Newly Released Himekawa Art and Publication, Plus: Blank Manga Pages

Thanks Feri, for letting me know about this piece. You rock!

So, for those of you who didn't know, Akira Himekawa did the "Stained Glass Windows" official art for the Wind Waker. Proof is here: http://historyofhyrule.com/publications/manga_lttp_re_bonus/011.html

And they JUST posted this picture online. (10 year WW celebration) It's another one of their sketches in that style, and this is what they had to say about it:

"タクト販促イラストは姫川だとバレないように描く事が必要でしたが、こちらは当時ニンドリさんに頂いたページに楽しく描かせてもらったリンクw。これはイマイチ中途半端w。その後色をつけてみようかと思ったのですが挫折したままです^_^;"

(Anyone want to give an accurate translation?) It's so cute, enjoy!

If you would like to see more of Akira Himekawa's sketches and random Zelda art, please visit our album for it on Facebook.

Blank Skyward Sword "Prequel" Manga Pages:
If you didn't realize, the Page Reader Dark Horse gave to Kotaku to post allows you to save the Manga pages without any watermark or text on SOME of them, because the image, text, and watermark are often on different layers. So if you want to make avatars from them, just go to that link and save the images off of it. It's not perfect, but maybe you'll find the image you like. You can either right click on them, or just drag them to your desktop. Just don't ask me how to do it on a Mac.

That promotional manga Akira Himekawa did for the Chinese release of Ocarina of Time 3D got printed into a little book. It happened just a little while back, but I didn't notice it until now. If you're a collector, it might be fun to track down!

Info for it can be found on their site: http://www.himekawaakira.com/02what's%20new!/index%20.html

Again, if you would like to read it, it was translated into English by the Zeldanime gang.

88 copies of the Limited Edition Hyrule Historia left on The RightStuf

Hurry if you want one, they're going to go fast: HERE!

SOLD OUT!
(but still check any of the stores that actually had copies, sometimes they'll put a few back up for sale. Maybe it's when someone was holding them but canceled the order.)

For perspective, it was only added to their shop today. I really do hope you were able to get a copy. 

Remember, I love nothing more than I love this book: So I will be diligently posting any news about it. If blogger isn't convenient for you, you can follow us on our Facebook group, and I also run the Hyrule Historia Localization Effort; which is a great place to be if you want to stay very current on any news regarding it.

Dark Horse just released ALL the English Skyward Sword Prequel Manga Pages

Dark Horse has released all of the pages of the Skyward Sword "Prequel" manga, by Akira Himekawa, as a promo for the Hyrule Historia Book that's for pre-order now (Find out where to buy it here)

It seems to have been released via Kotaku, and I discovered the news thanks to GenGame. Their page reader shows the pages in the reversed order though, so I've put them in the right order, of first to last, below. Read them right to left, or "Japanese style." Enjoy!

Please buy the book! It's going to be AMAZING! And it's SO CHEAP on pre-order.
Thank you Dark Horse!

2nd Annual Calendar Contest Winners

All of the contest pieces for this year's "History of Hyrule" themed-event can be found in our site's Flickr gallery, here.

After this, I hope to be posting a follow up discussing some of the other pieces that came really, really, close to being the main picks. I feel that's very important, because it truly was so incredibly close for so many of them... Plus, I still want to come back and comment on everyone's piece! Unfortunate timing occasionally prevented me from commenting on an entry, and it's been driving me crazy. I'll also be re-checking the entries on flickr soon; making sure all the links and info for the pieces are up-to-date.

This selection was really hard to make. Thank you to everyone who entered and made this so difficult and amazing at the same time. I hope you will join us again next year. And thank you for bearing with me; it's been over a week since the contest deadline passed and I know how long that must have felt. There were over 30 pieces on the table that could have been the final picks, (and that wasn't including the ones I loved but knew would be harder to read when printed,) and really: any of those would have been great choices. While I originally narrowed it down by doing things like, selecting ones that I thought fit the theme the best, seemed well thought out, inspired, would print well, were the most "skillfully" done, had good polish, and were ones that just spoke to me or were pieces I thought would speak to the most fans: Out of those, what ended up influencing the very final choices was that I, basically, tried for the most variety.

