Mangahelpers Translations

Mangahelpers Translations https://mangahelpers.com/translators/rss 2014-05-09T19:54:48+00:00 /favicon.ico MangaHelpers Admins admin@mangahelpers.com https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/39806 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 20 by lynxian 2014-05-09T19:54:48+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

Translation reserved for iMangascans.

If you translate this into another language, PLEASE credit me (lynxian) as the original Japanese to English translator in your release. If you can't/won't do that, then don't use my translation.

All page numbers are from the tankobon, to make things easier.

-------------

[p067]

(Kasumi): I don't need to think about... winning or losing.
(Kasumi): All I want is the same sort of enjoyment that Kamine-kun and Tokisaka-kun showed me that day.

(Kasumi): I've taken the "easy" way out and turned away from reality, from Mizuki, and from what I "enjoy."

(Kasumi): To my

(Kasumi): old self,

(Kasumi): I say... goodbye!!

[p068]

(right): Opus 20: Goddess of the Storm
(song reference: Arashi no Megami by Utada Hikaru)

[p069]

Crowd: Who is that on the piccolo?!
Crowd: Fukikoshi Mizuki's older sister...?! I didn't know she had one...!!

Crowd: I know about the younger sister, but...
Crowd: I'd heard that she had already surpassed her older sister in middle school?!!

(Kasumi): Mizuki... I'm going to be a bit selfish here...!
(Kasumi): I also... want to enjoy the present!

[p070]

Mizuki: ...This... taste...
Mizuki: O...

Mizuki: Oneechan...!!!

(Mizuki): She's... finally back... the sister I admired
(Mizuki): and strove to be like, whose sound until that day was more beautiful than anyone else's...!!

[p071]

(Mizuki): ...Rather, there are even more flavors to her playing!!
(Mizuki): Sweet, spicy, and sour... there's even a bitterness which accents the taste...!!

(Mizuki): Amazing...
(Mizuki): What did you do for my sister...?

Box: Even if you hate competing... everyone has something they put their all into.
勝負が嫌でも。。。誰でも何かを頑張ってんだ
Box: Something they'll fight for.
Box: Fukikoshi-senpai realized... that she needs to fight "to keep enjoying herself."
Box: That's all... that Tokisaka and I conveyed to her.

[p072/073]

Box: A beautiful, fleeting flower

Box: has changed into a beautiful, strong goddess!!

(Miki): She did an incredible job... on that final solo...!

(audience, black sfx): Silence

Kamine: ...Wh...
Kamine: Huh...?
Kamine: Was it...
Kamine: not... good enough?

[p074/075]

Ichou: Not at all.

Ichou: Bravo.

Crowd: Wow!!
Crowd: Well done!!
Crowd: That was so moving!!

(Gouken): "A first-rate performance brings the audience to their feet."

(Gouken): But "the best performances
(Gouken): first stun people into silence."

Ichou: So this is your stage debut...

[p076]

(Ichou): You truly are interesting beyond measure,
(Ichou): Kamine Shouta!!

Mizuki: Oneechan!!

Mizuki: Oneechan!!
Kasumi: Yeah.
Mizuki: Oneechan!!
(sfx): Pat pat
Kasumi: It's alright.

Box: The 3rd performance is Takekaze's...
Box: ...It's starting.

[p077]

Box: Ichou's conducting!

[p078]

Crowd: "Carmina Burana"!!
Crowd: That song's famous!
Crowd: It's played on the variety show "Hoko x Tate", isn't it?

Box: What magnificence.
Box: The ambiance of the piece, coupled with
Box: an overwhelming sound pressure
Box: that you'd never think is coming from a mere 30 people...!!

Crowd: Is he really only 16?!
Crowd: How did he get that good?
Crowd: My goosebumps are getting goosebumps...!!

Box: This transcends making the audience feel moved or stunning them into silence.
Box: It's... a sense of dread toward something which has far surpassed yourself.

[p079]

Box: What's in front of me is so awe-inspiring
Box: that I can't help but respect him...!!!

Box: So there's still
Box: this much of a difference between us!!!
Box: Am I

(Kamine, fading text): going to lose...?

Girl: Hey, this is bad, isn't it?
Girl: It was kept secret until the day of, so we ended up...

[p080]

Girl: overlapping like this.

Kamine: Um... what are you talking about?
Girl: You haven't seen it yet, Kamine?

Girl: The thing is...
(sfx): Thud

Mizuki: O-
Mizuki: Oneechan?!!

[p081]

Kamine: Fukikoshi-senpai?!!

Kodama: What a high fever...!!
Kodama: To think she stood on stage in this condition...!!

Karin: She was hiding...
Kasumi: Ah, it's so cold, isn't it? I don't handle winter well~
Karin: You're shivering way too much, Kasumin.
Karin: the fact that she'd caught a cold...

Kodama: Mizuki-san, are your parents here?
Mizuki: No, they had to work...
Kodama: Tamaru-sensei, where is the closest hospital...?
Tamaru: It's about 10 minutes from here by car.

Kodama: Everyone from Meien, listen up.

[p082]

Kodama: I need to take Fukikoshi to the hospital.
Kodama: I expect I will also have to wait there with her.

Kodama: I won't be able
Kodama: to conduct our third song.

Band: No way...
Band: What are we supposed to do?!

Tamaru: These are unforeseen circumstances.
Tamaru: We can extend the intermission between your 2nd and 3rd portions... and I could conduct for you, if you'd like?
Kodama: No... I don't wish to trouble you.

Kodama: Our third song is "El Cumbanchero."
Kodama: This is a tough decision...!!

[p083]

Kodama: You can conduct it, can't you.
Kodama: Kamine!!!

Kasumi: Do it... Kamine-kun.

Kasumi: I know... that you always studied hard in the back of the room
Kasumi: during our rehearsals of "El Cumbanchero"...

[p084]

Kasumi: I have to leave for a bit, but

Kasumi: I'll be with you all in spirit!
わたしも皆と一緒だから!
(sfx): Smile

Kamine: Please allow me
Kamine: to conduct it!!!

(students' sfx): Chatter chatter

Otowa: Good timing.
(sfx): Grin
Otowa: I've got some very bad news, Kamine.

[p085]

Otowa: You've been so focused on "Kobiki-uta" that you haven't taken a good look at the program, right?
Otowa: Even if this sort of thing happens, it can't be changed... that's why I love the Tenrai Wind Festival.

Otowa: Our third song, "El Cumbanchero",
(program):
3rd Portion
Sonitus Academy High School | Jupiter from "The Planets" Suite | G. Holst
Meien High School | El Cumbanchero | R. Hernández
Takekaze High School | El Cumbanchero | R. Hernández
Tenrai High School | Disney medley
Otowa: is also being performed... by Ichou Eiichi's Takekaze High School.

[p086]

(left):
KASUMI FUKIKOSHI (Kasumin)

Birthday: April 14th
Height: A little taller than Karin
Main instrument: Flute
Sub instrument: Piccolo
Favorite food: Tarts
Favorite music: Rock, pop

When she was a kid, she played the folk song Yagi-bushi on a shinobue (Japanese transverse flute) at a festival.

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/39805 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 19 by lynxian 2014-05-09T19:53:12+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

Translation reserved for iMangascans.

If you translate this into another language, PLEASE credit me (lynxian) as the original Japanese to English translator in your release. If you can't/won't do that, then don't use my translation.

All page numbers are from the tankobon, to make things easier.

-------------

[p045]

Mizuki: Beat me? Can oneechan even do that?
Box: Both of them are right. I can't deny either of their viewpoints, so
Box: I'll... do as I see fit.
Kasumi: Kamine-kun... I'm not cut out for something like that...

(Gouken): "What do you want to do, 'conductor' Kamine Shouta?"
Box: But...
Box: To prevent Fukikoshi-senpai from becoming unable to play her instrument,

Box: I'll go with this method, as it's how I want
Box: to handle the matter.

Kamine: I might be speaking out of turn, but...
(on paper):
Voting Results
Abstain
○Flute
Kamine: I think that... Fukikoshi-senpai doesn't get involved when it's

[p046]

Kamine: a matter of winning or losing...
Kamine: because to her, that's the easiest option.
(bottom): Opus 19: Memories of tomorrow

Kasumi: Th...that's not true...
Kasumi: I told you... that I want to enjoy playing...
Kamine: ...Do

Kamine: you still truly
sfx bubble: Rattle rattle
Kamine: enjoy playing?
Kasumi: Eh?

Kamine: Not that long ago... I thought it best not to get involved with anyone... but
Kamine: I was just taking the easy way out.
Kamine: I would probably have never realized it if I hadn't met Tokisaka and started playing music.

[p047]

Kamine: I chose the "easy way", but I didn't "enjoy" it in the slightest.
Kamine: Rather, it sapped all the enjoyment from everything...

Kamine: All my old methods are out the window,
Kamine: and I can say straight-out

Kamine: that things are far more enjoyable now
Kamine: than they were until yesterday!!

Kasumi: I...
Kasumi: I'm...

Mizuki: You really are weird, coming here to say such a thing
Mizuki: right before a performance.

[p048]

Mizuki: Well, whatever oneechan says,
Mizuki: we're going into this with all we've got, to win.

Mizuki: I'll be waiting... oneechan.

Kamine: Fukikoshi-senpai!
Kamine: Why don't you, Tokisaka and I have a session together!
Kasumi: Whaa?!

Toki: Kamine, you play the piano instead of conducting.
Kamine: I'm still practicing playing "Twinkle, Twinkle" with one hand, so that's kinda beyond my skill level...
Toki: It's fine, we'll do an arrangement of it.
いいだろ僕らがアレンジするよ
Kamine: Seriously?! Count me in!

(Kasumi): These two

(Kasumi): really...

[p049]

Toki: Don't mess up, now!
(sfx): Ahahahahaha
Kamine: Shut up!
(Kasumi): seem like
(Kasumi): they're having a lot of fun.

(Kasumi): Since that day...
(Kasumi): Have I really been able to enjoy music...?

Kamine: Let's go once more from the top, please!!
(left): Tokisaka, let's really have some fun with this

(Toki sfx): Nod

(Kasumi): Am I...

[p050]

???: They opened up the service entrance by the track. Bring it over there.

Souma: Time sure flies... it's already time for the real thing.
Toki: It really does.
Utebi: There we go.

Oura: Hm? Aren't we missing Kamine?
Karin: I bet he's shaking in his boots.

Karin: See? That person shaking up a storm over there is...

Kasumi: Ah, it's so cold, isn't it? I don't handle winter well~
Karin: Kasumin!!
(small text): You're shivering way too much.

???: There he is! And Kodama-sensei's with him!

Kodama: Sorry, this only arrived a little while ago... well, shall we go in?

[p051]

Utebi: You nervous, Kamine?
Utebi: Just think of today as a "rehearsal."

Souma: That's right. Just conduct
Souma: the way you always do.

Otowa: Let's stir up some trouble.

Karin: Make sure you do it right, okay!

Miki: I'm going to
Miki: follow your directions to the letter!

Oura: That... looks good on you.

Toki: Kamine.

Toki: This is
Toki: our debut battle!!

Kamine: ...Yeah.

[p052/053]

Kamine: Let's go.

Kodama: The "Tenrai Wind Festival" is broken up into three portions,
Kodama: and, in each, four schools take turns performing one song apiece.
Kodama: Normally, that would be inconceivable, but
Kodama: this facility's "double stage" system makes it possible.

(right): Tokisaka Hibiki's {this is a double stage!!} info corner
(the { } part is what's in the bubble, for reference)
(left):
In a standard concert, it takes time to transport the percussion instruments and set up the performers, but...
The Tenrai Symphony Hall has 2 stages in place, so while the next group to perform is getting ready on one stage, another group can already be performing on the second. As a result, the audience isn't kept waiting.
(above Tokisaka): It's just like the FNS Music Festival!
(diagram):
Wings | {Take} {Soni} Stage A | 1st floor seats | 2nd floor seats | 3rd floor seats
{Ten} {Meien} Stage B

Kodama: The piece Kamine is conducting, "Kobiki-uta",
Kodama: is the 2nd performance of the second portion.
(left):
2nd Portion
Selections from The Nutcracker Suite
Kobiki-uta for concert band
Carmina Burana
Shinato no jakuso

[p054]

Toki: Takekaze is performing now... are you sure about not going to listen to them?
Kamine: So our first number's finished, huh.

Kamine: This is the first time I'll be standing in front of people, so
Kamine: it's kinda got me scared out of my mind...

Toki: It's customary to play a free piece which was performed in that year's competition for the first portion of the festival.
Toki: It's a sendoff of sorts, where the 1st and 2nd years, who will form the "main body" of the band next year after the 3rd years have retired, show just how much they can do on their own.
Box: In concert band competitions, a total of two songs are performed. The band selects a "required piece" from a predetermined list of 4-5 songs, as well as a "free piece" they want to play!
Toki: However, the second and third portions feature songs which were chosen with the audience in mind.

Toki: In other words, the real Tenrai Wind Festival starts with the second portion.
Toki: From here on out, the audience and performers will have an enthusiasm boost!!

[p055]

Toki: And you've been entrusted with conducting that second portion!
Toki: That's really impressive!!
Toki: You, who are making your debut as a beginner,

Toki: will direct us.
Toki: You can definitely pull it off.

Kamine: Yeah!

???: Well, then,
???: let's head back in.

[p056]

Announcer: The first performance of the second portion is by Sonitus Academy High School...
Announcer: The song is...
???: It's almost time...!

Toki: "Dance of the Reed Flutes"!

Kamine: They're...

[p057]

Kamine: using a song where the flute takes center stage?!
Kamine: Fukikoshi Mizuki...
Kamine: She plans to make a real contest of this...!!

Crowd: The flute sounds beautiful!
Crowd: This is the song from that SoftBank commercial, isn't it?
Crowd: Fukikoshi Mizuki is truly talented!
Crowd: She's been famous since middle school, y'know.

(Mizuki): I had to be unreasonable to our faculty advisor
顧問(せんせい)に無理言ってやらせてもらったの
(Mizuki): so I could give your ears a real taste of my true ability...!
わたしの実力をはっきり聴いてもらうために...!

Toki: ...A standing ovation...!!
Toki: That's the greatest praise you can get...!

[p058]

Box: ...It's finally
Box: my turn...!!
Kodama: Kamine.

Kodama: "Bow when you're introduced" and "only start conducting once the applause has stopped." Don't forget.
Kamine: ...Right.

Kodama: As for the rest,
Kodama: do as you see fit.

Kamine: I will!

[p059]

Crowd: It's a student...
Crowd: Where's their faculty advisor?
Announcer: The second performance is by Meien High School...
Crowd: Who is he?
Crowd: Can he actually conduct?

Box: Dammit... thousands of unfamiliar hearts... are focused on me...
Box: I'm... going to lose my mind...!!

[p060]

Box: Dammit... I wanna get out of here...!!

Box: ...But
Box: I am a conductor.

Box: I will guide the music... to reach
Box: even this audience's hearts!!

[p061]

Box: In this piece, Fukikoshi-senpai can take center stage with

Box: the piccolo solo from the 2nd movement "Bon Dance" and the flute solo from the 3rd movement "Morning Song."
Box: I'll put a lot of energy into those parts.

Box: Everything else...
(conducting):
Tenor sax, sing out
with all you've got
Box: Depends on you...!!

[p062]

(Kasumi): I kept... thinking yesterday,
(Kasumi): and couldn't sleep a wink.

(Kasumi): Even though all I wanted was to enjoy playing music...
(Kasumi): How... did such a horrible thing end up happening?

(Kasumi): No... in truth, I know exactly how.

(Kasumi): If I had only not cared about winning or losing from the start, I wouldn't be repeating the mistake I made back then.
最初から勝ち負けなんかに関わらなければあの時の誤ちを二度としないで済む
(Kasumi): I'd thought that was the only way I could make it up to Mizuki.
(Kasumi): By doing so, I turned my back on a lot of things.

(Kasumi): But, strangely enough, what Kamine-kun said made me realize

(Kasumi): that my enjoyment has probably
(Kasumi): diminished little by little since that day...

[p063]

(Kasumi): What should I do,
(Kasumi): Kamine-kun?

(Mizuki): I'll be waiting... oneechan.

(Kasumi): I see... it's okay this way, right?

[p064/065]

(Kasumi sfx): Turn

Mizuki: Onee...
Mizuki: chan?

(conducting rainbow): Say goodbye

Kasumi: Goodbye.

Mizuki: Eh?!

[p066]

(left):
MIZUKI FUKIKOSHI

Birthday: March 9th
Height: Same as Moko
Main instrument: Flute
Favorite food: Mille crepe
Favorite music: Classical, J-POP

She's a BACCHIRI-BEAR fan.

(note: Bacchiri-bear is a clothing/accessory brand that appears in the mangaka’s previous work LIGHTWING.)

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/39545 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 18 by lynxian 2014-03-08T21:47:12+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

Translation reserved for iMangascans.

If you translate this into another language, PLEASE credit me (lynxian) as the original Japanese to English translator in your release. If you can't/won't do that, then don't use my translation.

-------------

[p001]

Box: I've got no idea just how amazing the "world-renowned conductor" is, but
(right): A sudden encounter...
Box: there's no way he'd be hanging out in a place like this.

Box: ...This old man
Ichou: Graaandpa!!

Ichou: I keep telling you that you can't just up and vanish without a word like that!!
Ichou: You're causing trouble for the staff, you know!!
Box: has really pissed off his grandson!!
(sfx): Eep!

Ichou: C'mon, it's time to go!
Gouken: Wait! Hold on.. Eiichi!

Gouken: Just give me a second!
Gouken: Hey, lad.

[p002]

Gouken: You look like something's weighing on you heavily.
Gouken: What's troubling you?
(right):
Opus 18: The world of the world-renowned Ichou
Shinkai Hideo

Kamine: Um... could
Kamine: I ask you something?

[p003]

Kamine: If you have someone trying to enjoy playing music,
Kamine: and someone trying to make music that's greater than anyone else's,
Kamine: which... is the right mindset?

Kamine: I don't know... and because of that,
Kamine: my concert band senpai's heart might end up withering.

Kamine: What do you
Kamine: think I should do?

[p004]

Gouken: Beats me.

Gouken: Your troubles are more of a pain than I expected.
Gouken: If you're a high schooler, love troubles should be the only option, y'know!

Gouken: Right, then! How about I tell you a racy story that actually happened during one of my European tours.
Ichou: Grandpa!
Gouken: This one got Eiichi all excited, too.
Ichou: GRAMPS!!

Gouken: Sheesh.
Gouken: You youngins sure can't take a joke.

Gouken: Saying someone's heart is going to wither is an interesting way of putting it.
Gouken: It's as if you truly see it that way.

Gouken: What do you see when you look at me?

[p005]

Box: ...I don't
Gouken: Why are you so surprised?
(small text): Fua fua fua.
Box: understand this old man at all.

Box: Right as I'm wondering whether he's just fooling around or not, he suddenly cuts straight to the point.
Box: With a shape and size that are both inexpressible, and an overall image I can't quite grasp,
Box: his heart is unfathomable.

Gouken: You've
Gouken: got some time to kill, right?

(sign top): Today's Event
(sign body): A performance by Ichou Gouken, coming off his successful tour abroad, and the SHK Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra
Box: Ah...!

[p006]

Gouken: Give it a listen
Gouken: from the box seats.

Ichou: We would disrupt the people backstage, so we'll watch quietly from the wings.

Ichou: It's starting...

[p007]

Box: Th...this is the conducting of the "world-renowned Ichou"!!

Box: It's nothing like I imagined.
Box: I thought he'd take control of every detail himself, but
たった一人で1から10まで仕切ってると思ってたのに

Box: first he seems to wave the baton candidly,

Box: then his movements suddenly become strict and forceful.

Box: And after all that, he stops waving the baton entirely and even listens like a spectator...

Box: He's just doing whatever he wants...!!
Box: And yet...!!

[p008/009]

Box: Even though he's so chaotic,
Box: it sounds wonderful.

Box: A single unwavering world.

Box: The world of
Box: Ichou Gouken...

[p010]

(Ichou): Grandpa truly is incredible!
(Ichou): I can see the colors of the rainbow!

(Ichou): I wouldn't have thought to interpret the piece like that!
(Ichou): I can feel my horizons expanding.
自分の見識も広がる思いだ

(Ichou): Oh, but
(Ichou): if I were conducting, I'd do that part there

(Ichou): like this!

[p011]

People: Eiichi... is truly intriguing.
People: For him to have his own interpretation of the piece at that age...
People: And he still maintains a sense of respect for the composer, too.
People: As expected of Ichou's grandson!

(Gouken): Eiichi... you've sure come up with an interesting style.

(Ichou): Ooh! We've hit that part!
(Ichou): I'd do it like this!

(Ichou): We're on the same wavelength here!
(Ichou): Then, next is...

Ichou: Eh...?

[p012]

(Ichou): What was that?!
(Ichou): What just happened?!

(Ichou): ...Kamine Shouta... is he... conducting...?
(Ichou): It's nothing like grandpa's or mine, though...

(Ichou): You're interpreting it yourself...?!
(Ichou): You, who couldn't even read sheet music... just a little while ago?!

(Ichou): He's progressing!!!
(Ichou): At an extraordinary rate!! And in such a short time!!

[p013]

(Ichou): ...Interesting.
(Ichou): You are truly an interesting one!! Kamine Shouta!!

(Ichou): I want... to conduct against him seriously all the more...!

(Ichou): What do you think of this,
(Ichou): Kamine Shouta!!

[p014]

People: Woah!
People: Eiichi is putting real power into his movements!
People: It's as if he's the actual conductor, standing on the conductor's platform!

People: Who's the boy with the brown hair...?
People: He's rather unskilled... he must have just learned to conduct.
People: Those are the movements of someone who doesn't even know the composer's background...

(People): ...But

(Gouken): However...

(Ichou): And yet...

[p015]

(People): they are oddly
(People): captivating.
(small white sfx): Clap clap clap

[p016]

Kamine: Thank you very much,
Kamine: letting me listen for free...
Gouken: It's no problem at all.
Gouken: By the way, lad.

Gouken: Did you come up with an answer... for what's troubling you?

Gouken: Conductors and others alike occasionally speak selfishly.
Ichou: You go way beyond "occasionally", grandpa.

Gouken: So, "conductor" Kamine Shouta.

Gouken: I shall ask as a fellow conductor.
Gouken: What do you want to do?

Kamine: I...
Kamine: I really...

[p017]

Gouken: That was a good look he had when he left.
Gouken: Better not get careless, Eiichi.

Ichou: Yeah...
Ichou: But I'm the one who will win.

Ichou: Look forward to the real battle,
Ichou: grandpa.

Box: Sonitus Academy High School

Mizuki: ...What reason could you have for coming here so suddenly?
Mizuki: Care to explain?

[p018]

Kasumi: Kamine-kun.
Mizuki: And you even brought my sister along with you.

(Kamine): I...
(Kamine): I really don't want...

Kamine: This is a
Kamine: declaration of war.

(Kamine): my band members to give up music.
(Kamine): It might be selfish of me, but

[p019]

(Kamine): I want
(Kamine): to lead them.

Kamine: We of Meien High School will win against Soni High.
Kamine: Also...

(Kamine): Because...
(Kamine): I am

(Kamine): a conductor!!!

Kamine: I will direct Fukikoshi-senpai,
Kamine: and she will definitely beat you, Fukikoshi Mizuki!!!
(left): He can't and won't retreat!!!
(bottom): The "aspiring conductor's" challenge commences!! Next time, the curtain finally opens on the Tenrai Wind Fest!!

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/39544 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 17 by lynxian 2014-03-08T21:46:35+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

Translation reserved for iMangascans.

If you translate this into another language, PLEASE credit me (lynxian) as the original Japanese to English translator in your release. If you can't/won't do that, then don't use my translation.

-------------

[p001]

Box: The sand... in Fukikoshi-senpai's heart... is falling... at this rate, that flower will...!
(right): Kasumin's heart...!!

(Mizuki): "When she'll soon be unable to play the flute..."
Box: Don't tell me that

Box: when that flower wilts, Fukikoshi-senpai
Box: will become unable to play the flute?!
(bottom): Opus 17: That is thoroughly bitter...

