Ashley wrote:I'm actually quite shocked that you're ahead of the American releases. Call me a stuck-up American pig, but I was under the impression that manga was released along the same lines as video games: Japan first, then the US, then Canada/Mexico, then Europe, and after that the rest of the world. So I'm very suprised (but happy for you) that you're so far ahead of the united states releases.
You might also be able to find some Canadian sellers on Ebay who can maybe hook you up with some french copies of manga if you still can't get it on Amazon.
no no! You're not stuck-up. Hmm.. how can I explain? It's very hard.
In France, the have lots of comic books companies. the make lots of comic books. So they also translate lots. Some companies are like the "TokyoPop". The only translate. But most are both: publish and translate (like the company that translates the Fruits Basket for me). I guess comic books are still like enjoyment there. Do you understand? I don't know how to say it! URGGHH!!
For some reason, (I'm really really sorry if I say something mean here!!!) japanese/east asian goods were introduced to french longer ago, earlier than North America. For example, when we still had a good French channel on our old television at my house, I would watch children's cartoons, dubbed in French, from Japan. (now most channels we have are from Québec.. so they don't really play such things.
)
I really don't know how to explain this.. sorry!! It's as if I know the answer but it just won't come out. o__O;;
I read my comic books in french because:
1) It's abit obvious, easier for me to read!
2) Even if they are hard to find (I almost always order them from Amazon.ca--I only found those two in a shop because it was a specialty bookshop) They are usually at least 2$ cheaper. for example, Fruits Basket in english: about 14.99$ for me, Fruits Basket in French: 9.99$. But sometimes they can be more expensive. It just depends on the quality of the publisher and if it comes with extras (like dust cover sleeve, free illustration etc.)
I DON'T LIKE TO SAY THIS ONE!! IT'S VERY MEAN!!!:
3) they are usually better quality than english. =__= Most give you colour pages and free cards without advertising it's an extra or anything like that. (but others don't give them) There is only one comic book company that I know, that has advertisements in the back like in TokyoPop. Also, this same company is the only one where the sound effects were not translated. When I read in english, I find it irritating that most sound effects are just left. Because sometimes they make the scene more funny, when they are translated. I felt like I was missing something.
i really don't think I should have said that...