About the free-downloadable calendar:

These are merely my choices for the main calendar and the 12 prizes. But the real point of this yearly event is to have a free, downloadable, fan-calendar that any Zelda fan would like: so, if you have other favorites, and simply want to make a calendar with the pieces you would have chosen: Please know that ALL the entries will be on the site, with a blank template, so you can make your own version of the calendar. You don't have to stick with my choices. I'll be making another announcement when the new calendar and the blank templates are ready. It might take me a little while, but it will be finished before January.

Last year's calendar, and entries, can be found here. As soon as I make the template for the 2013 calendar, you can even use last year's entries for your new 2013 calendar too. That's one of the reasons I always want them to be the same size ratio. :)

And please remember:

Each and every one of the artists involved only deserve positive feedback; everyone did an amazing job, and these picks were extremely difficult because of that. These are only the results based on my, (and another judge's,) final decision. If you disagree with me, don't take it out on any of the artists. These were my choices, not theirs. I ultimately wanted this contest to be about encouragement. I know 99% of you are awesome and that this hardly needs to be said, but; I know not winning is incredibly discouraging, but please avoid leaving public comments on any of the entries saying someone else should have been picked for one of these spots. If you want to tell someone you feel they should have won over someone else, then consider that notes and email may be a kinder option. Thank you for understanding! ♥

Final Participation Prize:
I'll try to do the lottery-style drawing for the last participation prize very soon. Remember that the 12 finalists, and the other early participation prize winners, will be excluded from this final prize drawing to ensure that at least one more artist has a chance to win something in this event. I'll be updating the list on this post so you can see who is eligible. This means you still have time to double check things for me: If you entered, but your name is not on that list, let me know ASAP! Once we do the prize drawing; there is no going back.

*** The 12 Winners ***

(If you're one of these 12, please check your email. I sent you some info before I hit post here)

January

Artist's Name: Shadottie
Website: http://shadidraws.tumblr.com/
Image Location: http://shadidraws.tumblr.com/post/36891967996/this-moment-in-the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of

Artist's Summary: "This Moment"
This moment in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will always be special to me. I was really young when this game was first released, and there were many things that terrified me in game. But I pressed on, got through my fears, even if it took years, and made it to the end. It was incredibly rewarding to finally defeat Ganondorf, hit the credits, and find that all the people of Hyrule were gathered in one place, celebrating this victory. Hyrule can finally live peace and prosperity.

Some Brief Reasons for the Pick: The artist managed to take a scene from the game, one that I did not even like originally, and they turned it into something I love. It really gives that moment life & it's just got a great feel as an art piece. They way they used the sage's colors was really fun and, while the vibrant colors are throughout the whole piece, they don't come off as being too overbearing. Like all great art, they seem to have found the right balance. Including detail, and lack there of: it's really the right amount of everything. Plus, the composition is just really good and the whole thing reads very well~ even printed. It's also a celebration of one of the most important moment's in Hyrule History: the triumph of the Hero, instead of Hyrule's fall into the Era of Decline. So it's a HUGE one for the theme of the contest.

...And doesn't it make a great piece for bringing in the New Year? It's every friend out celebrating under a brilliant night sky. Perfect!


February

Artist's Name: Hadece
Website: http://hadece.deviantart.com/
Image Location: http://hadece.deviantart.com/art/Zelda-Until-the-last-Breath-340206714

Artist's Summary: "Until the last Breath"
"Young lad, do you plan fighting the mighty beast Ganon? It once was a proud man, blessed with a bright mind and immense power by the goddesses. But he strived for too much. So when he gained the land he desired for, his mind fell to the darkness.
The man was swallowed, leaving behind a struggling beast. Now it is not more than a wild animal, blind of anger and desperation, waiting for someone to finally release it.
Will you have the courage to strike the giant, young lad?

So go on.

But it is dangerous out there. Take this."

Some Brief Reasons for the Pick: Well, for one: It's goregous. The detail is awesome and it's so well done. It doesn't just look like it: it feels like it's taking place in an old, lost, realm. Some place that is not use to being disturbed. Some place that you shouldn't be disturbing. Just like how it can feel sometimes when you wander alone through an empty cave, ruined castle, or old forest. (Or; like how the old Zelda often games felt to me.) Somehow it feels quite, and eerie, like the moment is frozen- like you're catching your breath: It really is the moment of realization that the power of destruction is going to be crashing towards you. I love how the pillars are showing the history, they're so much fun to decipher. The lighting composition is amazing.

Maybe I picked it for the February slot because it has a cold, almost lonely, feeling to it. Link is alone and has that to face. And February has always felt like the coldest month to me.