(below panel): Shinkai Hideo

Box: What's going on...?
Box: What did... this girl sense...?!

Kamine: U...um...
Kamine: Little sister...

[p002]

Kamine: Have you sensed something... in Fukikoshi-senpai's sound...?
Kamine: Like "it's steadily getting worse"... for example?

Mizuki: ...You...
(sfx): Lick

Boy: You're saying strange things, too! Are you the same as Mizuki?!
Boy: How interesting!

Box: He just jumped right into the conversation...
あれこっちが食い付いたぞ...
Boy: I am Kyokuyama Christopher Harumi! I'm a 2nd year! And half-Japanese! I returned from studying abroad recently!!

Mizuki: Kyochris-senpai, you're annoying.
Chris: That nickname is tasteless!! Just be normal and say Chris!!

[p003]

Chris: It's troubling how many tasteless abbreviations Japan has!
Chris: Our school's name should be shortened to "Soni High", rather than the SGH we use...

Kamine: Soni High is really strong, huh, Kyochris-senpai?
Chris: You've already adopted it?!
(small text): Well, whatever.

Chris: We received a silver in this year's Western Kanto Competition, but
Chris: we went to the nationals the year before.
Chris: Well, concert band is a battle! Results are everything!

Kamine: A battle?
Chris: Our band's participation in competitions and contests is only a race to the prize.

Chris: A "concert" is simply a regular annual event.
Chris: Moreover, the result of good ticket sales is their "influence"!
Chris: Through such an easy to understand result, motivation, ambition and technical skill all improve!!

[p004]

Mizuki: There are people who say that way of doing things isn't "music" or "art" anymore, but
Mizuki: if you ask me, they're completely missing the point.
Mizuki: I mean, we, who are all about results, and the audience, both get a good time out of it.

Box: ...It's different from the standard image of "the arts", but
Box: surely,
Box: if it makes people happy, then... it isn't wrong.

Mizuki: Someone like my sister, who runs away at the drop of a hat wouldn't understand that, though.

Box: ...Why is she... badmouthing Fukikoshi-senpai so much...?
Box: ...But this isn't mere hostility...

[p005]

Kamine: Are you possibly... trying to instigate her?
Kamine: It seems like... you want to get your sister to act the same way.

Mizuki: So the rumors of that unusual conducting at Tenrai were true.
Mizuki: What a strange guy... I'm not doing that at all.

Mizuki: Seeing as oneechan isn't likely to say it... allow me to teach you
Mizuki: just how horrible a person she really is...!!

(Mizuki): About oneechan, who started playing the flute in 4th grade...

[p006]

(Mizuki): The sound of her flute
(Mizuki): was more beautiful than anyone else's.

(Mizuki): Her talent was recognized by a teacher who had taught countless professionals,
(Mizuki): and every day, they had strict lessons long into the night.

right label: Mizuki
left label: Kasumi
(Mizuki): She took 1st place in every solo contest she entered.
(Mizuki): I even picked up the flute out of admiration for her.

(Mizuki): Oneechan was always leagues ahead of me.

???: Kasumi, please become a professional player.
???: You can become even more skilled.
???: Please go out into the world.

???: Your big sister is amazing.
???: You should become just like her.
???: She would play much better,
???: if she were at your level.

(Mizuki): I felt frustrated, but, beyond that, I was... proud of her.

[p007]

(Mizuki): It happened when I entered middle school...
Teacher: You're aiming to be a professional flutist too, aren't you, Mizuki...?
Mizuki: ...Yes!

Teacher: I'm saying this for your own good.
Teacher: You should give up playing the flute.

Teacher: Even if you were to become a professional, "sisters" who play the same instrument will inevitably be compared to each other.
Teacher: Kasumi is... extraordinary, so...
Mizuki: But...! Please... don't say that...

Mizuki: I... don't want to give up the flute...!

Teacher: There's just no helping it, then... well, if you're able to... place higher than your sister in the next solo contest, I'll reconsider it...

[p008]

(on sign, partially cut-off): 28th Solo Music Competition

(Mizuki): All the hours of practice I've put in...
(Mizuki): This is where it all comes out!!
(Mizuki): At the very least, I won't lose to the other kids!!

(Mizuki): All that's left is oneechan.
(Mizuki): I wonder just how good I've gotten...
(Mizuki): I'm scared, but... excited, too.

Mizuki: Good luck, oneechan!
Mizuki: We're competing for real!
Mizuki: Let me hear the performance of a lifetime, okay!

[p009]

(sfx): Smile
Kasumi: Sure.

Mizuki: No...
Mizuki: No way...
Mizuki: Oneechan

[p010]

(Mizuki): is playing
(Mizuki): so shoddily.

Mizuki: No way...
Mizuki: No way!!
Mizuki: This isn't her sound at all!!
Mizuki: Why...!!

(Mizuki): Could she... have heard that conversation...?
(Mizuki): This is... to let me win...?!

(Mizuki): What the... does she think I'd be happy with this...?!
(Mizuki): I've really worked hard to beat her in a serious competition, y'know?!
(Mizuki): Does she think I'd end up losing if she went all-out?! Is she making fun of me or something?!!

Mizuki: Urg... what is this...
Mizuki: What is this sensation?! It's bitter...!!

[p011]

Mizuki: Oneechan's sound has a "bitter"...
Mizuki: taste... to it?!

(Mizuki): What happened to... the sister I admired,
(right trophy):
1st place
Fukikoshi Mizuki
(left trophy):
3rd place
Fukikoshi Kasumi
(Mizuki): who I held so much pride in...!!!

Teacher: You've steadily grown better since placing higher than your sister... you've certainly surpassed her, Mizuki.

[p012]

Mizuki: Oneechan merely ran away, sensei.
Mizuki: Instead of competing with me.

Mizuki: I realized something that day, so
Mizuki: I'm grateful, but...

Mizuki: I hate the likes of my sister, whose sound only grows
Mizuki: more and more bitter.

Mizuki: I've gotta get back to the women's dorm. See you around, Kamine-kun... oneechan.

[p013]

Kasumi: ...How... did things end up this way...
Kasumi: Mizuki having to give up the flute if she couldn't beat me...
Kasumi: It's strange, isn't it?

Kasumi: Losing and winning... both scare me...
Kasumi: When I win, someone else loses and suffers...
Kasumi: I'd be happy if everyone could have fun, regardless of winning or losing... that's the sort of music I want to play.

Kasumi: Kamine-kun,
Kasumi: is that... really such a bad thing?

[p014]

Box: They aren't wrong...
Box: I mean, even now, the older sister is trying to enjoy music... and the younger is growing stronger through competitions. Both of them continue to play the flute.
(sign): Music Storage Room
???: Thanks, good work today.

Boy: Huh? Where're you going, Kamine?
Kamine: Out for a bit...
Box: ...What will come... of my getting involved in this...?!
Box: Neither of them is wrong... neither of them is to blame...

Box: And yet, why is the sand... in Fukikoshi-senpai's heart
Box: steadily falling without any sign of stopping...?!!

Box: Is she really going to become unable to play?!
Box: That's... kinda depressing...
Box: But...
Box: What can... what should I do...?!

[p015]

Kamine: I ended up...

(on sign): Tenrai Symphony Hall
Kamine: coming here, huh...

Kamine: The place where I...
Kamine: will conduct...!

[p016]

(above bulletin board): Upcoming Events

Box: We're... running out of time...

Box: I want to conduct here... and win against Ichou...
Box: Can I...

Box: really pull it off...?
(on sign): Do not feed the pigeons

[p017]

Box: Hold on, is that old man seriously feeding the pigeons anyway?
sign: Do not feed the pigeons
Box: He's gonna get in trouble...

Box: Huh...? He...
Box: doesn't have any food with him.

???: Graaaandpa,
???: Where are you?!

???: Oh, there you are. You can't just go disappearing like that!

[p018]

Ichou: Kamine
Ichou: Shouta?

Kamine: Ichou?!

Gramps: Do you know him, Eiichi?
Ichou: I do, Grandpa!

[p019]

Ichou: This is the guy I was talking about before, Kamine Shouta!
Box: Ichou's... grandpa?!

Box: Could it be... that he was
Box: directing the pigeons...? Nah, that's impossible, right?!

Gramps: Fua fua fua~
Gramps: I see, so it's this boy, huh...
Box: But this old ma... this person

Box: is the world-renowned conductor,
Gramps: I've heard about you from my grandson.
(left): The legend appears!!
Box: Ichou Gouken!!!

(bottom): Next time, what will this "world-renowned conductor" say to the "aspiring conductor"?!

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/39438 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 16 by lynxian 2014-02-09T03:57:12+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

Translation reserved for iMangascans.

If you translate this into another language, PLEASE credit me (lynxian) as the original Japanese to English translator in your release. If you can't/won't do that, then don't use my translation.

-------------

[p001]

(left): Fascinating...

???: Oi, seriously?
???: What is the world coming to?
???: You must know something about it, so spill the beans!
???: I've got no idea!
Box: Clarinet section
(sfx): Freaking out

???: Oura's teaching
???: Kamine how to play piano.
(bottom):
Opus 16: The complicated feelings of playing an instrument
楽器吹きの感情交錯
Shinkai Hideo

[p002]

Kodama: --This is the end result, but
(on paper):
As more than half the votes are in favor, Kamine Shouta will be allowed to conduct 1 song.
The matter is settled.
Kodama: let's hear each section leader's opinion on it... this will serve as future reference for Kamine, as well.

(kanji character): Against
Box:
Euphonium Section Leader
Hoshiai Yoshiko
Hoshi: ...The balance was beyond awful. He was too biased toward the clarinets, and the brass couldn't resound at all.
Hoshi: Is he keeping the brass instruments in mind, too?

Boy: Frankly, I didn't feel anything.
Boy: I don't understand why he has support... wasn't Karin originally against it, too?
(kanji character): Against
Box:
Trombone Section Leader
Kanaibuchi Ryou

Karin: It's not like I fully acknowledge him... but

Karin: seeing his determination at Tenrai High School... and how he's grown since then,
(kanji character): For
Karin: I just thought that 1 song with him wouldn't be so bad.

(Karin): Plus, Tokisaka-kun's solo was really cool...

[p003]

Trio: What about you, Mikitani?
Miki: Yeep!
Miki: I... I'm... well...

Miki: I felt
Miki: moved, despite myself.
(kanji character): For

Miki: I just thought that... if I also tackle the things I have trouble with,
神峰君みたいに。。。苦手でもぶつかっていけばその先に
Miki: like Kamine-kun does... then the future will be brighter...!!
希望があるんだなって。。。思った。。。!!

Box: ...Looks like the performance gave him some confidence... I'm glad.

Miki: But the solo itself was cruel and unusual punishment.
でもソロ自体は公害みたいにひどかったけどね
Box: That's the sort of personality he's had from the start, huh.

Miyabi: ...Well,
Miyabi: there was one more unexpected vote among the "for" group.

[p004]

Oura: ...I didn't
(kanji character): For
Oura: really have any particular reason for it, or anything.

Girl: You were so angry about it from the start, though...
(kanji character): Against
Box:
Horn Section Leader
Kanzaki Mai

(Kodama): Section leaders, be sure to cast your votes by the end of the day.

(Oura): It's been a while since I last blew with everything I've got...
(small text): I feel dizzy.
(Oura): Is this Shinobu's doing? ...No, more like...

(Oura): watching that guy conduct
(Oura): seems to really take it out of you...

(Oura): Ah...
(Oura): Crap...
(Oura): Too... light...
(Oura): headed

[p005]

Kamine: Y...
Kamine: You alright, Oura-senpai?

Oura: ...I

Oura: I'm fine, so let go!!
Kamine: Sorry!!

[p006]

Tuba: ...Well, whatever... rather, what bothers me a bit more than that...

Tuba: are the two who abstained.
Tuba: Putting aside Tsuruno, who skipped,

Tuba: why did the flute section abstain?
Kasumi: Hm...?

Kasumi: Well, y'know, whichever way the vote goes, it isn't any fun to be on the losing side, right?
Kasumi: I just thought that those people would end up leaving, and that would be awful~
そういう人が出ちゃうのってよくないなって思ったんだ

Kasumi: I mean, those on the winning side and those on the losing side are all my friends!
Kasumi: And everyone should have fun!

(Hoshi): Doesn't that defeat the purpose of this vote?
(Karin): That's just like Kasumin.

[p007]

Kodama: ...Kamine,
Kodama: I'll finish up by giving you my opinion.

Kodama: When I saw your conducting for the first time, at Tenrai,
Kodama: I could tell that you were serious about "wanting to be a conductor", so...

Kodama: please continue devoting yourself to it.

Kamine: I will.

Kodama: ...That is all!

Oura: Kamine,
Oura: here.

[p008]

Oura: These are piano practice books.
Oura: You can have them.

Oura: Since you want to become a conductor, you should at least be able to play the piano.
Oura: Pieces by Bayer, Burgmüller, Czerny, Chopin, Bach and Beethoven.
Oura: They're my hand-me-downs, but... I'll give them to you.

Kamine: Ooh! Thanks a lot!

Oura: Well, bye...
Kamine: Ah! Um, Oura-senpai!!

Kamine: Would you
Kamine: teach me how to play the piano!

[p009]

Kamine: I want to play like you do!!

Oura: ...I don't really mind.

(Oura): Starting tomorrow, alright?
(Kamine): Got it!
???: Do
???: Do
???: So
???: So
???: La
???: La...
???: ...So

Kamine: This is hard... "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"... is way too hard...!!
???: Fa...
(sfx): Cramped

Kamine: Playing one-handed like this... is almost getting me discouraged...
???: Fa

[p010]

Oura: Keep going.

Box: Woah?! ...It kinda
???: Re
???: Do
???: Fa
???: Fa
???: Mi
Box: sounds like jazz?!

[p011]

Box: Plus, if I follow along... playing becomes a lot easier!
Box: Th...
Box: This is fun!!

Oura: GYA!!!

[p012]

Oura: W...what are you guys doing!!

Oura: ...Geez! That's all for today!
Oura: I'm heading back to my section rehearsal!
Kamine: Thank you!

Oura: Don't forget to review what we went over, Kamine!
Oura: And here!
Kamine: Huh?

Kamine: ...Is this a new piece of sheet music? Wait... it's kinda small for that...
Oura: Whatever! I'm leaving!

Kamine: What's up with this box?

[p013]

Kamine: Th...
Kamine: This is...!!

Kamine: Does this mean that... Oura-senpai approves of me as a "music lover"?!
Kamine: That's so thoughtful!! And just like her!!
Group: Kamine, you're a blockhead!!

Group: And why the heck are you crying, Mikitani!!

Miki: I'm... I'm so happy...
Miki: Megumi's found such a good person.

[p014]

Miki: As her cousin, I was really worried about her. Considering her personality and all...
Kamine: COUSIN?!

Kamine: Him and her?! They're related?!
(above group): Yup | Yeah | Uh huh

Miki: Please treat Megumi well (for the rest of your lives).
Kamine: What?! What's this about?!

Kamine: Let's see... which section should I go to next...

Toki: That "is he keeping the brass instruments in mind too" comment is bothering me, but
Toki: there's also the option of first making your rounds through all of the woodwinds.

Kamine: Hmm...
???: Ah! Kamine-kun!

[p015]

Kamine: Fukikoshi-senpai!
Kasumi: Just Kasumin is fine~
Kamine: Er, that's... not really...

Box: This girl's sure incredible... she's not on guard against me at all.

Box: ...Huh?

Kasumi: I'm heading to the music store after this to buy some equipment, y'know~
Kasumi: I'll have a lot to carry, so could you come with me?

Kasumi: You seem to have the most free time on your hands, after all~
Kamine: Urk... Well, I don't exactly have anywhere to be, but...

Kasumi: Let's leave right now! Go, go!

[p016]

Kasumi: I'm going to talk to the clerk, so you can wander around, okay?

Kamine: Wow... look at all these instruments...
Kamine: Saxes are expensive!!

Kamine: There's lots of sheet music, too.
Kamine: Ooh! A JPOP piano arrangement?

???: That song
???: tastes like a chocolate parfait.

[p017]

Girl: This sound is chocolate, this one's nuts, and this one's ice cream! Oh, but it's green tea-flavored. Gross, that doesn't match up at all~
Box: "Seeing" music notes
Box: gives her a feeling of "taste"?

Box: This girl...
Box: has "synesthesia"?!
(for reference, she has "lexical-gustatory synesthesia")

Girl: You're in a concert band, too? Judging by your uniform, I'm guessing... Meien's?

Kasumi: Sorry for the wait, Kamine-kun!
Kamine: Oh...senpai. Just now...

[p018]

Box: Huh...? What's with this tension...?

Kasumi: Mizuki.

Mizuki: Oneechan.

Box: Th...
Box: They're sisters?!!
Mizuki: "Kamine"... so you're the reason for those rumors... excellent.

Mizuki: We are from the Sonitus Academy High School concert band.
Mizuki: We've also been invited to the "Tenrai Wind Festival"... though,

[p019]

Mizuki: we're certainly not gonna lose to the band my sister is part of, when
Mizuki: she'll soon be unable to play the flute.

Box: ...Wh...
Box: What did she... just say?

Box: Fukikoshi-senpai will soon...

Box: become unable... to play her instrument...?!

(left): What's going on here?!

(bottom): What problem does Kasumin have...?! And, next time, Kamine once again meets that man!!

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/39278 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 15 by lynxian 2014-01-03T22:55:17+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

Translation reserved for iMangascans.

If you translate this into another language, PLEASE credit me (lynxian) as the original Japanese to English translator in your release. If you can't/won't do that, then don't use my translation.

-------------

[p001]

Box: Mikitani-senpai... this "Kobiki-Uta performed for the concert band's sake"
Box: is almost over.
Box: Let's raise the tension for the 4th movement, "Finale."
(right): Conduct!!

(below panel): Volume 1 goes on sale 9/4!!

Box: First, you two!
(baton strips):
Trumpet
Snare drum
Increase the tension!!
Box: I'm counting on you!!

(right):
Opus 15: My Note
Shinkai Hideo
(note: song reference is "Boku Note" by Sukima Switch)
(Miki): I'm begging you, Kamine-kun... please rethink this...!

[p002]

Miki: That song... is the one we performed for a competition in our 3rd year of middle school...

Miki: In the Western Kanto Competition, I... made a mistake
Miki: in the final solo, and for a moment, the entire song stopped!!

Miki: I was the trigger that made Megumi like this...!!

Kamine: Mikitani-senpai...
Kamine: If that were true, then

[p003]

Kamine: you wouldn't want to play it... and yet, you continue to carry around
Kamine: the score that Oura-senpai transcribed, don't you?

Miki: ...I
Miki: don't know why...
Miki: I just... feel like I need to carry this with me for my entire life...

Kamine: ...I think
Kamine: the answer's in this piece.

(Kamine): Let's find it!

(Miki): Kamine-kun...
(Miki): What... are you planning to do?!

[p004]

(baton strips):
Bass clarinet
overcome everyone else
through volume

(Miki): I can't do that!!

(Miki): That's just plain impossible!! The bass clarinet... someone like me... can't stand out!!

(baton strips, half-hidden): Louder, bass clarinet!!
Box: ...I heard about it from Tokisaka.

(Toki): The bassoon and bass clarinet
(Toki): are ninjas.

[p005]

(Toki): There's a limit to their volume, so identifying them amidst a large group is difficult, but...
(Toki): Their "tone" is unlike that of any other instrument... They have no substitutes.
(Toki): Their presence or absence from an ensemble has a massive impact on the depth of sound and range of expression.

(Toki): Instruments whose greatness is only realized once they are gone.
(Toki): That is the truth of the bassoon and bass clarinet!!

[p006]

(Oura): ...What
(Oura): are you doing, Shinobu, Kamine...!!

(Oura): We have both bass clarinets and sopranos, so
(Oura): if you force things like that... it will destroy the balance between the two...!!

Box: Thanks to the trauma of your botched solo, you're afraid to stand out.
(Otowa): "The walking dictionary of music"
Box: And so you hid your knowledge and physical strength.

Box: Why, then,
(baton strips): That's not enough, bass clarinet!! Louder!!
Box: did you keep at it?

Box: Why are you working so hard like this
Box: to follow my conducting?!

Box: It's likely due to... an anguished desire of "not wanting your failure to be an impediment
Box: anymore."

[p007]

Box: If so, then you should play this song, which you once botched, with all your might,
(baton strips): Give it all you've got
Box: and turn that desire into resolve, right here and now!!

(Oura): What's...
(Oura): ...with you...!!

Box: !! ...Just a little more.
Box: Now comes

[p008]

Box: Utebi-senpai's timpani solo!!
(baton strips): Bass clarinet, match the timpani's tension

Utebi: ALRIIIIIGHT!!
Utebi: C'mon and let's do this, Mikitaniiiii!!

(Miki): No way.
(Miki): Impossible.
(Miki): I can't. No way.

[p009]

(Girl): ...Mikitani single-handedly...
(Girl): overpowered the bass part?!

(Girl): I never knew... that Mikitani
(Girl): was capable of a performance like this!!

(Oura): ...This sound...
(Oura): of Shinobu's...

(Oura): Why is Kamine able to draw it out of him?!!

(Oura): When we were in elementary, we admired the orchestra,
(Oura): and the two of us started playing the clarinet... even though it was difficult,
(Oura): we had so much fun that that didn't even matter.

[p010]

(Oura): He's returned to the sound
(Oura): from back then?!!

[p011]

(Souma): This is bad, Kamine-kun.
(Souma): Mikitani's sound is so strong that it's destroying the balance between soprano and bass!!

(Toki): The climax of this song is a round of bass vs. mid-range!!
(Toki): A round doesn't work unless all parts are equal in power!!

Man: The soprano part's way too weak!!
(above man): Gehaa!
Man: What're you gonna do about it!!
Man's label: Mid-range
Woman's label: Soprano
(left of woman): Ehhh...

Box: That much is obvious!!

[p012]

(Band): Oura?!!

Box: Nope,

Box: it's the Oura faction!!!

[p013]

Box: The people who adore Oura-senpai... have earnestly followed her lead!!
Box: The closeness of the clarinet section will become the sopranos' power!!

(Oura): This...
(Oura): has made me remember

(Oura): that I love music.
(Oura): I love music so much it hurts.

(Oura): The grand parts,
sfx bubble: Creak
sfx bubble: Creak
(Oura): the hard parts and the bothersome parts,
(Oura): I love them all.
sfx bubble: Craaack

(Oura): How I wanted to aim for the top, improve,
(Oura): and work hard... despite the frustration!!

[p014/015]

(2nd panel sfx): Huff huff huff

(Oura): The goal's...
(Oura): so far away that I can't even see it.

(Oura): But... it's a wide open space.
(Oura): I have room to grow.

(Oura): I wonder how far away Shinobu is?
(Oura): I'm going to catch up to him right away!!

[p016/017]

Box: Now... Mikitani-senpai.
Box: ...This is your final solo.

Box: It shouldn't be so hard, right?
Box: After all,

Box: every last one
Box: of your mines has already exploded.

[p018]

Box: The next day

(top of paper): Voting Results

Toki: Ah! Hello, Kodama-sensei!!
Toki: Are the results...
Kodama: Hello.

Kodama: I just put them up.

[p019]

(on paper):
Voting Results
Abstain
○Flute
○Contrabass
For
○Band President
Trumpet
rcussion
hone
Against
○Tuba
○Trombone
○Euphonium
○French Horn
○Oboe
conduct 1 song.
The matter is settled.

(left panel):
○Trumpet
○Percussion
○Saxophone
○Bassoon/Bass Clarinet
○Clarinet
As more than half the votes are in favor, Kamine Shouta will be allowed to conduct 1 song.

(bottom left): Victory!!

(bottom right): He's gained an incredible opportunity...!! And next issue, we head into new developments!!

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/39277 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 14 by lynxian 2014-01-03T22:54:32+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

Translation reserved for iMangascans.

If you translate this into another language, PLEASE credit me (lynxian) as the original Japanese to English translator in your release. If you can't/won't do that, then don't use my translation.

