Romeo and Juliet and Localization
(talking about death and his daiji na hito again)
(they're so cute man)
So in the jp version of the game, Hamuko's 1st dialogue option here is different:
Their exchange goes something like this:
Kotone: You're in a good mood, huh?
Ryoji: Haha, that's true.
Although, just like the eng. version, the dialogue is also teasing/playful, I believe.
The Romeo and Juliet reference is very much fitting since later on Ryoji says that he feels that their love is not allowed/unacceptable.
So yeah it ties into them having forbidden love and a relationship that will eventually be tragic and end very sadly for them because of forces or circumstances that are out of their control–like Romeo and Juliet.
I guess it can also be seen as being ironic as Hamuko was only jokingly calling him Romeo when in fact they do have similarities/connections with the famous tragic couple:
• Sneaking around/going to places with just the two of them
• Ryoji and Romeo having the same initials: R.M.
• Ryoji's and Hamuko's arcana (Fortune and Fool) matches with Romeo's quote where he proclaims that he is 'Fortune's Fool' after killing Tybalt. He is basically saying that he is unlucky and fate is being especially cruel to him and Juliet.
• And yeah both are star-crossed lovers
Like really, whoever thought of translating it this way was a genius (or an accidental one if this was all unintentional).
I guess this is what people call a 'good localization'.
I mean, it's great how they didn't go for a literal/direct translation and instead have chosen to localize this in a way that adds more to the context of their relationship. There are translations that completely changes or detracts meaning from the dialogue (in general I mean, I'm not talking about this game in particular).
And also, they really didn't have to do this anyway, it's only a small thing really, but it's nice that they did it (plus Ryoji and Hamuko are so cute here, I love the flirting/teasing and the reference their relationship has mythological references too, I've also seen others refer to it as freudian).
Lastly, I want to talk about this scene here:
This is so amusing to me, cause like–flirty one liners and gestures usually don't make her blush/can't fluster her but this does? lol girl what
It's just, she seemed to not like that kinda thing; she seems to not like it when Junpei gets all pervy acts inappropriately towards her and the other gals, and when Ryoji says that he doesn't regret what happened in the hot springs (getting to peep at the girls) despite Mitsuru's punishment.
This is also one of the times where Hamuko's feelings is directly kinda stated regardless of the player's (cause let's face it; not everyone would be all blushy if someone–even the person they like–tells them that).
Actually wait–now that I think about it–is Ryoji the only romantic option in P3P who doesn't have a blushing sprite? Even the velvet room attendants have one (Toriumi and Junpei too iirc–and he's not even romanceable, now this is weird). I guess it kinda makes sense with the character? He's the one making girls blush and squeal and whatever, not the other way around.
Anyway, thanks a lot if you read all of this!
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I have actually seen other people refer to their relation ship as 'Fortune's Fool', and even 'Death and the Universe', which I think are all cute since those reference all their arcana.
Although the story of Ryoji and FeMC resemble first and furthermost the Death and the Maiden motif:
Even Death can feel a little lonely. A rather infamous artistic motif that came into prominence during the Renaissance and continues to the
Their s-link does also resemble Romeo + Juliet story, yes:
these two have immediate mutual attraction (which is of no surprise to me considering who Ryoji really is) Ryoji/FeMC was and will be always my OTP. I was always thinking that he is someone who knows FeMC best and therefore fits best with her. Not to mention that they are cute together indeed. I love flirting/teasing banter between them as well. Ryoji is charming and playful. If only he was human, this couple would be just perfect. Also this ship make sense to me since their bond is very important. Ryoji/FeMC IS the plot of this game. Ryoji's s-link always goes up and they are pretty gaga about each other. Their s-link is already romance during rank 4. Also I love how this pairing has in-game hints: Pharos and his "My dearest" and then it's the last thing Ryoji says to FeMC when you finish his s-link. The Kyoto scenes, the scene after his fight against Aigis in which he asks FeMC to kill him and she has a dialog option "I can't kill you". "Come to me", which was a nice addition to the Avatar fight. The scene in which Junpei introduces Ryoji to FeMC, the bus scene at Rank 2 which can't be avoided at all. The scene in which Ryoji visits dormitory and asks FeMC if he can see her room is an in-game scene when you follow his s-link and it shows how well this couple blends into the main story line (which makes sense since Ryoji is actually important to the plot and their bond always exists and has a build-up thanks to Pharos).
a ring plays a certain part (Romeo and Juliet marry - Ryoji buys a ring during a date with FeMC which he gives to her at the end of their s-link)
the truth comes out (Romeo and Juliet realize pretty soon that they are on opposite sides, Ryoji and FeMC much later)
he disappears after their relationship becomes intimate (Romeo and Juliet consumate their marriage and Ryoji and FeMC complete their social link right before he goes away)
when they see each other the next time, they are pretty much dead
