#twstnovel2

[yuurei20]

Twst the second novel, Savanaclaw ("Usurper from the Wilds"), now available in English! 🦁

Some quick observations on localization (word-for-word comparison coming soon!):

The English-language adaptation says that Azul and Riddle are third-year students, but they are not: they are second-year students.

2. The English-language novel kept the anpan bun in the cafeteria scene as "anpan bun" (changed to "hotdog bun" in the EN game) possibly because of a line about Japanese food being available in Twisted Wonderland.

But the minced meat sandwich was localized to “ham and cheese,” to match the English-language adaptation of the game.

3. Cater repeatedly refers to other characters as “baby” and “babe” in the English-langauge novel.

4. Pronoun confusion: Yuuya apologizing and saying he misunderstood was rewritten as, “You’re totally misunderstanding everything!," instead.

5. A line said by Floyd was misattributed to Jade. A line then said by Jade in response was misattributed to Floyd.

6. The word “y’all” comes up repeatedly in the English-language adaptation of the novel (said by Lilia, Leona, Vargas).

7. Yuuya will often refer to the members of Heartslabyul as his friends in localized narration, but Yuuya still being uncomfortable with the concept of referring to Ace and Deuce as his friends was an important point in the previous novel that has not been resolved.

8. Much like the EN game, Leona saying he is hated was removed from the EN novel (retained only in the EN manga).

[yuurei20]

Changes Made to the English-Language Adaptation of Twisted Wonderland the Novel, 2: Usurper from the Wilds

Chapter 12 (pt2)

Original Novel: "Leona towers over Ruggie, but Ruggie glowers at him all the same. Ruggie lifts his head, exposing a prominent bruise upon his throat. I haven't forgiven you, you know.'"

EN Novel: "Ruggie glared at Leona. 'Don't think you've earned my forgiveness,' he said."

Original Novel: "'A stone?' Yuuya looks around. 'No, I haven't seen one.' Perhaps it is something that the headmage dropped somewhere. Yuuya asks if they ought look for it, but the headmage waves him off with, 'In that case it's no matter,' and walks away."

EN Novel: ""A black stone?' Yuya asked, looking around. 'No, I don't see anything.' Yuya asked if they should look for it, but Crowley shrugged casually. 'If you haven't spotted it, that's fine,' he replied as he walked off."

Original Novel: "Leona walks at a slower pace, bringing up the rear. Yuuya does not intend to speak with him; he simply worries that Leona may collapse at any moment."

EN Novel: "As they walked back to the coliseum, Yuya peered at Leona trailing behind them, worried that he might actually collapse."

Original Novel: "Ruggie follows with a self-deprecating, 'I've gotten soft,' acting as the more adult of the two."

EN Novel: "'I should've known better, too,' Ruggie said quietly, and then he laughed at the sulking Leona."

Original Novel: "Leona may understand, but he will not force it."

EN Novel: "Leona understood."

Original Novel: "They are both still frightening, but if he does not speak now, he will never be able to face Jack again."

EN Novel: "Even though they scared him, he knew he had to speak."

Original Novel: "Jack covers Yuuya's mouth. He is strong and his voice is rough but, strangely, Yuuya is not afraid."

EN Novel: "...Jack said, and slapped a hand over Yuya's mouth. Jack was upset, but Yuya was strangely unafraid."

Subject confusion on EN:

Original Novel: "Yuuya must look quite pitiful; Riddle glances at him with slight surprise. Then, he seizes the Headmage with a cold stare."

EN Novel: "Riddle looked disappointed and surprised, too. With exasperation, he said..."

Original Novel: "Realizing that this is not just someone else's problem, Leona and the others also give the Headmage stern looks."

EN Novel: "Knowing Grim was serious, all the students glared at the headmage."

[yuurei20]

Changes to EN adaptation of second Twst novel Usurper from the Wilds: Chapter 9 (pt2)

Removed from EN: "Deuce himself has admitted to doing a lot of bad things, so it's only natural."

Original Novel: "Looking up at one of the stalls selling these more curious items Yuuya sees a sign that reads, 'Mr. S's Mystery Shop.' it is about half the size of the school store's usual sign, but the shape remains the same."

EN Novel: "Yuya noticed a tent selling strange goods. The sign read 'Mister S's Mystery Shop.' Yuya had been to the actual shop before--when Ruggie and Leona's intervention had stopped Deuce from losing control..."

Removed from EN Novel: "Grim seems mostly surprised by how Jack never grows bored of exercise, but Yuuya and the others shake their heads. It is unquestionably strange for Jack to have intentionally strayed so far from the meeting point for the procession, and now Jack himself is glancing about with shifty eyes. Deuce and Ace exchange a sly grin."

Original Novel: "Whether the spectators all had the same idea, or whether they were kindly guided by the event committee chairman, the roadsides are packed with onlookers."

EN Novel: "...and many people who had come to watch the tournament felt the same way. Spectators were packed together like sardines on either side of the road."

(An important change: the original novel is possibly insinuating that Azul was more deeply involved in Leona's plan than only providing a potion.)

Original Novel: "Sure enough it tastes like rotten stew..."

