Hitogatana 1

[This chapter has already been released by Maigo. This is just the original translation. Take note that these translations are very unpolished and completely revamped in our release ^^;;]

Hitogatana (person-katana >.>)
Chapter 1


[back cover]
Crimes involving the use of operation-type armed androids*, "Katana" run rampant.
In order to prevent the increasing Katana crimes, the government organizes the "Anti Katana Crime Division."
Togusa of the 8th squad in the "Anti Katan Crime Division,"
While holding doubts as to the meaning of his existence as a half-human, half-Katana,
Continues to cast himself into battle...
*[how about operated arms android?]

[front flap]
Nice to meet you, I am Onigunsou.
As this is my first serialization and my first tankoubon,
Although I think there may be various unsightly aspects to it,
It would be great if you could take the time to read 「-Hitogatana-」.
Thank you very much.


p.002
Chapter 1 Katana
Chapter 2 Question and Answer
Chapter 3 Eclosion
Chapter 4 (Howdy, World)


p.003
Pant
Pant

Gah

Gyah

Geez...
You’re such a pain.


p.004
But we’ve got you.

Pranks have their boundaries, you know.
Chapter 1: Katana


p.005
Fight fire with fire... (lit. conquer poison with poison)
I see. So you guys are government dogs organized to fight katana.

You think you’re acting all high and mighty?
Makes me want to vomit.

Sure.
Spew it out all you like.

*crackle

Mission complete.
Let’s let them handle the recovery and go home, ane-san.


p.006
Hey,
Don’t put up any strange resistance. Hurry up and lead us in.

!

What’s going on?
Oh,
You’re from the anti katana crime division...

Those robberies that recently were occurring frequently around here,
We caught the katana that was the suspect.


p.007
We came to capture the operator now.
Well, we can finally relax.

Oh, thanks for your hard work.
—Wait, where’s the squad in charge? I don’t see them around.
Ahh... since it’s the eighth squad.

—Eighth squad, is it.
They do their work haphazardly, as usual.


p.008-009
The technology to transfer people’s souls into other containers—
The invention of this miraculous technology was integral to the emergence of androids that can be operated as if it was one’s own body.
Though initially these androids were mainly operated for construction and the medical field,
Soon they were given weaponry and the manufacture of models specialized for combat began.
These “operation-type* armed androids”
—Were called “katana”
*[I put the literal translation here. “sousa,” means operate, control, pilot, etc. is the term used for Katana in this manga so there should be a set term used for it in the translation, as well as for “souse-gata” which is used here. I just felt “operation-type” didn’t sound too natural...]


p.010
—When
Someone’s washing the dishes right here,
What are you pulling out a sake cup and drinking for?

Wha?
Don’t play dumb with me...

I’ll tell you this, please wash it yourself.
—Jeez, you shouldn’t start drinking in the middle of the day.


p.011
It’s different after a job, you know <3

Your weariness from work will be blown away~
Why don’t you try?

No thanks!!
You’re probably just trying to make me an accomplice and clean it up.
Ahahahaha

Isn’t that alright!!?
Your housework’s like a hobby, isn’t it?
What’s with this kogal (kogyaru) burst!?
I can’t believe it!!
I’m super tired after making lunch and cleaning up right after work!


p.012
You weren’t a non-drinker, were you Togusa?
I’m not, but it’s not like I love drinking like you, ane-san –

—Hey, kyaaaa!!
Don’t get so drunk even if you do drink~ (this panel is kind of hard to follow)

Here, here~
Wai–
You reek
Of alcohol
You should obediently enjoy invitations from your elders, eh Togusa~?
This is good sake –

Ane-san,


p.013
For dinner tonight,
I’ll put tomatoes in, is that okay?

I’m so sorry.
......

Abuse of authority, how underhanded.
Please call it a privilege of being in charge of cooking.

