Incident of Two Badges

by · July 18, 2020

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206 Responses

  1. CandyAlbert says:
    February 4, 2021 at 3:03 am

    I think in the old novel, Albert says his ancestors were from the countryside instead of bumpkin origins.

    Reply
  2. DreamCatcher says:
    July 30, 2020 at 3:06 am

    Hello,
    This comparative analysis of the various discrepancies in the novel and manga has been so eloquently explained and enlightening. Thanks @Ms Puddle!🙏
    I haven’t read the pre-2010 versions of the novel, so I’m in no position to express my opinion on any of them. I had thoroughly read the new novel when the first translation was published in 2015 and now I have read the latest translation published by Arechi. The Epilogue, in particular, was so enjoyable to read but anyone can easily notice that Candy’s feelings for Albert began to change in Section 3 of the novel as well. Her change is much more subtle than in the letters in the Epilogue but the reader can get a clear idea that Candy did not perceive Albert as either a father-figure or a brother. She admits to herself that Albert is more than a friend and that he’s a man who is so special to her.💘
    I think we could all agree that neither Candy nor Albert had expected this to happen between them. They started off as buddies but during Albert’s amnesiac years when Candy had become an adult, their friendship started to transform into a romance in the most unobtrusive way possible. Love somehow crept between them and they had barely managed to figure it out for themselves. It was after Albert had suddenly disappeared from Candy’s life after regaining his memory that those two started to realize and admit that there was something else going on between them which wasn’t within the confines of a friend-zone.💕
    This is the reason why the readers can notice such an overflow of emotions, nostalgia, yearning-all spiced up with a bit of jealousy and whining-in the letters going back and forth between Candy and Albert. Candy is noticeably exacerbated and annoyed that Albert isn’t opening up to her as she is to him but eventually she manages to push the right buttons and get him talking.💌
    Their all-day-trip to Lakewood definitely had an impact on Candy because she’s so elated in her letter to Albert. She’s careful not to expose too much in writing but she leaves quite a few clues that her relationship with Albert has moved on to the next level.👩‍❤️‍👨
    Thanks again and take care!

    Reply
    • Ms Puddle says:
      July 30, 2020 at 9:27 pm

      Hello @DreamCatcher! Nice to hear from you again. 🙂

      My sentiments exactly about Candy and Albert’s relationship being utterly unexpected. I bet no readers had seen it coming. 😉 I have nothing else to add to your brilliant analysis, DreamCatcher 👏👍

      Reply
    • DreamCatcher says:
      July 30, 2020 at 9:45 pm

      Thank you for your feedback! Hope you’re getting some rest during the summer.🏖️⛵🌊🌊🌊

      Reply
    • Anita says:
      July 30, 2020 at 11:37 pm

      It’s as the expression goes: “It was a bromance which turned into a romance.”😉

      Reply
  3. DanielleV says:
    July 29, 2020 at 12:21 am

    Hello Ms Puddle,

    Just like you, I have also read some spoilers from the old novel and I have to admit that the new novel is much better written in terms of the relationship development between Candy and Albert.

    In the old novel, Candy and Albert seem to be more playful but not as direct in their feelings for each other as in the new novel where they are much more open in expressing their longing and need to see each other again.

    I have also noticed that the author has revised certain aspects regarding Albert in the new novel by adding more depth to his character. The author does retain the veil of mystery which continues to surround Albert’s character until the very end of the old as well as the new novel. This is a bit annoying because many readers want to know much more about Albert but on the other hand, his mysterious nature is what contributes to his charm.

    It would have been awesome if the author decided to republish the old novel or arrange a limited edition of a volume series juxtaposing the older versions of the novel from 1978 until 2003 with the latest revision in 2010.

    Have you managed to find the older versions anywhere available for purchase? I have searched every relevant website and I can’t find anything of late.

    Reply
    • Ms Puddle says:
      July 29, 2020 at 9:38 pm

      Hi @DanielleV, glad to hear you also prefer the new novel 🤗 In addition to Candy and Albert’s relationship development, Candy’s letter to Anthony in the old novel was somewhat plain too when compared to the one in CCFS. There are more but I’ll mention them in my new post.

      I do not have the old novel but I do know some fans have managed to buy some copies from Japan. Some CC fans on Twitter also said the old novels can be found in the local libraries, even the ones with Igarashi’s illustrations extracted from the manga.

