June 2020 Update

I'm overwhelmed!!!

There, I've said it.

Nonetheless, I'm committed to seeing everything through, even if it takes a while. And yes, I'll rest too! So here's what's on my plate in regards to UtaPri:

• Translations: I'm still thinking of them. I know this isn't as important as everything else right now, but I feel like I need to do them to try to get my mind off of other things every once in a while. Once Secret Garden Party is done, I will be taking a break from translating for a while.
  
• Donations: I cannot thank you enough for the contributions on my Ko-fi page!! I'm so, so grateful! My next goal is up on my page and outlines the next step in the moving process for my apartment!
  
• Group order shipping (excluding USA): I know I said I would look at other non-U.S.A. countries about shipping before, sorry I hadn't! I thought it would be easier to wait until things calmed down and after Japan reopened (which they have started doing this month). I've checked the latest list of countries and a few of them seem to have reopened, so I'll be working on that this month! Yay! Please once again give me some time before I start sending shipping invoices!
  
• Group orders for U.S.A.: There's still a suspension on shipping, and because I'm concerned about the security of packages right now, I'll continue to monitor the situation.
  
• Group order item arrival: Maji Love Kingdom KumaPri Plush Bears just arrived! Not too many people ordered, but it's a large box. So far I haven't received any other information about delayed arrivals.

I've been running on very little sleep for the past few days, I imagine many of you are under stress as well! Please stay safe, and get rest!! We're almost halfway through the year! ☆

May 2020 Update

So not too long after my last update, I was given the order to finally start working from home. I didn't think it would be too bad, but actually I can't stand it. The pressure that one puts on themselves to prove they're doing enough work is very real! And because I'm stuck at home, I don't feel any sense of relief when I've finished for the day, because I'm sitting in the same location that I was when I was working. I have this personal policy of not bringing my work home with me, but now the work has invited itself into my home and it's stressful.

As a result, I haven't done any extra work on the Secret Garden Party translations. I have translations done but I haven't rendered them into images yet. I also haven't done much group order work, because the shipping to most countries is still halted. While I said I would look into shipping to non-USA countries, I feel like it's just better to wait. I was asked by a buyer about DHL, but the sign-up process is lengthy and shipping is significantly more expensive.

In regards to the arrival of more merch, I should be receiving the KumaPri Maji Love Kingdom order within a week, and the PRINCE CAT order is being prepared by BOS for shipment and appears to be on schedule for a late June/early July arrival. I don't have much hope in a lift on the shipping ban before this point, so I've run into an issue that I was concerned about, which was having very large orders arrive in my small temporary apartment. I'll take care of this in one way or another, and I'm hoping the extra moving costs won't be too painful. In case you were wondering, I don't plan to charge anyone extra for shipping and handling to cover this issue, but if you would like to donate I do have my Ko-fi page up for my translation work, or if you'd like to leave a tip in your next order that's also an option!

On the bright side, I did find a new place to call home! I'm scheduled to move to my new place in mid-July, so hopefully I'll be able to get some of this UtaPri merch off my hands before then. I'll try to keep everyone updated!

Stay safe!

Happy Blog Anniversary (and Happy Birthday Ryuya)!

May 15th is Ryuya's birthday!

It's also the same day I started this blog! (Actually it's dated May 14th but it was already the 15th in Japan.)

I always try to acknowledge this milestone in some way, this time I've gone back in time to the official UtaPri blog entry from 2011 celebrating Ryuya's birthday. I won't translate the entire entry, but here are some facts about him, with some extra notes added by me:

Ryuya Hyuga

Age (at the start of the first UtaPri visual novel): 27

Height: 192 cm (6 feet 3.5 inches!!!)

Weight: 85kg (187 pounds)

Blood Type: A (same as Tokiya, Masato, and Ranmaru, and Nagi)

Birthday: May 15th

Astrological Sign: Taurus (same as Kira)

Instrument: Trumpet

Favorite Food: Natto (fermented soybeans notorious for their strong smell and taste)

Hated Food: Konyaku (a type of potato often served in jelly form)

Highlights:

• He's pretty much a superman--known in his hometown as a respected older brother figure, he's now a top idol, and not just a teacher at Saotome Academy but also works in their accounting department and a dormitory manager, and also in charge of doing repairs caused by Shining Saotome at the school.
• He's good at cooking, having lived on his own for a long time.
• He's the oldest of four boys: His younger brothers are Yamato, Touma, and Makoto. There's a ten-year difference between himself and Makoto. He fights with Yamato a lot when they see each other, and Touma is the smart and calm one.
• At 192 cm, he's the second tallest among the Shining idols, the tallest being Shining Saotome at 2 meters.
• He enjoys riding his motorcycle! The back seat appears to be for someone important (is it you? ^^)

I admire Ryuya for how hard-working and talented he is, and it inspires me to put together translations that he would be proud of (if he were a language teacher). Happy Birthday Ryuya, and I'm glad to continue this blog for as long as I can!