March

Artist's Name: Mikey Patch
Website: http://irontree.deviantart.com/
Image Location: http://irontree.deviantart.com/art/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Shadow-of-Katirok-End-Duel-340525578

Artist's Summary: "End Duel"
This is a scene from the final battle between Link and the Sheikahn dark wizard Agahnim in the "Shadow of Katirok" fan story - written by Andy Pinkston and Mikey Patch

"Some time ago, before the King of Hyrule unified this country, there was a fierce war in our world."
— Deku Tree Sprout

Link awakens from a terrible dream of war and destruction. The last time he dreamt of something so significant, Hyrule was overthrown by the bearer of the triforce of power. He had to travel through time to change the course of history. But maybe this change made a new path for evil to tread.

During the Hyrulean civil war for the Triforce and the sacred realm, 2 warriors saved Hyrule from the Garo interlopers from the north. One (the most powerful) was a Fierce and loyal knight of the King named Ealit, and the other was the prodigy of the sheikah named Agahnim. Under the direction of the Majune, the matriarch of the sheikah, Agahnim betrayed Ealit and the king in a plot for obtaining the triforce. The traitor sheikahs were executed and Agahnim was banished to the desolate land of the Garo in the north called Katirok.

8 years later, the time of peace granted by the Hero of Times victory, is coming to an end. Agahnim survived, and has returned far more powerful that ever before. Link must find a fierce power from the past in order to protect the future.

Some Brief Reasons for the Pick: This is one of those pieces where it just feels enough like an actual Zelda game or story that you'd hardly question it. Every element in it is something that already fits with what we've seen from the franchise, but it's all new and the piece makes its own story. It feels like it adds to the series. It's gratifying. It's so amazingly well done. All of that is impressive; it's an extremely impressive piece in every regard. And I love seeing an Agahnim-like entity more of a "modern" Sheikah's garb; it really works for that character's concept to have more than just The Eye on his robes. Kind of marries that symbol from A Link to the Past with what was seen in Ocarina of Time and the later games.

I kept thinking of the betrayal aspect that was so integral to Agahnim's story~ that I guess I placed it in March for some loose, conceptual, "Ides of March" tie in. Plus, the name "March" coming from the celebration of the god "Mars" -Having a violent piece for the month seemed quite a decent fit. The colors are beautiful and seemed to work well for the time of year too.

April

Artist's Name: Evelmiina
Website: http://evelmiina.deviantart.com/
Image Location: http://evelmiina.deviantart.com/art/Fate-of-the-Trinity-pirates-339702256

Artist's Summary: "Fate of the Trinity Pirates"
Long before birth of the hero of the wind, a small group of pirates became notorious for their hunt of what was known as golden triumph forks. They were fearsome, for they used whatever means, once they got a whiff of the prize. Some thought, that gods themselves punished them for their arrogance. However it was, they perished at the sea.

A bit of this and that, I thought it’d be interesting if it was their ship that is the ghost ship in the wind waker. Even after their death, the ship wanders about carrying the memory of their failed mission. As for their looks, I thought it’s interesting contradiction that they resemble the three goddesses, but whether they actually are their incarnations or not, who knows.

Some Brief Reasons for the Pick: This is another one of those pieces that, while it didn't really happen, I want it to happen. I can believe it happened. It creates a side story that gives an almost inconsequential aspect of the game, that seemed small to me until now, a really great depth. It's a really fun thing to think about. I love how it feels like a last desperate stand of people to whom fighting is familiar, and also feels as if it's the persona of the ship. There's so much glorious attitude to this piece. I love the style, the look, the character design. I love picking apart the details. It's just really damn cool. And the piece is so successful because it creates its own story in your mind. The artist's description sums everything up so wonderfully; but you wouldn't have to read that to get a similarly amazing story from it. It made a tale, a legend, that will be told as a part of the history of Hyrule.

As for the month? I tend to always think that something storm related can work well for April.


May

Artist's Name: Karlen T.
Website: http://kgoggles.deviantart.com/
Image Location: http://kgoggles.deviantart.com/art/Leaving-the-Forest-313419666

Artist's Summary: "Leaving the Forest"

"When you play my Ocarina, I hope you will think of me and come back to the forest to visit." - Saria

Some Brief Reasons for the Pick: I love the peaceful feel. I love how it shows a whole region (and without it feeling forced together.) It's all encompassing and sums the moment up so well. It's beautiful; just like the Kokiri Forest should be. The work of art exemplifies why it must have been so hard for Link to leave. (...Yet Saria looks so assuring because she know's it's right! You have to go. But, in that moment, as far as she and you know, the she and the forest will always be there for you to return to.) The piece personifies charm: and there's hardly a more charming moment in the series. It's everything it should be; except, I think it makes it even better. So well done!

