Did somebody say Bastard!!? Ok, after a agonizingly long delay (on my part) David C. & Co.'s translation is finally ASCIIfied. A quick overview of Bastard!! #1: Originally titled Wizard!!, it was supposed to be a one shot short story in Shonen Jump. I guess the response was so phenomenal the magazine decided to serialize and publish it, along with Dragonball, City Hunter, Saint Seiya, and other manga heavyweights. As far as I know there are no plans to animate Bastard!! and, frankly, I prefer it that way. Its creator, Kazushi Hagiwara, was able to blend his fine art style (great character designs and 'chaotic' backgrounds) with his story, that of the anti-hero, Dark Schneider. His style shouldn't be unfamiliar to the Orange Road readers; he was one of Izumi Matsumoto's able assistants, and his work covered O.R. manga volumes 11-18 (most noticeably, the beauties in bathing suits :-). But when he took over as a manga sensei himself, 'wild' became a tame word to describe his styles. Reading Bastard!! is almost like watching a heavy metal video (in fact the Iron Maiden made cameo appearance as one of the zombie troopers in vol.5. The name chosen for the first villain in Wizard!! was not accidental either.) Oh well, enough commercials. Let's get on with the story. Dark Schneider - the most egotistical, self-centered, megalomanical, bombastic, sexist, and all around loud-mouth being in the entire Universe. Unfortunately, he can usually back up with mouth with his tremendous magic powers. Thea Noto Yoko - the daughter of the kingdom's local Grand Priest. She possesses the 'kiss' that can turn Dark Schneider on/off at will. (one of the top vote recipient in fj.rec.comics' "The Cutest Female Character in Manga" contest. When the story began she was only 15 years old, but BOY wait til you see her grown up.) Luche Lenlen - the purest, most innocent (ie. air-headed) boy child in the entire kingdom of Metallicana . Just so happens he possesses a second personality which, if awaken, can do a lot of damage. (Pai-syndrome?) Princess Sheela - we'll see 'more' of her later.... The High Priest - we don't see much of him right now, but he's a real character. Osborne - the first villain to get shredded by D.S. We'll see 'rest' of him. translated by (A typical anonymous Japanese person exploited by his friends to translate mangas against his will.) sponsored by David C. & Co. _______________________________________________________________________________ Without law, Without order, there are but only blood, steel, flesh, and bones it's a time of magic. Wizard!! The Conquerer of Flames Osborne: Woahahahaha!! Forward! The monsters from the depths of chaos. Destroy the castle and conquer this kingdom for me!! soldier: Don't retreat! If they break through here, we'll all be finished. soldier: Damn... what bad timing. They're attacking while our king and his knights are away!! someone: It has been fifteen years since the last war. Now our peaceful kingdom is again threatened by those evil wizards. With our king away in expedition, the remaining troops are being attacked by Osborne and his minion of darkness!! Yoko: Huh?! Where is Luche? Oh no!! Where the heck are you..?!! Luche: WAAA!! I'm scared!! Big guard: Haay! Don't mess around, let go!! Luche: I'm scared, I'm scared. Knight: Princess Sheela, are you alright? Princess: I'm fine..... how are we doing? Yoko: Did you get hurt? Luche: [My name is Thea Noto Yoko. My father is the high priest of this kingdom. Therefore, I'll probably become a priestess, if I survive....] Luche: I'm really, really scared!! Let's get out of here!! Yoko: You wimp! That's why I told you to stick with me. Stop crying!! Hey! Wipe your face! Luche: okaiy [And this boy is Luche Lenlen, fourteen years old. Fifteen years ago he lost his parents at the war. My father has been taking care of him ever since, and raised us like siblings. There is, however, one very important reason why he kept Luche with us. And it's a big secret.] Yoko: Hey! Don't wander off. Luche: It's okay. I'll wash the hankie because you like it washed so I'll wash...... Soldier: There are so many of them out there. And these are monsters we can't fight with regular weapons. If only the knights are here............. I don't think we can last too long........ Yoko: It can't be..... The High Priest: Listen. I will now teach you a secret spell. It will release something which has been locked by sacred power. Let me warn you. This is a very dangerous spell, so don't use it unless, while I'm away, the kingdom faces its gravest crisis ever. With this spell the "possessed person's" second personality, the reincarnated ancient wizard, Dark Schneider, shall awake!! The waken D.S. will destroy the enemy with his magic powers. And Yoko, in order to make the spell effective..... a kiss from a pure virgin is essential! Yoko: ........... Luche: ? Yoko: Who is he kidding? Big Guard: Hey!! You're the kid who was hanging on my foot. Look out!! You good-for-nothing, useless little midget!! What good can you do here? You midget!! Luche: ....... Yeah? Big Guard: Damn you.... Yoko: Hold it, you!! Don't harrass Luche! Big Guard: Ooh!? Who are you? Yoko: I'm Yoko! Luche's guardian!! Luche: Big Guard: tse! It's the High Priest's daughter. Yoko: You wimp! Don't you ever get angry?! Don't you feel like beating the shit out of that guy?! You have no guts at all!! Luche: Yoko-san is over upset. Yoko: AAhhh---- YOU SISSY!! You are a man! Don't you feel vexed?! Luche: [.......but, that's one good thing about you, too.] Soldier: Damn!! They've finally reached the chapel. Soldier: No, no good!! What strength! We won't last too long. Soldier: Our kingdom ends here. Soldier: It's useless now. Princess: Thea Moto Yoko. Yoko: Princess Sheela Princess: Your father had once told me a legendary wizard who can destroy anything is sealed somewhere in this kingdom. Ministers: Yoko! Yoko! Is that true?! If it's true, now is the time to release that power!! Yoko: eh? Yoko: NOO WAAY!! Yoko: No way! I'm not capable of that embarrasing act. Minister: em..?! Minister: ..barras..!? Osborne: kyahahahah!! I see you Princess. You're the last one!! Now I'm going to kill you all! everyone: It's Osborne!! 3 Ministers: Lord Osborne! Would you keep your promise and spare our lives?! Didn't we help your surprised attack by telling you when the knights and the High Priest are away? We promise our loyalities to you for the rest of our lives! Princess: Ministers!! Old Minister: Damn your traitors! Osborne: Sure. 3 Ministers: NOooo!! (splat) Yoko: AAaaah!! AAaaaahh!! Soldier: No way! What the hey..! Soldier: They're GIANTS!! Osborne: GO!! Kill them all!! [A virgin's kiss.] Yoko: Noo! I won't do it!! We're still too young! Luche: Yoko-san, be care.... Yoko: Lu.... [You were trying to protect me...?] Osborne: Yeaaha. Die die die die die die die die!!! Yoko: Luche-kun, are you scared? You are scared, aren't you. [I'm scared too. This is my first time as well.] Yoko: Soldier: What the..!! Osborne: What is that evil aura? Yoko: Lu.... Dark Schneider: heh D.S.: HEHHHAHAHAHAHA!! Alright! I'm finally revived! D.S.: That Grand Priest bastard! You found me while I was reincarnating, and then sealed me inside the infant. I'll kill you!! D.S.: Shut up! D.S.: Osborne: What?! No way. Only the high level wizards can use the explosion spell. Yoko: Are you really Luche-kun? D.S.: Sure. We grew up together. You're the one who revived me, thanks. Yoko: Heh? Aren't you the old bad wizard? Which one are you? D.S. - I am the reincarnated ancient wizard, Dark Schneider. I'm also your friend, Luche. Osborne: Dark Schneider?! Aren't you the one who started the war fifteen years ago? Using the ancient technique of reincarnation, you can travel between lives and deaths, and now you're finally revived. D.S.: Alright, can you stand up? [Can this be Luche-kun? ........or is he someone else?] Ministers: Dark Schneider! Princess: I can't believe it.... Old Minister: It doesn't matter now!! Hey! What are you doing? Quickly, kill these enemies. D.S.: NOPE Yoko: eh? D.S.: OK. Yoko always took care of me, and you also freed me....... Sure, I'll save her. D.S.: But as for the rest of you, you can all die here! I have no obligations to you!! Ministers: What?! [What. Then he's no better than Osborne......!] Yoko: LUCHE!! Yoko: HEY!! I HAVE ENOUGH OF THIS!! D.S.: Ah!! D.S.: eh? (reflex) Yoko: You cheap!! Monkey! Cold Blood!! I never thought you are such a low life! That's it, we're through!! We're no longer friends! From now on I won't protect you anymore!! WE'RE STRANGERS!! Yoko - What are you looking at? D.S.: Okay.. D.S.: Fine, I owe you a lot anyway. D.S.: I got it. I'll do it. Yoko: Oh good! You are really Luche-kun. I'm glad. Osborne: Stop all this chit chat!! Dark Schneider is nothing! He's just a fossile from the past. D.S.: D.S.: You fool. You're just a hundred year young amaeture. D.S.: SO DON'T TALK BIG! Ministers: Ooh! This is the magic power! Ohh. Terrifying. Osborne: Heh? Osborne: Ah?! Blood?! D.S.: Muahahaha. Take that, you fool! Osborne: Damn you.... You've damaged my cute face. I'll kill you..... Osborne: I'll use my biggest, most powerful, most invincible, undefeated spell yet!! Soldiers: What.. what the.. Osborne: D.S.: A thunder spell? Hahaha. You monkey. That thing is useless