Expectations for Little Women II

The story about how we got to work on this series has to do with us picking up a translator that had this on a list of series he wanted to work on.  Several weeks after we got him (I had to get the DVDs imported), we have a new project that we hope that everyone will enjoy.

As previously mentioned, this is the sequel to Little Women.  The way Louisa May Alcott structured the novels, you can actually read them in pretty much in any order; any necessary background information is alluded to in an appropriate fashion.  The novel this series is based off of, "Little Men", is unique in the fact that until near the very end of the novel, you actually can pretty much read the chapters in any order with almost no loss of continuity and very minimal confusion. 

This anime takes the events of the novels and does tend to scramble them around.  For example, Nan actually does not show up in the novel until chapter 7.  The next three episodes happen fairly late in the novel, and then episode 5 takes us back to chapter 1.  However, as I have mentioned, the first 3/4ths of the anime is reasonably episodic.

We are hoping for a release once a week.  We already have episodes 2 and 3 ready for timing.

The way we are doing the translation of this series will require some knowledge of the novel; we will summarize the necessary information in a later post.

Little Women II - Jo's Boys Episode 1 released!

"Have not you cares enough now, my Jo, without this little gypsy to torment you?" asked Mr. Bhaer, patting the hand that lay on his arm.

"Oh dear, no," said Mother Bhaer, briskly. "I like it, and never was happier than since I had my wilderness of boys. You see, Fritz, I feel a great sympathy for Nan, because I was such a naughty child myself that I know all about it. She is full of spirits, and only needs to be taught what to do with them to be as nice a little girl as Daisy. Those quick wits of hers would enjoy lessons if they were rightly directed, and what is now a tricksy midget would soon become a busy, happy child. I know how to manage her, for I remember how my blessed mother managed me, and—"

"And if you succeed half as well as she did, you will have done a magnificent work," interrupted Mr. Bhaer, who labored under the delusion that Mrs. B. was the best and most charming woman alive.

- Little Men, Chapter 7

Our new project will the World Masterpiece Theater series from 1993, "Wakakusa Monogatari: Nan to Jou-sensei", or as more commonly known, "Little Women II - Jo's Boys".

In this episode, Nan arrives at Plumfield.  However, her welcome and her rather unorthodox means of getting there are not exactly how one would get to a school for the first time.

You can obtain the episodes via your favorite anime torrent indexing sites.

This is a reminder that Licca Fansubs is recruiting translators and timers.  If you wish to contribute your skills, please contact us.

First episode of new project

The first episode of our new project that we briefly mentioned in the last post is almost ready for release.

Irregular release schedule and other things

Irregular release schedule
 
Due to the upcoming holiday weekend, a need to conduct computer maintenance on my encoding computer, and the fact that I'm supposed to help and and go to a wedding, we will be on a very irregular schedule for the next two weeks.  This mostly affects Pollyanna and Happy Kappi.  We should be back to our regular release schedule for both of those series.  Due to the scheduling issues, we may not have any releases for both series until we resume our regular release schedule.

We do know that the Wasurenai staff that are working on Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Pure are close to having a script for episode 5 ready for encoding.  If it happens during the next two weeks, we can probably manage to encode it.

New project

We've managed to pick up another translator, and he had a particular set of series he wanted to do.  We picked one that was compatible with what we do here, and we have the first episode almost ready for release.  We will reveal this series when it's ready for release.

Recruiting for translators and timers

We are recruiting translators and timers.  If you would like to contribute your skills, please contact us.

Summer 2011 season

We would need Happy Kappi to end in order to consider doing a series for the Summer 2011 season.

Pollyanna Episode 27 released!

"I don't see why they cried. I wanted to sing and shout and yell! Oh—oh—oh! just think, I can walk—walk—WALK! Now I don't mind being here almost ten months, and I didn't miss the wedding, anyhow. Wasn't that just like you, Aunt Polly, to come on here and get married right beside my bed, so I could see you. You always do think of the gladdest things!

"Pretty soon, they say, I shall go home. I wish I could walk all the way there. I do. I don't think I shall ever want to ride anywhere any more. It will be so good just to walk. Oh, I'm so glad! I'm glad for everything. Why, I'm glad now I lost my legs for a while, for you never, never know how perfectly lovely legs are till you haven't got them—that go, I mean. I'm going to walk eight steps to-morrow.

"With heaps of love to everybody,

"POLLYANNA."

- Pollyanna, Chapter 32

Pollyanna does her gladdest thing ever.  This episode concludes the part where events from the first novel are covered.

You can obtain this episode from your standard anime torrent indexing sites.