      Reply
      • DanielleV says:
        July 29, 2020 at 10:46 pm

        I got to confess that I found Candy’s letter to Anthony in the old novel a cringefest mess. Thankfully, Nagita improved that letter in the CCFS by making it heartfelt and poignant without it being cheesy. The correspondence between Candy and Albert in the CCFS is also more sophisticated albeit retaining the intimacy and brewing romance between those two blondes.

        I’m looking forward to your new post. I’m sure you’ve got some interesting information to share with us.

        Thanks for keeping us posted!

        Reply
        • Ms Puddle says:
          July 30, 2020 at 9:10 pm

          Thank you @DanielleV for your encouraging words! 🤗

          I agree with your review comment of the letter to Anthony in the old novel. I had read the new one at least a couple of times before I had the chance to read the old one. I think you can easily imagine my disappointment. 😉

          Reply
          • DanielleV says:
            August 4, 2020 at 9:57 pm

            I’m aware that quite a few fans adulate the old novel but the revised version as of 2010 is improved when it comes to defining and developing the relationship between Candy and Albert. In the old novel, one could assume that Candy ran into the arms of Albert because she was trying to get over Terry. However, in the revised (2010) novel, Candy had decisively put her very brief and immature relationship with Terry behind her and was intent on furthering her life with Albert.
            Those who beg for the death of a paraplegic or fall on hands and knees for a mere scrap of paper from a guy who dumped them twice, are pathetic to say the least.
            At least Candy is not such a pathetic creature and she clearly moved on in her life with the man who respects and appreciates her.

            Reply
            • Ms Puddle says:
              August 4, 2020 at 11:18 pm

              Well said, @DanielleV. May I quote your comment in my new post because I want to say something along this line 🤗

              Reply
            • DanielleV says:
              August 5, 2020 at 1:52 am

              Sure, I’ll be happy to be of help. I just want to add that some of those pathetic fans have stooped even lower than Eliza and Neil put together.
              When Susanna died, Candy wasn’t rejoicing nor was she dancing on the young woman’s grave as those psycho-fans would want to. Instead, she mourned for Susanna’s death and her grief was genuine and heartfelt.
              For my part, I would have no objection to read about Candy and Terry re-uniting but not under such pathetic and low-life circumstances. Surely, Keiko Nagita wouldn’t want that either and that’s why she has expressed her sympathy and respect for Susanna (despite her flaws and transgressions) in both her novel and in her recent interview in Paris.
              I’ll simply reiterate that whoever gloats over the death of someone else whether it be a fictional or real character, he/she should be aware that one day his/her time will also come soon.
              Nobody lives forever and one has to be mentally-impaired and morally bankrupt to rejoice the death of someone else because that laughing fool will also be pushing up daisies in due time. No one has signed a deal for immortality.

              Reply
              • Ms Puddle says:
                August 5, 2020 at 7:36 am

                My sentiments exactly, @DanielleV! I also discussed in length in one of my old posts that Candy had evidently moved on and wasn’t waiting for Susanna to leave Terry at all. She had no reason to lie and was quite sincere when she wished them happiness in her unsent letter to Terry.

                Reply
            • DanielleV says:
              August 6, 2020 at 12:31 am

              The irony (if not absurdity) is that certain fans keep on whining that there is no proof that Candy and Albert ever became a romantic couple or tied the knot. Yet, those same delusional fans turn a blind eye to the indisputable fact that there is absolutely no textual evidence in the novel that Candy and Terry ever met again or reunited. Their criticism is selective, biased and disingenuous, to say the least.

              The bottom line is that the novel ends with Candy having placed her love for Terry in the past tense-grammatically and semantically-and this novel also ends with a growing relationship between Candy and Albert which is becoming far more intimate and profound to the point where Albert returns his badge to Candy and Candy responds to Albert in her letter to him that she is determined to return her diary to him.

              This is what Keiko Nagita has written and this is exactly what has been translated in all three languages so far: Italian, French and Spanish.

              Reply
            • Anita says:
              August 6, 2020 at 8:23 pm

              Well said @DanielleV!

              Keiko Nagita had already spelled it out that Candy had decided to move on with her life and put her brief teenage fling with Terry behind her but, sadly, some fans continue to be in pitiful denial.

              Candy did what any woman who respects herself would do by letting go of an abusive relationship with a toxic woman-beating man and focusing on her future with a positive approach and anticipation for an independent life.

