#katou kotono

[noxcaeleum-blog]

Any Shoukoku no Altair fans out there?

I don't really care if you post about it a lot (although it would be cool) or not, I actully just want to know people who also likes/knows it because I just catched up with the manga and I feel SO ALONE

Plus it would be cool if you're also on twitter but not that important

Pleeeease, just, idk like or reblog this post and i'll check your blog out? Or just follow me, we can cry and talk and cry a bit more

[happylaw]

Shoukoku no Altair Artbook - Katou Kotono (part 2)

[asnowperson]

But are you reading Shoukoku no Altair?

As the nerd who spends way too much time while translating Yume no Shizuku, Kin no Torikago, I wanted to make a post on my first "Ottoman" manga: Shoukoku no Altair.

Left: A real-life Mahmut (Ottoman Sultan, Mahmut II). Right: Japanese Mahmut. I know that Altair has nothing to with his time period, but I can't help but think about Mahmut II everytime I hear the name "Mahmut". He's such a boss. So in my mind, a Mahmut can never be as bishounen as Tughril Mahmut.

I first saw that manga in the dark corners of LiveJournal years ago, at a time when there weren't even scanlations. And I LOVED the art. But back then, due to the lack of scans and because I couldn't even read the Japanese title, I forgot about it for years. Yes, I do have a very bad memory.

Fast forward to 2017, Shoukoku no Altair got an anime adaptation. And when was I going to start reading this Ottoman-inspired manga if not now? Like I did with DoD, I expected it to be an orientalist trainwreck. But little did I know that Katou Kotono had a degree in history and the more I got into Altair, the more I would be crying about how ignorant I was. I quickly caught up with the story. And boy, did I love it! (The anime adaptation doesn't do this manga justice. And I'm still mad that they skipped an entire sea battle.)

Published SnA volumes, minus the latest vol. 24, and the fanbook. Japan should bring SAL back already, I want to be able to buy my mangos without developing shipping strategies.

Warning for DoD fans, this is a full shounen manga. There is no shoujo romance to see here (I'm still mad at the editors for forcing that dancer girl in the story in the earlier volumes because a shounen manga had to have a female love interest. I'm glad we didn't get to see her again and if anything, not-Vlad the Impaler's cute daughter would make a better waifu for a pasha like Mahmut). It's about the wars between the not-Ottomans and the not-Holy Roman Empire, complete with some Italian city-state drama. It only has battles, politics and keikakus. Huge armies maneuver in battle, alliances are made and broken, heads fly, armies clash, cities are besieged, we peek at the logistics behind huge armies, and civil war and coup d'états can happen any moment! If you are in DoD for politics, I'm sure you will love Altair because it actually delivers in that department.

My little pasha can't be this smug. Vol. 20, and vol. 9's cover from the Milkazzar Altair art book (2014). Those volume covers have me screaming.

Unlike DoD, Altair is not a fully historical manga, so it's not based on real events nor there's a set time frame for it. But looking at the story elements, we can say that it's set somewhere around the second half of the 15th century. So it's somewhat close to DoD's time frame if we squeeze hard enough. I also think Burak Paşa, the "sultan" in Altair, kind of resembles to an old Suleiman I.

Every little detail in Altair is just chef's kiss! Katou-sensei has a vast knowledge of military tactics and uses it in every chapter of Altair. And huge kudos to Sense Scans and their translator, murakumo, who did a perfect job. Turkish written in kana hurts my brain, and I always check their scans before going "naruhodo!". Go check their Altair blog, it's awesome and has lots of info on the manga and you can find pretty manga artwork there. And after thanking them, go buy the manga in a language you can read, it's very likely licensed in yours.

Now my little inner fangirl will speak: Altair has the finest men and boys. You can't find this many bishounen even in 70s shoujo manga. Even if you don't care about all those battle tactics, you might care about all the bishies! Anyway have this very soft Bayezid to prove my point <3

Can you believe that this is the face of a murderer?

Let me also talk about the art in Shoukoku no Altair: It's gorgeous! That's all I can say. I legit spend minutes looking at the outfits and the accesories. Katou herself said that she was inspired by Turkish jewelry and created Altair. Check this Mahmut swag out:

Vol. 3's cover, scanned from the 2017 art book. I wish I knew how to process my images so that I could do sensei justice.

Shoukoku no Altair is licensed in English by Kodansha, and they are almost up-to-date with Japanese releases. Honestly the best timeline for reading Altair. Go read Altair while waiting for new DoD chapters.

[psicopathya]

小国のアルタイルさん  - Shōkoku no Altair

[diabolicalchainsaws]

Sorry I haven’t been posting much; I just have a load of unfinished drawings ahahaaa.

[natsthinkitythinkthinkthonk]

Some Tweets Remember Keiji Fujiwara

Keiji Fujiwara died of cancer at the age of 55. The news was devastating for the seiyuu community. Many seiyuu are remembering and looking back on their times with Fujiwara and the impact he made on them. A lot of anime I’ve watched wouldn’t have been the same without Fujiwara. From Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood to Dr. Stone, he shaped a lot of characters that I look back and smile thinking about. 

The following were all translated by @granblue_en on Twitter.

