Shadowfighter60

Thanks to localizers, Japanese companies and creators largely have a false perception of what is "necessary" when it comes to the English translation of Japanese media. The art and cultural references should not be censored or "adapted," rather these works should be faithfully translated to adhere as closely as possible to the original Japanese. Foreign media should feel foreign to an audience outside of that culture's target demographic; this is normal and also allows said audience to better understand a culture whose creativity they enjoy. "Adapting" it to feel like it wasn't even made by its own creators' cultural perspective is artistic vandalism. Localizers and those who defend their practices will often default to "you can't translate 1:1" when a lot of script changes are easily translatable lines of dialogue, as demonstrated by countless comparisons. While egregious examples are often shared the most because they stand out more, there are so many simple lines that get changed for no reason other than what amounts to a localizer's personal preference, which should never justify altering the author's intent. Unfortunately, these practices are so ingrained in the industry that it will require a complete overhaul to the way Japanese to English translation is handled. The Japanese need to know this is *not* necessary for their media to be enjoyed.