              Reply
            • Anita says:
              August 6, 2020 at 8:59 pm

              For those who are sensible and respect themselves, it sure does.😉

              Reply
            • Sarah says:
              August 6, 2020 at 10:26 pm

              That’s exactly the case. Some quaint and hysterical fans continue to shut their eyes and ears to Candy’s massive transformation. Those fans remind me of demented old-timers who have lost the sense of time and continue to see their adult grandchildren as 5-year-olds. At least those old people can’t help it since their brain has deteriorated after so many years. Those fans who fawn on toxic men, however, have had a deteriorated brain since time immemorial and continue to try to conceal the all-too-obvious textual evidence in the CCFS indicating that Candy has grown up-physically and mentally. Those fans are still glued to the 13-year-old Candy back at that Catholic school in England. So much can happen in a year, let alone a decade and more. Candy is no exception as she had also endured a major change in her mindset as well as in her behavior and outlook on life. She also had the golden opportunity to meet more people in her life who are far better in character and don’t stoop to the disgustingly low level of hitting women. Through time, Candy grew to become more confident and independent, hence, refusing to tolerate any abuse from anyone and that’s including the physical and psychological abuse she had tolerated from Terry. Candy’s cohabitation with Albert in tandem with her life-learning experiences with other people who treated her with respect, helped her build a character very different from that lonely, fragile and vulnerable teen back at that Catholic school in the UK.

              Reply
            • DanielleV says:
              August 6, 2020 at 11:06 pm

              Thanks @Ms Puddle, @Anita and @Sarah (your analogy is spot on, by the way..).

              I guess it’s a matter of one’s psychological well-being. The healthy folks are the ones who refuse clinging to the past and focus on enjoying the present and carefully planning for the future. Even in the professional environment, successful people are those who have vision and never linger in the past. Being clingy not only sucks big time but it’s so sick and renders someone a pathetic loser obsessed with the past.

              It appears that the author of this otherwise controversial novel wanted to provide an ending where the main character makes the healthy choice of shedding the ugly past and toxic males off of her and focusing on living a life with dignity and psychological equilibrium with a partner who respects her and never resorts to any form of violence.

              Reply
            • Lynn says:
              August 7, 2020 at 12:33 am

              Interesting points raised.👍

              The people we socialize with and, above all, the partner we choose in our lives are indicative of our character and how much we value our personal integrity.

              During her adolescence, Candy’s self-esteem had plunged to the lowest level possible and that rendered her easy prey to douche-bags. She was bullied by Neil and his pals; humiliated by Eliza; beaten and demeaned by Terry. Apparently, Terry told her that he did it for her own good and it’s appalling that we’ve got some women in our modern times who agree that men have the right to “punish” women by hitting them. At least in the early 20th century, women didn’t have the opportunity to resist such abuse as they do in our times. Unfortunately, many women passively accepted abuse back in those days as Candy did. When Anthony hit her, she believed that he did it because he cared; when Terry hit and derided her, she believed he did it for her own good. Many victims of abuse tend to suffer from such “Stockholm Syndrome” and sympathize with their abuser instead of opposing him and his practices.

              I think the tipping point and wake up call for Candy emerged when Neil pressured her to marry him. That was really the last straw which broke the camel’s back and Candy went full-blown mental. It was about time.

              Entering adulthood, Candy began to finally realize what is truly good for her and that’s not getting beaten or humiliated by men. Instead, she began to have greater faith in herself and, presumably, her return to Pony’s Home as well as the unconditional support she had from Albert strengthened her courage and enhanced her self-value. Albert never imposed himself on her nor did he become her knight in shining armor. Instead, he always encouraged her to fend for herself and he always respected her safe space. Albert is also a very independent man who holds free-will in high standards so he knows all too well how to respect the free-will and independent nature of others.

              Reply
            • Myra says:
              August 7, 2020 at 1:31 am

              For those who keep on wailing that Albert isn’t a significant character in Nagita’s story ought to ask themselves the reason why she decided to placed the correspondence between Candy and Albert in the Epilogue instead of inserting those letters somewhere in Section 3 along with the secondary characters.
              However, she decided to insert T.G.’s note in Section 3 along with all those supplementary characters and not in the Epilogue where it would have had far greater impact.

