I don't link ICv2 very often, but hey, they put up something that I found to be pretty interesting. You'll remember that Viz was editing Fullmetal Alchemist to stave off the perceived threat of a mass exodus of Christian readers (see what I did there?) Well, ICv2 apparently felt about like we did about it and wondered what the fuck this edit was for. They went to Viz to find out and viz dutifully answered them clearly and concisely.
We asked Viz for the reason for the edit, and the response was the same as it has been in the past to "fit the criteria for release in the American market."
Yep. Doesn't get any clearer than that. Now, before you fly off and say "What the fuck are you wasting my time for, Randall?" I would go out on a limb here and assume that you'll be interested to hear this next bit of amazing hypocrisy. (How ICv2 got Viz to answer these questions is beyond me.) Anyway, ICv2 went on to ask how frequently Viz changes content to fit the American (read: unfan) market. Viz again replied with a horrible lie.
We also asked how frequently Viz changes its content for the American market, and were told that changes were made "rarely."
But here's the gem of that paragraph.
Anime on DVD has a running list of edited manga volumes from a number of publishers. Viz has 20 series with one or more edited volumes on the list.
Wow. That's a good chunk there. CMX has some catching up to do. Although, I'd noticed that CMX started wrapping some manga. Probably for more than 3 panty shots. Still, this edit doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but let me meet you in the next paragraph to explain my thoughts on this in the proper fashion.
Hi, glad you could make it. While I will pretend to respect the religious choices of the world, I do draw a pretty black line on the white background and that line comes around censorship and things of its ilk, especially in the interest of observing religions that not everyone subscribes to. This has to do with a lot more than manga, but manga is on the block. My specific problem with editing manga is the following: If our "market" does not allow for it to be brought over in its original form, then it shouldn't be brought over. I mean, do these fry eating motherfuckers honestly think that they're fans of anime and manga when they script and content have been adapted to fit their own culture? No, you're a fan of pretty pictures and what basically amounts to an American made comic book. If you're not enjoying the original Japanese jokes, the cultural references, and things like that it means you're not a fan of the form you're claiming to be a fan of. What you're read when things are heavily altered or adapted isn't "manga," it's an adapted work of fiction. I'd liken it to the remake of Ringu or other films like that. When you replace all the Japanese dialog, mannerisms, characters, and settings with American ones, you aren't watching a Japanese film. I guess that's the meat of it. At this point, I'd honestly rather spend my time translating Japanese manga than buying heavily adapted crap. Right now, DelRey is doing the best job in the American market, but their edits have put them in hot water with me. The cover of Air Gear 2 is fine. Want proof? Go look in the fucking Romance section of the bookstore. Middle-aged women will buy that shit right up, but show it on a cartoon book made for her 10 year old (misconception) and it's the devil. I mean, where is the strapping Native American man?!
Ok, I'll be done now. I'd like to thank my readers for not sucking like the overzealous twats at ANN. More the ones on the "the edit is fine" side of things. I may be a bit biased.
September 20th, 2006 at 1:53 pm
Not sure why the comment count was at 1… did someone's comment get eaten? Please mail me if it did.
September 20th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
First I'd like to say I agree with you wholeheartedly, and would be the first to bring up one of Viz's (?) more recent aquisitions: Hayate the Combat Butler. Half of the manga is a collection of cultural references and jokes, some of which make little sense out of context unless the translator notes this, and knowing American manga companies they will either remove aforementioned elements or replace them with something they believe the mass market will take, in the process taking away a good portion of the charm.
Catering something like FMA or Black Lagoon for such a generic audience could work, because there are things present that Westerners can relate to, but doing the same for other just doesn't work. In a nutshell, there are some things that just shouldn't be brought over because only a small portion of the recieving audience will appreciate it, and only in its unadulturated form.
September 20th, 2006 at 2:54 pm
This coming as a bit of test, as my original comment was eaten like Randall noted, but still. Haven't kept eye on Viz line-up but for them to release Hayate, it's like nightmare come true. As Wererat42 noted, they'll hardly are going to try their luck with explaining all the cultural references and inside/out-of-context jokes. Heck, even DelRey could give it a second thought, Hayate literally being constructed upon these elements and jokes/puns/references and what not. Still it's been a great title to read. But for Hayate to success as-is-non-edited geared for general English speaking audience is synonymous to thing called marketing suicide. Let's just wait the worst-case scenario to happen. Being pessimist has never been so fun :>
September 21st, 2006 at 1:12 am
Whilst I agree whole-heartedly, you have to remember the "apples and oranges" principle. It may be just a principle, but ask yourself why the American culture hadn't accepted any media from the Arab/Muslim/Middle Eastern culture outside the "Islamo-fanatic cheerleading."
I don't mind edits if the editing company in question can explain it. The editing done by Viz on that particular scene in "Fullmetal Achemist…" I'm not even a big fan of FMA. But their lack of explaining is what ticks me off the most.
The guy from DCMX was forced to spiritually hang himself for "Tenjho Tenge" (again, another series I'm not a fan of). I'm hoping the same will happen in Viz.
September 21st, 2006 at 1:35 am
Tyrenol:
That's my problem here. Is that people pick and choose and then get all confused when I complain about it. It's not right to custom tailor other people's art to fit your needs, if that's the case, make it yourself. And judging from how dismal all OEL is, that isn't an option for most people. Still, when I watch something, from ANY culture, I want it left as it was originally because that is what I want to like or dislike, not the sanitized version that is hand-tailored to fit my NASCAR/Disney World palette. But again, I'm sure I'm not a majority there.
Chronos:
Sorry about the eaten comment. The plugin was supposed to save it somewhere, but didn't. Might not have even been the plugin. If it happens again, mail me straight away. Oh and hit the back button to see if you can salvage the comment.
Were/Chrono:
I sort of fell the same way about Pani Poni Dash! It's one of those shows the really took me aback when they said that ADV had picked it up. I was confused, actually. And there will be an inevitable dub of it. It just doesn't make any sense. I mean, for reference, listen to the Hale nochi Guu dub. That thing is a horrible bastardization of an amazing work. The same with Puni Puni Poemi. I know I am pointing out the more manic shows, but those are the ones that really showcase the unique aspects of Japanese humor and they just get lost coming over and jokes aren't funny and neither is the third rate garbage pail acting that passes for professional for anime dubs (not that better actors could bring the mannerisms over properly, but we'd avoid shit like shitcan Southern accents from big city used car lot commercial actresses.)
Still though, I tend to have a good time railing against the American companies. They won't talk to me, but whatever. DelRey won't even answer my questions about Air Gear vol 2. I guess they might have seen some of this sort of thing on the site. >.>