This is a reminder that Licca Fansubs is recruiting translators and timers.  If you wish to contribute your skills, please contact us.

Happy Kappi Episode 12 released!

In this episode, we explore what Kappi would do when he takes shelter from the rain and takes a cat under his wing.

You can obtain this episode from your standard anime torrent indexing sites.

Pollyanna Episode 26 released!

Pollyanna is in the operating room.  Everyone is praying for her in this episode, which is a flashback episode.

You can obtain this episode from your standard anime torrent indexing sites.

This marks the half-way point of Pollyanna, and it has been a wonderful journey for us so far.  Here's what you can expect for the next 1/4th of the series:

1.  Episode 27 marks the end of the part where it covers the first novel.  Episode 28 starts covering events from the second novel.

2.  There will be a new OP/ED song.

3.  In this next part, Pollyanna will be spreading her cheer to certain people in Boston.  Will she be successful?

We thank everyone for your continued support of our efforts.

Pollyanna Episode 25 released!

"Pollyanna, next week you're going to take a journey. On a nice comfortable little bed you're going to be carried in cars and carriages to a great doctor who has a big house many miles from here made on purpose for just such people as you are. He's a dear friend of Dr. Chilton's, and we're going to see what he can do for you!"

- Pollyanna, Chapter 31

In this episode, Pollyanna heads to Boston to see if she can get her legs healed.

You can obtain this episode from your standard anime torrent indexing sites.

This is a reminder that Licca Fansubs is recruiting translators and timers.  Please contact us if you wish to contribute your skills.

Pollyanna Episode 24 released!

A little later Dr. Warren was surprised to meet an agitated, flushed-faced Miss Polly in the hall. He was still more surprised to hear the lady say, a little breathlessly:

"Dr. Warren, you asked me once to allow Dr. Chilton to be called in consultation, and—I refused. Since then I have reconsidered. I very much desire that you SHOULD call in Dr. Chilton. Will you not ask him at once—please? Thank you."

- Pollyanna, Chapter 30

In this episode, we find out the relationship between Polly and Dr. Chilton.  By being able to let go of her pride, Polly opens the final key to Pollyanna's cure.

You can obtain this episode from your standard anime torrent indexing sites.

This is a reminder that Licca Fansubs is recruiting translators and timers.  If you wish to contribute your skills, please contact us.

Happy Kappi Episode 11 released!

In this episode, we introduce Kobara, Kappi's little sister.  Unfortunately, Suguri finds out really quickly that Kobara is a kleptomaniac, and the way she steals things usually will not go her way.

You can obtain this episode from your standard anime torrent indexing sites.

This is a reminder that Licca Fansubs is recruiting translators and timers.  If you wish to contribute your skills, please contact us.

Happy Kappi Episode 10 released!

In this episode, Suguri gets a taste of what it is like to be an adult.

You can obtain this episode from your standard anime torrent indexing sites.

Pollyanna Episode 23 released!

Pollyanna looked up quickly.

"Why, Aunt Polly, you—you spoke just as if you knew—DO you know about the game, Aunt Polly?"

"Yes, dear." Miss Polly sternly forced her voice to be cheerfully matter-of-fact. "Nancy told me. I think it's a beautiful game. I'm going to play it now—with you."

"Oh, Aunt Polly—YOU? I'm so glad! You see, I've really wanted you most of anybody, all the time."

Aunt Polly caught her breath a little sharply. It was even harder this time to keep her voice steady; but she did it.

"Yes, dear; and there are all those others, too. Why, Pollyanna, I think all the town is playing that game now with you—even to the minister! I haven't had a chance to tell you, yet, but this morning I met Mr. Ford when I was down to the village, and he told me to say to you that just as soon as you could see him, he was coming to tell you that he hadn't stopped being glad over those eight hundred rejoicing texts that you told him about. So you see, dear, it's just you that have done it. The whole town is playing the game, and the whole town is wonderfully happier—and all because of one little girl who taught the people a new game, and how to play it."

Pollyanna clapped her hands.

"Oh, I'm so glad," she cried. Then, suddenly, a wonderful light illumined her face. "Why, Aunt Polly, there IS something I can be glad about, after all. I can be glad I've HAD my legs, anyway—else I couldn't have done—that!"

- Pollyanna, Chapter 28

In this episode, Polly sees the sheer amount of support and goodwill that Pollyanna has sowed upon Beldingsville.  That is the last key for Polly to be able to learn the Glad Game and allow for Pollyanna to become her usual cheery self again.  

In addition, this episode shows what it truly means to be a Pollyanna.  It's not a mindless happiness, but it's a happiness that you want to share with others.