              Reply
            • Christine says:
              August 7, 2020 at 2:03 am

              There’s no point trying to reason with those deluded fans. Even the author can’t talk sense into them.
              She openly stated during the 2019 interview in Paris that she regarded those letters between Candy and Albert to be essential and that’s why she placed them in the Epilogue. She used those exact words by explaining that she wanted those letters in the Epilogue so as to create impact due to their undeniable importance in the story.
              But then again, these are the same fans who believe that blank pages are more important than the already written text.🤦‍♀️

              Reply
              • Ms Puddle says:
                August 7, 2020 at 8:03 pm

                My heartfelt applause to all of you!! 👏👍 Thank you @DanielleV, @Anita, @Sarah, @Lynn, @Myra, and @Christine 🤗

                Reply
  4. Magnolia says:
    July 25, 2020 at 4:17 am

    Thanks for setting the record straight, Ms Puddle.

    I don’t have the Nakayoshi Magazine but the one which is considered to be the official manga. The authentic Nakayoshi version of CC is probably a collector’s item by now given its limited release. Yet, I don’t like this alternative plot either. I prefer the original one because there’s a gradual transformation in Candy’s character. The Nakayoshi one makes her appear as fickle.

    The author had also been upset with TOEI Animation years later for making various changes to her narrative without her approval. She reportedly didn’t appreciate the way Candy was portrayed when Neil made advances towards her. In the anime, Candy seems to be flattered and somewhat swayed by Neil whereas in the manga and novel she finds him completely repulsive.

    I don’t understand how Nakayoshi Magazine and TOEI Animation could take liberties like that without the Nagita’s permission. Didn’t she sign a contract with these companies to protect her intellectual property rights? The whole issue seems to be rather dodgy.

    Thanks again for keeping us posted.

    Reply
    • Ms Puddle says:
      July 25, 2020 at 12:04 pm

      Hi Magnolia, I’m glad to hear you also like the original plot more. I feel bad for those readers who have read the Nakayoshi editions first. The discovery of Albert being WAA must be somewhat ‘less surprising’ to them 🙁

      Thank you for sharing the discrepancies between the TOEI version and the manga too. It is unfortunate some Candy Candy fans have never read the manga or CCFS. They probably thought Candy was really flattered by Neal’s advances. 😣

      I guess a few decades ago the authors’ intellectual rights were not being well protected? Hopefully this has been improved by now.

      Reply
      • Magnolia says:
        July 25, 2020 at 10:15 pm

        I doubt it that anyone with a bit of intelligence would ever consider Candy to be easy or cheap in the anime, manga or novels. It seems that TOEI Animation wanted to emphasize Candy’s ability to forgive, even if that meant forgiving filthy scumbags like Neil and Eliza. There’s a characteristic scene in the anime where Neil goes to Candy’s home and tries to convince her that he’s got feelings for her. She responds by reminding him of that day when he and Eliza poured that bucket of water on her. She told him that he would have probably had a chance with her if he had displayed even a bit of kindness to her but he never did. It’s a poignant scene and it doesn’t show Candy as being easy but, unfortunately, she’s too forgiving and sensitive. Let’s not forget that Candy had also forgiven Anthony for slapping her and she had also forgiven Terry for having abused, demeaned and hit her more than once. But then again, when a man hits a woman once it’s already too many times. If he hits her once, he’ll hit her again.

        Reply
        • Ms Puddle says:
          July 27, 2020 at 9:58 am

          Thanks Magnolia for sharing your thoughts. About Terry’s abusive behaviour, like slapping Candy’s face right after kissing her with force, it’s more disturbing than romantic. 😦

          I also doubt if Neal would have a chance if he had been kind to her. He might become one of Candy’s good friends, but not necessarily a love interest. For example she was fully aware of Archie’s feelings for her but he had always remained a close friend only.

          Reply
          • Magnolia says:
            July 27, 2020 at 6:18 pm

            Exactly. There is nothing romantic about someone such as Terry forcing himself on a young teenage girl and then beating her because she refused his perverse advances. Those who find it romantic are sick and need to seek therapy. In the modern world, Terry’s disgusting action is regarded by law as statutory rape.

            It’s interesting how Keiko Nagita improved Archie’s character in her new novel. She even allowed some room for improvement for Neil towards the end of her book. However, she doesn’t improve Terry’s character at all. I would have expected from her to develop his character the way TOEI Animation had done back in the 70-80s by removing all those awful misogynistic and abusive aspects of him. Instead, Nagita keeps the manga version of Terry and makes him even more violent and psychologically unstable.