Picked for May, because it's such a beautiful "spring-like" piece, a time when the world is young and green.

June

Artist's Name: Skull the Kid
Website: http://skull-the-kid.deviantart.com/
Image Location: http://skull-the-kid.deviantart.com/art/The-War-of-the-Kings-and-the-flood-of-Hyrule-339902948

Artist's Summary: "The War of the Kings and the Flood of Hyrule"
I chose my favourite part of the Legend of Zelda mythos and probably the most tragic of all: the very end of Hyrule.

The vain struggles for survival of the kingdom against Ganondorf, the Goddesses act of the flooding and the exodus that lead to the civilizations of the Great Sea.
The best way to describe this image could be quoting Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule himself:

Once, long ago, this land of Hyrule was turned into a world of shadows by Ganon who sought to obtain the power of the Gods for his evil ends. My power alone could not stop the fiend, and our only choice was to leave the fate of the kingdom in the hands of the Gods...

Some Brief Reasons for the Pick: Great style (it also prints so beautifully!) and very clever. It's familiar, like the official Wind Waker art, but it's actually a very different style, and it's so skillfully done. While still retaining a look that's extremely modern and very appropriate for videogames, (like the Wind Waker, of course) it also manages to merge the feel of the official art, and our real-world's old-world style, perfectly and without flaw. I'm very impressed. The details are great and tell so much of the story~ This piece makes me want to see one of Hyrule's books on history illustrated in this way, or walk down a hallway lined in tapestries like this. For some reason I really get caught up with how Ganon's cloak encompass destruction, of villages by flame, while King Daphnes's is not just the people of Hyrule, but it seems to give us the feeling that he is their hope as well. I love those two parts so much. The swirls (the circular graphic design aspect) of the monsters is enviable. This piece includes so many series details without feeling as crammed as that many details should have to make it feel: in other words, to write about everything shown here would take many, many pages. This piece is a wonderfully thought out, passionate and succinct, visual summary of so much of the series.

The colors, the imagery that's a little fiery and a lot of water; it seemed to make a decent choice for a summer month. June it was.


July

Artist's Name: Josh
Website: http://xxkuronoxx.deviantart.com/
Image Location: http://xxkuronoxx.deviantart.com/art/The-Hylian-Charge-338063517

Artist's Summary: "The Hylian Charge"

Just before Link enters the Twilight Realm one last time with Midna, he leads the Hylian army to push back the corrupt Twili forces back into their realm.

Some Brief Reasons for the Pick: Goodness, we really needed a good war piece for this theme. (We got two true ones and, man, it was hard to pick between them.) There could probably be articles and article's written about "Hyrule's Forgotten Wars." There's so much talk of them in the series, so many hints; but I think that it's such a complicated thing to actually draw that we never really see them depicted in full scenes. We don't even see them in the games because, (even still!) they'd be so incredibly taxing on the systems. This artist really took the task to heart and it shows. This is beautifully done; there's so much detail, and the mastery of color, and the coloring for the lighting, is something I will never get tired of going over. The moment feels desperate, and it feels valiant. It's not just Link, but all the people of Hyrule, fighting for their homeland.

July is a good war month, with so many country's "independence days" happen during this time.

August

Artist's Name: Aquanut
Website: http://aquanut.deviantart.com/
Image Location: http://aquanut.deviantart.com/art/Book-of-Mudora-340721361

Artist's Summary: "Book of Mudora"

Link fulfilling the prophecy about using the Book of Mudora to translate the stone tablet in the desert. I like the idea that the Book of Mudora contains the records of Hyrule's history as well as being a translation key, so the Hylian spilling from the book is spelling out some lines from OoT's creation myth.

