Aya Nishitani kept his word. Three years ago, the Megami Tensei creator promised an American reader he'd translate the original Digital Devil Story novels into English himself—and he's now making good on that commitment.

On Sunday, Nishitani announced via X (formerly Twitter) that he's been resolving contractual issues and is in discussions with an overseas publisher about an official translation. But rather than wait, he's taking matters into his own hands. "In order to fulfill that promise, I am publishing this translation," he wrote.

Nishitani has been posting chapters to his Note website, starting with the Prologue and moving through the early story. He acknowledged the translation isn't polished, framing it as a tool to help professional translators understand his original Japanese intent. "I hope it will help a translator understand," he noted.

The author's posting schedule is aggressive. After releasing the first three chapters, Nishitani plans to continue uploading Chapter 3, 4, 5, and the final chapter over the following week. The entire translation will remain available through the end of July 2026, giving fans a limited window to access this rare glimpse at Nishitani's early work.

The Megami Tensei (Digital Devil Story) novels are foundational to the entire franchise that eventually spawned the Shin Megami Tensei games, anime adaptations, and countless spin-offs. English-language fans have long struggled to access the source material, making Nishitani's decision particularly significant for series historians and dedicated followers.

This move also signals movement toward an official English release. With Nishitani actively working with publishers on a proper translation, fans can hope for a more permanent, polished version down the line. For now, though, those curious about where it all began have a rare opportunity to read the creator's own translation before the July 31 deadline.