Takuya Eguchi

[original tweet | translation source]

Kaori Nazuka

[original tweet | translation source]

Tetsuya Fukuhara (creative director, Granblue Fantasy)

[original tweet | translation source]

Emiri Katou

[original tweet | translation source]

Yuuki Ono

[original tweet | translation source]

Madoka Yonezawa

[original tweet | translation source]

Tomoyo Kurosawa

[original tweet | translation source]

Koichi Haruta (former producer)

[original tweet | translation source]

Minoru Shiraishi

[original tweet | translation source]

Yuuichi Nakamura

[original tweet | translation source]

The following were translated by lig0schndr on Reddit

Ayana Taketatsu

Tomokazu Seki

Megumi Ogata

Mariya Ise

Nobunaga Shimazaki

Showtaro Morikubo

Marina Inoue

Romi Park

Natsuki Hanae

Toshiyuki Toyonaga

Kazuhiko Inoue

Yuki Kaji

Hiroki Yasumoto

Jouji Nakata

Katsuyuki Konishi

Shouta Aoi

Kensho Ono

Noriko Hidaka

Rie Tanaka

Kikuko Inoue

Ami Koshimizu

Megumi Han

Arisa Komiya

Ryotaro Okiayu

Kenjiro Tsuda

Nozomi Yamamoto

Kanako Kondo

Haruka Kudo

Hitomi Harada

Miyu Tomita

Wataru Hatano

Atsushi Abe

Suzuko Mimori

Atsuko Tanaka

Aya Suzaki

Sayaka Ohara

Asami Imai

Daisuke Hirakawa

Hikaru Akao

Yui Ishikawa

Toa Yukinari*

Kotono Mitsuishi*

Nobuhiko Okamoto (blog)

Nana Mizuki (blog)

Toshiyuki Morikawa (blog)

Satoshi Hino (blog)

Tatsuhisa Suzuki (blog)

Chie Nakamura (blog)*

* not translated

Taketatsu Ayana (Taketatsu and Fujiwara both voiced characters in Dagashi Kashi and co hosted a series of bonus videos released with the Blu-rays of the series)

Fujiwara Keiji-san.

When we had a photograph session together for a TV show, even though you said, "I'm shy, so I can't really talk much," after the session started and I was nervous you kindly threw me a lifeline and chatted with me a lot, and even at live events and such you've saved me so much.

I wanted to spend more time with you.

I wanted to thank you directly.

_______

Seki Tomokazu (Seki and Fujiwara both voiced characters for the same series several times including PSYCHO-PASS, Sengoku BASARA, and Hajime no Ippo)

The way you looked when you came to the studio with your script sticking out of your back pocket was so cool, and I often copied you. When we went to karaoke together, I would put on a song that had a video of your acting as a prank and put you in a bind so many times. I wanted to play around with you again. This feels too soon... Fujiwara-san. Truly, thank you for everything.

_______

Ogata Megumi

I've had the honor of working with you on various, many sets but... my strongest impression, is actually not from an anime, but from the drama CD "Radical Hospital".

Dr. Sakaki... Please say it's a joke like you always do...?

Fujiwara Keiji-san. Truly, thank you for everything. Please rest peacefully.

_______

Ise Mariya (Ise and Fujiwara both voiced main characters in HUNTER X HUNTER, and Ise references Fujiwara's role as Leorio in this tweet)

What I remember is His white shirt and the sunglasses he wore His gallant figure standing before the microphone His bashful smile when having friendly conversations His stylish behavior when everyone goes drinking Both his voice and his acting were so cool Everything about him was wonderful

Keiji-san really felt like Leorio to me I have so many pleasant and fun memories Thank you so much

_______

Shimazaki Nobunaga

Fujiwara Keiji-san, I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.

_______

Morikubo Showtaro

The tears won't stop.

_______

Inoue Marina

His voice, his acting, his smile, I loved them all.

_______

Park Romi (Park and Fujiwara both voiced important characters in Fullmetal Alchemist)

He just recovered...

Be it with Hagane, or Muji, or FA he was everyone's older brother...

He truly was Lieutenant Colonel Hughes.

Early Far too early...

Kei-chan You fought hard against what ailed you... Please rest well...

Your casual comments Even now I treasure.

Tonight I honor you...

I pray you rest in peace...

Notes: I'm not positive, but I believe in regards to the second line

"Hagane" likely refers to the first airing of Fullmetal Alchemist in 2003 that used the title 「鋼の錬金術師」 (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi).

"Muji" seems like it refers to Zoids, the first Zoids anime series that is often referred to colloquially as "Muji Zoids", "No Label Zoids", to differentiate it from other Zoid series. In this series, Fujiwara voiced Irvine, a main supporting character and older brother figure to the main characters.

"FA" likely refers to the second airing of Fullmetal Alchemist in 2009 that used the titled 「鋼の錬金術師 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST」 and thus is sometimes referred to as "FA".

_______

Hanae Natsuki

This is too sad...

_______

Toshiyuki Toyonaga

My heart aches... The words won't come out...

_______

Inoue Kazuhiko

Eh, Fujiwara Keiji... No way. It's too early. I remembered well the times we worked together in the studio. It's too early. I'm so saddened.

_______

Kaji Yuuki (Kaji and Fujiwara both voiced characters for the same series several times including Magi and Shingeki no Kyojin)

Keiji-san. I wanted to talk with you more. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I had a father like you, if I could become a man like you, that kind of stuff, always, I thought to myself... I should have told you so. I wanted to talk with you more. I'm full of regret. I want to see you.

_______

Yasumoto Hiroki

Words don't suffice. He was cool. Truly. We had talked about him visiting my place and drinking some unopened wine.

_______

Nakata Jouji First tweet, and reply

He was shy and gave off the impression that he didn't like superficial relationships, but when I tried talking to him he replied with a bashful smile, that's what I recall. When I heard he returned to work and was doing independent work, I thought on my own that he was doing well, but... You must have had it hard, huh. However, you weren't the kind of person to say that out loud... You stayed true to yourself until the very end. I pray for you.

I wanted to meet with you and talk with you again.

_______

Konishi Katsuyuki

No way. When I was a fledgling, because his place was in the neighborhood he invited me for a meal, and I was really happy about that. I wanted to meet with you again.

_______

Shouta Aoi

I can no longer meet you again. By all means, I wanted to meet you again.

Just how much encouragement I received from the acting of that wonderful voice I grew accustomed to hearing from a young age.

From now on and always that wonderful voice of yours will remain in our hearts and ears.

Thank you for all the wonderful times you gave us.

_______

Ono Kensho

Fujiwara Keiji-san. He really is cool, and he is someone I look up to. We have the same birthday, and on my own I felt like we had an affinity... I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.

_______

Hidaka Noriko

Fujiwara-san...

I thought I could meet you again someday at the studio, truly unfortunate.

Thank you for everything. Please rest in peace...

