Hey you guys

[Fuzzy Pickles!]

How the translation of this version? Just curious. If its good, definitely getting it as I doubt such a grand opportunity will come again.

Best of all, this will be my first manga EVER that I own the entire series for.

[Little Brown Fox]

It's decent. It's the only official English version that exists, anyway, so it's not like there's much of a choice in the matter; but it's not terrible, even if it's far from perfect. They miss a few things here and there, because of the way they deal with sound effects, and because they apparently simply miss things (but everyone does that). They also translate some of the names kind of funny- Epsilon is Epushiiron, if I recall correctly. So yeah, romaji versions of names in- well, I don't suppose you could call that one English, but, the way the Japanese write certain foreign words... we all know what the word is; it's just that, for whatever reason, they decided to use the direct translation- by which I mean, they apparently sounded it out or something like that. It's difficult to explain (at least, for me it is).

Two of the volumes are floating around the internet on manga reading sites, but they're all missing the first volume. So this is why I'm highly interested in this product. We shall see if this is a good deal or not.

[Fuzzy Pickles!]

At least we can say its not the hack job that is the 2003 dub of the anime and that is good enough for me, especially in mint condition. Although it kind of sucks we have to wait for so long for it.

[Little Brown Fox]

It didn't say whether or not it's in mint condition or not, actually. Personally, I would assume so because of the picture... although, I wouldn't think that they would normally wrap those up- maybe they're wrapped like that as a group, or before they're put on store shelves? Maybe that's where these are from?

[ASTROBUDDY]

Whoever is thinking of buying these volumes, do so!
If I remember correctly I believe I bought my copies from this dealer.
The condition of the volumes is excellent. (At least my copies are.)
The books were published in Singapore thru a deal with the original's Japanese publisher.
It's been awhile since I read them, but a quick perusal thru them and as far as I can tell and remember the English translation is as good as the translations on the recent Atomcat manga from Digital Manga.
The artwork also is very good B/W illustration and captures the 2003-4 series well.
I believe the price is still the same as I paid and the shipping costs seem reasonable.
I also own a copy of the Japanese original and the English copies compare well with the original.
But before you buy them check out the dealer's return policy, just in case you don't like them.
As you can tell even though I am not a big fan of the third Astro Boy anime, I am still happy that I have them in my collection.
Oh, yeah they are published like authentic Japanese manga; that is you, turn the pages from left to right and read the pages from right to left.

I

[Little Brown Fox]

I already know that I like them, from the scans that I've read online. :3 I just wish that I could see the first volume, because apparently, that isn't available anywhere...

[AprilSeven]

Okay - Okay

I ordered it!!

Astrobuddy tipped my confidence (he's got a LOT of Astro stuff, so I trust his instincts! )

Thank you, Little Brown Fox for spotting this - I hadn't realized what the deal was with these books. The total purchase was just under $20 so it's not as big a risk as buying a cd box set or something.

There's actually quite a bit of AB stuff on ebay - but I'd really like some of the books Astrobuddy has collected

Maybe a collector's thread would be a good idea where we could post different items we've purchased, so others could look for/recognize them on ebay.

Okay - so just about this time next month I should be reading my new manga!

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

You got in under the wire, the listing has ended.

[AprilSeven]

Sorry for the double-post, but I do need some help.

The description says books 1 - 3 -- like all three of them are $9.50 (another reason I was skeptical)

Most places have a check box for a particular book.

Now I don't know if I can/should cancel the original order and re-order all three? Or if I just order the other two now (so instead of costing $20, it's now $60!!)

Any help would be great...

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

I just looked and it said the listing was closed. Looks like he was very vague about how to select which book anyway, and wouldn't combine shipping on all three.

Rats!