The Entire Thing's a Ship

Y'know, for someone who's suspicious of D, he is really just basing 90% of his actions tonight on the benefit of the doubt of D's words alone. What a guy.

Leon, how DID you survive being a cop this long?? He's so goddamn gullible. 😭 Tokyopop took an interesting liberty with the last line and they have D say, "I couldn't grow the beard." dhjdsg. Why? Idk, at this point I am convinced that the translators valued humor over accuracy. Not very professional or fair to English readers, but... it makes this liveblog experience kinda hilarious.

This is one of my favorite pages of the entire series. "The human habit of trying to understand the world with a limited knowledge of it... Is beyond foolish."

'Scuse me, D? Why would you trust this man with your store?? Maybe it's more that he trusts his pets to keep Leon in check while D hunts down the egg... Also the translators note is so funny to me. What does it say? Is it the equivalent of Japanese keyboard-smashing? I could see Leon's headspace having a dragon sound like that. (Also how does Leon know the spoilers in this chapter? 3 heads? 👀)

TO SAY THE LEAST, D! The Tokyopop translation just has him trail off and lets the reader imagine the end of that sentence. Admittedly it packs a bit more of a punch if D isn't even willing to describe what would happen. "...that would be frightening." is a little underwhelming. XD

Now, in the Tokyopop version Leon says, “You hear that? Is that crying?” which is very interesting. Do baby turtles make sounds like that when they hatch?

And...

“What’s your fucking problem? What’s with the yelling?” is what he says in Tokyopop’s version here. I little bit more vulgar language. ;;>w>

Ah, yes... So, since I couldn’t find the first volume all those years ago, this was the first chapter of this manga I ever, ever read. I had a very interesting introduction to these two, now that I look back..

Oooooh, my god. Q-chan says, “Spot on!” I laughed so hard. xD In the Tokyopop version they just put a little, “Kyu!” like they usual do.

I feel like all the wording here provides a different vibe. Count D also asking about family is a little less of a jab, I think. xD Also, looking at his worried face I feel like he’s kind of annoyed that Leon keeps showing up, even on his day off, but plays it as concern for Leon’s social life, lol. (“Why do you still come here?”) Also I do think that Leon’s reply in Tokyopop’s translation is a little more American. >v> But!! Also!!! Why is he there?? He doesn’t ever answer that. I assume he tells himself he is collecting more intel on D, even while off-duty, but like... It seems he just wants to go there to relax? As evidenced by the next page.

There are a few discrepancies between this and Tokyopop’s version. Instead of “shady hero” (which I love), they just call him “main character”. And... I also love how Ruthless Nights Scans says, “he just turned out as a funny guy.” xD Tokyopop says, “he just got more and more weird.” Both are great conclusions. Also Tokyopop’s note on the side calls Q-chan a “horned Valvertinger rabbit”, which is something I’ve never heard of before. I don’t know what valvertinger means. I looked it up and I’m just getting links to fanfictions.

But here he is.. She sees him as everyone else does.

I just want to show off all these pages because I love how Akino transitions to black to show how confused Karen is in her blindness. That middle panel with the sharp, entangled lines really bring the mood of chaos. And then...

FISHINESS REVEALED. But probably all Edward hears is barking.

That’s because her dog told her.

Ah, here she has learned to trust him. She is such a sweet and sympathetic person... And she finally gets to find out what a handsome dog-man he is. :)

And...

Oh ho, maybe there were other reasons she didn’t want Edward to leave? >v> He is way too old for you, though, Karen. Also his name is Edward. That in itself is a red flag.

Oh, I like his German! The Tokyopop version just has him saying “Good morning” in English. Boring.

More adorable little faces.

lol I wonder if Edward just heard a dog bark when Dreizehn spoke.

Pretty convenient(?) that he’s going on this trip now, especially since he was acting so protective of Karen, trying to make sure she was safe from any suspicious folks who could want to off her. And now she super doesn’t want to be alone. :’v She may have been convinced back in the shop that Dreizehn was a protector, but I understand being blind and not wanting to be left alone with a weird, tall, stranger.

First off, excuse me, but I just love this sensual title page.

Also we get right into the tragedy with this chapter, whoo!

Oof.

Look at this. You know that if Count D is giving a look like that, there is something fishy about.

(Ruthless Night Scans’ translation:) 

(Tokyopop’s translation:) 

The wording here feels very different. I actually really like how Tokyopop interpreted this, for once.