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[gamria]

Chapter 13

http://plus.shonenju...PLUS00004802_57

 

Rough Summary

Spoiler

Pg 1 - 3

Planet Shummoor has a gravity of 0.85 G. And it's very arid, with loose soil.

Which is going to make procuring food and water tricky. 

 

According to the ship, this planet does have clean water available, and it's not limited to just oceans or rivers. There could be underground reservoirs, or something out of sight.

 

The situation doesn't look easy, but as Captain, Kanata is absolutely not going to whine and go "oh no". He wants everyone to enjoy themselves as much as possible. They may be stranded, but it's still their super precious Planet Camp.

They'll split into two teams to search for food and water.

 

Pg 4 - 9

Food Provision Team: Kanata, Aries, Zack, Luca and Yun-Hua

 

The team has discovered dandelion-like plants that radiates off a bright light. They're very delicious, and are hereby known as "Candy Plants".

And as they look off to an amazing view of a moon/satellite in the sky, Aries feels that though they're stranded, she's excited to have an experience like this.

"Space is amazing!"

 

Pg 10 - 17

Water Scouting Team: Charce, Quitterie, Ulgar, Fnicia

 

"Space is scary!!" Quitterie cries alone as the group stumble upon Emu-like giant birds with a horn on their head.

While she alone panicks at the appearance of space animals, Charce is excited. She thinks they'll be violent and carnivorous, he thinks they're gentle and kind creatures who want to be friends with them.

 

"Gruppi"

"We've become friends"

"Seriously!!?"

 

As the rest of the group warms up to the Gruppi quickly, Quiterrie wonders if she's the only one who hasn't adjusted to this life.

 

As suggested by Charce, following the animals leads them to a source of water. That on this planet, water are stored inside of these coconut-like plants that grow out of the ground. Fnicia calls them the Tulsaboten.

Just as they worry about how they'll carry them back to the ship, the Gruppi offers them a ride. "What's with these animals!?"

 

Charce reminds a sour Quitterie that Kanata told them to enjoy themselves, no matter the situation. And for him, riding on the back of some unidentified animal and running across an undiscovered wasteland is like a dream come true.

 

Pg 18 - 19

Reporting back to Kanata, Charce estimates that they'll need to collect 2000 of these Tulsaboten in order to suffice for the water needs of 9 people for the next 20 days of their journey.

He already had the idea of using the Astra for transporting the plants onboard, so maybe they can travel around and miraculously discover clusters of them?

 

Aries calls for Kanata: the Candy Plants have rotted.

Zack assesses that the plants are fresh and delicious when they're just picked, but soon their state quickly worsens and become poisonous. Attempts to refrigerate and preserve them are to no avail.

Perhaps they'll be better off searching for other foods, but he's worried that all the plants on this planet have the same characteristics.

 

"Oh no!!"

 

Thoughts

Spoiler

After the dramatic landing, it's nice to have a more relaxed chapter like this.

Securing food does look to be tricky, and no, the Gruppi have been assessed to be "disgusting", so you can't eat them.

 

Speaking of which, the Tester now speaks with Fnicia's voice whenever it makes its food assessments.

Also, I don't know what it is, but I can never get tired of Kanata's Bossun-ness

[gamria]

Woohoo!

[gamria]

So with Viz translating Astra starting next week, I might not need to be so detailed with my summaries anymore.

I'm actually considering subscribing to Viz for it.

 

---

 

Chapter 14

http://plus.shonenju...PLUS00004969_57

 

Rough Summary

Spoiler

Day 2 on Planet Shummoor, Group B5 again splits into two parties to procure supplies.

Between the two parties, it's discovered that the planet's plants all grow atop of a moss-like substance rather than on the soil.
And these moss grow atop of the corpses of animals, turning them into nutrients for other plants.

But given there are herbivores, Aries and Charce think there must be carnivores somewhere on this planet as well, yet unseen.

And possibly because of the lower gravity, Quitterrie can do dropkicks and arm whips on Kanata.

---

Because the plants on this planet decay quickly, they weren't able to procure too many.
And of the 2000 Tarsabotan they need, they only found 9 more.

The Astra only has enough water for 3 more days. 5, if they're being conservative.
And since they need the Groopy to help traverse the planet, that eats into their resources too.

Long story short, they're low on supplies, leading to a debate on whether to try flying to another planet, and how far they can conserve their resources.

Ultimately, Kanata makes the call that they'll stay until they reach their goal for procuring water and food.
That said, when morning comes, they'll fly to another area on the planet.

