MOETAN

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MOETAN (もえたん) is a series of English language study aid published by SansaiBooks in Japan. Targeted at otaku, it attempted to teach English words using examples drawn from computer games and anime.

In the reprint of first MOETAN book and the bath towel sold during Comic Market 69, MOETAN means 'Methodology Of English, The Academic Necessity'.

Contents

[edit] Moeru Eitango Moetan (萌える英単語 もえたん)

Moeru Eitango Moetan, also known as The Moetan Wordbook, is the first in the Moetan series, published in 2003.

Each chapter consists of a short story, written in pure Japanese, concerning the adventures of "Nao-kun" (a high school student) and "Ink-chan" (a mysterious magical girl who arrives to help him with his studying), followed by a set of word examples.

Unfortunately, many of the English examples in the book are bizarre, unnatural, or downright incorrect. As such, the book has become a popular import for native English otaku or others who are amused by Engrish phenomena.

The book kicks off with an apparent spelling and grammar mistake on the cover ("She is the moeest of lovely English teacher in the world") - although "moeest" is not actually a spelling mistake, but a reference to the Japanese word moe. The attached wrapper invites customers to "Buy now, falling love with Ink-chan, and GET IN to college!!"

Some samples of the type of example sentences used for particular words:

  • Weapon: "My ultimate weapon is the China cannon attached to my groin." (Referring to the Senkousha)
  • Compose: "The characters should be composed of childhood friends, girls with glasses, robotic maids and sisters."
  • Execute: "You executed the mission. Then all I have to do is execute you."
  • Income: "He had no income, so he stopped his hunger by eating mushrooms which were growing on his underpants in the closet."(Referring to Otoko Oidon by Leiji Matsumoto)
  • Scare: "The angel who lives on his house scared him because she beat him to death without notice." (Referring to Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan)
  • Punish: "Every time the hero wins, the trio is punished by the pig like creature."(Referring to Pokémon (anime))
  • Replace: "When I fell down the stairs with my classmate, my body was replaced with her."
  • Decide: "Let's decide the supremacy over the earth by the blows of robots."(Referring to G Gundam)
  • Embarrass: "The wrong use of the magic equipment often embarrasses the girl in the bathroom when she is taking a bath." (Referring to Doraemon)
  • Bet: "When I fell in love with the her, I thought that the girl was my stepsister. I bet if I had known she was my real sister, I would not have fallen in love with her."

Some odd word translations are repeated, such as the translation of 'bishojo' as "rosebud".

The book has been parodied several times, including by the Japanese doujin shooting game Moedan (a portmanteau of "Moetan" and "danmaku"). The game itself, also a crossover from the Touhou Project, is an introductory course to bullet hell games.

In 2005-3-25, the book was revised with improved grammar, and retitled 'MOETAN Methdology Of English, The Academic Necessity' (もえたん Methdology Of English, The Academic Necessity). This version was published in Korean, Traditional Chinese (Taiwan, Hong Kong).

Chinese version was published by Min-Hsien Cultural Enterprise Co.,Ltd.

[edit] Characters

  • Nao-kun (ナオくん) - A high school student.
  • Nijihara Ink (虹原いんく(にじはら いんく)) - MOETAN's heroine. She lives next door to Nao.
  • Pastel Ink (ぱすてるインク) - Transformed version of Nijihara Ink, differentiated by the blue hair.
  • Ah-kun (あーくん) - A magician in magical kingdom, usually in the form of a duck.
  • Pen-kun (ペンくん) - A magician in the form of pencil.
  • Oni-kun (おにくん) - A magician in the form of eraser.

[edit] Voice cast (CD version)

[edit] moetan II

The sequel of Moeru Eitango Moetan was published in 2 volumes. It includes 1601 words.

moetan II is available in Chinese (Taiwan, Hong Kong).

This book is targeted towards serious, tutorial readers.

[edit] Characters

  • 透也（Touya）- moetan II's protagonist.
  • 優仁 (Yuni) - moetan II's heroine.
  • 千歳（Chitose）- Touya and Yuni's classmate.

[edit] moetan subreader (もえたん サブリーダー ～文法・表現編～)

Based on previous 2 Moetan series, it teaches English grammar.

This book is targeted towards casual, tutorial readers.

[edit] moetan 3 (もえたん3 魔法少女の帰還～Return of the Little Witch～)

This version added poetry, Japanese culture. The book included 2 stories, Bill and Sam's Excellent Adventure, Return of the Little Witch. Return of the Little Witch was illustrated by POP.

This book is targeted towards casual, entertaiment readers.

Chinese version was published on 2006-9-16 by Min-Hsien Cultural Enterprise Co.,Ltd.

This book features characters from first MOETAN book.

[edit] moetan ONLINE

This is a series of phone applications published by Marvelous Liveware. They are available in i-mode, EZWeb, Vodafone users.

[edit] MOETAN Listening CD

[edit] Vol.1

Published in Comic Market 69.

[edit] Vol.2

Published in Comic Market 70.

[edit] Other merchandises

[edit] Lollipop (Lollipop～ろりぽっぷ～)

An artbook based on Moetan characters, illustrated by POP.


[edit] Figures

Figures are available for Nijihara, Pastel.

[edit] Misc. merchandises

Other known merchanises include MOETAN pins, MOETAN telephone card, MOETAN strap, MOETAN desk pad, moetan2 theme song single CD, MOETAN T-Shirt.

[edit] Comic Market 69 items

  • MOETAN nano set - a set of pocket size books including MOETAN nano, MOETAN Fan Book, Nijihara pouch.
  • MOETAN listening CD - Includes CD, guide book, Pastel pouch.
  • MOETAN bath towel - a 1300mm x 600mm bath towel with Nijihara.

[edit] See Also

[edit] External links

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In other languages