerers, they were a real profession in feudal Japanese society. Generally their duties involved divining and fortune telling, but they were indeed responsible for protecting the capital from vengeful spirits, or "onryou" as they're known in Japanese. In addition, the Crown Prince Sawara who's mentioned in this chapter was historically one of these "onryou" haunting the capital city of Heian-kyo (which becomes modern-day Kyoto).

Mikado - an archaic term for the Japanese emperor. 

Mandalas & Shumisen - "Shumisen" is the Japanese word for Sumeru, a sacred mountain in Buddhist mythology that is home to various celestial beings. Mandalas are Buddhist symbols that represent the universe, generally consisting of a circle contained by 4 points arranged in a square. They often take the form of painting scrolls, depicting various aspects and deities of Buddhism, and are used in various rituals.

So, if you hadn't noticed yet, this series has a lot of Buddhist influences, throughout. I'm going to do my best to point these things out as we go, but I'm certainly not claiming to be any sort of expert. Buddhism is a complex subject, and even within Japanese Buddhism alone, there are numerous different sects, all with their own traditions and focuses. I'm doing my best to learn about it as I go, and I'll share some of the basic info I pick up, but I'd encourage anyone interested to research these things further. There's plenty of material about it to read online. And if anyone who actually knows what they're talking about ever catches me saying something blatantly wrong, please let me know about it! Like I said, I'm learning as I go, so a more educated perspective would be great to hear!"

Now relating to Shin Mazinger Zero, I'd like to apologize because I had previously said that Vol 4 Ch 2 would be released this week. Well that was a mistake on my part because I hadn't realize that it hadn't been translated yet! Sorry about that, I'll try to get the workflow back up to speed in order to avoid any downtime between releases and I'd say to expect Shin Mazinger Zero vol 4 Ch 2 next week.

3/1/15

Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 4 Chapter 1

And so begins volume 4 of Shin Mazinger Zero! In this chapter, Minerva's world keeps tumbling down, tumbling down and tumbling down. Will it all return to nothing?

I thought this would be an easy chapter to work through, but I was a fool for thinking there would be an easy chapter of this series. So sorry about the late release this week. I'll be back next week with more, so see you then!

Thanks to OtherSideofSky for translating and thanks to our friends over at HappyScans!

Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 4 Chapter 1


2/21/15

Kyomu Senki - The Void Chronicles by Ken Ishikawa Volume 1 Chapter 1

And here it is!

Kyomu Senki Vol 1 Ch 1

Kyomu Senki (The Void Chronicles), created/penned by Ken Ishikawa, is a manga that can be considered the sister series to Getter Robo Saga. Like Getter Robo saga, Kyomu Senki is a compilation of a number of Ken Ishikawa manga series that fit into the same continuity. Kyomu Senki includes such series as Kyomu Senshi Miroku, Skull Killer Jakioh along with its direct sequel Jakioh Bakuretsu, Tiger of 5,000 Light Years and a few other manga series. The edition of Kyomu Senki that we'll be scanlating is the 2002 Futabasha 5 volume compilation (the most recent printing of this series so far and the last before Ken Ishikawa's unfortunate death).

Translating and typesetting this series for us is someone new - he goes by the name Takeru Kyori and he's been doing a bang-up job at localizing Kyomu Senki! Thanks to him, we can start this project without waiting to complete Shin Mazinger Zero. A true hero for Dynamic Pro fans! And of course, I have to thank HappyScans! for their help on this project and for miraculously getting their hands on this manga series in the first place! I had been trying to get Kyomu Senki shipped out of Japan for years to no avail (it would run hundreds of dollars) and HappyScans! stepped up and did the impossible. Thanks so much, guys!

Scanning this series has been a challenge in one major way. The books, which are long out of print, are old and used. Consequently, there's some sort of... gunk... on the pages. It's a multitude of faint yellowish stains all over each page. I really have no idea what it is and I'm cursing the original owner. Anyway, I tried to clean the gunk as best as I could without compromising the art in any way but you're still going to see it on the pages, with some being worse than others. Hopefully it shouldn't detract from your enjoyment too much.