EN Novel: "Just as he'd feared, it tasted like old stew simmered in a gym sock..."

While the EN novel (and EN game) added "gym sock" to Ruggie's description of the potion, possibly for humor, the original novel (and original game) say only "rotten stew."

Ruggie's official disliked food is "anything rotten" and, given his background, it is possible that Ruggie was comparing the potion to rotten stew because the flavor of rotten stew is something he is familiar with, possibly from a point in his life when it was his only option (unconfirmed, conjecture only).

Original Novel: "Riddle did confront Leona, but it seems he--of course--brushed it off, claiming he does not know."

EN Novel: "Riddle wrote that he'd grilled Leona, but, of course, the king had denied knowing anything."

Removed from EN: "Of course, Yuuya is also powerless against it."

[yuurei20]

Changes Made to the English-Language Adaptation of Twisted Wonderland the Novel, 2: Usurper from the Wilds

Chapter 10 (pt3)

Original Novel: "Leona knows exactly how to humiliate an opponent."

EN Novel: "Leona enjoyed humiliating his opponents…"

Original Novel: "'I shall watch him. You all evacuate now and take the other injured with you.'"

EN Novel: "'I shall watch him,' Lilia said. 'You boys go and evacuate those wounded in the stampede while we still can.'"

(Lilia is actually ordering them to help the Savanaclaw students wounded by Leona, not by the stampede.)

Original Novel: "Damn it…this!' He clawed at the collar, trying to tear it off, but it does not budge. It is far too powerful a spell for that. It is the crystallization of Riddle's effort, of the relentless training that he has undergone since childhood."

EN Novel: "Leona writhed and twisted like a caged animal. "How dare you—!" he howled as he tore at his throat to try to remove the collar, but it didn't budge. The spell, once successfully cast, was too powerful."

Original Novel: "Yuuya remembers what Riddle said when they were discussing Malleus: a good housewarden. A respected housewarden. Riddle has always longed to know more. 'I envied you, for how the students admire you.'"

EN Novel: "Yuya recalled what Riddle had said about Malleus. How he was a good, respected housewarden who inspired admiration and devotion. Riddle wanted to learn how to do the same, and apparently he regarded Leona that way, too."

Original Novel: "His voice is trembling. The winds are strong and his words are intermittent, but there is no doubting what he has said. Who could have realized just how deep Riddle's regret goes? Ace, Deuce, obviously Yuuya, and even the clever Cater certainly had no idea."

EN Novel: "Riddle's voice trembled. Yuya didn't realize Riddle could be filled with such regret. He hid it from everyone, even friends like Ace, Deuce, and Cater."

Original Novel: "It is what Riddle has wished for: what he wants to learn from Malleus, and to gain for himself."

EN Novel: "Yuya saw in their eyes what Riddle had said he wished to learn from Malleus, and now Leona."

Original Novel: "Riddle narrows his eyes, but makes no attempt to stop him."

EN Novel: "Riddle narrowed his eyes in concern but didn't stop him."

Leona telling Riddle that he sounded like his Falena was removed from the English-language adaptation of the game, retained in the EN novel 🎉

[yuurei20]

Comparison of Game-Prefect to Novel-Prefect!

Game-Prefect can say, “Let’s go interview the next victim" or “Thank you,” aligning with Yuuya, though Yuuya thanks Vil at Pomefiore instead of the victim in the nurse’s office.

Game-Prefect can say, “How is this any different from being beaten up?,” similar to Yuuya’s response of deciding the game is “straight-up bullying,” but while Game-Prefect’s other choice is “Enough already. Stop this!,” Yuuya declares that he will be going for help.

Game-Prefect can tell Jamil that they are inspecting the school cafeteria’s kitchen for safety or that they are going to him at the Headmage’s behest.

Yuuya does not say anything in the novel, with Cater telling Jamil they are working at request of the Headmage, instead.

Game-Prefect has the option of asking Jamil if he became dizzy or sleepy while he was cooking.

Yuuya does not ask either question in the novel. Instead, Riddle comments that Jamil must have gotten careless and asks if he was tired from spelldrive tournament preparations.

Game-Prefect can declare that the culprit is Ruggie or say, “The culprit is one of us!,” but in the novel it is Grim who says that their culprit is Ruggie, not Yuuya.

Game-Prefect can call Ruggie a coward or say that he is acting cowardly, neither of which Yuuya says.

Riddle calls Ruggie a coward in the novel, instead.

While Game-Prefect can tell Jack, “If you truly want to stop them, work with us” or “The most successful wolves hunt in packs,” Yuuya apologizes for his phrasing and gives the example of himself and Grim being at a loss until they received help from others, encouraging Jack to think of their situation as an alliance.

Game-Prefect has the option of asking Leona “Have you learned nothing from all this?” or “That doesn’t sound like remorse to me.”

A similar line is said by Jack in the novel (“You still haven’t learned your lesson?”), not by Yuuya.