A few lines in this gave me quite a bit of trouble, or I'd have finished it sooner.

-------------

[p001]

Kodama: I am thinking of letting Kamine conduct
Kodama: just one song at the "Tenrai Wind Festival"!!

Oura: Hold on, that doesn't make any sense, Kodama-sensei!!
Oura: This is a serious issue that concerns the entire band, isn't it!!

Kodama: It is... that's why we're having this "discussion."
Kodama: During our next concert rehearsal... I would like you all to perform one song under Kamine's direction.

[p002]

Kodama: I've come to realize that... we shouldn't get worked up
感情にまかせて正しく見ず考えずのままで
Kodama: and blindly decide without thinking, as we've been doing.
決めつけはよくないと。。。私は考えました

Kodama: Once you've experienced Kamine's conducting first-hand as "musicians",
Kodama: I want all of you to decide
Kodama: whether to accept or reject him!!
(bottom):
Opus 14: Prog Rock
Shinkai Hideo

[p003]

Kodama: Each section has 1 vote, and majority rules.
Kodama: Section leaders will get their members' opinions on the matter and decide whether they are for or against it "as a section."

Kodama: To prevent the possibility of a tie, the band president will also be included, making it a total of 13 votes! If the majority approves, then Kamine will be allowed to conduct one song!
Box: Section G
Box: Section F
Box: Section E
Box: Section D
Box: Section C
Box: Section B
Box: Section A
(below right column): For
(between columns): Decision line
Box: Section M
Box: Section L
Box: Section K
Box: Section J
Box: Section I
Box: Section H
(below left column): Against

(Toki): ...As it stands now...
(sfx): Whisper
(Kamine): Yeah... we'd lose.

Kamine: We have far too few definite allies.
Toki: ...Then

(Toki): we have no choice but to get more than half of the band
(Kamine): on our side for this vote!!

[p004]

Kodama: I'll just go ahead and ask, but is there a song you'd like to do, Kamine?
Kamine: Wha?!
Kodama: We can still change the pieces for the performance, but...
Kamine: Erm!!

Kodama: ...well, even if I say that, it would be hard on you to decide on the spot like this.
Kamine: Well, um...

Kamine: I... might... have one... sort of... maybe...
Kodama: You have one?!

Kodama: Please tell us.
Box: No, no way. If I say that,
Box: I'll definitely make her angry.... but

Box: if I can take advantage of this opportunity even a little, then...!
Kamine: S...
Kamine: something like a "concert band arrangement of Kobiki-Uta"...

Kodama: Pure Japanese style, huh!
Kodama: It's a festive song and we have the sheet music for it, too.
Kodama: That might work well!

[p005]

Oura: Enough of your fooling around, Kamine!!

Box: Crap!! She really did get angry!!

Oura: That's just a song you happened to see among the "final transcriptions", isn't it!!
Oura: Why bring up such a thing now!!

Miki: U-
Miki: Um!!

Kamine: Mikitani-senpai!!

Miki: I...
Miki: I am...

[p006]

Miki: I am also against performing
Miki: that song.

Kamine: Wh...
Miki: At the... very end of that piece...

Miki: There is an unaccompanied... bass clarinet solo...!!
Miki: I couldn't handle... having a part where my instrument is the only one playing!!

Miki: If I were to screw that up again...
Miki: If my reed were to make a squeaking sound...!!
Miki: A chicken like me could never do it!!

[p007]

Box: Th...they just keep exploding!! Could his meekness have its roots...
Box: in... that song?!

Kodama: ...Since this is the conductor's request, I won't accept any objections.
Kodama: Please make your decision after the performance,
Kodama: alright?

Box: I might have
Box: made a huge mistake... in my song selection?!

(white sfx): NUAHAHAHA!
Utebi: You really pissed Oura off now, didn'tcha, Kamine!!

(white sfx): DOAHAHAHA!
Utebi: You did it!! Oh man, you really did it!!
Kamine: Utebi-senpai, you're really loud...

Utebi: But it wasn't a bad choice.
Utebi: Oura's an underground super idol, after all.

[p008]

Utebi: The girls who follow her around aren't just a part of the clarinet section!! Some are from others!! The so-called "Oura faction" is a major force in the band.
Utebi: She has the competence and organizational ability that could only come from leadership experience!!
邑楽はリーダーになれるだけの実力とそれほどの組織力を持っている!!

Utebi: I don't get their feelings at all, though!!
(Utebi sfx): WUAHAHAHA
(left): Eh? No waaay

Kamine: It's Oura-senpai...

Oura: You can't play this part, Manami?
Manami: It's incredibly difficult... and I don't know the alternate fingerings, either...

Oura: I was thinking about that, and made these.
Girls: Huh? What are they?

Oura: The fingering chart in miniature book form!!
(sfx): Ta-da!!

[p009]

Girls: Kyaaa! They're so cute!! And there's one for everyone!!
Girls: It's so easy to read!!
Girls: Did you make these yourself, Megu-senpai?!
Girls: Amazing!!

Oura: Take good care of them, okay?
Box: Oura-senpai still loves music, even now.
(bottom): Yeees~♥

Box: And
Box: that "person who loves music" is also loved herself.

Box: She's aware of all sorts of things and can adjust to them, and that has enabled her to keep loving music all this time.
音楽をずっと好きでいられるようにあらゆることに気付き動ける
Box: Those feelings gather people around her.
(on headbands): Megumi

Box: It's a mutual trust that's the complete opposite of this person...
この人とは真逆の信頼関係だな...

Box: Her love of music remained the same, and the only thing leveled was her ambition.
音楽が好きなまま上を目指すことだけを切り捨てたんだ
Box: Then, at some point, she probably no longer knew if

[p010]

Box: there was a need to emerge from the box she had created.

Box: Her irritation towards people who try to reach the outside
Box: is actually irritation with herself, for being unable to break out...

Kamine: I have to win over Oura-senpai,
Kamine: or this band is finished.

Kamine: I've got to break her out of that box...!!

Kamine: There's no time to waste... Seeing as I can't read the score, all I can do is keep listening to the CD and master it that way.
(sfx): Clack

(sfx): Flip flip

[p011]

Kamine: Tokisaka!!
Kamine: Tokisakaaa!!

(Kamine sfx): Huff huff

Kamine: For "Kobiki-Uta",
Kamine: don't... go with your usual alto sax...

Kamine: Play the tenor sax instead.

Kamine: I'm counting on you!!

[p012]

Toki: K...Karin-senpai?
Karin: ...Yeah.

Karin: The "concert band arrangement of Kobiki-Uta"
Karin: opens with an unaccompanied tenor sax solo.

Karin: Is he
Karin: telling you to play that solo?!!

Toki: He... can read sheet music now...!!!
Toki: That transcribing paid off!!!

Box: The day of the ensemble
(sign): 1st Music Room

Kodama: ...Alright, Kamine.
Kodama: Please begin.

Tuba: ...Hey,
Tuba: what about Tsuruno?

[p013]

???: There's no contrabass.
(sfx): Chatter chatter
???: ...Skipping, huh.
???: He's sure got it easy, being the only one in the contrabass section.

Box: ...Don't... worry about that... Oura-senpai... showed up.

(Oura): There's no way I could skip out on this... I'm responsible for my section members, too!

Kamine: Let's begin.

Box: The 1st Movement, "Theme"... is the woodcutter's song.

Box: The clarinets create the sound of the saw, and then
Box: the stage belongs to Tokisaka.

[p014]

Box: This is our real battle,
Box: so let's start it off with the right sort of sound.

(Toki): It's created a really tense atmosphere!
(Toki): I guess that was the "right sort of sound"...?

[p015]

(Toki): Wait a second.

(Toki): Did he...
(Toki): speak just now?
Box: 2nd Movement: Bon Dance

(Utebi): Oh?

(Utebi): Whoops... Hold back on the strikes...
おっと...鋭さは残しつつ...
(Utebi): while reducing the volume, right...?
(note: f = forte, mp = mezzo-piano)

(Utebi): ...Huh?
(Utebi): He didn't say anything.

(Utebi): How did I understand what he wanted?

[p016]

(Otowa): ...What
(Otowa): is this...?!

(Souma): What's
(Souma): going on?

Box: I understand it... I can... read the score...
Box: The image of

Box: the information within it is
Box: rapidly permeating my body!!

Box: There are too many things I want to convey!!
Box: There's no time to speak!!
Box: I have to make them known somehow!!
Box: Convey them!!

Box: Convey them!!

[p017]

(baton strips, from right to left):
Don't rush the tempo
Bass part, livelier playing
Bring the rhythm out more
Soar, piccolos
Trombones, make the sound stagger and sway
Tenor sax, punctuate each note

[p018/019]

(???): It's as if... I can hear concrete directions coming from the movement of his baton...!!!
(baton strips): Softer

(???): Thanks to transcribing 1000 sheets worth of 100 songs and studying the basics of music,
(???): Kamine's "interpretation of the piece" and "emotions" are now much easier to convey to us!!

(???): In a real performance, spoken directions should be avoided as much as possible!!
(???): This doesn't even begin to compare to his methods so far.
(???): This is...!!

(???): Realistic conducting!!!
(baton strips, from right to left & top to bottom):
Cornets
Play as one
Together with the clarinets
Bass part, carry the tension
Percussion, more forcefully

Box: This is a battle... With this song, I'm fighting... to win you over
Box: as an ally, Oura-senpai!!

Box: To do that, your strength is absolutely essential...

Box: Mikitani-senpai!!
(left): Connect their hearts!!

(bottom): Conducting from the new, improved Kamine...!! Next issue, the conclusion of the "Mikitani & Oura" arc!!

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/39109 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 13 by lynxian 2013-12-02T18:32:30+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

Translation reserved for iMangascans.

If you translate this into another language, PLEASE credit me (lynxian) as the original Japanese to English translator in your release. If you can't/won't do that, then don't use my translation.

-------------

[p001]

(right): Mikitani's ridiculers...

(below panel): "Soul Catcher(s)" volume 1 goes on sale 9/4!!

Kamine: When... Mikitani-senpai's self-hatred explodes, he ends up folding his heart in on itself over and over again, but
Kamine: he recovers every time and trains both his mind and body for the sake of music...!!

Kamine: What
Kamine: are you all being so flippant for?

[p002]

Kamine: You guys have no right to laugh at him!!!
(bottom right): Kamine, enraged!!
(bottom): Opus 13: When one door closes, another opens

(below panel): Shinkai Hideo

(Oura sfx): Annoyed

(Oura sfx): Glance

[p003]

Oura: ...I really
Oura: don't understand it at all.

Oura: Baseless self-confidence like Karin's that "next time for sure, we'll make it to the nationals",
Oura: feelings like Otowa's and Tokisaka's, of trying to become even better despite already being monsters,

Oura: and people like you and Shinobu,
Oura: who continue to work hard when you don't even know if it will pay off...!

[p004]

Oura: They all annoy me.
Oura: Come, let's go.

Kamine: ...She's... only excessively tough
Kamine: on you, isn't she?

Kamine: It looked like she was reacting to the music scores I'd transcribed, but...
Kamine: is she really that against putting in effort...?

Box: Also, it's strange.
Box: She seems to be gazing into the distance, but it's as if she's looking at something incredibly close by... just what's up there...?

[p005]

Miki: Kamine-kun... you truly are something else...
Miki: How... did you know...?

Kamine: What's that...? It looks pretty worn...

Kamine: Th...this is... wait, seriously?!
Kamine: Amazing... I've never seen something like this...!!

Miki: Megumi and I... have attended school together since elementary.

[p006]

Miki: Back then, when we first heard an amateur orchestra performance through the Gunma Symphony Orchestra's "traveling music classroom*,"
Miki: it hit us that we wanted to play, too.

(below panel): ※ A program designed to introduce music to children and students within the prefecture.

Miki: In middle school, we both started playing the clarinet.
Miki: We encouraged each other to get better and go all the way to the national competition.

Kamine: ...Hold on. This is Oura-senpai we're talking about, right?!
Miki: Megumi wasn't like this at all back then!!

Miki: Our middle school was pretty strong and had participated in the national competition numerous times up through the year we joined.
Miki: We thought we'd definitely be able to improve there if we worked hard.
Miki: From our 3rd year in middle school to our current 2nd year of high school, we've participated in the Western Kanto musical competition five times.

[p007]

Miki: We received a "useless gold" 5 years in a row.

Miki: Coming up against the same wall every year for five years,
Miki: little by little, Megumi ended up becoming the way she is now...

Miki: I really am a failure of a human being...!!
Miki: I've known her for so long, and yet... I can't do anything for her!!

Miki: Kamine-kun... since I've gotten to know you, I've been thinking...
Miki: that you might be able to save Megumi...!

[p008]

Miki: The "way you are now" is just like the "way she was back then"!!
Miki: Isn't there... anything you can do?!!

Miki: Someone like me, who gets pushed around by everyone, is the lowest of the low...!!
Miki: But even so...!!
Miki: Please, I'm begging you...!!

[p009]

Kamine: All the same,

Kamine: I'd be outnumbered if I just barged into the clarinet section...
Kamine: But I waited until club activities were over so I could have a face-to-face talk with her, so...
Kamine: where are you, Oura-senpai...

Kamine: ...Then again, it'll be hard to talk to her after the way I flipped out last time...

Kamine: Someone's playing a piano...?

Kamine: I'm pretty sure... it's coming from the auditorium's stage door...

[p010/011]

Box: She's... good...
Box: ...Rather, that sound... is really...

Kamine: Ah.

Oura: K...Kamine?!
Oura: What are you doing over there...?!
Kamine: Er... well...

Kamine: I just got caught up in listening to your playing.
Kamine: I think it's really beautiful.

[p012]

Oura: Are you trying to flatter me?
Oura: I'm leaving.

Kamine: Oura-senpai, do you
Kamine: recognize this?

Oura: Where...
Oura: Where did you get that...

Kamine: Mikitani-senpai has been carrying it with him all this time.
Oura: Shinobu was...?!

Kamine: This is impressive... I've done it a bit myself, so I understand that, but
Kamine: I noticed that this was too elaborate to have been done on the computer... it's handwritten, isn't it.

[p013]

Kamine: This is the last score among the over 5,000 that you transcribed
Kamine: during your middle school days, right?

Oura: Just how long does he plan to carry that thing around...

Oura: Looking at it seriously pisses me off...!!
Oura: The same goes for Shinobu... and for you!!

Oura: Even though he's always saying he's "useless" and "a waste of space"!
Oura: Even though he's also only experienced getting useless gold after useless gold!
Oura: Even though he puts in such an effort with nothing to show for it!

[p014]

Oura: He doesn't give up!!
Oura: Why!? I don't get it at all!!

Oura: No matter how hard he works, he'll just end up with the same result!
Oura: The more effort he puts in, the more pained and frustrated he'll feel afterward!
Oura: If he were more laid-back about it, he'd be a hundred times happier!!

Box: This isn't... a matter of whether or not she has ambition.
Box: She doesn't believe

Box: there is anything above that ceiling over her heart...

[p015]

Box: She doesn't believe that there's a different world
Box: beyond the borders of her box.
Oura: The same goes for you, too.

Oura: Just when did anyone promise you that you'd
Oura: be allowed to conduct any sort of concert at all?

Kamine: I'm... working hard... because I want clearance to do just that!!

Kamine: Please try performing under my direction one time.
Kamine: It... just might change your mind...!!

[p016]

Oura: No.

Oura: I won't do something
Oura: as pointless as that.

[p017]

Oura: And throw that score away.

Box: This situation is completely different from those of
Box: the other section leaders.

Box: Everyone so far had been struggling to overcome
Box: their current problems.

Box: But... Oura-senpai doesn't understand the very notion
Box: of "overcoming", itself...!!

Box: I can't make an ally out of Oura-senpai...!!
Box: I can't fulfill my promise with Mikitani-senpai!!

Box: What can I do!!
Box: Just what am I... supposed to do!!
Kamine: DAMMIT!!

[p018]

Kodama: So this is where you were, Kamine.

Kamine: ...Kodama-sensei?
Kodama: Please come to the music room immediately.

Kodama: The entire band is having an emergency meeting.

(sign): 1st Music Room

[p019]

Kodama: Now, then... there is only one topic to discuss.
Kodama: It concerns the "Tenrai Wind Festival"...

Kodama: We intend to perform 3 pieces... but
Kodama: I've been mulling things over, and

Kodama: I am thinking of
Kodama: letting Kamine conduct one song!!!
(left): This won't end well...!!
(bottom): What is Kodama expecting?! Will Kamine take advantage of this chance?! Don't miss the developments next issue!!

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/39070 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 12 by lynxian 2013-11-25T17:22:53+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

Translation reserved for iMangascans.

If you translate this into another language, PLEASE credit me (lynxian) as the original Japanese to English translator in your release. If you can't/won't do that, then don't use my translation.

------------

[p001]

Miki: Teach you music from the ground up?
Miki: Why me...?
(Kamine): He's small...
Toki: This guy is an outstanding amateur who doesn't really know where to start, so...

Box: ...what was that just now...?
Miki: Oh, I see.

Miki: You tried everyone else and finally got down to me, right?
Miki: Everyone's really busy, so I'm just the only one who seems free.

Kamine: Th...that's not it! We heard that you're the most knowledgeable in the ba...

Miki: A worthless yes man like me wanting to study and become equal to everyone else is pretty brazen, right? That's what you mean, right?
紙貼ってないうちわみたいな役立たずが勉強して対等になりたいとか図々しいってことだよね
Box: His heart collapses... no matter what we say...

[p002]

Box: It's a real minefield!!
(bottom): Opus 12: Minesweeper

(below panel): Shinkai Hideo

Miki: I mean, I'm just section leader because I was my entire section for 2 years, and
Miki: meetings would still go on just fine without me,
Miki: since I'm just a chicken who doesn't say anything anyway...
Box: He set off a chain reaction!!

[p003]

Miki: I'm not even knowledgeable enough to teach in the first place.
Kamine: Ah.

Kamine: Wait!
Kamine: Please wa...

Kamine: Mikitani-senpai... I also
Kamine: want to work my hardest.

Kamine: I want to learn and study
Kamine: a ton of things, as quickly as possible.
Kamine: Won't you... please teach me! ...I have

[p004]

Kamine: somebody I want
Kamine: to beat!!

Miki: ...Come with me.

Miki: To become able to read sheet music... all you can do is accustom yourself to musical notation.
Miki: I guess copying music scores would work best? ...So,

[p005]

Miki: in one week, transcribe 100 of the concert band's pieces,
Miki: focusing on the ones we'll be performing in the competition.

Miki: There is a "condensed score" included with each song.
Miki: It's a score with only the minimum amount of notes necessary, enabling songs written for large groups to be performed on the piano,
大人数の吹奏楽曲をピアノ1台でも弾けるぐらいに必要最低限の音符で構成した楽譜のことで
Miki: so it should be easy to get a grasp of the big picture... Transcribe 100 of those,
曲の全体像を掴みやすい。。。それを100曲分写してきて

Miki: And, if you can accomplish that,
Miki: I'll teach you the fundamentals...

(Toki): He... hasn't had any intention of teaching from the start...!!
(Toki): By giving us such an unreasonable demand, he's trying to drive us away.

[p006]

Kamine: I have one week, right?
Kamine: Got it.

Toki: Are you sure about this, Kamine?!
Toki: It's 100 songs, you know.
Kamine: No idea, but

Kamine: I kinda couldn't tell him "I can't do it."
Toki: Why?

Kamine: When I grabbed Mikitani-senpai's arm before,
Kamine: I could feel that

(Kamine): his body was as strong as steel.
(Kamine): It was like an athlete's body.

Toki: Wha... being physically fit is definitely important when it comes to the concert band, but...!!

[p007]

Kamine: I don't know why he's hiding it from everyone, but
Kamine: there's knowledge and strength packed into that tiny frame of his.
Kamine: He must have put in a ton of effort...!!

Kamine: I think it would be rude to say
Kamine: "I can't" to someone like that.

Kamine: We need Mikitani-senpai's strength
Kamine: to win against Ichou and bring us to the nationals.

Kamine: So now, I'll also do
Kamine: what I have to.

[p008]

Utebi: Oh?

Utebi: Tokisaka~
Utebi: Is Kamine taking a break today?

Souma: Huh?

Souma: Tokisaka-kun,
Souma: is Kamine-kun out today, too?

[p009]

Otowa: Tokisaka,
Otowa: Kamine hasn't shown up the last 5-6 days.

U/S/O: Just what
U/S/O: is he doing?

Toki: Right now,
Toki: he's working his hardest.

U/S/O: That's fine, then.

[p010]

Kamine: Mikitani-senpai.
(sfx): Haah haah

Kamine: I finished.
Kamine: Would you take a look at it?

(Miki): ...He actually did it. ...But what now?
(Miki): I kinda really don't want to teach anyone...

(Miki): I guess I'll find a mistake and use that as an excuse
(Miki): to turn him down...

[p011]

Miki: ...Huh?

Miki: If you're only showing me the condensed scores you copied...
(above Miki): Wouldn't it be about this high?
Miki: This is the master copy, right? Then, where's the rest...

Kamine: No... everything I wrote
Kamine: is right there.

[p012]

Miki: No way... you're kidding...
Miki: You really... wrote it all...?!

Miki: A piece of music is made up of the "condensed score"... the "section scores",
Miki: sheet music for each instrument, which the players use,

Miki: and the "full score",
Miki: sheet music the conductor views, where all the section scores are written as a whole, in descending order...!!

Miki: Altogether, it's more than 1,000 pages!! And yet, you wrote it
Miki: in one week?!!!

[p013]

Kamine: The contents were complete jibberish to me, but
Kamine: Ichou would probably have understood all of it!!

Miki: Why... would you...
Miki: go this far... Kamine-kun...?

Kamine: Since I started aiming to be a conductor,
Kamine: I've changed the way I relate to people.

Kamine: If I ran because I couldn't do anything, when faced with something I didn't want to deal with,
Kamine: the same thing would undoubtedly be waiting for me wherever I went.
(above figure): Nooo!
(above figure): Here, too?!

[p014]

Kamine: I will probably be accosted by
Kamine: things I don't want to deal with my entire life.

Kamine: But, while it's incredibly hard and painful, if I get through it quickly, then even if I'm faced with the same thing again,
Kamine: the courage gained from "my past self who didn't run away" makes resolving it that much easier.
Kamine: That's... what I've come to realize.

Kamine: It seems a bit more...
Kamine: hopeful that way, doesn't it?

(Miki): Kamine-kun...

[p015]

(Miki): ...People who can... think like you do sure are great...
(Miki): I wish I...

Miki: I think I could... probably teach you for a little bit,
Miki: during rehearsal...

Kamine: Thank you!

[p016]

Miki: ...and there you have it.
Kamine: Wow... there's really a clear difference between double time and simple time!

Box: Mikitani-senpai's explanations are easy to understand.
Box: He must review this stuff a lot.

Kamine: Oh, I don't really get this part either...
Oura: Ahh!
Oura: The science room's in use!

Oura: And by Shinobu, no less.

Box: Oura-senpai!
Box: And the clarinet section...!

[p017]

Girls: Ah!! Shinobu's teaching Kamine something~!!
Girls: Ehh? No waay?!

Girls: What's with this "Musical Grammar Even a Monkey Could Understand"?
Girls: That's hilarious!! I mean, monkeys totally can't do music~

(sfx): Kyahahaha!
Oura: Shinobu, don't tell me

Oura: this guy brainwashed you, too?

Oura: What in the world's going on? Does everyone want to go to the nationals so badly that they've lost their minds?
(sfx): Giggle giggle giggle
Oura: If we just do what we did last year, we'll take first place in Western Kanto. That should be more than enough.

[p018]

Oura: Didn't you say that guys who keep shoving their point of view onto other people are a real eyesore?
Oura: And that if we're gonna get a useless gold no matter how many times we do it, then that's fine the way it is?

Box: What the... her heart...

Box: It's like she has
Box: no ambition at all.

Kamine: Mikitani-senpai...
Miki: It's alright...

(sfx): Annoyed
Miki: I'm really just a useless person, after all.

