Kadokawa Withdraws a Light Novel that Plagiarized Baka to Test

by dtshyk
Jun 7, 2010 9:43 PM | 29 Comments

Kadokawa announced to the bookstores that they have found plagiarisms in Dengeki Bunko's new light novel "Ore to Kanojo ga Maoh to Yusha de Seitokaicho" and decided to withdraw the books. Some lines of the novel closely resemble those of Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu etc. "Ore to Kanojyo ..." is Aikawa Jo's first novel released this May. Aikawa is a 22 year old newface writer and was one of the final candidates in the 16th Dengeki Novel Award.

Comparison between BakaTest and Ore Kanojo Japanese
Comparison (longer version) Japanese
Larger version (may give 404 error)

example

Baka Test said:

「？　じゃあなんだ？　ヘッドバッドか？」
"? Then what are you going to do? Headbutt?"
「……キス」
"...... kiss"
「よし。余計な動きを見せるな。
"Good. Don't make unnecessary moves."
手を頭の後ろに組んでから
"Put your hands behind the head and"
ゆっくりとわかりやすく説明するんだ」
"explain your thought plainly at your leisure."

Ore to Kanojo said:

「ヘッドバッドではない。おはようのチューだ」
"It's not headbutt but a good morning kiss."
「よし。余計な動きを見せるな。
"Good. Don't make unnecessary moves."
手を頭の後ろに回して、
"Put your hands behind the head and"
何を企んでいるかゆっくり説明しろ」
"explain what you're up to at your leisure."

There are divided opinions among other light novel authors. Migiwa Korumono (his tweet) criticized Aikawa and said "I despise him as an author." while Takami Kazuyuki supported him that "As long as the novel is fun, this degree of plagiarism is acceptable."

"Ore to Kanojo" ranked 5th in the weekly light novel ranking for May 3 -9.
ref. Japan's Weekly Manga Ranking for May 3 - 9

Source: Scan of the notice

20 of 29 Comments Recent Comments

reb3llist said:
Simply, for authors to copy the aspects of Bakatesto is fine (Class A B C D and so on) because honestly speaking after watching the anime it is a great setting for doing absolutely anything you want but if you copy the exact same storyline and style that is much more unacceptable.

However it would be wiser to brand it a spin-off in the first place if they were so familiar. At the same time, HOW CAN THE EDITORS NOT NOTICE THAT? And also, as said by the 2nd author, I'm fine with plagiarism as long as it's credited (oh wait then that isn't plagiarism D:) and fun to read. In any case, if there are above 10 lines that are identical, then definitely plagiarism. How awful of the author.

I just hope he's not confusing 'infusing a writer's particular style you like into your own writing style' as 'copying the writer' because to be honest that is one of the better feel-good exercises in writing.

True and besides the 3 lines which you guys are still talking about from the 2nd Author's manga which odviously comes from Baka To Test(Short For Baka To Test To Shoukanjuu) might be a Refernce just like any other Mangas and Animes i've seen to give the story a bit more comedy in them ven though the refernces do actually come from the original story of both Manga and Anime ex. Konata(Lucky Star) dresses up and wears a Haruhi Cosplay(Haruhi Suzumiya) at the Cosplay Cafe she works at.
Also i think i used to heard this somewhere that people used to say tht Katsura Hoshino(Author of both Manga and anime of D.Grayman) was also accused of plagiarising somebody else's manga but i don't who it was though, in her manga D.Grayman.

Jun 28, 2010 3:33 AM by kandiiyuutaamu

Simply, for authors to copy the aspects of Bakatesto is fine (Class A B C D and so on) because honestly speaking after watching the anime it is a great setting for doing absolutely anything you want but if you copy the exact same storyline and style that is much more unacceptable.

However it would be wiser to brand it a spin-off in the first place if they were so familiar. At the same time, HOW CAN THE EDITORS NOT NOTICE THAT? And also, as said by the 2nd author, I'm fine with plagiarism as long as it's credited (oh wait then that isn't plagiarism D:) and fun to read. In any case, if there are above 10 lines that are identical, then definitely plagiarism. How awful of the author.

I just hope he's not confusing 'infusing a writer's particular style you like into your own writing style' as 'copying the writer' because to be honest that is one of the better feel-good exercises in writing.

Jun 26, 2010 1:08 PM by reb3llist

I am also a bit hard pressed to judge the author based solo on the information given so far.

I mean, Baka is pretty standard and kind stereotyped fare, if he liked it so much that used it as inspiration during the creation of his own project some similarities are bound to happen, and knowing first hand Baka's dialogues are not all that complex and/or evolving I can kinda see some lines matching the original without his explicit intention.

Anyway, I truly feel sorry for him, his life just took a big hit and I hardly doubt he will ever be able to get any job on the industry again. It also comes as an important reminder for a lesson I learned a long time ago, even if you didn't mean it, ALWAYS do your research properly to see if your work haven't been done before, people will go to extreme lengths of ignorance when copyright and plagiarism are involved.

Jun 17, 2010 5:19 AM by 711

I feel kind of bad for the new author.
He's going to lose everything.