.........
Isn’t that abuse of authority...?
Listen to me, ane-san.
Just like you, I’d like to relax during the day. Follow the delineation properly.
Yes...


p.014
......
—Then,

Let’s drink
I said I won’t.

Coward~!!

Ah, the wind feels wonderful.

We still don’t know what could happen.
Is it okay for a kenshi* to be drunk?
*[“Kenshi” is a swordsman or sword-user. It is another special term, and I just left it in Japanese for now.]

It’s fine.
To have to sortie twice in one day,
There’s little chance of that.


p.015
Today at around 11 am,
The repeated robberies in I City —...

Must be the guy from before.

These incidents started occurring early this month—
—What was used to carry out these crimes

Was the operation-type armed android
Known as “Katana”


p.016
—The suspect utilized a katana robbed (money and goods, Japanese has the perfect vague, copout terms >.>) from a total of 5 stores such as jewelry stores.
In addition, three men suffered (light and severe) injuries from the katana’s flamethrower, its characteristic (sort of like “unique”) weapon.

.........

Togusa,
The next part
?
The ones who captured it were from the anti katana crime division—


p.017
Though they are experts who hunt down other operation-type armed androids to prevent crimes committed by katana—

Yeaah!! I look so cool!!
...Hey,
Well, it is the fruits of my actions!!

The one who gets in trouble from these antics is the oyassan (old man)!!
Tehee
Don’t “tehee” me!!

I really feel bad for oyassan now.
Sorry, sorry.


p.018
In order to combat the rising trend in katana crimes
Back: the increasing “katana” crimes
The strengthening of these kinds of organizations is being desired.

Those idiots.
Even if there are katana, there aren’t enough skilled kenshi to control them.
There’s also a shortage of swordsmiths (toushou, another term with a special meaning) who are in charge of maintenance.

Speak of the devil, seems our swordsmith’s back.


p.019
Hey, (anything more... manly?)
I’m back young ’uns

Welcome back from reporting.
What a hassle.
[Originally Togusa says thanks for your hard work (on the report) with “otsukare” which literally is something like “you must be tired from,” and gramps (okay, he’s not that old, maybe uncle) goes you got that right, referring to the literal meaning.]

...Yachiyo,
...Mm?

Are you drinking in the middle of the day!?
Tehee.
Don’t “tehee” me!!


p.020
Seriously,
You’re slacking off.
Isn’t it fine? We finished our work and all.

Huh? Oyassan,

Did you get meat again?
...Oh, yes.

For some reason the young lass (“daughter”) there always lets me have some...?
?
She’s fallen in love...


p.021
How is it, Togusa?

It’s good meat.
We have eggs, so let’s buy some vegetables and have sukiyaki for dinner.

Woohoo! It’s not tomatoes!!
Vegetables will on a limited time sale today so they will be cheap.
...You’re such a househusband.

—And,
Did you put away Tsurumaru properly?

It’s all completed.


p.022
Hm.
Did you get your checkup, Togusa?
Oh... I’m going next week.

—I’m sorry
For making you go through so much trouble every time.
So there are still many who have an issue with you.
It’s hard to deal with those bigots.

...It doesn’t bother me,
Since that’s all there I have to do. [oh noes, we didn’t fix this one!]
In fact I’m thankful.


p.023

Hm.

All right.
That’s enough for the dreary talk.

You guys worked hard this time too.
I splurged and bought some good sake!!
Let’s have a round tonight with this and sukiyaki!!

Alriiiiiight!
P, please don’t feed ane-san anymore than this!!


p.024
What~!!?
I’ll bear with it until night time!
Of course.
That’s what you say, but the moment we take our eyes off of you, you’ll put your hands on it...
Oh, it’s amazake.

*Vrrrrr

—It’s Tsukiyama.
...Yeah, I just got back after finishing the report.
You like sweet things, don’t you...
More than dry* stuff
*[alcohol that is “free from sweetness and fruity flavor”]
What is it, you’re being so roundabout. If you have something to say, say it.

