Dragons Trailer - Japanese Translation
Oh my god, I’m so weak. I’m weak, so I translated Genji’s and Hanzo’s interaction in the Japanese version of “Dragons”. (I would translate the narrator’s lines, but I’ll hold off on it–though, the way he says some of the things are really great.) I’ve put it next to the English version so you can see where the script diverges.There were some phrases that came out a little strangely. The original English lines will be on top, next to the speaker’s name, and the Japanese-translated lines will be below it in italics. Any notes will be put in a blockquote.
My Japanese is only subpar, so some of the nuances may have been lost. Please don’t take this as official or use it elsewhere. This is just for fun and just me being too excited.
Hanzo: You are not the first assassin sent to kill me, and you will not be my last.
To send a novice who can’t even mask their presence, I must be being underestimated.
Genji: You are bold to come to Shimada castle, the den of your enemies.
To trespass into Shimada Castle like this, I’ll acknowledge that you have balls.
I have no good explanation for why I used ‘balls’. He says 「度胸だけは認めよう」which is something like, “I can at least commend you for your bravery” or “I acknowledge that you have courage, at least.” But this was funnier.
Hanzo: This was once my home, did your masters did not tell who I was?!
This was once my home, did you not even know that?
Genji: I know who you are, Hanzo. I know you come here every year on the same day. You risk so much to honour someone you murdered.
I already know, Hanzo. I also know that you go out of your way to come here every year on the same day in order to mourn someone you’ve killed.
Seeing Hanzo’s face here when Genji speaks his name makes a lot of sense. As mentioned in a previous post, you don’t usually use someone’s first name in Japanese unless you’re very, very close to them. So for this stranger/assassin to come and say his name so casually, Hanzo is understandably shocked and angry–who is this man to pretend he knows him so well that he can speak his first name so casually? How dare he.
Hanzo: You know nothing of what happened!
What would you know?
Genji: I know you tell yourself that your brother disobeyed the clan, and that you have to kill him to maintain order, that was your duty.
I know that your younger brother was the shame of your clan. You had no choice but to kill him, is what you had to tell yourself.
This hurts in Japanese. It’s basically Genji saying that he knows that his whole family hated him. He specifically says 「弟は一族の恥」or “The younger brother was a disgrace/the clan’s shame”. It takes on a very different meaning than the English version where Genji sounds like he just did one thing wrong. Here, his entire existence is being denied by his family. And he knows it.
Hanzo: It was my duty, and my burden. That does not mean I do not honour him.
That’s right. I had a duty that I had to fulfill. But I have never once forgotten my younger brother.
Genji: You think you honour your brother Genji with incense offerings? Honour residing one’s actions.
With incense and offerings, do you think that your brother, Genji, would be pleased? Sincerity should be shown through one’s actions.
Hanzo: You dare lecture me about honour? You are not worthy to say his name. Ryuu ga waga teki wo kurau!
You fool, what are you playing at? Don’t speak my brother’s name so frivoulously! RYUU GA WAGA TEKI WO KURAU!
MY FAVORITE INSULT, 「たわけ」(tawake) (but it may or may not be because Gilgamesh from Fate uses it a lot. It’s an interesting choice of insult, actually. It’s a little deeper than ‘fool’–like the person being insulted has no idea what they’re talking about and the person giving the insult is annoyed. And then Hanzo says 「軽々しく弟の名を口にするなっ！」 which is a great way to put it.
Genji: Ryuujin no ken wo kurae!
RYUUJIN NO (ry
Hanzo: Only a Shimada can control the dragons, who are you? Do it then, kill me.
What is the meaning of this? Controlling dragons is the power of my clan. Why do you hesitate? Kill me.
Genji: No, I will no grant you the death you wish for, you still have a purpose in this life, brother.
No. There is no meaning in slaughtering someone who seeks death. You have to find your reason for living, brother.
He uses 「兄者」. It’s not just old, it’s just not really used. There’s significance to this, but it’s also hard to explain.
Hanzo: No. How? My brother is dead. Genji.
No. You should have been dead! Genji.
Hanzo: What have you become?
That form…just what…?
Genji: I have accepted what I am, and I have forgiven you, now you must forgive yourself. The world is changing once again Hanzo, and it’s time to pick as side.
As I took on this new self, I have forgiven you, brother. And now, all that’s left is for you to forgive yourself. The world is once again in troubling times, the question now is who you will side with.
Hanzo: Real life is not like the stories our father told us, you are a fool for believing it so!
The real world is nothing like our father’s fairy-tales. Enough, cast away your fantasies!
Genji: Perhaps I am a fool to think there is still hope for you, but I do. Think on that, brother.
Even if these fantasies are mocked, I will still believe. Let us meet again, brother.
When he says the “Let us meet again, brother” line, I’m really emotional. I don’t usually hear 「いずれまた」at all. It’s kind of dramatic and something you’d hear from like someone wandering into the sunset in an old movie. It’s not something you hear in modern Japanese.
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