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Base => News and Announcements => Topic started by: Turian on June 05, 2011, 09:10:04 AM

Title: Mega Man/Rockman Gigamix vol 1 review.
Post by: Turian on June 05, 2011, 09:10:04 AM
I was recently contacted by Matt Moylan from Udon, he wrote asking me if Rockman Pm would care to write a review for Gigamix. I graciously accepted and the resulting review is my take on Gigamix. I hope you enjoy it!

(http://s1.postimage.org/2daduiuv8/Gigamix_Vol1_cover.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/2daduiuv8/)


Mega Man Gigamix Vol 1 is the most recent translation by Udon of the Rockman Gigamix series by Hitoshi Ariga. This mange represents Ariga's more mature take on Rockman, and it features excellent artwork to boot! The book opens up with a nice recap of what happened in Megamix to bring you up to speed, however if you haven't read Megamix your missing out on a lot of goodness, so go get it already!

The art in this book is phenomenal; Ariga has without a doubt improved on his technique in every way since Megamix was released years ago. Not only that, but the touches added to the book such as cameos from Rockman Dash characters and Rockman.exe, are a joy to read and add to the artwork enriching the experience.  

Ariga's action scenes are well laid out and easy to follow. The robot masters use their weapons in very clever ways and are a joy to follow. Ariga even takes a cue from the ruby spears cartoon and has Mega Man steal a robot master's weapon with a simple tough of his hand. I love these kinds of nods, and they really go a long way into the charm factor.  

(http://s1.postimage.org/2dar2tmtg/Gigamix_Vol1_pg2.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/2dar2tmtg/)


Asteroid Blues was my favorite story in this book as it introduces Breakman, who looks amazing, and retells the story from Rockman 3 with startling detail, while remaining fresh at the same time. Without giving too much of the story away I want to say that I was left wondering about Wily’s methods of success until near the end of the story.  At first, I thought maybe he was a robot, but the actual truth explains a couple of things about the Ariga version of the Rockman universe.

(http://s1.postimage.org/2dah5ljus/Gigamix01_lettered3.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/2dah5ljus/)

While I did not enjoy Burning Wheel as much as Asteroid Blues, I will say that the story kept my attention all the way through. Some of the plot was silly, yet that is the kind of silliness that is makes Ariga's work charming.  The rush bike from Mega man 8 makes an appearance here, and as a fan of that mode, I appreciate it! Also it's shown that Dr.Wily is not a total bad guy, as he lets Roll live.

Both stories lay out a great take on the Mega Man universe and I cannot wait for Vol. 2 to hit stands!

I would recommend Mega Man Gigamix Vol.1 to any Mega Man/Rockman fans that haven’t read the original Japanese Manga because of a lack of the Japanese language. This translation is superb and offers a great telling of Ariga's story.
Title: Re: Mega Man/Rockman Gigamix vol 1 review.
Post by: Krystal on June 13, 2011, 01:36:57 PM
Compared this to the original Japanese version, and there was one thing I noticed in the Udon translated that had to be changed, and hence lost its entire impact.
Not sure if it's spoiler-y but hey I'll put it in tags anyway.

[spoiler]
Towards the end of Asteroid Blues (the name itself which has lost all meaning), Proto Man reminisces back to one of his first experiences with Dr. Light, where Light is playing some music.

English:
Proto: Doctor... What is this sound?
Light: It's called 'music', my dear boy.
This particular type of music is known as 'blues'. Do you like it?

Japanese:
Blues: Doctor... What is this sound? (博士… こ音はなんですか?)
Light: ...This is something called 'music' (……これは音楽というものだよ)
The one that you're hearing now is 'blues'... The same as your name.... (今 聴くせてるのはブルース…… お前の名と同じ……)

Wording slightly differently for speech reasons and whatnot aside, the difference that stands out here is Light's last line. Well yeah, the entire point of Blues listening to, well, blues, is completely lost after his name localisation to Proto Man. It's not that I don't like the localised name, but the lost meaning is somewhat sad, really.

Wonder what the translators thought when they had to write that out.
[/spoiler]
EDIT: Now with moonrunes in the Jp ver~

Posted on: June 13, 2011, 07:36:41 PM
Extra:
[spoiler=exactlythesameexceptlanguage.jpg](http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/7350/exactlythesameexceptlan.jpg)
They look very...similar side by side. The Eng version has an extra colour insert, full colour prints on the inside cover instead of cut off images on the sleeve, a 'how to read' at the back (for the manga n00bs), and different manga ads (but of course). [/spoiler]

I just found the similarities very interesting \o/
Title: Re: Mega Man/Rockman Gigamix vol 1 review.
Post by: Blackhook on June 13, 2011, 02:24:14 PM
Funny how Archie's Megaman kept the name Blues
Title: Re: Mega Man/Rockman Gigamix vol 1 review.
Post by: Krystal on June 13, 2011, 02:54:34 PM
I was surprised too, I'm gonna guess that he'll go from Blues -> Break Man -> Proto Man in that comic. Can't imagine them leaving out the name localisation for the entire thing >_>a
But if you can keep the name Rock for a 'civilian name' (not that anyone names their kids Rock, but hey!), then it only makes sense that Light will name his first robot with a 'civilian name' as well.

Ariga's manga doesn't allow for stuffs like that though, since there were no name changes in the jp ver :V
Title: Re: Mega Man/Rockman Gigamix vol 1 review.
Post by: Protoman Blues on June 13, 2011, 07:30:01 PM
I always went by the fact that Blues is ProtoMan's civilian name.
Title: Re: Mega Man/Rockman Gigamix vol 1 review.
Post by: Flame on June 14, 2011, 03:34:57 AM
Like Rock is Mega Man's. I like the idea myself honestly.
Title: Re: Mega Man/Rockman Gigamix vol 1 review.
Post by: Zan on June 14, 2011, 11:10:06 AM
IMO, with both "Blues" and "Proto Man" at the same time, "Break Man" is in jeopardy as his combat model name.

The "Proto Man" name shouldn't exist. >_> Also, the name is "Right."
Title: Re: Mega Man/Rockman Gigamix vol 1 review.
Post by: Blackhook on June 14, 2011, 11:49:22 AM
Break Man could pass as an evil alias :D
Title: Re: Mega Man/Rockman Gigamix vol 1 review.
Post by: Krystal on June 14, 2011, 03:13:59 PM
If it really is doctor 'right', then why is the surname equivalent in the BN universe 'hikari'?
Title: Re: Mega Man/Rockman Gigamix vol 1 review.
Post by: Blackhook on June 14, 2011, 04:13:13 PM
Apparently, I've read that Tadashi Hikari means 'Right Light'?
Title: Re: Mega Man/Rockman Gigamix vol 1 review.
Post by: Krystal on June 14, 2011, 04:23:01 PM
Oh yeeah I forgot about that...Still, Ariga ends up using the 'light' meaning in Gigamix