A boys boarding school— Private Highschool Kouki Academy.
Kouki Academy continues to produce top leaders for different fields one after another, granting its status as a prestigious school that promises students who are the crème de la crème a fast track to success—or so the rumors say.
That's what’s on the surface.
Yet, there's more than meets the eye.
At Kouki Academy, extracurricular activities kept secret from the outside world exist.
Many Abilities (talent)
Independence (self-reliance)
Dedication (zeal)
In accordance with the academy’s motto, it is a place where select few outstanding yet troubled sons of distinguished families are faced with intense training.
—The high and noble Kouki Academy’s very own Maid Boys Club!
This is the story of those noble maid boys, and their trifling everyday lives.
Short voice dramas will start from April 2025.
unofficial tl provided by meidokatsu.
official website link: https://boysbemaid.jp/
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i'm sorry to say that after thinking about it for a while, i have decided to go on hiatus with TLing boys be maid.
as much as i want to, i have to admit the regularly updated tiktok/youtube short format makes it hard for me to keep up with it. i always enjoyed doing visual novel format/written stories first and foremost. i thought my prior experience with TLing a drama track series would make this doable, but i have the boomer mindset and i think i was only able to do it because it was in youtube video format... the early drama tracks are simply posted as youtube videos, but later on it does the switch to shorts only, and i am not a fan of that.
i don't use tiktok, i never watch YT shorts, sometimes i watch instagram reels but that's it... it is on twitter, but i dont like relying on that platform to be my main way of enjoying official content. it's very interesting to see jsmk series adapt to the modern social media landscape, but having grown up on early internet, i'm just very old-fashioned. (after all, i'm a self-proclaimed 平成 enjoyer)
but as always, i didn't face this properly until i realized that i'm finding all the motivation and interest to TL anything but boys be maid... this is once again, a personal failure on my part, and i am sorry for not realizing this sooner.
as a general statement: OK to use whatever translations i made so far, credits not neccessary but appreciated. just don't claim as your own.
thank you for enjoying what i have posted so far! if i come around on the format of it, i might try to resume TLing for this series. it is a fun one that has a lot of funny jokes and character dialogue that i enjoy, but i think the gen-z of it all is too much for an old school fella like me, lol.
Yo, I found your blog and I cheered really really loudly- me and another fan of this finally found translations, and yours look really nice!! If it’s alright, could me and them use your TLs (with credit and links back to your blog of course) for a fan made English dub of the project- it’s cool if not!
pre ordered the CD that will be released so will most likely TL the drama tracks on there too! releases in september, but thought i'd let it know already ^^
[BOYS Be MAID!] Short Voice Drama - Episode 5 "To Think It'd Be A Battle Episode (Original title: "Let's chat with Himeutsugi-senpai!")
Please read alongside listening to the original short drama on Youtube!
Ranto: Himeutsugi-senpai!
*Currently busy cleaning the study.
Ranto: Let’s talk about something.
Ranto: We’re the only ones here, after all.
Rei: …Takashina-han sure is full of energy.
Rei: [Annoying.]
Ranto: Eh?
Ranto: I can, kinda see…
Rei: Not to mention how this maid uniform of yours seems so very easy to move in.
Rei: [Fitting to gallop outside in them, too.]
Rei: And a cheerful personality to boot.
Rei: [Just, annoying.]
Rei: Simply motivated to take on the club activities.
Rei: [Seriously so annoying.]
Ranto: I can see and hear it!
Ranto: Keeping up appearances… is that what's happening!?
Shumei: Make sure to watch out for Rei’s super bubuzuke strategy~
Ranto: THAT’S WHAT HE MEaaant~~~~!!!
Ranto: Um! It’s okay to just talk normally.
Ranto: Reading between every line in a conversation is way too inefficient!
Rei: Haah… A well oiled machine, aren’t you.
Rei: [Such a gross efficiency freak.]
Ranto: Guh!
Rei: Truly impressive.
Rei: Perhaps I ought to take a leaf out of your book.
Rei: [Shut your trap.]
Ranto: GWHAH!
Ranto: Pant…pant…Um…! Senpai, you aim your blade laced with double meanings towards me, and I falter!