--

The majority of the Game-Prefects dialogue options (over 70 in Book 2) were not reflected in the novel, and those that were have all been collected here:

Twisted Wonderland Novel Prefect vs. Game Prefect Comparison: Usurper from the Wilds

Book 2 Part 1: Game-Prefect often has identical responses to Yuuya from the novel. Book 2 Part 2: Cater and Riddle both have lines in the no

[yuurei20]

Changes Made to the English-Language Adaptation of Twisted Wonderland the Novel, 2: Usurper from the Wilds

Chapter 10 (pt2)

Much like the EN game Leona had "hated" removed from his dialogue in a scene leading up to his overblot.

Later in the novel the same word in the same context was translated accurately.

Removed from EN: "One person's hands are nothing but skin and bone..."

Original Novel: "The sand dances through the air as though to protect him, with the very sandstorm itself that was raging around Yuuya and the others just moments ago now waiting, subdued, at Leona's side…"

EN Novel: "Then the raging sandstorm danced around them as if protecting them and curled up quietly at their feet."

(The English-language translation sounds as if the sand was protecting the group of Yuuya and the others when it was actually attacking them, protecting Leona himself.)

Original Novel: "A magic that turns things into sand. That is how Leona explains his unique magic. Indeed, the air around them is bone dry, making it hard to even breathe. Plants and soil, to say nothing of the moisture in the air--it seems to have all turned to sand. 'Magic like this exists?' Yuuya coughs."

EN Novel: "A spell that changed the world to sand. Indeed, the air was so dry, it was hard to breathe. Leona's spell sucked moisture even from the air itself. 'How can magic like this exist?' Yuya murmured."

Removed from EN: "It must be magic he rarely ever uses."

Original Novel: "Riddle and Silver shout 'Stop!,' but the sandstorm prevents anyone from getting close enough to intervene."

EN Novel: "Riddle and Silver shouted at Leona to stop, but a storm of sand attacked anyone who tried to wrest his staff from him."

Original Novel: "Yuuya shouted hoarsely, trying to stop Leona. Ace and Deuce turned toward him with shocked expressions, but his fear had burst loose--he couldn't stay still."

EN Novel: "His throat was dry, but the terror that had held him back had broken. He stepped toward Leona, determined to do something to stop him..."

Original Novel: "The wolf has white-silver ears tipped with black, and dependable, gleaming golden eyes. Both are unmistakably Jack's colors. There is no doubt about it--the wolf is Jack. The sight of a beastman transforming into a wolf was no illusion after all. Like Yuuya and the others, Leona seemed to be seeing this magic for the first time as well. Before the shock in Leona's widened eyes can give way to composure, Jack-now a wolf-lets out a low growl and lunges for him. Leona twists aside to evade the attack, but he fails to hide his hesitation."

EN Novel: "It was a giant wolf, with a rippling, glossy silver coat, platinum ears with black-furred tips, and golden eyes shining with a steady light. In a day filled with shocking events, Yuya thought this might be the most incredible. Apparently, Leona felt the same way. His eyes grew wide, and before he could respond, the wolf that was Jack howled and lunged at him. Leona whirled to dodge the attack, but like everyone else, he was shaken. No one had seen this spell before."

[yuurei20]

Two years ago today on August 25, 2023, the second Twst novel was released! 🦁🍩🐺

[yuurei20]

Changes Made to the English-Language Adaptation of Twisted Wonderland the Novel, 2: Usurper from the Wilds

Chapter 8

Original Novel: "It was exactly what Yuuya had expected."

EN Novel: "Yuya gasped and whirled to look at Deuce."

Original Grim: "'I'm gonna enter the tournament and get real popular!'"

EN Grim: "Grim grinned broadly and announced, 'I wanna catch the guy so I can get my glorious mug on TV!'

Original Yuuya: "'And Riddle-senpai told Ace and Deuce that if they help look for the culprit, he'll consider adding them to the roster as replacements for the injured athlete(s).'"

EN Yuuya: "And Riddle said that if Ace and Deuce help look for the culprit, he might give them the spot on the team left empty because Trey Clover, a Heartslabyul player, got hurt."

Original Novel: "'A man needs a proper reason if he is going to speak frankly. Prove to me with your fists that you're not just all talk," Jack says. He speaks as if it is the most obvious thing in the world, leaving Yuuya at a loss for words. He had doubted his ears when he heard the word 'fight,' and hearing the reason only leaves him more dumbfounded."

EN Novel: "'If I'm gonna open up and come clean, you've gotta earn it. I gotta know I can trust you,' Jack explained. 'I'll size you up with my fists, make sure you're not just talk.' Yuya was stunned. Jack's reasoning baffled him into speechlessness."

Removed from EN: "Only Jack was nodding along as Deuce spoke."

Removed from EN: "Given the time of year, most students are probably at spelldrive practice."

Removed from EN: "Seated at Jack's side, Deuce pats him repeatedly on the back with his palm."

Original Leona: "'Getting that irritating, Octavinelle octopus-bastard's cooperation took a serious payoff. You know very well what'll happen if that goes to waste, don't you, Ruggie?"

EN Leona: "I gave that Octavinelle creep a serious payoff to do that job for us. You know what'll happen to you if you mess this up and make me waste all that cash, right, Ruggie?"

(It is not actually confirmed that Leona compensated Azul for his services in cash. When asked in the game, Leona refuses to answer.)