Oura: Then why not quit?

[p019]

Oura: I bet nobody would even notice
Oura: if you weren't around.

(sfx): Giggle giggle giggle

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/38895 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 11 by lynxian 2013-10-23T16:26:44+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

Translation reserved for iMangascans.

If you translate this into another language, PLEASE credit me (lynxian) as the original Japanese to English translator in your release. If you can't/won't do that, then don't use my translation.

[p001]

(Eiichi): It's "jet black."

(Eiichi): Such mediocre conducting... Tenrai's sound swallowed it in the blink of an eye,
(Eiichi): and he became nothing more than a metronome hashing out the tempo.
(Eiichi): No matter how many colors are added to black, it can only remain the same, so

(Eiichi): it's already impossible for this "color" to dramatically change.
Kamine: A rainbow!!

Kamine: Please!!
Kamine: Bring out a rainbow!!

[p002]

Eiichi: ...What?! Just now...
Eiichi: What the...
Eiichi: A rainbow?!

Eiichi: Did he say a rainbow?!
(bottom): Opus 11: Crave the desire to change. That's all you need.
変わりたいと、強く望め。それ以外は、いらない。
(note: this is evidently the title of a song by THE ROOTLESS)
(left): Can he turn this around?!

(below panel): Shinkai Hideo

Eiichi: Grandpa!
Box: Ichou Eiichi (age 4)

[p003]

Gouken: Hey there, Eiichi.
Gouken: So you made it!
Ichou: Sorry, dad. I know you said to wait until the whole thing was over, but...
Gouken: It's fine, don't worry about it! Right, Eiichi?

Eiichi: Grandpa, today's performance was great!
Eiichi: It was really skillful!

Eiichi: A whole ton of colors came out!! It was pretty!!
Eiichi: Like a rainbow!!

Gouken: Fua fua fua!
Gouken: So you were able to see colors, were you.

[p004]

Gouken: Eiichi... some time ago, there was an incredible man named Casals who was called the "god of the cello."
Eiichi: Cas...?
Gouken: Evidently, he said that "all music, in general, is a succession of rainbows."
Eiichi: Succ...?

Gouken: If you can produce a rainbow on your own... you might be able to become a god as well.
(small text): Fua fua fua!!
Eiichi: A god?!

Eiichi: I wanna try!!
Gouken: Fua fua fua...
(Eiichi): What is the meaning of this.

(Eiichi): Kamine... Shouta!!
(Eiichi): Why is the word "rainbow" coming from the mouth of a beginner like you!!

[p005]

Kamine: Tokisaka!! I can't see your hands!! Your hands!! Send them out!!

(Tokisaka): I am!!

Kamine: Otowa-senpai!! Use that sound!! The one that consumes all others!!

(Otowa): There are too many high-level players!!
(Otowa): I can't overpower them!!

(Karin): Kamine... Otowa, Tokisaka-kun...
(Karin): what are you doing...

(Karin): I'm already being smothered by Tenrai's sound.
(Karin): It's the same for the 30 people from Takekaze.
(Karin): We're just being overwhelmed, and
(Karin): Kamine is little more than a metronome...!!

(Karin): And yet, why are Tokisaka-kun and Otowa trying to synchronize with Kamine's conducting,
(Karin): rather than Tenrai's sound...?!

[p006]

(Karin): Why is Kamine trying so desperately to be a conductor
(Karin): in the middle of this hopeless situation?!!

(Karin): Kamine... you would... go that far as a conductor...

(Eiichi): No way... is he
(Eiichi): going to change the sound...?!

[p007]

(Tamaru): The song...

(Kodama): stopped...
(Kodama): mid-way...

(Eiichi): He didn't...
(Eiichi): make it in time...

[p008]

(Tamaru): He had... lost track of where he was in the score.

(Tamaru): So that's what caused the performers' confusion, hm...
(Tamaru): If he's a beginner at conducting... there's just no helping that.

Eiichi: ...What... were you trying to do?
Eiichi: Tenrai's sound is practically set in place.
Eiichi: Despite that, why did you try to bring forth a different "color"?

Box: Even if I talk about what I "saw", I'm sure he won't understand... but...
Box: That's the only way I can explain it...

Eiichi: Kamine Shouta.
Eiichi: Just what did you see?

[p009]

Kamine: I was swallowed up by total darkness in a raging sea...
Kamine: I'd wanted to produce a clear sky like in your conducting, but... when rain comes down in torrents... it causes a rainbow, doesn't it...

(Eiichi): So that's why
(Eiichi): he said "rainbow."

(Tokisaka): Kamine... your mind's jumbled, isn't it?
(Tokisaka): You've never been able to talk to others about such things...

(Tokisaka): Or could this have been vexing enough...
(Tokisaka): that you've completely forgotten that...?

Eiichi: Have you
Eiichi: heard of "synesthesia"?

[p010]

Eiichi: As an example, recalling a shape when you see a number.
Eiichi: Feeling a sweet sensation when looking at something fluffy.
Eiichi: Being able to see a color when your nose picks up a certain scent.
Eiichi: Feeling as if you're also being touched when someone else is.
(on right person): 1 is like a square.
(above tongue person): Sweet!
(on sniffing person): Green... purple... blue...
(on left person): Is someone touching me?
Eiichi: It is said to be when two or more sensations are produced in relation to one stimulus.

Eiichi: I have a type of synesthesia called "chromesthesia."
Eiichi: I can see colors when I hear sounds.
Eiichi: "Do" is orange, "Re" is silver, sad sounds are blue, and happy sounds are yellow.
Eiichi: Sounds become colors and allow me to understand all sorts of things.

Eiichi: The most excellent of performances is 7 colors... no, even more colors than that are simultaneously visible.
Eiichi: Just like a rainbow... that sound is what I'm always aiming for.

[p011]

(Eiichi): Still, what you demanded was not 7 colors, but a rainbow itself.
(Eiichi): That's far too concrete...!!

(Eiichi): He didn't see "jet black", but a "raging" "sky and sea" in "total darkness"... and then "a rainbow"...!!
(Eiichi): What sharp "synesthesia"!!

Eiichi: The "Tenrai Wind Festival" is in about a month... this is akin to a pop quiz, but
Eiichi: I wonder how much you'll grow.

Eiichi: This is a first for me, Kamine Shouta!!
Eiichi: Doing music, I've never felt like this before.

[p012]

Eiichi: I absolutely
Eiichi: don't want to lose to you!!!

[p013]

(Tamaru): For Ichou-kun...
(Tamaru): to go so far as to say that...!!

(Kodama): Kamine... just what is it about you...!!

Eiichi: Let's meet again at the event itself!!

???: Sorry for the intrusion.
(above students): Goodbye~

Kamine: Hey...
Kamine: Tokisaka...

Kamine: I'd thought... I could conduct today
Kamine: like I've been conducting all along...
Kamine: But I was too naive...

Tokisaka: Kamine...
Kamine: I'm really no good after all...
Kamine: I'm no good at all...!!

[p014]

Kamine: I wanna
Kamine: study more.

Kamine: Music, and conducting!!
Kamine: Study enough that I won't lose to any conductors anywhere!!!

Tokisaka: Yeah! Of course!!

Tokisaka: We'll start by getting you to the point where you can read sheet music!!

[p015]

(Eiichi): He can't even read sheet music...
(Eiichi): Forget a beginner, doesn't that make him a complete amateur?!

(Eiichi): To have such a
(Eiichi): concrete image with zero musical knowledge...

(Eiichi): If he studies up on it...
(Eiichi): just how far will he end up going...?!!

Otowa: ...You're overwhelmingly lacking in the fundamentals department.
Tokisaka: There's a limit to how far self-study can take you... what should we do...

Otowa: There's...
Otowa: someone ideal for that
Otowa: among our section leaders.

[p016]

Otowa: "The Walking Dictionary of Music"
Otowa: is what I like to call him.

Tokisaka: We have someone like that among the section leaders?
Otowa: I realized it when I pestered him for a session, but... he hides it from those around him.

Otowa: The "bassoon/bass clarinet" section leader,
Otowa: Mikitani Shinobu.

Karin: You're kidding, right?
Otowa: I'm serious.
Tokisaka: No, but, I mean... it's Mikitani-senpai...
Otowa: Seriously, I'm serious.

Otowa: Anyway, go see Mikitani.
Otowa: I'll lose interest soon enough the way you are now, Kamine.

[p017]

Otowa: You can come see me again
Otowa: when you've grown and become more interesting.

Kamine: ...Right.

(Otowa): ...that day may come quicker than you'd think...

Tokisaka: ...I still can't believe it, though...
Tokisaka: About Mikitani-senpai...

Tokisaka: Ah! there he is.

[p018]

Oura: Enough is enough already, Shinobu!!
Oura: You're getting in the way, y'know!!!

Tokisaka: It's Oura-senpai!
Tokisaka: The clarinet section leader!
Kamine: Are they...having an argument?

Miki: B...but... this song...
Miki: I thought it would be better... for the clarinets and bass clarinet to practice it together...

Oura: That's just for your own convenience, isn't it?!
Oura: We're not doing that song today! Leave it for later!

Miki: But... we're performing it at the "Tenrai Wind Festival"...
Oura: I told you, that doesn't matter. I mean, Tenrai's the best, anyway.

[p019]

Miki: I see...
Miki: That's true. Sorry.
Box: Ah... H-his heart...

Miki: What's convenient for me really doesn't matter.
Miki: I mean, I'm like a ballpoint pen that's out of ink, so...
Box: He's folding it up and making it smaller... on his own...!!

(sfx): Ufufufufufu...
Miki: Even if I weren't around, it really wouldn't bother anyone.
Box:
Bassoon/Bass Clarinet
Section Leader
Mikitani Shinobu
Box: He's utterly spiritless!!

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/38894 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 10 by lynxian 2013-10-23T16:25:56+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

[p001]

???: Takekaze High School?! I've never heard of them... And their conductor... is a student?!
???: Plus, he's got enough skill to direct even Tenrai's sound...

(Tokisaka): Oh no... if Kamine becomes dispirited over the difference in their abilities...
Tokisaka: ...Kamine.

[p002]

(center) Opus 10: Public Relations

(below panel) Shinkai Hideo

Kamine: Ah.

[p003]

(crowd): Who the heck?

Kodama: Kamine?!
Kodama: Why are you...

Kodama: Tokisaka?! Otowa?! And even Karin?!

Crowd: ...Huh...?! Could she mean Tokisaka Hibiki?!
Crowd: Whaa?! No way?!
Crowd: And next to him... isn't that Otowa Satoi?!
Crowd: Kyaa!! Is it really him?!

Kamine: Huh?!
Kamine: What?!
Kamine: What's going on?!

Girl: Senpai... who are they?
Girl: Don't you read the monthly "Concert Band Journal" publication?! If you don't know about those two, then you need to study more!!

[p004]

Crowd: His musical technique is absolutely top-class! A cool trumpeter who belts out high notes without hesitation or distortion,
Crowd: and has appeared on the cover of "Concert Band Journal" twice,
Crowd: Otowa Satoi!!

Crowd: Pure expressive power inside a passionate performance!!
Crowd: "His sound, which runs in the family," (quote from "Concert Band Journal") leaves everyone captivated!!
「遺伝子に突き刺さる音」("吹ジャ"より)にみんな虜!!
(above Karin): Kyaa!
Crowd: Tokisaka Hibiki!!

(Man): Meien is central as a strong group, but those two are far superior to the rest.
(Man): Kodama-sensei also does an excellent job cultivating them.

(right): Please give us an autograph later!
(Otowa sfx): Denied

Boy: Hey, hey,
Boy: you there.

[p005]

Boy: You
Boy: conduct too, right?

Kamine: Huh?

Kamine: ...How do you know that?

Boy: From the sound of that baton case in your uniform's pocket... rubbing against the fabric.
Boy: I can hear the C flat it's making.

[p006]

Tokisaka: Perfect pitch, huh.
Karin: ...Doesn't that mean he can hear every sound in the world in terms of music notes?
(sfx): Nod

Kamine: Are you the same as me? Wanting to conduct, and joining the concert band as a result?
Kodama: Hey now, Kamine! Don't group him together with you!

Kodama: He's Ichou Eiichi-kun,
Kodama: a 1st year at Takekaze High School.

Kodama: His grandfather is the world-famous conductor Ichou Gouken,
Kodama: and he's a well-educated young man who's had music drilled into his head since infancy!!

Eiichi: You flatter me.

Kamine: ...Say... what's that thing you've been doing for a while now?

[p007]

Eiichi: Sorry, it's a habit.
Eiichi: I end up wanting to add musical accompaniment to the melody of people's voices.

Eiichi: Don't let it bother you! Please, keep talking!

Man: Takekaze's concert band was only established 3 years ago.

Man: They have neither leadership nor experience.
Man: In their 1st and 2nd years, they finished in the bronze category of the prefectural competition.
(panel body):
National Competition | Gold | Tenrai High School
Silver
Bronze
Western Kanto Competition | Gold | Meien High School
Silver
Bronze
Prefectural Competition | Gold
Silver
Bronze | Takekaze High School

Man: And then this year, Takekaze was the only participant in the prefectural competition
Man: who had a student in school uniform standing at the podium.
Man: Everyone thought they would finish in the bronze category again this year, as well.

[p008]

Man: However, they placed first instead!
(center text):
Prefectural Competition | Gold | Takekaze High School
Silver
Bronze
Man: The students had given their all, but
Man: those in charge caused an uproar by declaring that "the results had improved due to the student conducting"!!

Man: We at Tenrai regard Takekaze High School, led by the grandson of "the world-renowned Ichou", to be a rising star,
Man: and so have gotten them to appear at this year's "Tenrai Wind Festival"!!

Tokisaka: They made Tenrai acknowledge them... with just a single performance...!!

Box: This guy...
Box: His heart...

[p009]

Box: is a mass of music.
Box: It has the feel of someone who loves music and has lived alongside it.
Box: It feels like there's even a danger of his being unable to survive without music.

Kamine: It's as if you, yourself,
Kamine: are made of music.

Eiichi: You say some strange things.

Eiichi: I may very well be comprised of sounds... seeing as they speak to my ears.
(Eiichi): Is he tired?
(Eiichi): Did something good happen?
(Eiichi): Is he injured?
Eiichi: They tell me the "feelings" and "condition" of the person producing that sound.

[p010]

(Tokisaka): Th...that's
(Tokisaka): just like...

Box: my...
Box: "eyes"...?!

Eiichi: The sound of your breathing has stopped... have your throats seized up? What's the matter, you two?
Eiichi: Why are you so tense?

Box: There's no malice at all... no, there's not even the slightest bit of interest in thinking about me at all. ...and yet
Box: it's overwhelming!!

Box: I was really surprised that a student was conducting... but then
Box: I was happy, thinking "we're two of a kind."

[p011]

Box: But... would it be impossible for a student conductor to compete
Box: against other championship schools, unless they're like him...?!!

Box: My way of thinking was naive...
Box: Everyone's coldness toward me
(Karin): "There's absolutely no way we'd be able to contend."
(Souma): "It would be impossible now, but..."
(Kodama): "He's a normal band member."
(Kodama): "I just want you to judge his character."
Box: was justified...!!

(sfx): Hoo... hoo...

Kamine: I'm...
Kamine: Kamine Shouta.

[p012]

Kamine: The student conductor who will
Kamine: lead Meien High School to first place in next year's national competition.
Kamine: Make sure you... remember that!!

[p013]

Man: Oho.

Kodama: Don't get cocky.
(sfx): Whack

Kodama: Sorry about that. I'll make him head back to school right away...
Eiichi: Show us!

Kamine/Kodama: Huh?!

Eiichi: I want to see him conduct! Can't we?! Everyone else wants to see it too, right, Tamaru-sensei!

Kodama: He can't!! He's still just a beginner.
Tamaru: But this is a good opportunity, Kodama-sensei.

Tamaru: To think Meien is also fostering a student conductor! It's truly interesting, no?
Tamaru: If he's a beginner, then he can conduct an easy song that anyone would know! Experience is everything, after all!

[p014]

Kodama: ...Alright...
Kodama: He can conduct for a little while... and then we'll leave.

Kamine: I'm sorry for saying something strange
Kamine: and embarrassing you,

Kamine: but I... want to conduct.

Kodama: ......If you're going to do this...
Kodama: then don't have any regrets...

Tokisaka: May we join in as well?
(white sfx): Oooh!
(black sfx): Kyaaa!
Tamaru: Of course!
Tamaru: Hey, lend them some available instruments!

[p015]

???: Nice to meet you, Tokisaka-kun.
???: It's an honor to be playing with you.

Boy: I'm Shigematsu Hiroshi,
Boy: a 2nd year at Tenrai High School, the sax section leader... and band president.
Tokisaka: President!!

Shige: Ah, don't be nervous!!
Shige: All the band members call me "Mister Average"... because I'm a commonplace guy who's neither good nor bad!
Shige: I hope to learn a lot from you!
(above girl): No fair, president!
Tokisaka: Not at all, I hope to learn from you, as well.

Box: It's just like a sea of people.
Box: Can I really do this...?

Box: No...
Box: I'm... sure I can.
sfx bubble: Tick tick tick tick tick

Box: I want to produce...
(Kamine): "It's like a rainbow that's been shoved down your throat..."
(Kamine): "It's incredibly refreshing!"
Box: a sound like that, too...!

[p016/017]

(Tokisaka): How is he...
(Tokisaka): "Mister Average"?

(Tokisaka): His average is nationals-level, isn't it!!

(Tokisaka): Whether the three of us from Meien and the 30 from Takekaze High School...
(Tokisaka): were here or not, the result would be the same.

(Tokisaka): Our sound is being overwhelmed by Tenrai's!!!

(Tokisaka): Kamine... it's no use...!! My sound... is being drowned out!!

Box: ...I can't see Tokisaka, Otowa-senpai or Karin-senpai... dammit!!
Box: I can't steer at all!!

[p018/019]

Box: I've been
Box: completely shipwrecked!!

Box: This isn't what I want!!
Box: At this rate... it'll all be over when I swing the baton...

Box: But...
Box: I don't know any other way to put it!!
Box: It might not get through to them... they might laugh at me... but
Box: I can only... say it!!

Kamine: A rainbow!!
Kamine: Please!!
Kamine: Bring out a rainbow!!

Eiichi: What...
Eiichi: did he say... just now...

Eiichi: A rainbow...!!
Eiichi: Did he say a rainbow?!
(left): What's with this reaction...?!

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/38874 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 9 by lynxian 2013-10-17T23:25:26+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

[p001]

Souma: The "Tenrai Wind Festival", sponsored by Tenrai High School, is a year-end tradition where 4 to 5 championship schools in Gunma Prefecture perform a number of songs.
Souma: It's a friendly competition that serves to bring those participating closer. ...on the outside, anyway.
Kamine: On the outside?

Otowa: The audience
Otowa: holds a vote about that concert.

Tokisaka: It's to see which school was able to move more of the audience... the difference in ability becomes as clear as day...
(left): An invitation from the champions!!
Tokisaka: This is the prelude to the competition!!!
(bottom):
Opus 9: Hints of Unrequited Love
Shinkai Hideo

[p002]

Box: Tenrai High School... the winners of this year's national competition...
Box: Which means... that their performance is... even more incredible than ours!!

Box: More incredible than... that sound...?!
Box: What kind of sound would that even be...?!

Box: I wanna hear it...!!
Kodama: Souma, there's hardly any time left before the performance.
Kodama: The section leaders are gathering now to come up with possible song options,
Kodama: and I have to step out, so... I'll leave it to you.

Souma: Let's go, Utebi, Otowa.
Tokisaka: I'll head over to my section's practice session.

Otowa: Hey, aspiring conductor.

Otowa: You come too.
Kamine: Huh?
Souma/Utebi: Huh?

[p003]

Oura: Hold on,
Oura: why is he here.
Box:
Clarinet Section Leader
Oura Megumi

Kido: By the way! Did you hear?
Kido: Otowa quit the band.
Box:
Oboe Section Leader
Kido Miyabi

Kido: ...wait, he's here!!

Kawawa: The tyrant's whims are truly troublesome.
Kawawa: Are even you thinking that you want Kamine to conduct?
Box:
Tuba Section Leader
Kawawa Jinshiro

[p004]

Otowa: Who knows... but at present,
Otowa: I think it would be more interesting that way.
Box:
Trumpet Section Leader
Otowa Satoi

Utebi: Heh.
Utebi: Same here.

Utebi: There's just something about Kamine's conducting!!
Utebi: We should let him do it as soon as possible!!
Box:
Percussion Section Leader
Utebi Tooru
Utebi: Right, Souma?!

Souma: Well, immediately would be impossible, but... I think that someday,
Souma: he will pull us out of our rut and create a new direction for us!!
Box:
Concert Band President
Souma Shunpei

[p005]

(Leader): Even Souma?
(Leader): What the...
(Leader): What's going on...?

Girl: We don't have to listen to
Girl: the ramblings of a softy and an idiot, y'know.

Utebi: Did that "idiot" bit mean me,
Utebi: HUUH?!
Girl: We're gonna be 3rd years next year!! It'll be our final summer!! We wanna go to the nationals, don't we!!

Girl: It's only normal that we'd have skilled leaders to guide us to the nationals!!
(small text): It's the same with Tenrai!
Girl: Even if the universe were to turn upside-down, there's no way we'd have a student conductor directing us in a competition!!
Girl: And an amateur one, at that!!

[p006]

Girl: If you want to be a conductor, why not just do it on your own time?!
Girl: Don't bring us into it!
Box:
Saxophone Section Leader
Karin Yuuna

Box: S...she's seriously pissed!!
Box: Enough that she's getting burned by her own flames...!!

Karin: Plus, are you even aware... that you're becoming a hindrance
Karin: to Tokisaka-kun's practicing?

Karin: You dragging around our ace... is starting to affect the entire section!!
Karin: Lately, Tokisaka-kun has hardly been coming to section rehearsals at all!!
Box: No way!! ...I'm...
Box: the reason the sax section... is having problems...?!

[p007]

Karin: It's your fault... that I can't be with Tokisaka-kun!!

Karin: No, wait!!
Karin: It's not like I want to be with him or anything!!
Karin: It's lonely when he'sNo, it's-!!
Karin: I mean that it's not good that he can't tune up with people who play the same instrument, so...
Karin: Stop making those faces at me!!

[p008]

Kamine: You mean to say that Tokisaka's skill level is falling because of me...?!!
Kamine: So that's why she's angry enough to burn...
Box: Thick-headed
Utebi: Oi, we've got a clueless one over here!!

Karin: Geez! Anyway!
Karin: With Kodama-sensei's conducting, we're just one step away!

Karin: There's absolutely no way we'd be able to contend with Tenrai and other serious competitors when there's a student conducting us!!
Kamine: Tenrai...
Kamine: The previous competition's champion...!
Karin: That's not all!

Karin: They've taken 1st place in the nationals for three years running!! They're the absolute champions!!
Kamine: Three years running?!!

[p009]

Box: Just what
Box: sort of sound are they producing?!

Oura: Calm down a bit, Karin.
Oura: Conducting aside,
指揮以前に
Oura: Tenrai is just too strong!

Oura: If the Three-Time System were still around, we'd have a shot when Tenrai took their break, but...
(right of Kido): Aughh...
Kido: They're gonna participate next year, too. Why couldn't the decision to get rid of it have waited a bit longer!!

(right): Tokisaka Hibiki's Concert Band Info Corner
(body of panel):
The Three-Time System (shortened name for the Three Consecutive Years of Participation System) is a policy whereby groups who have participated in the national competition for three consecutive years are asked to abstain from participating the following year, in order to give other groups a chance.
As it was abolished in 2013, Tenrai High School, which participated in the nationals for three consecutive years, can also participate next year.
Tokisaka: It is currently November 2013 for us.

Karin: Don't blame it on the circumstances, Megumi, Miyabi!!
Oura: Isn't it your way of thinking that's wrong?

[p010]

Girl: Don't fight, now~ Music is supposed to be fun, you know~
Karin: Kasumin, sorry, but could you please shut up!!
Kasumi: Kaay!
Box:
Flute Section Leader
Fukikoshi Kasumi

Souma: ...This is going to take a while.
Kawawa: Yeah...

