Saturday, May 3, 2008

Erec Rex hits Japan!

I just got the Japanese versions of the first two Erec Rex books from Japan - they are beautiful! There are only a few English words, like Erec Rex on the covers and my name on the backs, and the title pages in English inside. Luckily I know someone from Japan who translated a bit for me. It sounds like the story inside is the same (well, except for a few words like "howl" changed to "the sound a wolf makes," I guess things that don't translate directly.) But the titles are different! The title of Book One is The Magic Eye of the Dragon, and Book Two is The Birth of the Dark Prince. Wow - that's a change!! It actually may read The Arrival of the Dark Prince - it wasn't clear.

The books are SO beautiful - more than you can tell from the pictures. They're big, too, and they have dust jackets over soft covers. I love the art! This is Book Two - The figure in front with the eyes coming out in his face is obviously Baskania - but such a cool looking Baskania! I love the way his long fingernails are poised around Erec Rex. Notice Erec's hair - straight in front, and curly in back...!

This is Book One - check out Bethany's outfit!! It's hard to see here, but there is an awesome dragon curved around behind them. They're holding a scepter - very cool!!


Can't wait to see the art from more countries as it pops up! Here is the Thai version, they used the same artist as the American version. It looks SO cool, I love it -

14 comments:

Kaleb Nation said...

Awesome covers! It's amazing seeing them from different countries!

Anonymous said...

The art for the japanese verison is amazing! Congrats!!!
~Heather

Tarie Sabido said...

Wow, those ARE cool! :o)

Atsuko_Chan said...

Erekku Rekkusu...Kaza Kingusurei. XD

Kaza Kingsley, http://www.erecrex.com said...

Hey Atsuko -
Are you from Japan by chance? A friend who can read Japanese told me that was the way his name sounds in the translated version!
:}
Kaza

Atsuko_Chan said...

Nah, I'm not Japanese--but I've been studying the language for a couple years now. So yeah, I can read the Katakana and recognize some of the vocabulary--but that's all. X_X

Kaza Kingsley, http://www.erecrex.com said...

So cool! I still hope to go visit there someday and the other countries where my books are coming out!!

If you were close I'd see if you could translate some back for me!
Kaza

Atsuko_Chan said...

Yah, my friend's going over to Japan on a study abroad program and leavin' me behind. *shakes fist* >_> Heh.

Though...have you seen the insides of the Japanese versions? 'Cause I am curious. It shouldn't be that hard to read--usually they don't put as many kanji in kids books, or if they do have the kanji, they have the hiragana equivalent on top of the kanji character. (Kanji = those complicated chinese characters. A pain to memorize, that they are. X_X) Actually, that's what they did for those covers if you look carefully.

Kaza Kingsley, http://www.erecrex.com said...

I have seen the insides of both books - I have the books! But I'm so clueless about Japanese writing I couldn't tell you what kind of alphabet they're using inside.

Send me your email if you like - you can send it to me through http://www.erecrex.com Author link, then click on "Talk to Kaza." If you want I can scan a few pages in and you can tell me more - sounds interesting to me!
:}

Hope your friend has a blast. I have a friend going there too!
Kaza

Atsuko_Chan said...

:3 For real? You would do that? Sweet! Thanks! I'll give you a holler through your site. Woo hoo!

The Writer said...

Great covers! And I noticed that Book Three has a cover, too! Now my personal "hype machine" is getting warmed up!

Anonymous said...

Loved your books! Just read them! Can't wait to read the third!
Ha!
First, I was on twilightguy, which led to kalebnation, which led to you, and so I decided to try Erec Rex (his story sounded intriguing anyway). So glad I did.
Neat covers.

The Writer said...

CONGRATULATIONS on the Simon and Schuster book deal! I wish Book 3 could come out sooner, but your books will finally get the attention they deserve. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this series could be the next big thing!

Anonymous said...

wow that's sooo cool I really love your books they keep me from boredom and insanity! can't wait for the next installments!