Food will be cut down by 30%, and they need to restrain themselves when it comes to bathing and cleaning.

---

As for Yun-Hua, earlier Ulgar called her "useless" for picking more of the same kind of plants than they needed, and near the end of the chapter, Luca made a joke in jest that Yun-Hua would still need to eat a lot.

So the next morning, they found that she's left a note.
"I will stay this planet. Please leave me here." (Shinohara's English, not mine)

No doubt, feeling useless and not wanting to be a burden, she ran away, looking for a place to die.

 

Thoughts

Spoiler

No doubt by the end of this ordeal, Yun-Hua will discover something that she can help with for the crew. The question is, what?

 

What are the odds that the carnivores of this planet only come out at night?

 

And what are the odds that the lower gravity will come into play at some point on the planet?

[Abu Dun]

So with Viz translating Astra starting next week, I might not need to be so detailed with my summaries anymore.

I'm actually considering subscribing to Viz for it.

I might look into subscribing to VIZ, as well. At least I hope it's even possible and not blocked like CR.

[gamria]

Free sample! Chapter 1!

http://www.viz.com/s...r-1/4452?read=1

Edited by gamria, 15 August 2016 - 06:19 PM.

[Abu Dun]

Free sample! Chapter 1!

http://www.viz.com/s...r-1/4452?read=1

Sorry, this website is not available in your country.

[gamria]

Apparently Viz needs to be active in your country to view it or something. Fortunately the case with NZ.

What about with a VPN?

 

In any case, it'll be nice if people can distribute them around the net.

 

---

 

So I just read Chapter 1.

I think the translation is alright. It still reads like a Shinohara work, and because the writing style is fairly simple, I don't need to worry too much about the poetic stuff being screwed up.

 

That said, I think that line from the flashback should've been done like this:

"When you're in despair, be strong."

 

Perhaps it's the Dangan Ronpa taste, but I prefer "despair" over "hopeless" for 絶望 (zetsubou)

 

Not sure if I like Viz's logo for the series.

But in any case, looking forward to next week.

[gamria]

For those who don't mind visiting 4chan, I found a thread that contains Chapter 1 scans

http://boards.4chan....a-lost-in-space

[gamria]

Chapter 2 now translated and free, for those who can access

http://www.viz.com/s...r-2/4493?read=1

 

The translation continues to be up to standard. No excessive swearing, rest assured.

I had the same excitement as I did when I read the original chapter, learning of the planet-hopping premise of the series and all.

 

A reference to the Anywhere Door (of Doraemon fame) were lost in translation though

[gamria]

I don't understand why, but Chapter 3 of Astra is already available:

https://www.viz.com/...r-3/4494?read=1

 

Apart from the Luca Javelin being renamed to the Luca Lance for some pointless (and counterproductive in future) reason, I don't have a problem with the translation as far as I recall.

 

Ah, the trials and tribulations of being a Bossun-like character. No one respects you as a leader.

 

For those wondering, no, despite taking Himeko's old position of being the Tsukkomi, Quitterie will not overtake Aries' role as the heroine. Heck, it'll be 1000 years before she can be as awesome as our highly esteemed Hime-neesama

[gamria]

Chapter 15 of Astra Lost in Space

http://plus.shonenju...PLUS00005128_57

 

Rough Summary

Spoiler

Pages 1 - 4

• Kanata organises a search party for Yun-Hua. He'll search alone.
• Quitterie is to stay on the ship, just in case she returns
• The remaining 6 will divide into 3 groups of 2 to search in different directions.

Kanata has to wear his spacesuit, since his jersey had to be cleaned yesterday after getting dirtied with moss.

Funicia noticed that she's left her glasses behind. Wondering how she can see without them, Aries informs them that those glasses are just for show, they're not for correction.

 

During the search, Luca feels bad for the things he said yesterday. Ulgar sort of cheers him up by telling him he said something bad to her yesterday too.

 

Pages 5 - 7

Flashback: for her school play festival, a young Yun-Hua tells her mother that she was selected to be the main lead. She'll be practising singing and dancing everyday.

 

"A musical? Singing and dancing? You?" "Yeah......."

"That homeroom teacher, even though I told him/her not to do anything."

 

Yun-Hua's mother decided to have a word with her teacher. She'll be declining from her role.

"It's impossible for you. If you fail, you'll just be causing trouble. Switch to some other role where you won't stand out."