You can obtain this episode from your standard anime torrent indexing sites.

This is a reminder that Licca Fansubs is recruiting translators and timers. Please contact us if you wish to contribute your skills.

Status update and scheduling

Hiatus

Licca Fansubs will be on hiatus for about a week or two sometime in late June or early July.  The reason is that I will be upgrading my encoding computer to a new processor and motherboard in preparation for a potential increase in my encoding workload.  This date is dependent on the release of the next AMD processor with the Bulldozer architecture.

Pollyanna

Work is proceeding slowly but steadily.  We're anticipating finishing the series by mid-September at the earliest.  The series is actually easier to translate than A Little Princess Sara, but there's a lot more dialogue, which makes the translation and timing steps quite a bit longer.

Happy Kappi

For Happy Kappi 10, I've been having issues with the transport stream.  It's already at the point where we will be switching to the lower resolution raw source we used for episodes 1-3.  We will be release the episodes encoded on the lower resolution raw tomorrow.  If I get more time and am able to resolve the issues with the transport stream, we will release the higher resolution version as a V2.

Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Pure

I'm currently translating an episode a week.  The folks at Wasurenai are having issues with their FTP server, which is causing work to slow down on their end.  We will work with them to assist in getting their FTP issues resolved so work can continue.

Some surprises

Expect to see some surprises in early July and early August.  (No, they are not what you expect.)

Pollyanna Episode 22 released!

"I know; that sounds like things father used to say," faltered Pollyanna, blinking off the tears. "He said there was always something about everything that might be worse; but I reckon he'd never just heard he couldn't ever walk again. I don't see how there CAN be anything about that, that could be worse—do you?"

- Pollyanna, Chapter 26

This episode requires no further explanation.

You can obtain this episode from your standard anime torrent indexing sites.

For those of you waiting on Happy Kappi

We have Happy Kappi episode 10 ready for encoding, except we are having difficulties with the transport stream.  We hope to have it ready for release soon.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Pollyanna Episode 21 released!

"Not that! Doctor, not that! You don't mean—the child—will NEVER WALK again!"

It was all confusion then. First, from the bedroom came Pollyanna's terrified "Aunt Polly Aunt Polly!" Then Miss Polly, seeing the open door and realizing that her words had been heard, gave a low little moan and—for the first time in her life—fainted dead away.

The nurse, with a choking "She heard!" stumbled toward the open door. The two doctors stayed with Miss Polly. Dr. Mead had to stay—he had caught Miss Polly as she fell. Dr. Warren stood by, helplessly. It was not until Pollyanna cried out again sharply and the nurse closed the door, that the two men, with a despairing glance into each other's eyes, awoke to the immediate duty of bringing the woman in Dr. Mead's arms back to unhappy consciousness. 

- Pollyanna, Chapter 26

In this episode, Aunt Polly's plan to keep Pollyanna in the dark on what is really going on backfires when Pollyanna overhears the conversation between Aunt Polly and the doctors.

You can obtain this episode from your standard anime torrent indexing sites.

I have an open question for people who've watched this episode.  Do you think what Aunt Polly did in this episode to hide what was really going on with Pollyanna was the right thing to do?

Pollyanna Episode 20 released!

"Yes. And of course he wouldn't want many people to know it—when 'twasn't true. But why don't you get a woman's hand and heart, Dr. Chilton?"

There was a moment's silence; then very gravely the doctor said:

"They're not always to be had—for the asking, little girl."

Pollyanna frowned thoughtfully.

"But I should think you could get 'em," she argued. The flattering emphasis was unmistakable.

"Thank you," laughed the doctor, with uplifted eyebrows. Then, gravely again: "I'm afraid some of your older sisters would not be quite so—confident. At least, they—they haven't shown themselves to be so—obliging," he observed.

Pollyanna frowned again. Then her eyes widened in surprise.

"Why, Dr. Chilton, you don't mean—you didn't try to get somebody's hand and heart once, like Mr. Pendleton, and—and couldn't, did you?"

- Pollyanna, Chapter 23

In this episode, Pollyanna gives her answer to John Pendleton's request.  Unfortunately, in trying to find a way to fullfill the request in an alternative fashion, she was run over by a car, with Jimmy Bean only able to helplessly watch her get struck by the car...

You can obtain this episode from your standard anime torrent indexing sites.

Happy Kappi Episode 9 released!

 

In this episode, we introduce Whippi.  Her relatively short visit is rather exciting (and rather troublesome).

You can obtain this episode from your standard anime torrent indexing sites.