Box: Perhaps...
Box: the concert band has a giant wall...

Box: A giant chasm standing in the way...
Box: of their thoughts... and feelings concerning the national competition...

???: How was the meeting?

[p011]

Kamine: Exhausting.
Tokisaka: Figures.

Kamine: I'm... gonna go out for a bit.
Tokisaka: Where to?

Kamine: Tenrai High School's concert band.
Kamine: I want to hear... what they're like!

Tokisaka: Ooh! I'll go too!
Kamine: No! You've got practice!!
Kamine: I mean, it's my fault that your section's rehearsals are doing badly!!
Tokisaka: ? They're not doing badly.
Tokisaka: Did Karin-senpai tell you that?

Tokisaka: That's just because she places a lot of importance on section rehearsals.
Tokisaka: It's nothing to worry about.
(left of Karin): Hmph.
Kamine: R...right.

???: Sounds fun.
???: Count me in, too.
Kamine: Wha?

[p012]

Kamine: Seriously...?!
Otowa: Because you guys seem like you're gonna do something interesting.

Kamine: ...It's reassuring to have more people!
Karin: Ka~~~~~
Karin: mi~~~~~
Karin: ne~~~~~

Kamine: UGYAA! Karin-senpai!!
Karin: You're dragging Tokisaka-kun around with you again, aren't you!!
Karin: Tokisaka-kun is my... I mean, the section's key player, you know!

Tokisaka: Sorry, since he doesn't know Tenrai that well... I'm going to serve as his guide.
Karin: Er!!
Karin: Err...

Karin: A... alright!! Then
Karin: I'll come too!!
Kamine: WHAAA?!

[p013]

Karin: T...to observe!! If you're wasting Tokisaka-kun's time,
Karin: I'll bring him back here right away!!

Box: The sax section's problems...
Box: I don't understand them at all... just what are they...?!
(above Kamine): NUUUOOOO
Tokisaka: I'll carry your bag, senpai.

[p014]

(sfx): Peek

Karin: ...I'm getting nervous...
Tokisaka: The concert hall must be down there.

Kamine: Wow, both sides are lined with soundproof rooms!
Kamine: There's a piano and audio equipment in each of them, too!

(sign): Welcome, members of the Takekaze High School concert band!
Kamine: ...Huh? What's with this sign?

Tokisaka: They're having a joint practice session.
Tokisaka: There are two bands playing music together.

[p015]

Box: What was that just now...?

Box: It's like a waterfall... like the sun... no, like a rainbow across the sky.
Box: Like a rainbow that's been shoved down your throat...

Box: What is this...?!

[p016/017]

Box: Even though this sound is being produced by humans...

Box: It's as if it's coming
Box: out of thin air...!!

Box: What in the world is this?! I've never felt something like this before...
Box: It's incredibly
Box: refreshing!!

Karin: ...We shouldn't have come.

[p018]

Karin: How could we possibly compete... against a band that produces such refreshing music...?!

???: Ah! It's Kodama-sensei!
???: So this is where she went!

Box: Even Kodama-sensei's heart appears conflicted!

Box: They... have a conductor directing them, too...?!
Box: What sort of teacher could it be...
Box: They're incredible...!!

Box: If I could
Box: produce a sound like this too someday, then...!!

(sfx): Clap clap clap clap
Teacher: ...Well now, what excellent conducting!
Teacher: But what a bold decision this is,

[p019]

Teacher: for Takekaze High School to have you, a student,
Teacher: conducting at next year's competition!
Boy: You flatter me.

(left): An unexpected rival?!

(bottom): Next time, an unexpected development in the recon visit to Tenrai?!

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/38862 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 8 by lynxian 2013-10-15T16:17:57+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

[p001]

(right): A memory between Kodama and Souma...
(Kodama): Souma... do you know why the members chose you as band president?

Souma: Not really. My musical skills and knowledge aren't much to speak of, so...
(left of Kodama): Agh, I can't reach.

Kodama: It's because you interact with people earnestly and sincerely, isn't it?
Kodama: Moreso than anyone else.
Souma: Huh?

Kodama: You calmly consider others' feelings and promote an environment where everyone gets along.
Kodama: Having you around probably puts everyone at ease.
Kodama: "If Souma's here, everything will be fine", and the like.

[p002]

(right): Their full-power session has finally begun!! He'll connect everyone's hearts and guide them... with that baton!!

Kodama: That's why, even if the entirety of the band is in disarray,

Kodama: you alone, as band president, must remain unflappable.

(bottom): Opus 8: Gallop | Shinkai Hideo

[p003]

Kamine: All of you in the back row!!

Kamine: This song is "Bugler's Holiday"!!
Kamine: It's a melody used at sporting events in Japan!!
Kamine: You need to make it sound more fun!!
Kamine: It should be faster!! A steady gallop!!

(Student): But...
(Student): If we deviate on the tempo...
(Student): It will throw everyone out of whack...!
Kamine: It's alright!!

Kamine: Souma-senpai is here, so
Kamine: everything will be fine!!!

(Souma): How...
(Souma): do you know about that!!

[p004]

Box: Souma-senpai has even helped me out twice already.
(Souma): C'mon, Utebi.
(Souma): Let's have him join as a normal member for now.
Box: Your heart, as president, is the band's "core"... its "center."

Box: It might be the first time... I've encountered a heart so genuinely bright.
Box: Looking at it really gives you peace of mind...!!

(Souma): It's just as Kamine-kun says...

(Souma): The instant I heard Otowa play for the first time,
(Souma): I ended up thinking there was no way I could win against him.

(Souma): But!! Making the members, who have been swayed by that alone, uneasy... what am I doing!!
だが!!それだけにとらわれメンバーを不安にさせて何になる!!
(Souma): I even... did the same to Otowa...!!

[p005]

(Souma): I should act
(Souma): without hesitation!!
sfx bubble: Pah-pa-ra

(Souma): Sorry for everything up to now,
(Souma): Otowa.

[p006]

Dad: Satoi...
(Dad): I...

(Dad): had never seen what Satoi looked like during a performance, as I thought it was an unnecessary aspect of his life.
(Dad): Even if you're on your own, so long as you have the strength to live, you can get by... That's the sort of place this world is.
(Dad): I've taught Satoi that... for his own good.

(Dad): But to think your face would be... so animated
(Dad): among such a large crowd of people.

[p007]

Box: Here it comes.
Box: Here it comes!!
Kamine: Pick up the rhythm!! Trumpet section, advance as one!! Souma-senpai will take the reins!!

Box: Otowa-senpai is the head!!
Box: Souma-senpai has the band's body!!
Box: Behind them are the legs to propel them forward!!
Box: And Tokisaka is tying all those sounds together!!

Box: The music
Box: is perfect!!

[p008/009]

Baby: Kyaa!!

Box: Any moment now!!
Box: Only a little more, and this sound

Box: will reach...
Box: his dad's heart!!

[p010/011]

(Souma): Otowa's sound... suddenly
(Souma): became weaker...?

(Souma): No way...
(Souma): Usually, this register would be no problem for him, but...

(Souma): In front of his father... he's nervous... and wants to be acknowledged...
(Souma): and the high notes just won't coming out?!

(Souma): He can't endure the 1st trumpet's responsibility of handling the high register?!
(Souma): After this... the 1st part has a solo, too...!!
(Souma): If Otowa's sound disappears, the song will end up stopping midway!!

Box:
2nd
Souma Shunpei (Tp.)
Box:
1st
Otowa Satoi (Tp.)
(Tokisaka): Otowa-senpai's sound...
Box:
3rd
Tokisaka Hibiki (S. Sax)

(Tokisaka): is fading!!!

Box:
2nd
Souma Shunpei (Tp.)
Box:
1st
Otowa Satoi (Tp.)
Box:
3rd
Tokisaka Hibiki (S. Sax)

[p013]

Box:
1st
Souma Shunpei (Tp.)
Box: Otowa Satoi (Tp.)
Box:
2nd
Tokisaka Hibiki (S. Sax)

(Utebi): Through... eye contact...
(Utebi): he instantaneously...
(Utebi): switched Souma to 1st... and Tokisaka to 2nd?!

(Utebi): This is a place in the music where the 1st, 2nd and 3rd parts overlap!!
(above image):
"Bugler's Holiday"
Last section
(right of Tokisaka): Rests for about 2 measures
(right of Otowa): Rests for about 4 measures
(Utebi): He hasn't just kept the song from falling apart! By passing the 3rd part, which has a slight break, to Otowa, it lets him pull himself together!!
1stを吹かせ曲を止めないだけじゃねぇ!少し休みのある3rdをおとわに譲って態勢を立て直させた!!

(Utebi): Oi, oi... that level of improvisation isn't something an amateur could pull off!!
(Utebi): Just what the hell're you able to see!!

[p014]

Box:
3rd
Otowa Satoi (Tp.)

Box: And now, for the finishing touch!!
Box: With this,

Box: it's ov...
Baby: Auu

Box: Erm.

Baby: Goo~~
Baby: Auu~~

[p015]

(sfx): Ta-da!
Baby: Aoo!

[p016]

(dad sfx): Sigh

(sign, half-hidden): Director's Office

[p017]

Dad: While you're in high school... you should continue with the concert band.
Dad: However,
Dad: I will approve under the condition that you give your all in both studying and band activities, and produce results.

Dad: If you aren't able to obtain the absolute highest result when you perform at the national competition,
Dad: you will give up the concert band entirely.

(Souma): That means first place in the national concert band competition!!
(Utebi): That's unknown territory, even for us!!

Otowa: Got it.
Otowa: Thanks, dad.

Dad: Also... I believe your name was Kamine-kun?
Dad: That was a wonderful performance.

[p018]

Dad: If you're the conductor,
Dad: I'm certain everything will be fine.
Kamine: Thank you
Kamine: very much!!

(signs, half-hidden):
Music Storage Room
And the advisor's workroom!!!
Assume that I'm always in - Kodama
Kodama: KAMINE!!
Kodama: What do you think you're doing!!

Kodama: Making off with a section leader and the band president as you please!!
(white sfx): GRRAAR
(black sfx): Yeep!
Kodama: Putting on a concert whenever you feel like it!!

Kodama: And why do you all look so happy! I'm pissed off here!!
(all sfx): Smile
Kodama: Don't go making trouble for the hospital!!

[p019]

Kodama: ......well, whatever.

Kodama: Get yourselves in the zone soon, though,
Kodama: because I got a phone call from Tenrai High School.

???: Sensei!! Were we invited to the "Tenrai Wind Festival"... this year, as well?!
(sfx): Nod
???: Seriously?!
???: I was worried we wouldn't be this year.

Kamine: Tenrai? What's that?

Kodama: Tenrai High School was the one
Kodama: who took first place in the last national competition.
(sign): Tenrai Private High School
(left): The greatest possible wall!!

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/38826 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 7 by lynxian 2013-10-07T19:14:10+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

[p001]

???: ...What did you just say, Kamine-kun...?
Kamine: We're going to perform for Otowa-senpai's dad.
Kamine: I would like all of you in the trumpet section

Kamine: to participate in the performance
(left): Cut straight to the section's core!!
(right):
A unique concert band manga!!
SOUL CATCHER(S)
Opus 7: The Abyss | Shinkai Hideo
Kamine: alongside Otowa-senpai, Tokisaka and myself!!

Souma: The trumpet section has never played with Otowa.

Souma: Despite that, you're
Souma: telling us to do it?

[p002]

Kamine: Yes.

Souma: ...Alright.

Souma: ...So... what song are we playing?
Souma: If we're performing for Otowa's father,

Souma: I think it would be best to go with a song
Souma: where Otowa has a solo and takes the lead...

Kamine: ...No.

[p003]

Tokisaka: We're going to do this one.

Souma: ...Th-
Souma: This is...!

Tokisaka: We should go with a song where Otowa-senpai stands out, right?

Kamine: No...
Kamine: I don't know about songs or any of that, but... that's not really necessary.

Kamine: You, Otowa-senpai... and Souma-senpai.
Kamine: We're looking for a song that showcases three people equally.

Kamine: But, well!! If not, that's okay!! Just forget about it!!

[p004]

(right): A man whose soul burns as he draws!! You can only read Shinkai Hideo-sensei's manga in Weekly Shounen Jump!! Thanks for the support!!

Tokisaka: "Song choice" is one of the conductor's most important jobs.
Tokisaka: The performers' skill level, the audience's preferences, when the performance will be held... there are a lot of things that need to be considered, and yet
Tokisaka: your request is crystal clear.

Tokisaka: Why not go for one that can be like that, then!

Tokisaka: Here! This should fit the bill.

Tokisaka: "Bugler's Holiday"... it's a staple at sporting events...
Tokisaka: A song where three trumpets take the lead...

Tokisaka: This will be a bit unorthodox, but for the piece, I'll take the place of one trumpet
Tokisaka: and play a "soprano sax", which has a similar register.

Souma: You can't be serious!! Are you really telling us to do a performance
Souma: where Otowa, Tokisaka-kun and I will play on equal footing?!

[p005]

Kamine: That right there, Souma-senpai,
Kamine: is the reason Otowa-senpai keeps away from the trumpet section.

(???): "The difference in ability is too great."
(???): "Nobody can keep up with him."
Kamine: When you talk about Otowa-senpai,
Kamine: perhaps... you're thinking something along these lines?
(???): "He's a special case."
(???): "I don't get him."
(???): "There's nothing I can do."

Kamine: "I absolutely can't win
Kamine: against Otowa."

Box: Usually, if I say something like this,
Box: the person will snap.

Box: But
Box: that's fine.

[p006]

Box: Even if he gets his dad's permission and comes back,
Box: Otowa-senpai has no place in the trumpet section the way it is now... he'll loiter around in other sections, people will avoid him, and he'll be isolated.
Box: That's why we have to have an effect on both the section and his dad!! Otherwise, this whole thing will be meaningless!!

Box: If I can make the concert band into Otowa-senpai's ally... then they can get mad at me
Box: all they'd like!!

Kamine: I think that those who had jam sessions with Otowa-senpai tried to perform "on equal footing" with him, at least at first.
(Tokisaka): We will show you an excellent session on even ground.
(Moko): It turned into a jam session!
(Girl): I was such an idiot, thinking I might be able to manage it...!
Kamine: He's been searching for that in the people he performs with.

Kamine: But Souma-senpai, whose school year and viewpoint should be the same as Otowa-senpai's, infected the entire section with his "resigned spirit"
Kamine: and forced Otowa-senpai to feel isolated...!!
(Students): "I bet he can do anything."
(Students): "His skills are off the charts."
(Students): "He seemed a bit isolated."

[p007]

(Otowa): "Playing trumpet by myself
(Otowa): won't change a thing."

Souma: ...Even if you tell me something like that...
Souma: What... am I supposed to do about it...!!

Tokisaka: My sound improved
Tokisaka: thanks to Kamine.

Tokisaka: If you perform with Kamine conducting...
Tokisaka: it might clarify something.

Souma: ...Alright.
Souma: Let's do it.

Kamine: ...Let's get going, then!
Kamine: Otowa-senpai!

[p008]

Souma: Otowa...!

Utebi: I heard you guys're gonna go perform?!
Utebi: Count me in too, punks!!

Kamine: Utebi-senpai?!
Utebi: You've only got trumpets, don'tcha!! Let me and my xylophone join ya!!

Utebi: I wanna try performing with you conducting, too.
Utebi: Got a problem with that?

Kamine: ...Not at all!!

Tokisaka: Ah!

[p009]

Tokisaka: That's right! I had something to give you, Kamine!
(sfx): Rummage
Kamine: Huh?

Tokisaka: Here,
Tokisaka: use this.
Kamine: ...Th-
Kamine: this is...

Tokisaka: A baton
Tokisaka: for your exclusive use.

Kamine: Now I feel bad... how much was this?
Kamine: I'll pay you back.
(sfx): Woah! Wow~

Tokisaka: The baton was 1500 yen and the case was 3500.
(left of Tokisaka): You don't need to.
Kamine: Why's the case more expensive?!

Tokisaka: Put "your heart" into it and wield that baton!!
Tokisaka: And then!!

[p010]

Tokisaka: Guide our music
Tokisaka: to the director's heart!!!

Kamine: Okay!!
Kamine: Let's do this!!!

[p011]

(sign): Director's Office
Dad: ...You do understand that coming here without an appointment... means you'll be turned away, don't you?

Dad: Satoi has begun preparing for his entrance exam. He doesn't need...

Kamine: Otowa-senpai loves the concert band more than anything.

Kamine: Please, just for a bit... won't you
Kamine: listen to our performance, for Otowa-senpai's sake!!

Woman: Director,
Woman: it's already time for your next appointment...

[p012]

Dad: Please tell them... that I will be a little late.

Dad: I will listen to just one song.
Dad: It's too cramped in here... why don't we change venues?

Moko: Hibiki! Kamine-san! Satoi-san! Good luck!

Tokisaka: Souma-senpai and the rest are sure nervous.
Tokisaka: The lips are everything for brass instruments, so they're warming up.
(sfx): Pui pui puui puii puui
Kamine: I see...

(Utebi sfx): Puuuuuuuii
Kamine: There's no point in you doing it!!

[p013]

Box:
1st
Otowa Satoi (Tp.)

Box:
2nd
Souma Shunpei (Tp.)

Box:
3rd
Tokisaka Hibiki (S. Sax)

Box: Tokisaka said...
Box: to match the up and down motion to the metronome.
メトロノームに合わせて上下に往復
sfx bubble: Tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
Box: "Extremely lively...

Box: and fast"!!

Box: There's that incredible presence, right from the get-go!!
Box: The sound is gonna reach his dad's hea...

[p014/015]

Box: Wh...what the...
Box: What's with... this heart...?!

Box: Is this... a cliff?!

Box: He's making his son climb all the way up there
Box: as a trial?!!

Box: Even though this incredibly overpowering sound swallows up those around it,
Box: in reality, it's just the cry of a baby wanting to be acknowledged by its father.

Box: At this rate, no matter how much he shouts from the bottom of the ravine,
Box: Otowa-senpai's music... and heart... won't ever reach!!!

[p016]

Box: In that case!!
Kamine: Tokisaka!! Raise it up!!

Kamine: Push Otowa-senpai's sound up from below, so it'll reach!!

(Tokisaka): Play a steady low tone as support in order to make Otowa-senpai stand out, right?!
(Tokisaka sfx): Nod
(top arrow): Otowa
(bottom arrow): Tokisaka

[p017]

(director sfx): Twitch

Box: A reaction...!!

Box: But...
(sfx): Gyaaaa
Box: it's not enough!!

Box: This really won't work after all...!!
Box: Not unless all three of them are on the same level!!

Kamine: Souma-senpai!!

[p018/019]

Kamine: Don't let even your heart fade into the background!!
心まで二番手になるな!!

Kamine: You couldn't beat him in technique, so that makes you second best?!
Kamine: Don't you have something just as amazing in which

Kamine: Otowa-senpai absolutely can't defeat you?!
Kamine: That's why you were chosen to be

Kamine: band president,
Kamine: rather than section leader, isn't it!!!

(Souma): It's just as
(Souma): Tokisaka-kun told me.

(Souma): Kamine-kun's words tend to be... confusing and cryptic.
メチャクチャで意味不明で...ともすると
(Souma): I don't know whether there's a connection, but...

(left): Time to wake up...!!!
(Souma): This feeling...!!
(Souma): This sound...!!!

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/38825 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 6 by lynxian 2013-10-07T19:13:23+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

[p001]

???: I'm back.
(left): A conversation between father and son... in the Otowa household...

Otowa: Dad.
Otowa: You came home today.

Dad: ...You're still
Dad: doing that club, Satoi?

Otowa: ...It's not affecting my grades... I always take the top spot in the mock exams, too.
Otowa: You shouldn't have any complaints, even if I'm involved in a club.

Dad: That level of unpreparedness will send your life into chaos, you know.
Dad: It's not like the concert band will get you into Tokyo University's medical science department, right?

[p002]

Dad: Let today be the last of your participation in that club.
Dad: Starting tomorrow, you will focus on studying for your entrance exam.
(left): His father's heartless words!!!
(bottom): Opus 6: The Kaijuu's Ballad | Shinkai Hideo
(note: Kaijuu are the monsters from tokusatsu shows like Ultraman)

Dad: In the end, you only have your own power to rely on, after all.
Dad: ...Understand?

[p003]

(Kamine sfx): Fukhaaaa

Kamine: ...I don't think I can do this.
Souma: Make your lips vibrate, but don't strain yourself.
(sfx): Puuui puiii

[p004]

Kamine: No matter how much I practice, there's no way I can be like Otowa-senpai...
Souma: Well, he was a special case.

Kamine: ...was?

Kamine: Why did you use past tense... come to think of it, which section is Otowa-senpai in today...?

Souma: He quit.

Kamine: Wha?
Souma: Kodama-sensei told me, after hearing about it from Otowa himself... apparently it's due to personal reasons.

[p005]

Students: I'd never have imagined he would suddenly quit like this.
Students: He'd seemed a bit isolated, though...
Students: His skills were off the charts, too...
Students: I guess playing in the concert band with everyone wasn't his thing...

Box: No way in hell that's true.
Box: Something must've happened.

Box: That guy is "starved for human contact."
Box: He's a baby who received a tremendous level of skill without knowing how to moderate it.
強大な実力を身に付けちまった加減を知らねぇ赤ん坊だ
Box: I just don't see... someone like that wanting to quit.

Kamine: ...What'll you guys do about a section leader?
Souma: Kodama-sensei told me to handle it for now.
Souma: The section leader can't remain absent like this.
不在のままにはできない

Kamine: Is that really alright with you...?
Souma: Of course it isn't! ...but what else can I do!!

[p006]

Souma: What the hell, Otowa... I don't understand his thinking at all...!!
Souma: So just what am I supposed to do...!!

Souma: Seeing as Otowa's ended up leaving, those of us in the trumpet section can only do the best we can...!!

Baby: Aoo~

Kamine: ...I'm sorry, Souma-senpai... this...
Kamine: really is bothering me, after all.

Kamine: I've got a feeling that we shouldn't
Kamine: just leave things like this with Otowa-senpai...!!

[p007]

Kamine: I'm! Gonna go look for him!

Kamine: Tokisakaa!! Huh?! Where is he?!
Utebi: Yo, Kamine. What's up, punk!!
Kamine: 'Sup!!

Kamine: Utebi-senpai!! Do you know where Tokisaka is?
Utebi: Huh? You don't know? He left for a bit.

Utebi: He went to the hospital
Utebi: to check up on Moko-chan.

[p008]

Kamine: Tokisaka FOUUUND!!
Tokisaka: YOWCH!!

Kamine: O...Owa... Owa... Oto... Ototowatowaa!!
(sfx): Wheeze pant gasp wheeze
Tokisaka: Kamine?!
Tokisaka: What is it?! What's wrong?!

Tokisaka: I didn't know that... so then, Otowa-senpai...
(sfx): Gulp gulp gulp gulp
Kamine: Still, where could he have gone...?
Tokisaka: Well,

Tokisaka: Otowa-senpai's house is apparently right near here. I don't know if he's there, but
Tokisaka: let's go pay a visit after we see Moko!
Kamine: Alright!

Tokisaka: Hasn't it been a while?
Kamine: She's not gonna get pissed about something like that.

Tokisaka: Moko,
Tokisaka: I've come to vi...

[p009]

Moko: Ah!
Moko: Hibiki!
Moko: And Kamine-san, too!

Tokisaka: Otowa-senpai?! Why're you here?!
Otowa: Be quiet in the hospital.
(sfx): Shh.

Box: What's with this combination?!
Tokisaka: Otowa-senpai... what manner of relationship do you have with Moko?

Kamine: Tokisakaaaa!! And your heart, too!!

[p010]

Moko: When I was singing in rehab, suddenly this trumpet joined in and it turned into a jam session!
Moko: Satoi-san is really skilled!

Box: I see... so he was interested in her beautiful voice...
Box: As I thought, the people he chooses to play alongside all have skill...