Ranto: That’s why!
Ranto: Wouldn’t you like to talk normally!
Rei: …Listen.
Rei: I am not interested in the likes of you.
Ranto: Hweh!
Ranto: The sharpness of his katana is terrifying!
Ranto: This is doing horrors for my mental health!
Ranto: Can the others show up alreᵃᵈʸʸʸʸ!
Ranto: Ah. I have to clean before that. Let’s get to cleaning. Yup.
Ranto: There’s a wee bit of dust on the sash of this window.
Ranto: The least I can do is manage the hygiene of my surroundings.
Ranto: ‘Cuz otherwise I wouldn’t be able to manage to stay calm!!!!!
Ranto: HEEEEEEEELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rei: Nfufu, Ranto never changes, does he.
TL note:
ぶぶ漬け (bubuzuke, a type of ochazuke) is a typical Kyoto thing that when someone overstays their welcome, they get offered bubuzuke, with that meaning in the nicest way possible, "fuck off".
[BOYS Be MAID!] 『BOYS be MAID!』 Song Lyrics Translation
Please listen to the full song on Youtube!
Disclaimer:
Song lyrics are not my forte, but this one was fun enough that I wanted to TL it anyway. I cannot gaurantee I will be doing every upcoming song. Also, please be mindful this is my own interpretation of the lyrics.
Please credit me if reposting this anywhere, or when using it for edits or whatever. I will personally come to your house and beat you with a stick, if not.
I included the original lyrics along side the English translation. The Japanese parts are indented.
M・A・I・D
Ribbons flutter flutter We are maid boys（M・A・I・D）
M・A・I・D
Frills flitter flitter We are maid boys（M・A・I・D）
Every day is a Good day! Go, club activities! (YES YES We are maid boys)
Every step is My way! True to yourself \ Yaaay! /
Special club activities for us, by us, for our sake!
The noble maid boys club! \ Yes yes! /
Putting cream on scones Before the jam? After!?
As for brewing tea, first warm up the tea pot and…
Hustle and bustle day after day
Did you call? We’ll be there right away!
The motto of our beloved academy is…
“Talent” ✨Many Abilities✨
“Self-reliance” ✨Independence✨
“Zeal” ✨Dedication✨
Thus, based on this motto…
Us brilliant students embody the ethos of a Maid, and…
“Ranto-kuuun, the chorus is about to come up~”
“Ranto-dono, it’s time for the chorus.”
“Takashina-han, it's the chorus.”
“Ranran, the chorus is startiiiing!”
“Takashina Ranto, you know the chorus is next.”
“Eh, huh—
SERVING UP THE CHORUUUUUUS!!!!!”
Every day is a Good day! Go, club activities! \ Foofoo~ /
Oh what an exquisite maid boys club indeed \ Yes yes yes! /
The hospitality of your dreams delivered with flawless poise
Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun! \ Foofoo~ /
Day after day a step on the maid road (the maid way) \ GO GO GO! /
If it’s fun it’s wholly okay
Presentability, check & a signature pose☆ Full steam ahead!
Now, let us go BOYS be MAID! \ Yes! /
(YES YES We are maid boys)
A bitter taste from time to time
A double edged-sword Tell me, how did you enjoy it?
In the name of the Knights, with much pride
A top secret mission begins!
Cleaning from top to bottom!
And a second round of wiping as a tie-breaker!
As for cloudy mirrors… um, with love and zeal, like this!
Going with the flow BIBBIDI BOBBIDI BOOOOO！
Every step is My way! True to yourself \ Foofoo! /
“It's fine as it is.” We're being selfish? \ NO NO NO! /
Not perfect, moumantai* (not a problem) Because isn’t being oneself just fine?
C’mon, let’s go together BOYS be MAID!
No matter where, forever
M・A・I・D
Ribbons flutter flutter We are maid boys（M・A・I・D）
Every day is a Good day! Go, club activities!
Every step is My way! True to yourself
M・A・I・D
Every day is a Good day! Go, club activities! \ Foofoo~ /
Oh what an exquisite maid boys club indeed \ Yes yes yes! /
The hospitality of your dreams delivered with flawless poise
Always, whenever, wherever! \ Foofoo~ /
Day after day a step on the maid road (the maid way) \ GO GO GO! /
If it’s fun it’s wholly okay
Presentability, check & a signature pose☆
Today’s gonna be a great day Full steam ahead!