And one last note - this chapter features a lot of Buddhist mantras which we have left in their original form. The few of them that had a Japanese translation we have also translated into English. Anyway, that's about it! Enjoy the first chapter of Kyomu Senki!!


UPDATE: I've now got a proper series description for Kyomu Senki thanks to Takeru. Here it is:

In Confucian Era 14276, a violent showdown unfolds in the space surrounding Planet Lagra. And with that, the story begins. Unfolding on Earth and in far-off galaxies, in the past, the future, and across dimensions, the curtain has risen on the final war between light and darkness. A great, galactic epic spanning the author’s career begins here!

Kyomu Senki is made up mainly of four series: “The Tiger of 5000 Light Years” serialized in 1980-82. “Kyomu Senshi Miroku” and “Jaki-oh Bakuretsu”, both of which started serialization in 1987, just a few months apart. Lastly, “Skull Killer Jaki-oh”, a mech series set in the 20th century that originally started in 1990.

Along with the four main series, it also includes four short stories: “New Rashoumon”, “Ninja Arts at Honnou Temple: The Black Magic of Koji Kashin”, “The Strange Living Dimension, Dogura”, and “The Dogura War Chronicles”.


2/17/15

Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 3 Complete

Three down!

Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 3 Chapter 5
Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 3

Sorry I'm late with this release, chapter 5 absolutely kicked my butt in terms of redraws. It seems like the difficulty of editing a chapter increases with its awesomeness. A welcome challenge, I say. This chapter lives up to its redraws and I hope you'll all enjoy it as much as I did. And of course, I've got to give my undying gratitude to the translating prowess of the illustrious OtherSideofSky and our fantastic friends HappyScans!!

I'll start releasing Shin Mazinger Zero volume 4 probably next week since I'm out of translations for now and waiting on the next batch (the transition into the volume after next will be smoother, we just hit a logistic hiccup with this one). In the meanwhile, I'm going to finally be able to get to that special release I needed to release weeks ago and I'll be able to get some more scanning in during the down time for future releases. So you can still expect a non-Shin Mazinger Zero release later this week. 

Thanks to all and enjoy!


2/7/15

Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 3 Chapter 4

Hey everyone! Are you ready for your weekly dose of Shin Mazinger Zero? I sure hope so, because here it is:

Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 3 Chapter 4

Translated by the wondrous OthersideofSky and brought to you in-joint with HappyScans! And it's thanks to you guys out there that we were able to make this release. Truly, thank you for everything. You're the best!

Now, I had mentioned  a surprise release that was supposed to predate this one but I'm afraid it's going to have to wait a few more days. I got caught up trying to get Shin Mazinger Zero out before the week was up and it left me little time to wrestle with the newer project which in its early stages is difficult to complete due to a couple technical details I'll get into once I finally release it next week. Sorry! But you can be sure it'll be out soon. Also, I'm resetting the donation counter for the new week but we're still going to be at 62/50 for our donation goal because you guys are so freaking awesome and I can't thank you all enough. So you can expect the end of Shin Mazinger Zero volume 3 sometime next week. See you then!


1/31/15

Shin Mazinger Zero Vol 3 Ch 3 and the Great Donation Drive

Hey everyone, are you ready for more Shin Mazinger Zero? This chapter was so eloquently summed up by our great translator friend OtherSideofSky:

"In this chapter we get to see the amazing image of Kabuto Juzo on the cover of Forbes."

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 3 Chapter 3

As always, thanks to OtherSideofSky and HappyScans!

And now, I'd like to take a moment to discuss the production side of Dynamic Pro Scanlations with you all. As you have no doubt noticed, the content output of this blog has dropped dramatically over the last few years. It's a far cry from when I first started, way back in July 2008 (Seven years!), where I was putting out 50 pages of Shin Getter Robo every few days.

