Katakana Kitten

Hellow, I'm Midori. I know some Japanese. This blog posts one example of katakana usage a day, usually from video games. Please use these posts to bolster your own Japanese studies.

[katakanakitten]

Short break

This blog will take a break from posting until after the start of 2017. Please have a wonderful holiday and a happy new year! Thank you so much for viewing and for your support! Please continue your studies in earnest!

[katakanakitten]

Mario has one of his most colorful adventures yet in Paper Mario: Color Splash, developed by Intelligent Systems, 2016. In this game, Mario must work to return the color to Irodori Island.

Image source: https://topics.nintendo.co.jp/c/article/6d9726d0-2e07-11e6-8360-063b7ac45a6d.html

[katakanakitten]

A member of the Space Rulers from Rockman World 5 (known as Mega Man V in the west) developed by Capcom, 1994. He was one of a number of alien robots from an ancient civilization found and restored by Dr. Wily.

Image source: http://www.themmnetwork.com/gallery/classic/bosses

[katakanakitten]

The Japan-only Famciom adaptation of Star Wars, developed by Namco, 1987. The game faithfully recreates scenes and conflicts from the film, like the time Darth Vader turned into a giant scorpion.

Image source: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Sasori_Vader

[katakanakitten]

Happy Friday Quiz to you! This week we have a variety of holiday treats you might encounter this season. These things are pretty uncommon in Japan so they have kind of complex katakana! Do your best to figure out what they are by reading and then check after the break. Good luck!

[katakanakitten]

A kid who is bestowed a variety of powers from many different masks, Chameleon Kid (known as Kid Chameleon in the west) developed by Sega, 1992. As you can see, what passed for a “cool kid” character in the 90s differed somewhat in the east and west.

Image sources: http://catalog.retrogamekaitori.com/17-23.html | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kid_Chameleon_(video_game)

[katakanakitten]

Subaru’s alien sidekick made up of electromagnetic waves from Ryuusei no Rockman (known as Mega Man Star Force in the west) developed by Capcom, 2006. His name is a pun off of “warlock.” The series celebrates its 10th anniversary today.

Image source: http://www.neoseeker.com/mega-man-star-force-pegasus/concept_art/

[katakanakitten]

A land high above the ground of clouds, palaces, and airships, frokm Hoshi no Kirby: Yume no Izumi no Monogatari (known as Kirby’s Adventure in the west) developed by HAL Laboratories, 1993. This map brings back a well known Kirby boss: Kracko, the one-eyed storm cloud.

Image source: http://leavelucktoheaven-anthony.blogspot.com/2014/09/ten-years-of-kirby-reverie-8-kirby.html

[katakanakitten]

Quickman in his signature racing car from the battle racing game Rockman Battle & Chase (known as Mega Man Battle & Chase in the west) developed by Capcom, 1997. In the story, he races Turboman’s stead, who got sick.

Image source: https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/rockman-battle-&-chase

[katakanakitten]

The desert protagonists of Wild Arms, developed by Media Vision, 1996. One of the first RPGs on the PlayStation and one of the first Western themed RPGs, it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

Image source: http://gematsu.com/2016/01/wild-arms-creator-teases-20th-anniversary-meeting

[katakanakitten]

Raining down fireballs in a link battle in Rockman EXE 6 (known as Mega Man Battle Network 6 in the west), developed by Capcom, 2005. The katakana pronunciation for meteor drops the “R” sound at the end. It can also be written メテオール (METEOORU) although this is less common.

Image source: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm20864618

[katakanakitten]

Here’s your next Friday Quiz! The theme this time is McDonald’s menu items. Eat there regularly? Might help you read these! DO your best to come up with the answers and then check after the break. Good luck!

*The word for French fries in Japanese is literally “fry potato.”

[katakanakitten]

Kirby using the Animal ability, from Hoshi no Kirby - Sanjou! Dorocche Dan (known as Kirby Squeak Squad in the west) developed by Flagship, 2006. With the powers to melee attack and dig through the ground, this ability has yet to appear in any other Kirby game.

Image source: http://kirby.wikia.com/wiki/Animal

[katakanakitten]

Heroes unite in the newly announced Marvel VS. Capcom Infinite, developed by Capcom, scheduled for release in 2017. It will be the first time Rockman X makes his debut in a fighting game.

Image source: http://twinfinite.net/2016/12/242086/

[katakanakitten]

Take on the role of James Bond in GoldenEye 007, developed by RARE, 1997. Based on the hit film franchise, this particular title made by mostly a team of people who had no experience in games would revolutionize console FPS games.

Image source: http://videogamesdaily.com/japan/200911/do-certain-games-really-make-the-japanese-feel-nauseous/

[katakanakitten]

Jotaru Kujo using his Stand to battle his family line’s mortal enemy, from JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken, developed by Capcom, 1998. In Japanese, platinum is written as “platina,” which comes from Spanish.

Image source: http://www.fightersgeneration.com/games/jojos.html

[katakanakitten]

Travis mowing down a group of enemies with his mail order weapon in No More Heroes, developed by Grasshopper Manufacturer, 2007. Despite being a Japanese made game, No More Heroes has much of its violent content cut down in the Japanese version compared to the North American version.

Image source: https://www.wired.com/2008/01/gamesfrontiers-0128/