_______

Tanaka Rie

Fujiwara Keiji-san...

The last time we met was during the recording for the Granblue Fantasy game...

I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.

_______

Inoue Kikuko

Kei-chan, I'm so sad.

You fought against illness for a long time... You truly gave it your all. Please rest well in heaven.

I won't forget your shy, bashful, and kind smile.

_______

Koshimizu Ami (Koshimizu and Fujiwara both voiced important characters in Eureka 7, and Koshimizu references her role as Anemone and Fujiwara's role as Holland in this tweet, as well as Tsujitani Kouji who voiced Dewey Novak in Eureka 7 and passed away in 2018)

Dewey and Holland, please stay a little longer.

I want you to stay. I wanted you to stay.

If you're not there, we can't fly freely...

Because you were there, we were able to live freely.

Thank you but I still don't want to say goodbye.

Sorry that Anemone is like this. If I could say one selfish thing please come back...

_______

Han Megumi (Han and Fujiwara both voiced main characters in HUNTER X HUNTER, and Han references Fujiwara's role as Leorio in this tweet)

Just last night, during HUNTER's rebroadcast, we just saw off Leorio as he departed for his trip, Fujiwara-san.

Family and comrade, always thinking of his friends and a warm man, a perfect fit, my beloved senpai.

Always with the message title "Miss lovely forehead"

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_CUIyQAKMX/?igshid=14scn4kzgey86

Forever, and ever...

_______

Arisa Komiya

Fujiwara Keiji-san. I had the honor of working with you for 1 year on Go-Busters, you were always so cool on set, it was my first dubbing experience and I learned so much from you. I wanted to work with you again. I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.

_______

Ryotaro Okiayu

I participated in "Hoshi Koe" at the Saitama venue last year, and you attended, Fujiwara-san.

I read your letters.

The last time I met you was back stage there.

It had been several years before then.

That's how it goes.

Thanks so much for everything.

Note: Hoshi Koe is the name of a series of events held in Japan by AIR AGENCY, a talent management and production company founded by Fujiwara Keiji in 2006.

_______

Kenjiro Tsuda

His white shirt His light colored sunglasses His cynical smile His casual way of walking into the studio His unshaven face His still shadow at Planetarium His husky voice His retreating figure as he left His appearance in a coat when he slowly spoke in his last moments

was cool

Thank you so much

Note: Planetarium is likely also referencing Hoshi Koe, which was held at planetariums in various cities in Japan.

_______

Yamamoto Nozomi

We acted together for the first time in UN-GO, and a while later when I greeted you at another set, you remembered me, saying, "I've met you before, right?" After that, when on the set for Utawarerumono you noticed my Ironman iPhone case and chatted with me, I was truly happy about each and every thing. I pray that you rest in peace.

_______

Kondo Kanako

I can't believe it. I really liked your cool roughness. Fujiwara-san. I pray that you rest in peace.

_______

Kudou Haruka

Is it because of the air pressure that my head hurts, or because I cried too much that my head hurts, I can't sort out my feelings. However, more than these sad feelings, I want to say so many times, "thank you."

Fujiwara-san.

We were together for my seiyuu debut work "Honey and Clover", and from there with "Noein" and "DEATH NOTE", our work together continued. I didn't know my right hand from my left, and you gave me so much advice.

On set you always spoiled me, listening to my trivial chatter with a smile.

I entered college, and even when I cut off all ties to the industry up to that point and distanced myself from work, every half a year you would send me a message asking "Are you doing all right?"

I entered my fourth year of college, and when I said to you, "I want to return to work!" you got a little angry, but you earnestly heard me out. Even though I caused trouble to a lot of people, you saying "Welcome Back!" with a smile has always supported me.

4 years after returning to work, when I was worried that I wasn't doing as well as I had hoped, you said "It'll be all right!" and gave me a push on the back, and I was able to move forward.

I really have been spoiled by you for so so long.

You taught me so many things, I couldn't hope to write them all out. About acting, about movies, about novels, about life.

Even now I still have the novel I received from you right on my bookshelf. From now on, every time I watch a Kubrick or Victor Erice movie, I feel I will remember you.

The fact that there will no longer be replies to my messages, and the fact that I can no longer see you, really really make me sad, but you will always be in my heart. It's all right. I'm an adult now, too. I want to become an adult like you, someone who is loved by many, and someone who can guide others.

Thank you so much.

_______

Harada Hitomi (Harada and Fujiwara both voiced characters for Senran Kagura, and Harada references Fujiwara's role as Kiriya in this tweet)

Keiji-san. Kiriya-sensei.

I've been helped, so much by you. Thank you so much.

_______

Tomita Miyu

Fujiwara Keiji-san, I had the honor of acting together with you for the first time in Kotobuki Hikoutai. Warm, and yet mischievous, I truly loved acting with that voice of yours.

I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.

_______

Hatano Wataru

Fujiwara Keiji-san. Across various works, I've been in your debt. When you called me for "Hoshi Koe", I was really happy. The warm advice from a senpai I look up to, and the smile after a recording session. I couldn't possibly forget. I pray that you rest in peace.

_______

Abe Atsushi

I've been in your debt since when I debuted. I see... We can't act together anymore...

_______

Mimori Suzuko

I'm thankful that I had the honor of working on the same set as you. Thank you so much.

_______

Tanaka Atsuko

It's a sad sunset...

_______

Suzaki Aya

I'm truly saddened.

_______

Ohara Sayaka

It's a lie

_______

Imai Asami

............

_______

Hirakawa Daisuke

Keiji-san... Keiji-san... I'm so sad... I want to see you... Keiji-san...

Hirakawa Daisuke

_______

Akao Hikaru (Akao and Fujiwara both voiced characters for Back Street Girls, and Akao references this in this tweet)

I'm still in disbelief even after a new day has dawned and I can't quite get the right words. I feel like a hole opened up in my heart. Since I was young through anime you showed me this fun world and as a member of Gokudols, I looked forward to the day I could meet you again.

I pray that you rest well.