Now, let us go BOYS be MAID! \ Yes! /
“Everyone, it's getting time to wrap it up~ One, two!”
“Young lady, young master, master my lady— Welcome home!”
Full steam ahead! Now, let us go BOYS be MAID!
TL note:
*: moumantai (無問題) is a Cantonese phrase that means "no problem". It's why it's kept as is.
after i got to translating more episodes, i will make the good ol' reliable google spreadsheet that will serve as an overview of all translated content.
[BOYS Be MAID!] Short Voice Drama - Episode 3 "And nicknames were bestowed! Kind of episode"
Please read alongside listening to the original short drama on Youtube!
Ranto: Guh… Was diligent and ended up at the club again today…
Ranto: It’s kind of really sparkly in here though!?
Ranto: And what’s with this mountain of jewels!
Shumei: Fits you perfectly, Ranran!
Ranto: Goh…! Heavy…!
Ranto: Wha— wait, Ranran?
Ranto: “Ranran”!?
Yoka: Oh, you’re all dazzled up, so cute~
Ranto: Pretty sure that’s totally not what you should be responding to?
Ranto: Anyway what’s up with Ranran!?
Shumei: It’s a nickname.
Ranto: Nickname, huuuh!
Shumei: Rou’s nickname is “Yinghua”!
Ranto: Which means cherry blossom, right.
*After all, his birthday is on Sakura Day. (by Yoka)
Shumei: And Yoka’s “Feifei”!
Ranto: Feifei…
Ranto: A queen…
Ranto: Isn’t that embarrassing you?
Yoka: Nu-uh.
Yoka: My beauty is being validated which is why I’m not against it.
Ranto: Self-esteem as high as the Burj Khalifa~!
Shumei: Aimery gets “Wangzi”!
Ranto: Wangzi?
Shumei: Because he’s a prince~
Aimery: ✨✨✨Royalty~~~~✨✨✨
Ranto: HUH!?
Ranto: Cénoir-senpai is an actual real life prince!?
Ranto: A queen and a prince…
Ranto: What the hell is up with this club!?
Ranto: Ah!
Ranto: But, I understand your method a little bit now!
Ranto: Himeutsugi-senpai’s first name is “Rei”, so…
Ranto: He has gotta be “Reirei”!
Shumei: No.
Shumei: Just “Rei”.
Yoka: “Himeutsugi-kun” for me.
Ranto: Please don’t suddenly make it obvious that you’re on bad terms with him.
*And at that time, the atmosphere and the jewels felt equally heavy. (by Ranto)
TL note:
The * parts are notes that show up in the video on screen, not voiced.
I have looked up the meaning of Feifei before, and one of the meanings I came across was “luxurious/beautiful” or “flowers blooming in abundance” HOWEVER. I am smarter now. Basically Shumei takes the first kanji from “Kisaki” and duplicates it with the Chinese meaning. 妃 (fei) in Chinese means imperial concubine, wife of a prince or goddess. Hence Ranto responds with お妃様 because that is the Japanese equivalent of that word, and the definition is more along the lines of simply queen.
[BOYS Be MAID!] Short Voice Drama - Episode 2 "An episode explaining what a MAID is at Kouki Academy"
Please read alongside listening to the original short drama on Youtube!
Ranto: Greetings. For some unknown reason I have been made to join the maid boys club!
Ranto: So, what the hell is this maid boys club thing!?
Ranto: This IS more or less a super duper impossible-to-get-in prestigious boys’ school for the noble sons of distinguished families, isn’t it!?
Rei: And so he claims.
Yoka: That’s exactly why♥
Ranto: That’s why!?
Aimery: Many Abilities, Independence, Dedication
Shumei: Take the first letter of each and you get MAID!
Rei: One’s quality to lead hides within understanding the feelings of those who serve…
Rei: Such is what the founder of the academy heartily believes in.
Yoka: Yup.
Yoka: That’s why, Ranto-kun, this very maid boys club ought to be the most dignified extracurricular activity there is at our noble academy.
