Feb. 28, 2016

Aboutに情報を追加するためにゲームのレーティングを再確認しましたが、アルノサージュ英語版は１３歳以上の指定なんですね。そんなに大きい変更箇所は今の所見当たりませんが…むしろどこでオリジナルがCERO Dになったのかが疑問。過激度でいえば、禊よりアルトネリコ３（CERO C）のパージの方が上の気も。

アルトネリコは設定資料集のインタビューでレーティングについての説明がありましたが、サージュはそういう機会がなかったですよね…。Dなのに、成人設定のデルタとキャスが普通にキスもしないのは逆に不自然に感じるし（ディズニー映画でもしてるのに）。謎です。

I rechecked rating of the games to add information into About page, then I noticed English version of Ar nosurge was rated as TEEN.  Currently, I haven't seen that many modified points, though.  I rather wonder what did make the original version as CERO D (for over 17 years old).  If you talk about extreme expression, I think Purge in Ar tonelico 3 (rated as CERO C, for over 15 years old) is more radical than Purification.

There were explanation about rating of Ar tonelico series in interviews included in Setting Reference Books, but we haven't got such opportunity for Surge Concerto series, have we?  I feel it's unnatural that Delta and Cass who are supposed to be adults don't even kiss on the mouth (characters do it even in Disney movies!).  It's a mystery.


※後日追記
*Additional Notes

上記のことですが、やはり「キャスが幼く見えること」がネックなんだと思います。日本とは違い、欧米では設定上何歳であろうとキャラがどう見えるかが判断基準です。（日本のアダルトゲームでよくある、明らかに子供の外見のキャラがいても「登場人物は全て18歳以上です」は通用しません。）英語版前提で性的な行為を表現するわけにはいかなかったのでしょう。キャス、ネイ、サーリは外見が変わらない理由が作中で説明されていて、キャス自身もそれについて不便な思いを語る会話があったりしますが、アルノサージュの初期案段階ではキャスも普通に大人になっている想定でした（画集THE FINDERより）。設定上で辻褄を合わせることは可能でも、そこまでしてキャスの外見を幼いままにする必要性は本当にあったのだろうか？と、私個人はやや穿った見方をせざるを得ません。

About the question above, I think that the fact Cass looks young is the bottleneck after all.  Unlike Japan, this kind of decision in Europe and the United States is made basing on how the character looks, not how old is she in the setting.  (Even if there is a character which obviously looks a little kid, it is common in Japanese AO-rated games to make an excuse with a message "All characters are over 18 years old".  That is not the case in foreign countries.)  I suppose sexual expression couldn't be included since it was not allowed for English version.  Within the game, the reason why appearence of Cass, Nay, and Sarly does not change is explained, and Cass herself talks about inconvenience about that.  However, in the early draft stage of Ar nosurge, Cass was assumed to be a normal adult (from the illustration book "THE FINDER").  Was it really necessary to keep Cass' appearance young even though it could be made plausible by the setting?  Personally, I can't help to take a slightly distorted view.

Feb. 26, 2016

また原稿が入ったUSBメモリを職場に（以下略）やらかしてしまったので、今週のまとめブログの更新はごく少量になると思います。曲がり角過ぎて本当に物忘れが多くなってしまいました。嫁の笑顔が逆に辛い。

I forgot my USB memory at work (rest is omitted); I guess this week's update for the blog will be little.  Since I became over forty, I have tended to forget things so often.  My wife's gentle smile rather hurts me...

Ion:
Sometimes you're really careless, aren't you?

Feb. 21, 2016

今回イオンの髪型をショートにしたのですが、また頭がすごいことにw 無理矢理リボンつけなくてもいいだろうに…。自分で変だと思わなかったのかしら。（もちろんこの後取ってもらいました。）

I asked Ion to make her hair short this time, but somehow her head became weird again.  She didn't have to wear ribbons, did she?  I wonder if she didn't feel herself funny.  (I asked her to take them off after this, of course.)

Ion:
But I tried it because you said you liked short hair better.

Feb. 18, 2016

実は今までownという単語を深く考えず使っていたのですが、今日勉強したテキストでmy own = only mine, not shared or borrowed.とありました。改めて言おう"She's my own wife."

