These subtitles are timed to the video on the DVD. There are certain bits of dialogue that I'm not 100% sure of but I've referenced the sixth Showa novel in the making of the subtitles so hopefully, there are minimal mistakes. If you do spot anything glaringly off, just let me know.


English subtitles for Yashashuu Boogie Woogie (the third Mirage Showa Hen stage play)
Subtitle Formats: SSA / SRT 
Transcript: PDF

Tech Tips
Just a couple of suggestions on how you may use these subtitles.

• Rip the video from your DVD and burn the subtitles together with the video onto a new DVD. Or you can simply store both the ripped video and subtitles in the same folder on your computer/external drive, make sure the file names are identical and play the video.
• Play your DVD on your computer using a media player that can load external subtitles. VLC player is a good one to use. If you're on a Windows platform, Media Player Classic also has this function.

If you have any technical difficulties or issues with the subtitles, such as out-of-sync timing, feel free to let me know and I'll try to help you out.

Directly translated from the original Japanese text.

Chapter content: Takaya vs Chiaki; Hakkai's thoughts; Tetsuya in Kumamoto

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( Translation )

These subtitles are timed to the video on the DVD. There are certain bits of dialogue that I'm not 100% sure of but I've referenced the third Showa novel in the making of the subtitles so hopefully, there are minimal mistakes. If you do spot anything glaringly off, just let me know.


English subtitles for Ruritsubame Blues (the second Mirage Showa Hen stage play)
Subtitle Formats: SSA / SRT 
Transcript: PDF

Tech Tips
Just a couple of suggestions on how you may use these subtitles.

• Rip the video from your DVD and burn the subtitles together with the video onto a new DVD. Or you can simply store both the ripped video and subtitles in the same folder on your computer/external drive, make sure the file names are identical and play the video.
• Play your DVD on your computer using a media player that can load external subtitles. VLC player is a good one to use. If you're on a Windows platform, Media Player Classic also has this function.

If you have any technical difficulties or issues with the subtitles, such as out-of-sync timing, feel free to let me know and I'll try to help you out.

Because I'm fangirling the plays (and Tomita) so hard right now...

These subtitles are timed to the video on the DVD. There are certain bits of dialogue that I'm not 100% sure of but I've referenced the first Showa novel and the first Kaiko novel in the making of the subtitles so hopefully, there are minimal mistakes. If you do spot anything glaringly off, just let me know.


English subtitles for Yonakidori Blues (the first Mirage Showa Hen stage play)
Subtitle Formats: SSA / SRT 
Transcript: PDF

Tech Tips
Just a couple of suggestions on how you may use these subtitles.

• Rip the video from your DVD and burn the subtitles together with the video onto a new DVD. Or you can simply store both the ripped video and subtitles in the same folder on your computer/external drive, make sure the file names are identical and play the video.
• Play your DVD on your computer using a media player that can load external subtitles. VLC player is a good one to use. If you're on a Windows platform, Media Player Classic also has this function.

If you have any technical difficulties or issues with the subtitles, such as out-of-sync timing, feel free to let me know and I'll try to help you out.

Should have posted this sooner, it has been sitting on my backlog for ages. :)

Directly translated from the original Japanese text.

This is the final chapter of Volume 17.

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( Translation )

I guess it's only fitting that my first post in five years is Mirage-related. I've been away for so long that it actually feels kind of strange to be writing a post. Anyway, I've to thank labingi  for making me remember the Mirage plays. Truth be told, when I first saw the announcement that the Showa prequel was going to be adapted into a stage play in 2014, I was skeptical. And then I was out of fandom for a long time due to RL, during which I completely forgot about the project. But I've purchased all three DVDs now and I guess this is my long, rambling review of the plays.

Note: This post will contain spoilers.


^My DVDs with the free tote bag (calligraphy by Tomita Shou) and photo that came with my purchase.

( Read more... )

On a last note, I believe these plays are well worth owning for any Mirage fan. So if you can, do support the production by purchasing the DVDs. I realize the DVDs are not easy to get because the main shop doesn't ship outside Japan. You can try finding a parcel forwarding service for your country though you'll need to understand enough Japanese to order the DVDs on the website. Otherwise, look for a proxy shopping service. I can recommend CDJapan. Their site is in English and they can purchase items sold on other websites on your behalf (with service charges) and ship almost anywhere internationally. The three Mirage plays are already listed on the Proxy Shipping section of their site (1,2,3).

The Mirage of Blaze Showa Hen plays are a great addition to the Mirage universe and I'm looking forward to owning the fourth play on DVD. In fact, I'm hoping that these plays will be financially successful enough to move beyond the Showa prequels.