Ranto: I see now…
Ranto: A place where us brilliant male students can embody the ethos of what makes a “MAID”.
Ranto: That’s what the maid boys club is…!
Rou: …That's what it was!?
Ranto: uh wait—
Ranto: Why’s there a guy who only realized that now!?
Rou: A maid’s ethos, huh… It makes sense…!
Ranto: This club's credibility just got flushed down the drain, you know!?
Ranto: Are you guys pulling my leg!?
Shumei: Break a leg, Takashina-kun~!
Ranto: However improbable, this can’t be the truth!!!
TL note:
The last line by Ranto 「真相は藪の中」 is a reference to Akugatawa’s In a Bamboo Grove. (link to Wikipedia article). A story where the truth remains hidden because of all the contradictions. The original JP gets translated more like, “The truth is still hidden!” or “The truth is still shrouded in mystery!” but it didn’t feel as direct in a way I would’ve liked it to. I decided to Sherlock-ify it, taking “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” and modifying it.
The title isn't a joke that it's literally "an episode explaining etc etc..", it's what it literally says in the description of the YT vid, lol.
Please read alongside listening to the original short drama on Youtube!
AQ-SRMK. ARMIA, there’s a matter to report.
ARMIA, copy. Go ahead.
Today, at 1700, two notes were delivered by an unknown sender to my room. One printed with “XBOPX” on it. The other, as follows— “Condemn the beast”... that’s all.
The beast… —Understood.
As a matter of fact, at the same time, I also received something. Articles from an unknown sender, as well as no tracking number. A paper box about the size of 12 x 8 cm. The contents— tins of tea, two.
ATER tuning in. I’ll be reporting my findings.
On the same day, a book was delivered, addressed to myself and TOU.
TOU here. The book was a piece specialized in “marketing automation”. No trace of a sender nor tracking number.
Hmmm…
Could this be…
(vibrations can be heard, followed by the sound of a machine.)
A directive from the institution…?
…!
“There’s a possibility a spy is lurking within Kouki Academy. Report immediately once they are discovered.”
A spy in hiding, huh.
It doesn’t seem that those mysterious goods delivered to us aren’t unrelated.
However, it’s as if the spy is personally telling us to “go on and have a shot” at guessing who they might be— an unsolicited challenge if I dare say.
…Whatever.
Relay to HQ. From ARMIA. Contents of the message received and understood.
Begin the mission.
…”In the name of the Knights.”
”In the name of the Knights.”
TL note:
Due to the nature of the track and how there is no visual clear indication of who is speaking when, I decided to play into it and try to seperate it by indents.
gomenasorry for any delays!! although i'm sure other people have gotten translations out by now--
i do not have a backlog of any kind. so when these go up, it means i worked on these in the moment & uploaded right after i got done.
i will continue to treat this as my pet project where i experiment & have fun with what i'm doing and try to match the original energy of the japanese- my usual M.O basically. at the same time, i have other priorities, so this is pretty low on the ladder but i am hoping to get stuff out in a semi timely manner atleast.
also, we will not discuss why my tl note is longer than the translation itself for the first drama track. (・ω・) but i hope it was educational(???
Rou: *Cliiiiing* Coffee as a breather from camping, military maid boy, Amaki Rou.
Shumei: *Ta-daaah* Serving others is an investment in yourself, Chinese-style maid boy, Kiku Shumei!
Aimery: *Rustle rustle* Black & White REPRESENT! Thee Noir is Histoire, steampunk maid boy, Aimery Cénoir.
Rei: *Glisten* Representative of tea green and a mind of hospitality hidden deep within, Japanese-style maid boy, Himeutsugi Rei.
Ranto: No!
Ranto: Nononono!
Ranto: Why maid uniforms?
Ranto: And aren’t these way too wasteful to begin with!?
Ranto: They’re frilly, changing into them eats up time— it’s inefficient!
Ranto: Please give me an explanation!
Ranto: A convincing explanation!
Yoka: You see… Ranto-kun—
Yoka: That’s because this is the noble maid boys club!
Ranto: Not only a concise but clear answer!
Ranto: I understand now!!!
