Everyone loves the Bardock TV special, right? It’s great but it has a problem: the full Japanese title of the Bardock TV special is one of the most frustratingly ambiguous titles in the entire Dragon Ball franchise. In fact, it’s so ambiguous that Japanese Dragon Ball fans and fans in the English speaking world don’t even agree on what it …

Piccolo sacrificing himself to protect Gohan is one of the most iconic moments in all of Dragon Ball. Unfortunately though, the English dubs of Dragon Ball Z absolutely ruined this moment. In this video, I break down how they changed and ruined this scene. I also analyze the Dragon Ball Z Kai dub and the Spanish (Mexican) Latin American dub …

In this video, I break down the word puttsun by examining a specific line from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 3 (Stardust Crusaders). Putssun (プッツン, ぷっつん) means to get angry but there’s a lot more to this word that that. The origins of puttsun date back to 1986 when an actor/TV personality named Kataoka Tsurutarō created it and it exploded in popularity. Watch the …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Japanese to English translator/localizer Mel Ok tells about localizing Japanese video games and how he got into the translation/localization industry. About Mel Ok Mel Ok is a translator/localizer of Japanese video games and heads the translation/localization company Ace Honyaku. Topics Discussed The Japanese population in Hawaii Studying Japanese linguistics About doing play …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re talking about translation, learning Japanese and more with translator/podcaster Jenn O’Donnell. About Anna Lughezzani Jenn O’Donnell is a Japanese to English translator and podcaster. She lives in Osaka where she works as a Localization Director for a video game company. She also produces the podcasts The Translation Chat and Otafu Susume. Topics Discussed …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, translator Allison Markin Powell talks about translating Japanese fiction. About Allison Markin Powell Allison Markin Powell is a literary translator, editor, and publishing consultant. The most recently published book she translated is Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement (The Feminist Press at CUNY) by Shiori Ito. Topics Discussed How …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, translator Allison Markin Powell discusses the story of Shiori Ito and the newly published English version of the book Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement. About Allison Markin Powell Allison Markin Powell is a literary translator, editor, and publishing consultant. The most recently published book she translated is Black …

 On This Episode of Japan Station On this very special episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re joined by James from ALTInsider.com and The Inside Japan Podcast. James offers some advice for those looking to work in Japan and interviews Tony about his career and time in Japan. About The Inside Japan Podcast The Inside Japan Podcast is the …

On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, localizer and author Matt Alt stops by to discuss the influence Japanese pop culture has had on the world. About Matt Alt Matt Alt is a localizer of Japanese games and manga. Together with Hiroko Yoda he founded the localization company AltJapan and has authored multiple …

On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Sarah Moon teaches us a bit about what it’s like being a translator of anime and games. About Sarah Moon Sarah Moon is a professional translator (Japanese to English) who has experience localizing both video games and anime. On YouTube Sarah manages two channels: Sarah Moon …

On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re joined by master rakugo performer Shinoharu Tatekawa. About Shinoharu Tatekawa Shinoharu Tatekawa is a professional rakugo (traditional Japanese comedic storytelling) performer. He apprenticed under the well-known and highly respected rakugo master Shinosuke Tatekawa. In addition to performing rakugo in Japanese, Shinoharu also has extensive experience …

The epic conclusion to the Gundam VS Hello Kitty saga! 2019 marked the 40th anniversary of the 1979 anime series Mobile Suit Gundam, as well as the 45th anniversary of Sanrio’s most famous character, Hello Kitty. As such late in March of last year it was announced that the two companies behind these massive properties, Bandai and Sanrio, would be …