Some Brief Reasons for the Pick:  A forgotten language rediscovered! The past comes into the future and  history is brought into relevancy again; It's not just legend anymore. It's the moment the quest can move forward and new realms open -thanks to what the ancients left behind. If not for that book, so much would have been lost. There would have been no way to connect the past and future people of Hyrule. It's one of those moments where the importance of the in-game items is really highlighted. When the game design works realistically. I think it's kind of easy to forget about stories being behind the items, or just not think about them as anything at all, since there are so many you grab along the way: but seeing it as an illustrated scene really helps them make an impact. The designers actually thought about how things could work- they gave items a little story, they placed design features in the game, (like monoliths with a lost language,) to make sure things made sense for the player. It's simple concept, but often over looked in games. It's not just some random mechanic. And, as a work of art: This piece has great design, great color, and it really feels like the game should. I love that it's like a sandstone desert with the light just peeking over the ridges, the dark storms looming in the background. It's how I pictured the top of those rocks, by the desert, in a Link to the Past to be; yet this is even more vibrant and foreboding. It was a wonderful concept to pick for this theme, especially since it was so inspired by the release of the book "Hyrule Historia." (You know, it was released on December 15th in Japan.. so we're only 6 days away before the 1 year anniversary of it!)

Besides the colors seeming a great fit for August: I'm so sorry but... I couldn't help but place it here as a reminder that you're probably about to start yet another year at school. TIME TO OPEN THOSE BOOKS!


September

Artist's Name: Ebillan
Website: http://ebillan.deviantart.com/
Image Location: http://ebillan.deviantart.com/art/The-Arrival-of-Demise-323149918

Artist's Summary: "The Arrival of Demise"
When the gods of old left the world they created, they trusted their ultimate power, the Triforce, to the hands of Hylia so that she could protect it. She did so throughout the Era of the Goddess Hylia until one day a crack opened up in the earth and the Demon King Demise and his demonic hordes came forth from the fissure...

In order to prevent the great power from falling into the hands of Demise, Hylia gathered the humans and sent them skyward with the Triforce, beyond the reach of evil forces wrecking havoc upon the surface world.

Some Brief Reasons for the Pick:  I LOVE the atmosphere in this. There were a lot of really great "beginning of Hyrule" pieces; but this one seemed like the perfect moment to really define the history of the land. The dread and the hope that came to fruition at this moment; the piece made an impact on me. It shows a real turning point~ when darkness comes to the land and the golden power is placed out of the reach. I also really enjoy the fact that, even though these aren't colors I would normally like in a piece of art; I love them here, they're simply perfect. Again, I think this is a piece that has just the right amount of detail, and just the right details.

The colors, and the mood, seemed to make it a great choice for the beginning of fall.


October

Artist's Name: Tawny
Website: http://niraven.deviantart.com/
Image Location: http://niraven.deviantart.com/art/The-Ancient-Power-334435768

Artist's Summary: "The Ancient Power"
“It is called Majora's Mask. It is an accursed item from legend that is said to have been used by an ancient tribe in its hexing rituals. It is said that an evil and wicked power is bestowed upon the one who wears that mask. According to legend... the troubles caused by Majora's Mask were so great... the ancient ones, fearing such catastrophe, sealed the mask in shadow forever, preventing it's misuse. But now, that tribe from the legend has vanished, so no one really knows the true nature of the mask's power...”

A theory I decided to put into motion. Impa enters the Lanaryu Mining Facility of the Past with a Timeshift Stone, in order to remove Majora's Mask and seal it away in shadow. After viewing the extinction of the Ancient Robots, it was clear Hyrule's safety was at stake. When I first played Skyward Sword, I was immediately struck by the similarity in the music between Lanaryu Mining Facility and Majora's Mask's theme. I found the vibrant colors reminiscent of the mask, and found it interesting that even if the Thunder Dragon was saved, the Ancient Robots still all died out. I theorized they could have discovered or created the Mask, seeking an alternate power source as the Thunder Dragon ailed. Electricity could easily be viewed as “a hexing ritual” by the rather medieval races that we've seen throughout Zelda games. Impa's time portal also very much reminded me of the portal through which Link enters Terminia, which is often referred to as “Hyrule's shadow”. There are so many more details I could share on similarities, but then this description would go on and on and on-- my original document going over similarities was well over 900 words. So, I will spare you reading it here and instead let my artwork tell the story.

Some Brief Reasons for the Pick: Very pretty and very well designed as a work of art. Conceptually mind blowing ...just perfection. AKA: It doesn't have to be real to feel real. It's simply fun to think this. It's simply fun to have an explanation like this. It inspires! This is a muse. This is a reason to want to go back through each game and explore every detail of the series in depth and let your mind just expand them. This piece takes such amazing, and kind of mysterious, aspects and very important tales from two great games and merges them to make a really cool moment and idea happen. It expands and explains. Please let yourself get carried away in the artist's summary.

