Doujin Sign

First of all, I would like to thank all of you. The artists, readers, translators, editors, the raw providers, the scanners, and everyone else.

For the most part, it was a pleasure to work with everyone. It was a pleasure to see the fans’ reactions to various works that the artists have made. And it was also a pleasure to see continued support not for the people who localize the doujin manga but for those artists who created them. All in all, it was a pleasure.

Sure, we had our rough times: complaints about what didn’t get done or got done slowly, the way the scanlation process worked, and other various criticisms that had some legitimate concern behind them are just summaries of some of those times. I would like to answer them so that it’s all cleared up here.

Despite what people may think I can do, I have very little control overall. I do not have control over what gets translated and what does not get translated. That is up to whichever translator happens to be present. Like everyone else, I can only make suggestions, but it is ultimately up to them what they do. My primary job when I was given the responsibility to head Gaku’s Touhou branch are these:

• Maintain the archives
• Ensure projects are done by those who want to do them and are willing to put in the effort and dedication to get them done right
• Ensure a certain level of quality in scanlations (translation and edits) is maintained from the raws to the final product
• Help others to reach that quality that needs to be attained

For the rest, they can be summed up into this. The reason behind everything is related to bringing the story of the doujins to life and respect towards the artist’s work. If the scanlations can’t live up to the artist’s quality, then we as a whole have failed in what we need to do.

As for what I’ve been wanting to say, it’s time for me to retire. Actually, probably more of a hiatus. I’ve had second thoughts on the matter, but mainly, there are things I have been wanting to do that couldn’t be done while editing and managing. So at the very least, I may go on a break of sorts for a while until I do what needs to be done.

Basically there are three things. There’s a project I’ve been wanting to work on for the longest time but had to put on hold due to scanlations. It’ll be a simple RPG to start off with, and I’ll do my best to make it worth the players’ time. The other thing is that I need to find a job, and that’s taking longer than expected. And the last doesn’t necessarily factor into my decision but will eventually after graduation. I want to spend more time with a very special girl who I hope knows how much she means to me and would like to get to know her better and see her blush as much as possible~

Obviously, scanlations are not going to end just because the manager is out. So here’s what’s going to happen:

• I will continue to work on Inaba and Advent Cirno during my time out and any other commitments I’ve made. If I feel like doing anything else, I’ll let you guys know.
• Nietz will be taking over my responsibilities and will be doing the Updates after the Gaku Update on April 19, 2009 until I come back.
• Everyone involved in scanlations whether it be doing the actual work or providing feedback are expected to do these things:
  • Keep the quality of the scanlations high.
  • Respect the author’s works through the translations and edits.
  • Use constructive criticism when needed.
  • Respect each other. It doesn’t mean you can’t correct each other when needed, but respect the choices made during the process.
• If projects can’t be finished in a timely manner, let Nietz know or post in the thread you’re working in so that people know what’s happening.
• It’s okay to drop a project if you need to. Just don’t disappear before letting people know.
• Update the Potential Comics section in the Touhou Wiki whenever new scans come in and for all steps of the scanlation process. That is where all the bookkeeping is at. It doesn’t matter who does it as long as the information is correct.
• If anyone needs my help with anything, PM me at shrinemaiden.org or you can use my email.

You guys will be fine. Just keep those in mind, all right? I plan to come back eventually, but for now, I’ll see what’s next down the road.