Volume 1
Story and Art by Nagano Mamoru
English Adaptation by Kinokuniya
Copyright © Toys Press, Inc.

So you don't like the thirty-two page monthly manga format? And you've been waiting for someone—anyone—to bring Nagano's FIVE STAR STORIES manga to the United States? Well, it's finally happened. Toys Press, the original publisher, is embarking on an amibitious project. They have started to publish FIVE STAR STORIES in America. On their own. Instead of licensing it to an American comic company, they are trying to do it themselves.
On the one hand, this will result in it seeing a somewhat limited release, since it is only available through Kinokuniya Books at this time. And it is uncertain as to whether it will see widespread release outside of Kinokuniya chains.
On the other hand, the release itself is beautiful. Approximately the size of a NEWTYPE magazine, the English version displays Nagano's trademark art very well. Readers get only eighty pages for their $8.98, but they are nice sized pages on high quality paper. Toys Press has even included 13 color pages of the characters, Mortarheadds, and the FIVE STAR STORIES universe maps.
The first story is a battle between Karrer Crytharis of the Mirage Knights and Vatshu Grard of the Colus Royal Forces. Two of the greatest warriors on opposing sides of the conflict engage in a battle to the death. The second story is probably more familiar to American readers and anime fans, as it chronicles the beginning of the story of Ladios Sopp, the story animated for the movie. But it's only the beginning of his story.
The translation is good. Surprisingly good. Since this was their first attempt, I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I read this volume cover to cover in one sitting and never once stopped to complain. They even translate some of the little footnotes and asides that are written in very small print. But only some of them. It makes me wonder why they didn't do them all. Maybe it was a time constraint. Or maybe it was because the ones left untranslated really didn't add that much.
The ones they did translate really add to and effect the overall mood of the scene. For example, when Voards confronts Sopp about Juba, he paints the man as a degenerate. "If you ask him to, he'll spread honey all over your body and lick off every drop of it." The small print says, "And if so you want first dibbs, right?" with a very embarassed-looking Sopp. Other little asides give information about the FSS universe and equipment.
Of course, the order is Japanese (meaning you read from right to left). And it's even more unmistakably Japanese because they left in all the sound effects. This is explained by the editor, who says that the sound effects were put in by Nagano and are just as much a part of the art as the rest of the panel. There is a sound effects glossary in the back of the book, so those who really want to know can flip back and see exactly what "Kacha" and "Goouu" mean. (Get the book if you want to know). At times, this can be a little like reading Dune, but it's still very enjoyable.
The first volume also comes with an introduction to the story—and indeed an outline of the entire plot for all of the series—by Nagano, and an explanation of the characters, mecha, and the various planets. In short, this is what the FIVE STAR STORIES otaku has been waiting for.
The art is pure Nagano, with very detailed mechanical designs, and everything, including people, have a very elongated, almost emaciated, feel to them. It makes Nagano's characters and mechanical designs unique in the anime and manga world. And the large format shows off his art very nicely. His style, however, does not appeal to everyone. And since it's such a distinct visual style, readers will either love it or hate it. But Nagano has quite a following so the response will probably be very positive.
The volumes are scheduled to come out bimonthly for the rest of the year, and on into the year 2000. In fact, to do this project, the editor says that they had to promise Nagano that they would see this project through to the end of the series, even though the series hasn't even ended in Japan yet. They must be very confident to undertake such a large project. And, having seen the first volume, I think they might have good reason to be so.

(English version) Published by Toys Press
Black and White format, 13 Color pages
ISBN 4-924930-39-3
$8.98
Available now in the USA
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