Tokisaka: When? How long have you known each other?
Kamine: You're being a huge pain in the ass today!!

Moko: Hey, Hibiki, did you know that Satoi-san's father is the director of this hospital?!
(sfx): Clap
Tokisaka: Yeah.

Moko: And he's incredibly nice! I really like him!

(creature sfx): Grrr...

[p011]

(Otowa sfx): Glance

Otowa: I'm heading home... it's almost "that time."
Otowa: Sorry for the trouble.

Moko: Aww!!

Moko: But those two finally came by too,
Moko: so stay a little longer, Satoi-saaan!!
Otowa: Eh?

Tokisaka: That's right. I also have a mountain of things I'd like to ask you.

Otowa: ...No, seriously, I have to go...
Otowa: He's coming...

Moko: Aww, c'mon.
Tokisaka: C'mon.

[p012]

Dad: Moko-chan, I've come for your checkup.
Dad: How are you doing today?

Moko: Ah! Director!

Dad/Otowa: ...!

Box: Wha?
Baby: Uu...

(around baby): Uueeehh

Box: Huh...?

[p013]

Box: S...so loud!! It burst into tears?!

Box: Otowa-senpai's dad...
Box: It's because of him...!!

Dad: Alright, let me get a look at your throat.
Moko: Kaay.

[p014]

Kamine: Otowa-senpai,
Kamine: could I... have a minute?

Otowa: ...I've already quit the band... so you shouldn't have any business with me.
Kamine: ...That might be true, but

Kamine: Was this... really your own decision?
Kamine: Maybe... it has something to do... with... your father...?

Otowa: How could you know that...

(Otowa): How about I have a session with you next?
(Moko): It turned into a jam session!
(Souma): I've never seen Otowa playing
(Souma): by himself...

[p015]

Kamine: Concert band really isn't any fun
Kamine: when you're all alone... is it.

Otowa: ...I see... so this is how Tokisaka and Utebi... were won over, huh.

Otowa: ...With wind instruments, you usually can't produce multiple, simultaneous sounds by yourself.
Otowa: Even if you play alone, there's nothing fun about it.

[p016]

Otowa: Every instrument produces a different sound and feel, and that creates harmony.
Otowa: The trumpet only shines with all of that present.

Otowa: Of course it's more fun... playing with 2 people, or 8, or 55...!!
Otowa: That's the point of a concert band!!

Otowa: And yet no one's kept pace with me... they give up partway through...
Otowa: Is it wrong... to give your all?
Otowa: Is it wrong... to do what you love?

[p017]

Otowa: Even my father only thinks of me as a way to continue the family business.
Otowa: My existence has no meaning outside of that.
Otowa: My fate is to give up music and become a doctor, as per my father's wishes.
Otowa: The thing I love most... is the most unnecessary thing in my life...

Kamine: You can't quit.
Kamine: The band needs you.

Otowa: You... don't know the first thing about me.
Kamine: I know enough.

Kamine: Suffering through a reality you can't change... nothing going the way it should... being shunned and avoided by other people... losing sight of your reason for existing...
Kamine: It's so painful you could die.

Kamine: But you're
Kamine: nothing like me.

[p018]

Kamine: I ran away from it, but
(Otowa): "That will make it
(Otowa): a bit better."
Kamine: you still tried to get involved with people.

Kamine: You're
Kamine: incredibly cool!!

Box: He can't help wanting to be noticed by his dad and everyone in the band.
親父さんにも部活のみんなにも構ってほしくて仕方がない
Box: As if I could just leave someone like that alone!!
Kamine: Please come back to the band!!

Kamine: Let's get your dad to give his permission!

[p019]

Kamine: Tokisaka and I
Kamine: will help you!!

???: ...I see!!

Tokisaka: With you, me, and Otowa-senpai performing, we should be able to move the director's heart!

Kamine: ...No, that alone won't work.
Kamine: There's one more problem to deal with.

Kamine: We have to do something
Kamine: about the trumpet section itself.
(left): Just what will they do?!

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/38799 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 5 by lynxian 2013-10-01T22:08:21+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

[p001]

(right) Onward, to a new section!!
Souma: Thanks for deciding
Souma: to come to our trumpet section.

Box: I lost to the intensity of his wholehearted request for help...
Souma: Please, Kamine-kun.
Box: ...that was part of it, but above all,

Box: I was just happy
Box: to feel needed.

???: ...As I thought,
???: Otowa isn't here today, either.

Kamine: ...Is the tyra... I mean, Otowa-senpai,
Kamine: a member... in name only?

Souma: No... he comes everyday.
Boy: Hey, Souma!!

[p002]

(left): The tyrant appears... but he's in a completely different horn section. What's going on...?!

Boy: The tyrant's over in our section!!
Boy: Can't you do something about him?!

???: Hey,

Boy: don't blow into your instrument like that.
Boy: You'll kill the melody.
Box:
Trumpet section leader
Otoha Satoi
(bottom)
Opus 5: Gazort's Melancholy | Shinkai Hideo
(note: Gazort is a monster from the Ultraman series)

[p003]

Souma: --A trumpet's tone is...
Souma: well, it's very prominent.

Souma: No matter how large the orchestra,
Souma: you can't drown out the brilliant sound of a single trumpet.

Souma: It stands above the layers of sound created
Souma: by the other instruments, like a king.

Souma: As section leader, Otowa is 1st trumpet - the best among them.
Souma: ...and yet,

Souma: since joining the concert band,
Souma: he hasn't practiced together with the trumpet section even once.

[p004]

Souma: He joins other sections' practice sessions as he pleases and finds fault with their playing.
Souma: He doesn't stop until he loses interest.

Souma: The biggest problem
Souma: is that there's too much of a gap in ability between himself and others.

Souma: ...There he is.

Souma: Otowa's skill is on a completely different level.
Souma: No one's performance can match his.

Souma: He oppresses the other band members with the overwhelming power of his music.
Souma: That's why he's a "tyrant."

[p005]

Box: What incredible presence...!!
Box: It's swallowing up the sounds around it!!

Box: Even though he's playing alongside them, the sound isn't working together at all.
Box: It's as if a normal human were being forced to run a three-legged race attached to an enormous monster...!!
(sfx): STOMP STOMP STOMP
(above person): Gyaa!

Box: Like this,
Box: those playing with him will...

(Girl): I can't do this...
(Girl): I can't match him with my strength...!!

(Girl): I was such an idiot, thinking I might be able to manage it...!!
(Girl): No more...!!

[p006]

(Girl): I don't
(Girl): want to play anymore...!!

Otowa: ...You're

[p007]

Kamine: Any more than that,
Kamine: and their spirits will break.

Girl: Ah...

Otowa: Kamine
Otowa: Shouta.

Otowa: You want to conduct, right?
Kamine: Yeah.

Otowa: Do you know what it means to be a conductor?
Kamine: Huh?
Kamine: Um?
Otowa: Are you studying music composition?
Otowa: What about solfège?
Kamine: Er-
Otowa: Have you learned Helmholtz pitch notation?
Otowa: Can you play the piano?
Otowa: Can you play any instrument at all?

[p008]

Box: H...he's turned his fangs on me...!!
Box: What's with this intense character of his...!!

Box: Does he plan to... break my spirit, too...?!!

Creature: Aa!
Creature: Aa~
Creature: Aoo~

Creature: Au~

Box: Wha?

[p009]

Baby: Aa~
Baby: Aba!

Box: Th...there's a...
Baby: Aoo~!

(Baby sfx): Kya kya
Box: baby inside?!

Otowa: And you've even improved that
Otowa: hopelessly dull Tokisaka's sound a bit.

[p010]

Otowa: You guys seem interesting.
Otowa: How about I have a session with you next?

Tokisaka: Very well.

Tokisaka: The two of us will show you an excellent session
Tokisaka: on even ground, Otowa-senpai!!

Souma: Wait, Otowa!
Souma: Show up to the trumpet section's rehearsals!!

Otowa: That... won't happen.

[p011]

Otowa: Playing trumpet by myself
一人で吹いているのと
Otowa: won't change a thing.

Otowa: Oh, right.
Otowa: Horns.
(sfx): Jolt

Otowa: Practice your lip slur fundamentals.
Otowa: Also, pay more attention to the off-beat when the tempo speeds up.
Otowa: Don't use alternate fingerings. They throw off the tuning.
Otowa: That will make it... a bit better.
少しは... マシになる

Souma: --There are plenty of band members who lose confidence after a session with Otowa and stop coming to rehearsal...

Souma: Ignoring the trumpet section, going around scaring other sections...
Souma: and keeping his friends at a distance, just what is Otowa trying to do...!!

Student: Speaking of Otowa-senpai, he's got a lot going for him.
(above students): Yeah yup true

[p012]

Student: He can sight-read perfectly,
Student: he's super smart,
Student: good in sports,
Student: and a looker too, right?
Student: My friends keep telling me he's really cool.

Student: Plus, he's the only child of the "Otowagaoka Hospital", isn't he?
Student: Y'know, that huge hospital?

Kamine: Otowagaoka...
Tokisaka: That's where Moko is hospitalized.

Student: I bet he can do anything.

Box: ...Really...?
Box: But there's... something that doesn't make sense.

Girl: Sorry! I still can't play this piece yet.
Girl: I'll go practice it on my own!
Girl: Alright~

[p013]

(Otowa): "Playing trumpet by myself won't change a thing."
Kamine: Um... Souma-senpai.
Kamine: Have you ever seen

Kamine: Otowa-senpai play by himself,
Kamine: even once?

Souma: Well, if there were a need for him to practice on his own...

Souma: No,
Souma: I haven't.

Box: The reason he doesn't come the trumpet section...
Box: him forcing his way into sessions...
Box: "That will make it a bit better"...

Box: And that "heart" of his...
Box: Rather than keeping people away... it's like...

Tokisaka: You've figured something out, haven't you, Kamine.
Kamine: Yeah... fortunately or unfortunately, we're his next target!

[p014]

Kamine: So how about
Kamine: we see this through to the end.

Kamine: Let's head back to Otowa-senpai...!
Kodama: Oh, there you are, Souma.

Kodama: I have a message from Otowa.
Kodama: He said "I've got cram school, so I'm going home."

Kamine: Oi, Tokisaka, it doesn't have to be today!!
Kamine: We can do it tomorrow!

Tokisaka: No, today!!
Tokisaka: It has to be today!!
Kamine: Why!!

Tokisaka: That's obvious!

[p015]

Tokisaka: Because I'm in good form today!!
Tokisaka: And it'll be more worthwhile directing me under these circumstances, too!!

Kamine: ...Ha?
Kamine: What's all that about!!

Tokisaka: There he is!!

Kamine: Heeey!!
Kamine: No good, he's too far away!!
Kamine: We're gonna lose him!
Tokisaka: Don't worry!

Tokisaka: I'll use my music
Tokisaka: to bring him to a halt!!

Box: C'mon, reach!!

[p016]

Box: We got his attention!!

(Otowa sfx): Grin

Kamine: Okay! Let's hurry over to the other si...

Box: Wha...

Box: ...Fr...

Box: From all the way over there?!

[p017]

Box: W...what incredible presence...!!
Box: That clear sound is just as... no, it's even more intense than the sax beside me, and they're in perfect sync.

Box: Wait... that's strange.

(Kamine): How are we... able to have a session...
(Kamine): with sound coming from such a distance?

[p018]

(Kamine): The other party is so far away that it would produce a time lag between "the music you play" and "the music you hear",
(Kamine): making an actual song impossible.
(diagram, top arrow): (2) Hear | Delay in reaching | (1) Play
(diagram, bottom arrow): (3) Additional playing | Even longer delay | Gap -> (4) Hear

(Kamine): And yet, they're... pulling off a duet...?
(Kamine): The fact that we can hear it like this means...!!

(Kamine): He's calculating the time lag and purposefully delaying his sound,
(Kamine): without the level of the performance dropping in the slightest.
(Kamine): And he's completely calm!!!

Tokisaka: I never thought he'd be such...

Tokisaka: a genius... no,
Tokisaka: a monster...!!

[p019]

Woman: Honey?
Woman: Did you hear?

Woman: Satoi received another award for his trumpet playing!
Woman: He's really incredible!
Woman: You know, there was a phone call from the Vienna Symphony Orchestra a while ago...

Man: How pointless.

Woman: ...Pointless... he's trying his hardest, you know... it wouldn't hurt to show him a little recognition...
Man: It's merely a hobby.

Man: Satoi will become a doctor.
(left): Otowa's circumstances... are somewhat complicated?!
Man: A concert band would be positively meaningless.

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/38798 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 4 by lynxian 2013-10-01T22:06:54+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

[p001]

Kamine: Utebi-senpai,

Kamine: please let me stay
Kamine: in the percussion section just a little longer.

(below panel) Kamine makes his move in order to confront Utebi's "heart" head-on...!!

(Boy): "Don't reject those who come to you."
(Boy): "Become the kinda guy who's tolerant of others, Utebi."

Utebi: Make sure you don't get in the way.
Utebi: ...other than that, do what you want.

(bottom right)
Opus 4: Thor's Hammer
Shinkai Hideo

[p002]

(Utebi): I've tried being like that, and all sorts of things have become clear.
なってみて色々気付く
(Utebi): You're only a year above me, but... you really are amazing,

(Utebi): "Former section leader"...

(Utebi): Those two have been throwing themselves into practice, even after school.

(Utebi): We're bound to
(Utebi): have gotten better than yesterday, for sure!!

Box: I don't know if an outsider like me intervening will fix things...

Box: But it
Box: probably
Kodama: And also...
Box: needs to be said.

[p003]

Kodama: what's going on, percussion?
Kodama: You sound exactly the same as yesterday.

Kodama: C'mon, where's your sense of unity? Are you having trouble keeping it together?

Utebi: Why... just what's going wrong... all the notes and timing are spot-on...!!
Utebi: What's that "sense of unity" thing supposed to mean...!!

Utebi: Dammit...!!

(Utebi): Don't
(Utebi): get in my way.

(Players): Don't tell anyone!
(Players): Especially... not the chief!

[p004]

(Tokisaka): Let's
(Tokisaka): play music together!!

Kamine: Utebi-senpai,
Kamine: may I... have a word?
(sfx) Sway

Utebi: Shut up.
Utebi: I'm busy right now.

Kamine: This is... just a suggestion, but

[p005]

Kamine: how about you... switch
Kamine: their instruments?

Ima: You...!!

Utebi: Assigning instruments is
Utebi: my job as section leader.

Utebi: You trying to say that I screwed up?!
Utebi: Going and acting like you're some bigshot conductor, are ya?!!

[p006]

Kamine: Guh...

(Tokisaka): ...Kamine.

(Tokisaka): Believe in your "power" and keep moving forward!!

Kamine: Those two...!! Realized it in spite of themselves...!!

Kamine: That their current instruments aren't right for them!!
Tokisaka: Won't you tell us how that happened?

Ima: At first, I thought I was in a slump.
Ima: Things were always going badly and it really started wearing me out...

Ima: While I was taking a break,
Ima: I happened to try out the glockenspiel.

Ima: It was
Ima: really fun...

[p007]

Ima: and it turned out that Takita'd also been thinking...
Ima: about playing a different percussion instrument.
Ima: It's like we were a perfect match for each others' instruments.

Kamine: Every since, they've been switching instruments on occasion...
Kamine: Sorry, guys... It just had to be said...

Utebi: So
Utebi: what?

Utebi: We're talking about how to bring out a sense of unity!
Utebi: Don't bring up shit that's got nothing to do with it!!

Utebi: Anybody would be glad to have a breather!!
Box: ...Say it.
Box: Say it.
Box: Say it...!
Utebi: If I let them switch now, the whole section would keep falling to pieces!!
Box: Say it!!
Utebi: They're fine leaving things this way too, and that's why they've never said anything!!

[p008]

Kamine: It's for your sake
Kamine: that they haven't said anything!!!

Utebi: Wh...
Kamine: They got seriously angry
Kamine: where you were concerned!!

Ima/Taki: Don't badmouth the person
Ima/Taki: who shoulders everything by himself!!

???: It's all because the chief... Utebi-senpai is...
???: aiming to be like the "previous" section leader...!

[p009]

Ima: He's always thinking about us.
Ima: He's a kind senpai... who's going to retire and prepare for college exams soon.
Ima: But even as that time approaches, he's desperately trying his hardest...!

Taki: All of us love Utebi-senpai...!!
Taki: We would all want to stay in the percussion section forever if he were our section leader!!

Ima: We're the ones... who forced him to shoulder all that responsibility and pressure.
Ima: We have to endure whatever we can!

Ima: Because we don't want to
Ima: selfishly trouble the chief any more than we already are...!!

Kamine: Did you know... that the members of your section...
Kamine: thought of you like that?

Kamine: Utebi-senpai...
Kamine: you probably

[p010]

Kamine: have difficulty
Kamine/boy: thinking beyond the big picture.

Kamine: That liveliness that comes out when you're playing percussion
Kamine: is the real you, isn't it?

Kamine: You become overly anxious, vigilant and hard-working when something is difficult for you,
Kamine: but end up losing sight of your section members, right?

Kamine: These two hiding their discomfort made it more difficult to notice, but... it should have been easy to do so,
Kamine: because your sound has been the core of the percussion section from the very start!!

[p011]

Kamine: Soul is what's important, just as you said.
Kamine: Music comes from the human heart, after all.

Utebi: You...

Utebi: Mouthing off as if you...
Utebi: know everything...
Ima: Chief!

Ima: We would also like to request
Taki: a... change in instruments.
(sfx): Bow...

(door sfx): SLAM!

[p012]

Utebi: Do whatever you want...
Utebi: I... don't care anymore.

Kodama: Let's
Kodama: continue.

(Utebi): Dammit... what the hell.
(Utebi): That bastard Kamine...

(Kamine): "You probably have difficulty thinking beyond the big picture."
(Utebi): Why'd he say the same thing
(Utebi): as the "previous section leader"...

(Utebi): The "previous leader" took care of everything, so I could focus on playing percussion.
(Utebi): I just want to be the same way and give my all for these guys!!

(Utebi): There's no way the sound's gonna
(Utebi): get better based off some amateur's opi-
Kodama: Percussion!

[p013]

(Utebi): -nion...

(Utebi): ...huh?

(Utebi): ...it's different than usual?!
(Utebi): Even the sound I'm putting out... I can hear that it's different...
(Utebi): No, that's impossible!

(Utebi): He hardly knows a thing about it...
(Utebi): there's no way... the sound could be...

[p014]

(Utebi): The section... is unified?!
(Utebi): No way... then what... have I been doing all this time...!!! ...And what is this feeling...

(Utebi): Hearing this sound is... getting me all fired up?!

(Boy): "You're fine like that,
(Boy): mindlessly hitting away on the drums like an idiot."

(Boy): "Watching you happily pound away,
(Boy): everyone else will be drawn in with smiles on their faces."

(Utebi sfx): Gasp!!

[p015]

(Utebi): ...I get it. This sound
(Utebi): is the one I love most.

(Utebi): You lot... going and jumbling everything up without caring what might happen.

(Utebi): That's just
(Utebi): fine by me!!

Box: The percussion section's hearts have become one...!!!
Box: What the... this sound.
Box: Who'd have thought that their hearts... sound... and music...

Box: would be
Box: this amazing, once they'd united together!!!

Box: The impact is on a whole nother level!!
Box: It sends a shock straight to my heart. ...This is just like

[p016]

(Kamine): Thunder and lightning!!!

[p017]

(from building): Thanks for your work today.

Kamine: Erm... sorry for being so brazen...
Utebi: Nah, don't say that.
Utebi: Thanks to you, I remembered

(Utebi sfx): Grin
Utebi: that I'm just
Utebi: a "percussion idiot"!

Utebi: I've given up on thinking stuff over by myself! I'll talk everything over with the whole section and we'll decide that way.
Utebi: That sorta leader ain't so bad.

Utebi: That said... you're an "aspiring conductor", right?
Utebi: If anything happens,

[p018]

Utebi: lemme hear your opinion on it, too.

Utebi: I'll be counting on ya.

Kamine: S...
Kamine: Sure!!
(Kodama): He's gotten Utebi's approval, huh...

(Kodama): A conductor's job is to bring together not just one, but many sounds to form a whole.
(Kodama): It was just in one section,
(Kodama): but he managed to do it! ......Even so,

(Kodama): he still has
(Kodama): quite a ways to go.

Utebi: You're gonna rotate around different sections again starting tomorrow, right?
Utebi: You decide where you're going next?
Kamine: No...
Kamine: Not yet, but...

[p019]

Souma: In that case,
Souma: Kamine-kun,
Souma: why not come to ours?

Utebi: O... oi, Souma?!
Utebi: You can't be serious!!
Kamine: Souma-senpai's section...?

Tokisaka: The trumpet section...!!

Souma: Please, Kamine-kun.
Utebi: Didja lose your mind, Souma?!
Utebi: Do you even know what you're saying?!!

Utebi: The trumpets' section leader is
Utebi: a friggin' tyrant!!!
(bottom left): Overcome one formidable enemy, and another's right around the corner...!!

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/38250 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 3 by lynxian 2013-07-02T01:19:23+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

If you translate this into another language, PLEASE credit me (lynxian) as the original Japanese to English translator in your release. If you can't/won't do that, then don't use my translation.

[p001]

(right) All eyes on him...!!
Kamine: I'm Kamine Shouta.
Kamine: I've joined... because I want to conduct.
Box, left side: The story so far
Box, right side: Kamine became determined to join the concert band as a result of Tokisaka's invitation. The club advisor, Kodama, set forth quite a demanding requirement for the "aspiring conductor" - gain the approval of all the instrumental section leaders!!

(below panel) An increase to 23 pages for chapter 3 of the new serialization [SOUL CATCHER(S)]!!

Box: They're not being welcoming at all. Well, it makes sense...
Box: I'm "an amateur who joined in the fall to conduct rather than play an instrument", after all.
(bottom right heart) Huh?
(top, combo safe) Kachack
(top, lock) Slam
(top, shutters) Roll roll
(bottom left heart) Wait, what?
Box: I've got to... get all of them on my side...!!

Girl: I heard that performance of "I Need to Be in Love"! The stuff Tokisaka-kun said went right over my head, though~
Girl: You're not about to let him conduct for the "competition", are you, sensei?

Kodama: He's a normal band member who has ambitions to be a conductor.
Kodama: I'm going to have him rotate through each section once and choose which instrument he wants to play.
Kodama: I just want you section leaders to judge his character based on your interactions with him.

[p002]

(right, top)
Kamine Shouta
A boy who can see people's hearts. After meeting Tokisaka, he's set his sights on becoming the concert band's conductor.
(right, bottom)
Tokisaka Hibiki
A genius sax player. By borrowing the strength of Kamine's ability, he hopes to realize his goal of the concert band making it to the national competition.

(sfx) Whisper
Toki: Kamine,
(all bubble sfx) Whisper whisper whisper
Toki: you are no ordinary band member.

Toki: You are the one who will lead and conduct these people
(sfx) Whisper whisper
Toki: at the next competition.
(sfx) Whisper whisper
(bottom)
Opus 3: Like The Asuras
Soul Catcher(s)
Shinkai Hideo

(below panel) It's all uphill from here!!!

[p003]

Kodama: ...So... where will you go first?
Kamine: Er... um.

Kamine: ...Let's see... I don't really know anything about this stuff...
Kamine: Hrm. Well... speaking from an amateur's perspective,

Kamine: That... I guess.
Kamine: How should I put this. It's like... sorry,
Kamine: this might be a bad way of putting it, but
Kamine: if we're just talking about producing sound, then... those would be easier than something you blow into... basically, I think it looks like something even I

Kamine: could-
Boy: HAAAH?
Kamine: Sorry.

Boy: The hell'd you just say, huuuh?!
Boy: That even if you go in half-assed, you'll be able to play immediately?!
Boy: That the world would still turn, even without percussion?!
Kamine: I didn't say anything like that!

[p004]

(right, star) He's a man whose soul blazes as he draws!! You can only read Shinkai Hideo-sensei's manga in Weekly Shounen Jump!! Thanks for the support!!