_______

Ishikawa Yui (Ishikawa and Fujiwara both voiced characters for Shingeki no Kyojin, and Ishikawa references Fujiwara's role as Hannes in this tweet)

[Yui] That voice that I heard so many times when I was a child. Shingeki's Hannes-san was also, rough, cool, and warm... I loved him. Fujiwara Keiji-san, I pray that you rest in peace.

_______

Yukana

I wanted to act together with you more.

Thank you so much...

I pray that you rest in peace.

_______

Okamoto Nobuhiko

Title: I'm sorry

I was planning to talk about trust and play today, but I hope you'll allow me to do that tomorrow.

I had the honor of doing my first radio show with him. When I was unable to speak well, he laughed at me. When we were recording for the Ao no Exorcist movie and from the start all I was capable of was shouting, he laughed at me. When I kept wearing the same clothes on the set of To Aru, he laughed at me. When I look back on things, it might have been sarcastic laughing, but I only remember the figure of him laughing. And, I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble.

His appearance as an actor, the way he thought about and interpreted the script, what he brought forth, I received so much encouragement and experience from him.

Keiji-san, Truly, truly, thank you so much. I really I love you.

Thank you for everything.

I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.

Notes:

The radio show Okamoto references I believe is "Sorairo Radio", a radio show promoting the anime "Sola" that aired from 2007/3/30 to 2007/7/27 for 19 episodes. During the month of July Okamoto and Fujiwara co-hosted the show.

Okamoto and Fujimura voiced Okamura Rin, the protagonist, and Fujimoto Shiro, Rin's adoptive father, respectively in Ao no Exorcist.

Okamoto and Fujimura voiced Accelerator, a main supporting character, and Kihara Amata, something of a mentor figure to Accelerator, respectively in To Aru Majutsu no Index.

_______

Mizuki Nana

Title: The carnation that arrived at my house 2 weeks ago ☆

At my last place, even plants said to be robust I ended up letting die (>_<) However, ever since I started living at my new place my plants have been really lively! My care for flowers especially has gotten better! Proper ventilation and sunlight really are important after all (laugh)

https://www.mizukinana.jp/blog/photos/2020/blog/nana_phot_20200416.jpg

I found out about Fujiwara Keiji passing away. I had the honor of working together with him for various works, during my first public performance at Tokyo Dome he provided wonderful narration, and at the planetarium in my home prefecture I had the honor of performing together with him... Truly I was blessed with so many irreplaceable experiences. I pray from my heart that you rest in peace.

Notes:

The performance at Tokyo Dome is referencing NANA MIZUKI LIVE CASTLE 2011, a series of live concerts performed at Tokyo Dome by Mizuki Nana on 2011/12/3 and 2011/12/4. Fujiwara provided narration for a short film called PLANETARIUM "Princess Nana of the Heavens" (PLANETARIUM「天界の奈々姫」) which was shown during the concert on both days.

The performance at the planetarium is referencing when Fujiwara and Mizuki co-starred in a Hoshi Koe performance held on 2016/4/24 at the Matsuyama City General Community Center Cosmo Theater. Matsuyama is the capital of the Ehime Prefecture, and Mizuki Nana was born in Niihama, Ehime. Mizuki had also made two blog posts about enjoying rehearsing for the event with Fujiwara and celebrating the successful completion of the event.

_______

Morikawa Toshiyuki

Title: Fujiwara Keiji-san...

Fujiwara Keiji-san... I pray you rest in peace.

It's too sudden. My mind is a mess. Even though I'm someone who works at my own pace... ... Right now, I'm overcome with feelings of loss.

From the time when I was a newcomer, we've been walking together through the ages for over 30 years. As an actor, and as a president, you were truly a friend... Since you were young you were shy and cool, overflowing with chivalry, an existence that even men were charmed by that is "Fujiwara Keiji"

..., It's so painful... the words won't come out. I'm sorry.

I feel that you really must have had it tough fighting against your illness. Now, please rest well.

And, the letters you sent me I will always cherish.

Morikawa Toshiyuki

_______

Hino Satoshi

Title: Keiji-san...

Keiji-san... It's a lie, right...? It's a joke, right...?

This... is too sad...

Keiji-san as a person, as a man, as an actor, you were someone who I respected from the bottom of my heart.

Everything about you was cool, you were someone I admired.

I wanted to learn more and more about various things from you.

Even now I clearly remember the time when on the set of the anime "Shakugan no Shana," as the role of the father, Kantarou, you kindly covered up for and accepted my terrible acting.

Keiji-san, "Dad, thank you so much for everything up to now"

While reflecting on each and every thing I learned from you, I will devote myself towards the sake of the future of the seiyuu industry.

I pray you rest in peace.

Note: Hino and Fujimura voiced Sakai Yuuji, the protagonist, and Sakai Kantarou, Yuuji's father, respectively in Shakugan no Shana.

_______

Suzuki Tatsuhisa

Title: Letter

I hate the idea of something getting overshadowed without anyone knowing about it, so I will write about it here.

Since we first met when I was 19, I've been in your debt for a long time. Since before we started having work together, you'd hear out my concerns and give me advice, and go along with my selfish requests to take me along for drinks. Even though you'd always say, "Waddaya want now, Tattsun," you'd always keep your promises. Whenever we met at the studio you'd always be giving off a pleasant, lazy mood. When you were the sound director you'd say things like "Tattsun, you're the only person I can ask for this," things that I couldn't tell if you were being serious or not. It's only now that I can say this, but I took you seriously every time, and every time I was seriously happy you asked me. The fact that you said those things to me.

Sometimes I'd tell you about how people say that our voices or our acting are similar, and even though you'd reply by saying stuff like, "What? That's gross," behind your sunglasses I could see that the look in your eyes always softened happily. I like chatting in the smoking area, so anytime I'd spot you I'd head straight there. When you'd say, "Yo!" to me, it was a little embarrassing, but I was always happy you did.

I won't talk about acting. That's something I'll keep locked away in my heart.

I know you had it tough. However, I stopped talking about it. Since you hate that.