—

.........


p.025
The hell are you saying, dumbfuck!!*
Our team just finished digesting a case,
Go and ask another squad for that, piss off!!*
*[He actually uses some old language here that I can’t fully replicate]

...Huuh?
All of them are working on other cases and you can’t ask them...?

......

...I got it, there’s no other way.
...
Disquieting atmosphere...
But increase our compensation by 30%.
Yeah, of course. See you.


p.026
*click

...Um,
Was that...

Sorry,
They asked me to do another job.

.........

—For real...?


p.027

——!!
A “katana”...!!

Hey, hey, heeey,
Is that all you got?


p.028
—This is beyond ridiculous!!
This won’t even be a warm up!!

—!
Fire!!

You’re too soft.*
*[“amai,” literally sweet, kind of like naïve or not harsh/good enough, though I didn’t know how I should put it...]


p.029

Merely obsessed with the display of his own power,
He commits crimes for pleasure.*
*[is there a word for a criminal like this >.< also on next page...]

Fortunately they succeeded in placing a tracking device on him.
They’re finally leaving us the rest to us.


p.030
—Well, that’s how it is.
What’s up with that?

We’re unlucky that there are no other free hands.

.........
There’s got to be a limit to ridiculousness like criminals doing it for pleasure...

Really, each and
Every one of them,


p.031
All they can see a katana as is a weapon.*
*[The word I use for weapon from now on is not really just any weapon, but kind of a “tool for destruction/murder,” especially for page 65]

Togusa...

Ow!!

Togusa,
You’re looking too glum.


p.032
If there’s something you want to say, first you should stop his rampage.
Make up your mind and suck it up.

*slip

.........

You’re right, exactly.

As long as you get it!!
—Hey, kid,


p.033
About the sale on the vegetables,
What time does it start?

From 5 o’clock.

Let’s finish it up by then.

Aye~


p.034
I’ll leave the preparations to sortie to you.
Let’s end it quickly and go with a grand sukiyaki party. But ane-san, you have to make sure to clean –
Alright!!

Got it! (agreed, understood)


p.035
It’s our second sortie,

“Tsurumaru”

You know, Tsuki-chan, can’t you get this transfer apparatus to be smaller?
Don’t say something so absurd.
Come on, let’s get ready.


p.036
—Togusa,

Seems to have stuff on his mind since there’re so many incidents.

Well, yeah.
There’s no helping it.

That kid’s still quite a child.
But,

Well, that’s what’s cute about him, though.


p.037
Hm.
You’re just like a real big sister.

That’s not so bad.

Yachiyo, insert the key.
I’m going to start transferring your soul.

Sure thing.


p.038

Setup.

From Yachiyo Seri,
To operation-type armed android, inscribed blade “Tsurumaru.”


p.039
Commencing the soul transfer.

Three,

Two,

One......


p.040

—Zero.

Go get ‘em, Yachiyo.


p.041
My real body over there,

Don’t do anything weird to it while I’m inside here.

Like I would!!

Would you get going already.

Just try not to die out there.


p.042
Ah,

That was awful, ane-san.
What is it all of a sudden?

Cleaning up.
You went without doing it after all.

Oh, I forgot.
And you were drinking, are you okay?
Oh, that stuff’s like water.
Lies!!
What are you doing!

I sent the tracking device information to Tsurumaru.
From squad leader Tsukiyama Juuzou: Anti Katana Crime Division, Eight Squad, roll out.
[I got tired of sortie >.>]


p.043
Okay.


p.044

More about the criminal,
!?

The katana used for the crime this time is named “Koryuu Kagemitsu.” The point to be wary of is his left arm, but...
The criminal is the apprentice swordsmith who made it.*
*[The last connected box has apprentice in it, but I could make that work.]


p.045
He had disappeared along with Koryuu Kagemitsu.

There are no traces of Kagemitsu crossing hands illegally (black market stuff I guess) since then.

The apprentice must have taken it and kept it for himself.
Killing his own master.