against me! Osborne: Die, you perverted bastard!! Osborne: D.S.: Kuaaaa!! Yoko: Luche!! Yoko: NOOOOOOOOO!!!! Ministers: HOAH!! It's no good!! Our kingdom is doomed!! Osborne: How's that? How do you like the grill? Eh? Hey! Kyaahahahah! How's that? How's that? How's that? Osborne: Hey you! Can't you say something? D.S.: That didn't hurt. Osborne: Haaaaaa? Osborne: Heiiii!! Osborne: No, no, no, this can't be... Yoko: Ahh!! Luche!! Still alive. Minister: Oh!! D.S.: You shit... You've damaged my cute face!! D.S.: I'LL KILL YOU!!! Osborne: kyaa, hiaa, no, no way.. D.S.: Osborne: Ahh.. Ahh... NO. That spell.... It can't be!! D.S.: Osborne: aaahhh! Please don't kill me! I'll do anything. D.S.: Osborne: Kyeaaaa!!! D.S.: Osborne: Oh my GOD!!! [After the loss of their leader, the beast army all ran away..... but I think I've revived something very dangerous.] Old Minister: I cannot express my gratitude with mere words to you, Thea Noto Yoko, and the 'young' wizard. Princess: I thank the wizard for his strength and bravery..... [Luche looks very different than the one I knew, he's now a very powerful wizard....... The Luche Lenlen I know is still a very fragile boy.] Yoko: How come we left the victory party early? D.S.: Stupid. It's time for the kid to go home and sleep. Besides, I'll be busy from now on. Yoko: What's that? D.S.: Hmm hmm.... I'll tell you this secret. D.S.: First of all, with this new and powerful body, I shall avenge on your father! With the High Priest dead, nobody can get in my way! I will revive the beast army and conquer the world!!!! Hahahahaha!! How's that? Wouldn't that be fun? Yoko: What the.... D.S.: Those who oppose me, whether they're good or bad, will all be destroyed. Yoko: You devil....! [But why is my heart beating so fast when I see this devil? I don't get it...] Yoko: No, stop it!! A spell!? You used a charm spell on me?! How terrible!! D.S.: .....I don't recall....... Yoko: wa...wait Yoko: Luche....do you like me? D.S.: No, I hate you. You always tell me what to do. D.S.: Eh?! What..No way!! Yoko: Waah! Yoko: Huh? The sealing spell is also a virgin's kiss....? Luche: Hey! Where are the monsters? Yoko: Hehe.. They're all gone...... [.......... but this way is okay too.] Yoko: Luche, do you like me? Luche: I LIKE! [Sometimes, I still feel like seeing the other you again.] End ______________________________________________________________________________ Hope you enjoyed that little story. If you have the manga already then it should be no problem to figure out which dialogue goes where. I added some lines here and there, to beef up the translation. If you find any mistakes then chances are they're from me. As stated before, this prelude to Bastard! was written as a stand alone short piece, so you can enjoy it just as it is. I don't think I'll be doing anymore translations for Bastard! - this one took me more than a year to finish - but I can write synopses for it, that is if I ever find time between 3x3 Eyes and Video Girl. A quick preview to what happens later. Dark Schneider, before his reincarnation after the end of the first war, had four students. They managed to survive the first defeat and are now forging a powerful monster army, of which Osborne belonged, against the four kingdoms in the land. Each kingdom contains a seal that locks away a portion of a very, very evil being. The four pupils hope to use that being to destroy the world, and from the ruins create a new order and utopia. There is one problem, however. Their former teacher is now the protector of Metallicana, the last kingdom that is yet unconquered by the demons. Now the wizards must do battle against each other. These Four Sky Lords are - Gara - The Ninja Master. He uses a very powerful sword and has incredible recuperative powers. After D.S. destroys his castle and tears off one of his arms, he is convinced to join D.S. in the battle against the other Sky Lords. (His arm grew back, by the way.) Ashiesu Nei - An elf-human hybrid. She was D.S.'s steady girlfriend. She's over 100 years old, but she looks like an eighteen year old beauty. She can be hot tempered and jealous. When the stars are aligned properly she can even be as powerful as D.S. She is the Thunder Emperor. Abigeiru (Abigail?) - The brain of the four, he organizes the attacks on the four kingdoms. He is also the most evil of the bunch. He commands the dead and heads the army of zombies. Karusu - The Lord of Ice, his power is the exact opposite of D.S. (D.S. commands fire) and he is rumored to have equal, if not surpassing, power as D.S.'s. He will be D.S.'s greatest challenge. The rest, you'll have to find out yourself. :-)