All I can remember, is you always saying, "Yo! Tattsun," every time you saw me. Gimme a break, let me remember something else, too.

Thank you for always listening to my selfish requests. Thank you for always listening to both my trivial ramblings and my serious talks.

I always thought you were an annoyingly cool old man. You were always the best. You were always the strongest.

Everything about you is cool. So I envy you.

When I go over there, I'm gonna have a ton of stories for you. Before I do, please make sure to find some good sake and tobacco over there. It might take a while, but I'm definitely going to have, a ton I want to talk to you about.

It's about time I wrapped things up. This is a letter that will never be read by its recipient, after all, so there's no point in going on for too long.

Let's meet again with a smile. Anytime, anywhere.

With love.

[happylaw]

Shoukoku no Altair Artbook - Katou Kotono (part 1)

[pybownies]

Best Morning Ever~

Shoukoku no Altair PV2 has been shown already and it just BLEW ME AWAY O__O

- First of all, THANK YOU MAPPA FOR THE HIGH QUALITY ANIMATION. I never doubted you guys for this.

- Soundtrack sounds awesome. I can’t wait to hear the rest!

-Mahmut’s past changed a little? It’s either they changed it or they added more on top of the heartbreaking jar scene in the manga. (I’m still gonna cry tho...especially that scene where 5yr old Mahmut carried his mom! ;_; )

- SULEIMAN BEY. OMG. HOT.

-Abriga still in progress??? They’re still using that mug shot of his from the previous PV lol (really want to see him in action already >__< )

- The scene where the King’s soldiers point their swords at Mahmut’s neck was just so expressive. You can see his reaction shot by shot. I don’t really know how to explain this. Katou Kotono does an excellent job to show Mahmut and everyone’s facial expression in the manga and the anime seriously takes it up to the next level. <3

Overall, I am happy. REALLY HAPPY with this preview.

All I need to do now is to start a countdown to July :D

[the-golden-city]

Unofficial Name Reference

Once Upon a Time there was a girl named murakumo who said she’d write a list of preferred name spellings for the Shoukoku no Altair fanbase. She’s been pretty busy and kept forgetting to honour her promise, but she finally decided to make a start…

Part 1 - Türkiye

Kato Kotono

Japanese: カトウ コトノ

Explanation: I decided to make an addendum and include Kotono, just because. While romanising her last name as “Katou” or “Katō” isn’t incorrect and Hepburn would be proud, official materials always write it “Kato” in English.

Rumeliana

Japanese name: ルメリアナ (rumeriana)

Other names: Rumeriana, Lumeriana

Pronunciation: roo-mel-YAH-na

Explanation: The roman letters R and L are rendered the same when converted to Japanese using the ninth row of gojuon katakana (ra, ri, ru, etc), so it’s easy to get mixed up between the two. However I believe that Rumeliana is most likely the intended spelling because of its similarity to the name “Rumelia”, in turn derived from the Turkish “Rumeli”, which historically referred to areas of Europe under Ottoman Imperial control. “Rum” is derived from “Rome”, meaning the Roman peoples (i.e. non-Muslims). Incidentally, I call the inhabitants of the continent “Rumelians”. 

Türkiye Stratocracy

Japanese name: トルキエ将国 (torukie shoukoku)

Other names: Türkiye Devleti, Torqye Devleti, Turkiye

Pronunciation: tuhr-kee-eh

Explanation: Türkiye is, pure and simple, the Turkish name for the country of Turkey. Kotono uses this spelling liberally on maps and such. It seems the anime may have changed it to Torqye to prevent any backlash from people mistaking the portrayal as real, rather than fictional? I don’t know. “Shoukoku” is a made-up word indicating a country governed by pashas, or “generals” in Japanese. There’s no accepted English translation, but in the magazines Kotono writes “general nation” in the roman alphabet. The earliest scanlators instead picked “stratocracy”, which is a military government. “Devleti” is a Turkish word meaning “state”, so in using that name the military aspect that sets Türkiye apart from its neighbours is lost.

Altın (The Golden City)

Japanese name: 金色の町 (kin’iro no machi) / アルトゥン (arutun)

Other names: Altun

Pronunciation: AL-tuhn

Explanation: Most common roman typefaces still don’t support several letters of the Turkish alphabet. To avoid using a lowercase “dotless i”, the official English version of the manga decided to call the capital “Altun” instead. Its name is Turkish for “gold” and also the colour “golden”. Most towns in the Katoverse have a phonetically written foreign name, and also a Japanese name explaining the meaning behind it, so Altın’s Japanese name is “the golden city”, or perhaps “golden town”.

Divan (The Council of Generals)

Japanese name: 将軍会議 (shougun kaigi) / ディワーン (diwaan)

Other names: Diwan

Pronunciation: DEE-van

Explanation: “Diwan” is perhaps more commonly known in English (where “divan” refers to a type of furniture), but it’s actually Arabic. Kotono appears to have also made this mistake. “Divan” is the correct Turkish word for a council of state. 

Pasha (General)

Japanese name: 将軍 (shougun) / パシャ (pasha)

Other names: Paşa

Pronunciation: pa-SHAH

Explanation: Ugh okay I’ve been wondering for a long time now whether or not to switch to the Turkish word “Paşa” instead of the romanisation (which is in the English dictionary and everything). But “s-cedilla” is such a bitch to typeset and I feel like many people, most of all myself, are very attached to the name “Pasha” at this point. Maybe it’s the one spelling I’ll never change… For the sake of consistency, I’ve rendered other Turkish ranks “Vizier” (not “Vezir”), Binbashi (not “Binbaşı”), and so on.

Note on Turkish names: Katoverse Turks don’t have surnames, so the first word is an epithet, a kind of official nickname, and the second word is their given name. Their title - if any - comes last.