Boy: Percussion is the rhythm of a piece!! It even controls the music's atmosphere!!
Boy: It livens up light songs!! It weighs down dark songs!!
Boy: If you're not gonna put any soul into it, then you're not fit to play!!
Box:
Percussion Section Leader
Utebi Tooru

Box: He has a low boiling point!!
Box: I'm horrible dealing with his type!!

Utebi: Tokisaka brought ya along, so I was wondering what sorta guy you'd be... I ain't gonna approve of ya.
Utebi: Start over and go join the club normally.

Box: This person is impossible...
Box: Maybe I'll start with someone who seems kinder...

Box: No.
Box: That's the same
Box: sort of thinking I've had until now.

Box: If I run away here, neither his heart nor anything else will change.
Box: I'll keep having difficulty if I leave things like this.
苦手も苦手のままだ
Kamine: There's...
Kamine: got to

[p005]

Box: I'll even deal with the types I'd usually want to avoid!!
Kamine: be something
Kamine: I can do about that!!

Souma: C'mon, Utebi.
Souma: Percussion is easier for a beginner to play, and it'd serve as a good introduction to the concert band.

Utebi: ...I'm a busy guy.
Utebi: If you get in the way... I'll kick you out on the spot.

Souma: ...he's scary, but everyone in the section gets along, so
Souma: you can take it easy.

Kodama: We're rehearsing again tomorrow, so I'll leave the preparations to you.
Kodama: Dismissed!

Box: ...Take it easy...?
Box: That guy's... heart...

[p006]

Box: The way it rages like a storm, with that terrifying appearance...
Box: is definitely not normal...!!

Utebi: --You're gonna help us bring out the stuff we need for today's practice.

Box: Percussion sure has a lot of variety.
Box: Does one person play a bunch of these? It must be tough to divvy them up...
Kamine: What're these wooden sticks for?

Utebi: Don't strike the claves so carelessly.
Utebi: You trying to break'em?
Kamine: Sorry.

Utebi: Don't drag that! Lift it up and carry it!!
(right of Kamine) Eep!

(right of Kamine) Eep!
(sfx) Grab
Utebi: That doesn't get picked up!!

Box: Handling instruments is friggin' scary!!
(small text) They're so delicate!!
(left of Kamine) YEEK!
Utebi: Okay, you guys are all set, right!!
(behind Utebi) Yes~

[p007]

Utebi: We're gonna put soul into our practicing like always, got it!!
Students: Yes, chief!!
Kamine: Chief?!

Box: It's a really unified section, no doubt about it.
Box: Everyone is wholeheartedly focused on Utebi-senpai.

Box: He's such a strict person, though...
Kodama: Alright, here we go! From the top! Tutti!
(Tutti is a musical term meaning "all together")
(left of bubble) Okay!

Kodama: Three, and...

[p008]

Box: Listening to the percussion this close-up is so intense!!
Box: It feels like my whole body is drowning in it!!

Box: The very sound he's making is energizing him?!
Box: This guy... really loves percussion down to his very core.

Box: !! The rest of them are getting fired up by their own sound, too!
Box: You can tell they're enjoying it a lot.

Box: ...Hrm... but something's...
Box: a bit off...
Kodama: Stop!

[p009]

Kodama: Percussion! You haven't fixed it at all!
Kodama: There's just no "sense of unity" among you!!

Kodama: Especially the glockenspiel and snare drum.
Kodama: Is there an issue?!
Box: Glockenspiel
Box: Snare drum

Boy: Sorry about that.
Girl: Sorry.
Kodama: Once more!

Box: If I were to put it into words...
Box: While everyone else is fired up... those two are the only ones
Box: who aren't...

[p010]

Kodama: No matter how many times we do it, you're still not getting it right!! You're not meshing with the other sections at all!!

Utebi: Sorry. Takita and Imakane are both still in a slump...
Taki/Ima: Chief...
Utebi: I'll... take responsibility.

Kodama: ...We'll practice
Kodama: this part without the percussion.

Student: ...I'm sorry, chief...
Student: This is all our fault...

Utebi: You two've been playing those instruments since elementary school.
Utebi: You're basically the best players we've got.

Utebi: I just couldn't get you to overcome that slump before the concert.
Utebi: That's all.

Girl: Chief...

[p011]

Box: There it is again...
Box: What is that?

Box: I've got a feeling that that really
Box: isn't all there is to it...

Kamine: Umm...
Kamine: Perhaps... you two... this is just a hypothetical, but

Kamine: maybe it's... not because you're
Kamine: in a slump...?

Utebi: The hell's with you?
Utebi: Pretending to be a conductor, are ya?!

[p012]

Utebi: You don't know shit about music, do you?!
Box: That's true, but...!! It's still bothering me...!!

Kamine: This is completely hypothetical!
Kamine: But what if they don't want to play percussion anymore to such an extent
Kamine: that it's eating away at them...!!

Utebi: I already told you
Utebi: that if you get in the way, you're gone.

Utebi: I'm done babysitting.
Utebi: Get out.

[p013]

Kamine: I hit a dead end... really quickly.
(sfx) Shiver shiver
Toki: So going to Utebi-senpai right off the bat is too difficult, hm...

Toki: Are you sure they aren't actually in a slump?
Toki: "Music is soul and the soul is music", you know.

(right-hand hearts, from top to bottom): Yeah | This is fun | Yay! | Nice!
Toki: Anyone would be happy, feel good, and get fired up about practicing and becoming skilled at performing a song they like, but
(left-hand hearts, from top to bottom): Nope | Can't | Too hard | Noo...
Toki: if you can't make it sound the way you want it to, you'll gradually lose confidence and fall into a slump... it's only natural.

Toki: No matter the person, "their own sound" and "their own heart" are constantly influencing them.

Kamine: I think the section...

Kamine: can't maintain a sense of unity because something is off with their hearts, rather than their sound.
Kamine: That's all the more reason why I can't overlook it.

[p014]

Kamine: If they were actually in a slump,
Kamine: then those two wouldn't be hiding how they really feel!!

Toki: So, basically,

Toki: if we move their hearts and their music gets better,
Toki: Utebi-senpai will also come to acknowledge you, right?!

Toki: Things are looking up!! Those two are the key to everything!! Let's go back!
Toki: They said they were going to stay behind today to practice!

Toki: I can do a performance to...

Kamine: No,
Kamine: Sorry, but
Kamine: that won't work.

Kamine: Your music captures the audience's hearts, but
Kamine: those two are musicians who share the same goal as you.

[p015]

Kamine: This is my fight as a conductor,
Kamine: to gain acceptance... from the musicians.

Toki: Got it!

Kamine: Ah, but, could you come with me?
Kamine: I'm scared after all...
Toki: Got it.

???: Over there! I can hear the two of them playing.

Box: ...? This sound...

Kamine: ...'Scuse me, we're coming in...

Kamine: Umm

[p016]

Boy: Kamine... and
Girl: Tokisaka?!

Kamine: ...Huh?

Kamine: Hold on a second... erm...
Kamine: Just now...

???: D...don't tell anyone!! Not a soul!!
???: We're... just fooling around!!

Kamine: ...So you really... do want to stop playing...?

Kamine: It isn't a slump that's keeping you
Kamine: from getting fired up over the music... that's not it at all, is it?

[p017]

Girl: ...We haven't told anyone about it...
Girl: I'm sure no one knows, and yet...
Boy: ...Kamine... you only listened to the concert once, so...

Boy: How...
Girl: did you know...?!

Toki: Won't you tell us why?
Toki: We may be in different sections, but we're all part of the same band.

Kamine: ...Shouldn't... you tell that to Utebi-senpai...
???: No!!

[p018]

Boy: Something like that... we absolutely can't...!
Girl: Please... keep quiet about it...!!

Box: For them to be that frightened...
Box: They're sure daunted by their fear of Utebi-senpai, huh...

Kamine: I'd thought it was strange...
Kamine: that he had everyone call him "chief".

Kamine: It might look like a closely-knit group, but... in actuality,
Kamine: maybe everyone is so scared of Utebi-senpai that they only grudgingly obey him...!!

[p019]

Kamine: They've managed to get by until now, but a rift has finally begun to form.
Kamine: That would be... these two...
Kamine: And all the while, Utebi-senpai's been the only one having a good time...!!

???: "Chief" is a nickname he inherited from the previous section leader.

Girl: We're the ones
Boy: who choose to call him that.

Kamine: What now, Tokisaka...?
Kamine: The section members must really be suffering like this.

Kamine: Unless we stop Utebi-senpai's reign of tyranny--
Boy: Kamine.

[p020]

Boy: We don't follow him out of fear.
Boy: It's not that we're cowering and can't talk to him.
畏縮して言えないんじゃない
Boy: He's not a tyrant or anything like that!!

[p021]

Boy/Girl: Don't badmouth the chief when you don't know the first thing about him!!

???: He's the one overworking himself and
???: suffering the most!!!

Box: What should I do...? I've gotten them angry... How did it turn out like this...?
Box: Nothing good comes of

Box: concerning myself
Box: with others' hearts.

[p022]

Toki: Kamine... are you alright?

Kamine: As if I'd really be able
Kamine: to pull this off...

Kamine: I've always run away,
Kamine: and kept from dealing with others' hearts...
Kamine: I'd thought... that changing them was an impossible feat...

Kamine: until I heard
Kamine: your music.

Kamine: I had it all wrong... I finally understand that, after speaking with those two and getting them angry.
Kamine: Utebi-senpai has been the key to everything from the start.

Kamine: It isn't that he's rampaging with that terrifying appearance and making those around him cower.
恐ろしい形相で暴れ回るって周りを畏縮させてるんじゃねぇ
Kamine: He's had no choice but to become like that!!

[p023]

Kamine: Utebi-senpai will be an ally!!
Kamine: He's someone I absolutely must win over!!

Kamine: I'm scared... but I've got to do this...
Kamine: I'll give it a go...!!

Toki: ...Kamine, there's another rehearsal
Toki: tomorrow.

Kamine: Sorry, but tomorrow's rehearsal
Kamine: is gonna be rough!!!
(left) There's a storm on the horizon!!
(bottom right) Next time, the inevitable clash with Utebi!! Will Kamine really be alright?!

--------

Notes:

[page 2]
The Asuras - The Asuras are low-ranked deities in Buddhism. They are depicted as having three heads and 4-6 arms and are primarily associated with wrath and pride. They are said to represent the mental state of someone who can only solve things through violence.

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/38025 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 2 by lynxian 2013-05-28T20:36:17+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

If you translate this into another language, PLEASE credit me (lynxian) as the original Japanese to English translator in your release. If you can't/won't do that, then don't use my translation.

Just a quick note: I've changed the reading for the school's name to Meien as per a kanji reading given in this chapter.

-----------

[p001]

(top left, star) Hyper-visual instrumental graffiti!! Center color and an increase to 25 pages for the new serialization's 2nd chapter!!
(center) I didn't understand the meaning behind these "eyes". From meeting you, I might be able to catch hold of it.
(bottom right)
Opus 2: I Need to Be in Love
Shinkai Hideo

[p002]

Kamine: B...become a conductor...
Kamine: What are you saying all of a sudden!!
(right) Tokisaka's enthusiasm!!
Box, left side: Summary
Box, right side: Kamine is a boy who is unfortunately able to "see" people's hearts. In the midst of his despair over finding no meaning behind this ability, he meets Tokisaka, a sax player from the concert band, joins forces with him, and is successful in saving someone's heart for the first time. Tokisaka then extends an invitation to him...!?

Kamine: I'd... definitely be able to tell where everyone can improve...
確か...皆にダメ出しとかする...
Kamine: But that would have to come from someone who knows a lot about music, wouldn't it?!

Toki: You can study as much musical knowledge as you want later.
Toki: Listen, Kamine!! A conductor is

Toki: the one who brings the whole piece together, so that the feelings of passion, joy, comfort, determination, courage, resurgence and willpower contained within
Toki: can reach the hearts of the audience!!

Toki: It's especially fitting for you,
Toki: who has suffered from "seeing" people's hearts...!!

[p003]

Box: Tokisaka... he...

Box: His heart is in a completely neutral state.
Box: He doesn't have any malice or ulterior motives, and he's not lying, either.
Box: He believes everything he just said...

Box: Really...?
Box: Would I...?

Kamine: Stop it.
Kamine: Don't... make me out to be something I'm not.

[p004]

Kamine: These "eyes" aren't as great as you think...
Kamine: and I'm not cut out for that sort of thing.

Kamine: Just
Kamine: forget about it.

(right, star) You can only read Shinkai-sensei's manga in Shounen Jump!!

(on sign) Today's the last day
Announcer: --Today,

Announcer: from 1 PM onward, there will be a special stage set up above the entranceway
Announcer: and we'll hold the main event, "I've Got Something To Say".

[p005]

Announcer: Latecomers are welcome, and anyone who wants to participate should go to the festival committee office...
飛び込み歓迎出場希望者は実行委員会本部まで
(on sign) "I've Got Something To Say" Information Desk
Boy: Yes, it will be broadcast throughout the school via microphone.

Boy: You can say whatever you'd like in front of everyone...
Boy: Words of thanks, love confessions, even a challenge to fight. Anything's fine.
Boy: Please shout it out from atop the stage.

Announcer: We will be beginning shortly.
Announcer: Please gather outside the entranceway in a timely manner.
Girl: Crap!! Hurry up, let's go!
Girl: Wait! We have to tidy up...
Girl: We can do it later!

(on sign)
Meien festival stockroom
Authorized personnel only

(sfx from outside) Yaay! Whoo!

Announcer: Is everyone enjoying the culture festival?!
Announcer: Still not much of an audience yet, huh... Call even more of your friends out here!!
(panels below stage) I've Got Something To Say
(crowd sfx) YEAAAH!

[p006]

Announcer: What about the people who don't have any?!
(sfx) Wahahahaha!
Announcer: Is there anybody like that?!
Box: There's one right here.

Box: I don't get involved with anyone,
Box: and I don't let anyone get involved with me, either.

Box: I should just keep to myself.
Box: That's what I'd decided.

Box: Having someone who'd come to trust me
Box: experience anger and pain as a result... is something I can't stand to see.

Box: I tried telling him...
Box: that I wanted him to be careful because a wickedness was starting to arise in his heart.
Box: ...I'd thought I was saying it for his own sake.
Box: The only thanks I got for my well-meaning remark was...

[p007]

Boy: You really believe I'd think something like that?!
Boy: Don't shoot off your mouth as if you know everything!!

Box: Everyone finds me creepy and distances themselves from me.
Box: That's why I can only view getting involved with hearts as a bad thing.

Box: ...Nah.

Yama: 1st year class 4's Sasai Yuki-saan!
Yama: I love youuu!!
(left) Way to go, Yamaichi~

(right) I'm really sooorry.
(sfx) Hahaha
Announcer: Ah! Thank you very much!

Box: I'm fine with this...
Announcer: Well, then! Next person, go ahead!
Box: It's for his own good...

Announcer: Please shout the name of the person you want to hear this!!

[p008]

Toki: 1st year class 4's
Toki: Kamine Shoutaaa!!!

Kamine: Wh...

Kamine: To...
Kamine: Tokisaka?!

Kamine: What the heck is he doing?!
Kamine: And in a place like that...

Toki: Let's make music in the concert band together!!
Toki: I need your "eyes"!!

Girl: ...Huh? Is that... an invitation?
Boy: ...Eyes...?

Kamine: You id... Saying that in front of people...!!
Toki: You...

[p009]

Toki: might think that those "eyes" and your own existence are pointless.

Toki: You might think that
Toki: people's hearts can't be changed and that the world is cruel.
Boy: ...What is he talking about?
Boy: ......No idea...

Kamine: It's no use, Tokisaka!!
Kamine: You're souring their hearts!!

Toki: I believe that isn't the case.
Girl: Kamine is that gloomy guy who's always alone, right?
Crowd: I'm not following this at all...
Crowd: What the heck?
Crowd: Who?

Kamine: Stop it...

Crowd: I kinda... don't get what he's trying to say.
Crowd: Sigh... this's boring...

Kamine: Stop it, Tokisaka... don't make me see something like this!!

Crowd: Isn't that enough? I mean, it's just soliciting.
Crowd: Do it somewhere else.
Crowd: Why do you have to do it here?
Crowd: Just finish already.

Kamine: Please...
Kamine: Just stop it...

[p010]

Toki: What's wrong with inviting a friend to be in a club with you!!!

Box: ...just now,
Box: what did he...
Toki: Kamine, are you listening?!!

[p011]

Toki: To you, who has suffered for 16 years because of those "eyes"!!

Toki: You, who went so far as to face such painful emotions
Toki: and save both myself and Moko!!

Box: ...You're wrong.

Toki: I want to be friends with you!!
Toki: I want to play music together!!

Box: You're wrong!! I just
Box: didn't want to let... your "sound" be obliterated...!!

Toki: I ended up thinking about it, and this is the result!!
Toki: "Just forget about it"?! Like I could!!

Toki: After all, even though you
Toki: were struggling so desperately that time, I...!!

[p012]

Toki: I had so much fun, I thought I'd die!!!
Toki: Sorry, I just couldn't help it!!!

Box: ...so you...
Box: did
Box: too...

Toki: I can't tell whether this will reach your heart, but
Toki: just listen to one song.

Toki: This is the first and only time I'll do a performance for your sake.
Toki: That's because you are no longer a "spectator."

[p013]

Toki: You're going to become the "conductor"
Toki: who directs my performance!!

[p014]

Box: He rapidly captures the hearts of the audience
Box: who had mocked him only moments before.

Box: He finished what he wanted to say, even though they had turned against him.
あいつはどんな心を向けられても言い切った
Box: Saying "I had fun"
Box: about making music with me...

Box: And that
Box: we're "friends"...

[p015]

Woman: ...The Carpenters'
Woman: "I Need to Be in Love", huh.

Woman: ...Tokisaka?

[p017]

Toki: Ka-
Kamine: Frankly,

Kamine: I don't want to look at hearts anymore... or have anything to do with them, either.

Kamine: ...but

Kamine: what happened with that girl wasn't just some miracle.
Kamine: If by directing your music... I can see that sort of thing again, then...!

Kamine: Performing music with you
Kamine: wouldn't be so bad...!!!

[p018]

Toki: Welcome
Toki: to the concert band.

Toki: We shouldn't waste another second! C'mon! Let's go to the faculty advisor's office
Toki: and get permission for you to join!
Box: ...I'm

Box: probably stepping onto a pretty unexpected path.
Box: For me to get involved with hearts of my own accord... it's entirely possible that I've lost my mind...

Box: Still, if moving people's hearts will leave me with a feeling of satisfaction from here on,
Box: then let's keep moving forward!

(signs)
Music Storage Room
And the advisor's workroom!!!
Assume that I'm always in - Kodama
???: ...first of all,
???: how about I give you 3 reasons that won't work.
ダメな理由3コ言っとくか

[p019]

Woman: This is a club for playing instruments,
Woman: such a big responsibility is the advisor's duty,
Woman: it's impossible for a beginner to lead a musical group,
Box:
Concert Band faculty advisor
Kodama Yuuko

Kodama: and the club members likely wouldn't acknowledge you!
Boy: Sensei, you turned it into 4 reasons.

Kamine: Isn't there... anything we can do?
Boy: I've never heard of someone joining the concert band for the sole purpose of directing it.
Box:
Concert Band, Band President
Souma Shunpei

Kodama: We were once a "championship school", you know.
Kodama: There are plenty of kids who chose Meien High School just to be in this band.
Kodama: Come what may, they want to respond in kind to the emotions of the conductor, who strives to take all aspects of school life and layer them together.
高校生活全てを懸けてぶつかってくる演奏者の気持ちに何としても応えてあげたい

[p020]

Kodama: The conductor unites all of such kids into one cohesive group, you know?
Kodama: Would you be able to do that?

Kodama: If you're just fooling around,
Kodama: then I won't approve of your joining.

Toki: He isn't fooling around
Toki: at all.

Toki: Kamine... you weren't able to see it, were you?
Toki: I saw it as clear as day.

Toki: A future where you and I compete together on the world stage!!
Toki: I want... to reach that future, whatever it takes!!

[p021]

Kodama: ...It's as if you're a completely different person then you were yesterday...
Kodama: What happened, Tokisaka?
Kodama: Even "what you played earlier"... What was with... that sound?

Kodama: It's so good that yesterday's performance
Kodama: doesn't even begin to compare...!!

Souma: ...Definitely! That was the first time I'd heard a sound like that from Tokisaka-kun...!
Souma: It had much more appeal...!

(Kodama): No way.

[p022]

(Kodama): Is this kid the very reason that
(Kodama): that Tokisaka would go this far...?!
他ならぬあの刻坂にここまで言わせる子なの...?!

Souma: Sensei, Tokisaka-kun, let's stop with the scary faces... we finally have someone interested in joining, so
Souma: wouldn't it be alright for him to join up normally for now, starting out with a single instrument?

Kodama: ...Alright.
Kodama: I'll permit you to join as a musician. ...and

Kodama: I'll give you a test to see
Kodama: whether or not you can fill a conductor's role.

Kamine: Th...thank you very much.
Souma: Are you sure, sensei?!

Kodama: Souma... we'll be bringing these two along
Kodama: to the meeting after this.

[p023]

Souma: I...isn't that a little too sudden...?
Kodama: If he's going to be a conductor, he'll have to face them anyway.

Souma: But, well...
(Kodama): ...I know, okay? Usually, I'd just ignore something like this.
(Kodama): I guess... I'm getting desperate...

(Kodama): Still... there was something clearly different about Tokisaka's sound.
(Kodama): Maybe I need to make absolutely sure...

Kodama: --Understand? I'm going to
Kodama: introduce you

Kodama: to them
Kodama: as an "aspiring conductor."

Kodama: The conductor unites all of the performers together.
Kodama: This won't be decided by me, as the faculty advisor, on my own.
Kodama: You need do only one thing to pass this test!

[p024/025]

Kodama: Gain the approval
Kodama: of every single section leader!!!
(left) The state of the leaders' "hearts"... however you look at it, this is beyond dangerous!!!

(bottom) The first section Kamine joins will be...!? Next time, the new serialization's 3rd chapter has an increase to 23 pages!!

https://mangahelpers.com/t/lynxian/releases/37926 [English] [Translation] Soul Catcher(S) 1 by lynxian 2013-05-19T01:10:58+00:00 lynxian admin@mangahelpers.com

If you translate this into another language, PLEASE credit me (lynxian) as the original Japanese to English translator in your release. If you can't/won't do that, then don't use my translation.

Whew, first chapters are always such a doozy... anyway, I might pick this up, though translations would probably come later than my current two weeklies.

----------

[p001]

Student: I hear the concert band's doing a performance in the auditorium at 3!

Student: It's a special program for the cultural festival, too!
(on poster)
Meien Festival time table
Day 1 | It's on tomorrow, too!
9:30 Schoolwide Assembly
Auditorium | Gymnasium
Play | Singing contest
"Romi★Juli" | N-7 Grand Prix
Break
Choir Performance

(left) Amidst the thriving culture festival, a single boy is deep in thought...

Girl: According to senpai,
Girl: their music's so good it really moves your heart!
(left of girl) I'm looking forward to it!
Box: There is no "moving your heart"...
Box: As if something like that were possible.
(bottom left) New serialization #1!!

[p002]

(top) Jump into an unknown world!! Open the door!! Full speed ahead into the first new serialization!!
(yellow text, right) Capturing hearts!
(yellow text, left) Stirring up souls!!
(bottom)
Opus 1: The Childhood Friend's Siren | A brilliant comeback from the creator of "LIGHT WING"!! | Shinkai Hideo

[p003]

(top)
New serialization
Lead color and 54 pages!!
(left, yellow text) Brilliantly depicting what both "music and the heart" truly mean!!
(left, black outline) Hyper-visual instrumental graffiti!!!
(bottom left) The manga continues on page 23!!

[p004]

Box: "Cold-hearted", "hard-hearted", "closing your heart", "corrupted heart"
Student: There's an escape game over in Class 2-3.
Student: They're selling doujinshi at the manga club.
Box: Start reading from the 3 pages of opening color!!
Student: There's a stamp rally going on!
Box: Everyone says that "using idioms is a good way of describing things you can't see."
Box: I don't think that at all, though...