—He really

Is worthless.


p.046

Now what if our afternoon relaxing time disappears...
Ahahaha!! Can’t forgive him for that.

We just have to destroy* him.
*[I wasn’t feeling too creative >.>]
Let’s use up three filled gauges.

Right.

...They’ve come.


p.047

...Um, isn’t there no on here?
The signal’s coming from over here.

Heck, the signal says the enemy’s right in front of us.
Then that’s even stranger!!
There’s only a pillar in front of –

——
What’s wrong?

—Is that,
Not the tracking device...?


p.048
—Oh,


p.049
Th – [I’m not sure what he’s trying to say]

Togusa!!


p.050
You’re a katana...
Anti Katana Crime Division... They forked over some quality goods!!

Too much of a luxury for someone like you.


p.051
—Baloney.
!!

—You
Little!!


p.052
!!

Tsk.

In that position,

!
Let’s see,


p.053
If
You
Can
Dodge

This

Easy, that’s easy.

Ugh.


p.054

.........

—What the.
Were you expert in name only after all?
I see that you’re greatly lacking in human resources.
Such a clumsy kenshi –


p.055
And one plain human.
That’s just too weak.

...Why

Do you brandish a sword against people?

Why?
Because katana are purely weapons.
These guys seek blood.
Construction or medical purposes are just a deception.
I can hear the voice that tells me they want me to use them for violence.


p.056
That old fart didn’t understand the voice.
Save people with androids? Stop shitting me!
That’s why I

Let this guy loose!!
This guy went mad with euphoria when it killed that old fart.

—That’s what it seems.


p.057
Togusa.

This man,

Well, basically, that’s the kind of guy he is.

*crack
There’s no salvation for him.


p.058
...That’s ridiculous.
How could a human in the flesh take a hit from a katana...
What’s more, a strike from Kagemitsu’s left?

There are a few reasons.

You may be thinking you are moving comfortably, but first of all you are not using it to its fullest. (something along the lines of not using it skillfully...)
!!
You are far from the handling of a kenshi.

There’s also, well,
It’s an exception,


p.059
For a certain unavoidable reason, though I am half human,
My other half is katana.

I can’t die from a half-assed attack.


p.060
I didn’t know about that...
I’ve never heard of a katana like that.

—Togusa,

Switch.

Sorry,
There’s still some alcohol left after all...

Sure thing.

Please pay this back to me back three times over.


p.061
—And that’s how it is.
I’ll give you your last rites, so come at me.

Shut your mouth!!


p.062

Two will be enough.


p.063
[none]


p.064
Urgh,
*chink

The first one
To seal off your left arm.

And then—

The second one to bring you down.
This is the end.


p.065
...God,
Dammiiii!!


p.066-67

—Splendid (well done)


p.068-69
—I’ll tell you,
A katana is not a weapon.
What makes it like that,

Is simply just your madness. (slight pun here: kyouki is spelled the same for madness and weapon)


p.070
Aaah~ we’re done, we’re done.
Ane-san, you’re being too loud...
Isn’t it fine? I feel liberated after work.
I helped with shopping since I owe you, you can overlook this much at least.

Today you’ll drink too, right?

Well, today,
That was pretty tiring.

I’m also in the mood for something like that.

Aah, the sunset is beautiful too. We’ll be able to drink well.
I agree.
So you’re starting to get what they call good taste.


p.071

...They’re taking a while.
Even though I set everything up...

...They must be dillydallying while chatting it up again...

Today

Was our first time having two fights in a row,
And we might be getting more and more work from now on.


p.072
But, well,
If it’s for the sake of protecting these peaceful moments (time) like this,
I can’t help but feel like there’s no helping it.

—I feel the same!! (concur)

So there are times you get sentimental too.
L, let’s hurry and get home. Oyassan probably has his legs all numb and –
*Vrrr
*beep
How long are you gonna loaf around!!
Yes, yes, we’ll go home right now.