Rou: He’s sure obedient
Ranto: Then I shall also participate!!!!
Ranto: *Cha-chiiing* A newbie! Fresh! Surprisingly quick on his feet! Jersey maid boy, Takashina Ranto!
Ranto: Uu… uuwgh….
Ranto: Are we seriously going through with this project…!?
Yoka: Yeah. Also we’re basically only gonna show our faces going forward.
Ranto: Eh, only our faces?
Yoka & Shumei: Yup
Ranto: Even though we’re wearing maid clothes?
Ranto: Is that okay!?
Rou & Aimery: Yup
Ranto: Isn’t that terrible cost performance?
Ranto: Isn’t it!?
Ranto: Not just for cost but for time performance, too!?
Yoka: Well, it’s a short drama so gotta keep the time side of it in mind~
Rei: Suppose we’ll begin with our club activities without delay.
Aimery: Let us start.
Rou: On with the motley!
Shumei: Fungahhh!
Ranto: AAAH Stop wasting dialogue lines on nonsense!
The Maid Boys club's activities have begun!
TL note:
Yoka mentions ワイプ (wipe) as in the term used on Japanese television. This refers to having a small rectangle with someone's face in the corner, commonly seen on variety shows where someone is reacting. If you’re watching a livestream and someone has their webcam on in their corner, that too can serve as an example for a “wipe”. There is also the video editing technique called a wipe, but that’s mostly referring to a transition style.
Rou’s 行くでがんす is a term often associated with Lucky Star’s anime opening which in turn is probably a reference to an old anime Kaibutsu-kun. The full sequence is 「始めるでざますよ。行くでがんす。まともに始めなさい。」 がんす doesn’t hold any particular meaning. What translation I could find made it simply “let’s go”. I initially wanted to use “let’s roll” but that is apparently heavily associated with 9/11. That’s your fun fact of the day. Anyway, settled for “on with the motley”, given the original is some vintage reference. Maybe not 1800s tragic clown forced to wear his clown clothes vintage, but still vintage.
I think Shumei’s ふんが might be a reference to Typhon from Final Fantasy because that is quite literally the whole extent of his vocabulary, but could be nonsense either.
Ok so 尺 in Ranto’s 要らんこと言って尺が is like, the length of a scene, image, dialogue line in Japanese television. In comedy (owarai) it’s also used as a tsukkomi retort indicating someone is wasting time on useless garbage. Your second fun fact of the day.
a little update that i managed to get to the pop-up shop!
goodies were sold out the day it opened, and stuff was only restocked 2 days before it ended... so i went on the exact last day and not much was left + my card declined for some reason cuz of my bank refusing to authorize this purchase, and i could only get aimery-kun's akustas with what i had besides my card, orz. (the clerk was very understanding but it was definitely embarrassing lol)
pictures of inside the store were prohibited, so nothing to share about that. i do have the free flyer, my goodies and tokutens to share!
although i wanted miss yoka & rou akustas too, getting them as tokutens felt lucky. ＼(＾▽＾)／ i once again wish my bank didn't randomly decide to block this one specific store though-
i could've gotten an extra tokuten but i don't use tiktok and it only counted if you have twt, yt & tiktok. rip my boomer ass for using ig reels.
if you're interested in the goodies, there will be an online sale, so perfect chance to grab if you have proxy/forwarder etc. don't buy from mercari unless its blind pack stuff- scalpers are freakin' scalping, lol.
anyway, just wanted to share all of this cuz i thought it was interesting!! and def the first & last boys be maid thing i get to attend in IRL before i leave JPN. i have to mention this pop-up shop was in a luxury? mall on the mens floor which was took me a second to find but i got it in the end, lol.
Hi! Do you accept translations to other languages based on your translations? With credit, of course! I wanna do something for this series cause they are making my brain go brr but unfortunately I am still on the very beginning of my japanese course. It's ok if you'd rather not! Thank you for all the work you are doing!
ya sure! thanks for asking. just keep in mind you are reading it through my filter/interpretation and its ok.
hi sorry there will be a longer delay on translations, i am busy with moving out of japan after 6 months of living here and it's taking up way more time & energy than i thought it would:') it might be until may that i actually sit down and do stuff...