            Irrespective of who anohito is, Albert is the clear winner in the CCFS because he’s highly elevated by Nagita. It’s so obvious that she loves his character and she has carefully crafted his beautiful character as Yumiko Igarashi had illustrated his lovely appearance. Both ladies have given Albert everything from very tall height and wealth to beauty, brains and brawn. Albert constitutes the ideal alpha male whereas Terry is a whiny, wimpy and weak beta.

            Reply
            • Ms Puddle says:
              July 28, 2020 at 10:34 pm

              Hi @Magnolia, I don’t know if that is regarded statutory rape but it’s undoubtedly unpleasant. About Terry’s character, I do see some improvement but towards Susanna rather than Candy. After all, he was most likely the one who took care of Susanna until she breathed her last, not to mention her unknown disease(s) had lasted for a long time.

              Yet I can’t agree with you more concerning Albert’s character. Well said, Magnolia!

              Reply
          • Lakewood says:
            July 28, 2020 at 11:47 pm

            Concerning the definition and legal ramifications of the term “statutory rape”, @Magnolia has made a valid point.
            There are common misconceptions that statutory rape only involves penetration and/or it involves an adult molesting a minor, yet, that’s an oversimplification and a gross misdiagnosis of the aforesaid term. Depending on the country or state (when referring to the US), statutory rape is defined in different ways and that’s why savvy (aka slimy) lawyers manage to acquit their client from any accusations of rape, molestation or other forms of sexual assault and/or harassment. The laws against sexual assault-whether penetration is involved or not-are too moot and thus susceptible to being manipulated by corrupt lawyers and judges as in the infamous case of Brock Turner (The People of the State of California vs Brock Allen Turner, 2015) who only received a 3-month instead of a 6-year sentence-in other words, just a slap on the wrist for his horrific crimes against his victim.
            In the CCFS, what Terry did definitely falls within the category of sexual harassment and even sexual assault in tandem with the use of physical violence and intimidation. It doesn’t make much of a difference if penetration wasn’t involved because he still forced himself violently on Candy without her consent. Presumably, Terry was also a minor at the time albeit 2-4 years older than Candy (she had just turned 14 in May and he must have been around Archie’s or Stear’s age, which would make him 16-18 years old, as Archie was 2 years and Stear was 4 years older than Candy, respectively).
            In some states in the US as well as the UK and countries of the EU (Germany, in particular), statutory rape comprises cases of non-penetrative sexual harassment and /or assault.
            In our contemporary era, Terry’s violent acts against Candy by hitting and threatening her would also add to alleged criminal activity irrespective of the fact that he wasn’t an adult at the time. His young age could have functioned as some form of mitigating factor but, once again, that depends on the country or state handling this case. It also depends on what each individual country or state regards an adult age to be or otherwise known in legal terms as “age of majority”. This should not be confused with terms such as “age of consent”.
            As you can see, this whole issue is far too complex but one fact is indisputable and that is Terry having committed sexual harassment against Candy by forcing himself violently against this 14-year-old petite girl without her consent and then beating and threatening her for resisting and negating him.
            That May Fest scene is messed up AF and whoever likes that scene is just as messed up, creepy and gross.

            Reply
            • Danielle says:
              July 29, 2020 at 12:05 am

              Hello Ms Puddle, Magnolia and Lakewood,

              I agree with all of you that there is nothing romantic about anyone using force and abuse against another human-being. It’s ironic though that Terry would never dare impose himself on more formidable women but only resorted to such practices with weak and vulnerable people such as his mother and a teenage orphan girl. Such abusive and toxic males as Terry are pathetic because they only pretend to be macho and tough against those who are smaller and weaker than him. Those toxic males feign toughness but when tough times hit them, they crawl into a corner and cry feeling all sorry for themselves. Pathetic and sad..

              True men are those who value independent and powerful women by respecting their safe space and always regarding their consent without ever imposing themselves or using any form of abuse. There’s no spin-doctoring that undeniable fact.

              Reply
            • Ms Puddle says:
              July 29, 2020 at 9:27 pm

              Thank you @Lakewood for sharing your thoughts and in-depth knowledge! I learned a lot 👍👏

              Reply
            • Lakewood says:
              August 7, 2020 at 9:42 pm

              Glad to be of help. As specified before, this whole legal issue is far more complex with even more intricate ramifications. I simply provided the rudimentary logistics of this phenomenon and how messy it can get in court and among legislators.

              Reply
  1. El abrazo en la cama – En la Casa Magnolia
    May 11, 2021

    […] Incident of Two Badges – Ms Puddle’s Haven (mspuddleshaven.com) […]

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