slr2moons | Honey and Clover...owari.

I just finished the last two pages of Honey vol 10, which means the series is officially over for me. Oh sure, I still have corrections, but the real task of lettering is done.

I'm trying to decide how I feel about that.

Honey is the first of my series that has ended. Tuxedo Gin doesn't count since I was only hired to letter the final two books anyway. I began Clay, Nana, and Skip all in 2005, and they're all still going here and in Japan. *knocks on wood* Honey, however, is different. I started Honey in early 2007. I even blogged about it here. ~~Ahhh, Honey! The first "new title".~~ Heh. But when I started Honey it was already over in Japan, so I knew it would take me two years to finish it. And here I am at the end, almost exactly two years later. Huh.

I enjoyed Honey, but I have to admit it's hell to letter in that sneaky, back-handed way. ~~And not-so-sneaky with the endless food labels. Ye gods, but I HATE all the snacks everyone is always eating.~~ X| The stress that a book produces in me does affect my opinion of it, no matter how I try to appreciate a series purely for characters and story alone. Honey has been the cause of many a difficult day. When I do my best to set those frustrations aside and judge it for itself, I honestly don't know if I would be a Honey fan. I'm sure I would read it every month in the mag, but I don't think I would buy the actual books as they were released.

Yes, it's a story about artists. And yes, it's a story about growing up and figuring out your place in the world. It has fun characters, crazy antics, touching moments, and a cast that's genuinely likeable. (Whoa. I just realized I don't hate, dislike, or am indifferent to anyone in Honey. *blink blink* I admit I get incredibly frustrated with my original fave character, Ayu, but I still genuinely like her.) But it never quite reached that level of shiny awesomeness that would make me want to spend money on it, like I would and do for Skip, Clay, and Nana.

I really am sad that Honey is over. No more funny Morita-sempai, no more wanting to throttle Ayu or Mayama, no more wishing I could give Takemoto a hug and urge him to turn yaoi. (Yes, I did urge him. Alas, it didn't work. :P~~) No more cheering for Yamazaki to finally win over Miwako, even if their fashion escapades were one of the things that made letting Honey hell. *wince*

But I'm also glad it's done. I'm really looking forward to starting New Title 4. :3 That, and since I don't have pages, tankos, OR script for NT4, I'll have a lovely little stretch of time with only three titles. :D Woot!!! I'm going to do at least one extra page a day to build up buffer for when Clay 15 hits. *fighting pose* Of course, I'll also have time for artwork for me!!!! OMGYAY!!! *tears of joy*

Honey and Clover, by Umino Chica. Vols 1-10, licensed by Viz, lettered by yours truly. Currently serialized two chapters a time in the monthly mag Shojo Beat. Books and mag available only in the US and Canada. I hope that all of you at least flip through a volume if you ever have the chance. I worked very hard on Honey, and it would be wonderful if you would take a peek at my efforts. :3

Ja, mina! The rest of my daily quota awaits. *salutes*