Black box: After all,

Box: I truly
Box: am able to see them like that.

[p005]

Student: Kamine?

Student: Whatcha doing? Weren't you going to look after the shop?
Kamine: ...Oomura.
Kamine: No... I...

Oomura: Are you doing anything else?
Oomura: Aren't you headed this way?
Kamine: That's... um...
Box: I just can't deal with the class rep when his "heart" is focused on me like that...

Box: Doubt.
Box: Has he already decided that anyone who's apathetic toward this must be a troublemaker...?
無気力な奴は問題児だとか決めつけてんのか...
Box: I'd like nothing better than to get out of here quickly.

Boy: Heey, you're free after this, right, Sasai?
Boy: How about we go check out the booths together?
Box: That's a lost cause, Yamaichi.

Sasai: Sooorry. My cousin's coming today, sooo
Sasai: I've gotta show him around~
Box: Sasai's heart is completely closed off.
(sfx) Slam!

[p006]

Box: And watching that hurt Yasuda, too.
Yasuda: Yamaichi-kun...

Box: I want to get in between them and tell them how they really feel, so things will go smoothly.
Box: In the past, I'd thought I'd be able to.

Box: For starters, no one would believe that I "can see" such things,
Box: and people will snap if their true feelings are exposed.
(right) An illustration of how things would undoubtedly be.
Sasai: M...my cousin really is coming! Mind your own business!
Yasuda: What do you know... about getting hurt?!
Box: Things never go well where the heart's concerned.
心に関わっていい方向に行った試しがない
Yama: You liaaar!! Sasai's supposed to be interested in me!

Box: Even though it's been half a year since I entered high school, nothing has changed.
Box: I don't involve myself with other people.
???: Just hurry up and do it!!

Girl: You're seriously useless!!
Boy: Sor...
(sfx) Grab
Girl: If you've got time to apologize, then move!! Did you reflect on what you did?!
Boy: Yeah.
Girl: I can't hear you!!

Box: Damn... I saw something unpleasant.
Box: Stop already...! If you keep piling on the pressure like that,

[p007]

Box: his glass heart
Box: will break!!

Box: Being doubted is hard enough on its own, so of course something like this would be painful!!
疑われるのだってキツイんだあんなの辛えに来まってる!!
Box: If his heart's smashed to pieces, it's bound to leave a scar!!

Girl: This is why I told you to come to practice!! You made a fool of yourself!!
Boy: Shut up!! It's all 'cause your material was boring to begin with!!

Box: Even if you harden your heart and get angry, it will cause the other party to do the same...
Box: That's what gives rise to misunderstandings!!
Box: If you leave your heart closed like that, you'll even destroy your friendship...!!
あのまま心を閉ざせば絶交まで行く...!!

[p008]

(right) And yet, I can't do a thing about it.

Box: Would I, who don't know the circumstances, settle things by stepping in?
Box: I would just be adding fuel to the fire.

Box: It was like that with my dad, too.

Box: A close friend cheated him out of his money.
Box: The man's heart was pitch-black, but even though I stopped him, dad got angry and refused to listen to me.
Box: He said "we've been close since we were children. Don't badmouth him."
Box: You just can't change people's hearts.

(left) What's the point in my being able to see these things.

[p009]

Box: Viewing such revolting things without a way to change them...
変えることも許されず胸クソ悪ぃもん見せつけられる
Box: I can't take it anymore.
Box: I begging you, somebody gouge out my eyes...!!

Box: I have to get away... somewhere without any hearts...
Box: There probably aren't any on the rooftop...

Box: ...Crap.
Box: Someone's there...

Box: Putting on a solo performance?
Box: Do it somewhere else.

Box: What...
Box: instrument is that...?

Kamine: ...I
Kamine: don't really know about that sorta thing, but

[p010]

Kamine: It's got
Kamine: a good sound to it.

Box: What was that...
Box: I'm sure that just now... the sound...
Box: The guy on the other side... of this door...

[p011]

Box: just what... were they doing?

Box: ...This guy...

Kamine: ...Hey, just now...
Boy: Damn! I'm going to be late!

Kamine: W-wait a second!
Boy: Sorry, I'm in a hurry!

Kamine: That sound you made... it's...

[p012]

Boy: If you want to listen,
Boy: come to the auditorium.

Kamine: Huh?

Box: Urg...

Box: concert band, huh...
Box: Not interested...
Box: And there's tons of people here, too...

Box: So then why...
Box: did I end up coming here...
Box: It's as if I was drawn by something...

[p013]

Box: A strong "something"
Box: imprinted

Box: on my heart.

Kamine: Th...the air
Kamine: is vibrating!!

[p014]

Kamine: Vibrations are pulsing down to the very pit of my stomach!!
Kamine: The music is rocking the entire ro--

(Kamine): No, that's not it.

Kamine: You're kidding, right?!
Kamine: No way...!!
Kamine: Something like this!!
Kamine: It's impossible!!
Kamine: The music is...!!

[p015]

Kamine: Stirring up
Kamine: people's hearts!!

Kamine: Healing wounded hearts,
Kamine: opening those that have been closed,

(Kamine): It's... it's as if this sound
(Kamine): is literally

(Kamine): reaching out!!

[p016]

Kamine: It's grabbing everyone's hearts
Kamine: and affecting them directly!!

Kamine: Is this the intensity of a live performance?! ...No... this "sound" has one point of origin.
(above door heart) Welcome~
(right of shield heart) I don't need that anymore.
Kamine: These "musical hands" are actually just one... it looks like its power is being amplified to reach the entire crowd!!

Kamine: And I
Kamine: know
Kamine: exactly who
Kamine: that "nucleus" is...!!

[p017]

Box: The sound of his music
Box: grabs hold of people's hearts!!!

Girl: Tokisaka-kun! You were great today!
Girl: On that solo!

[p018]

Girl: Just what you'd expect from the prodigy who performed alongside the Berlin Orchestra during junior high!
Girl: Even the pros give you rave reviews, calling your music "a natural sound which appeals to the five senses"!
Toki: Nah... I'm not really...

Girl: I can see why the band's advisor has such high expectations for you!
Girl: I'm like, totally looking forward to next year's music competition!!
(left) Kyahahahaha! She said "like, totally"!

Girl: U-um!

Girl: Your performance... was super duper cool!
Girl: You're a 1st year, right?! That's amazing!!
Girl: Do you use LINE or twitter or anything like that?!
Girl: If it's alright with you, could we... exchange contact info?!

Girl: He's got even more fans now.
(above girls)
LINE
Twitter
Facebook
Mixy
E-mail
Home phone
Address
Girl: Surprisingly.

Girl: And please shake my hand!
(above girls) Kyaaa!
Girls: Ah! Mine too!
Toki: S-shake your hand?!

[p019]

(hand sfx) Grab

Box: Crap...

Girls: Wh...what's with you, all of a sudden?! Gross!! You're awful!! Get away from him!!
(around right girl group) HISSSSSSS
(sfx everywhere else) Whisper whisper
Right arrow box: Hostile
Top arrow box: Curious
Left arrow box: Wary
Box: I didn't want to do anything because I knew it would turn out like this.
Box: I wanna get out of here...

[p020]

Box: But just now... I had a feeling that I couldn't let this guy leave.
Box: Changing people's hearts... In all my 16 years, I'd thought it to be utterly impossible, but
Box: his music was able to!!
Kamine: That... sound of yours that's like a hand grabbing your heart.
Kamine: How do you do it?

Toki: Wha?!
Toki: A heart-grabbing... hand?! What are you talking about?!
Box: He doesn't know about it?

Box: He isn't "someone who can see them", like me...
Box: He does it unconsciously.
Box: He isn't even aware of when someone is moved by him.

Box: ...then what was that...?
Girl: Must be a real hardcore fan. He's trying to tell you that he was enraptured by your music!
Girl: Wooow!
Girl: There really isn't a single person unmoved by Tokisaka-kun's performance, huh?
Box: It was undeniably an incredible "sound", but

[p021]

Box: Even though the public performance captured tons of hearts all at once,
Box: it didn't do the same for me.
Box: There'd been something different when I'd heard the same sound on the rooftop...
Box: Since he's unable to recognize "people who are unmoved", I'm sure that

(right, star) You can only read Shinkai Hideo-sensei's manga in Weekly Shounen Jump!!

Kamine: it's a sound that can't reach everyone...

Toki: Hey... what did you just say?!

Kamine: Ah! No, well...
Box: Oh crap, did I make him mad?!
Kamine: people have different tastes, so it's not like you can help it...

[p022]

Toki: How do you know that?!
Toki: There really are people like that! Even though I want my performance to reach them, it never does!!
Kamine: Eh?!

Toki: What made you think that?!
Toki: Did you see through the limits of my performance?!
Box: You captured the vast majority of people's hearts, you know?! There's no need to worry about it.
Kamine: I... can't see anything like that!

Box: What the heck...? There's something that's been bothering me since I saw him on the rooftop.

Kamine: Even though you can capture and move people's hearts with your music,
Kamine: your own heart

[p023]

Kamine: is so troubled that it looks like
Kamine: it's going to fall apart any second.

Toki: Senpai, excuse me. I'm going to leave early.
Toki: Erm...
Kamine: Kamine... Shouta.
Toki: I'm Tokisaka Hibiki.

Toki: The place I'm headed next...
Toki: How about you come with me?

[p024]

Toki: Moko,
Toki: I've come to visit.

(Kamine sfx) Badump

Box: This girl... She's...
Box: Her heart is...

[p025]

Box: Sunk so deep into melancholy that I can't even see it.
Box: She's in utter despair.

Toki: What's the matter, Kamine? You're soaked in sweat.
Toki: This girl is Takizawa Momoko.
Toki: We're neighbors and childhood friends.

Toki: I've got another song for you today, Moko.

[p026]

Box: Tokisaka's music, which captures hearts...
Box: only skims along the top of the water,
Box: and doesn't reach her at all...

Toki: Thank you... for listening.

Toki: --Moko's had a beautiful voice since she was little,
Toki: and is an incredibly good singer, too!

Toki: I play accompaniment for her songs on my sax! We have a lot of fun~
Kamine: Why play sax instead of singing?

Toki: That's because!! The sax is an instrument that
Toki: needs breath to make music, just like a person's voice!!

[p027]

Toki: A wind instrument's pitch, tone and tune completely vary depending on the player.
(note: both brass and woodwinds are categorized as "wind instruments")
Toki: They're instruments that "create sound" when you blow the "breath of life" into them!
Toki: In particular, the saxophone created by Adolphe Sax releases a sound that combines brass, woodwinds, strings and the human voice!!

Toki: A gathering of 50-100 wind instruments performing together is what makes a concert band!!
Toki: And the sax serves to unify all those tones!!
サックスがその音色をまとめる役なんだ!!
Toki: Awesome, isn't it?!

Toki: I think that's why it moves people!!

Toki: Moko worked hard on her goal to be a vocalist, so
Toki: I figured I'd set an example as her elder and did the same.
Toki: I worked to become good enough to stand on equal ground with her beautiful voice...
Toki: ...and yet

[p028]

Toki: One day, her voice
Toki: suddenly wouldn't come out.

Toki: Whether it was due to overuse or stress... even though she had surgery and continued rehab,
Toki: her voice didn't return at all.

Toki: The agony of being unable to sing.
Toki: The heartbreak of an unachievable dream.
Toki: The anxiety of not knowing whether her old, beautiful voice would ever return

Toki: disheartened her so much that she lost the will to "try and fix it."

Toki: Both she and the doctors had no interest in curing her, so there wasn't anything that could be done... that's why I thought that I'd save Moko with my performance.
Toki: I've become more skilled for her sake, so she'll come to "want to sing alongside my sax"...

[p029]

Toki: But no matter how good I get,
Toki: even though my performances move hundreds of thousands of people,

Toki: there's no meaning in a sound that can't reach the one person
Toki: I want it to reach most!!!

Box: This... is the anguish that's tearing Tokisaka's heart apart...!!
Toki: I just... can't take it anymore.

Toki: I'd already decided... if today was a failure,
Toki: then I would give up both music and the sax.

[p030]

Toki: ...Everyone around makes a fuss over me, but you were the first to say I was "troubled."
Toki: Did it look like I was churning my wheels and getting nowhere?

Box: Nothing good comes of getting involved in matters of the heart...
心に関わるとロクなことがねェ...
Box: They're far too heavy.

Box: I've only escaped to avoid seeing things like this.
Box: That's what I've always done... it was all I could ever do, because
Box: I was utterly powerless!!

Box: But even so...
Box: This is
Box: the only time

(Kamine): I can't just
(Kamine): run away.

[p031]

Kamine: Don't quit, Tokisaka.
Kamine: I'll be troubled if you do.

Toki: Why would...? This has nothing to do with you.

Kamine: That girl
Kamine: is just like me.

Kamine: With no meaning in her life,
Kamine: she's sinking to the bottom of a deep, dark sea of despair.

Kamine: Still, as if clinging to the final bastion of hope left,
Kamine: she's calling for your music to save her.

[p032]

Toki: What do you know about Moko!!
Toki: How am I supposed to save her when I don't even understand people's feelings!!
Toki: Don't talk crazy!!

Box: That's a natural reaction.
Box: If the state of their heart is revealed, people snap... but

Kamine: Your music captures people's hearts anyway!!
Kamine: That's why I said it!!!

Kamine: Being moved by your music
Kamine: and seeing your music change people's hearts...
Kamine: It was the first time in my life that I'd thought

[p033]

Kamine: "If I can see something like this,
Kamine: then maybe there was some point in my having been born
Kamine: with such incredibly worthless eyes"...!!

Kamine: If I, who can see that girl's one and only SOS, just walk away
Kamine: and you throw away your music,
Kamine: her heart will remain at the bottom of the sea for her entire life!!
Kamine: And your heart will remain torn apart like this for all of yours!!

Kamine: And then I'll...
Kamine: lose all meaning again...!!

(Toki): ...What is he even saying? Stuff about heart conditions... and eyes and the sea... I don't understand any of it...
(Toki): ...But he could tell that I was troubled when no one else could, even though we'd only just met...

Kamine: Just once more would be enough.
Kamine: Won't you play your sax in front of her tomorrow?
Kamine: I can't change things, but...

[p034]

Kamine: This is the first time in my life I've ever said something like this, too:
Kamine: I want to at least face that girl's heart without looking away.

(Toki): If... this guy...
(Toki): can discern something about Moko's condition, then...

Box: Urg...
Box: I said something like that yesterday, but

Box: looking at her heart is really tough...
Toki: Kamine,

Toki: this is the score for the piece I'll be playing today.
Toki: It's a song we always performed together in our sessions, so...

Kamine: I can't read sheet music, so just keep it.
Kamine: I don't know the song, either...
Toki: Ah... I see.

[p035]

(Toki): I'd thought it was possible yesterday, but
(Toki): I just really can't believe it after all.

(Toki): Being able to "see" the heart...

Box: He's capturing all the hearts around us, and yet

Box: he's not reaching that girl's heart at all.
Box: His music can't reach the depths of her heart.

Box: Strangely enough,
Box: it isn't reaching mine, either.

[p036]

Box: It's the same as during the culture festival...
Box: If she had come to the culture festival, the music probably wouldn't have captured her heart, either...
Box: Then why did... what I heard on the rooftop have such an effect on me...?
Box: Why was he playing on the rooftop in the first place...?

Box: That's not relevant! I've gotta keep a close eye on her heart!
Box: There goes my habit of immediately running away again.

Box: Hold on.
Box: Running away?

(Kamine): I have to get away... somewhere without any hearts...
(Kamine): There probably aren't any... on the rooftop...

(Girl): I can see why the band's advisor has such high expectations for you!

(Toki): I'd set an example as her elder...
(Toki): I worked to become good enough...

Box: ...Could that
Box: be the difference?

[p037]

Kamine: Tokisaka,
Kamine: keep playing, but listen for a sec.

Kamine: Your sound right now... seems like it's kinda waving back and forth...
Kamine: it was the same during the culture festival, too.
Kamine: But the sound I heard on the rooftop was the only one that was... straightforward is probably the best way to put it.
Kamine: Are you doing something differently?

(Toki): Waving, straightforward... what the heck are you talking about!
(Toki): Whenever and wherever, I always play it the same...

Moko: Say, you're thinking about unnecessary things, aren't you?

Toki: Ehh?!
Moko: You're treating me like a kid and worrying too much!
Moko: I hate music like that that's clouded over with distractions!!

Moko: Don't think about anything else, just play it straight-out!
Moko: That's the kind of sound I like best.

[p038]

(Toki): ...I hadn't realized it at all... the faculty advisor's expectations and my thinking about Moko... were only piling on the pressure?!

(Toki): I definitely... went to the rooftop, where there weren't any people,
(Toki): because I'd wanted to let my mind go blank...

(Toki): With "wind instruments", the difference in emotion is clear, but...
"作音楽器"は心情の差がモロに出るけど...
(sfx) Grin
(Toki): For a complete amateur to have noticed that... haha.

sfx bubble: Thump
(Toki): ...It's

(Toki): sorta
(Toki): disconcerting!!

Kamine: You've got it, Tokisaka...!!

Kamine: Don't think, just play!!

[p039]

Kamine: Pierce straight through,
Kamine: into the depths!!

Box: It worked!!

(Toki): Moko is

[p040]

(Toki): crying...!!

(Toki): It's just as he said...
(Toki): Can he really see them?!
(Toki): ...People's hearts!!

Kamine: It's not over yet, Tokisaka!!
Kamine: Don't slack off now!!

Kamine: A rocky mountain frozen over with ice has appeared!! We must have sunk down to the very bottom of the sea!!
Kamine: The sadness that's been hidden all this time has only come to the surface!!

Kamine: Next, start up a fire!!
Kamine: Melt the ice!!
(Toki): Whaa?!
(Toki): Fire?!

(Toki): Even though I'm performing, telling me to start a fire... am I supposed to improvise?!
(Toki) --No, wait!?

[p041]

(Toki): Could he mean "con passione",
(Toki): telling me to play the bridge "with emotion"?!!

(Toki): Is it
(Toki): possible that he...

Box: This is Tokisaka's music... amazing!!
Kamine: But be careful. That... wasn't a rocky mountain at all!

Kamine: It's a mountain of rubble from a sunken ship!! Her heart is probably underneath it!!
Kamine: You have to remove it "carefully, one bit at a time" or it'll collapse and crush her heart!!

(Toki): What's going on?! How does he know
(Toki): that I'm bad at the refrain and tend to play it sloppily!!

[p042]

Kamine: Not there!! Higher than that!! From above!!
(Toki): Even so, what he's saying is so confusing that it's impossible to tell what he means!!

(Toki): But there's improvement!!

(Toki): This song is one I've performed with Moko countless times!!
(Toki): Moreover, Kamine can't read sheet music!!
(Toki): And yet, when I play according to Kamine's instructions, the performance gradually improves!!

(Toki): He perceives everything flawlessly, from the player's mentality to the song's composition!!
(Toki): It's just as if...

(Toki): Forgive me, Moko... I'm going to save you, but thanks to Kamine,
(Toki): I've remembered something important!

(Toki): This is
(Toki): the sound of my music!!

(Toki): I've gotten it back!! I'll never lose it again!!
(Toki): So please, come back to us...!!

[p043/044]

(Toki): What... this is...
(Toki): an orchestra?!

(Toki): Unbelievable.
(Toki): I can see it as clear as day!!
(Toki): A vision of the future!!

(Toki): A future where I
(Toki): play a sax solo on a world stage!!

(Toki): Kamine, I want you to see this, too.

(Toki): I can even see
(Toki): your future clearly.

[p045/046]

Box: The sea!! It's returning to the way it was before!! She's going to sink beneath it again!!

Kamine: This is the final stretch, Tokisakaaa!! Use... your music!!

Kamine: Capture!!
Kamine: Her heart!!
Kamine: And pull her back out!!!

[p047/048]

(Toki): My music?! You're wrong!!

(Toki): The one who has brought me to this point
(Toki): is you!!!

(Toki): This is our
(Toki): music!!!

sfx bubble: Gasp
sfx bubble: Gasp

(Toki): The song's over... I was so engrossed in it that I hadn't even noticed.
(Toki): What about Moko...!

Toki: Mo...

[p049]

Moko: Hibiki...
Toki: Moko...?! Your...
Toki: voice... came back.
Moko: I'm... gonna work hard...

Moko: I really do...
Moko: want to sing after all...!!

Toki: You found your voice.
Toki: It's... going to be alright.

[p050]

Toki: Moko's working hard at rehab!
Toki: She's doing really well.
Kamine: That's good.

Toki: Reaching Moko's heart through music was impossible by myself.
Toki: It's all thanks to your "eyes"!

Toki: Hey,
Toki: Kamine.

Toki: Why don't you
Toki: do concert band with me?

[p051]

Toki: I don't know who is moved by my music.
Toki: You can become my "eyes"!! I want you to discover people my music can't reach and guide me!!

Toki: I'm certain that you
Toki: were born with those "eyes" to enable this sound
Toki: to reach everyone's hearts, and to make music!!!

Box: Music...? People's hearts... me...?

Box: ...It would be inconsiderate to ever tell him this, but...
Box: ...why... was it that...
Box: Tokisaka was working so desperately for that girl's sake... and yet, I...

[p052]

Box: was practically
Box: shaking with joy...!!

Box: ...But

Kamine: ...Your music was what captured people's hearts.
Kamine: All I did was give you the details of their hearts' status,
Kamine: so it's not like I'm really needed.

Toki: It was probably around a month ago.

Toki: The west Kanto "concert band competition" was held... and I went out for it.
Toki: If we won a gold prize and placed high enough, we could go on to the regional competition.
金賞を取って上位に入れれば次は全国大会に行けるんだ

Toki: I'd already been thinking about giving up music, so
Toki: Considering it the end of my career, I went in there and gave it my all.

[p053]

Toki: We ended up with a "useless gold."
Toki: Even though we were among those who were awarded a gold prize, we weren't able to break into the top spots
(above table)
The 19th West Kanto Concert Band Competition
[High School Division, Class A] Ranking Results
(table, top row): Award | Group Name | Prefecture
(table, row 1): (Rep) Gold | Tenrai Private High School | Gunma
(table, row 2): (Rep) Gold | Nanshin Private High School | Saita
(table, row 3): (Rep) Gold | Shichien Municipal High School | Niiga
(table, row 4): Gold | Meien Prefectural High School | Gunma
(table, row 5): Silver | Hakoyama Municipal High School | Yamanashi
Toki: and couldn't go to the regional competition.*

(below panel) ※ Since the number of representatives is pre-determined, there are cases where bands don't go onto the next level of competition despite receiving a gold prize.

Toki: ...Over the past few years...our band has always gotten a "useless gold"...

Toki: It's as if there's some sort of giant wall holding everyone back...
Toki: Exactly like how my worrying about Moko made me lose sight of my own music...!!

Kamine: ...That's...
Toki: I can't do this on my own...! We need you!

Toki: What if the other band members also have things hidden in their hearts stopping them from giving their all!
Toki: What if they're experiencing the same thing that happened to me!

[p054]

Toki: You'll become the concert band's savior!!

Toki: I'll capture people's hearts through my performance!!
Toki: Please direct the course of my music... and!
Toki: Become the conductor who will...

Toki: lead us as a unified concert band!!
(left) The "opening" note rings out!!

-------

Notes:

[page 52/53]
If we won a gold prize and placed high enough / a useless gold - This took a bit of digging around (David Hebert's book Wind Bands and Cultural Identity in Japanese Schools was incredibly helpful in that regard), but the music competition referenced divides the final scores into three groups using gold, silver and bronze as rankings. Evidently, groups also receive a placement within said gold/silver/bronze rankings. Only bands that receive a gold prize can go onto the next level of competition (the regionals), and there are only a certain number of regional spots available. In this case, that means only the top 3 bands in the gold ranking. The "useless gold" (ダメ金, dame-kin) refers to a band that wins a gold prize but doesn't place high enough within the gold winners to go onto the regionals.