This is a short audio drama from the Cobalt Tokimeki Telephone Masterpiece CD. If you've read the chapter in Volume 24 where Naoe reacts with anger/grief over Kagetora's attempt to erase his memories, this should be familiar. I thought it'd be nice to hear an audio version of Naoe's lines especially since Hayami-san gives a particularly moving performance T_T

Cobalt Tokimeki Telephone Masterpiece - Onshuu no Mon
DL: Mediafire

Naoe's Monologue:
What did you just try to do, what were you trying to do! Were you going to erase my memories! Were you going to erase all my memories of you! Why did you do that!! Did you fully understand what you were about to do! What you did was worse than killing me, worse than leaving me behind! For the first time, I want to blame you for your weakness! You are the only one who will acquire satisfaction by this forced tranquility! If you want to leave, why can't you ask me to die together with you! This sort of sympathy is an act of violence! This act of violence is a greater crime than mass murder! I cannot forgive you for doing this! The most unforgivable thing in this world...!

I have decided that, no matter what happens from here onwards, I will bear anything that is born from these feelings. Because everything born from these feelings is a mark of my existence. Not even you have the right to take that away from me...

Directly translated from the original Japanese text.

Basics of this chapter: Naoe and Hakkai meet up with the Aso clan; the Shimazu hear of Iehisa's destruction; Mikuriya prepares to defend her city (school) against the Shimazu invasion; Chiaki with the Miike family when the situation takes a turn for the worse

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( Translation )

The dialogue in this track is lifted from the final chapter of the Onshuu no Mon arc (Volume 28) and features quite a bit of Naoe-Kagetora angst/fighting.

Mirage of Blaze - Onshuu no Mon
DL: Mediafire

( Translation )

Completed this several months back but didn't have a chance to post it.

Directly translated from the original Japanese text.

Basics of this chapter: Ayako vs the Shimazu; Nobunaga discusses his crazy intentions; conversations between Mitsuhide and Kagetora

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( Translation )

Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

Basics of this chapter: Yuzuru is on a mission to save Takaya; Irobe and Shouun discuss the Ootomo's plans

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( Translation... )

This is a short audio drama of Mirage of Blaze Volume 38 阿修羅の前髪 Ashura no Maegami (The Forelocks of Asura). I'm guessing that this excerpt is from the part where the Futsunomitama or "Sword of Rebirth" fails to save Kagetora's dying soul and Naoe is angsting about Kagetora's eventual death. Note that Naoe isn't actually talking to Kagetora. He's having an internal struggle with his own despair and the positive voice in his heart manifests itself as Kagetora.

Many thanks to the anonymous Chinese fan who provided a Japanese transcript of the track.

Download: MegaUpload or Mediafire

( Translation )

Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

Basics of this chapter: More on the Miike, Kihachi and Asara; background information on Ikeda Katsuya and the Fire sect; Takaya learns a little more of Kenshin's dastardly plans

T/N: I have decided after much deliberation to replace the term 'bird people' (you know, the flying warriors of the Fire sect...) with 'Birds' which I think is a more accurate translation of the text. Previous chapters have also been updated.

Edit #2: Apparently it's Himura not Himukai...

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( Translation... )

Merry X'mas to everyone! :)

Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

Basics of this chapter: Chiaki investigates the kidnapping of Inaba Akemi and stumbles upon a greater plot (a lot of information on the Miike, Kihachi and Asara)

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( Translation... )

T/N: Sorry for being MIA for so long. I now have a little more time to spare so expect a few chapters in the next month. :)

Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

Basics of this chapter: Kotarou vs Naoe; who makes it to Takaya?

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( Translation... )

Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

Basics of this chapter: Naoe and Hakkai battle Kousaka; Kotarou is losing himself

T/N: I'm not sure if I've got the name of Kotarou's weapon right (Arashizanmaru?) so any corrections would be much appreciated.

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( Translation... )

Original Japanese text from Kuwabara Mizuna's official site. A Divine Red short with special appearances by Takaya and Naoe written by sensei in February 2000 for the "Uesugi Domain Goyoutashi" (no idea what that is)

Japanese to English translation by me.

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The topic: "A Certain Samegao Castle at Arai City shall be hosting the festival known as 'The Legend of Echigo's Wild Kagetora - The Winter Encampment' it seems, and apparently there is going to be a play about Kagetora during the festival."

( For more silliness )
Happy New Year!
With 25 more chapters to go (MoB Vols. 17-19), I hope to finish translating the Karin arc before the end of 2010.

Original Japanese text from Kuwabara Mizuna's official site. Sensei wrote four "petit novels" for her site's third anniversary in 2007 based on Divine Red, ILEGENES, Schwarz Heart and Mirage of Blaze. I decided to translate the ones for DR and MoB.

Japanese to English translation by me.

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( A Stormy Night - Divine Red )

( A Stormy Night - Mirage of Blaze )

Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

Basics of this chapter: Kagetora reflects

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( Translation... )

¹ This is directed at Minako.
² He is calling out to Kenshin, not Ujiyasu.


End of Volume 16.

Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

Basics of this chapter: Kagetora and Kiyomasa escape; Kotarou and Naoe are trying to rescue Kagetora

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( Translation... )

¹washi - hand made Japanese paper
²Kiji - literally translates to 'demon character'