 

Pages 8 - 15

After catching up to Yun-Hua, and getting another Arm Whip in the process, Kanata decides to keep a distance and talk to her via their helmets.

He tells her that Aries already noticed that her glasses were just for show. Just like with her bangs, it's to hide her face so that people won't look at her, isn't it?

 

...she wanted to not show herself as much as possible. She can't do anything, her body is way too big, she eats a lot, yet there isn't anything she can do.

(Kanata thinks Aries eats even more though)

 

She's useless to everyone, everyone else has their own forte.

It's so bitter that she can't do anything.

 

---

 

It's true that there are many in Group B5 who are capable, but that's just something that happened by chance. There's no need to have such a complex over it.

You may be one person dying here, but in order for all 9 of them to live, they need her strength.

 

She doesn't need to have some sort of special skill to be useful. She can still assist everyone else.

A survival tip from him: "It's fine if you can't do something, but you can't not do anything."

 

---

 

She apologises to Kanata. She doesn't want to stand out.

She would hate to fail and stand out. Playing an active role and standing out is also a problem for her.

 

"If you can't do anything, then at the very least don't stand out and cause trouble for anyone."

 

That's how she was raised. Expressing herself is deemed as something embarrassing.

Astounding Kanata, her mother pretty much wanted her to be transparent.

 

Pages 16 - 21

Aries, Charce, Zack and Funicia met up at one of the pole trees, with no success finding Yun-Hua.

The wind rises, and a herd of Groopies run past them.

The sphere atop the pole opens up, and spores scatter in the wind.

Toxic spores.

 

Charce kicks himself for not noticing sooner, even after collecting so many poisonous food.

On this planet, what he thought were moss were actually photosynthetic plants.

And what he thought were plants, including the trees, the fruits and the vegetables... they were all actually fungi.

 

The rulers of this planet are the mushrooms.

 

Thoughts

Spoiler

So 2ch was right. The names of the planets are indeed English anagrams.

And for Planet Shummoor, it was indeed derived from "mushroom".

This was not the form of mushroom I expected though.

 

I had a feeling that the crew were bound to face some sort of disease/medical crisis on one of the planets. But mass poisoning? Oh dear...

Also, I was right that Kanata having to wear his spacesuit does have some sort of significance, as per Shinohara's writing style. So it's to prevent him from being poisoned.

 

Now let's see how the Arm Whips he's received come into play.

Good thing our resident medic Quitterie remained on the ship.

 

---

 

So we learn quite a bit about Yun-Hua this chapter, poor girl.

With her mother, it feels like it's less about thinking of her as useless, and more about not wanting her to stand out, to draw attention.

Is their family hiding something?

 

Something strange is going on with all the families of Group B5. Could that be related to their collective stranding?

 

In any case, we might just have found out what Yun-Hua can do as a member of the crew: a singer/performer, to bolster morale during downtime.

[gamria]

As it turns out, Viz's Astra is currently on a bi-weekly schedule, Tuesday and Thursday.

So here's Chapter 4

http://www.viz.com/s...-chapter-4/4572

 

AKA the chapter when we get a bit more acquainted with our characters. And when the mystery element starts layering on.

 

If I have to critcise, it is that there's one typo in the translation, and rather than "can't know", it's better to use "can't figure out".

ie "stuff you can't figure out are stuff you can't figure out" That would've made more sense.

 

Otherwise, translation is OK.

 

---

 

Also, nobody else here can read Viz's free chapters? Really?

I'm lonely here! Will I have to take desperate measures or something just that you all can see them as well?

[gamria]

While I can talk about Viz English Chapter 5 being out, I feel maybe I should address the lonely problem first.

In light of that, let's try this treat from me: full screenshots of English Chapter 1, all pages:

 

Spoiler

http://ansatsu-datab...v3hmM4Sa1uqq1k8

http://ansatsu-datab...v3pjnro71uqq1k8

http://ansatsu-datab...v3tjh1hZ1uqq1k8

http://ansatsu-datab...vkrt28rD1uqq1k8

 

Remember to zoom in, feedback will be welcome

 

They're not the best quality, but it's better than nothing

[gamria]

Based on positive (private) feedback, here's Chapter 2

http://ansatsu-datab...x4smbf0C1uqq1k8

http://ansatsu-datab...x4tvX0br1uqq1k8

[gamria]

And here're the rest of Viz's scans thus far

 

Ch 3

http://ansatsu-datab...bu9bLBn11uqq1k8

http://ansatsu-datab...bubfVsW61uqq1k8

 