Burak 

Japanese name: 大将軍 (taishougun) / ビュラク (byuraku)

Other names: Büyük Pasha

Pronunciation: BU-rak

Explanation: Give me strength… I don’t know this man’s name! My main issue is that, while “Büyük Pasha” would make sense as a translation of his title, the katakana rendering of his name isn’t anything like “Büyük”. However, it does resemble “Burak”, which is a masculine Turkish name, so my current theory is that it operates much like the names of cities, combining a Turkish name and Japanese title. It would seem strange, after all, that every other pasha is addressed by first name except him. In Toukoku no Subaru, Turkophile prince Yan Tao adopts the same Japanese title, but is still addressed by name.

Tuğril Mahmut

Japanese name: 犬鷲の将軍 (inuwashi no shougun) / トゥグリル・マフムート (tuguriru mafumuuto)

Other names: Tughril Mahmut, Tuğrul Mahmut, Mahmud

Pronunciation: TOO-ril MAH-moot

Explanation: “Mahmut” is a Turkish variant of the name “Mahmud”, which is Arabic. Maybe the French release thought it sounded more familiar to their audience. Otherwise it’s consistently been “Mahmut”, and Kotono has confirmed this. His epithet is a bit of a headache; “Tuğrul” might be more accurate, if it weren’t for the Japanese pronunciation. In any case, all of the above are variable spellings of the same word, which refers to a mythical bird also called “Turul” or “Togrıl” (and described as a hawk or falcon, not an eagle). It was also the name of the founder of the Seljuk Empire, often romanised as “Tughril”. 

İskender

Japanese name: イスカ��ダル (isukandaru)

Other names: Iskandar

Pronunciation: is-KAN-dar

Explanation: “Iskandar” is the Arabic and Persian form of the name Alexander, whereas “İskender” is the Turkish form. Kotono has written his name this way in the roman alphabet on several sketches. The name became popular in Middle Eastern countries out of admiration for Alexander the Great.

Zehir Zağanos

Japanese name: 毒薬の将軍 (dokuyaku no shougun) / ゼヘル・ザガノス (zeheru zaganosu)

Other names: Zaganos

Pronunciation: ZEY-heer ZA-ah-noss

Explanation: Note the “soft g”, which is more-or-less silent and always a nightmare to typeset. Kotono doesn’t seem to have realised this at first, judging by the rendering of his name in katakana. I found out a while back that the Byzantine Greeks called certain types of falcon and kestrel “Zaganos”, which sets up a pretty neat contrast to Mahmut. 

Şehir Halil

Japanese name: 大都市の将軍 (daitoshi no shougun) / シェヒル・カリル (shehiru kariru)

Other names: Khalil, Shehir Halil

Pronunciation: SHEY-heer HA-lil

Explanation: Kotono seems to have initially made another mix-up with this name, since “Khalil” is the Arabic form (and even then, the “k” is silent). She later corrected herself and has consistently written his name “Halil” in the roman alphabet on sketches and artwork, though the katakana stayed the same. The curse of “s-cedilla” sabotages attempts to get his epithet right. 

Tesisat-Kapı Saruca

Japanese name: 水門の将軍 (suimon no shougun) / テシサトゥ・ カプ ・ サルジャ (teshisatu kapu saruja)

Other names: Sarjah, Salja

Pronunciation: TAY-see-sat-ku-puh SUH-ru-jah

Explanation: It’s a shame Saruca kicked the bucket before I took over, so I’ve never had a chance to correct his name in the manga. “Sarjah” and “Salja” don’t mean anything as far as I know. I went through a fair amount of trouble finding out the truth, however patience prevailed and I discovered that his namesake was fittingly a real-life pasha who served Mehmet the Conqueror, alongside the men who Zağanos and Halil are named after. May be derived from the Turkish word for “yellow”. His epithet is a bit of a mess; “tesisat-kapı” does not mean “watergate” as the Japanese implies. 

Şanslı Nurcan

Japanese name: 幸運の将軍 (kouun no shougun) / シャンスル・ヌルザーン (shansuru nuruzaan)

Other names: Şanslar Nurzan

Pronunciation: SHANS-luh NOOR-jahn

Explanation: Kotono threw me a red herring with this guy by writing his name in katakana “zaan”, as the Turkish letter “C” usually becomes “J” in names like Saruca and Cemil. Nurcan is fitting for him, however, since it means “light of life”. In one chapter Kotono miswrote his epithet in roman characters as “Şanslar”, which means “luck” and sounded legitimate enough, throwing me yet again. “Şanslı” is an adjective, but fits the katakana spelling better.

At-Nalı Cemil

Japanese name: 蹄鉄の将軍 (teitetsu no shougun) / アトナル・ジェミル (atonaru jemiru)

Other names: Atnal Cemil

Pronunciation: AT-naluh JEH-meel

Explanation: A minor detail - “atnal” and “at nalı” both mean “horseshoe” and are pronounced roughly the same way in Japanese.

Kara-Kanat Süleyman

Japanese name: 黒翼のスレイマン (kokuyoku no sureiman)

Other names: Suleiman

Pronunciation: KA-rah KA-nat SU-lay-man

Explanation: Yet another case of mixing up the Turkish and Arabic transliterations. His title, “Başkan”, is a pain to typeset, so Bashkan will suffice.

Caterina

Japanese name:  カテリーナ (kateriina)

Other names: Katarina

Explanation: We’re talking about Süleyman’s golden eagle here. Since it came to light that she shares a name with Caterina de Rossi, I changed to an Italian form.

Şapka İbrahim

Japanese name: 飾り帽子のイブラヒム (shapuka iburahimu)

Other names: Shapka Ibrahim

Pronunciation: SHAP-ka ee-BRAH-heem

Explanation: The curse of “s-cedilla” strikes again. In Turkish there are of course two letter i’s, dotted and dotless. They are pronounced quite differently and should not be confused.

Şara

Japanese name: シャラ (shara)

Other names: Shara, Shahra

Pronunciation: shah-ra

Explanation: This caused me so much grief that I was glad the artbook gave me a way out by rendering her name “Şara”. Though it’s not a common name even nowadays, it fits the bill better than any alternative spellings.

