Ranman, by Shinkichi Kato (National Quiz, Baka & Gogh)

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:32 pm

So, this project has been on our to-do list for ages, and I know I teased a few taste buds when I blogged about it over a year ago. But it will soon see the light of day! And all will be awed at its magnificence.

You can read the blog entry linked above for a detailed description, but in short, this book is a series of many many very short pieces, usually between 2-4 pages in length. They vary wildly in mood, character and art style, and the detail is often stunning.

For a little teaser, here's a single page. Don't read too much into the actual text, there's no common relation between any of the stories in the book. This is another manga that, if you're weirdos like us, will simply drive you bonkers at its sheer AWESOMETUDE.

Fan Boy Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 12

Totally looking forward to this.

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:45 pm

Thanks so much for choosing to translate this. If it's not too much trouble, could you post the text translations as well, for those of us who own it?

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:02 pm

I only have the first section translated for now. Here's the script.

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:47 pm

Only? I've read, um, the first few pages so far. Yeah, my Japanese is pathetic. But thanks for posting so much of it. It'll really help me out.

Fan Boy Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 15

This is a random confession but...

I've followed most of mangascreener for a pretty long time even during those days where you hosted stuff like shaman king to read online...

its stuff like these that I'm glad I stuck with this site for a long time

actually, I reread national quiz recently and I adore it even more now, although rough around the edges it perfectly fit its satirical mood. I also realized that super-realistic drawings don't necessarily equate a good manga and has since influenced me in the way I draw my comics, in the vein of a more liberal style and conservative use of screen tones *although I think that Asano Inio and some authors uses them to great effect, whether digitally or not*

speaking of Asano... if you read the first chapter or so of What a Wonderful World you could see hints of Shinkichi Kato influence!

Anyway. when I hear about Ranman, I am very looking forward to this!

Fan Boy Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 29 Location: transit

That's a pretty good point though.

Since I started reading manga online Mangascreener has always been either parallel or initiated a development (sophistication or something) of the what i read.

Starting off with maybe One Piece (which I'm still not too grown up for) and most recently the Shinkichi Kato, Naoki Yamamoto, Iou Kuroda etc. stuff

There have been quite a few groups that fade in and out (notably omanga, hawks) but the one that is somehow always in key with what i like reading and feel like at that point has been mangascreener.

also, Kato stuff is a bitch to find

Fan Boy Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 15

I'm just glad you guys even found the interest in finishing this wonderful work up. I offer my sincere thanks. You have no idea how much of a positive influence this has had on my life both as an artist and person.

Cheers to everyone here! If you all just happened to exist in one bar; I'd totally treat you guys. (and get broke)

myanimelist profile · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 10:56 pm

The interest was always there, just a matter of time, effort and chance coinciding.

Glad you enjoyed it that much, definitely helps make it worth.

Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 4:06 pm

Very well put by barbs there.

Just remember to tell your friends that that's true for many groups who do stuff that's worthwhile reading. We don't hold off on doing stuff to piss you off, it's just that this is "only" our hobby. Real Life(tm) can be fairly unforgiving at times.