Maybe he was an obsessive Baka Test fan and while he was writing, an idea came to mind that was Baka Test dialogue.
...
...
Masaka~

Jun 8, 2010 7:02 PM by AzureHakua

If it's just those three lines it's ok but I suspect more plagiarism.

Jun 8, 2010 6:33 PM by Hoppy

vedicardi said:
if it's just 3 lines, I don't see what the big deal is. Maybe it's a joke.

plagiarism is plagiarism. the fact that this exists could also mean there's more that hasn't been found yet.

Jun 8, 2010 6:06 PM by windy

if it's just 3 lines, I don't see what the big deal is. Maybe it's a joke.

Jun 8, 2010 5:44 PM by vedicardi

SatoriTokku said:

Pw3age said:
Plagiarisms is one of the worst things you can do to the author.

Yeah... ... It's not a nice feeling. :x

indeed

Jun 8, 2010 8:38 AM by Mr_Gutts

um do guys think that there is somehow a problem becuase i was wondering to myself thinking about what types of words did he used from the Baka To Test To Shoukanjuu Novel. i mean i do understand that it's bad to plagiarized somdbody else's work and dialogues as it ruins that person's figure for their friends, family and fans but what sorts of words did s/he used as i don't really know this novel very well, no offense and in what way did these characters say it in? To be honest i don't understand the situation that is happening and i need to see some froof and evidence around.

Jun 8, 2010 8:17 AM by kandiiyuutaamu

:o that's bad :S
btw, what's the story of Ore to Kanojo ga Maoh to Yusha de Seitokaicho, does it even resemble to baka to test blablabla??

Jun 8, 2010 7:22 AM by Kurini

Baka to test just got simmonsed. there are too many identical lines (as seen in the picture) to call a homage or originality. if the story is alike (because of the cliches and tropes), then the author should go creative with the dialogues. or the editor should remark this when editing.

Jun 8, 2010 7:09 AM by Mariejoanna

midgemage said:

fertygo said:
Can someone post sypnosis/theme of this Ore to Kanojyo ?
Its very weird if the novel accused plagiarize another title just because some copy-paste dialogue

One would think that copy-paste dialogue already crosses a few too many lines.

Cliche lines and overused phrases are one thing, but this seems to be another altogether. I mean, these aren't even the sort of lines you'd commonly see in other novels belonging to a similar genre.

+dtshyk
now I undestand the probs, thanks. and the synopsis is somewhat cliche too >_>
But still, lines between plagiarize and inspired/parody is kinda blurry, whateva... the probs is maybe because the author is newcomer too and make the accuse is seems valid.

Jun 8, 2010 7:08 AM by fertygo

There's so much DESPISE in Korumono's words that I come to think if he or she also, ahem, borrows passages from other authors.

Jun 8, 2010 2:45 AM by -Vintage-

fertygo said:
Can someone post sypnosis/theme of this Ore to Kanojyo ?
Its very weird if the novel accused plagiarize another title just because some copy-paste dialogue

Jun 8, 2010 1:38 AM by midgemage

Too bad such a thing happened with the fellow Korean artist H2SO4's debut on light novel illustration work :(

Jun 8, 2010 1:37 AM by zvuc

fertygo said:
Can someone post sypnosis/theme of this Ore to Kanojyo ?
Its very weird if the novel accused plagiarize another title just because some copy-paste dialogue

that's the point of discussion. The story is somewhat similar to other popular titles but not a full copy. He is accused of copying some dialogues and lines.

Synopsis:
Kotaro is a high school boy going to Seitoh Gakuen, which admits both humans and non-humans (vampire, werewolf, android etc.). The high school has two student councils: "Yusha Council" and "Maoh Council". Kotaro's girlfriend Alice excels in everything and is the president of Yusha Council. Kotaro happens to be chosen as the president of Maoh Council and has to turn against Alice with non-human council members.

Jun 8, 2010 12:26 AM by dtshyk

I'll withhold judgment until I know more. Anybody here who can read Japanese able to translate some of the similarities in the link provided? I don't know the details with this case but there is a difference between being inspired/influenced by somebody's work (example: Onani Master Kurosawa and Death Note) and just straight plagiarizing someone's hard work (example: Nick Simmons comic and Bleach).

Jun 7, 2010 11:16 PM by MagicWookie

Can someone post sypnosis/theme of this Ore to Kanojyo ?
Its very weird if the novel accused plagiarize another title just because some copy-paste dialogue

Jun 7, 2010 10:51 PM by fertygo

... I'm appalled. You shouldn't call yourself an author if you can't even write a novel yourself.

Jun 7, 2010 10:33 PM by underMebius

Interesting, before I clicked on this link, I was hoping for more information. The images could not be enlarged very well, so I couldn't exactly compare the lines. Anyways, I know I have very few information to judge on, but going solely by Takami's words, it seems like only a few lines were plagiarized. In other words, it could have been an unlikely coincidence. With the novel ranking that high, I don't think the author intended to plagiarize much. I mean, "Baka to Test" is also a very popular light novel, so I would think someone would notice it immediately and there would be protests by "Baka to Test" fans. Anyways, this is just my opinion based on the very little information I have on hand.

Jun 7, 2010 10:29 PM by guyklc

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