Koko & Koran

Japanese names: ココ (koko) / コラン (koran)

Explanation: I’m really not sure about these two girls. Their current names are just romanised Japanese, and don’t resemble anything used either historically or contemporarily in Turkey or Arabic-speaking countries. I’m tempted to assume that Kotono made them up.

Unchanged Names

Liman

Japanese name: 港の町 (minato no machi) / リマン (riman)

Pronunciation: LEE-man

Uyandırma

Japanese Name:  警告の鐘 (keikoku no kane) /  ウヤンドゥルマ (uyanduruma)

Pronunciation: oo-YAN-dur-mah

Kurt Kurt

Japanese name: 狼の将軍 (ookami no shougun) /  クルト・ クルト (kuruto kuruto)

Pronunciation: koort

Mimar Zeki

Japanese name: 建築家の将軍 (kenrakuka no shougun) / ミマール・ゼキ (mimaaru zeki)

Pronunciation: MEE-mahr ZEY-kee

Deve İlkay

Japanese name: 駱駝の将軍 (rakuda no shougun) / デヴェ・イルカイ (deve irukai)

Pronunciation: DE-vay EEL-kai

Abbas

Japanese name: アッバス (abbasu)

Pronunciation: AH-bass

Ahmet

Japanese name: アフメット (afumetto)

Pronunciation: AH-met

Roxelana

Japanese name: ロクセラーナ (rokuseraana)

Pronunciation: ROCK-say-lah-na

[sayaka19fan]

Colors analysis

Source: barefootchuck on deviant art

Katou Kotono

Studio Mappa

[sarapyon]

[Translation] Murase Ayumu & Furukawa Makoto: Any similarities with the character you voiced? ‘Shoukoku no Altair’ Special Interview

“Shoukoku no Altair” is based on the battle between the two major countries, the main topic this July that depicts a magnificent view of the world.

“Shoukoku no Altair” Starting from July 7 (Friday) weekly Animation broadcast at 2.25AM ~ MBS · TBS · BS-TBS http://project-altair.com/ Twitter @pj_altair

STAFF Original - Katou Kotono (Kodansha’s “Monthly Shounen” series) Director - Furuhashi Kazuhiro Series configuration - Takagi Noboru Character design · Chief animation director - Kanno Toshiyuki Deputy Director = Igari Takashi Animation production = MAPPA CAST Mahmut - Murase Ayumu Zaganos - Furukawa Makoto Cyrus - KENN Abiriga - Suwabe Junichi Suleyman - Konishi Katsuyuki Louis - Tsuda Kenjiro © Katou Kotono · Kodansha / Shoukoku no Altair Production Committee

Photographer: Fukuoka Ryouhokora Writer: Arakawa Youko

This is what we thought since we’re originally a fan

Since this is the first talk, I think with both of your performance and roles (as your character) appears to have an impression with each other. First of all, Murase-san, what’s your impression of Furukawa-san’s performance as Zaganos?

Murase: When I read the manga, my impression of Zaganos is when I thought how arrogant is he. He’s fearless and handsome, although he’s still young, he’s two or three times better (about skills) than Mahmut. I thought it would be very difficult to make Zaganos convincing. However, it’s a monthly expression (he means how to voice the character for a month or so), Furukawa-kun is perfect! His voice have a persuasive power, there’s a presence of a ‘strong feeling’ coming out with just one word. At the time of the first recording for the PV, I thought "I see, that’s why Furukawa-kun is Zaganos”, and I was convinced. Furukawa: Thank you very much……!

Then how about Furukawa-san, what’s your impression of Murase-san’s performance as Mahmut?

Furukawa: Mahmut will grow, I think that growth is one of his attractions. And the same as me, at the recording for the PV, I thought "It’s perfect for Murase-san!”. Furthermore, as the dubbing begins and carefully drawn it in the story, Mahmut is shaking, but he will gradually mature, together with Murasa-san’s acting, I think that Mahmut will become more attractive. Murase: hehe (bashful) Furukawa: How much will Mahmut bring up his mind level in the future? I am looking forward to that from now on until it ends! Murase: Uwah, the hurdle has risen (lol)! Furukawa: (lol) Murase: …Anyway, saying things like this, isn’t it embarrassing? Furukawa: That’s right (lol).

What’s the impression for playing two scenes?

Murase: Um…… It made me angry! Furukawa: Eeehh!? Murase: Of course with my role. At first, I didn’t understand anything because whatever Mahmut is, he’s still in the same position of a general. There’s a scene where Zaganos really denied me at Zugan. At that time Zaganos, doesn’t see it in his eyes, like you’re not even stupid that there’s a cut feeling for being "zero” to him feels great…… But that got me angry (lol). I’m grateful though, because the emotion born on negotiations, in that sense I threw a very good ball (unexpected surprise). Furukawa: Ever since I was born, I never hear people talk like that in my life (lol). Murase: It feels like a test when you hear someone talk a little story, like you were instructed "Please don’t listen to the production at all”. Furukawa: I got shiver like "Eh, is that okay?” Certainly, the relationship between two people will parallel in a scene, and I guess that’s okay. Because it will be interesting if the distance gradually decreases. Murase: Yeah. Furukawa: Against Mahmut, it’s too straight! Murase: That’s true (lol). Furukawa: There’s a scene to give it straight (opinion) to the smart people, and I even thought "That’s what Mahmut does!!”. Personally, it’s because it’s close to Mahmut. So, in fact, the scene with Mahmut, I also wanted to throw the ball properly. Murase: I see. It may be more frustrating when you play as Zaganos. Furukawa: Because I’m the man on Mahmut’s side. So, I was relieved when you said that "Zaganos has persuasive power” earlier. Murase: I guess it’s more like Zaganos. I will cut it like a slap if I’m not interested. Furukawa: The mind and the role are the opposite! Murase: It’s interesting, huh.

Does it mean that Murase-san feels like Mahmut or Furukawa-san feels like Zaganos?