Why October? Colors and, heh, of course: a mask.


November

Artist's Name: Cojirou
Website: http://cojirou.deviantart.com/
Image Location: http://cojirou.deviantart.com/art/The-Recording-of-the-History-of-Hyrule-311782913

Artist's Summary: "The Recording of the History of Hyrule"
I chose to paint the painting of the painting of the Royal Family found in Wind Waker's Hyrule Castle. I adore that game. No long description history behind this picture, because well... it's pretty self explanatory.

Some Brief Reasons for the Pick:  As soon as you see this piece I hope you say what I said~ that there could not have been a more perfect moment to choose for this contest. It's one of those things I hate myself for not thinking of because it just needed to be. This needed to exist. It seems real because it had to be real, this moment had to happen at some point in time for that picture in the Wind Waker to exist. (And the revelation found in that portrait was such an important one in the game.) Plus, the style is so insanely perfect! The artist did such a remarkable job re-creating the right look and feel! Bravo!

Loosely chosen for November because of everyone getting together, and the colors, kind of reminded me of the Thanksgiving holiday in the US.

December

Artist's Name: Breana Melvin
Website: http://89ravenclaw.deviantart.com/
Image Location: http://89ravenclaw.deviantart.com/art/Finding-the-Master-Sword-317954642

Artist's Summary: "Finding the Master Sword"

Link finds the timeless Master Sword, hidden and forgotten by the world.

Some Brief Reasons for the Pick:  Again, it never happens in the game: but it does happen, doesn't it? Another Link, from some other time and place, finds what everyone has forgotten was anything but legend. How can we forget the importance of the sword? Without it Hyrule would have been doomed many times over. It's also just an amazing piece of art; not just for winter, it's goregous in every way. It has such a sense of wonder about it; one that can hardly be explained.

A pick for December because I hope everyone has a beautiful winter; filled with everything they want and need!

All of you, thanks so much for helping make this event great!
~Melora
(There are probably typos I will come back and fix; I've had a small cold ;p forgive my awful writing!)

Amazing News: Nintendo Making Sure Their Copyright Works With a Fan Project?

A source for this can be found on the project's facebook group. Visit: http://zreomusic.com and http://twilight-symphony.com for more info on their projects.

Quote:
“Hey fans, we have a very important, yet exciting update! Those of you wondering what is causing the delay, continue reading.

Some of the top people at Nintendo have taken notice of the project and have become involved in an advisory capacity.

Nintendo wants to make sure our entire project is consistent with their brand identity. This is the largest fan-project of its kind, and the first time that a lot of this material will be legally available to the public beyond the game that made it popular. Joypad Records is currently working with Nintendo's head of copyright to make sure that this release complies with their wishes, above and beyond what is required by law. However, most of the changes Nintendo has asked us to incorporate are cosmetic, and should not affect the audio quality or physical packaging of Twilight Symphony as originally advertised.

Because of this, discs aren't expected to be finalized, pressed, and shipped until early-to-mid December. Unfortunately this also impacts the digital release, so we are unable to distribute the digital album until we receive the green light from Nintendo. Fear not! We ask that you please understand the situation and know that we are working very hard in conjunction with Joypad Records and Nintendo to bring this release to you as quickly as possible.

This is the end of a very long road for our team, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we bring all of this to a proper, successful, celebratory close. Thank you for your undying support.

Your friends,
The Twilight Symphony Team”

News via ZeldaInformer

Because I want to post on a conversation from a forum...

Dejeckt and Vinny, and the other guys from the Cheap Ass Gamer forum (Hey there!): I know this is... a weird way to do things but, eh, what ever. It won't let me post on the forum because I just registered and 'I have to wait a few days for posting or PMing privileges' but maybe you'll see this? It's about the "500" copies thing (and my rep, lol. In the 10 years I've been doing this, I do try my best, especially when it comes to keeping info straight ;) Maybe someone will post this post as a quote over there for me? :3 ? At least until I can join in:

"According to this blog http://historyofhyrule.blogspot.com/...or-hyrule.html (keep in mind that I don't know how reliable this is); it seems that each major online retailers got 500 copies each to sell. So if we consider Amazon, TFAW, and B&N sold entirety of their allotted amount then there should be 2500 copies still unaccounted for."