Ch 4

http://ansatsu-datab...bufoychk1uqq1k8

http://ansatsu-datab...buh5DRe11uqq1k8

 

Ch 5

http://ansatsu-datab...bukaluDZ1uqq1k8

http://ansatsu-datab...bulzT0xf1uqq1k8

 

Ch 6

http://ansatsu-datab...bunry61P1uqq1k8

 

Ch 7

http://ansatsu-datab...butlK1J91uqq1k8

[gamria]

Chapter 16

http://plus.shonenju...PLUS00004026_57

 

Rough Summary

Spoiler

Pg 1 - 7

A poisoned Groopy collapses in front of Kanata and Yun-Hua. Thinking it's hungry, they feed it a "vegetable" that Yun-Hua found dropped somewhere.

Seeing the Groopy recover, he thinks that she'll feel better if she eats something too.

 

Charce sends an SOS to Kanata via a communicator.

Kanata and Yun-Hua both manage to bring everyone back to the ship, summoning a clean room for sterilisation before entering into the ship proper.

Quitterie informs Kanata that Luca and Ulgar were also on the verge of death when they retruned.

 

Kanata asks her if there's a way to treat them. She doesn't know, don't ask her about it.

"There's no one other than you, we're counting on you Quitterie! You're the Ship's Doctor for this team!"

 

Her resolve steeled, she has Kanata and Yun-Hua assisting her.

For now, they'll lay the 6 patients at the Bridge atop of mats, since the Sickbay doesn't have enough beds. They'll need water, ice and towels as well.

 

 

 

Pg 8 - 11

Charce gives his (hypothetical) reassessment on the ecosystem of Planet Shummoor. The most important parts are:

 

1. The mushrooms kill animals by poison, whose corpses are decomposed

2. Moss-like plants grow atop of the decomposed matter

3. More mushrooms grow atop of those plants, and the cycle continues

 

It is said that mushrooms can kill animals for the sake of the plants.

Since the plants and mushrooms on the planet have a strong symbiotic relationship, it wouldn't be strange for them to proactively kill the animals.

There are no carnivores on this planet, it's the mushrooms that sit atop of the herbivores.

 

 

Pg 12 - 17

Kanata inquires Charce about something: this ecosystem should have its balance.

Are the animals really a bothersome existence? If too much gets killed by the toxic spores, then that in itself will be troublesome for the mushrooms and plants too.

 

Charce hypotheses that if the Pole Trees are the rulers of this planet, then they must have a form of control that keeps too many animals from dying.

Like, some kind of antidote. It wouldn't be strange for there to be medical mushrooms that treats the poison.

 

Yun-Hua and Kanata think that the mushroom they fed the Groopy before could be the cure they're looking for.

The place where she picked it up before probably wasn't where it was originally cultivated though.

 

Zack thinks the source of the cure is at the Pole Trees themselves, at the bases where the corpses are piled up.

He had been thinking, the height of the mushroom must be to accommodate the piling of corpses, but why were so many gathered there?

What if it's because that's where the antidote is located?

 

It could be that every animal knows that fact, and those that are sick will visit the place. Those who can find the cure will recover, while those who can't will collapse and die there.

The perfect draw for more corpses for decomposition.

 

 

Pg 18 - 19

Then it's settled. Kanata will go out to find the cure.

He gives Yun-Hua the order to stay and assist Quitterie.

Quitterie urges him to be quick. At this rate, everyone could die.

 

"I'll definitely find them. Wait for me everyone!"

 

Thoughts

Spoiler

Great, we have 6 members poisoned instead of 4.

At least we've found a cure. What are the odds Kanata will have to fight with numerous animals and leave them to die for the sake of retrieving the antidote mushrooms?

 

Still, the idea of a lone man running through a toxic dust storm in order to save his comrades feels very heroic. Fight on!

 

Well, Quitterie is officially instated as the crew's medic now, although the term does refer to the position of Ship's Doctor/Surgeon.

[Diasou]

For some reason, chapter 8 was released today instead of Tuesday.

 

Spoiler Chapter 8 thoughts

 

• Yunhua not feeling well - maybe something's bothering her? In deep thought of something? Wonder what her specialty is.
• Ulgar being cold to Kanata - trust issues? Something happened to him. That gun is probably significant.
• With Kanata's thoughts on page 15, it seems there will be more obstacles the crew will encounter (but that's obvious imo - we haven't learned more about the other characters yet XD)
• Why do those shady organization guys want to kill all of the crew? Whatever it is, it's something each person has a connection or was involved in some way
• Who are those people?
• Back to the saboteur - whoever it is (Ulgar?), I think Yunhua saw him/her and tried telling Quitterie about it, but she didn't muster enough courage to tell her. 
• Possible that the saboteur was assigned to assassinate the others (?) 