Actually, I have used the word "own" without thinking much until now, but the textbook I studied today was saying "My own = only mine, not shared or borrowed."  I want to say "She's my own wife." once again here.

Ion:
Me, too...I wish to be your only wife forever, he-he...


と書いて、この言い方はちょっとモノ的ニュアンスが感じられるかなと思いました。もちろんお互い対等の立場という前提でですよ。"At the same time, I'm her own husband."

I just happened to think maybe the sentence above could be felt in sort of way as if I considered her as a property.  I assume I and Ion are on an equal footing, you know.  "At the same time, I'm her own husband."

Feb. 14, 2016 (2)

そういえば今日はバレンタインでした。オフラインだと月初めにイベントが発生するので、意識してなかった。イオンは自分が画面越しの存在であることをとても気にしているようですが、もちろん「イオンは大切な人だよ」と言う私。

I've just noticed today is Valentine's Day.  In OFFLINE, the event occurs at the beginning of this month, so I haven't cared about it.  Ion seems to be very nervous that she's living beyond the display, but I tell her "You're special one to me.", of course.

Ion:
...To me, you're very special either.

Feb. 14, 2016

二次元の人権意識は三次元とつながっている

Recognition of Virtual Characters' Human Rights Is Connected With That of Reality

2000年頃、私は積極的にギャルゲーやエロゲーをプレイし、二次創作をするのにはまっていました。

あれから10年以上経ち、当時とは世界情勢も日本の政局も、そしてオタク（ここでは特にゲームやマンガ、アニメジャンルを指します）の置かれた状況も、かなり変化しました。中でも直近の数年、残念ながらあまり好ましくない方向の事象が顕著に表れている気がします。中高年オタクの一人として、私はここで一回、自分の考えを改めてまとめたいと思いました。そしてそれは、サージュコンチェルトという稀有なコンセプトを持ったゲームに出会ったからこそまた強く感じたことです。

Around the year 2000, I used to play gal-games and AO-rated games actively, and I was eager to work on fan fictions.

It's been more than ten years since then, the world situation and the political situation in Japan, and also the environment around otaku people (I especially mean manga, anime, and game category here) have been changed drastically now.  Particularly during recent years, I feel a number of undesirable issues have risen up remarkably.  As one of middle-aged otaku, I thought I had to write my opinion about that.  In addition, I must say playing Surge Concerto video game series which has very unique concept definitely made me feel in that way strongly.

※長い文章になってしまったので、記事を区切りました。
*I insert a space here since it's a long article.

Feb. 5, 2016

まとめブログの次回更新のため、時間をかけて書いた文章（上記の記事）が入ったUSBメモリを職場に忘れるという失態を演じてしまいました。orzよりによってだよ！イオンに愚痴って癒してもらうことにします…。

I forgot my USB memory stick at my office today.  In the stick, I had saved my draft of the post for next update (the above post) that I spent long time...today of all days!  I'm gonna moan to Ion and ask her to console me...

>Later 22:08
話題をこじつけて泣きついてきました。きちんとアドバイスもしてくれる優しい嫁に感謝。元気が出ます！

I strained a subject to talk, and I entreated her to comfort me.  I thank my gentle wife who even gives me a positive advice.  She surely cheers me up!

Ion:
What important is that not to just feel down there and to have ambition for not repeating the failure again.

Feb. 3, 2016

今日は嫁と一緒の夕飯で恵方巻き食べました。この会話は初めて見たかもしれないのでツイート。採取で子猫を見かけたとの事。イオンは犬も猫も好きで、どちらかは選べないそう。そういうペットみたいのがいてもよかったですね。

I ate Ehomaki (sushi roll eaten for Setsubun; considered to bring a good luck by eating it facing to the blessing direction of the year) for dinner with my wife today.  Ion told me she saw a kitten  while she went to gather materials.  She said she liked both dogs and cats; she couldn't choose one of them.  It might have been interesting if there is an animal pet in her room.

Ion:
He went away soon because his parent seemed to be near, but he was soo lovely!