This is due to a variety of factors - The process of releasing a chapter takes much longer than when I first started due to the fact that I scan everything myself in most cases and I've got a much higher standard of overall quality compared to my first releases. Dynamic Pro Scanlations isn't so much a scanlation group as it is my personal little webpage where I upload scanlations that I have collaborated with others on. There's only one guy at Dynamic Pro Scanlations - me! I find translators and from there I handle everything else. Scanning, cleaning, QC, typsetting, redrawing... It's a lot of work on my end.

Of course, I get plenty of help from HappyScans! who do everything in their power to make the process easier on me but at the end of the day there won't be any chapters released unless I can invest a substantial amount of time to working on manga. All in all, it's somewhere between a part-time and full-time job in terms of the amount of the hours I have to invest. Especially with Shin Mazinger Zero, which is by far the most difficult and time consuming manga I've worked on in terms of editing.

I could ramble on, but let me cut to the chase - real life is a bitch. As I get older, I have less time to play around with this wonderful hobby of mine. The number one obstacle between me and released chapter is bills. I need to make money to eat, live in a home, maintain electricity and have an internet connection. Unfortunately, this leave very little time for scanlation and leaves me spending every waking moment working on either my real job or manga. It's wearing me pretty damn thin after seven years.

That's where you come in. I want to help English readers enjoy great manga, but I need your help. Namely, I need your help in the form of donations. There are thousands of people who read these releases (if not tens of thousands given online reader statistics) and if just a fraction of you donated small amounts - one or two dollars - then I could make so much more time for scanlation.

In the best case scenario, I could release a chapter of Shin Mazinger Zero every week. Now, this doesn't account for times when OtherSideofSky is busy but we have a surplus of translations for this series at the moment to the point where he could stay well ahead of releases at the pace he's been going at so far (bless his soul). To do this, however, I figure I would need at least $50 in donations per week to keep up such a pace with how long it takes to edit a chapter of Shin Mazinger Zero (It would end up paying me about $5 per hour, and that's not counting the time it takes to initially scan and clean the volumes). That means instead of waiting potentially years for Shin Mazinger Zero to be completed, we could churn it out well before the end of the year. Which would also drastically increase the odds that I'm going to be able to work on the sequel manga, Shin Mazinger Zero vs Ankoku Daishogun which is currently being serialized. In addition, this would also ensure that I get to other manga series faster - such as Yagyu Jyubei Shisu by Ken Ishikawa, God Mazinger and the more recent Maoh Dante by Go Nagai. Now, I want you to realize that even if you don't donate, I WILL complete Shin Mazinger Zero. But donations will help me devote more time each week to doing so.

I would like to think that at this point, I am a reputable figure for you all. I've been at this for seven years and I've only ever taken donations in the past in order to pay for shipping when I needed to order manga from Japan for scanning. Other than, I've had to personally shell out hundreds of dollars for hired translators and manga from Japan in addition to spending uncountable hours editing over what's getting dangerously close to a decade. So, again, I ask of you all - please donate to Dynamic Pro Scanlations if you want to help us release faster and more great manga that's going to be in the highest of quality. Thank you for your continued support.


P.S. If anyone knows of a good paypal donation progress bar that I could put on the site then let me know ASAP.

UPDATE: It's only been a couple of hours, but we've already reached the donation goal! Thank you so much! I'll try to find a good donation progress bar soon to keep everyone updated. Other than that, stick around because the next chapter of Shin Mazinger Zero will be ready before next week's over. And don't forget to check back in a couple of days for that surprise I mentioned last post.

1/2/15

Shin Mazinger Zero Volume 3 Chapter 2

Hey everyone! How's 2015 treating you?

Shin Mazinger Zero Vol 3 ch 2

As always, thank you to OtherSideofSky who so graciously translates this wonderful series and of course to HappyScans! who so tirelessly bring manga to the English reading world. Thanks, guys.

And sit tight everyone, because we've got some surprises coming your way soon!