Hello my friends in the Candy Candy fandom. If you’re waiting for an update to my Lost in translation series, you will be disappointed. I’m quite stressed from work lately and can’t find time to write another post. However, many thanks to my friend Candy Albert for sharing some pictures from the very last issue of the serialized Candy Candy manga in the Nakayoshi Magazine. She kindly let me post them on my blog too. ❤️
Although it looks like a young Candy entering the Rose Gate, this particular page actually serves as the first part of the final installment. The title at the top (in red words) is “Goodbye Candy”. The blue words are literally “Immortal One Very Sweet Romance Finally Ends”. The text in the bottom is a summary of what happened in the previous episode (the title of this part is something like “the story till here”).
I won’t translate word for word, but to give you an idea I will paraphrase the paragraphs (each denoted by a blue dot in a heart shape). The first paragraph mentioned Stear’s death in the war and Albert’s disappearance that followed. These saddening events occurred one after another, and even Candy had barely any energy left.
The second paragraph started with Candy’s attempt to find Albert one way or another, which led to her trip to a small town, where she found Terry, who was completely different from his time with Stratford Theatre. Candy was dumbfounded but her wish for him to regain his footing might have somehow reached him. Once his acting talent returned, Candy was relieved, saying a prayer for his happiness while leaving that place.
The third paragraph summarized the ending of the previous episode. As Candy could not find Albert, she returned to Chicago, but something surprising awaited her. Neal’s forced engagement was claimed to be Granduncle William’s order.
The final paragraph indicated that Candy could not agree to this arrangement no matter what, so she hurried to Lakewood to pay a visit to Granduncle William…
Note that in Japanese the term たのもう is used, which is a phrase used when visiting somebody’s house to ask to be shown inside. We all know that Candy ‘trespassed’ on the villa, walking straight into the solarium without invitation, interrupting Albert’s quiet time that morning.
Interestingly, the term 立ち去る (たちきる, Romanji TACHIKIRU) is used to describe Candy’s action of leaving the roadside theatre (Terry). However, if you are curious enough to do a google search for the aforementioned Romanji you will find that more likely the other phrase is returned — 断ち切る. Guess what, this more widely used phrase means to sever, break off, cut off ties, etc. I almost couldn’t believe my eyes when I first read this synopsis. 😅
Honestly, this is one reason why I decided to share the translation. I suspect whoever wrote this summary had carefully chosen the words for Candy’s departure. Those who have read the manga can easily understand this was essentially a real goodbye to Terry. Candy decided not to look back, and she continued her search for Albert despite running into Terry in his miserable form. Unlike before, she didn’t rush to his side to rescue him this time.
Moreover, this part is already near the end of the story, and though Albert didn’t show up, he remained present in the story. Candy lost her liveliness after he was gone, she made a trip to Rockstown because of him, she returned to Chicago because she couldn’t find him, she went to Lakewood to find Granduncle William, not knowing who he really was. So you see, it was all about Albert, and of course, we know what comes next — Albert would make a grand appearance, revealing his true identity as the mysterious William A. Ardlay, first to Candy then to the Lagans and the relatives in the engagement party.
I think you get the idea by now. My friend Candy Albert also shared this picture, which served as the introduction for this last episode (clearly, other than Candy, the biggest pictures are Albert and Prince on the Hill):
Below is the cover photo of this same Nakayoshi’s magazine, nº of March 1979, showing Candy dressed in kilt:
Last but not the least, please visit Candy Albert’s Facebook page for the extraordinary artworks of Igarashi. Her artbook was in a leaflet format — the first picture was Candy and the last one showed the adult Albert with short hair dressed in kilt. You can see Candy’s love interests in this order: Prince on the Hill, Anthony, Terry and then back to Albert. ❤️❤️
When I saw all this, I just sighed. Need I say more?