 

I haven't read gamria's summaries, so I don't know what will happen soon. We'll see how off my predictions are. But it's been an enjoyable read so far. 

[gamria]

Viz Scans

 

Ch 8

http://ansatsu-datab...joqp61al1uqq1k8

http://ansatsu-datab...joskMQDg1uqq1k8

 

Ch 9

http://ansatsu-datab...jou159cB1uqq1k8

 

@Diasou Great to see you again

 

Chapter 8... well, a gamble had to be taken with Funicia's B5 line. The original Japanese here was pretty ambiguous as well, not to mention there are suspicions among readers if she misheard anything.

But even there, Kanata assumed the worst case scenario as well.

 

 

Once the crew lands on Planet Shummoor in Ch 12, I'll give my speculation on the saboteur and the stranding as a whole.

[gamria]

Ch 10 Eng

http://ansatsu-datab...sspbadYe1uqq1k8

[gamria]

http://plus.shonenju...PLUS00005423_57

Chapter 17

 

Rough Summary

Spoiler

Pg 1 - 9
During her standby, Quitterie had exited the ship at one point. That was enough to contract some of the toxic spores.
She tells Yun-Hua that she's already given everyone the treatment that she can. The rest is up to Kanata.

Arriving at a Pole Tree, Kanata couldn't find any of the antidote mushrooms.
Looking at the footprints, he can tell that there lots of animals had been here already, so all the mushrooms have probably been picked already.
...or, maybe it's not that they were all picked, it's that he's not "qualified" to do so.

So in order to become qualified, he deactivates his helmet. Kanata is now poisoned.
 

Pg 10 - 12
Quitterie apologises to Yun-Hua for being conceited earlier, just because she had a morsel of medical knowledge. There're still things that she can't do...
Yun-Hua feels she should be the one to apologise. It's because of her that everyone is in such a state.

Is this... despair?

"When you're in despair, be strong."

She mustn't give up. Is there nothing she can do?
Something that she can do...

 

Pg 13 - 19
Flashback 1: At one point, Kanata remarks that when he was stranded, having too much time makes things feel super long, it's harsh. Without any form of entertainment, this (stranding) situation they're in can feel like it'll continue forever.

Flashback 2: An extension of the scene from Ch 15.

Kanata calls out Yun-Hua on her lie. He's heard from Aries, she doesn't want to be transparent, she has something she wants to be, right?
To his surprise, it's a "singer".

Yun-Hua's mother, Lucy Lam, is a famous singer. To the extent that Kanata is surprised to learn she's her daughter.
Her mother often told her not to talk to people, and not to sing in front of people.

Her mother may have always hated her, but she likes her mother when she sings.
She likes to sing, so she'll find a spot when she's alone to sing. Because it really puts her heart at ease.

(Kanata wonders what the deal with her mother is. It's like she wanted to suppress her daughter's self-expression)

So steeling herself, Yun-Hua does the only thing she can do now to put her crewmates' heart at ease: sing.

 

Pg 20 - 25
Kanata's gamble paid off: the Pole Tree has sprouted the antidotes before him, the poisoned.

Eating the cure, though he's beginning to recover, his body can hardly move. The strength he spent struggling to the remedy won't return to him.
He curses himself. Everyone's waiting for him.

Miraculously, the Groopy that he and Yun-Hua saved last chapter came for him.
Hitching a ride, Kanata returns back to the ship, his backpack on his person and loaded with antidote.

 

Thoughts

Spoiler

Kanata, your hypothesis was near-baseless and your gesture was reckless, but I salute your bravado in pulling through with it.

The guy just risked his life to save everyone, can't hate him for what he does.

 

Yun-Hua's talent is as predicted, singing, to boost morale. It may not be useful on the field, but it helps keep the crew's spirit up.

And the way she heeded Kanata's words, it feels nice to see the guy's standing being acknowledged.

 

With confirmation that Yun-Hua's mother is famous, it reinforces a speculation among the Japanese fandom: the common thread that ties the kids' placement into Group B5 for assassination has something to do with their successful parent(s). There's Kanata's athletic father, Quitterie's doctor mother, Luca's politician father, etc.

But we'll need to learn more about Aries, Charce and Funicia's family background for a more solid basis though.