"If the History of Hyrule blog is accurate about each retailer getting 500 copies, which seems plausible given how quickly these sold out, that only leaves 500 copies unaccounted for. Those 500 copies are likely what's going to individual comic book stores. "

I know it doesn't make the biggest difference but, the quote from Dark Horse I had posted only applied to B&N getting 500. And... it was only from their Facebook page: so that's probably something to take into consideration as well. I don't know (and never said that I knew) what the allotted numbers were for other shops, so I'm also unsure how many copies would be un-accounted for still. (Though, hey, it wouldn't be surprising if each place only got 500. It's a nice, round, number) Here's what I had posted from Dark Horse:

"B&N will get 500 Copies and it's up to them how they sell those. However, if for whatever reason B&N doesn't work out the following retailers will also have copies. This is a Limited Edition and we have to be fair to as many retailers as we can who want to sell the book."

The context for where it came from is: A few months ago I contacted the book's English editor about Hyrule Historia's page count discrepancy, and then again to let him know their stores and press releases never updated to the correct number of pages. People were asking about it on Dark Horse's Facebook page, etc. It seems the Editor may have told the company's Facebook admin what was actually correct, because the next day they were releasing their page count correction statement as a response to all the comments on the matter. They also posted that above quote as a response during that time. (It's still probably in the more recent comments there.)

So, yeah: I also wonder how many are still left to go around.

BigPopov, thank you for posting about Diamond's history with distribution orders. I'd like to mention that when reminding people they can try the actual "brick and mortar" comic book shop option.

Euripides, thank you, this is also really good (and sad) to know. I've never purchased through them before, and I know people have had questions about it, so it's another one of those things I can pass along if asked  "I have had this happen before with B&N for some other special edition books. Most orders will remain open until the release date. Then some will ship and others will get delay notices followed by a cancelation email a day or two later.

To add insult to injury it does not matter when you place an order as I have seen orders placed after me go out first (last in first out)."

Some Limited Edition Hyrule Historia Pre-Orders Are Getting Canceled

I couldn't think of a good, calmer, headline~ but please don't freak out, and don't freak others out: Just, if you pre-ordered the Limited Edition of Hyrule Historia (not the regular edition that has been for pre-order for a while) check your order status. Some have been canceled.

(For more news and info on Hyrule Historia, please see the blog's Hyrule Historia tag)

The most sane and reasonable explanation at this point is semi-unconfirmed (I will update when there's an official link/letter) but it's that the online shops like Amazon.ca (Not amazon.com) and Barnes and Noble posted the listings without knowing that there would be limited copies, or at least that they would have such a limited number of copies: so they over sold the amount they were actually going to be allotted.

I have not heard about any cancellations from Amazon.com or TFAW yet: so please don't assume the worst. Dark Horse has no news on this, certainly no bad news, so this really just seems like a problem with those specific shops, and the shops alone. (Or it was a problem with Dark Horse communicating with those shops: but, from the customer's end, that equals the same problem of not having their orders filled.)

So, yes, that explanation is sort of speculation, but it also makes the most sense at this point. From my experience, it sounds right. So, until I hear more, I'd say that's the best thing to think. Again, I will update if we can get hard evidence that is the case. People are being very informative and helping us by sharing their information.

There is absolutely no reason to think that all Limited Edition orders have been canceled. Dark Horse was very clear about them releasing this Limited Edition version of the book. Common sense seems to dictate that they would have been the first to announce if there was a problem with the release. And there is also, ABSOLUTELY, no reason to think that there will be any cancellations of the regular edition. Again, this just seems to be a problem with a few orders from a few shops for the limited release of newly announced Limited Edition.

***

At this point, from what I am hearing, it sounds like most Amazon.ca orders (again, that is not amazon.com, it is the Canadian version of Amazon that is experiencing the problem) were canceled and that only some of the Barnes and Noble orders were canceled: Many orders from B&N still seem to be valid at this point. We have conformations from a lot of Barnes and Nobel customers that their orders were either canceled, or are still good.

-- If you ordered from Barnes and Noble, you actually have to go check your order status. So do that now.

-- Amazon.ca sent out emails letting customers know about the cancellation  the wording was atrocious, but more about that below.