Murase: Yes, he does. Furukawa-kun’s seriousness is passed through the core, that it looks very much as Zaganos. Being skeptical is just a big front. When Furukawa-kun states "Is this okay?” is very Zaganos-like. Furukawa: No, it’s because I was in "Zaganos filter”……! Murase: Eh, really? Then the real person said it himself, it was a filter (lol). Furukawa: That’s how it really is…… But if you look closely, Mahmut is not the type of protagonist will have a lot of friends. I think that sort of thing is similar to Murase-san. With Murase-san, the communication is really smooth, like when I talk about Polo (shirts) he casually picks up (what I’m talking about). It made me really grateful. By deepening our bonds, I think that Mahmut will improve to his works for wearing a charismatic and natural communication skill/ability. Murase: I said this myself, but even though I didn’t do anything from my childhood, my friends have increased randomly. I try not to think about it, but it will make you think. Furukawa: I’m envious to Zaganos!! Murase: Even so, you sure do noticed that. It’s surprising! If it’s like this, I want you to praise me more like this. Hey, are you a manager? ……wait, the manager is not here! At a time like this (lol)! Furukawa: Let’s read this interview and praise it. Murase: It will be cut roughly. "Murase isn’t like that” (lol).

I hope I won’t cut it (lol). Well, what kind of story you two talk about in dubbing?

Murase: Recently, we were together at the stage for "THE IDOLM@STER Side M”. I sent a one-sided love call, "That was good!”, because I love Furukawa-kun’s performance. Furukawa: It's not one-sided! I also like Murase-san’s performance, I love it! Murase: Thanks! The distance has shrunk because of the relationship where we can talk comfortably, that’s why I’m very thankful to have this role. Furukawa: That’s true. Also, since both of us are originally a fan, we will talk about the story as well. Like I’ll talk passionately about "This directing of the original is really cool” or "my hand won’t stop turning the pages” and Murase-san will agree with me. Although it’s fun to talk to Murase-san, once the "AT field’ is fully open, I have to put out an aura to talk with him……. It’s frustrating when I switch (means they need to focus on their work mode).

Although as an original fan, what do you think about the charm of the work that you feel again when you act?

Murase: I read the original and received the theme of "How can a boy become an adult?”. Some people said there’s a message that the boy gets intelligent and smart through various experiences. It made me wonder how to make it by voice, but since MAPPA-san’s visuals is so beautiful that I can get on with the world view. Then, the generation between Ogata (Kenichi)-san and other veteran people is very human. Even though it’s a fantasy, it’s fresh. There are a lot of newly discovered charms through dubbing. Furukawa: Although I got a word that it’s fresh, I think that it’s a work that secretly shows the charm that can be shown like a historical fact that was really fiction even though it is fiction. From the international situation to the enemy’s setting, it was a tremendously thought-out original. In the animation, for example, using the original language of the story named Araba, we’re setting out an atmosphere of exchanges and devising it. Also as a fan, I’m very happy that I can do different ways of enjoying "Altair” by visualizing it!

By the way, Mahmut has a golden eagle called Iskandar, what about the two of you?

Murase: It’s iPad mini 4. The image quality of the camera is good, LINE can also do research with eating logs, and also playing app games! Furukawa: It looks comfortable on a big screen. Murase: I have a smartphone too, but I just use it to receive calls from work. Furukawa: As for me, I’m still into smartphone after all. You can check the script data first, because it’s convenient. I also bought the original of "Altair” at Kindle and I’m reading it on a smartphone. Ah, I’d like to emphasize this, but when I’m on the worksite where you see me with a smartphone, I’m checking the original (the series), I’m not playing a game, I wanted to make it clear…… I’m so relieved to say that (lol). Murase: You don’t need to worry about that, it’s okay (lol).

Anyway, please tell us the last highlight of your role.

Murase: Mahmut has a strong expression of anguish. I’m also gaining power when I play as him, like when everyone draws a painting with a brush is exciting. I’m conscious of my acting so I try not to feel ashamed with a beautiful movement for a beautiful Mahmut, so please look forward to it! Furukawa: Zaganos is really a hard character to understand in one word. It’s difficult to read from the original, so when Katou (Kotono)-sensei, the original author, was at the recording site, when I heard "How do you feel about Zaganos?”, I thought that he’s delicate and difficult. Therefore, it’s nothing different to Zaganos from the manga, rather, it’s what do we think of Zaganos from the manga can be easier to understand by voice. Also, please pay attention to the relationship with Mahmut!

★YAY!! I translated Ayumu and Makonyan’s special interview from kiki-voice since I’m really looking forward to shoukoku no altair anime m(_ _)m I hope you guys enjoy it and if you did, I hope you guys could leave a donation as I try my best to translate seiyuu interviews from now on 〆(・∀・＠)

[pybownies]

SnA Anime vs Manga

Where Mahmut is an angrier and more frustrated little birb than you think xD  

There’s a huge difference already of how he interacts with Ibrahim. In the anime, we see him more friendlier and less serious. 

Srsly, the characters in the anime are much nicer to him....I rather have Ibrahim making fun of Mahmut in public :D

“Get out, please...” vs “GET THE HELL OUT OF MY ROOM!” xD

Everyone is merciless when it comes to teasing Mahmut in the manga.  

Sulking in the corner VS Slamming his fists on the table(?) to passionately voice out his frustrations about the government system and becomes embarrassed when Khalil finds him. Also, the Iskandar bonding time too <3

They took out the teasing moments again....geez. 

Told u the anime is nicer to him.....Khalil giving Mahmut a slap in the back gives him more of a wake-up call 

If you really wanna know what happened to Mahmut’s mom... *gulp*....please read the manga....

Whyy they took out this part too?! In the manga, Mahmut was in deep thoughts because his plan has a 50-50 chance and agonised the fact that Khalil pasha would have to die if they fail. Kahlil pasha senses this and hugs him to comfort him. Awww.....

Minor thing but...Mahmut and Zaganos had some sort of a glaring contest before Zaganos told him a job well done xD 

So what do you think? Ready to read the manga now? :D 

[atesan]

I don’t know whether I’m more excited to finally have Ilegenes, or the fact that Katou Kotono has an artbook for Shoukoku no Altair like WHAT WHAT WHAT?!