Oh The Pitfalls a Purist Stumbles Into
The following is what happens when the typical purist stumbles on an old dubbed version of a TV show and then begins criticizing it, not realizing the circumstances on how and why it was dubbed that way:
A: Thank you so much for uploading the BEST part of Voltes V! I'm crying... This is a bit terrible, though; the translator seems not even bothered to read the Japanese script! Heinell actually said in the beginning, "The Boazanian nobility with horns will fight on as long as the last one alive can." Then Kenichi said, "That's the thing you are wrong about! Whether one has horns or not, humans are all equal!" Voltes V was about a battle against human prejudice based on outward appearance.
A: Also, Heinel simply said, "So I have fought for a thug like you( for all this time)..." right before he killed the mad villain.
B: Whatever. It's over, we all know what's originally was, complaining won't change anything. besides, I don't mind the translation, it's not an outright massacre, unlike what could have happened if this was released in the US at the same time as the Phils. (Macekre, anyone?)
A: I'm not complaining; I'm simply pointing out the inaccuracy of translation here. Changed translation usually has specific purposes, but Philippino (sic) versions sure overly did it(in "Daimos" as well), changing the producer's important messages. "Voltes 5" deserves better translation; this is not how good literature or art should be handled.
B: Take it easy, you're taking this show TOO seriously. It seems to me like you want everything to be translated word for word; with no room for artistic license. As long as the basic geist of the story is there, there is no problem.
A: Translation here is not just inaccurate but it created a different script, that's the problem. And the reason wasn't even to protect children from unfitting stuff. It's not authentic and dishonoring to the authors. This is not how any creation should be treated.
B: And oh, it's "Filipino", not "Philippino".
A: do you also spell Pilipino? Why is that?
C: It's the same. we spell pizza as "fizza" too. and apple as "affle". It's all pine tenk you.
A: My question was, why do you spell differently between the names of your nation and your people/language? For most of us English is not the first language, so let's be patient toward each other, OK?
A: I was refering to Philippines, not Australia.
A: Accuracy of translation DO matter. The spelling matter of "Filipino" is already settled. If that's so important, why can't you care more for accurate translations? I don't think I offended anybody here.
In 1978, there was no fansubs, only a few telephones, the country speaks Tagalog and some English, and most of the stuff on the black-and-white TV were American cartoons. Marcos was still in power, but slowly tottering. Of course there were some reruns of movies depicting the exploits of guerillas defeating the Japanese invaders.
At that time, "purity" was the least in the thoughts of those involved in the first-airing of Voltes V back then; they had to deliver a finished product to the audience, and already Toei gave them a bargain basement price.
Well, what happened next was history: Voltes V became a cult classic in those days, until Marcos decided that the show was then a threat to national security and so he had it blocked, never realizing he was one step closer to the political coffin.
Why the backstory?
The lesson is that what matters is storytelling and the entertainment quality, no matter which tongue the story has to be told, and considering the audience you are supposed to give the show to. To stick to critical "purity" is to invite sterility and a lack of tolerance to variety.
Me watching animu in both versions is like having two different kinds of spaghetti by means of different sauces, so makes up for a richer experience. Consider this: despite being so cut up and edited, most of the Lone Wolf and Cub film series eventually made up into the composite of the cult classic Shogun Assassin.
So, it's more like remixing.
But sadly, there's a huge population out there who believes otherwise.
A: Thank you so much for uploading the BEST part of Voltes V! I'm crying... This is a bit terrible, though; the translator seems not even bothered to read the Japanese script! Heinell actually said in the beginning, "The Boazanian nobility with horns will fight on as long as the last one alive can." Then Kenichi said, "That's the thing you are wrong about! Whether one has horns or not, humans are all equal!" Voltes V was about a battle against human prejudice based on outward appearance.
A: Also, Heinel simply said, "So I have fought for a thug like you( for all this time)..." right before he killed the mad villain.
B: Whatever. It's over, we all know what's originally was, complaining won't change anything. besides, I don't mind the translation, it's not an outright massacre, unlike what could have happened if this was released in the US at the same time as the Phils. (Macekre, anyone?)
A: I'm not complaining; I'm simply pointing out the inaccuracy of translation here. Changed translation usually has specific purposes, but Philippino (sic) versions sure overly did it(in "Daimos" as well), changing the producer's important messages. "Voltes 5" deserves better translation; this is not how good literature or art should be handled.
B: Take it easy, you're taking this show TOO seriously. It seems to me like you want everything to be translated word for word; with no room for artistic license. As long as the basic geist of the story is there, there is no problem.
A: Translation here is not just inaccurate but it created a different script, that's the problem. And the reason wasn't even to protect children from unfitting stuff. It's not authentic and dishonoring to the authors. This is not how any creation should be treated.
B: And oh, it's "Filipino", not "Philippino".
A: do you also spell Pilipino? Why is that?
C: It's the same. we spell pizza as "fizza" too. and apple as "affle". It's all pine tenk you.
A: My question was, why do you spell differently between the names of your nation and your people/language? For most of us English is not the first language, so let's be patient toward each other, OK?
A: I was refering to Philippines, not Australia.
A: Accuracy of translation DO matter. The spelling matter of "Filipino" is already settled. If that's so important, why can't you care more for accurate translations? I don't think I offended anybody here.
In 1978, there was no fansubs, only a few telephones, the country speaks Tagalog and some English, and most of the stuff on the black-and-white TV were American cartoons. Marcos was still in power, but slowly tottering. Of course there were some reruns of movies depicting the exploits of guerillas defeating the Japanese invaders.
At that time, "purity" was the least in the thoughts of those involved in the first-airing of Voltes V back then; they had to deliver a finished product to the audience, and already Toei gave them a bargain basement price.
Well, what happened next was history: Voltes V became a cult classic in those days, until Marcos decided that the show was then a threat to national security and so he had it blocked, never realizing he was one step closer to the political coffin.
Why the backstory?
The lesson is that what matters is storytelling and the entertainment quality, no matter which tongue the story has to be told, and considering the audience you are supposed to give the show to. To stick to critical "purity" is to invite sterility and a lack of tolerance to variety.
Me watching animu in both versions is like having two different kinds of spaghetti by means of different sauces, so makes up for a richer experience. Consider this: despite being so cut up and edited, most of the Lone Wolf and Cub film series eventually made up into the composite of the cult classic Shogun Assassin.
So, it's more like remixing.
But sadly, there's a huge population out there who believes otherwise.