Other Sotsugyou M stuffs :original novels
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卒業Ｍ Original Novels （小説） Volumes 1-5 Author: Kotani Miya Dates of release: 1996-7 |
I've recently acquired these and am working my way through reading them. Unlike the tiny bunko-format PLUS novels, these books are more substantial (about the size of an ordinary English novel, if a little wider) and feature posters of the M boys in the inside front cover (but no character summaries, which is a shame considering there are new characters and I hate hunting through text for their kanji). They also comprise more than one story which appear to have been printed originally in Asuka's magazine before being compiled into book format.
There are a few things that I've noticed so far which only add to the mysterious thing that is establishing M canon.
These books follow their own rules and not the rules of the majority of M paraphernalia.
Some significant differences:
Nakamoto uses plain speech when talking to his classmates. This only happens in the original cross-worlds drama CD, and not in any of the other written or recorded material (manga, OVA, Drama CDs). This makes it hard to know sometimes that it's him that's speaking. I'm not sure I like his characterisation as much in these books, for the simple reason that whilst Nakamoto is reserved, reisei and withdrawn emotionally, the other stories show the other side of him. Emphasis is often put on his awkwardness, kindness, tactlessness and total hopelessness in situations involving people. In these stories so far he seems much more stiff. I guess he needs a chance to flex out ^_^ His closest bond seems to be with Mikimaro although Takagi is the one who originally pulled him into the setup. He and Arai don't seem to get along so well. I think that's sad. But I'm biased by the other novels, so...
(I will add, as I read on, the more amused I become by Nakamoto's cool approach to everything. But I still admit I like the other version better!)
Arai refers to Mikimaro as Miki. Takagi refers to everyone in the beginning with the suffix "-kun" (which is very confusing since I'm used to that being only Nakamoto and Mikimaro). Basically a whole naming mix-up is going on ^_^. For the most part, after the first story, most of the characters refer to each other by first names on account of them being in a band. An exception is Arai who still calls Takagi and Nakamoto by last names.
The Seitokaichou is not Kusanagi Mizuho but another character by the name of Yamaji Yoshikazu. Although some traits are the same - ie his interest in fellow male students, particularly Takagi - rather than being 2 years ryuunen, this guy is in the boys' year and was elected president as a first year through a dodgy election process. I have to admit that I miss Kusanagi :S
The boys start their band at the end of the first story. Nakamoto plays guitar and Mikimaro piano/keys. Mikimaro is also somewhat competent at his instrument to the point he can help Takagi with arrangements for the music the group play.
There is no hint of Mikimaro's fondness for Arai. He's very much into girls.
In many other ways the canon creeps close to the original manga. The boys are in their second year, and Takagi has just transferred in a month before. One significant thing I noticed so far about Takagi's character was the reference to his high intelligence - in the original manga, he comes in and finishes just a mark behind Nakamoto in the midterm tests. This story seems set up to paint him in the same light - which is interesting since it's something that the other stories don't focus in on too much.
The books are also illustrated by Sugisaki Yukiru, just like the original manga volumes were. The titles, when using 'our', tend to use 'boku-tachi' instead of the 'oretachi' of the PLUS novel titles. That's a random observation ^_^ but true nonetheless.
Since these books were not written by Arisugawa Kei, I think it can be said that the PLUS ones are more true canon than these are. Thankfully :) The M boys have several different incarnations. I'm just about getting to grips with this one...I definitely prefer the other. Having said that, though, E.M.U and the early musical side of M can probably be linked more closely to this canon version than the other. *phew*.
As with the other novels, each one will have it's own page and summary as I get through reading them! I do have them all now, but finding time is proving a pain :S
More information to come as soon as I can add it :)
The scans of the original shousetsu - editions 1, 2 and 4 were kindly donated by ametaki :)