Doki’s VN Division to complete the CLANNAD VN English Translation Project

To the members of the Doki Legion and the worldwide ‘Key’ Kazoku,

It is my utmost pleasure to officially announce the undertaking of an unprecedented project. At the urging of fans and after careful consideration by the Baka-Tsuki Translation Team led by Polarem, it has been agreed upon that the completion of the CLANNAD Visual Novel English Translation Project, including all remaining translations, editing work, and associated checks, will henceforth be entrusted to Doki’s Visual Novel Division. It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as the anchor to arguably the most noteworthy VN translation project ever undertaken.

As many of you are no doubt aware, the CLANNAD VN English Translation Project has been underway for years, having been started in 2005 as a one man project and eventually evolving to encompass many noteworthy names in fansubbing. The effort put fourth by those comprising the “Drama Club / Dango Daikazoku” （演劇部 ／ だんご大家族） including TheWaffleHouse, Sprocket-Hole Subs, and Baka-Tsuki, has spawned a legion of Clannad fans around the world. Though these groups’ ultimate effect on Clannad fandom cannot be precisely quantified, one would be hard-pressed to find a larger, equally passionate collection of fans than those of the aforementioned series. Such fans deserve a final, properly edited, complete translation patch to satisfy their devotion. That is exactly what they are going to get.

As with Tomoyo After, as well as the prior trustees of the CLANNAD VN Translation Project, the game will not be provided along with the translation patch. The single task of the Doki VN Division is to develop translations of the utmost quality for the games it works on. Due to the zeal exuded by the worldwide community in regard to Japanese culture, precise & picturesque translations of associated works, and of Key works in general, anything less than perfection in regard to this undertaking will be deemed unacceptable. With a highly talented, enthusiastic team in place, and as the final translation project I shall personally oversee, we promise to make every effort to not only produce the preeminent (and first truly complete) Clannad translation patch, but to have it be the gold standard for all such translation projects to follow. Naysayers be warned, you will be eating your words.

Thus far, invitations to work on the project have already been accepted by some specific, talented individuals who have shown an interest in the project’s success. While the size and capabilities of the VN Team are plenty sufficient to complete the work expected of them, they could always use some additional help. Holo encourages anyone able and willing to translate or do editing (text, photoshop, video, quality check) to stop by #doki-recruits and send him a message at holo@doki.co. If you have significant time constraints or feel your work ethic is inadequate to maintain a set schedule, I would suggest that you instead support Doki through your words of thanks. The support received by the community is noted and is a significant driving force for why the VN Team (as well as the rest of Doki’s Staff) contributes their time toward causes they find worthwhile. As always, I personally appreciate your support and thank everyone who has offered encouragement to us.

Be prepared, Clannad fans. Swan songs are always the sweetest.