Boogiepop and Others Novel 1

Rightstuf has released “Boogiepop and Others” Novel 1. It consists of 264 pages at the price of $10. Read review at ANN. Essentials:

The translation and production offered by Seven Seas entertainment should set a standard against which future Japanese novel translations are judged. The translation goes to great lengths to preserve the integrity of the original work, even going as far as giving names in the traditional Japanese order and retaining most honorifics, which are explained at the beginning of the book for those less studied in Japanese culture. Ten pages of translation notes concerning topics which come up throughout the story are tacked on at the end, including an explanation of why the novel is titled “Boogiepop and Others” when “Boogiepop Doesn’t Laugh” or “Boogiepop Doesn’t Smile” would be more accurate translations. (It has to do with the manga release and live-action movie version.) Also included at the end of the novel is an afterward by Kadono, a Roll Call detailing class placements and character relationships for the main cast, and a 17-page preview of Boogiepop Returns, the next novel in the series, which is due out in June 2006. The only concern might be the price. With only a bit more than 200 pages of actual story printed with large font and ample spacing, $9.99 seems a bit high; although in line with the price of manga volumes, it’s significantly more than a paperback novel nearly twice its length would normally sell for.