And feel free to let us know the results; good or bad news, it will probably help assure a lot of other fans and give them more of a clear idea of what they need to do. (Like, they might need to re-order the regular edition, because many people canceled their normal pre-order to get the Limited Edition)

***

Now, I'm going to post more about this below but, first, if you use Facebook, go to our group here and check out the posts and comments: http://www.facebook.com/pages/NoA-Please-bring-us-Hyrule-Historia-in-English/316841885016483

It's where people are posting about it, and where I'm staying more up to date (The admin posts there are by me and I try to make sure the info I post under the group's name is confirmed, or I will say otherwise)

Here is the original blog post by Dark Horse saying which stores would be getting copies of the Limited Edition Hyrule Historia. http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/1195/hyrule-historia-limited-edition and here is what they said:

"The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia Collector’s Edition is on sale February 12th, 2013 for $69.99 and will be available in limited quantities at the following retailers:
- Nintendo World Store
- Think Geek
- Things From Another World
- Forbidden Planet UK
- PBM (Holland)
- Amazon.com
- Barnes & Noble (online)
Additionally, this book can be preordered from your local comic shop. Call them today and reserve your copy! To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit ComicShopLocator.com."

Notice that last part: That might be your saving grace. Dark Horse does love actual Comic Book shops, so I really do think there's a chance they allocated a number for special orders coming in from brick & mortar comic book stores. Call your local one up and see if they can get you a copy.

Also, and I'm saying this only out of past experience with other special order items: if you ordered from an online store that is not on that above list from Dark Horse, please be semi-skeptical of your order and check in on it. If it were me, I would not think it would be honored, especially since some are promising things that sound too good to be true. Dark Horse was oddly specific with where copies were going; I don't see why an unnamed online store would be getting them in. But, on the other hand, I am also not familiar with some of the web-shops people are saying they've used; and maybe those places ARE just really good about securing pre-orders. (That can often be the case & you'd know your online shops better than me.)

I posted about this a few days ago but, again, if your order was canceled on you or you did not get an order in, all I can think of is that: Some of the stores Dark Horse listed as having been promised copies have not seemed to offer them for sale yet. This is what I said: "Amazon.com appears to have sold out on day 1. Barnes and Noble: late on day 1, or day 2. TFAW: Day 3 (today.) Nintendo World Store does not do online or phone orders, and I can't assume how to purchase in the store since the book is not out until next year. I can not find a listing for Hyrule Historia on Think Geek, Forbidden Planet UK, or PBM- (Please feel free to double check, I can miss things) which are the other stores Dark Horse mentioned would be getting copies. This may mean they have not tried to sell their copies yet; so you may have more opportunities to purchase the book (outside of ebay.)" And, again, keep the comic book store option in mind.

***

Here's one of my older Facebook posts on the matter that also helps explain what is going on:

Yes; we're hearing that Amazon.ca canceled the Limited Edition orders on people. I don't know if this is for everyone who ordered from them, or just a few people. If you know of other cancellations, please let us know! If you ordered from Amazon.ca and DID NOT get a cancellation email, please let us know too. Keep in mind: This is for the special edition, not the regular one that's been for pre-order for a while. (There's no reason to think that one would be canceled, sounds like they're making a butt-load of those.) Brandi shared with us the letter Amazon.CA is sending out for the Limited Edition cancellation, it reads: "We're sorry to report the release of the following item has been cancelled:

Shigeru Miyamoto, et al "The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia Limited Collector's Edition"

Although we'd expected to be able to send this item to you, we've since found it won't be released after all. Please accept our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience we've caused you."

Again, as far as I know: Even though it says "won't be released at all" this is ONLY for people who ordered from Amazon's CANADIAN branch. There's no reason at all, right now, to think that the book pre-orders have been canceled for anyone else. Dark Horse has been very clear about their release of this product, even making a video for it. We know that Dark Horse (the publisher) said certain stores would be getting a certain number of copies each. Amazon WAS one of these stores, but it was Amazon.com not Amazon.ca. This may be the important detail. I think it shouldn't make a difference but, my assumption would be that, they may have just listed it on Amazon.ca because there was a listing for them on Amazon.com; not knowing that it was in such limited supply: so they've had to back-track. That is technically an assumption on my part, but it's my best one at this point based on all the dealings I've had with publishers and just ordering from Amazon throughout the years. But, yes, please let us know if you also get a cancellation notification, and where it was from- Even if just so other fans can know what to expect. Or, if you talk to one of these companies, let us know what they told you.